| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 07:00 - 18:00 10:00 - 17:00 coffee shop |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, car needed or bus travel available, restrooms, souvenir store, cafe |
| Location / Getting There | The park is a 30 minute drive south from central Obihiro, take route 236. For those using public transport, from the bus terminal in front of JR Obihiro Station, take the Tokachi Bus bound for "Hiroo" and get off at the "Happiness" bus stop (about 45 minutes). It's 5 minute walk from here. From the Tokachi airport, it only a 5 minute drive or taxi ride. Obihiro, Hokkaido 089-1246 |
Kōfuku Station is a closed railway station from the now defunct Hiroo line. The station originally opened on 1st November 1956, but the line, which went from Obihiro to Hiroo, was discontinued in 1987 bringing an end to the station. Even though the station closed down, it still remains a popular sightseeing spot for tourists. Why? Well, it comes down to the name of the station. The name Kofuku (幸福）translates to “happiness” and the station became famous after it was featured on a Japanese NHK TV travel programme which aired in 1973. The station name is formed from the combination of the original name of the area, Kōshin. Plus many farmers settled here in 1902 coming from Fukui prefecture after flooding. Kō + Fuku = Kōfuku.
Kōfuku Station is part of Kōfuku Kōtsu Park. In this area, there is a nice little coffee shop, plus a small souvenir store (the Kōfuku train ticket is a very popular item), and photography area. There are two old trains here that have been turned into small museums. This area is especially popular for couples as the site was chosen as a ‘Sanctuary for Lovers’ in 2008. There is a special bell here that can be rung for good luck, plus the main attraction is the small hut here. You can write a message on a pink ticket and stick it to the wall. The hut is covered with thousands of these messages. Kōfuku Station is a popular spot to visit, if you can get out that way.
| Opening Hours | JR call center 6:30 - 22:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Notes | Ticket counters, restaurants, tourist information center, lockers, wheelchair access, souvenir stores. JR Hakodate main line for Otaru, Niseko, Hakodate, and Asahikawa. Access to the subway Namboku, and Toho lines, Transport to Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Limited Express Lilac and Kamui for Sapporo & Asahikawa Limited Express Okhotsk for Sapporo, Asahikawa & Abashiri Limited Express Suzuran for Sapporo, Chitose, Noboribetsu, & Muroran. |
| Contact | 011-222-6131 011-222-7111 JR call center |
| Getting There | Located in the central Sapporo. A 40 minute express train ride from the New Chitose Airport. Or a 55 minute bus ride from New Chitose Airport 4 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0806 |
Sapporo Station is the hub of the city of Sapporo. All travelers will pass through its gates before branching out to different parts of the city, or for most, different cities in Hokkaido. It originally opened in 1880 and was revamped in 2003. With its ten platforms, it is an easy station to use! From New Chitose Airport, it is a 40 minute express train ride or 55 minute bus ride. The JR train arrives on the elevated platform giving views over the south of Sapporo (which includes Odori park, and Susukino). Once arriving simply follow everyone down the stairs or escalators to the ground floor. From here, you can either head to the western exit or eastern ticket exit.
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The east exit leads to JR tower (the highest building in Sapporo), plus the Esta building and Bic Camera (a popular tourist spot for shopping) which is on the south east side of Sapporo station. On the west side of Sapporo station, the west exit leads to the Sapporo subway station. You can also find the Daimaru department store, plus the tourist information site, souvenir store, and JR ticket counter for Hokkaido travel, and Paseo West which has about twenty different restaurants! Also above the station there is the department store, Stellar Place. The west exit out of the gates is the main exit if you need to head into the heart of Sapporo. It is at Sapporo station, you can find JR Hakodate main line for Otaru, Niseko, Hakodate, and Asahikawa. There is access to the subway Namboku, and Toho lines, transport to Sapporo New Chitose Airport.
