Odori Park is a huge park located in the middle of downtown Sapporo. It is home to various events throughout the four seasons and is also the site of the nationally famous Sapporo Snow Festival. The park is 1.5 meters long and 65 meters wide, and is lush with lilacs and Japanese elms. The grassy area is a place for many citizens to gather and relax.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Many of you have probably heard the phrase “Boys be ambitious”. Dr. Clark, who coined this famous phrase, was the first vice principal of Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University), and his bronze statue still stands at the Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill today. It is an oasis in the heart of the city, relatively close to the center of Sapporo by subway and bus, where you can see sheep grazing and lavender fields. It is recommended to have a picnic on the vast lawn with a great view and enjoy Genghis Khan.
Sapporo JR Tower Observation Deck
JR Sapporo Station is the largest central station in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Surrounded by bustling commercial facilities, Sapporo Station is home to almost everything you need. Standing tall in the center of Sapporo Station is the Sapporo JR Tower. The 173-meter-high, 38-story tower is famous as the tallest building in Hokkaido, and the JR Tower Observation Deck is located on the 38th floor. The observation deck is stylishly decorated with a variety of seasonal events such as “Sora no concert” where you can listen to live music while enjoying the view, Valentine’s Day, Tanabata Festival and Christmas concert. The panoramic view of Sapporo below and the relaxed atmosphere are perfect for a date!
Jozankei
(Jozankei)
Jozankei is the backwaters of Sapporo. It is famous as a hot spring resort with beautiful valley views and is popular among local residents. During the autumn foliage season, a wide variety of colorful trees are in full bloom, and the hot springs are bathed in the rich colors of nature. Although there is no train service, it is easily accessible from central Sapporo in about an hour by car. You can easily enjoy a day trip from Sapporo or an overnight trip to the hot spring all year round, and there are walking trails and ski slopes to enjoy the beautiful scenery of each of the four seasons.
Otaru Canal
Otaru is a city near Sapporo, a romantic town with a music box. The number of trains running between Sapporo and Otaru is plentiful and it takes only 30-40 minutes to get there, so many people include Otaru in their sightseeing tour of Sapporo. The charm of Otaru Canal is the nostalgic appearance of historic buildings. At night, the stone warehouses are lit up and gas lamps along the path create a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. The romantic and beautiful scenery was selected as one of the “31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan” by CNN (U.S.).
Furano’s lavender fields
Furano is a town rich in nature that was the setting for the TV dramas “Kita no Kuni Kara” and “Kaze no Garden”. It is well known throughout Hokkaido, especially for its lavender fields and Furano melons. Around July, when the lavender blooms, the beautiful landscape looks like a purple carpet, and the flower fields turn into a magical scene like a fairy valley. Furano is about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Sapporo by train or bus, and about 1 hour from Asahikawa. Let’s visit Furano to see the fantastic scenery.
Asahiyama Zoo
Opened in 1967, Asahiyama Zoo, Japan’s northernmost zoo, is one of the most popular zoos in the world, with one of the highest attendance records. The zoo was once on the verge of closure due to its poor location, the lack of nearby tourist attractions, and the harsh climate, but it has since turned to a behavioral exhibit that focuses on “showing life itself” and has even been called a “miracle zoo”. The underwater tunnel allows visitors to see penguins that look as if they are flying in the sky, seals that walk through the tunnel, and other vivid ecology.
Cape Earth
Cape Earth, located in Muroran City, Hokkaido, boasts a magnificent view that reminds us that the earth is indeed round. In the 1980s, Cape Earth’s scenery was ranked first in the Asahi Shimbun’s “100 Best Natural Views of Hokkaido,” the Hokkaido Postal Service’s “Your Choice of Hokkaido Scenic Spots,” and the Yomiuri Shimbun’s “100 Best New Tourist Spots in Japan,” respectively. Sometimes a fantastic sea of clouds spreads below the lighthouse, and if you are lucky, you can see dolphins and whales migrating in the Pacific Ocean. At night, the moon reflected on the surface of the sea is a beautiful sight, and is a scenic spot that Hokkaido is proud of.
The Shiretoko Peninsula, which boasts spectacular scenery, is a true treasure trove of nature, with its unique ecosystem that combines ocean, river and forest, and a mix of both northern and southern species of plants and animals. The Shiretoko Peninsula was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005 in recognition of its diversity and unique ecosystem. Sightseeing in the Shiretoko Peninsula can be divided into two main categories: sea sightseeing and mountain sightseeing, but to enjoy both, a stay of at least two to three days is recommended. Access from Sapporo is 7 to 8 hours, and from the nearest airport, Asahikawa Airport, it takes about 3 hours, so it takes almost a whole day to get there.
In Lake Toya, visitors can enjoy the dynamic scenery of the surrounding area with majestic mountains such as Mount Usu and Mount Showa Shinzan. The popular sightseeing boat tour allows you to catch a glimpse of Ezo sika deer living on Nakajima Island in the middle of the lake, and the area is also famous as a hot spring resort for viewing the famous “Toyako Onsen Long-Run Fireworks Festival”. It is accessible in less than two hours from Sapporo and is popular for family trips as there are many unique and famous ryokans. Enjoying the hot springs and fireworks at the quiet lakeside is truly a summer tradition in Hokkaido.
Cape Kamui
The Shakotan Peninsula in western Hokkaido is known as one of the most beautiful places in Hokkaido, and Cape Kamui is one of the best spots with the most beautiful scenery! From the tip of Cape Kamui, which juts out into the ocean, you can see the horizon that stretches 300 degrees, and in particular, the deep blue color like a jewel called “Shakotan blue” impresses many people. Shakotan Town is about 90 km from Sapporo. It is fun to rent a car and go for a drive for about two hours to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Hokkaido. In Shakotan Town, you can also enjoy the sparkling seafood rice bowl that is the very essence of Hokkaido.
Lake Kussharo
Lake Kussharo is a natural lake located in the town of Teshikaga in Hokkaido, and has become world famous as it was selected as one of the 31 most beautiful places in Japan by CNN in the United States. Lake Kussharo, with its 80 square kilometers of cobalt blue shining on its surface and spectacular seasonal scenery, is a popular destination for outdoor recreation such as camping and yachting, and is also popular as a resort area for fishing and enjoying hot springs. It takes about 6 to 7 hours from Sapporo, but the time you spend by the lake, which has a truly unexplored atmosphere, will be a very special experience.