A must-see for travellers !! Encyclopedia of recommended sightseeing spots in Hokkaido
Recommended sightseeing spots in Central Hokkaido area
Recommended sightseeing spots in Central Hokkaido area
Central Hokkaido is widely recognized as the area that has Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, but there are also many other places to visit, such as Otaru, famous for its canals and seafood, sea towns such as Muroran, Erimo and Shakotan, where you can overlook the great ocean, and hot spring towns such as Noboribetsu and Lake Toya, where many hot spprings that will instantly blow away the fatigue of your daily life exist.
This page introduces a number of recommended tourist attractions in the Central Hokkaido area that I have actually visited.
Ashibetsu City
Three-tiered Falls
It is located in a forest on the way south from Ashibetsu on National Route 452. The water flows over the terrain, which was made up of three tiers of rocks. It is said that during the melting snow season, the force of the water increases even more. You can feel the full extent of Hokkaido's natural power here.
Chitose City
Lake Shikotsu
It is a caldera lake formed by volcanic eruptions about 40,000 years ago and is quite deep at 363m. From the harbour near the visitor centre, you can take an underwater cruise boat and see the inside of the lake. There is also a hot spring hotel called "Marukoma Onsen" on the north side of the lake. This is a hot spring with an open-air bath right next to the lake and at the same level as the lake level, and is a highly recommended spot.
It is a place you should visit once either on your way to or from Hokkaido. It is a heavenly place for ramen lovers, with a number of Hokkaido's leading ramen shops concentrated here. The picture above is from a very popular ramen restaurant called "Ichigen", which has an unbelievably delicious thick soup with the flavour of sweet prawns (there is also a main shop near Susukino) .
This cape is located at the tip of the jaw of Hokkaido. Characterised by strong sea breezes that almost blow you off and dynamic rough waves crashing against the reefs, it is a place where you can enjoy all the power of nature. If you are lucky, you can see a pod of harbour seals sunbathing under the cliffs in the viewing area.
Kyogoku Town
Fukidashi Park
The park has a constant spring of "Kyogoku's Brilliant Water", which is melted snow filtered by Mt. Yotei. All the water from the park's water outlets is natural water, so even on hot summer days you can drink as much tasty water as you like. At the top of the long staircase is a lookout from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the park and Kyogoku Town in the front direction, and Mt. Yotei in the back.
Kyowa Town
Shinsen-numa Marsh Recreation Forest
This is a nature spot where you can trek through vast marshlands and virgin forests. The beautiful swamp in the first photo is Shinsen-numa Marsh, and when the wind dies down, the trees and clouds reflect off the water like a mirror. The area is also home to numerous dragonflies, creating a magical landscape. Naga Swamp (second photo) , near Shinsen-numa Marsh, is a dammed lake, but it is surrounded by mountains and is very mysterious.
Muroran City
Cape Chikyu
This famous cape is located at the southernmost point of Muroran City and has a view point on a cliff, which is a long way up from the ground. The view in the direction of the Pacific Ocean is of the entire ocean as far as the eye can see, and the roundness of the earth can certainly be felt. On a clear day, the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture can be seen, and from June to August, whales and dolphins may be seen swimming peacefully in the ocean.
Town Area (Shukuzu Park・Curry Ramen Shop)
Shukuzu Park is located north-west of JR Muroran station. Located on a hill, the park offers good views, and the first photo shows the Swan Bridge, a symbol of Muroran City, taken from the park's lookout. The second photo shows Muroran's local delicacy, curry ramen, which is also the soul food of the local people. There are several shops in the city, so you must try it at least once when you come to Muroran.
Niseko Town
Del Sole
This pizza restaurant is located in the north-western part of Niseko Town. You can taste a great variety of pizzas that are oven-baked and hot. The rich, chewy Italian cheese is chunky on top of the golden brown dough, and the collaboration of these with the salami, basil and tomato sauce makes for the best taste ever.
Noboribetsu City
Noboribetsu Hell Valley
This is the source of Noboribetsu hot spring, with 3,000L of boiling water gushing out every minute. There are numerous fumaroles at the bottom of the valley, and the area around them is filled with tremendous heat and the smell of sulphur, giving it a hellish feeling. Trekking courses are available to enjoy a walk around the Hell Valley, allowing visitors to get a closer look at the fumaroles.
Noboribetsu Hot Spring Resort
It is one of Hokkaido's most famous hot spring destinations. There is no option to come to Noboribetsu and leave without taking a hot spring bath. There are so many hot springs in the town that it is difficult to decide where to take. Of course you can take a day trip to the hot spring. After bathing, you should quench your thirst with Noboribetsu's limited-edition beer "Oni Densetsu" . I have visited Noboribetsu three times so far, and for some reason Oni Densetsu is sold out every time.
Oyu Swamp・Oyu Swamp River Natural Footbath
It is located a little outside Noboribetsu Onsen Town. It is a gourd-shaped swamp formed by a volcanic eruption, and hot water of 130°C is said to be gushing from the bottom. The second photo shows a natural footbath near the swamp. It is tucked away deep in the forest and is a charming spot where you can soak in the footbath while being healed by nature.
Otaru City
Otaru Triangle Market・Otaru Canal・LeTAO Main Store・Music Box Museum
Only one photograph was left, but here I introduce four spots.
Firstly, Otaru Triangle Market is located on the left-hand side of JR Otaru station, where you can enjoy a seafood bowl with fresh seafood from the waters around Otaru or buy seafood. The Otaru Canal is a famous spot for enjoying the scenery of Otaru, especially the night view from the bridge is very mysterious. You can also cruise around on a boat (what is in the photo above is a cruise ship) . One of Otaru's best sweets is LeTAO's cheesecake, "Double Fromage". The cheesecake is a collaboration of creamy rare cheese and rich baked cheese with an exquisite sweetness that I buy as a souvenir every time I go back home. The last spot, Music Box Museum, is filled with countless music boxes inside the museum. It is a pleasant space with a retro and nostalgic atmosphere.
This is my alma mater, which has become a tourist attraction. Near the roundabout straight ahead from the main gate, there is an upper-body statue of Dr. Clark, which is constantly photographed by tourists on holidays (the full-body statue is at Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, mentioned below) . The road leading all the way north from the roundabout is the main street of Hokkaido University, which is crowded with people during the annual Hokudai Festival in June. If you go off the main street towards the west, you will find a tremendously large farm, where cattle and sheep graze, except during the snowy season. Incidentally, the famous poplar trees of Hokkaido University are also located on this farm.
This hot spring resort is easily accessible from central Sapporo. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with hot springs in an area full of nature, it can be described as Sapporo's unexplored region. In addition to hot springs, hiking trails have been developed and the view of the mountains and the hot spring resort from the lookout is spectacular. The area is particularly beautiful during the autumn leaf colour, when the whole area turns a vivid orange, so it is probably a good time to visit.
Moerenuma Park
This is a large park in the north-east of Sapporo. Unique objects such as Glass Pyramid and Play Mountain exist here and there. Mt. Moere, located in the centre of the park, is about 50m high and requires a strenuous walk up, but from the top you can see the city of Sapporo and the view is very good.
The mountain is located in the south of Sapporo and offers a beautiful night view. A ropeway takes you up to the top of the mountain and the view from the ropeway is also very beautiful. From the top of the mountain, you can look down on the city of Sapporo glittering with lights at night, reminding you once again of the metropolis that Sapporo is.
Odori Park is a park extending widely in an east-west direction. It is the venue for the nationally renowned Sapporo Snow Festival and also hosts beer gardens in summer. Even on days when there are no events, the park is visited by many people and is a place of relaxation for the citizens of Sapporo.
Sapporo TV Tower stands tall at the eastern end of Odori Park. A lift takes you up to the observation deck, where you can look out over the endless length of Odori Park all at once.
The famous clock tower is located along the road from JR Sapporo station to Odori Park and has become a symbol of Sapporo. There is a photo spot on the site, from which you can take nice photos. The inside of the clock tower is also open to visitors, with exhibits on materials raled to past history and clocks.
It is located a short distance from the centre of Sapporo and is famous for its magnificent statue of Dr. Clark (I forgot to take a photo of the statue) . The uniquely shaped building in the photo above is the Sapporo Dome, once home to Nippon-Ham Fighters. Cute sheep are grazing in the spacious pasture, and a shop sells a rather unusual food called "venison buns". Visitors can also browse through a number of artworks displayed at past Sapporo Snow Festivals in the museum.
This confectionery theme park is located in the north-west of Sapporo. Visitors can see how Shiroi Koibito, a very popular souvenir of Hokkaido, is produced and also experience making Ishiya confectionery. Objects such as the House of Sweets and the Mechanical Clock Tower are also fascinating and provide a fairy-tale atmosphere.
The cape is located on a place jutting out into the Sea of Japan. The clear blue ocean is so beautiful that it is called Shakotan blue. The second photo shows seawater near the beach, which is indeed so clear that stones in the water can be seen. Restaurant Ushio, located near the cape, offers a rich Shakotan seafood set meal, which is also highly recommended.
In this facility, you can learn about the culture of the Ainu, Hokkaido's indigenous people. It was established on the shores of a beautiful lake "Lake Poroto" in 2020. Visitors can tour the museum with Ainu folk costumes and tools, can look Ainu dwellings, and other exhibits.
Shiraoi Beef Shop Iwasaki is a restaurant specialising in Shiraoi beef, located on National Route 235. On the way home, I bought and ate Shiraoi beef mince cutlets at the direct sales shop, and they were the best mince cutlets under the sun, with a crispy texture and rich gravy.
This seafood restaurant is located near the Tomakomai fishing port (I forgot to take a photo) . Its signature dish is hokki curry, which uses plenty of fresh hokki clams, a local speciality, and is very tasty. It also offers a variety of other seafood dishes, so it is definitely worth stopping by when visiting Tomakomai.
A number of hot springs are lined up along the southern shore of Lake Toya. There's nothing better than relaxing in a hot spring with a view of a beautiful lake. The first photo shows Lake Toya from the south, and the great mountain in the background is the Hokkaido's famous mountain "Mt. Yotei". The second photo shows a souvenir shop called "Echigoya", where you can buy the wooden sword used by Gintoki Sakata. The shop also sells umbrellas look like wooden swords in the handles, which are also quite stylish.
This orchard is located on a hilltop where you can enjoy a variety of fruit depending on the season, and is a particularly good place for fruit-picking enthusiasts. There is also a cute apple object opposite the entrance, from which you can look out over the sea and the city of Yoichi. Incidentally, I had the experience of staying overnight and helping the farmers here during my early days in Hokkaido.
