Otaru Snow Light Path is a winter tradition in the port city of Otaru where the streets are decorated with a myriad of snow candles. The main venues are the historic canal and the former Japan National Railways Temiya Line. During the event period, there are also tickets on sale which let you enjoy eating sushi, sweets or noodles inexpensively as you walk around. Enjoy it together with the dreamlike scenery.
Gourmet food, hot springs and nature spots are not the only ways to enjoy Sapporo. We asked Naoki Hayashi, editor-in-chief of "Hokkaido Experience.com" —the tourism site where you can find fun things to do—about the charm of winter in Sapporo and Hokkaido, as well as ways to enjoy the winter there other than skiing and snowboarding.
Tenjinyama Park is a green space spreading out from Tenjinyama, 85m above sea level, located in the Hiragishi district, where the history of Sapporo remains. Inside this green space, abundant in nature, there is a Japanese garden, and plum and cherry groves, and it is a place of relaxation for Sapporo citizens. Located near the summit is "Sapporo Tenjinyama Art Studio", which can also be used as a resting place after a long walk.
In Sapporo and Hokkaido, it is possible to watch a variety of sports throughout the four seasons, and there is a great number of local teams. So, how do the supporters go about enjoying themselves? We talked to AIR-G' personality, Yui Hayashi, who broadcasts information about numerous game watching events on her own radio show, and we asked her about watching sporting events in Sapporo and Hokkaido, as well as sightseeing during away games.
Sapporo City Hall basement cafeteria is a little-known lunch spot in Chuo-ku that supports the health of Sapporo citizens. The set meal of rice and miso soup with the side dish of the day (¥500 to ¥520) and the sushi and soba noodle set (¥670) are recommended. Please pay it a visit if you just want to enjoy some home cooking.
Senshu-an is a confectionery shop in Sapporo that was established 1921. For choosing souvenirs, we recommend the main store located on Sapporo Ekimae-dori. It has an adjoining café space where you can enjoy the confectionery you have purchased together with a coffee. Soft-serve ice cream served with the long-selling product "Yamaoyaji" is only available at the main store. Be sure to give it a try.
It is on Hokkaido Route 1, which continues from Jozankei to Otaru. Positioned with a view looking down upon the Shirai River flowing into the valley below, it is, as the name suggests, "a café on the cliff". If you look up, there is the forest and the sky, look down and there is the Shirai River and the rocky surface of the valley... Relax and enjoy a coffee, surrounded by nature that will make you forget you are in Sapporo city.
Toyohira River, which flows through Jozankei in Sapporo City, is a place to enjoy river fun from summer to autumn. With canoe tours organized by "AMUSE SPORTS", even beginners can enjoy Canadian canoeing. The tour takes about an hour, and tourists who have more time can enjoy it together with a day trip to the hot springs, a lunch or fruit picking.
Toyohira River flows through the Jozankei hot springs and offers stunning, hidden-away scenic spots at the bottom of the valley that afford a view of the surrounding mountains from below. Rafting tours starting from the upper stream of Toyohira river are offered by “blue marble”. Due to the absence of roads, you can enjoy natural beauty in the valley only accessible from above the stream.
The horse riding facility “WILD MUSTANG’S” is located on the way from downtown Sapporo to Jozankei. Staff dressed as cowboys will be welcoming you to this facility that offers Western style horse riding experience. One highlight is that even beginners may go outside the facility and explore the orchards and corn fields on horseback.
Since you can learn about Sapporo’s local culture and living by going around its sundry shops and cafés, we recommend a walk in the city. In addition to walking around, the number of markets where stores and artisans come together and cafés and sundry shops put out their stalls has increased in recent years. We asked Ayako Tsukeshiba, owner of the hand-made soap store “Savon de Siesta”, about Sapporo’s craftsmanship and lifestyle.
Located near the center of Sapporo, D&DEPARTMENT HOKKAIDO by 3KG is a select shop which introduces sundries and furniture from the perspective of "long life". There are many Hokkaido arts and crafts, so it is also recommended for souvenirs.
