1. Mt. Moiwa Observation Deck (Sapporo City): A Breathtaking Panoramic View of Sapporo

Located almost in the center of Sapporo, Mt. Moiwa stands at an elevation of 531 meters. The observation deck at the summit offers a panoramic view of Sapporo. By day, you can see a stunning 360-degree view of the urban landscape with its skyscrapers interwoven with lush nature. At night, it transforms into a beautiful nightscape, so spectacular that it has been selected multiple times as one of the "New Three Major Night Views of Japan." There are also five hiking trails that can be climbed in light gear, making it a popular spot for casual hiking in the summer.

2. Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo City): Welcoming Polar Bears and Other Popular Animals

Opened in 1951, this was the first zoo in Hokkaido. You can enjoy learning about the ecology of animals at various facilities, such as the "Polar Bear House," where you can watch polar bears swim dynamically from an underwater tunnel; the "Elephant House," where you can learn about the adorable mother-and-child elephants and their behavior; the "Asia Zone," which features popular animals like cute red pandas and Amur tigers; and the "Orangutan and Borneo Forest," where you can see orangutans living in an indoor space up to 8 meters high.

3. Jozankei Onsen Town (Sapporo City): Sapporo's Relaxing Hot Spring Retreat

Jozankei Onsen Town is one of Hokkaido's most popular hot spring resorts, accessible in just under an hour by car from central Sapporo. Jozankei is also famous as a scenic spot where you can encounter beautiful landscapes in every season. Popular attractions include "Maizuru-no-toro," where you can enjoy activities like canoeing and SUP, and the bright red "Futami Tsuribashi" (Futami Suspension Bridge), a popular scenic spot where many tourists visit in autumn to see the fall foliage reflected on the water's surface, with bridges scattered throughout offering views of the rich national forest and valley.

4. Ebetsu Tsutaya Books (Ebetsu City): Enjoy Reading with a Coffee in the Store

This is a large, lifestyle-oriented complex bookstore consisting of three buildings themed around food, knowledge, and living, based on the concept of a "pastoral city slow life." Visitors can enjoy their time in their own way, with features like the "BOOK & CAFE," where you can relax with a coffee and a book anywhere in the store, the "HOKKAIDO FOOD PARK," featuring up-and-coming restaurants that represent the next generation of Hokkaido, and a "Kids Park" where children can play.

5. ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO (Kitahiroshima City): An Entertainment Ballpark Enjoyable Even on Non-Game Days

At "ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO," you can enjoy watching baseball in ways that defy convention, with on-site hot springs, saunas, and a craft beer brewery. The facility also offers a wide range of non-baseball entertainment, including restaurants serving gourmet food from Hokkaido and across Japan, a children's play area, and glamping facilities, ensuring a fulfilling experience even outside of game days.

6. Okurayama Observatory (Sapporo City): A Grand Panorama of Sapporo's Four Seasons Beyond the Ski Jump

This observation spot offers a panoramic view of the Sapporo cityscape over a ski jump. From the lounge at an elevation of 307 meters, you can enjoy an expansive view that stretches to the Ishikari Plain. On days when there are no competitions, you can go near the starting point, allowing you to experience the athletes' perspective, which is a unique attraction. The changing scenery with each season is also a highlight.

7. ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town (Tobetsu Town): An Interactive Chocolate Facility to See, Make, and Taste

This facility by ROYCE', one of Hokkaido's leading chocolate makers, allows you to experience the journey of cacao from cultivation to the final product. There are plenty of highlights, including a tour of the manufacturing process, an exhibit recreating a cacao farm, and games and interactive content where you can try your hand at making chocolate. There is also a shop with exclusive products and a workshop where you can create your own original chocolate, making it a perfect place to buy souvenirs.

8. Hana Road Eniwa (Eniwa City): A Hub for the Best of Flower Town Eniwa

Known as the "Flower Town," Eniwa City's "Hana Road Eniwa" is a roadside station themed around flowers, water, greenery, and the countryside. It's located almost halfway between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport on the national highway, making it easily accessible. In addition to restaurants serving skillet curry, freshly baked bread, and a tea stand, there are also shops selling cosmetics, miscellaneous goods, and local specialty products.

9. Lake Shikotsu (Chitose City): Superb Activities on a Crystal-Clear Lake

Boasting the best water quality in Japan, Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake belonging to Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It is also famous for being Japan's northernmost ice-free lake. Along the shore, there are hot springs and a shopping street where you can eat the local specialty, himemasu (kokanee salmon). You can also enjoy activities like camping, canoeing, and boating in the beautiful natural surroundings.

10. Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (Sapporo City): Overlooking the Dr. Clark Statue and the Sapporo Cityscape

This popular spot welcomes visitors with its iconic "Dr. Clark Statue," a symbol of Sapporo tourism, and adorable sheep. The view of the Daiwa House Premist Dome seen past the Dr. Clark statue on the observation hill is one of Sapporo's quintessential landscapes. The facility is full of attractions, including year-round events, delicious food, and a museum where you can learn about the history of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

11. Shiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo City): A Confectionery Theme Park with Factory Tours

This facility allows you to tour the manufacturing process of "Shiroi Koibito," one of Hokkaido's most famous confections. There's a projection mapping show that reveals the secrets behind the chocolate's deliciousness, and a corner where you can make your own original "Shiroi Koibito" as a souvenir of your trip. Outdoors, there's a rose garden in full bloom and plenty of photo spots, including stone buildings.

12. Moerenuma Park (Sapporo City): A Park Combining Art and Play

Designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi with the entire park as a single work of art, this popular park attracts art lovers from all over the world. Its majestic appearance as one of Sapporo's representative art parks is called the "sculpture of the earth," and it shows various expressions depending on the time of day and season. It's a noteworthy spot not only for a drive-by visit but also as a leisure destination, where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, water play in summer, fireworks by top pyrotechnicians in autumn, and snow play in winter.

13. Sapporo Art Park (Sapporo City): Experience Crafts at a Nature-Rich Arts Hub

This is an arts hub that includes an art museum, craft studios, an outdoor stage, and music practice facilities. The "Sapporo Art Museum," which holds various exhibitions, and the "Outdoor Sculpture Garden," where you can enjoy art that integrates with nature and changes with the seasons, are scattered throughout the forest, along with various craft studios like a wood studio and a pottery studio where you can have hands-on creative experiences. It's a place that stimulates curiosity just by visiting.

14. Historical Village of Hokkaido (Sapporo City): A Famous Pilgrimage Spot for the Movie 'Golden Kamuy'

The "Historical Village of Hokkaido," which also served as a filming location for the movie 'Golden Kamuy' and attracts many visitors on a pilgrimage, is an open-air museum that recreates buildings from the pioneer era of Hokkaido, from the Meiji to the early Showa periods. Divided into four areas—a town, a farm village, a mountain village, and a fishing village—it allows you to experience the life and industry of the time up close. With attractions like a horse-drawn trolley, winter horse-drawn sleigh rides, and events that let you experience traditional culture, it's a spot where you can enjoy history in a hands-on way.

15. Oku-Jozankei Kamui no Mori (Sapporo City): An Orchard for Fruit Picking and Attractions

Oku-Jozankei Kamui no Mori (formerly Jozankei Farm) is an orchard located near Sapporo's Hoheikyo Dam. Starting with strawberries in June, you can enjoy picking various fruits like cherries, blueberries, plums, and prunes until early November. In addition to fruit picking, there are various attractions such as a fishing pond and tree trekking, making it a spot the whole family can enjoy.

16. Horomi Pass Observation Parking Lot / Horomi Pass Lavender Garden (Sapporo City): A Popular Scenic Point with a Summer Lavender Garden

This scenic point is conveniently located close to the city center, about a 10-minute drive from Maruyama Koen subway station. The observation parking lot, open from April to November, offers a panoramic view of Sapporo and is famous as one of the city's night view spots. Furthermore, the summer lavender garden, with its vibrant purple expanse, attracts many visitors, allowing you to enjoy Sapporo's unique scenery that changes with the season and time of day.

17. Hokuren Kururu no Mori (Kitahiroshima City): Learn About and Enjoy Food with the Whole Family

At Hokuren Kururu no Mori's farming and cooking experience, you can trace the entire journey of the food you eat, from its growth in the fields and paddies to the moment it reaches your table. It's packed with the joy and excitement of connecting with agriculture, from observing crops and participating in cooking classes to tasting freshly harvested vegetables. The on-site restaurant serves dishes that highlight the natural flavors of fresh Hokkaido ingredients.

18. Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima (Kitahiroshima City): A Lineup of Apparel and Hokkaido Gourmet

This is Hokkaido's largest all-weather outlet mall, bringing together a wide variety of stores. You can find everything from brand-name shopping to the latest popular gourmet foods, souvenirs, and even Hokkaido's agricultural products and seafood. Events for children are held regularly, making it a spot where the whole family can enjoy shopping and dining all at once.

19. Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium (Chitose City): Observe Chitose River Creatures in a Giant Tank

The Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium features one of the largest freshwater tanks in Japan. Inside, you can observe the ecology of salmon and various freshwater fish from the northern regions, as well as the creatures of the Chitose River throughout the seasons. A must-see is the school of salmon heading upstream to spawn. Many events, such as salmon fry release programs and special exhibitions, are also held.

20. Hakkenzan Winery (Sapporo City): A Winery and Exquisite Restaurant in the Great Outdoors

Located at the foot of Mt. Hakken, this winery is notable for its bright red winery building that stands out against the lush green landscape and vineyards. At the on-site "Hakkenzan Kitchen & Marche," you can savor dishes made with Hokkaido ingredients, and various wines and fruit jams are also for sale. With a park golf course, a horse riding club, and Jozankei Onsen nearby, it's a perfect stop on a driving route.

Choose by Purpose! How to Enjoy a Drive Near Sapporo