1. Mt. Moiwa Observation Deck (Sapporo): 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 the city. By day, you can see a stunning 360-degree vista of skyscrapers and lush nature. By night, it transforms into a beautiful scene that has been selected multiple times as one of Japan's "New Three Major Night Views." There are also five hiking trails suitable for casual climbers, making it a popular spot for a light hike in the summer.

2. Maruyama Zoo (Sapporo): Meet Popular Animals Like Polar Bears

Opened in 1951, this was the first zoo in Hokkaido. You can enjoy learning about the animals' lives in various exhibits, such as the Polar Bear House, where you can watch them swim dynamically through an underwater tunnel; the Elephant House, where you can see adorable parent-child elephants and learn about their ecology; the Asia Zone, home to popular animals like cute lesser pandas and Amur tigers; and the 'Orangutans and the Forest of Borneo' exhibit, where you can observe orangutans in an indoor space up to 8 meters high.

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

Jozankei Onsen Town is one of Hokkaido's most popular hot spring resorts, located just under an hour's drive 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 stand-up paddleboarding, and the iconic bright red Futami Tsuribashi (suspension bridge), which attracts many tourists in the fall to see the autumn leaves reflected on the water's surface, surrounded by a rich national forest and valley.

4. Ebetsu Tsutaya Books (Ebetsu): Enjoy a Coffee and a Good Book

Based on the concept of 'a slow life in a garden city,' this is a large, lifestyle-oriented bookstore complex consisting of three buildings focused on Food, Knowledge, and Living. Here, visitors can enjoy their time in their own way, whether it's relaxing with a book and coffee anywhere in the store at the 'BOOK & CAFE,' sampling dishes from up-and-coming Hokkaido eateries at the 'HOKKAIDO FOOD PARK,' or letting kids play at the 'Kids Park.'

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

At ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, you can enjoy watching baseball in unconventional ways, with amenities like a hot spring, sauna, and a craft beer brewery. The facility also offers a wide range of entertainment beyond baseball, including restaurants featuring local and national cuisine, kids' play areas, and even glamping facilities, ensuring a fun visit for everyone.

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

This observation spot offers a view of the Sapporo cityscape over a ski jump hill. From the lounge at an altitude of 307 meters, you can enjoy an expansive view stretching to the Ishikari Plain. On days with no competitions, you can go near the starting point and 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): An Interactive Chocolate Experience to See, Make, and Taste

This facility by ROYCE', one of Hokkaido's leading chocolate makers, allows you to experience the journey of chocolate from cacao cultivation to the final product. There are plenty of highlights, including a tour of the manufacturing process, an exhibit recreating a cacao farm, and interactive games and content where you can try your hand at chocolate making. 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): A Hub for Seasonal Delights in the Flower Town of Eniwa

Known as the 'Flower Town,' Eniwa's 'Hana Road Eniwa' is a roadside station themed around flowers, water, greenery, and rural landscapes. It's located roughly halfway between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport on the national highway, making access excellent. In addition to eateries offering skillet curry, freshly baked bread, and a tea stand, there are also shops selling cosmetics, sundries, and local specialty products.

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

Boasting the best water quality in Japan, Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake located within Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It is also famous for being the northernmost ice-free lake in Japan. Along its shores, you'll find 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 amidst the beautiful natural surroundings.

10. Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (Sapporo): A Panoramic View of 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 beyond the Dr. Clark statue is one of Sapporo's quintessential scenes. With events to enjoy throughout the year, delicious food, and a museum where you can learn about the history of the Sapporo Snow Festival, this facility is full of things to see and do.

11. Shiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo): A Sweet Theme Park Where You Can Tour the Factory

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, you'll find a rose garden in full bloom and plenty of photo opportunities with the stone buildings.

12. Moerenuma Park (Sapporo): A Park That Combines Art and Play

Designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi with the entire park as a single sculpture, 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. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, water play in summer, fireworks by top pyrotechnicians in autumn, and snow play in winter, making it a noteworthy spot for both a quick drive-by and a leisure destination.

13. Sapporo Art Park (Sapporo): Enjoy Craft Experiences at an Arts Hub Rich in Nature

This is an arts hub featuring an art museum, craft studios, an outdoor stage, and music practice facilities. The Sapporo Art Museum holds various exhibitions, while the Outdoor Sculpture Garden allows you to enjoy art that is integrated with nature and changes with the seasons. Various craft studios, such as woodworking and pottery workshops where you can have hands-on experiences, are scattered throughout the forest. It's a place that stimulates curiosity just by visiting.

14. Historical Village of Hokkaido (Sapporo): A Famous Location for 'Golden Kamuy' Fans

The Historical Village of Hokkaido, a filming location for the movie 'Golden Kamuy,' is a popular destination for fans. It's an open-air museum that recreates buildings from Hokkaido's pioneering era, from the Meiji to the early Showa periods. The village is divided into four areas—a town, a farming village, a mountain village, and a fishing village—allowing visitors to experience the life and industries of the time up close. With attractions like a horse-drawn trolley, winter horse-drawn sleigh rides, and events showcasing traditional culture, it's a spot where you can enjoy history in a hands-on way.

15. Oku Jozankei Kamui no Mori (Sapporo): An Orchard for Fruit Picking and Fun 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): A Scenic Spot Popular for its Summer Lavender Garden

This scenic spot is 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, bustles with 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): A Fun-Filled Family Experience to Learn About Food

At HOKUREN Kururu no Mori's farming and cooking workshops, you can experience the entire process of how the food you eat gets from the fields and paddies to your table. It's packed with the fun and excitement of connecting with agriculture, from observing crops and trying your hand at cooking to tasting freshly harvested vegetables. At the on-site restaurant, you can savor dishes that bring out the best flavors of fresh Hokkaido ingredients.

18. Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima (Kitahiroshima): A Huge Selection 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 and marine products. Events for children are also held regularly, making it a spot where the whole family can enjoy shopping and dining at once.

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

The Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium boasts 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. The sight of salmon schools heading upstream to spawn is a must-see. In addition to events like releasing salmon fry, many special exhibitions are also held.

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

Located at the foot of Mt. Hakken, this winery is notable for its bright red brewery set against a backdrop of lush greenery and vineyards. At the on-site 'Hakkenzan Kitchen & Marche,' you can taste dishes made with local 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