1. Mt. Moiwa Observation Deck (Sapporo): Breathtaking Panoramic Views of Sapporo

Located almost in the center of Sapporo, Mt. Moiwa stands at an elevation of 531 meters. From the observation deck at the summit, you can get a panoramic view of the city. By day, enjoy a 360-degree vista of skyscrapers and lush nature. By night, the view is so stunning it has been selected multiple times as one of "Japan's New Three Major Night Views." 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): Meet Popular Animals Like Polar Bears

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

3. Jozankei Onsen Town (Sapporo): Relax in Sapporo's "Inner Parlor" Hot Springs

Jozankei Onsen Town is a popular hot spring resort in Hokkaido, located less than 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 SUP, and various bridges offering views of the rich national forest and valley. The bright red Futami Suspension Bridge is a particularly popular scenic spot, drawing many tourists in the fall to see the autumn leaves reflected on the water's surface.

4. Ebetsu Tsutaya Books (Ebetsu): Enjoy Reading and Coffee

This large, lifestyle-oriented bookstore complex consists of three buildings themed around Food, Knowledge, and Living, based on the concept of a "Slow Life in a Garden City." Visitors can enjoy their time in their own way, with features like "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): 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 plenty of entertainment beyond baseball, with restaurants serving gourmet food from Hokkaido and across Japan, a children's play area, and even glamping facilities.

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

This observation spot offers a panoramic view of Sapporo's cityscape over the ski jump. 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 Facility 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 attractions, 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 making chocolate. There's 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): Where the Best of Eniwa, the Town of Flowers, Gathers

"Hana Road Eniwa" in Eniwa City, known as the "Town of Flowers," is a roadside station themed around flowers, water, greenery, and countryside. Located roughly halfway between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport on the national highway, it's easily accessible. In addition to eateries serving 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 in 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, 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, featuring the iconic "Dr. Clark Statue," a symbol of Sapporo tourism, welcomes visitors with adorable sheep. The view of the Daiwa House PREMIST DOME beyond the Dr. Clark statue from the observation hill is one of Sapporo's quintessential scenes. The facility is packed with 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): 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 memento of your trip. Outdoors, you'll find a rose garden in full bloom and stone buildings, offering plenty of photo opportunities.

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

Designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi with the entire park as a single sculpture, this popular park attracts art lovers from around the world. Its majestic form as one of Sapporo's representative art parks is called a "sculpture of the earth," and it shows various expressions depending on the time of day and season. It's a noteworthy spot not just 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): Craft Experiences at an Arts Hub Rich in Nature

This is an artistic hub complete with an art museum, craft studios, an outdoor stage, and music practice facilities. Various craft studios, including a wood studio and a pottery studio where you can enjoy hands-on creative experiences, are scattered throughout the forest. These are alongside the Sapporo Art Museum, which hosts various exhibitions, and the Outdoor Sculpture Garden, where you can enjoy art that is integrated with nature and changes with the seasons. It's a place that stimulates curiosity just by visiting.

14. Historical Village of Hokkaido (Sapporo): Famous as a 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 fans on pilgrimages, is an open-air museum that recreates buildings from the Meiji to early Showa periods of Hokkaido's pioneering era. Divided into four areas—a town, a farming village, a mountain village, and a fishing village—it allows visitors to experience the life and industry of the time up close. With horse-drawn trolley rides, winter horse-drawn sleigh experiences, and events featuring 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 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 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): Enjoy Learning About Food with the Whole Family

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. From observing crops and participating in cooking classes to tasting freshly harvested vegetables, it's packed with the fun and excitement of connecting with agriculture. The on-site restaurant serves dishes that highlight the natural flavors of fresh Hokkaido ingredients.

18. Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima (Kitahiroshima): A Wide Array 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 held regularly, making it a spot where the whole family can enjoy shopping and dining all at once.

19. Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium (Chitose): Observe Creatures of the Chitose River 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 other 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. The aquarium also hosts many events, such as salmon fry release programs and special exhibitions.

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 savor dishes made with local Hokkaido ingredients and purchase various wines and fruit jams. 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