A Trappist monastery with a tranquil presence that soothes the souls of its visitors

Its official name is the "Strictly Observant Cistercian Our Lady of the Lighthouse Abbey." In 1896 (Meiji 29), a total of nine monks from France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Canada visited the area and founded Japan's first male Trappist monastery, which they named "Our Lady of the Lighthouse Abbey."

They focused on farming, livestock farming, and dairy farming, and imported Holstein breeding cattle from the Netherlands in 1902 (Meiji 35). The dairy cows that multiplied later spread throughout southern Hokkaido, centering around the monastery. After the war, as the diet of the Japanese improved, butter and cookies made by Trappist monks became popular and spread throughout the country as a specialty representative of Hokkaido.

Trappist cookies and butter are loved in the region and are famous as souvenirs. Jams made with agricultural products grown in the lush natural surroundings are also sold. At the Trappist monastery shop, you can taste cookies and soft serve ice cream made with Trappist butter.

The cherry trees planted at the Trappist Monastery are a type of cherry tree that blooms later than usual. They start blooming after all the other famous cherry blossom spots in the city have finished blooming. The cherry trees at Naden, Fugenso, Amayadori, etc. bloom.