Hokkaido Summer Trip: City, Nature, and Cuisine
Source:
@Riri Travels
19 places in Hokkaido featured in a youtube post by Riri Travels, verified on Google Maps: Otaru Music Box Museum, Lake Tōya, Otaru Canal, and 16 more.
Otaru Music Box Museum
Store
4.2
The Otaru Music Box Museum is a whimsical store showcasing a vast collection of music boxes in various designs and themes. From sushi-shaped music boxes to lucky cat figurines, the museum offers unique and charming musical souvenirs. The store's interior is adorned with ornate chandeliers and decorations, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors.
Lake Tōya
Natural feature
4.5
Lake Toya is a stunning volcanic caldera lake, formed by a massive eruption 110,000 years ago, making it one of Japan's largest caldera lakes. In the center of the lake are the Nakajima islands, which are uninhabited but accessible by boat. The lake is known for its beautiful sunsets and scenic drives, offering picturesque views at every turn.
Otaru Canal
Landmark
4.3
The Otaru Canal is a historic waterway that offers a romantic European city vibe, with brick warehouses along its banks, many of which have been converted into cafes and shops. Visitors can enjoy leisurely strolls along the cobblestone paths or take boat tours to experience the canal from the water. The area is particularly charming with its old-world architecture and picturesque views.
Susukino Station
Transit station
4.0
Susukino is Sapporo's entertainment district, home to a vast array of restaurants, bars, karaoke boxes, and other nightlife options. It's known for its vibrant atmosphere, especially in the evening, with streets lit up by numerous billboards and neon signs. Visitors can explore a lively urban environment, even late at night, and experience Japan's biggest entertainment district outside of Tokyo.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley
Place
4.3
Noboribetsu Hell Valley (Jigokudani) is a dramatic landscape of bubbling sulfuric hot springs, steam plumes, and barren, colorful hills. The area is rich in volcanic activity, and the strong smell of rotten eggs is a distinctive feature. A convenient wooden path allows visitors to explore this unique geological wonder at their leisure, leading to other hot springs like Oyunuma pond.
Otaru Steam Clock
Landmark
4.5
The Otaru Steam Clock is a landmark gifted from Vancouver, operating on steam and chiming every 15 minutes with the melody of Westminster Abbey. This impressive clock tower boasts a steampunk aesthetic with visible mechanisms and steam emissions. It's a popular spot for tourists to gather and enjoy its unique hourly performance.
Cape Kamui
Natural feature
4.6
Cape Kamui is a picturesque cape stretching into the Sea of Japan, offering stunning views of the 'Shakotan Blue' waters. Visitors can walk along a scenic path to a lighthouse at the cape's tip, a journey that takes approximately 20 minutes. There's a historical legend about women being prohibited from the cape, though this restriction is no longer in place.
Parfait, coffee, liquor, Sato
Cafe
4.2
Parfait, coffee, liquor, Sato is a popular dessert shop in Sapporo, known for its artistic and delicious parfaits, which are often described as works of art. The shop can be very busy, with queues extending up to an hour, so it's advisable to visit during off-peak hours. They offer a variety of parfaits, including seasonal fruit, melon and limemint, and chocolate and mango.
Ebisu Rock & Daikoku Rock
Scenic spot
4.3
These two distinct rock formations near the coast are considered 'shintai,' physical manifestations of gods in Shinto belief. Ebisu is revered as the god of fishermen, while Daikoku is associated with wealth. The area is also popular for paddleboarding, allowing visitors to get closer to these spiritual natural monuments.
Mermaid Coffee Roasters
Coffee shop
4.8
Mermaid Coffee Roasters is a charming coffee shop in Sapporo, well-regarded for its delicious coffee and fluffy bread. They offer a toast set which includes toast, a soft-boiled egg, and a choice of coffee, including a Hokkaido milk coffee latte. Visitors can also sample different coffee brews to taste and decide their preference.
River Oyunuma Natural Footbath
Spa
4.4
The River Oyunuma Natural Footbath offers a relaxing experience in warm, naturally heated water flowing from Oyunuma pond. Located about 500 meters from the main hot springs, it's a popular spot where visitors can soak their feet and unwind amidst a lush, forested setting. Thoughtful amenities like mats are provided for comfort.
Oyunuma Pond
Scenic spot
4.5
Oyunuma pond is a large, hot sulfurous pond in Noboribetsu Hell Valley, characterized by its white steam and pale green water, which gives it the appearance of a giant cauldron. It's a key feature of the volcanic landscape, offering a mesmerizing spectacle of natural geothermal activity. Visitors can reach it via a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the main Hell Valley area.
Shishiou
Ramen restaurant
4.2
Shishiou is a popular ramen restaurant in Sapporo, specializing in miso ramen, a local specialty. They offer various spice levels for their Miso Deluxe ramen, from 'Little Spicy' to 'Extremely Hot', and often add roasted pork fillet, butter, and corn to their dishes. The queues usually indicate its popularity among locals, suggesting an authentic and delicious dining experience.
Denuki-Koji Street
Place
Otaru Denuki-koji is a charming alleyway in Otaru filled with small eateries and shops, offering a glimpse into traditional Japanese streetscapes. While the video notes that the street boasts many small eats, it was not explored for food. The area is adorned with decorative wind chimes, including cute 'teru teru bozu' dolls, adding to its whimsical ambiance.
Ro Man Kan
Cafe
4.3
Ro Man Kan is a glass shop in Otaru known for its magical, Christmas-like interior filled with exquisite glass ornaments and decorations. The store offers a wide variety of glass items, including adorable miniature animal figurines and colorful glass beads for crafting. It's a perfect place to find unique souvenirs and gifts, reflecting Otaru's reputation for its glass artistry.
Pettoshoppu WAN Sapporoten
Pet store
3.0
Pet Shop Wan is a pet shop located on Tanukikoji Shopping Street in Sapporo, showcasing a variety of adorable puppies and kittens. Visitors can admire playful corgis, fluffy Maltese, and sleepy Shiba Inu pups, among other cute animals. It's a delightful spot for animal lovers to observe and appreciate the various breeds.
Shiraoi Grandma
Restaurant
4.7
Shiraoi Grandma is a restaurant in the small town of Shiraoi that serves heartwarming home-cooked food prepared by local obachans (grandmas). A popular dish is their chicken curry, which is a favorite among locals. The cozy atmosphere makes it a comforting stop for a meal.
Hiri Hiri 2 Soup Curry Sapporo Station
Japanese curry restaurant
4.1
Hiri Hiri is a restaurant in Sapporo specializing in soup curry, a popular local dish. The soup curry is served with a roasted chicken leg and various roasted vegetables, such as lotus root, broccoli, and carrots, which enhance its fragrant flavor. Diners can choose their preferred spice level, and the restaurant also offers Sapporo Classic beer to complement the meal.
Boyotei Restaurant
Japanese restaurant
4.3
Boyotei is a restaurant located near Lake Toya, known for its cozy, cottage-like ambiance, with warm lighting and wooden interiors. They serve a variety of Japanese dishes, including a popular omurice that resembles a 'volcano' and a delicious crab fried rice. It's a welcoming place to enjoy a hearty meal after exploring the scenic lake area.