Hokkaido Free Travel｜Hokkaido Tourist Attractions [2]

One of the most popular attractions when traveling to Hokkaido, "Otaru City", the famous Otaru Canal preserves the prosperity of history. Taste the classic "Hami melon ice cream" from Otaru Denuki Koji, paired with the Genghis Khan grilled meat at Sapporo Beer Garden, challenging your taste buds without limits. Of course, don’t forget to visit Noboribetsu Hell Valley on your Hokkaido free trip, to get a glimpse of the representative hot spring landscape of Hokkaido; go to Tanukikoji Shopping Street once, and complete your Hokkaido free shopping list all at once! Quickly check out AsiaYo’s selected Hokkaido guesthouses and Hokkaido attraction recommendations to enrich your central Hokkaido free trip and have an unforgettable Hokkaido tour.

Otaru Canal is a landmark in Otaru City, Hokkaido, Japan. Along the canal, rows of red brick warehouses stand as symbols of Otaru’s role as a financial and economic center in Hokkaido, even earning it the nickname "Wall Street of the North." Later, as the canal lost its industrial function, half of it was filled in and turned into a road. Today, these warehouse buildings have been converted into glass craft shops, tea houses, restaurants, and large retail stores, becoming a tourist hotspot. Every year in early February, the 10-day Otaru Snow Light Path Festival illuminates the Otaru Canal and its surroundings from 17:00 to 21:00, with lights flickering softly in the snow, creating the most romantic and warm atmosphere!

Otaru Denuki Koji

"Otaru Denuki Koji" is located at the Asahibashi intersection opposite the Otaru Canal. It is a food village (yataimura) where you can taste local ingredients. This food village, reflecting the streetscape of Hokkaido's pioneering era, houses about 20 shops of various types. Here, you can enjoy signature dishes made with Otaru’s carefully selected ingredients, and freely interact with the shop owners and locals. As night falls and lights come on, the glow of lanterns adds a touch of nostalgia to the food village. The iconic tower-shaped observation deck, modeled after a "fire lookout tower," is an excellent spot for a panoramic view of the canal and the sea.

Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Located on the west side of the Sosei River, Tanukikoji Shopping Street is a shopping area along a narrow alley between South 2 Jo and South 3 Jo in Sapporo. Stretching about 900 meters, it houses approximately 200 shops and is considered the oldest shopping street in Hokkaido. Its origins date back to 1869, when multiple shops and restaurants appeared almost simultaneously during the development of Sapporo as the center of Hokkaido. For about 150 years, it has been beloved by both Sapporo residents and tourists. Today, the arcades covering Tanukikoji from 1-chome to 6-chome allow for worry-free shopping regardless of rain or snow.

Hokkaido Jingu Shrine in Japan is a shrine of the highest shrine rank. This shrine holds various Shinto rituals and festivals throughout the year. On its 18-hectare grounds, about 1,400 cherry trees are planted, offering a breathtaking sight when they bloom in spring.

Hell Valley (Jigokudani) is a volcanic crater remnant near Lake Toya, formed about 10,000 years ago. With a diameter of approximately 450 meters, it still emits white steam, has no vegetation, and gives off a strong sulfur smell, resembling hell, hence its name. Hell Valley provides spring water containing 11 different minerals to the famous Noboribetsu Onsen. People have been extracting spring water from Hell Valley for over a hundred years. Besides soaking in the hot springs, be sure to visit the hot spring street, where you'll find various unique demon statues intended to ward off misfortune. You can also take the exploration trail deep into Hell Valley to experience the constantly erupting white steam and red rock walls, evoking a hellish environment.

Sapporo is famous for its gourmet sweets, and Hokkaido Kitakaro is a representative. With a history of over 25 years, Kitakaro opened its first street-side store in Sapporo in 2016. The store is located in the former Hokkaido Prefectural Library, rich in cultural atmosphere, and was designed by architect Tadao Ando, blending charming historical culture with design elements.

At the new Kitakaro, you must not miss three exclusive sweets only available at the Sapporo main store: the "Dream Croissant," which combines croissant and cream puff; the "Muku Rurinsan"; and the "Classic Chocolate Dream," a chocolate sandwich cookie inspired by the "Hokkaido Prefectural Library" made with Belgian chocolate, allowing you to rediscover the deliciousness of sweets.

The red-brick Pioneering Embassy is an iconic building of the Sapporo Beer Garden. The Sapporo Beer Garden is one of the famous Genghis Khan grilled meat restaurants in the Sapporo area. It has three different Genghis Khan grilled meat restaurants, where you can enjoy buffet-style local specialties such as raw ham, traditional Genghis Khan grilled meat, and various beers.

Notably, the Sapporo Beer Museum underwent a complete renovation last year, offering a paid premium tour that includes a special program allowing you to taste the "Reproduction Sapporo Beer" brewed using the 1881 method. After experiencing the passion of predecessors dedicated to Japanese beer making, you will certainly enjoy the beer even more deeply.

The Sapporo Snow Festival, a Hokkaido winter tradition held every February, is a popular event attracting over 2.5 million visitors from Japan and abroad each year. At the main venue, "Odori Site," a variety of snow sculptures, including large ones modeled after world-famous buildings and anime characters, are displayed. The Odori Site also features projection mapping and a Hokkaido food corner.

Additionally, the Sapporo Snow Festival includes the "TSUDOME Site" for playing in the snow and the "Susukino Site" with glittering ice sculptures—each venue offers equal enjoyment.

Former Temiya Line Ruins

The Temiya Line, a railway abandoned in 1985, was the first railway opened in Hokkaido. It transported coal, herring, seaweed, and other marine products, making an indelible contribution to Hokkaido's development. After the line was discontinued, many tracks and crossing gates were preserved, now collectively known as the "Former Temiya Line Ruins." This is not only a walking path that evokes nostalgia but also a highly recommended photo spot. On the railway tracks, you can take photos resembling movie scenes.

Cape Erimo is located at the southernmost tip of the Hidaka Mountains, jutting out into the Pacific Ocean like a promontory. The dramatic landscape formed by 60-meter-high sea cliffs and coastal reef zones makes Cape Erimo one of Hokkaido’s most popular capes. It is not only one of the windiest areas in Japan but also famous as the largest habitat for the endangered harbor seal in Japan.

From the observation deck, you can feel the strong wind blowing off the cape and see seals lazily resting on the rocks.

More will be introduced in the next issue. Please stay tuned.