Charms of Hokkaido: Sapporo Autumn Fest

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9 days 8 nights

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Single Supplement: USD $720.00

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Initially opened in 1990, the Porotokan Ainu Museum was dedicated to cataloging, preserving, and teaching the history and culture of the original native peoples of Hokkaido: the Ainu people. In 2018, however, the Porotokan closed down in order to clear the way for the new and expanded National Ainu Museum. This newer museum’s philosophy is based on the ideals of multicultural coexistence and presents various exhibits divided into six separate Ainu-centered themes: history, language, lifestyle, livelihood, worldview, and trade with other peoples. The museum is one building in a larger facility called Upopoy (“singing in a large group” in Ainu language). This facility includes, in addition to the museum, a National Park near Lake Poroto, and a Memorial Site for deceased Ainu.

There are many hot springs in Japan, one of which is located in Hokkaido with the name of Jigokudani, meaning “Hell Valley.” The very characteristics of the valley itself justify the name given to the location. Other physical features of the valley include its crater foundation that is more than a kilometer and half all around.

Noboribetsu is known for its Jigokudani “Hell Valley” natural hot spring region. As a result, a number of local onsen resorts have sprung up around the local area, offering a hit mineral bath to weary travelers. But as the Oyunuma River winds around the valley, the temperature of the river cools to the perfect degree for a refreshing bath for to soothe your tired feet. The foot bath is free, and visitors may sit on a wooden deck and dangle their feet into the flowing river, or they may stand in the river’s flow. Those who choose to stand in the river, the natural silt and mineral deposits wash over and scour the feet clean.

Lake Toya is an exceptionally lake in Hokkaido, sitting near picturesque Mount Usu. The lake has a single island in the middle, known as Nakajima - rising like a shapely green pupil inside a clear blue eye. The lake one of the two northernmost lakes in Japan that never freezes, and so remains clear and beautiful all year- round. And although Japan hosts hundreds of fireworks festivals every year, it is the Lake Toya Fireworks display that is one of the most delightful. Fireworks like brilliant flowers burst in all colors of the rainbow, and can be seen reflecting off the surface of the water, in a nightly display running from May to October. This makes it one of the longest-running fireworks shows in Japan.

Mount Usu, Japan’s most active volcano. The unusual thing with Mount Usu is that it does not spew out tons of lava, but instead forms new landmarks. The rise of volatile magma creates the lava domes as well as the crypto domes. There are several walking trails that can be taken to see the destruction left behind. There are also wrecked houses, confection factory, telephone poles, cars and other buildings that remain there to educate individuals on the destructive power of volcanoes. The trail then leads to the craters where you can still see steam emitting from the fissures.

Lake Toya is a volcanic caldera lake in Hokkaido, and is surrounded by a number of charming parks. A few are planted with orchards that offer guests the fun local experience of seasonal fruit picking. Largely concentrated around the southern rim of the lake, a variety of orchards open their gardens to visiting travelers to enjoy picking and eating various fruits. The fruit available depends on the time of year, but among the fruits grown in the area, apples, blueberries, cherries, grapes, and peaches are among the most common. Over a hundred different varieties of fruit may be found there, which, in addition to the peaceful lakeside atmosphere, makes this an activity that draws people to return again and again. Lake Toya is also noted as the northernmost lake in Japan that never freezes over in winter, and has a series of small islands in the center, known collectively as Nakajima.

Hokkaido is a region of Japan famed for its rich dairy products, producing high-quality cheese, cream, butter, and milk that are sold in stores across Japan and even Asian markets overseas. While visiting this island it would be unthinkable not to try some their famous dairy products, but why only try when you can learn how they make them? Visit Lake Hill Farm near Lake Toya in southern Hokkaido, which includes an ice cream cafe where you can not only enjoy some tasty locally produced dairy, but also enjoy a fun and easy class where you can make delicious ice cream. The class is easy to understand and taught by the friendly staff.

As more people in Japan began to drive around the country (as opposed to using the trains), Japan developed a series of "road stations" across the country, from Okinawa to Hokkaido. These stations offer visitors local produce, cuisine, and souvenirs from that region. Consistently ranked as the top road station in Hokkaido is Road Station Nanairo-Nanae, which is located at Nanae-cho in southern Hokkaido. This roadstation sells the various local delights of the region, including a special soft-serve ice cream made with guarana, and fluffy croquettes. Many of the local souvenirs they make feature locally grown apples, including apple ponzu, apple pound cake, apple curry, and of course, apple juice.

Hakodate’s Morning Market is a market specializing in seafood. It was created after World War II and extends some four city blocks. This morning market consists of approximately 160 shops, however tourists from all over can buy and have their meals prepared for them at that moment. Seafood like sea urchins, clams, king crab, salmon and more amongst the fruit and vegetables that they sell as well. This market offers sales every day from early in the morning until around noon time.

The Goryokaku Fort was first built over a hundred years ago, this established structure held the magistrate’s office where Hokkaido was administered and was the first western-styled stronghold of its kind in Japan. The fort was not always affiliated to military, once it lost its importance for military self-defense, it was employed as a park in 1910. This area is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in early May because it has more than a thousand trees blooming there each year. An observation tower is also available for public use to view the grounds from above.

The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse refers to the several buildings lined up facing the Hakodate Bay. The Kanemori Youbutsukan is a shopping center, which offers a variety of goods. It is set up daily like a flea market for people to enjoy. The Hakodate History Plaza is where the Hakodate Beer Hall is located. Here you can have a chance to enjoy Hakodate beer, and there is an exhibition hall at the center of the plaza showcasing the history of the area.

Motomachi is located at the base of Mount Hakodate. Motomachi was one of the first areas to flourish with foreign influences, which can be seen from the remnants of the western styled streetscape and residency of various consulates. Aside from the western styled buildings that decorate Motomachi, there is a famous street called Hachimanzaka slope, where many movies, dramas and commercial used the area to film scenes.

Known as “Lying Cow” for its shape, Mount Hakodate offers one of the best views from its summit some 334 meters high, overlooking both sea and land. The views that can be seen from Mount Hakodate include the peninsulas located south from the summit, the Tsugaru and Shimokita Peninsulas belonging to Aomori Prefecture. In addition to the peninsular views, the night time and daytime views in either direction are popular among the tourists, so tourists need only worry about the observation deck and ropeway operational times when visiting Mount Hakodate.

Onuma Park (known as Quasi National Park) is located north of Hakodate in Hokkaido. Lake Onuma is located within Onuma Park. Lake Onuma is known for the resorts that permit year-round for guests at their hotels some of which offer golfing, canoeing and camping among other activities as part of their outdoor attractions. Even during winter, Lake Onuma has a ski resort for tourists, so people can try snow- based activities in the colder seasons. During colder seasons and even in spring, Lake Onuma is usually frozen until May due to the high altitude in its already cold prefecture of Hokkaido.

While in the town of Kuromatsunai, there are various local cultural amusements to enjoy, and one such activity is learning to play the taiko drums. The taiko is a large native drum, usually made of wood, and topped with a head of stretched cowhide. The cowhide is struck with a pair of wooden sticks to create a loud, vibrant sound. Used in many aspects of Japanese traditional culture from kabuki theater performances to samurai-era warfare, taiko drums produce a resonating sound and are made in various sizes from the tiny "shime-daiko" to the massive "o-daiko". Everything from the holding of the stick to the position of the body as you strike the drumhead is a part of the art, and any who are interested in learning to play this instrument can enjoy a simple, fun class learning to play the taiko drum with a taiko expert in Kuromatsunai.

Utasai Beech Forest is a protected forest of Japanese beech trees protected by the Japanese government as a national treasure. The rustic, untouched nature of this forest grants hikers through the region the feeling of entering an enchanting forest paradise that has been preserved in its natural state. This being a forest of deciduous beech trees, Utasai Forest presents a different scenic profile depending on the season you go. Spring is a lush panorama of deep and vibrant greens, summer enchants the forest view with shafts of golden sunlight, autumn drastically changes the canopy overhead to colorful bursts of reddish orange and gold, and winter provides the peaceful stillness that accompanies fresh- fallen snow. Walking Tours through this forest give visitors the opportunity to enjoy this refreshing nature scene while preserving the untouched quality of the forest.

In 1937, Japanese businessman and chemist Masataka Taketsuru returned to Japan from Glasgow, Scotland, having studied the whisky production process there. Eventually settling down with his Scottish wife in the small town of Yoichi, Hokkaido, he founded the Nikka Whisky Distillery, selling the first whisky ever sold in Japan. Nikka Whisky is now an award-winning brand that produces eight different labels for whisky, vodka, and gin. The Yoichi Distillery offers guided tours of the production facility, granting visitors a window into the whisky production process, some whisky tasting, and some history about the life of Taketsuru.

The glass made in Otaru is refined and is made in many workshops that also offer hands-on experience for guests who take interest in making their own glassware for a fee. Otaru is located in the prefecture of Hokkaido, neighboring the city of Sapporo. Aside from glass workshops, there are also many cafés, restaurants, and other shops that also allow guests to admire and purchase their artistic glass.

Among the many shops found on Sakaimichi Street is the Otaru Music Box Museum. It not only displays various objects, but also sells a wide range of music boxes, some of which are more elaborate than others; some move and others light up along with their melody. Midst the various types of music boxes are some made from glass, wood, or even traditional Japanese fabric, some are fashioned after sushi or Western-themed concepts. These music boxes also carry different songs according to a collection that the establishment has at their disposable.

The Otaru Canal was employed by businesses to transport their merchandise to warehouses with smaller ships since the bigger ships could not directly unload their goods to their destinations. However, eventually there was no use for the smaller vessels when the facilities were modernized, making the use of canals less necessary. Now the area is a tourist attraction, during the day people take leisurely walks about the scenic route where there are museums, restaurants, and shops. Furthermore, Otaru Canal is the main site of the Snow Light Path Festival which is celebrated annually during February as a winter festival.

Otaru has been a thriving fishing town since the Edo period, when its network of canals allowed for easy unloading of fishing boats. Years later, though the canals are now a local promenade and tourist hotspot, the fishing industry survives, finding fresh appeal by supporting the city’s top sushi restaurants now lining the Otaru Sushi District. A couple of these restaurants have earned Michelin Stars, and some require a reservation in advance. Some of these restaurants are native to Otaru, but many are more widely established, with branch restaurants all over the world. Otaru has over a hundred sushi restaurants scattered throughout the city, offering a broad variety of sushi dishes to choose from. Select sushi, including the shrimp and sea urchin, are praised as Otaru’s finest offerings.

The Historic Village of Hokkaido is a restored area based of what remained from the Meiji era and Taisho era. It is now an open-air museum with shops, households, and horse-drawn trams that run through the village. It displays various buildings and shops that were once constructed during Hokkaido’s growing development, including 60 different buildings from all over this northern island. It is also a place where many who lost their positions in the Edo Shogunate went to start their lives anew, especially samurai. It is located in the suburbs of Sapporo. It consists residential, mountainous, fishing, and agricultural zones.

Located in Sapporo, Shiroi Koibito Park is a factory for confectionaries and a theme park. It is known for its white chocolate and its famous souvenir cookies in Hokkaido. There are various indoor and outdoor activities and places to visit. Guests can enter the factory and see how cookies and candy are made by the Shiroi Koibito employees. The factory tours also include a hands-on experience for guests to create and design their own cookies. The park is opened year-round, including its seasonal rose garden, which is said to be at its best during summer seasons.

Hokkaido Shrine, once known as Sapporo Shrine, is located in the city of Sapporo and is one of the most important Shinto shrines in the city. By order of Emperor Meiji, three Shinto kami (deities) were enshrined there– three spirits of protection to guard the island of Hokkaido. After the emperor’s passing, his soul was also enshrined there, adding a fourth protector to the shrine, and it was renamed Hokkaido Shrine. The shrine achieves especial importance and popularity during three important times of the year – spring, for its lovely cherry blossoms; summer, as the heart of the Sapporo Festival; and the New Year, when Japanese attend their yearly hatsumoude – the annual first shrine visit.

Sapporo is considered the birthplace of beer in Japan since it started manufacturing beer in the Meiji Period. The building for the Sapporo Beer Museum was originally used as the Sapporo Sugar Company around 1890. Then, it was employed as a location for the cleaning process of barley leaves that were used to make beer in 1965. Finally, it was made into a brewery and, then, the museum that now has two neighboring beer gardens. There are tasting lounges and tours offered at the Sapporo Beer Museum for a fee, though there are few signs containing English for foreign guests.

The Hill of the Buddha is a Buddhist shrine and scenic monument in Sapporo. A massive stone statue of the seated Buddha is surrounded in a giant stone rotunda and preceded by a large reflecting pool. Designed in 2005 by modernist architect Tadao Ando, the Hill of the Buddha was constructed outside the Makomanai Takino Cemetery. The rotunda is covered in over a hundred thousand lavender flowers, one of the symbols of Hokkaido. Far from being the only monument at this unique cemetery, other picturesque points of interest include replica models of the Moai Heads of Easter Island, as well as the UK’s Stonehenge.

The Sapporo Autumn Fest is one of the newer festivals in Hokkaido, being held for the first time in 2008. It is the last of the big Sapporo festivals for the year. The 4 big festivals in Sapporo come with each season, the winter has the Snow Festival, spring has the Lilac Festival, summer brings the Sapporo Beer Garden , and the changing of the leaves sees the arrival of the Autumn Festival. Autumn is the harvest season, and this festival showcases the best food from around Hokkaido! The Sapporo Autumn Fest runs the length of Odori park and each block has its own unique theme. Discover each, and enjoy the sights and smells of delicious food and drink from all corners of Hokkaido!