| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2000 - ¥4000 |
| Opening Hours | 18:00 - 3:00 Main store, Gojo store 11:30 - 23:30 Sanjo Store, Tanuki koji Store 11:30 - 23:00 Kitaichijo Store |
| Closed | Sundays : Main store, Gojo store |
| Contact | 011-3884-6210 Main store 011-561-1999 Gojo store 011-1219-8088 Sanjo Store 011-218-8700 Kitaichijo Store 011-200-9966 Tanuki koji Store |
| Notes | High end sushi store, no parking, credit card accepted, seating around 30 per store |
| Location / Getting There | Main store South 5 West 3. It's a 2 minutes walk from Exit 3 of Susukino Station on the Sapporo Namboku subway Line Sapporo City Chuo-ku Minami 5-jo Nishi 3-chome, N Grande Building 1F Gojo store South 5 West 4. It's a 2 minutes walk from Exit 5 of Susukino Station on the Sapporo Subway Namboku Line 4-chome, Minami 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido (facing south on 5-jo-dori) Sanjo Store South 3 West 4. 2 minutes walk from Susukino Station on the Sapporo Subway Namboku Line 〒060-0063Hokkaido Sapporo City Chuo-ku Minami 3-jo Nishi 4-chome Tosho 3.4 Building 1F Kitaichijo store West 3 North 2. 1 minute walk from Odori Station on the Sapporo Subway Namboku Line 〒060-0001 Kita 1 Jonishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido Kita Ichijo Ekimae - dori Building 2F Tanukikoji store It's a 5 minute walk from Odori subway station. 〒060-0063 1F, Jalan Tanukikoji, 6-3-3 Minami 3-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido |
Sai Kaku is a small chain of restaurants in Sapporo and throughout the big cities of Japan. They are not like the sushi train restaurants with the sushi on a conveyer belt, but you order your sushi directly from the chef. Sai Kaku are on the higher end of sushi restaurants and for those traveling from abroad, they offer a fantastic Japanese dining experience. There are five Sai Kaku restaurants in Sapporo, all close to each other. There are two in Susukino, two in the heart of Sapporo and a fifth near Sapporo station.
These restaurants excel in sushi and in sake. The sushi is beautifully presented and arranged on a flat wooden board. Unlike other sushi restaurants, only one piece of sushi is served per order. It comes with a folded ginger garnish. This restaurant is more expensive then the sushi train style restaurants so be prepared. It is highly recommended to try some fine sake to go with your sushi. They have numerous bottles to choose from. Again, if you are looking for a fine dining experience, and enjoy sushi, look no further than Sai Kaku.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | 011-3822-2608 |
| Notes | Shinto shrine, no parking, cherry blossom area |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the southern part of Hakodate city near the base of Mt. Hakodate. There is street parking around if you are driving. For public transport, the closest station is Yachigashira tram station (seven stops from Hakodate tram station). From here it is a 9 minute walk south. 1-7 Sumiyoshicho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0045 |
Sumiyoshi Shrine is a shinto shrine in Hakodate. It is located on the cape near the base of Mt. Hakodate. It is not a far walk from the ocean, on the eastern side of the headland. The founding date of the shrine is unknown, however according to local stories passed down, the shrine was built during the Kamakura period, which was established in 1192 (bringing the start of the samurai). The shrine (known then as Miyoshi Shrine), was rebuilt 600 years later during the An’ei era. The shrine was then rebuilt again in its current location, after it was burnt down in a great fire in 1937. The shrine was renamed Sumiyoshi Shrine.
The shrine is best to visit during the cherry blossom season from mid April to early May. The road leading up to the shrine is flanked by dozens of beautiful cherry blossom trees. Unlike other cherry blossom areas, this road is not crowded. Once up the top of the hill, the grounds of Sumiyoshi Shrine are a nice place to wander around and enjoy the tranquility. This area also makes for a good place to get some photos. The shrine serves as a place of worship for 350 households and sees special events held throughout the year.
| Admission | Free |
| Dates | Mid August around the 13th - 15th 3 days |
| Contact | - |
| Starting times | All day |
| Location / Getting There | Various locations throughout every city. |
Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of ancestors. It has been celebrated in Japan for over 500 years and is known as a time for family. It is a time of family reunion, where the graves of ancestors are visited and cleaned. It also includes a celebration involving a Bon dance (Bon Odori). This festive dance was originally a folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead. The dance takes place around a high wooden scaffold called a ‘yagura’. Musicians, playing a Japanese drum (taiko), and singers sit at the top of this yagura to perform for the line of dancers below.
These small festivals are held throughout each city in various places and districts. If you are in Sapporo, the main Bon Festival is held in Odori Park. Plus, there is another in front of the Park Hotel. At these Bon dances, there are stalls selling food and drink and this goes all day. In the evening the lanterns come to life and the music starts. Anybody is welcome to join the line dance that circles the yagura. This is a great way to get involved with centuries of Japanese culture and make for a great spot to get some video or photos.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Grounds open all day 7:00 - 19:00 for temple |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-22-2731 |
| Notes | Shinto Shrine, sightseeing spot, photography spot, parking for 8 |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Furano. It's a 15 minute walk from Furano station. 17-6 Wakamatsucho, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0032 |
Furano Shrine is a Shinto shrine can be found in central Furano along route 38. It was originally constructed in 1902 by the pioneers who had settled in the area. The grounds are a peaceful place to walk around and enjoy the architecture and the many trees. To one side of the main shrine, you can find two smaller shrines, Konpira Shrine and Inari Shrine. The path to these two small shrines passes under three red torii (Japanese gates). This area is a good spot to get some great photos of some Japanese culture, especially for those traveling!
The grounds are a nice spot to walk around as they have various statues including the lion dog guardians (komainu) plotted around the shrines. There is also a dirt sumo ring that is interesting to have a look at and to get some more photos, plus a chōzubachi (water basin to wash hands). It is conveniently located whether walking from the station or for driving, as they have a small parking area. While in the town of Furano, why not stop in to Furano Marche which is close by, pick up some lunch and take a walk down to the shrine!
