● Nature walk

　We are presenting here walks located within one hour's drive from Sapporo.

　There are also 8 walks inside the City of Sapporo, ranging from a 3km course you can walk with children, to a 10 km course for good walkers. Please check the "nature walk" on the Sapporo Park Index home page (Japanese only) of the Sapporo City Environment Office.

● Nopporo Forest Park (prefectural natural park)

　This is a 2,051ha forest located on a hill that stretches over the three cities of Sapporo, Ebetsu and Kitahiroshima. There are 13 courses, requiring 30 min. to 2 hours and a half to walk. You can see ezorisu squirrels and rabbits very closely. In the park, about 140 species of birds has been observed and 1,300 species of insects has been recorded.

■Sightseeing spots
Access, facilities, etc.
Nopporo Forest Park
Historical Village of Hokkaido
Historical Museum of Hokkaido

■Official web sites
Nopporo Forest Park (Japanese only)
　 Presenting courses, events, etc.
Historical Village of Hokkaido
　 Buildings constructed at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century, and that have since been moved to this museum.
Historical Museum of Hokkaido
　 Presenting in 7 themes the history of Hokkaido, from 1.2 million years ago to the 1970s.

● Hoheikyo

　Located in Minami ward, in the Toyohira River headwaters area (one of the 100 most beautiful source areas in Japan). You can see a nine step waterfall, Jozan Lake (the water jar of Sapporo), Hoheikyo Dam, etc. You will find walking paths too. To protect the environment, you can not enter the park with you own car; you have to take an electric bus. In the surrounding, you can bath in the hot spring of Jozankei spa, Kogane-yu spa or Hoheikyo spa.

■Sightseeing spots
Access, facilities, etc
Jozankei spa
Kogane-yu spa
Hoheikyo

■Official web site
Hoheikyo
　 Electric bus fares, map of the area, etc.

● Jozankei

　　Valley located in the Toyohira River headwaters area, in the deep mountains of Minami ward, at one hour by car from Sapporo downtown. You can walk a 1.5km course or a 2.5km course. While walking, you will see Yunotaki hot spring, the statue of Kappa Daio (river sprite king), and Futami suspension bridge overlooking Kappa Fuchi (Kappa Deep). There is also a 130m long cave called Iwado Kannon-do, dug in the mountain, and where 33 statues of the Buddhist goddess Kannon lie.

■Sightseeing spots
Access, facilities, etc.
Jozankei spa
Jozankei spa hotels

■Official web site
Jozankei Tourist Association

● Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park

　 400ha national park located on 160m to 320m high hills, in the south part of Sapporo. The Ashiribetsu Waterfall inside the park is one of the 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. You can experience here nature watching horse trekking, brook trout or rainbow trout fishing, barbecue, or cycling.

■Sightseeing spot
Access, facilities, etc.
Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park

■Official web site
Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park
　Access, facilities, events, etc.

● Nishioka Park
　　 　　 　　
　 Located in a forest in Toyohira ward, in the South East part of Sapporo. You can stroll on a wooden made path over the marsh that used to be a source of water supply during Meiji era (end of 19th century). The place is now a reproduction site for ezoharuzemi (Hokkaido cicada), ezoakagaeru (Hokkaido rana), ezosanshouo (Hokkaido salamander) or fireflies.
　From Sumikawa Subway Station (Nanboku Line), take Chuo bus to “Nishioka Suigenchi”.

■Official web site
Nishioka Park (Japanese only)
　Access, photos, etc. (Sapporo City Environment Office, park index web page)

Ashiribetsu Waterfall (Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park)

Hoshioki Waterfall