[2025 Sapporo Attraction] Travel Guide for Hōheikyō Dam (Updated May)

#ViewingMaple #100TravelWays Mid-to-late October in Hokkaido is the best time to enjoy the maple leaves. In addition to Nakajima Park, Hokkaido Shrine and Hokkaido University Ginkgo in downtown Sapporo, the suburban #丁山溪 is also highly recommended and closer to nature. The golden maple leaves in the mountains and valleys are completely different from the red leaves in the city. It is very suitable for planning a 2-day and 1-night self-driving itinerary. The recommendations are as follows: Day-1. Sapporo - Jozankei Onsen - Tsuruga Mori no Uta - Futami Suspension Bridge Light-up Day-2. Hoheikyo Dam-Asari Dam-Otaru Canal-Sapporo Traffic tips: 1. Renting a car and driving yourself is the most maneuverable. The drive from Sapporo to Jozankei takes about 40 minutes. On the way back, you can also walk to Otaru and then return to Sapporo. 2. Take the express bus from Sapporo Station South Exit No. 12 to Jozankei Station. The journey takes about 60 minutes. If you are departing from New Chitose Airport, the journey takes about 90 minutes. Must-see attractions: 1. #Futami Suspension Bridge The representative red suspension bridge of Jozankei is located between the Jozankei Valley. The red leaves of the valley on both sides are super beautiful to be photographed, with gold, red and green, and the color layers are quite rich. There are also lighting activities at night, similar to the sound and light interactive projection of teamLab, which makes the Futami Suspension Bridge and Jozankei very magical and charming. It can be said that there are different styles during the day and at night. 2. #Fengpingxia Dam The dam in the upper reaches of Jozankei is about 15-20 minutes’ drive away. It is also a well-known maple viewing spot in the local area. Without artificial carvings, the red leaves here are more beautiful. The magnificent dam discharge is quite worth seeing, and you can also take an electric car and a small cable car. 3. #Asato Dam When driving from Jozankei to Otaru, you will pass by Otaru Inland Lake and Asato Dam. The most special thing is that from the dam bridge you can take a 360-degree photo of the circular expressway and the red and yellow leaves all over the mountain. The beauty from this angle is so stunning that it is worth stopping. 4. #OtaruCanal This popular attraction needs no introduction. The Otaru Canal and the cultural and creative warehouses along the bank have always been a favorite spot for tourists. Although there are no maple leaves in the city, the canal still looks very exotic when photographed. You can also stroll around the shopping and pedestrian streets and find some food while you are there. Recommended restaurants: #丁山溪鹤雅休闲度假村温泉森之謌 , a well-known hot spring hotel group in Hokkaido, uses wood as a design element, giving travelers the feeling of bathing in the forest. The biggest selling points of Mori no Uta are the hot springs and food. The hot spring water is very smooth and warm, and your skin will be super smooth after soaking in it. The food is a buffet of banquet-level cuisine. In addition to all-you-can-eat seafood, even the desserts are so exquisite and beautiful that you can't stop eating! The basic room type for two people with one night and two meals is priced at about $10,000, which is a good value for money. There are also half-day tours with hot spring bathing and lunch. Must-eat food: #森自餐 The buffet restaurant of Senzhiu Hot Spring Hotel is very attentive to quality and taste, especially the seafood is quite abundant, scallops, sweet shrimps, sashimi, snow crab legs, salmon roe, delicious and sweet, love it! Even the desserts are made with great care, and their exquisiteness is in no way inferior to the cakes sold separately outside. Even if you don't stay at the hotel, you can still make a special trip here to eat. Highly recommended! # 牛かつ 小樽黒泽 A steak specialty store in downtown Otaru, offering local Shirao Wagyu beef. Coin-operated ordering allows you to choose the grade of beef and also opt for Wagyu croquettes as a side dish. For some reason, Japanese fried steak is so delicious. The fat marbling and tender beef really melts in your mouth. The grill pan can also adjust the doneness of the meat according to your own preferences. In short, you must come and try it when you come to Otaru. Shopping Guide: The shopping street of #定山溪温泉 is not big, but it is also suitable for strolling. The local area has created the Kappa legend, which can be said to be the Kappa as a mascot, and has derived many cute peripheral products and sculptures, where you can check in and take photos. Of course, the wine in the hot spring town is also highly recommended and you can have a sip. #小樽购物街 is more lively and fun to visit. There are a lot of handicrafts, such as glass and music boxes, which are quite famous. There are also many kinds of souvenirs, such as Otaru ramen and double cheese cake. People who love shopping should not feel tired after walking for a whole day. #Hokkaido self-driving #Hokkaido maple viewing #Dingshanke maple viewing #Viewing maple #100 ways to travel #Dingshanke hot springs #Hokkaido travel

#ViewingMaple #100TravelWays Another must-visit maple viewing spot in Jozankei Onsen, Hokkaido #丰平峡水坝, where you can see maple leaves that are different from the stream canyon, but the more magnificent dam and mountains are all red! However, transportation is relatively inconvenient. It is about 15 minutes' drive from Jozankei Onsen. After parking, you need to buy a ticket and take an electric car to enter. The round trip is about ¥600. Of course, you can also walk for free, which takes about 30 minutes. Toyohira Reservoir in Jozankō Lake is one of the 100 most beautiful reservoirs in Japan. Different from Jozankō Onsen, which is crowded and noisy with shops, the nature reserve is more peaceful and leisurely with a very broad view. Especially when walking on the top of the dam, looking at the rushing lake water and the red leaves growing on the surrounding rocks, you will feel indescribably moved! Above the waiting area on the top of the dam is the visitor center. You can take the free climbing cable car up there, where you will see some food trucks selling hot drinks and cooked food, as well as a fiery red maple tree. It's so beautiful! And from the top you can get a glimpse of the whole picture of Fengpingxia Dam, as well as the magnificent flood discharge spectacle and rainbow. #Hokkaido self-driving #Hokkaido travel #Hokkaido maple viewing #Jozankei #Hoheikyo #viewing maple #100 ways to travel

The 102.5-meter-high arched concrete reservoir located in Minami-ku, Sapporo was built in 1972 for the purpose of water management of the Toyohira River and hydroelectric power generation. The reservoir lake is named Jozan Lake and holds a volume of water equivalent to 30 Sapporo Domes. It is located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and the distance from the reservoir entrance to the reservoir is about 2 kilometers. In order to protect the environment, ordinary vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles are prohibited from entering this route all year round. People can only walk or take electric buses. The area around the reservoir is a scenic spot surrounded by steep rock slopes, and together with the majestic reservoir sightseeing floating (9:00-16:00 from June to October every year), it forms a spectacular scenery. This is also a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves in Sapporo. #2024TravelReview

Jozankei is a hot spring and autumn foliage destination located about an hour's drive from downtown Sapporo. In autumn, the area is transformed into a paradise with vibrant yellow and orange leaves. The hot spring was reportedly founded by the monk Jozan Mizumi in 1866 and is also the origin of the kappa legend, adding a touch of mystique. The area boasts 56 hot spring sources that produce a continuous flow of up to 8,600 liters of water per minute. The hot spring inns are built along the creek, offering picturesque views of the mountains and autumn leaves. The beautiful and serene surroundings of Jozankei Onsen are also dotted with numerous autumn foliage spots. Nearby attractions include the Futami Suspension Bridge and Shigure Bridge, where you can enjoy the stunning autumn leaves along the creek. The Hoheikyo Dam area features a unique landscape of fiery red maple trees and a majestic reservoir. The Hakkenzan Mountain, with its eight sword-like peaks, offers breathtaking autumn views. You can also take a gondola ride at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort for a walk above the autumn foliage.