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Autumn Wellness Tour – Visit The Great Buddha and Enjoy Fall Foliage

Autumn Day Trip to the Sapporo Suburbs, recommended by Hu Chih-Ling: Taiwanese influencer

Visit The Power Spots of Sapporo

Butsuganji The Great Nirvana Temple
( : about 30 minutes)

Useful Info
  • Visit Japan’s largest Reclining Buddha
  • The sun sets early this time of the year, so aim to arrive around 9:00am.
    Depart your hotel early morning to the Ishiyama area (about a 30-minute drive from downtown Sapporo)
  • Visiting Hours:  April to October 9:00~17:00, November to March 9:00~16:00
  • Free parking and no entry fees!

Visit the gigantic golden Reclining Buddha in Ishiyama, a 30-minute drive to the south of downtown Sapporo.  The statue is 45 meters long and is the largest Reclining Buddha in Japan; it depicts the death of Buddha and his entry to Nirvana. The serenity of the statue is echoed by the autumn foliage in the surrounding forest.  Nearby, be sure not to miss the beautiful garden created by Mr. Yasuo Kitayama, a well-known master who created a number of Japan’s most scenic gardens.

Details for Shari-Zan Butsuganji, The Great Nirvana Temple.
https://www.butsuganji.jp/en/

Hill of the Buddha ( : about 30 minutes)

Useful Info

  • Feel real Japanese spirit expressed through the designs and thoughts of a renowned architect.
  • About a 10-minute drive from the Reclining Buddha
  • Visiting Hours:  April to October 9:00~16:00, November to March 10:00~15:00
  • Parking fee: 500 yen per car
  • Entry fee: 300 yen per person (free for children below elementary school age)
  • The water garden is closed during winter months (From November 4th to the end of April)

The Hill of the Buddha is another popular sight to visit in the Ishiyama area. It takes about 10 minutes by car from the Great Nirvana Temple (Reclining Buddha). The enormous Buddha head, designed by world-famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando, rises from ground level on the hill.  As you approach the entrance dome of the Great Buddha, a water garden appears. This garden represents the boundary between the ordinary world and the mystic realms. Walking through the garden, your mind is purified to accept the spiritual world ahead. The essence of Japanese spirituality emanating from the Great Buddha will nourish your heart and soul.

Details for Hill of the Buddha
https://www.takinoreien.com/pages/107/

Hoheikyo-Dam ( : about 30 minutes)

Useful Info

  • A beautiful location to experience the autumn foliage.
  • About a 40-minute drive from the Hill of the Buddha.
  • Park your car and take an electric bus to the dam.
  • Electric Bus Schedule: May 1st (Wednesday) to November 4th (closed Mondays & National Holidays)
  • Bus fee: 1,000 yen per adult, 500 yen per child
  • Walking to the dam from the parking is not recommended, as this area is a habitat for brown bears.

The Hoheikyo Dam is located on the Toyohira River and is part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The Toyahira River is a major water source for 2 million Sapporo residents and the dam is a popular sightseeing spot for enjoying autumn foliage. Electric bus service shuttling between the parking and the dam has run for almost 50 years, supporting both environmental preservation and sightseers. Enjoy panoramic views of steep cliffs, water and colorful leaves from the dam. The refinements of Japan’s distinctive four seasons are on abundant display.

Details for Houheikyou Dam
https://www.houheikyou.jp/en/

Hoheikyo-Onsen ( : about 2 hour)

Useful Info

  • Savor the curry dishes and soba noodles loved by local Sapporo people.
  • Bathe in a local favorite open-air hot spring (tattoos are OK.)
  • About 5 minutes by car from the Hoheikyo Dam
  • Hours: 10:00~22:30 (last call at 21:45)
  • Bathing fee: 1,000 yen per adult, 500 yen per child

Open-air hot spring

The curry

About an hour from Sapporo and 5 minutes from Jozankei by car, the Hoheikyo Onsen is an outdoor hot spring popular for day visits. Overseas visitors usually arrive during the day, and locals frequent the spring at night.
The spring’s water flows directly from the source, and is rich in minerals which stimulate health and enhance the ambiance. Water temperature is adjusted, allowing guests longer bathing time.
The restaurant on the ground floor is run by a Nepalese chef and serves authentic curry and soba noodles, very popular among overseas visitors and locals alike. Luxuriant autumn foliage can be seen from both the restaurant and outdoor baths, in true Japanese style. Since tattoos are prohibited at other hot springs in Japan, Hoheikyo Onsen is a great place for everyone to visit! For repeat visitors, we suggest coming in winter – the contrast between the hot baths and the freezing air is especially memorable.

Details for Hoheikyo-Onsen
https://hoheikyo.co.jp/

Oku-Jozankei Kamui no Mori ( : 40 minutes)

Useful Info

  • Quench Your Thirst with Autumn Fruit
  • About a 5-minute drive from Hoheikyo Onsen
  • Fruit picking is available until late October
  • Opening Hours: May to September 10:00~17:00, October to November 10:00~16:00
  • Entry fee: 600 yen per adult, 500 yen per child
  • There is an additional fee for fruit picking. Please refer to the website for details.
  • Closed on Wednesdays

Quench your thirst with fruit harvested from an orchard set within a deep forest. Apples and prunes are the main fruits available in the fall, occasionally with grapes and pears. More than 30 kinds of apples and 10 kinds of prunes are grown in the orchard, which was designed to extend the fruit picking season for as long as possible. With an advance booking, a jam making class is available.  The tour is highly recommended for first timers and everyone looking to taste the surprising fruity flavors in freshly made jam.  Other activities, such as tree trekking and fishing, are also available. Enjoy strolling through the spacious property if you have spare time.

Details for Oku-Jozankei Kamui no Mori
https://jozankei-farm.com/

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