Museum / Science Museum Spots in Hokkaido Area

  • Abashiri Prison Museum
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    4.5
    792 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Abashirishi Yobito 1-1
    This historic museum has preserved the former Abashiri Prison barracks as an outdoor museum. It was completely renovated in 2010. The virtual prison movie titled ''Forests Where Inmates in a Red Prison Uniform Worked'' is a must-see digital stereophonic theater experience focusing on the harsh working conditions of the erstwhile prisoners captured with the latest technology. One can explore the facility on a Guided Prison Tour, or actually eat the food the prisoners were given with the Experience Prison Food encounter. Two of the structures, 8 wards, transferred here are treasured as Japan's Important Cultural Properties.

    An interesting visit especially the main prison building! We spent about an hour here but too bad the restaurant was already closed or would have loved to try the prisoner meal set!

  • Historical Village of Hokkaido
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    4.5
    562 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Sapporoshi Atsubetsu-ku Atsubetsuchou Konopporo 50-1
    The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an outdoor museum which reproduces the frontier days of Hokkaido where you can learn about frontier history. There are four separate areas which are the Farm Village, the Sea Village, the Mountain Village and the City and you can walk through each village to experience the different atmospheres. At the Frontier Village Restaurant in the museum, you can eat the simple but delicious “Imo Mochi” and the restaurant’s original Tondenhei (Settlers’) Set Meal.

    I’m astounded at the amount of effort and dedication it must take to maintain this place. It’s literally a village you can easily get lost in. I went during winter when there was barely anyone (it...

  • Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum
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    4.0
    395 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Abashirishi Tentozan 244-3
    Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, which is located on Tentozan in Abashiri City, is a tourist facility based on drift ice and the creatures who live in the Sea of Okhotsk. Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum has the biggest projection mapping in Hokkaido and displays the mysterious creatures such as the clione which live in the Sea of Okhotsk. The high-definition five-screen theater which includes a 300-inch screen is also impressive. One very popular experience is freezing a wet towel when touching the ice directly on the drift ice simulation terrace. At the highest observation terrace, 360-degree panoramic views are an amazing sight and have been designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty since 1938.

    Amazing place to learn more about the drift ice. We just arrived here from shiretoko where we saw all the drift ice coming in a few days ago. Its very informative to learn about this. The...

  • Shiroi Koibito Park
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Sapporoshi Nishi-ku Miyanosawanijou 2-11-36
    Shiroi Koibito Park is a theme park where you can tour the production plant for Shiroi Koibito, a well-known confectionary that is symbolic of Sapporo (an entry fee is charged). There are also hands on activities such as a course in drawing pictures on the Shiroi Koibito, which can be enjoyed by children and adults. The Shiroi Koibito Park is packed full of areas where you can experience things first hand such as a lounge where you can enjoy the sweets in a space surrounded by English antiques as well as a candy lab where you can watch demonstrations by candy craftsmen. There is also a beautiful rose garden which presents different aspects in summer and winter.
  • Hokkaido Daigaku General Museum
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    4.0
    235 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Sapporo-shi Kita-ku Kita 10-jo nishi 8

    The Hokkaido University Museum is one of the best attractions of Sapporo since 1999. It houses 4 million collection of specimens. Snaffles Hakodate Pastry Catchcake Hokkaido Best Tiramisu...

  • Hakodate City Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru”
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    4.0
    236 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Hakodateshi Wakamatsuchou 12 - ahead
    Hakodate City Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru” is where the Mashu-maru is preserved and open to the public in the actual boarding point where it operated until the last day of the Aomori-Hakodate ferry in 1988. In addition to the being able to visit the steering room and the communications room in contemporary state, there are exhibits of actual parts and models in the refurbished front green room, and you can learn about the history and operation of the Aomori-Hakodate ferry through video and audio. This museum is located four minutes’ walk from JR Hakodate Station.

    This attraction is closed! Like almost everything in Hakodate and Hokkaido. Government doesnt have to wonder why no tourists are coming. If you close all tourist sites what should we do?? Sad...

  • Sapporo Winter Sports Museum
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    4.0
    174 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Sapporoshi Chuou-ku Miyanomori 1274 Okurayama jumping stadium
    Sapporo Winter Sports Museum is located in the Okurayama Jump Stadium about 30 minutes by car from Sapporo Station. There are exhibits of many valuable materials from the Sapporo Winter Olympics held in 1972 in the museum as well as simulators that allow visitors to experience ski jumping while watching on the big screen. This is a place where you can see, touch and experience the fun of winter sports.

    A museum dedicated to the 1972 winter olympics that took place in Sapporo. A short trip, but a bit of fun.

  • Otaru City General Museum Main Building
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    4.0
    142 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Otarushi Temiya 1-3-6
    A museum opened in July 2007 which looks at the history and natural environment of Otaru City as well as science, technology, and the history of transportation on the island of Hokkaido. The museum is divided into two facilities—the Main Building and the Canal Museum. The Main Building has a permanent exhibit which presents the history of railroads in Hokkaido, including 50 preserved examples of major railway vehicles used on the island such as the Shizuka steam locomotive. The Main Building also has a planetarium and science exhibits and conducts simple experiments and short craft classes on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. In the summer, the Iron Horse, a steam engine built in the United States in 1909, is operated outside the museum, and visitors can ride the train for free.

    This museum is only about trains. The museum was just ok, very little English info. I did really enjoy the train cars on display outside. Especially the snow plow trains. Its worth a visit.

  • Otaru Music Box Museum Hall Number 2 Antique Museum
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    4.0
    133 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Otaru-shi Sakaimachi 6-13
    "This music box company has shops not only in Hokkaido but also nationwide, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa. Enwrapped in the old-fashioned atmosphere of the museum building located 100 meters away from the Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building, visitors can enjoy the ""music of the heavens"" of the music boxes in the collection up close. Filled with historic and valuable antique music boxes, visitors can also view an Aeolian pipe organ made in England in 1908. The first self-playing pipe organ brought into Japan, the organ still resounds with the same beautiful sounds today as when it was first built."

    I went here because my friend wanted to go. However I ended up falling in love with this place and came back with 2 music boxes. I hope I get a chance to go here again some day again.

  • Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples
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    4.5
    135 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Abashirishi Shiomi 309-1 Tenriyama/Tachi Okhotsk Park
    The Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples is the only folk museum dedicated to the peoples of the North in Japan, and one of only a handful of museums of its kind in the world. The Museum displays the results of extensive research on the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido and also of other Northern peoples in other parts of the world. The Museum holds frequent lectures and seminars, and the Museum shop has an impressive range of books about Northern peoples. The Museum is situated around 10–15 minutes’ drive from Abashiri Station. To reach the Museum by bus, take the Kanko Meguri tourist bus service and get off at the “Hoppou Minzoku Hakubutsukan” bus stop.

    Good informative museum about northern people and their culture. Lots of informative exhibits. Though i find abit lacking on the ainu portion. Lots of videos showcasing the different regional...

  • Shibetsu Salmon Museum (Salmon Aquarium)
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    4.0
    83 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Shibetsugunshibetsuchou Kitaichijounishi 6-1-1-1 inside Shibetsu salmon park
    The Shibetsu Salmon Museum, which you can observe how salmon spawns, displays more than 18 related species and 30 species of salmon from around the world. Visitors can learn about ecology to the salmon food culture. The museum places an emphasis on educational activities and holds events such as releasing fry (young fish). The museum is closed from December to January and is approximately 35 minutes by car from Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport.

    最初は、子供ビビるやろなぁ、めちゃくちゃ痛い演技してビビらせたろwくらいの気持ちで指パク体験に挑みましたが、こちらは遊びでもチョウザメからしたら餌と認識してるわけです。その、餌と認識されている圧に怖気付いてしまい、10分ほどギャーギャー言いながら手を出しては引っ込めを繰り返し最終的には手を噛ませましたが全然痛くは無かったです。でも、曲がりなりにもサメと呼ばれる生き物がウヨウヨいる水槽に、餌と認識さ...

  • Kushiro Port Festival
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    4.0
    64 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Kushiro-shi Shunkodai 1-7
    Kushiro City Museum celebrated its 60th anniversary in July 2016. The Museum is focused mainly on themes relating to Kushiro, and it makes effective use of three-dimensional displays that incorporate surround sound to create a multisensory experience for visitors. The Dio-Nature-Dome, with its artificial sky, is a must-see. To reach the Museum from JR Kushiro Station by bus takes around 15 minutes; get off at the “Shiritsu Byoin” bus stop, and the Museum is five minutes’ walk away.

    The exhibits in this museum do a great job of explaining the local history. While most of the exhibits are self explanatory, very few exhibit descriptions are in both English & Japanese.

  • Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum
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    4.5
    50 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Sarugumbiratorichou Nibutani 55
    This museum, located in Saru County, Hokkaido, displays invaluable folk art articles from the Ainu culture. In addition to displaying traditional Ainu folk artifacts and beautiful art works, one can view Japan's largest dugout boat up close. Many Ainu cultural workshops (Reservations required) can be enjoyed including, wood carving, embroidery, lecture, dancing and the Mukkuri (mouth harp) performance.

    Such an interesting museum. Famous woodcarver works from the tourist gift shop in the very far car park with bear statue outside . Go and meet him. I loved seeing the kimonos made from natural...

  • Otaru Museum canal building
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    4.0
    49 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Otarushi Ironai 2-1-20
    This museum, just a 10-minute walk in the direction of the Otaru Canal from Otaru Station, houses a collection of Otaru's history and nature artifacts. The main depository is located just a 20-minute walk beyond the museum, for which the museum combination admission ticket is valid for 2 days. The Canal Museum was built in 1893, and redesigned from the treasured stone masonry Former Otaru Warehouse, making the museum itself a highly valued asset. In the museum, a life-size replicated broad street of Otaru during its heyday, the Taisho period (1912-1926), is on display where one can enjoy using the old-fashioned telephone and the organ.

    Based on my pre-study of the recommended sightseeing routes, we first visited Otaru General Museum Unga-kan (Canal Museum). The museum occupies the northern section of a timber-framed stone storage...

  • Obihiro Centennial City Museum
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    3.5
    49 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Obihiroshi Midorigaoka 2
    An institute of lifelong learning in Obihiro City, Hokkaido. The museum has permanents exhibitions on the culture, history and nature of the Tokachi. Also visit the Riuka Information Center where you can learn more about the history and culture of the Ainu people. There is also a Reserve Cultural Property Center where you can view excavated ruins and relics. The museum is a great location to learn more about Tokachi and Obihiro.

    帯広の歴史や生物の様子を学べる貴重な博物館です。明治以降、随分と苦労して開拓した様子を展示していました。

  • Esashi Oiwake Hall / Esashi Dashi Hall
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    4.0
    40 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Hiyamagunesashichou Nakautachou 193-3
    Esashi oiwake is music or poetry sung in praise of the people born and raised in the harsh surroundings of the northern lands. Esashi Oiwake Hall was built in 1982 in order to preserve this local culture. Inside the hall are rooms to practice singing, informative displays about esashi oiwake as well as a seminar room where you can learn all about this art. You can also see the floats used during the Togyosai ceremonial procession from Ubagami Daijingu Shrine. To get to Esashi Oiwake Hall takes about one and a half hours by car from Hakodate and about two hours by bus from JR Hakodate Station.

    Great traditional singing but more interesting was the carriages used in a local festival and exhibited in the same venur

  • HAKODATE JOMON CULTURE CENTER
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    4.5
    34 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Hakodateshi Usujirichou 551-1
    The HAKODATE JOMON CULTURE CENTER is located at the Jomon-Roman Minamikayabe roadside rest area. The CENTER displays large numbers of artifacts excavated from Jomon era archeological sites in Hakodate, particularly from the Minamikayabe Jomon sites. A Chuku Dogu (Hollow Clay Figure) which was Hokkaido’s first designated National Treasure is on permanent display. The HAKODATE JOMON CULTURAL CENTER is around 40 minutes’ drive from Hakodate Airport, and around 90 minutes from JR Hakodate Station.

    This is a museum dedicated to prehistoric Japan, the Jomon period. Was neat since most museums focus on later periods in Japanese history. The building is newer and makes good use of sunlight with...

  • Abashiri City Folk Museum
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    4.0
    30 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Abashiri-shi Katsuramachi 1-1-3
    This is a museum in Abashiri, Hokkaido exhibiting the nature of Okhotsk and Abashiri, and the history of the region from ancient times to the present. Exhibits include over 3,000 archaeological and folklore artifacts donated by the honorary director, Yonemura Kioe. An extensive variety of animals and marine life are permanently on display such as brown bears, yezo sika deer and seals, as well as many colorful birds. Visitors can also learn about the history of the development of Abashiri from the Edo era to the present day through the display of the tools used for daily life, the fishing and forestry industries. The building, designed by Yoshiya Tanoue, is also a valuable architectural structure.

    昭和11年に、当時の社団法人北見教育会が地方教育の振興と文化の発展のために、「北見郷土舘」として建設、開館したもので、北海道で最も歴史の古い博物館の1つはとの事です。 入館料金は120円ですが、網走の豊かな自然と古代から現代に至る歴史の流れを展示解説している博物館で、見ごたえがありました。 亀や動物の剥製たちの大きさ(実物大)にびっくりでした。アザラシやラッコは、可愛かったです。

  • Wakkanai Youth Science Museum
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    4.0
    30 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Wakkanai-shi Noshappu 2-2-16

    南極観測に関するコーナー、科学体験のコーナー、化石や地質のコーナー等に分かれている。別棟の倉庫の中に南極観測の最初の頃に使われていた雪上車や昭和基地の建物の実物(一部)の再現展示があった。全体的に展示物に年季が入っていたり、構成が古くて前時代な感じもする。でも、子供の頃に南極越冬記、南極観測船「宗谷」の物語とか読んだことがある熟年・中年世代には、実物やリアル写真等が見られて、pとても興味深くて面白...

  • Sapporo City Astronomical Observatory
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    4.0
    26 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hokkaido Sapporo-shi Chuo-ku Nakajimakoen 1-17
    This astronomical observatory is managed by the Sapporo Science Center located in Nakajima Park. The observatory uses a 20-centimeter refracting telescope to observe the sun and stars. The telescope can be used to observe the sun during the day and seasonal stars at night (night observation requires an advance application).

    Great little observatory in the park. Explanation is only in Japanese. Nice to check out the telescope. Too bad its only open in daytime.

Hokkaido Areas

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Not just a prefecture but an island of its own, Hokkaido is the most northerly prefecture and island of the Japanese archipelago. Arriving in Hokkaido, which is rural and bursting with breathtaking nature, means entering a world where vast national parks, towering mountains, and natural hot springs can be found at every turn. Come December, these natural splendors freeze over and morph into a winter wonderland.

Hokkaido Photo Album

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