Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The "Mashu Maru" is one of the ships that played a role in the final voyage of the Seikan Ferry, along with the Hakkoda Maru and Yotei Maru. It is now moored in Hakodate Port as a museum ship and is open to the public. Inside the ship, the bridge where the captain commanded and the wireless communication room are preserved as they were at that time, and the Green reserved seat and ordinary seats are restored and exhibited. In addition, there is the "Seikan Ferry History Exhibition Room" that explains the long history with models and panels, the "Ship Mechanism Exhibition Room" where you can learn about the ship's structure with models, actual parts, and videos, and the "Salon" where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakodate Port and Mount Hakodate.

This museum displays fascinating artifacts relating to the northern peoples of Hokkaido, including the Ainu and the Uilta. Located in a building that used to house the Hakodate branch of the Bank of Japan, built in 1926, the Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples offers visitors a peek into the lives of the indigenous people of the North with information rarely available outside of the archipelago! When at the museum, check out the Baba and Kodama collections of Ainu artifacts and official garments from China’s Qing dynasty (1644-1912). If you are up for it, the museum also provides practical workshops, including the opportunity to try making a mukkuri, a traditional Ainu musical instrument.

Ordered from the Netherlands by the Tokugawa shogunate to strengthen the Edo period naval forces, the mighty Kaiyomaru was a beauty on the high seas and a formidable foe. In 1868, the ship was run aground by a blizzard off the coast of Esashi en-route to provide support for the Battle of Hakodate. Its remains, much of which continue to rest on the seabed, were the first underwater ruins in Japan to be nationally designated as a cultural icon. At the Kaiyomaru Frigate Museum, you can learn about the famed vessel as you cast your eyes on a replica constructed to meet the original dimensions. The museum has over 3,000 items on display salvaged from the underwater ruins, including cannons, artillery shells, medical supplies, and food. Give the cannon firing workshop a ‘shot’ and see if you’ve got the ‘metal!’

A museum located on Nakajima, an island in the approximate center of Lake Toya. It offers easy-to-understand introductions to the rich nature surrounding Lake Toya and the various plants and animals that live there, using specimens and dioramas. You can visit the museum by disembarking from a sightseeing boat at Nakajima.

Nestled along the serene shores of Lake Poroto, Upopoy—meaning “singing in a large group” in the Ainu language—is Japan’s first national center devoted to the revival and development of Ainu culture. This symbolic space promotes understanding and respect for the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, and serves as a place to learn about their deep-rooted history and rich cultural heritage.

At the heart of the facility is the National Ainu Museum, Japan’s first national museum focusing on the Ainu. Nearby, the National Ainu Park offers a hands-on, immersive experience of Ainu traditions. The park also includes a solemn memorial site, designed with dignity for Ainu ancestral commemoration.

Visitors to the National Ainu Park can enjoy authentic Ainu traditional dance performances, and join in a variety of interactive programs. From playing indigenous instruments such as the mukkuri (mouth harp) and tonkori (five-stringed zither), to participating in cooking and tasting Ainu dishes rooted in traditional knowledge of nature, the experiences are engaging for both adults and children—making it a perfect destination for families.

After exploring, you can browse a curated selection of Ainu crafts, museum goods, and books at the gift shop, or relax at the on-site restaurant or café, where you can savor flavors from Ainu food culture. Spend a fulfilling day surrounded by the stunning scenery of Lake Poroto, immersed in the spirit of cultural harmony.

At the Hokkaido Museum, there’s something new to discover around every corner. Showcasing the island’s multifaceted history, culture, and natural environment, this site has plenty to offer visitors regardless of their interests. The museum spotlights Hokkaido as not only the north of Japan but as part of Northeast Asia. By taking a broader continental approach, visitors can explore the connections between the island and the outside world. The Hokkaido Museum reminds us of the deep relationship between human activity and the natural environment they inhabit. While at the museum, make sure to explore the impressive collection related to the indigenous Ainu peoples. Learn about Ainu history and culture up to the present day through a variety of interactive displays and dioramas certain to delight young and old!

This museum preserves and exhibits impressive real steam locomotives and vehicles. It also has a wealth of railway-related materials, allowing visitors to learn about the history of railways in Hokkaido. In addition to well-equipped facilities like a planetarium with a dome screen and a science exhibition room, there are fun activities such as experiments and crafts on holidays, and a summer-only SL ride experience. The old Temiya railway facilities (including Locomotive Shed No. 3) are designated as important cultural properties by the national government.

This museum recreates the splendid world of medieval Venetian nobility. In the exhibition rooms, you can admire around 3,000 pieces of Venetian glass and furnishings created by renowned Venetian masters. The popular “Noble Experience & Photo Session” corner offers opportunities to try on elegant dresses for the noble experience or colorful carnival costumes for a festive vibe. Capture memorable moments in stunning attire. Enjoy a “Venetian trip in Otaru” without leaving Japan!

The Hokkaido University Museum, housed in a historical building constructed in 1929, holds over 3 million academic specimens and materials collected over 140 years since the Sapporo Agricultural College was founded. Highlights include a massive skeletal specimen of a male Holstein and a life-sized model of a mammoth.

Visitors are encouraged to engage with the exhibits beyond just viewing, with opportunities to touch specimens, participate in hands-on displays, and catch a glimpse of research in action at the "Museum Lab," all designed to stimulate scientific curiosity.

Additionally, the museum's iconic "Einstein Dome" with its intricate reliefs is a must-see.

A 2016 renovation added displays showcasing the educational and research content of the university's 12 faculties, and also introduced the "Poras" museum café. This café offers hearty meals like the mammoth hamburger and soft-serve ice cream made with local milk.

Housed in a designated Hokkaido Heritage red-brick building originally constructed in 1890 (Meiji 23) as a sugar factory, it later served as a malt house until 1965. In April 2016, the interior underwent a complete renewal to create an engaging journey through the 140-year history of Sapporo Beer alongside the development of Hokkaido, as well as a clear overview of Japan’s broader brewing industry via informative panels and exhibits.

While free, self-guided visits are welcome throughout the museum, we recommend the Premium Tour (50 minutes, guided). Begin in the Premium Theater with a breathtaking 6K presentation that brings to life the adventurous pioneers who perfected beer-making. Then, stroll through exhibits on Sapporo Beer’s evolution with commentary from your guide. The grand finale is a tasting comparison of two museum-exclusive brews—the revival “Sapporo Seibeer” and the classic “Black Label.” Non-alcoholic beer and soft drinks are also available for those who prefer.

Outside, the sprawling grounds feature photogenic heritage structures, a towering chimney, and a vintage brewing kettle—all framed by seasonal foliage. Just next door, Sapporo Beer Garden awaits with all-you-can-eat jingisukan BBQ (grilled mutton) and the special “Sapporo Five Star” beer.

This museum exhibits about 1,000 folk tools used by the Ainu people, allowing you to learn about their culture and lifestyle. The permanent exhibition zone is divided into four sections: "Ainu," which gathers folk tools used in daily life; "Kamuy," which touches on spiritual culture such as prayers and beliefs; "Mosir," which displays materials related to agriculture, hunting, and funerals; and "Morew," which focuses on beautiful Ainu patterns. Through lectures and experiences held in places like Chise, it is sure to be a valuable time to understand the Ainu!