【Hokkaido Edition】6 Wheelchair-Accessible Tourist Spots for Everyone to Enjoy

Hokkaido is renowned for its vast landscapes, rich nature, unique culture, and a variety of gourmet experiences.

It boasts numerous tourist attractions, making it a popular area that never gets old, no matter how many times you visit.

Not only in Hokkaido, but smooth travel requires careful preparation for seamless transportation.

Additionally, it's important to know if there are tourist spots accessible by wheelchair.

In this article, we introduce barrier-free tourist spots that can be enjoyed by wheelchair users.

We also introduce convenient services that are helpful for sightseeing, so be sure to check them out!

For more detailed information on barrier-free options, please refer to the following article.

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1. Six Wheelchair-Accessible Tourist Spots in Hokkaido

1-1. Sapporo TV Tower (Sapporo City)

The Sapporo TV Tower, cherished as a symbol of Sapporo, is a popular spot where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sapporo city from its 147.2-meter height and an observation deck approximately 90 meters above ground.

Since its completion in 1956, it has been a landmark witnessing Sapporo's development for over half a century.

The cityscape centered around Odori Park unfolds in a 360-degree panorama.

On clear days, you can see as far as the Ishikari Plain and the Sea of Japan, enjoying the changing scenery of the four seasons.

Especially during the winter "Sapporo White Illumination" and "Sapporo Snow Festival," the observation deck offers a prime seat for breathtaking views!

During the day, you can see as far as the Ishikari Plain, and at night, enjoy a jewel box-like night view, discovering something new with each visit.

The Sapporo TV Tower allows direct access from the first-floor entrance to the observation deck via an elevator without any steps, making it comfortable for wheelchair users to visit.

The observation deck is equipped with dedicated elevators for ascending and descending, and the staff provides courteous guidance.

The observation floor is spacious, allowing wheelchair users to approach the windows and enjoy the view.

There are also well-maintained and easy-to-use multipurpose restrooms.

Reference: Sapporo TV Tower｜Sapporo TV Tower Co., Ltd.

1-2. Shiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo City)

Shiroi Koibito Park is a theme park where you can tour the production process of "Shiroi Koibito," a famous confectionery representing Hokkaido.

With its beautiful European-style buildings and gardens blooming with seasonal flowers, it is a popular photo spot attracting many tourists.

During the factory tour, you can observe the confectionery-making process up close through glass, enjoying the sweet aroma of chocolate while viewing the production line.

In the Chocolate Lounge, you can taste handmade sweets by artisans and enjoy the "My Shiroi Koibito" making experience!

The garden is particularly beautiful during the rose season, filled with photo-worthy spots like heart-shaped objects.

The entire Shiroi Koibito Park is equipped with elevators, allowing wheelchair users to tour the factory course.

With wide corridors for easy movement, multipurpose restrooms are available on each floor.

The tables in the Chocolate Lounge are wheelchair-accessible, allowing for a relaxed time.

Reference: Shiroi Koibito Park｜Ishiya Co., Ltd.

1-3. Mount Moiwa Ropeway (Sapporo City)

The "Mount Moiwa Ropeway" is a premier view spot in Sapporo, offering breathtaking views from an elevation of 531 meters, selected as one of Japan's New Three Major Night Views.

As you take the ropeway and mini cable car "Mo-risu Car" to the summit, you can enjoy not only an aerial stroll but also a special experience of viewing the seasonal nature.

From the summit observation deck, a grand panorama unfolds, including views of Sapporo city, Ishikari Bay, and the Ishikari Plain.

The night view is particularly stunning, with the sparkling city lights creating a scene reminiscent of scattered jewels.

During the day, you can see distant mountains, and at dusk, the changing colors of the sky contrast beautifully with the city lights.

The entire Mount Moiwa Ropeway facility is barrier-free, allowing wheelchair users to reach the summit observation deck.

You can access the ropeway station via a slope, and there are designated wheelchair spaces.

The staff provides attentive support during transfers at the mid-station, ensuring a safe experience.

The summit observation deck is fully barrier-free, allowing wheelchair users to enjoy a 360-degree view from the indoor observation room.

Reference: Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway｜Sapporo Tourism Association

1-4. Odori Park (Sapporo City)

Odori Park is a place of relaxation for citizens, stretching approximately 1.5 km east to west through the center of Sapporo.

It is a face of Sapporo, hosting various events throughout the year, such as the Lilac Festival in spring, the Beer Garden and YOSAKOI Soran Festival in summer, the Autumn Fest in fall, and the Snow Festival in winter.

With beautiful flower beds, fountains, and sculptures scattered throughout, you can spend a leisurely time in a green space despite being in the city's center.

Taking photos with the TV Tower in the background is also popular, making it an ideal starting point for Sapporo sightseeing!

Flowers bloom in all seasons, with the lilacs in spring and roses in early summer being particularly impressive.

Odori Park features paved walkways throughout its length, allowing for comfortable wheelchair exploration.

Benches are installed in various locations, allowing for relaxed enjoyment with breaks.

Multipurpose restrooms are available at multiple locations within the park, providing peace of mind.

During the Snow Festival, a dedicated viewing area for wheelchair users is sometimes set up, allowing for an impressive experience of viewing the large snow sculptures from a wheelchair.

Reference: Odori Park｜Sapporo City Park Greenery Association

1-5. Mount Hakodate Ropeway (Hakodate City)

The Mount Hakodate Ropeway is a world-famous night view spot that has received three stars from the Michelin Green Guide Japon.

The night view from the 334-meter-high summit, overlooking a unique landscape flanked by the sea on both sides, is known as a million-dollar night view.

During the day, a spectacular view stretches as far as the Tsugaru Strait and Shimokita Peninsula, and at dusk, the contrast between the changing sky colors and city lights is magical.

From the summit observation deck, you can enjoy the night view from both indoor and outdoor areas, and the restaurant offers meals with a view of the nightscape.

For wheelchair users or those concerned about stairs, elevators are available, as announced on the official website.

They are accessible from the ropeway station at the base to the rooftop observation deck at the summit.

Wheelchair users can board the gondola as they are, with staff guidance to enjoy the view from the summit, ensuring a safe experience.

Free rental wheelchairs are also available at the base station and summit observation deck.

Furthermore, the summit observation deck is designed to be barrier-free both indoors and outdoors, allowing wheelchair users to fully enjoy the night view.

Reference: Mount Hakodate Ropeway｜Mount Hakodate Ropeway Co., Ltd.

1-6. Goryokaku Tower (Hakodate City)

The "Goryokaku Tower" is a 107-meter-high observation tower offering a panoramic view of the special historic site "Goryokaku," Japan's first Western-style fort.

From the observation deck, you can see the beautiful star-shaped fort in its perfect form, overwhelmed by its geometric beauty.

In spring, about 1,600 cherry trees color Goryokaku, creating a spectacular pink star shape.

In winter, the snow-covered white star shape is enchanting, offering different expressions throughout the seasons!

The observation deck also features an exhibition corner where you can learn about the history of Goryokaku, including the Hakodate War, the last battle of the Boshin War.

You can move from the entrance to the observation deck without any steps using two elevators, making it comfortable for wheelchair users to visit.

The observation floor is designed in a 360-degree corridor style, allowing wheelchair users to enjoy the view while making a full circle.

Multipurpose restrooms are available, praised for their spaciousness and ease of use.

The observation cafe also has wheelchair-accessible tables, allowing for a leisurely time.

Reference: Hakodate Goryokaku Tower｜Goryokaku Tower Co., Ltd.

2. Convenient Services for Enjoying a Wheelchair-Accessible Trip to Hokkaido

2-1. Hokkaido Barrier-Free Map

The "Hokkaido Barrier-Free Map" is an official information site by Hokkaido supporting outings and tourism for people with disabilities and the elderly.

It lists over 2,200 facility information within the prefecture, allowing you to search for public and private facilities with barrier-free restrooms and accommodations with barrier-free rooms.

You can check the location of each facility on Google Maps, and it adopts a color universal design.

Additionally, it supports a reading function, making it easy for various users to access.

It adopts a color universal design and is certified by the NPO Hokkaido CUDO.

Reference: Hokkaido Barrier-Free Map｜Department of Health and Welfare, Community Welfare Division

2-2. JAL's "Individual" Accessible Tours

JAL's "Individual" Accessible Tours is a tour name that allows individuals to arrange barrier-free accommodations and marine activities.

Currently, tours to Okinawa are offered, and for trips to Hokkaido, you can use services like JAL Dynamic Package and Universal Room Specials.

On the site, details such as the direction of handrails next to bathtubs and the location of outlets for charging electric wheelchairs are provided with photos, illustrations, and text.

JAL employees who use wheelchairs participate in product development, providing information that allows customers to make informed decisions, even for non-barrier-free general rooms.

Unlike group tours, the ability to travel easily as an individual or family is a significant attraction.

For Hokkaido trips, you can utilize other barrier-free services like JAL Dynamic Package and Universal Room Specials.

Reference: Accessible Tourism｜JAL

2-3. Barrier-Free Tour Center

The "Sapporo☆Barrier-Free Tour Center" is a service operated by the Japan UD Tourism Association.

Established in June 2012, it serves as a one-stop consultation service for barrier-free tourism inquiries.

At the tourism consultation desk, you can arrange and reserve various services such as rental cars, care taxis, barrier-free hotels, and wheelchair rentals via phone or email form.

Additionally, as a barrier-free tourism consulting service, it provides consultation and advice for individuals, groups, and regions undertaking barrier-free tourism.

The Japan UD Tourism Association also offers training courses for "tourism caregivers" who possess knowledge of both welfare and tourism, focusing on developing specialized personnel.

This ensures a support system for wheelchair users to enjoy Hokkaido travel with peace of mind.

Reference: Sapporo☆Barrier-Free Tour Center｜Japan UD Tourism Association

2-4. Hokkaido Universal Tourism Center Sapporo

The "Hokkaido Universal Tourism Center Sapporo" is located within the Food and Tourism Information Center at the north exit of JR Sapporo Station's west concourse.

It is a barrier-free information center operated by volunteers, offering wheelchair and stroller rental services.

The center is conveniently located for immediate access upon arrival, allowing wheelchair users to enjoy Sapporo sightseeing smoothly.

The Hokkaido Universal Tourism Center Sapporo also provides information on tourist facilities and barrier-free hotels in Sapporo, playing a vital role as a base for barrier-free tourism.

The convenience of being directly connected to the station and the warm support system provided by volunteers make it a valuable service supporting wheelchair users' travels in Hokkaido!

Reference: Hokkaido Universal Tourism Center Sapporo

2-5. NPO Kamui Daisetsu Barrier-Free Research Institute

The NPO Kamui Daisetsu Barrier-Free Research Institute collaborates with regional universities, hospitals, care facilities, hotels, and tourism associations, centered around the "Wheelchair Guren Team" composed of members with disabilities, operating the "Travel Rehab CENTER Kamui Daisetsu".

The main feature is that members with disabilities themselves conduct interviews and post barrier-free information about Asahikawa on the website, mainly using photos.

There are many photos from the perspective of the individuals, providing the desired information.

They offer free consultations to alleviate travel concerns and rent out the "Comfort AQURO" wheelchair, which can comfortably navigate snowy roads.

They collaborate with five tourist information centers in the city, including Asahikawa Station and Asahiyama Zoo, supporting travel for the elderly and disabled children in cooperation with experts and related organizations.

Furthermore, starting in September 2024, they will collaborate with ANA to provide Japan's first "Universal Map/Navi" service in Asahikawa City, featuring comprehensive barrier-free and tourism information from the perspective of the individuals.

Reference: NPO Kamui Daisetsu Barrier-Free Research Institute｜NPO Kamui Daisetsu Barrier-Free Research Institute

3. Precautions for Health Management When Traveling to Hokkaido

When wheelchair users travel to Hokkaido, it is essential to pay close attention to health management.

Hokkaido is colder than Honshu, with particularly harsh winters.

Since body temperature regulation may be impaired, ensure thorough cold protection with layers, blankets, and hand warmers.

Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be chilly, so prepare something to wear.

For more details on cold sensitivity measures, please refer to the following article.

Reference:

Long-distance travel and sightseeing can be more physically demanding than usual, so plan a schedule that allows for frequent breaks.

Additionally, since prolonged sitting is common, use pressure-distributing cushions and regularly change positions.

Bring extra regular medications and carry a medication notebook.

Research nearby medical facilities in advance for peace of mind.

Stay hydrated during travel and aim for a balanced diet.

4. Conclusion

Hokkaido is rich in nature and offers a variety of landscapes to enjoy.

Among them, there are many spots with particularly beautiful night views.

With attractions like the Mount Hakodate Ropeway, which offers a panoramic view of the Hakodate nightscape, once considered one of the world's three major night views, there are plenty of appealing spots.

Why not fully savor the charms of Hokkaido by using the information introduced in this article as a reference?