Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park is located in Sapporo and recognised as the only national government park in the northern island of Hokkaido. It spreads across 395 hectares of undulating terrain equipped with a huge variety of natural and manmade attractions designated for all seasons, providing a massive public appeal. It is known as the most must-see attraction in Sapporo.
The Hillside’s park fields of blossoming greenery, expanses of forests, and elegant waterfalls are accompanied by playgrounds, shops, and restaurants, combining nature, tourism, and adventure. Notable features include the Ashiribetsu waterfall, giant slide, trampoline, and wading area. In winter, the park is transformed into Takino Snow World and incorporates lifts that allow for skiing, snow tubing, and other snow activities down the gentle sloping 205-meter hill that is the park’s namesake.
To get to Takino Suzuran National Park from Sapporo, the Nanboku Line can be taken to the Makomanai Station from which the Takino Line taken to the Suzuran Kōen Higashi-guchi Stop or Atsubetsu no Taki Stop. Public access is most convenient but there is nearby parking for cars.
The idea for Takino Suzuran National Park was developed in 1975 and opened to the public in 1983. This unique national attraction is divided into three different zones respectively called the Mountain Stream Zone, Central Zone, Lodging Zone, Forest Experience Zone, Nature Observation Zone, and Preservation Zone.