National Park & Nature

Houheikyo Dam

📍 840 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

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3.6/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: Japan, Sapporo
Category: National Park & Nature
Duration: About 1.5 hours
Opening Hours: Walkable year-round (2 km from the entrance); electric shuttle and exhibition hall run late April to early November
Ticket Price: Free Admission: Free · Electric shuttle from 600 yen one way
Address: 840 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Coordinates: 42.9156, 141.1536

Introduction

Houheikyo Dam (豊平峡ダム) is a 102.5-meter arch dam completed in 1972 on the upper Toyohira River at Jozankei in southern Sapporo, inside Shikotsu-Toya National Park; its reservoir is known as Lake Jozan. To protect the environment, private cars, motorbikes and bicycles are banned year-round on the 2-km road from the entrance to the dam—walk or take the seasonal electric shuttle. Ringed by steep rock walls, the dam draws its biggest crowds for the sightseeing discharges (June-October) and the autumn foliage that makes it Sapporo's most popular leaf-peeping spot.

✨ Highlights

Arch Dam

A 102.5-meter arch dam completed in 1972; its reservoir is Lake Jozan.

Sightseeing Discharge

From June to October the dam releases water in a spectacle rare in Hokkaido.

Autumn Foliage

Sapporo's favorite foliage spot; the valley turns red from early September to late October.

Electric Shuttle

Cars are banned year-round on the 2-km access road; a hybrid electric shuttle runs seasonally.

National Park

Inside Shikotsu-Toya National Park; selected among Japan's top forest-headwater sites.

Houheikyo Rest House

In foliage season, try Jingisukan grilled lamb and the signature Houheikyo curry rice.

🛈 Practical Info

→Address：840 Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo (dam entrance)

→Duration：About 1.5 hours

→Discharge：June-October, weekdays 10:00-15:00; weekends and holidays 9:00-16:00

→Parking：Free parking at the entrance

→Opening Hours：Walkable year-round (2 km from the entrance); electric shuttle and exhibition hall run late April to early November

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free Admission	Free

Electric shuttle from 600 yen one way

Transportation

Driving/Parking

60 min by car from central Sapporo; 15 min from Jozankei; free parking at the entrance

Note

Final 2 km on foot or by seasonal shuttle

💡 Tips

• About 60 min by car from central Sapporo and 15 min from the Jozankei hot spring town; free parking at the entrance.

• The 2-km mountain road bans cars, motorbikes and bicycles year-round—walk about 40 minutes or ride the shuttle.

• The shuttle runs late April to early November, 8:45-16:00 (last uphill 15:30); 600 yen one way, 1,000 yen round trip (higher from October).

• The exhibition hall opens weekdays only (early May to November 3, 9:00-16:30) and is free.

• Peak foliage runs late September to mid-October; weekends and holidays bring heavy traffic—go off-peak.

• The dam has an observation deck and promenade overlooking Lake Jozan and the gorge walls.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Houheikyo Dam?

Walkable year-round (2 km from the entrance); electric shuttle and exhibition hall run late April to early November

How much is the admission for Houheikyo Dam?

Free Admission: Free; Electric shuttle from 600 yen one way

Any practical tips for visiting Houheikyo Dam?

About 60 min by car from central Sapporo and 15 min from the Jozankei hot spring town; free parking at the entrance. The 2-km mountain road bans cars, motorbikes and bicycles year-round—walk about 40 minutes or ride the shuttle.