Nopporo Forest Park Visitors' Center
Main activities
At the center, panels and materials concerning nature, including the four seasons in the park, observation methods, and the relationship between various organisms are shown, and visitors to Nopporo Forest Park can get a deeper understanding of nature to appreciate its importance. Space in the center is set aside to take a rest, undergo training, as well as for exhibitions, and various projects are conducted where participants can interact with each another through nature. The staff who are knowledgeable about nature are at the site to guide you, and strolling in the park is a fun activity.
- Relax space
- There are benches and terraces in the park. Visitors can use them freely during walks. Eating and drinking are permitted in the center, but visitors must take all their garbage with them.
- Events (observation workshop, etc.)
- The center is useful as a base where one can learn about nature and the environment by using the park as a practical field, where information is provided to visitors. In addition, nature observation and craft workshops, outdoor programs and lectures are held throughout the year. There are various reference and picture books for use only in the center.
Nishinopporo 685-1, Ebetsu
TEL 011-386-5832 Hours 9: 00~17: 00
(October~April9: 30~16:30) , Closed: Mondays (except holidays) , and during New Year Holiday period(December29~January3)
Nopporo Forest Park
Outline of the park
Nopporo Forest Park was designated as a Hokkaido Prefectural Natural Park in 1968 in commemoration of the centennial of Hokkaido's development.
With a total area of 2,053 hectares,it is located in the Nopporo Hills, which stretch over three cities :
Sapporo, Ebetsu,and Kitahiroshima.
Though it is near a metropolis, a large area of forest was preserved, where a variety of flora and fauna can be seen.
The majority of the park is occupied by national forest,which were designated as the Showa Forest (natural recreational forest) and a wildlife protection area
There are some prefectural facilities at the northwest corner of the park.In addition, visitors can enjoy nature by strolling along the trails that crisscross the park.
Animals and plants
seasonally observed
in Nopporo Forest Park
-
Spring
When winter buds begin to open, visitors can see the flowers of Adonis ramose and Corydalis ambigua along the walking trails, and Magnolia kobus var borealis and Prunus sargentit overhead. Hynobius retardatus and Rana pirica begin to lay eggs in ponds and puddles fed by meltwater.
-
Summer
In the forest, where leaves turn a deeper green, all kinds of organisms live vigorously and actively. Visitors can hear the boisterous buzzing of cicadas and bird songs while looking at insects including locusts, longicorns, butterflies and dragonflies flying from tree to tree and from flower to flower. Animals nurture new lives in the forest with its thick vegetation.
-
Fall
The forest turns yellow and red and presents animals with nuts and berries. Seeds of plants are spread by the wind, birds and insects over time, and new plants will draw their first breath. Prociphilus oriens and cold weather signify the coming of winter.
-
Winter
The forest resounds with the drumming of great spotted woodpeckers and woodpeckers.
Birdsongs that you can hear sometimes tell you about the activities of organisms.
Looking at the snow that covers almost everything, a wide variety of animal footprints of such animals as mountain hare and red foxes can be seen.
popular courses in the park
- Osawa-guchi ～ Osawa Rest Site (Around 2.7~5.6km)
-
It takes a comparatively short time to walk along these trails.
You can do a circuit by combining three different trails.
- Historical Village(kaitaku-no-mura) ～ Mizuho Pond（0.9㎞）
-
It takes a comparatively short time to walk along these trails.
You can do a circuit by combining three different trails.
- Katsura-path (1.7km) etc.
- The forest around Osawa-guchi is composed of big trees such as katsura-tree, sen-wood, and Japanese elm. The largest one is more than 1 meter in diameter. Big trees can be also seen along the Mizuho-renraku path, and Shimo-nopporo path.
Nature observation manners
Nopporo Forest Park (prefectural natural park) is one of a few lowland forests that exist near a large city. Walking trails are maintained around and across the park and are used by many visitors.
Individuals must be well-mannered and use the park in a people-and-environmental friendly way.
To conserve this valuable nature and pass it on to future generations, the center would like visitors to understand and cooperate with the following items:
- ・Do not collect or take any wild animals or plants
- ・Do not approach wild animals
- ・Do not abandon or bring organisms into the park
- ・Do not get off the course of the walking trails