Sapporo Salmon Museum (札幌市さけ科学館) also formally called Sapporo Toyohira River Salmon Science Museum (札幌市豊平川さけ科学館) is a museum dedicated to teaching the younger generation about salmon. It is located in Makomanai Park in 2-1 Makomanaikoen, Minami Ward, Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Sapporo Science Museum |
Sapporo Salmon Museum Details
Located along the Toyohira River in Sapporo, the Sapporo Toyohira River Salmon Museum is a unique destination that celebrates the restoration of the river’s salmon population and educates visitors about the vital role salmon play in the local ecosystem. The museum, which opened in October 1984, is the result of a community-driven effort to bring salmon back to the Toyohira River, following decades of environmental challenges.
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| Sapporo Salmon Museum - Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
The museum’s creation was inspired by the "Come Back Salmon Movement" that began in 1978, which led to the successful release of salmon fry into the Toyohira River in 1979. This initiative marked the first release in 30 years, and by 1981, the fry returned as adult salmon, signaling the recovery of the river’s ecosystem. The museum was established in response to local calls for a hatchery to continue these efforts and for a place to learn more about the river and its salmon.
Sapporo Salmon Museum facade
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| 札幌市さけ科学館 |
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| Sapporo Salmon Museum map |
Today, the Sapporo Toyohira River Salmon Museum is dedicated to salmon conservation and environmental education. It serves as both a research and a public learning facility, where visitors can explore a variety of salmon species and freshwater fish native to the river. The museum’s main building houses detailed exhibits about the lifecycle of salmon, the river’s ecosystem, and the ongoing efforts to restore and protect local wildlife. The Fish Museum displays a variety of fish, while the outdoor observation pond provides an opportunity to view salmon in their natural habitat.
Inside Sapporo Salmon Museum*
* I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what Sapporo Salmon Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
The museum also continues its important hatch-and-release program, raising salmon fry and releasing them into the Toyohira River to ensure the species' continued recovery. It’s a place where visitors can not only learn about the salmon’s incredible journey but also engage with the ongoing efforts to maintain the balance of this vital ecosystem.
Sapporo Salmon Museum Exhibits*
* I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what Sapporo Salmon Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
Other facilities of Sapporo Salmon Museum
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| Sapporo Salmon Museum's Outdoor Observation Pond |
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| Fish Museum (さかな館) |
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| The Fish Museum features around 30 species of aquatic creatures native to the Toyohira River and Sapporo City. |
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| Its exhibits include freshwater fish like dace and goby, along with frogs, salamanders, and turtles. |
For nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone interested in the intersection of conservation and community, the Sapporo Toyohira River Salmon Museum offers a fascinating and educational experience. Whether you're observing the fish in the outdoor pond or exploring the museum’s exhibits, it's a must-visit destination in Sapporo to understand the remarkable journey of salmon and the river’s ongoing revival.
Team Nicerio visits the Sapporo Salmon Museum
My family and I visited the Sapporo Salmon Museum for the first time last March 26, 2023, which was the 2nd day of our 2-day W73 Road Trip. It was my 510th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was our last destination for the day. During our visit, we learned a lot about the life cycle of a salmon and also the history of the revitalization of the salmon in Toyohira River which was really an incredible feat.
Sapporo Salmon Museum Admission Fee
It’s FREE to enter and explore the Sapporo Salmon Museum. Parking is also FREE.
Sapporo Salmon Museum Operating Hours
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| Salmon Salmon Museum Operating Hours |
Sapporo Salmon Museum is open from 9:15 – 4:45 every day.
The museum is closed every Monday (or the next weekday if Monday is a public holiday). The museum is also closed during the New Year’s holiday or from December 29 – January 3.
Why visit the Sapporo Salmon Museum?
The Sapporo Salmon Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in salmon conservation and environmental education. The museum offers fascinating exhibits on the salmon lifecycle and the successful "Come Back Salmon Movement" that helped restore the Toyohira River's salmon population. Visitors can learn about the river’s ecosystem, observe salmon up close in the outdoor observation pond, and witness the ongoing hatch-and-release program. With interactive displays and educational resources, the museum provides an insightful look at the efforts to protect local wildlife and the importance of environmental restoration, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and families alike.
Getting to Sapporo Salmon Museum
To get to the Sapporo Salmon Museum from Sapporo Station using the subway and bus (adult fare: 420 yen, child fare: 210 yen, travel time: approximately 25 minutes), follow these steps:
Take the Subway Namboku Line to Makomanai Station, the last stop.
From Makomanai Station, board a Jotetsu Bus on one of the following routes: [Minami 95], [Minami 96], [Minami 97], [Minami 98], or [Kan 96].
Get off at Makomanai Sports Stadium-mae bus stop, then walk for about 4 minutes.
Note: When you get off the bus, the Sake Science Museum will be directly across the street. Since there is no nearby crosswalk, use the underpass located on the Open Stadium side.
Alternatively, if you’re taking a bus from Sapporo Station (adult fare: 210 yen, child fare: 110 yen, travel time: approximately 40-50 minutes), you have the following options:
- Take the Jotetsu Bus (Minami 55) and get off at Kawazoe 1-jo 1-chome. From there, it's about an 8-minute walk.
- Take the Jotetsu Bus (Minami 54) and get off at Makomanai Honmachi. It’s about a 10-minute walk from there.
- Take the Jotetsu Bus (Rapid 7 or Rapid 8) and get off at Moiwa High School. The museum is around an 8-minute walk from this stop.
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