Banana Pavilion or Banana Hall (バナナ館)
is a special facility and also a botanical garden in the outskirts of Asahikawa
City. It is located at 287 Tadawa, Kamuicho, Asahikawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture,
Japan.
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| Banana Pavilion |
Banana Pavilion Details
Officially known as the Sewage Resource Multipurpose
Utilization Center, the Banana Pavilion was launched in 1982 as a model
project. Its purpose? To showcase the importance of sewerage systems while
encouraging the public to engage with how wastewater treatment can support
sustainable living.
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| Banana Pavilion - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
The idea was to create a facility that feels accessible and
meaningful to the public—and they’ve done just that. The Banana Pavilion
promotes the multi-use benefits of sewerage systems with an engaging,
family-friendly setting that’s both educational and fun.
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| Asahikawa City Gesuishori Center |
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| Public toilet |
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| The Banana Pavilion facade |
A Tropical Surprise in Northern Japan
The name might sound unusual, but it makes perfect sense
once you step inside. The Banana Pavilion features a small greenhouse designed
to replicate a tropical climate, allowing banana trees and other tropical
plants to thrive, even in Asahikawa’s notoriously cold winters.
Inside the Banana Pavilion
Visitors can explore lush vegetation, including flowering
trees and vibrant banana plants, all grown with the help of recycled water and
heat from the nearby sewage treatment system. It’s a brilliant demonstration of
how urban infrastructure and nature can work hand in hand.
Collect the Popular Asahikawa Manhole Card
Sewerage education doesn’t end with plants. At the Banana
Pavilion, you can also get your hands on the Asahikawa City Manhole Card,
a popular collector’s item among fans of Japan’s unique manhole cover
designs. It’s free and only available at this location, making it a must for
any traveler collecting Hokkaido’s regional manhole cards.
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| You can get the Asahikawa manhole cover card here for free |
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| Asahikawa manhole card and the bronze manhole cover |
Nearby, don’t miss the special bronze Asahikawa manhole
cover, artistically installed in the area as a local highlight.
Team Nicerio visits Banana Pavilion
Although my family and I would usually pass by the Banana
Pavilion whenever we drove to Asahikawa City, it was only last July 15, 2023,
that we were able to visit it for the first time. It was my 621st
day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. The Banana Pavilion was
our first stop during our 3-day Father and Daughter Road Trip #5. My daughter
and I enjoyed the rainfall experience. Aside from that, we didn’t miss
collecting the Asahikawa City manhole card and taking a picture of the
bronze Asahikawa City manhole cover.
Banana Pavilion Admission Fees
It’s FREE to enter and explore the Banana Pavilion grounds.
Banana Pavilion Operating Hours
Open to the public from April 29th to October 31st, 9 AM to
4 PM.
Closed every Monday (or the following day if Monday is a
national holiday or a substitute holiday)
Why visit the Banana Pavilion?
If you're seeking a unique destination in Hokkaido, the
Banana Pavilion in Asahikawa City is sure to surprise you. This hidden gem goes
beyond being just a greenhouse—it's an innovative mix of education, creativity,
and environmental consciousness.
Getting to Banana Pavilion
The most convenient way to reach the Banana Pavilion is by private or rental car, as taxis are the only public transportation option that will take you directly to the location. An alternative exists, but it involves some walking.
From Asahikawa Station, walk to the 1-Jo 8-Chome bus stop and take the 63-Chuwa-Nagayama 6th Line (Akebono) bus operated by the Dohoku Bus Company. Alight at the Chuwa 5-Jo 2-Chome bus stop.
From there, follow Route 98 northward on foot for approximately 2 kilometers to reach the Banana Pavilion.
Travel time: 46 minutes
Fare: 260 yen
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