14 Day Japan Travel Itinerary
Check out my books below!!!!
The country of Japan is filled with a smorgsbord of delicous foods and amazing places to visit. One of the prefectures I recommend you visit is Hokkaido. In fact, Sapporo, a famous city in Hokkaido, is known for its delicious chocolate. This article details the history and attractions of the chocolate factory.
Ishiya Chocolate Factory
History of the Ishiya Choco
The Ishiya Chocolate Factory in Sapporo is known for its delicious and savory sweets. In fact, tied to their corporate philosophy is:"Sweets that make happiness." In 1947, Yukiyasu Ishimizu founded ISHIYA, as a government-consigned starch processing business. The Chocolate factory started out as a small candy store, located at the time in Shishido, Sapporo.
Later on, Isao Ishimizu came upon the scene and wanted to change the policy and environment of the candy store. High quality raw materials were brought in from Hokkaido. And in 1976, Shiroi Koibito was created. In 1995, the "Ishiya Chocolate Factory" (currently Shiroi Koibita Park)" opened its doors for business.
Shiroi Koibito Park
Today the Shiroi Koibito Park is considered an entertainment theme park. What is very appealing about the park is the merge of British and Hokkaido cultures. Isao Ishimizu had fallen in love with the absolute beauty of England so much so he wanted to incorporate British architecture in the park. As a result, he contacted a British architect and asked if a Tudor House could be built. A Tudor House has an eclectic Medieval-style appearance. The house can be identified by several features: (1) Castle like front doors, (2) brick or stone chimneys, (3) steeply pitched gabled roof, and so forth.
During the winter time, there are musical illuminations that draw an influx of people all over the world. These illuminations involve dancing chefs, beautifully lit houses, and so forth. Borrowing from the park's name is the famous and savory Hokkaido cookie, Shiroi Koibito cookie, which can be purchased at the souvenir store at the park. The cookie consists of two thin cookies saturated with creamy butter with a nice smooth layer of delicious white chocolate sandwiched between the two cookies.
Park entrance fees include the following:
Shiroi Koibito Park Fees
| General | Sapporo Citizen | Group Visitors |
Adult (16 years old or older) | 800 yen | 500 yen | 500 yen |
Children (4-15 years old) | 400 yen | 300 yen | 300 yen |
Children (0-3 years old) | Free of charge | Free of charge | Free of charge |
All prices tax included.
If you have discount coupons, please use them at the ticket counter.
Sapporo Citizen's free is applicable for those who have a official Sapporo driver's license and health insurance card that shows their Sapporo resident address.
The Group Visitors fee is applicable for those who have a group of 10 or more.
The Shiroikoibito park offers a great number of wonderful attractions:
Chocotopia House
The chocotopia house involves a project mapping show that introduces tourists to four chocolate making revolutionary inventions.
Opening hours:
10:10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Sweets Worshop Dream Kitchen
The Sweets Workshop Dream Kitchen gives visitors a wonderful opportunity to make and decorate fresh cookies.
RESERVATION REQUIRED: https://www.ishiya-shop.jp/yoyaku/en/guide.php
Hours of operation:
10:00 a.m.~5 p.m (Last admission is 4:30 p.m.)
3. Gulliver Town Pokke
Gulliver Town Pokke is a town for kids. Consisting of miniature houses and shops, kids can have a great time playing games and playing house. Girls can even dress up as a princess.
Hours of operation
10:00 a.m.~ 12:00 p.m.
13:00 a.m.~4 p.m.
Magical Marche
The Magical Marche is a photo area where visitors can have their photo taken in a chocolate like scenery. The photo can be added with a touch of magic from the beautiful scenery.
Hours of operation:
10:00 a.m~5 p.m.
Mechanical Clock Tower
The Mechanical Clock Tower creates an amazing sound performance that involves automatons of animals residing in the land of the North. This performance occurs on the top of the hour.
Hours of operation:
10:00 a.m.~ 5 p.m.
Study Base Cacao Pod
The Study base cacao pod is a tour that allows visitors to learn about the chocolate making process as well as the ingredients used to make chocolate. Visitors have an opportunity to taste delicious homemade chocolate.
The Study base cacao pod is currently closed from January 7th, 2022- March 14th, 2022 due to the Escape Room event.
Hours of operation:
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last admission is 3:50 p.m.)
Show Schedule:
10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Reception Time:
10:00 a.m.~10:20 a.m.
10:30 a.m. ~10:50 a.m.
11:30 a.m. ~11:50 a.m.
12:30 p.m.~ 12:50 p.m.
13:30 p.m.~13:50 p.m.
3. Chocotopia Factory
The Chocotopia Factory allows visitors to observe factory workers making oishi Shiroi Koibito cookies as well as fluffy Baumkuchen cakes. In this same area, there is a cartoon like show of white dwarfs figures making Shiroi Koibito cookies. This show is humorous and quickly gets the attention of visitors. There is even a wheel you can turn that creates magic in making the cookies.
Hours of operation:
10:00 a.m.~ 5 p.m. (Last admission is 4 p.m.)
Shiroi Koibito Railway
The Shiroi Koibito Railway is current out of operation.
Ishiya Museum
The Ishiya Museum walks visitors through the history of the Ishiya museum.
Hours of operation:
10 a.m.~ 5 p.m.
Restaurants
Cafe Restaurant ENTREPOT
The Cafe Restaurant ENTREPOT offers a variety of exquisite original curry dishes. Some of the curry dishes you can try include:
Beef Tendon Curry (1,100 yen)
Chicken Curry (990 yen)
Hamburg Curry (1,210 yen)
Sarufutsu Brand Scallop Curry (1,420 yen)
Cheese Chicken Curry (1,100 yen)
Hours of operation:
11:00 a.m.~ 3 p.m. (Last order 2:30 p.m.)
Soft Cream House
The Soft Cream House is famous for their ice cream. The business is currently out of operation.
Snack House BRIGHTON
The Snack House BRIGHTON offers soups, coffees, and ice cream. The following are the foods and drinks the business serves:
Hokkaido Corn Cream Soup (300 yen)
Hokkaido Onion Soup (Onion Brand: Sapporo-Yellow) (300 yen)
Shiroi Koibito Soft serve ie cream Regular size (400 yen)
Shiroi Koibito Soft serve ice cream Big size (550 yen)
Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Drink Float (550 yen)
Coffee Float (550 yen)
ISHIYA Blend Coffee (Hot/Ice) (300 yen)
Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Drink (Hot/Iced) (300 yen)
Hours of Operation:
10 a.m.~4:30 p.m.
Chocolate Lounge OXFORD
The Chocolate Lounge OXFORD serves a great variety of chocolates and other savory sweets. The Lounge offers the following desserts:
ISHIYA Strawberry Pancake (1,500 yen)
Chocolate fondue (for 2-3 people) (2,700 yen)
ISHIYA Sweets Enjoy Set (2,200 yen)
Shiroi-rolled cake plate served with strawberry sorbet (700 yen)
Shiroi-Baum plate served with chocolate gelato (700 yen)
Hot Chocolate drink milk (660 yen)
ISHIYA Blend Coffee (550 yen)
Ballpoint Pen (Chocolate Cups) (605 yen)
Cafe BUTLERS WHARF
The Cafe BUTLERS WHARF serves the following foods and drinks:
Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Drink float (550 yen)
Shiroi Koibito soft served ice cream big size (550 yen)
Coffee float (550 yen)
ISHIYA Blend Coffee (330 yen)
Shiroi Koibito Chocolate drink (hot/iced) (300 yen)
Cup Zangi (friend chicken) (550 yen)
French fries (300 yen)
Soft-boiled egg carbonara (880 yen)
Bolognese topped with thinly sliced parmesan cheese (880 yen)
Hours of Operation:
10:00 a.m.~5 p.m. (Last order is 4:30 p.m.)
Soft Cream House COTSWOLDS
The Soft Cream House COTSWOLDS is famous for serving ice cream. The business is currently out of operation.
Trial Place COVENT
The Trial Place COVENT serves sweets. The business is currently out of operation.
Shops
Shop PICCADILLY
If you are looking to purchase the Shirioi Koibito cookies at the Shop PICCADILLY. You can other find other savory desserts at this shop. Below are some of the desserts you can purchase:
Terrine de Chocolate (1,566 yen)
The Chocolate Story of Purumi & Ramuru (1,296 yen)
Secret Trunk by the professor Ishimitty (972 yen)
Milk Chocolate Omelet (896 yen)
Namara Butter Baum TSUMUGI- 1 pc (183 yen)
Shiroi Koibito 36 pcs (dark and white chocolate (2,808 yen)
Shiroi Koibito 27 pcs (white chocolate)
Shiroi Koibito 24 pcs (dark and white chocolate (1,728 yen)
Shop Candy Labo
The Shop Cando Labo is a place where candy artists brilliantly mold about 10kg of soft candy into beautiful designs of animals and fruits.
Hours of operation:
10 a.m~5 p.m.
The Shop Candy Labo is currently out of operation.
Photo Shop MEMENTO (CHOCOTOPIA MARKET)
The Photo Shop allows visitors to create a Siroi Koibito cookies box using a photo that the staff took of you. This cookie box makes a great souvenir.
Hours of operation:
10 a.m~5 p.m.
Photo Shop MEMENTO (Tudor House)
The Photo Shop is the same, but located in a different location (Tudor House on the first floor).
Hours of operation:
10 a.m~5 p.m.
Ishiya Chocolate Factory
Hours of Operation:
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission 4 p.m.)
Telephone:
011-666-1481
Address:
11-36 Miyanosawa 2-jo 2 chome, Nishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido