is a Japanese national government park

National Government Parks

Japanese are parks or open spaces established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport under Japan has 16 national government parks.These parks are different from national parks, which represent areas of outstanding natural landscape and are declared by the Minister of the...

 located in Sapporo, Hokkaido

Hokkaido

, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...

. It is the only national government park in the northern island of Hokkaido. The park area spreads over 395.7 hectares of hilly country and ranges in altitude between 160 to 320 m above sea level. Currently, 192.3 is accessible to the public. The park grounds are separated into six zones: the Mountain Stream Zone, Central Zone, Lodging Zone, Forest Experience Zone (planned to be open in 2009), Nature Observation Zone (planned to be open in 2010), and Preservation Zone (not open to the public). During the winter season, the park operates as the “Takino Snow World”, providing visitors with a wide variety of winter outdoor activities.

History

In 1975, the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau set up a committee to select a possible location for a national government park in Hokkaido. In 1976, the committee chose the current site, and the construction of the park was officially decided in 1977. In 1983, the park, with approximately 30 hectares of the planned 395.7 hectare area opened to the public, begins its operation as the fifth national government.

By train

From Sapporo, take the Sapporo Municipal Subway

Sapporo Municipal Subway

The is an underground rapid transit system in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is operated by the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau.-Lines:The system has 3 lines; the first, the Namboku Line, was opened in 1971 prior to the 1972 Winter Olympics.-Technology:...

Nanboku Line to Makomanai Station and transfer to the Chuō Bus Takino Line; get off either at Suzuran Kōen Higashi-guchi Stop or Atsubetsu no Taki Stop.

By car

Drive on the Central Hokkaido Expressway and exist at the Sapporo South Interchange; head for Makomanai/Takino and follow the road signs.

External links

• http://www.takinopark.com/11_FOREIGN/index_e.html English Official park website
• http://www.takinopark.com/ Official park website