Bell of Espoir - Hokkaido

Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir (エスポワールの鐘) is one of the landmarks of the town of Kamikawa. It is located inside Kamikawa Park in Koshiji, in the town of Kamikawa in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

エスポワールの鐘
Bell of Espoir

Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir details

The Taisetsu Observatory was built in 1984 as part of the 90th-anniversary project of Kamikawa Town. Five "Bells of Espoir" were installed on it that were specially ordered from a manufacturer in France. The bells, which boast a diameter of about 1.5 meters, are installed at the top of the head and set to ring every three hours after 9:00 a day. The name of the bells comes from the French word for "hope", espoir.

エスポワールの鐘
Bell of Espoir - Kamikawa town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Through time, the Taisetsu Observatory and the bells were collectively referred to as the Bell of Espoir.

Kamikawa Park Guide Map

Taisetsu Tenbodai

The observatory stands tall and is a significant symbol of the town. It overlooks Kamikawa Park, which is also home to a time capsule from 1984, and a plaque commemorating when Kamikawa became a sister city with Rocky Mountain House of Alberta, Canada. The time capsule is scheduled to open in 2034, and if you're lucky, you may be there to witness it.

The steps leading up to the observatory







To reach the Bell of Espoir, however, be prepared to trek through some stairs. An internal spiral staircase leads up to the top, which could be quite the workout, but the breathtaking view of Mount Daisetsuzan more than makes up for the effort.

The Observatory








The view from the observatory




The Bell of Espoir was once the icon of Kamikawa before the creation of the beloved Kamikki mascot, who wears the bell on his head. The bell's hexagonal onijo design makes it a unique piece of architecture that is a feast for the eyes. Once inside the observatory, visitors are transported to a realm above, a veritable bird's eye view of the city below, and beyond.

Team Nicerio visits Bell of Espoir




My family and I visited Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir for the first time last September 17, 2022, during our 3-day Respect for the Aged Day Road Trip. It was my 320th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. I made sure to include it in our itinerary as it is a known landmark of Kamikawa. My daughter and I went up to the observatory and enjoyed the view of the town and the mountains in the distance. However, our wonderful memories of the observatory were shattered when my daughter discovered how dirty the toilets were. It seems like someone forgot to flush.

Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir Fees

It’s FREE to enter the Taisetsu Observatory. The parking and toilet is also free to use. However, the cleanliness of the toilet cannot be guaranteed.

Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir Operating Hours

The Bell of Espoir is open 24/7 from mid-May to mid-October. However, it is highly recommended that you visit in the morning as the area is sometimes visited by bears and is not well-lit.

Why visit Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir?

If you are looking for a spectacular view to soak up the culture and ambiance of Hokkaido Prefecture, the Taisetsu Observatory and Bell of Espoir is a must-visit. The combination of architectural beauty, cultural significance, and an unobstructed view of Mount Daisetsuzan offers an experience that you will never forget.

Getting to Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir

 

The best way to reach the Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir is by private vehicle as it is on a hill in the northern outskirts of town and there is no public transportation that will bring you directly there. Regardless, it can be reached on foot from Kamikawa Station.

By Train:

From Asahikawa Station, board the Sekihoku Line and get off at Kamikawa Station. From there, you need to walk 1.8 kilometers going to Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir.

Travel time: 1 hour and 23 minutes
Fare: 1290 yen

By Bus:

From Asahikawa Station, board the Dohoku Bus # 81 Sounkyo Line and board down at Sakaemachi in the town of Kamikawa. From there, you need to walk 1.7 kilometers going to Taisetsu Observatory / Bell of Espoir.

Travel time: 1 hour and 34 minutes
Fare: 1,280 yen

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: Koshiji, Kamikawa, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 078-1775, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 24, 2024 at 8:09 AM

    We passed through Kamikawa during our trip to Sounkyo. We weren't able to see this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 11, 2024 at 6:19 AM

      You should come visit Kamikawa again in the future. If you want to see an amazing view of the town then please do include Bell of Espoir in your itinerary.

      Delete

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