How to Enjoy ES CON FIELD | Nearby Tourist Attractions and Gourmet Spots
Es Con Field HOKKAIDO is the home stadium of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, a professional baseball team in Japan. It's known as a new landmark in Hokkaido that combines Japan's baseball culture with a state-of-the-art stadium experience.
For visitors to Japan from overseas, experiencing baseball games in Japan, enjoying stadium gourmet food, and the cutting-edge viewing experience utilizing the latest technology will surely become unforgettable memories.
This article introduces information to maximize your enjoyment of Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, as well as sightseeing and dining options around the stadium.
Table of Contents
1. Basic Information about Es Con Field
1-1. Access to Es Con Field
1-2. How to Enjoy Es Con Field
2. Dining Information Around Es Con Field
2-1. Apuka no Mori
2-2. Kaiten Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru JR Tower Stellar Place Store
2-3. Charcoal-Grilled Fresh Lamb Jingisukan Ramu no Ie
2-4. Kushidori Kita-Hiroshima Ekimae Store
2-5. Tonkatsu Happuku
2-6. Garyumen Makotoya
3. Tourist Spots Around Es Con Field
3-1. Odori Park
3-2. Shiroi Koibito Park
3-3. Sapporo Nijo Market
3-4. Mitsui Outlet Park Kitahiroshima
3-5. Hokuren Kururu no Mori
3-6. Sato no Mori
4. Frequently Asked Questions about Es Con Field for Enjoying Games and Sightseeing
4-1. Can I bring large luggage or carry-on cases?
4-2. What are the recommended spots inside Es Con Field?
4-3. What are the key points to maximize satisfaction even with limited time?
Summary
1. Basic Information about Es Con Field
Es Con Field HOKKAIDO is a cutting-edge baseball stadium located in F Village, Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido. In 2023, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters relocated their home base from the Sapporo Dome they had been using, and it was born as a ballpark symbolizing the Fighters' new era.
The most distinctive feature of Es Con Field HOKKAIDO is that it's Japan's first natural grass ballpark with a retractable roof. The south side is entirely glass-enclosed, designed to maximize sunlight intake to promote natural grass cultivation.
The spectator seats spread from the sunken-style field to the fourth floor above ground, designed so that the entire field can be viewed from any seat. The capacity is approximately 35,000 people.
Additionally, one of the world's largest LED video screens is installed, offering an unprecedented viewing experience with powerful images and immersive effects.
1-1. Access to Es Con Field
The nearest station to Es Con Field HOKKAIDO is Kitahiroshima Station on the JR line. From Kitahiroshima Station to Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, you can use either walking, shuttle bus, or taxi.
1-2. How to Enjoy Es Con Field
Es Con Field HOKKAIDO has plenty of attractive facilities that many people can enjoy even on days without baseball games.
Among them, particularly noteworthy is the world's first in-stadium hot spring & sauna. You can watch the game while relaxing, or refresh yourself after the game by working up a sweat. The time spent warming up in the sauna and then relaxing in the hot spring will be a special moment for anyone.
Furthermore, athletic facilities and hotels are also available for enjoyment by children and adults alike.
2. Dining Information Around Es Con Field
Before or after watching a game at Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, it's also recommended to enjoy authentic venison, lamb dishes, and sushi.
Below, we introduce six dining options around Es Con Field HOKKAIDO.
2-1. Apuka no Mori
"Apuka no Mori" is a restaurant where you can enjoy Ezo venison carefully aged in their own factory, offering game cuisine that's hard to find elsewhere in a casual setting.
The distinctive feature of Apuka no Mori is that they use Ezo venison processed in their own HACCP-certified factory. Through thorough quality control, each piece is carefully aged to suppress the gamey smell characteristic of Ezo venison, making it easy to eat even for game cuisine beginners.
The "Omakase 3-kind Assorted Steak Set", which allows you to taste various cuts little by little, is popular, along with set menus where you can enjoy steaks of different cuts. Additionally, they offer a lineup you can choose according to your preference, such as loin steak with a perfect balance of lean meat and fat, and fillet steak characterized by tender meat quality.
2-2. Kaiten Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru JR Tower Stellar Place Store
If you venture a bit from Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, you can enjoy fresh seafood unique to Hokkaido at "Kaiten Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru" on the 6th floor of JR Tower Stellar Place, directly connected to Sapporo Station. With roots in the fishing town of Nemuro, Hanamaru provides carefully selected seafood from Nemuro and various parts of Hokkaido, with the motto "Freshness is everything".
At Hanamaru, in addition to the freshness of seafood, they are committed to creating a space where you can feel freshness with all five senses, such as the lively atmosphere inside the store and the energetic calls of staff. The charm is that you can enjoy delicious sushi in the midst of liveliness as if you were at a fishing port.
The menu ranges from classic nigiri to rare local ingredients, with rich variety. You can enjoy seasonal delicacies that change with each season, such as tokishirazu in spring, sanma in autumn, and madachi in winter.
Nemuro Hanamaru at Sapporo Station
2-3. Charcoal-Grilled Fresh Lamb Jingisukan Ramu no ya
At "Charcoal-Grilled Fresh Lamb Jingisukan Ramu no ya", you can enjoy authentic Jingisukan. The restaurant has a reputation for serving lamb meat with little gamey smell and tender texture, recommended not only for Jingisukan lovers but also for those who are not fond of lamb meat.
Ramu no ya uses fresh raw lamb. In addition to standard menu items like shoulder loin and lamb sausage, you can also enjoy rare cuts not easily found elsewhere, such as lamb tongue and lamb bacon. The limited-quantity bone-in French rack is thick-cut and pre-seasoned, so it's recommended to eat it as is without dipping in sauce.
They also have a particular approach to cooking methods, serving in a charcoal-grilled style using bincho charcoal. Grilling over charcoal enhances the savory aroma of the lamb meat and whets the appetite.
Charcoal-Grilled Fresh Lamb Jingisukan Ramu no ya
2-4. Kushidori Kita-Hiroshima Ekimae Store
Kushidori Kita-Hiroshima Ekimae Store is a yakitori restaurant where you can enjoy the taste and quality that Kushidori, originating from Susukino in 1980, has refined at all directly-operated stores. They use quality ingredients such as Iwate-produced "Ahan-dori" chicken, grilled fragrantly over charcoal, and work daily on improving the grilling technique. They pursue detailed flavors down to the salt and sauce, while also offering attractive affordable prices.
Lunch starts from 810 yen, and there are menu items where you can choose half portions, making it easy to choose for women or on days when you want to eat lightly. Set meals come with tonjiru (pork soup), rice, and pickles.
Kushidori Kita-Hiroshima Station
2-5. Tonkatsu Happuku
Tonkatsu Happuku is a tonkatsu specialty restaurant operating near Es Con Field, committed to freshly fried dishes, where you can enjoy crispy batter and juicy meat texture. It's easy to stop by before or after watching a game, and is suitable for days when you want to eat heartily. The standards are loin katsu and fillet katsu, easy to choose according to your preference. Since you can dine in a relaxed atmosphere, it's also convenient for filling up before watching a game. Recommended for those who want satisfaction from freshly fried, crispy tonkatsu and fried foods.
2-6. Garyumen Makotoya
Garyumen Makotoya is a ramen restaurant with bowls you'll want to try, including standard shoyu ramen, shio ramen, spicy miso ramen, as well as Garyumen miso ramen and kakuni ramen (braised pork belly ramen). Half-size ramen is also available, making it attractive as it's easy to choose for children or when you want to eat just a little. Rice dishes such as fried rice and char siu rice bowl are also abundant, and you can combine them with ramen for a satisfying meal. The strength is the wide variety of menu options you can choose according to your preference.
3. Tourist Spots Around Es Con Field
Along with watching baseball at Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, let's fully enjoy sightseeing in Sapporo. Since Hokkaido is vast, it's recommended to plan your sightseeing considering transportation methods and travel time.
Below, we introduce six representative tourist spots in Sapporo.
3-1. Odori Park
Odori Park is a green park that crosses east-west through the center of Sapporo. The TV Tower is its symbol, and seasonal flowers bloom throughout. Various events are held year-round, such as the Lilac Festival in spring, Beer Garden in summer, and Sapporo Snow Festival in winter, which is its charm.
Although there's some distance from Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, access is easy by train. It's within walking distance from Sapporo Station, making it easy to visit in combination with other tourist spots. The park has benches and playground equipment, making it suitable for taking breaks or playing with children.
3-2. Shiroi Koibito Park
Shiroi Koibito Park is a theme park where you can observe the manufacturing process of "Shiroi Koibito", a famous confectionery from Hokkaido. In addition to factory tours, it's packed with elements that both children and adults can enjoy, such as cookie-making experiences, exhibits where you can learn about chocolate history, and gardens. The fairy-tale-like buildings and gardens are also photogenic, making them suitable for commemorative photos.
Although it's a bit far from Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, you can access it by transferring between subway and bus. It's also an ideal place for choosing Hokkaido souvenirs.
3-3. Sapporo Nijo Market
Sapporo Nijo Market is a market where Hokkaido's delicacies gather, centered on fresh seafood. There are many restaurants offering seafood bowls with crab, sea urchin, salmon roe, and dishes using fresh seafood, and you can also enjoy eating while walking. The lively market atmosphere is also attractive, and you can enjoy interaction with local people.
Although there's some distance from Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, it's close to Odori Park and accessible on foot or by subway. Since some shops open early in the morning, it's also recommended to go for breakfast. Additionally, purchasing seafood as souvenirs is also good.
3-4. Mitsui Outlet Park Kitahiroshima
Mitsui Outlet Park Kitahiroshima is a large outlet where you can compare popular domestic and international brands at once. Stores are available from fashion to sports and household goods, and during sale periods, the fun of finding bargains also expands. Since restaurants are also plentiful, it's also attractive that it's easy to take a break between shopping.
It's easy to stop by in combination with sightseeing around Es Con Field, and is supported as a spot where you can spend a day with family and friends. Many seasonal events are also held, so you can enjoy it at any time.
Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo-Kitahiroshima
3-5. Hokuren Kururu no Mori
Hokuren Kururu no Mori is a facility where you can experience the agricultural field firsthand as a "Food and Agriculture Interaction Plaza" connecting consumers and producers. You can see how vegetables grow on the farm, and experience harvesting and cooking, learning about the process until they reach the dining table. At the direct sales shop, you can purchase Hokkaido-produced agricultural and livestock products, and the Farm Village Restaurant and cafe where you can taste them are also popular. There are many discoveries in each season, suitable for those who want to enjoy both shopping and experiences together. The fact that it's easy to spend time in indoor facilities even on rainy days is also attractive.
3-6. Sato no Mori
Sato no Mori is a facility where you can enjoy nature, hot springs, and activities all together in a location close to the city center. The tea-brown moor-type natural hot spring "Mori no Yu" features open-air and indoor baths, plus a dry sauna, deep cold bath, and relaxation space. The full 36-hole park golf course is easy to play for everyone from beginners to advanced players, and the restaurant "Shirakanba" allows you to leisurely dine including at the yakiniku terrace. The fact that it's easy to spend a day with family and friends is attractive. You can also enjoy the scenery of the four seasons.
Sato no Mori Natural Hot Spring Mori no Yu
4. Frequently Asked Questions about Es Con Field for Enjoying Games and Sightseeing
When combining game viewing and sightseeing, it's easy to be unsure about handling luggage and navigating inside the venue. Here, we'll confirm bring-in rules, notable spots inside, and tips for enjoying even in a short time in a frequently asked questions format.
4-1. Can I bring large luggage or carry-on cases?
For large luggage such as carry-on cases, using lockers or cloakrooms before entering is reassuring. Inside the grounds of Es Con Field, coin lockers are installed in multiple locations, with medium-sized lockers that fit typical sizes costing 400 yen, and large sizes that can accommodate carry-on cases costing 500 yen. Depending on the location, extra-large sizes are available for 600 yen.
Inside Es Con Field, some places support cashless payment, but outside Es Con Field, payment is cash only, so please be careful.
4-2. What are the recommended spots inside Es Con Field?
A must-visit spot inside is the building in left field, "TOWER 11". It adopts the common number 11 in its name in tribute to pitcher Yu Darvish and player Shohei Ohtani. The large art on the wall is also a highlight.
On the second floor, there's an in-stadium amusement area "tower eleven baseball" where you can experience batting and pitching games. You can play for a short time before or after watching, making it a spot easily enjoyed by children and adults alike.
4-3. What are the key points to maximize satisfaction even with limited time?
To maximize satisfaction with limited time, it's important to decide priorities first. Narrow down "things you must do" to 2-3 items, and set the rest to visit if time allows, which reduces rushing. Rather than packing the schedule too tightly, leaving room in travel and meal times makes the experience of watching and sightseeing richer.
Moving a bit early in the morning and using a location close to the venue or destination as a base is also effective. When there's room, the enjoyment of stopping by shops that catch your attention also emerges.
Summary
Es Con Field HOKKAIDO is not just a baseball stadium, but a facility packed with various entertainment elements, including the world's first in-stadium hot spring and sauna. Since you can have an experience unique to Hokkaido, foreign tourists can also fully enjoy it.
Additionally, there are various restaurants inside the stadium where you can taste dishes using Hokkaido's fresh ingredients, such as seafood bowls, Jingisukan, and ramen. Since it's easily accessible from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo Station, please be sure to visit Es Con Field HOKKAIDO when traveling to Hokkaido.
*This article is created based on information as of February 2026
