Tohbetsu Trappist Monastery

Area

Hakodate / Onuma Hokuto-shi

Category

Educational tour

The Tohbestu Trappist Monastery locates in the city of Hokuto in western Hokkaido. Its formal name is Our Lady of the Lighthouse Abbey. It was built in 1896, and was the first monastery for monks in Japan. Since it is a monks’ monastery, women are not allowed to enter the premise. Butter and cookies made at the Tohbetsu Trappist Monastery are popular Hokkaido souvenirs. The butter, called Trappist Butter, is made in a traditional way, which dates back in the Middle Ages from the French Cistercian Abbey. The flowers and trees around the monastery, such as cherry blossoms and maple trees, change colors according to season. The monastery tour is open to men, and reservations are required. Between mid March and mid November, you can try the soft serve sold at the monastery parking lot.

Basic Information

Address

392 Mitsuishi, Hokuto-shi, Hokkaido

Phone

0138-75-2108

Hours

〈Monastery Shop〉
Apr. to Oct. 15: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. 
Oct. 16 to end of Mar.: 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.

Monastery grounds open year-round

Website

http://www.trappist.or.jp/home/index-English.html

Access

FromOshima-Tohbetsu Station (JR South Hokkaido Railway Line)
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about a 20-minute walk
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