Bokksu Snack Box
Escape to Hokkaido: Experiencing Japan’s Untouched Wilderness
Home to several hot springs, beautiful wilderness, and powder snow, Hokkaido is a paradise for lovers of the outdoor lifestyle. No matter the season, there’s always something spectacular to do on the famous island located in Japan’s northern hemisphere.
Discover Hokkaido: Japan's Northern Gem
Hokkaidō is Japan’s second-largest island. It sits in the northernmost region of the country, forming its own prefecture. Only the island of Honshu surpasses Hokkaido in size and land mass. Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku make up the four main islands of Japan.
Hokkaido is most famous for its breath-taking landscapes and other natural wonders. The island is home to a variety of stunning mountains, vast wetlands, pristine lakes, and beautiful greenery.
Lovers of good food are in good hands when they travel to Hokkaido. The local delicacies served in restaurants, food stalls, and other eateries are some of the best in the country, especially the seafood dishes.
Every year, millions of tourists visit Hokkaido to enjoy its attractions. Many of them time their visits to coincide with the vibrant festivals that take place on the island all year. The most famous of these festivals is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which takes place in the winter every year.
This post will serve as a comprehensive travel guide for anyone looking to visit Hokkaido. We’ll cover its major attractions, local culinary delights, and affordable accommodations.
Best Time to Visit Hokkaido
Hokkaidō, Japan, is one of the few destinations in the world that has seasonal attractions throughout the year. Whether you arrive in spring, summer, winter, or autumn, there’s always something awesome happening in town. So, if you’re trying to plan your trip, you can set a date based on the activities that interest you the most. The following are the best times to visit Hokkaido based on your favorite activities:
-
Winter: Anytime from December to February is a great time to visit Hokkaido if you’re a fan of its famous winter sports season. You’ll love skiing and hiking on the unique powder snow.
-
Spring: Late April to mid-May is the typical spring season in Hokkaido, which makes it the best time to enjoy the cherry blossoms. Spring is the best time to visit Hokkaido because you can enjoy the same seasonal activities as people in Tokyo, but with way fewer crowds.
-
Summer: While most people avoid outdoor escapades in summer because of the heat, you don’t have to worry too much if your destination is Hokkaido. The island offers a cooler option from June to August. This is also a great time to experience the famous summer festivals like Hokkaido Jingu Shrine Festival and Lake Shikotsu Lake Festival.
-
Autumn: Travel to Hokkaido any time from September to October if you love to see the beautiful colors of trees and leaves.
Must-Visit Attractions in Hokkaido
There’s so much to see and do in Hokkaido that you may struggle to plan your visits to popular attractions. To help streamline your itinerary, we’ve curated a list of 5 key attractions in Hokkaido. Enjoy!
-
Historic Village of Hokkaido: In the heart of Sapporo lies Kaitaku no Mura or the Historic Village of Hokkaido, an open-air museum that exhibits the ancient buildings of the island. The oldest of the buildings dates as far back as the Meiji Period (1868–1912).
-
Furano: In July, the lavender fields of Furano town are in full bloom. If you happen to be in Hokkaido during the summer, this is definitely the place to visit. Besides the beautiful landscapes and flower fields, other attractions in the town include a ski resort, blue pond, winery, and cheese factory.
-
Lake Toya: The Shikotsu-Toya National Park is one of Hokkaido’s best national parks, and its main attraction is Lake Toya. Also known as Toyako, this lake surrounds an active volcano (Mount Usu). The area surrounding the water contains several resorts and hotels.
-
Niseko: Fans of winter sports love spending time at Niseko, the most popular ski resort in Japan. Tourists come from all over the world to see the light powder snow and explore the ski trails. Many of them also partake in the available after-ski activities.
-
Noboribetsu: Hokkaido is famous for having several onsen (hot spring resorts), but none of them rival Noboribetsu. Also part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, this resort offers great views and a wide variety of hot spring waters.
Hokkaido’s Culinary Delights
Hokkaido is famed for having a wide variety of quality seafood. Most of the local delicacies tend to contain crab, sea urchin, salmon, and scallop. Salmon is the most popular seafood on the island. It’s used to make Hokkaido Salmon Hot Pot (Ishikari Nabe), a winter recipe of salmon, cabbage, corn, potatoes, and other seasonal vegetables cooked in miso soup.
Another local delicacy is Jingisukan, Hokkaido’s grilled mutton dish. Originating in the late 1910s, the dish has become synonymous with Hokkaido’s culinary scene.
Hokkaido is also renowned for its dairy products, which include cheese and butter. And when it comes to beverages, nothing beats the iconic Sapporo beer, the oldest beer brand in Japan.
Outdoor Adventures in Hokkaido
Every second you spend indoors in Hokkaido is a wasted opportunity to explore the island’s outdoor wonders. You should enjoy the many outdoor activities available on the island. Niseko is the go-to spot for fun out in the open. The resort offers unique backcountry skiing through the wilderness. Rusutsu, a nearby ski resort, offers terrain for skiing and snowboarding to match different proficiency levels.
If powder snow isn’t your thing, there are lots of other outdoor activities for you. You could go hiking on the trails of Daisetsuzan National Park, flower viewing in Furano, and sightseeing in Biei Town. Many facilities on the island offer paid tours of natural landmarks. You get to see Hokkaido in all its glory while learning about the region.
Cultural Experiences: Festivals and More
You’ll have the best chance at exploring Hokkaido’s culture in Sapporo, the largest city on the island. This capital city is home to some of Japan’s most famous festivals. The best of them is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which happens in early February every year. It lasts for one week and features ice sculptures, ice bars, nighttime illuminations, and more. The festival is a celebration of winter culture in Hokkaido. Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino are the best spots to experience the event in full.
The Sapporo White Illumination is a lesser-known event, although it starts in late November and lasts for several months. It also includes stunning decorations in Odori Park, Minami-ichijo Dori, and Ekimae Dori. We have an article about Sapporo that you might like. Read it to learn more about Hokkaido’s capital city.
In February, the people of Otaru hold their own celebrations in the form of the Otaru Lantern Festival. Thousands of visitors come to see the magical phenomenon of a city decorated with candle lights and ice sculptures.
Feel free to take a trip to eastern Hokkaido, where you’ll find several attractions that explore the culture of the indigenous Ainu people.
Other popular cultural events in Hokkaido are Chitose Shikotsu Lake Hyoto Matsuri (late January to mid-February), Asahikawa Winter Festival (February 7–11), and Sounkyo Hot Spring Ice Fall Festival (January to March).
Accommodation Options Across Hokkaido
Hokkaido has a bunch of accommodation options, ranging from luxury resorts to traditional ryokans. If you would like to stick to the familiar experience, you can get a standard hotel on the island, such as Shiretoko Serai, Tmark City Hotel Sapporo, and Karaksa Hotel Sapporo.
For a more traditional experience, we recommend that you stay at one of the ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) on the island. The city of Hakodate is home to several hot springs and has a lot of ryokans to match the demand for accommodation. Those who have the budget can stay in one of the luxury hotels and ryokans at Niseko and Rusutsu ski resorts. They offer great service, and you’ll get a clear view of the mountains and snowy landscapes.
Navigating Hokkaido: Transportation Tips
Given how big the island of Hokkaido is, having to pay exorbitant transportation costs is the last thing you need while exploring. To help you save costs and time, we’ve created a short transportation guide.
-
Get the JR Hokkaido pass to get unlimited trips on local trains for 4 days. Alternatively, you could get the Japan Rail Pass and enjoy unlimited rides for a week, two weeks, or three weeks.
-
You can take a public bus from Sapporo to some of the more popular destinations. Highway buses are cheaper but slower alternatives to trains.
-
Ferry services allow you to travel with your own vehicles.
-
You must have a Japanese driving license or International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car.
-
If you’re taking a taxi, show the driver the address written in Japanese. This will assist in clearing up any misunderstandings brought on by language barriers
-
The New Chitose Airport is closer to the south of Sapporo but has good public transport connections.
Planning Your Trip: Essential Tips and Itinerary Ideas
Take a look at our suggested itineraries for helping travelers maximize their time in Hokkaido.
4-Day Itinerary:
-
Day 1: See sights in Sapporo (Odori Park, Historic Village of Hokkaido, etc.) and the rest of central Hokkaido.
-
Day 2: Explore attractions in Daisetsuzan National Park and stay at Asahidake Onsen.
-
Day 3: Go hiking.
-
Day 4: Visit the flower fields of Furano and Biei.
7-Day Itinerary:
-
Day 1: See sights in Sapporo (Odori Park, Historic Village of Hokkaido, etc.).
-
Day 2: Explore attractions in Otaru.
-
Day 3: Visit the flower fields of Furano and Biei.
-
Day 4: Explore Daisetsuzan National Park.
-
Day 5: Enjoy the hot springs of Hakodate.
-
Day 6: Explore the wetlands, Japanese cranes, and Ainu culture in eastern Hokkaido.
-
Day 7: Shop at Asahikawa’s shopping district.
Conclusion: Embarking on Your Hokkaido Adventure
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you should strongly consider Hokkaido for your next Japanese adventure. Its unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and welcoming atmosphere guarantees you a fantastic time on the island.
Going on outdoor adventures requires the appropriate snack for when you get hungry. Get a Bokksu Snack Box subscription and enjoy a monthly supply of authentic treats from Japan. December's theme is Hokkaido Winter Walk, check it out now!
Author Bio
More from the blog
View all
