Amazing Things to Do in Hokkaido
Even if you have travelled a lot, Hokkaido will still surprise you. Places to visit in Hokkaido include mountains, valleys, lakes, beaches, hot springs, volcanos, forests, parks, historical buildings, temples, and islands. Hokkaido is a popular winter destination, hence things to do in Hokkaido include skiing, snowboarding, ropeway ride, and other snow related activities. Hokkaido tourist attractions also include great many National Parks and Nature Reserves as well. Hence hiking, trekking, camping, and nature exploration are also among popular things to do in Hokkaido.
In terms of size, Hokkaido is the largest prefecture of Japan. Many people consider winter to be the best time to visit Hokkaido owing to its northern geographical orientation as well as the mountains providing perfect skiing slopes. The locals of Japan as well as Russia hit Hokkaido destinations for skiing and other winter activities. But the summer and other seasons can also be considered best time to visit Hokkaido. The nature unravels its beauty in vibrant colors during these months. Actually any time of the year is the best time to visit Hokkaido, given there are no natural disasters. You won’t have much things to do in Hokkaido if there are earthquakes or Tsunamis. But fret not, such disasters are now few and far between. But is will be wise to check local news and local weather reports when planning Hokkaido travel.
Now coming back to the happier things to do in Hokkaido. The Hokkaido points of interest for Skiing served the 1972 winter olympics. The facilities for skiing, snowboarding and other things to do in Hokkaido can’t get better than that. There is no shortage of resorts and facilities to explore Hokkaido places of interest for snow activities, especially skiing. There are plenty of resorts and even some open skiing slopes for you to enjoy on Hokkaido trip. There are also several ropeways for convenient travel upslope. Add to this the bountiful gifts of hot springs on the volcanic slopes and you have the best things to do in Hokkaido at the best places to visit in Hokkaido all tied up neatly in snow.
Another major reason for Hokkaido travel is the popular Sapporo Snow Festival or Sapporo Yuki Matsuri. This winter festival is one of the biggest Hokkaido tourist attractions. The snow sculptures are the primary Hokkaido attractions during this festival. These sculptures are intricately carved works of art. The beautiful Hokkaido sightseeing wonders decorate the city of Sapporo in February. Especially for this festival and other winter activities you can consider February as the Hokkaido best time to visit. But, it’s not just the ice sculptures that makes Sapporo top the chart of places to visit in Hokkaido. Everything during this festival is ice themed. You will see ice bars serving drinks in ice glasses. Ice restaurants serving ice themed dishes in ice plate complimented by ice cutlery. Winter themed fashion shows and beauty contests are also among Hokkaido points of interest during this festival. You can also hit the clubs and resorts among Hokkaido destinations for a winter themed party. If that doesn’t get you planning Hokkaido tour, I don’t know what will.
Whether it be winter or summer, there is are some Hokkaido tourist attractions which are evergreen. That’s the Hot Spring or Onsen as they are known in Japanese. Located among beautiful mountains and Hokkaido sightseeing locations are the hot springs powered by the thermal activity within the core of the earth. These Hokkaido attractions are said to have medicinal properties owing to the volcanic material they emerge from. There are many resorts and spas developed around most of the hot springs Hokkaido destinations. But there are still some which are unbridled in the laps of nature. Whether your Hokkado trip falls in winter or summer, the hot spring baths are extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. It is one of the must things to do in Hokkaido, else you would have wasted you Hokkaido tour.
Table of Contents
Tourist Places and Cities to Visit in Hokkaido
- Sapporo
- Asahikawa
- Hakodate
- Kushiro
- Tomakomai
- Obihiro
- Otaru
- Kitami
- Ebetsu
- Chitose
- Muroran
- Iwamizawa
- Eniwa
- Kitahiroshima
- Ishikari
- Noboribetsu
- Hokuto
- Otofuke
- Takikawa
- Abashiri
- Wakkanai
- Date
- Nayoro
- Nanae
- Nemuro
- Makubetsu
- Nakashibetsu
- Shinhidaka
- Mombetsu
- Bibai
- Furano
- Rumoi
- Fukagawa
- Engaru
- Bihoro
- Shibetsu
- Kushiro
- Yoichi
- Memuro
- Shiraoi
- Sunagawa
- Tobetsu
- Yakumo
- Mori
- Betsukai
- Kutchan
- Ashibetsu
- Urakawa
- Iwanai
- Hidaka
- Kuriyama
- Shari
- Akabira
- Naganuma
- Kamifurano
- Biei
- Higashikagura
Things to do in Hokkaido, Japan
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Hokkaido, Japan
- Hokkaido Shrine
- Hokkaido Historical Village
- Sapporo Clock Tower & Museum
- Sapporo Beer Museum
- Abashiri Prison Museum
- Matsumae Castle
- Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum
- Snow Crystal Museum
- Hokkaido Museum
- Hakodate Orthodox Church
- Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art
- Hakodate Ward Old Public Hall
- Otaru Music Box Museum
- Trappistine Monasteries
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Hokkaido, Japan
- Lake Toya
- Shiretoko Peninsula
- Shirogane Blue Pond
- Lake Akan
- Shiretoko National Park
- Mount Hokodate
- Lake Shikotsu
- Lake Mashu
- Daisetsuzan National Park
- Daisetsuzan Volcano
- Mount Yotei
- Jigokudani Valley
- Asahi-Dake Mountain
- Lake Kussharo
- Sounkyo
- Mount Moiwa
- Akan-Mashu National Park
- Lake Shiretokogo
- Mount Usu
- Lake Onuma
- Shakotan Peninsula
- Showa-Shinzan Volcano
- Kushiro Shitsugen National Park
- Onuma Quasi National Park
- Mount Tokachi
- Lake Shikaribetsu
- Shikotsutoya National Park
- Noboribetsu Marine Park
- Lake Onneto
- Mount Rishiri
- Noboribetsu Bear Park
- Shirahige Waterfall
- Unkai Terrace
- Kamuiwakka Waterfall
- Mount Meakan
- Fukidashi Park
- River Oyunuma
- Mount Rausu
- Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park
- Mount Tarumae
- Mount Kurodake
- Mount Io Volcano
- Shiretoko Mountain Pass
- Bihoro Mountain Pass
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Hokkaido, Japan
- Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort
- Nobodybetsu Date Jidai Village
- Asahiyama Zoo
- Tomita Farm
- Jigokudani Hotwater Volcanic Springs
- Jozankei Onsen Hot Springs
- Kamuiwakka Hot Springs
- Hoheikyo Hot Springs
- Plant Spa Hot Springs at Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi
- Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo
- Rusutsu Resort Amusement Park
- Sopparo Hitsujigaoka Obervation Hill
- Otaru Aquarium
- Shiroikoiito Park & Chocolate Factory
- Single Terrace
- Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery
- Hokkaido University Bontanic Garden
- Abashiri Harbor
Shopping in Hokkaido, Japan
- Tanukikoji Shopping Market
- Hakodate Asaichi Market
- Sapporo Stellar Place
- Daimaru Sapporo
- Paseo
- APIA
- Tank Koji Shopping Arcade
- Parco
- Sapporo Factory
Beaches in Hokkaido, Japan
- Rebun Island
- Rishiri Island
- Kamome Island
- Shiretoko Beach
- Ranshima Beach
- Shimamu Beach
- Otaru Beach
- Itanki Beach
Offbeat Places, Tours & Adventure Things to do in Hokkaido, Japan
- Mount Moiwa Ropeway
- Niseko Ski Resorts
- Furano Ski Resort
- Daisetsuzan Ropeway
- Sopparo Teine Ski Resort
- Sopparo Kokusai Ski Resort
- Niseko Village Wintersports
- Taisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Hot Spring Baths
Sightseeing in Hokkaido, Japan
- Cape Chikyu
- Cape Nosappu
- Sapporo Odiri Park
- Goryokaku Park
- Goryokaku Tower
- Otaru Canal
- Sapporo TV Tower
- Moerenuma Park
- Hakkaido Government Office
- Shikisai No Oka Farms
- Takino Suzaran Hillside Park
- Nakajima Park
- Maruyama Park
- Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Hokkaido, Japan
- Hakodate Asaichi Market
- Nijo Market
- Aji No Tokeidai
- Ebi Ten
- Jingisukan Daruma Rokuyon
- Kani Honke
- Mikuni
- Pichhu
- Ramen Kyowakoku
- Sapporo Beer Garden
- Soup Curry Hirihiri
- Sushi Tanabe
- Clos de Soleil
- Sushi Zen
- Oshokuji to Goenkai
- Hakodate Dining Gaya
- Daichi No Megumi
- Sushi Kyu
- Sushi Yoshi
How to Reach Hokkaido, Japan?
By Air
Chitose International Airport is your way in for Hokkaido travel by air. The international flights from this airport are limited. But if you wish to explore places to visit in Hokkaido along with a Japan trip, it will be easier. Most people take Hokkaido tour from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka.
By Road
You have the option to take a train for Hokkaido travel by road. If you wish to catch the said train for Hokkaido trip, you should take the Seikan Tunnel from Honshu. This train is connected to Shinkansen train network of the mainland Japan. It is also the longest train tunnel in the world. If you wish to take your car for places to visit in Hokkaido, then you will have to go through the trouble of loading it on a ferry & shipping it across. But, if you are a tourist going for Hokkaido sightseeing, then it is much easier to rent a car in Hokkaido itself.
By Water
Hokkaido is an island, so of course there are water routes for Hokkaido travel. You can get ferries from Maizuru, Seoul, Akita, Niigata, Tsuruga, and even Russia. The ferry rides are great to check out some beautiful Hokkaido tourist attractions from a distance. There are also short ice cruises running between Hokkaido & Russia in winters which are among top things to do in Hokkaido. Many of Hokkaido points of interest are located at the coast, so a ferry will help you hit multiple Hokkaido attractions in one go.
