Hokkaido is famous for its snowy winter but summer in Hokkaido might be even more spectacular. Since it is located in the northernmost region of Japan, summer in Hokkaido is fairly cool compared to the rest of Japan. So if you need to escape the heat, why not plan a trip to Hokkaido? Hokkaido becomes a haven of colour with rainbow-like lavendar farms and stunning mountain ranges.
Nakajima Park
A lush green park in the middle of the city of Sapporo
Its contrast with the surrounding beautiful mountains is lovely as a nationally-recognized Important Cultural Property. Nakajima Park is filled with people throughout the year as an event venue.
The most exciting area in Sapporo is the entertainment district of Susukino beside which is Nakajima Park. Although it is located in the center of the city, it is rich in greenery and no matter which season you visit, the surrounding mountains help create the beautiful scenery. On the beautiful surface of Shobu Pond from where you can view Mt. Moiwa, you can also see wild birds. It is a great place to take a walk during spring and summer, but the park is also refreshing in the fall for the changing colors...
Price
- Free
Website
www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp
Lake Shikotsu
Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake is a part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Although it is located in a very cold region of Japan, the water at the bottom of the lake is quite warm which means it is a caldera lake that doesn’t freeze over. The area has numerous tourist spots and surrounding nature.
Enjoy the magnificent landscape by the lakeshore. The origin of Lake Shikotsu came from the Ainu word for “big hollow”. It is a caldera lake which was formed about 40,000 years ago and is known for being the nation’s northernmost ice-free lake. Also, it is a beautiful body of water that boasts one of the best examples of clear water in Japan. In the area around the lake, there is a magnificent range of mountains including Mt. Eniwa, Mt. Tarumae and Mt. Fuppushi. You can enjoy yourself simply walking around the lakeshore area...
Website
en.wikipedia.org
Otaru Canal
Recommended for the night lighting which brings a warm atmosphere
Active as the gateway into a developing Hokkaido from 1923, even now, facilities like restaurants have been revived in their original form. Otaru Canal is also known as the venue for the Snow Light Path Festival.
You can feel the atmosphere of a trip back through time During the age of Hokkaido’s development, ships being able to make deliveries directly to the warehouses began with Otaru Canal. Built from offshore reclamation, the canal makes a gentle curve with a total length of 1140m. The former waterway was halved, and currently, it is now a walking path and boulevard garden. In the surrounding area, there is Canal Plaza with stores where you can purchase special products of Otaru, and facilities such as the Otaru Civic Museum. Also, you ca...
Price
- Free
Website
translate.google.co.jp
Biei Hills
There is no doubt about the impressiveness of the horizon and the hills that go off everywhere
The town of Biei in Hokkaido is famous as a town of hills which has been used in commercials and televised dramas. The epic landscape just spreads out and it feels as if you are standing in the middle of a painting.
The hills of Biei in Hokkaido are characterized by a wealth of agriculture. It is especially the farmscapes on these hills that make it the No. 1 tourist spot for Biei. Forests were cleared to create the farmlands of today which led to the grand hills that can be seen today. Biei, which is located at the foot of the Daisetsuzan Tokachidake Mountain Range, is filled with crops that differ from season to season especially to prevent repeated cultivation so the hills take on different colors resembling a patchwork. For that reason...
Phone
0166-92-4378
Website
www.biei-hokkaido.jp
Hokkaido Shrine
Also known as a famous site for cherry blossoms, the shrine is alive with hatsumode visitors during the New Year’s holidays
Hokkaido Shrine has looked after Hokkaido since the days of its development. On its grounds which are lush in nature, wild animals such as the Hokkaido squirrel can be seen. The beauty of the spring cherry blossoms and plum flowers is also something that cannot be missed.
A shrine that has accompanied Hokkaido’s long history, Hokkaido Shrine had its origins from 1869 when Emperor Meiji ordered the enshrining of three deities for the reclamation of Hokkaido. At the time, the land that had been known as Ezo became the prefecture of Hokkaido, and from the very beginning of it becoming Japanese territory, the citizens of the prefecture have embraced the shrine. On its 180,000 square-meter grounds filled with history, there are many cherry trees planted there, and with the coming of spring, the intensely bea...
Business hours
- Everyday (7:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
2/1～2/14 7:00am～4:00pm
2/15～3/31 7:00am～4:30pm
4/1～10/15 6:00am～5:00pm
10/16～10/31 6:00am～4:30pm
11/1～12/31 7:00am～4:00pm
Phone
011-611-0261
Price
New Year’s Day 0:00am～7:00pm
Jan. 2nd-3rd 6:00am～6:00pm
Jan. 4th-7th 6:00am～4:00pm
Jan. 8th-31st 7:00am～4:00pm
The above opening times apply to the New Year’s season.
Website
www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp
Lake Toya
The 9th biggest lake in Japan and one of the Three Great Landscapes of Hokkaido
A lake located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Lake Toya is a caldera lake formed from volcanic activity. Along with nature and the surrounding landscape, you are completely free to enjoy the onsen and the outdoors any way you like.
A huge natural environment blessed with flora and fauna. With Shikotsu-Toya National Park in the surrounding vicinity, Lake Toya has also been registered as a Japanese and World Geopark. Furthermore, it is one of Hokkaido’s foremost tourist spots that has been recognized for its myriad beautiful views that have been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Great Views. It also boasts status as Japan’s 3rd-largest caldera lake as well as a picturesque spot to see Mt. Usu and Mt. Showashinzan, and even Mt. Yotei off in the distance. Th...
Website
en.wikipedia.org
Shiroi Koibito Park
The theme park by Shiroi Koibito, the famous sweets representing Hokkaido
With not just a tour of the confectioner’s factory, there are plenty of highlights at the park such as displays and the history of candy along with the ability to create your original sweets. This is a place for all those people with a sweet tooth.
Take a tour of the factory of Shiroi Koibito, and sample the famous sweets of Hokkaido. When it comes to Hokkaido souvenirs, there is Shiroi Koibito (White Lovers), white chocolate sandwiched between two crisp langue de chat cookies. On the iconic blue-and-white packages, there is a picture of Mt. Rishiri on Rishiri Island, and the cookies have become loved by many people as the famous sweets of Hokkaido. At Shiroi Koibito Park, you can go on a tour of the manufacturing facility. Beyond the glass, you can witness the process of the chocolate being sand...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM )
Phone
011-666-1481
Price
- Adult: 600 JPY
- Child: 200 JPY
Along with the New Year’s Holidays, there are cases in which the opening times will change at irregular intervals
Website
www.shiroikoibitopark.jp
Shikisai-no-Oka
Panoramic flower fields overflowing with the scent of lovely blossoms throughout the four seasons
Several dozen kinds of flowers bloom in the wide fields, and the large vicinity of Biei Town becomes just like a carpet of blossoms. You can also enjoy snowmobiling during the winter.
The large gardens have a breathtaking beauty. Biei in Hokkaido has rolling hills surrounded by a chain of mountains so that the area can be appreciated for its grand landscape. With its never-ending horizon and Mother Nature, it is a tourist area to calm body and soul. Shikisai-no-Oka consists of panoramic flower fields which makes use of the dynamic nature in Biei. Within its 15 hectares, it boasts a variety of blooms from spring to autumn. The scene of colorful flowers against the backdrop of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range is incredible...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
0166-95-2758
Price
- Free
However, there is a request for donations of 200 yen at the entrance to cover maintenance costs
Website
www.shikisainooka.jp
Blue Pond
This mystical pond whose appearance changes depending on the season and the angle of light is a hidden must-see spot
Within the natural and hilly Biei area, this is a prominent tourist spot. Truly one of the hidden scenic sites whose entry was restricted up to 2010.
The town of Biei in Hokkaido where the Blue Pond is located is a place where you can feel the great outdoors of the prefecture through its rolling hills. Along with the Furano district, Biei is a popular area that is a member of The Association of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan. The town has many tourist spots such as magnificent Mt. Tokachi which have been blessed by nature and are very relaxing. The Blue Pond is one other such site. It is a body of water that was created from a dam which was built...
Price
- Free
Website
www.biei-hokkaido.jp
Farm Tomita
Enjoy the spectacular view of Japan’s largest lavender field
Hokkaido’s leading tourist spot where you can enjoy the entire day admiring the 15-hectare lavender field and cultivated flowers, along with delicious cuisine making use of local ingredients.
Japan’s No. 1 lavender field Furano City in the center of Hokkaido is especially famous for its lavender and every year, numerous tourists come and visit for that wonderful scent and view. Farm Tomita is renowned for having the largest lavender field in the Furano area. Boasting a wide 15 hectares, the peak time is in July and so the journey to the farm is notable for its traffic jams. Also, the farm’s Traditional Lavender Field has the longest history of its type in Japan. Its grand landscape unfurls like a violet carpet and the...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:30 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0167-39-3939
Price
- Free
Website
www.farm-tomita.co.jp
Mt. Moiwa
You can enjoy the 360-degree grand panorama of the scenery of Sapporo
Mt. Moiwa can be counted as having one of the Top 3 Night Views of Hokkaido alongside Hakodate and Otaru. On top of that, in the primeval forest of Mt. Moiwa that has been designated as a Natural Monument, you can encounter various examples of flora and fauna.
There is the Mt. Moiwa Viewing Point where you can get a panoramic view over Sapporo from the 531m summit. From here, you can get a 360-degree view of the city where the Ishikari Plain and Ishikari Bay spread out. Named Inkarushibe after the Ainu word for “a place to be always climbed and look out over”, the Viewing Point is enjoyed for its dynamic view. The lovely night view that spreads out in front of you has a grandness only to be found in Hokkaido. Accordingly, the incredible beaut...
Business hours
- Everyday
Price
- Free
Moerenuma Park
A park bringing together nature and art as if the entire facility is a sculpture
World-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi was behind the design of the park, and its beautiful landscape with its geometrical fountains and playground equipment is one of its attractions. It is a park filled with nature whose expressions change with the seasons.
In spite of its location within the city of Sapporo, Hokkaido, Moerenuma Park has an atmosphere that feels as if it is in the midst of Mother Nature. Based on the Circular Green Belt concept that takes advantage of the green spaces in Sapporo, it was first opened in 2005. It was built according to the world-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi under the concept of the whole park being one sculpture, so there are works of art everywhere in the facility. Also, there are 2600 beautiful cherry and maple trees,...
Business hours
- Everyday (7:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM )
Phone
011-790-1231
Price
- Free
Website
moerenumapark.jp
Cape Kamui
The contrast between the clear blue sea and the rugged precipices is amazing
At the most popular Cape Kamui of Shakotan, a 300-degree view can be seen from the tip of the cape that protrudes into the deep sea.
Shakotan in Hokkaido is a beautiful marine tourist destination that has been designated as the prefecture’s only “underwater quasi-national park” where the clear blue of the ocean is known as Shakotan Blue. Cape Kamui is located on the Shakotan Peninsula overlooking some steep precipices for which there is a 770-meter nature trail known as the Charenka Route starting from the parking area. After walking the route for 20 to 30 minutes, a huge 300-degree panoramic view will...
Business hours
- Everyday (10:00 AM ~ 3:30 PM )
The opening and closing of the gates will differ depending on the time
April 8:00am～6:00pm
May 8:00am～7:00pm
June 8:00am～7:30pm
July 8:00am～7:00pm
August～October 8:00am～6:30pm
November 8:00am～5:00pm
December～March 10:00m～3:30pm
Phone
0135-44-3715
Website
www.kanko-shakotan.jp
Mt. Hakodate
The 3 Michelin Star night view of Hakodate has a beauty that is a must-see
From Mt. Hakodate, you can get a panoramic view of the city of Hakodate below. In front of your very eyes, the wide Hakodate Bay and the Tsugaru Strait spread out. The expressions change with the seasons but it is especially the night view that has an overwhelming beauty.
There are many ways to get up to the peak. Mt. Hakodate has an altitude of 334m, and because there are paths available to get up the mountain, you can climb up there in a little under 1 hour. For example, there are gentle walking trails. You can also try recommended routes to reach the peak while feeling the nature of Mt. Hakodate. As well, there are tour buses and a direct bus from JR Hakodate Station to the peak, but a ride to the top on the ropeway via a large gondola is wonderful. The gondola holds 125 p...
Price
- Adult: 660 JPY
- Child: 330 JPY
Admission is required when using the ropeway to get up the mountain.
Website
www.334.co.jp
The Furano Cheese Factory
A site where you can observe the making of cheese up close
Not only can you sightsee through a cheese factory, but there is also an area directly run by the factory which provides products such as cheese and candies. Furthermore, there is also a facility to find out about the history of cheese and workshops.
This is the must-see factory for cheese lovers. Select ingredients are chosen in the rich environment of Furano in Hokkaido Prefecture, and at The Furano Cheese Factory, the most delicious cheese is produced. Fresh milk from Furano farms is used which takes about 4 months to become cheese, and it is at this cheese factory that this process can be observed up close. The factory is surrounded by beautiful birch trees, and it’s possible to view the cheese production facility and aging rooms beyond the glass. You can also learn about the h...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
0167-23-1156
Price
- FreeT
