Top 5 Places To Visit In Hokkaido

Beautiful Hokkaido is the most northern of Japan’s islands, and compared to many other parts of the country is the least developed and often less visited. Hokkaido is known by domestic travelers for being the place to come in the winter months, and although the seasons can be harsh here, the snowfall is spectacular. If you love skiing or snowboarding, then Hokkaido is hard to beat as a premium ski destination, and you can also enjoy romantic vistas such as frozen seas and snow capped volcanoes.

In the summer months, Hokkaido is warm and pleasant, although it escapes the highly humid temperatures of the other islands of Japan. Despite the fact that it is gaining a name for itself for its winter sports, there is still plenty to do here in the summertime, and anyone who wants to get outside will find a huge range of activities like cycling and hiking.

Depending on your preferences, there is something for everyone to see and do here, from big cities to quaint country towns.

Here are the top 5 places to visit in Hokkaido.

Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido and it is also its biggest city. It is fairly new in Japanese terms, having been founded in the 19th century, and it is most well known for its leafy parks and its famous beer.

As such, a visit here would be incomplete without a trip to the Sapporo Beer Museum, where you can learn all about the history of brewing in Japan, and hear the story of the famous Sapporo Brewing Company. The museum lets you take a tour of a beer factory and ends in a tasting room where you can sample some of the best brews on offer.

If you are in the mood for something a little more serene, then don’t miss the chance to visit the most famous park in Sapporo, Odori Park, which is one of the most iconic spots in the city. The park stretches for 15 blocks and is covered in grassy lawns and gorgeous fountains.

Abashiri:

It’s fair to say that Abashiri may not immediately be on everyone’s itinerary when they plan a trip to Japan, although this is a great shame as this is a quirky stop off full of interesting and unexpected attractions. In the days of old Abashiri was known as a fearsome place where criminals in Hokkaido were sent as punishment, and even today a prison stands here. Aside from its famous penitentiary, Abashiri is known as a port town with a strong fishing industry.

If you make it to Abashiri, then you mustn’t miss the chance to visit the Abashiri Prison Museum which is still housed on the site of the original Abashiri Prison from the days of old. Here you will find replicas of prisoners and prison scenes as well as antique prison memorabilia.

One of the other big draws and main reasons to come to Abashiri is to take a trip on an icebreaker. If you are here in the winter months, pack ice builds up around the town, and you can go out on an ice breaker boat and watch as they break up the ice in front of you. Certainly this is a unique and memorable experience if you make it to this part of Japan.

Asahikawa:

Asahikawa has the claim to fame of being the coldest city in all of Japan and temperatures once dipped to a painful -41°C in 1902. It doesn’t get that cold all the time, although if you come in the winter months then you can expect it to be chilly. Still, the cold brings some find skiing conditions to the area as well as some exciting winter attractions at Asahiyama Zoo.

The zoo is actually the second most visited in Japan and is a hit with domestic travelers, so make sure you don’t miss the chance to come here. Signature attractions include the polar bear exhibit, where you can see polar bears swimming underwater, as well as a penguin enclosure and a seal exhibit that lets you get up close to the animals.

If you want to make the most of the cold weather, then don’t miss Kamui Ski Links to the west of Asahikawa where you will find some wonderful powder snow.

Furano is less of a town in its own right and more a group of smaller farming towns that make up a whole. Known by the quaint nickname ‘Belly Button Town’ thanks to the fact that it is located in the center of Hokkaido, Furano is most famous for its summer and winter activities, so whenever you choose to visit, there is bound to be something of interest here.

In the summer months, Furano is a riot of color thanks to its gorgeous lavender fields and vineyards. A whole host of lavender products are made here, and one of the best things to do is tour the local countryside and take in the spectacular scenery.

In the winter, the powder snow in Furano draws huge crowds of skiers from all over the world, and you can try skiing and snowboarding as well as a wealth of other fun winter activities. Snowshoeing is popular here or you can also try your hand at ice hole fishing.

Daisetsuzan National Park:

If you travel to Hokkaido then you really shouldn’t miss a trip to Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest national park not only on the island but also in the whole of Japan.

The park stretches for over 2,000 square kilometers and is known as the “Playground of the Gods”. If you love hiking, then this is certainly one of the best and most scenic parts of Japan, and there are 15 peaks here that are all waiting to be scaled. Of these, Asahi-dake is the tallest, and is perfect if you want to try some mountain climbing in the summer months. Aside from mountain terrain, you will also find lakes, hot springs, and a plethora of stunning flora and fauna here.