Tourist Attractions in Hokkaido

Tourist Attractions in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is located in the northernmost region of Japan. The sightseeing spots are scattered along wide roads, and there are lots of spots where you can see nature, like mysterious lakes and flower fields that sprawl endlessly. In contrast, Sapporo has one of the best red-light district in Japan, so it is possible to have fun in the city.

To know more information about Hokkaido, click: Hokkaido - The Northernmost Tourist Destination in the Japanese Archipelago

What Things to do in Hokkaido

What is available to do in Hokkaido depends on the area. Here are some examples of what you can do in each area.

  • What is available to do in Hokkaido depends on the area. Here are some examples of what you can do in each area.
  • The magnificent nature can be viewed from the view point (Toya / Noboribetsu area)
  • Aerial walk in the forest at Adventure Park (Otaru / Niseko area)
  • Animals walking around in a lively manner can be seen at the zoo (Asahikawa area)
  • Stand in the middle of a sprawling flower field (Furano / Biei area)
  • You can easily experience Glamping (Tokachi / Obihiro area)
  • A beautiful night view can be seen from the mountain top (Hakodate area)
  • Stand at the northernmost point of Japan (Wakkanai / Rishiri / Rebun area)
  • Look at strange round algae (Kushiro / Nemuro area)

Sapporo and Jozankei Area

Sapporo and Jozankei Area, Hokkaido

The Sapporo and Jozankei area is located on the southwestern side of Hokkaido. Sapporo, where the provincial government is located, is the political, economic and cultural centre of Hokkaido. It has a wide range of things to do, from sightseeing spots in entertainment districts like Susukino, to spots where nature can be experienced.

It takes around an hour to get from Sapporo Station to Jozankei. The hot springs, rafting and horse riding experiences are attractive.

Spot NameFeatures
Sapporo TV Tower
A landmark where you can look over Sapporo
Sapporo Clock Tower
Designated a National Important Cultural Property
Odori Park
There are plenty of sculptures in the park which runs east to west through Sapporo city
Shiro Koibito Park
A snack theme theme park
Sapporo Beer Museum
A place where people can learn about Sapporo beer
Sapporo Crab Market (Sapporo Central Wholesale Market)
A shopping and dining spot where the quality of fish is excellent
Jozankei Nature Luminarie
A Light up event in the Jozankei area
Northen Horse Park
Horse theme park
Ainu Culture Promotion Center (Sapporo Pirka Kotan)
Learn about the culture of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido

Otaru and Niseko Area

Otaru and Niseko Area, Hokkaido

The Otaru and Niseko area is located in the southwestern part of Hokkaido. It is possible to experience various activities at the port town of Otaru and the magnificent nature there sprawls out.

Spot NameFeatures
Otaru Canal Cruise
Otaru Canal can be visited from the boat
Kiroro Resort
A highland resort where there are plenty of activities both in summer and winter
Otaru Port Marina
You can try yachting and cruising
NAC Adventure Park
An adventure park where you can play on trees and zip lines
Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway
See the night view of Otaru from the sky

Toya and Noboribetsu Area

Toya and Noboribetsu Area

The Toya and Noboribetsu area is located in the southwestern area of Hokkaido. Muroran, a city which flourished with industry, Lake Toya, the third largest caldera lake in Japan, and Noboribetsu Onsen, which is a famous hot spring in Hokkaido, are sightseeing spots.

Spot NameFeatures
Lake Toya Cruising
See a caldera lake from its surface
Muroran Night Scenery
The lights in the industrial area of Muroran are magical
Noboribetsu Jikokudani
An amazing sight where hot springs gush from the crater traces
Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura
A Samurai and Ninja theme park
Silo observatory
A marvelous view point overlooking Lake Toya

Hokadate

Hokadate in Hokkaido

Hakodate is located at the southernmost tip of Hokkaido in southwestern area, facing Honshu (mainland of Japan). It is one of the best sightseeing spots in Hokkaido, and as the Shinkansen has been opened, getting around is convenient.

Spot NameFeatures
Hakodate Morning Market
You can eat a seafood bowl made using fresh ingredients
Mt. Hakodate
A night view from the summit observatory with a Michelin 3-star.
Hokadate Tropical Botanical Garden
Monkeys entering hot springs in winter is the special thing about this area
Goryokaku Tower
You can see the pentagon shaped castle walls from above
Onuma Quasi-National Park
Look at mountains and bridges, and try canoeing and snowshoeing
The Old Souma House
A mansion with a history of over 100 years

The Area around Asahikawa, Hokkaido

The Area Around Asahikawa, Hokkaido

The area around Asahikawa is in the central area of Hokkaido. The highlight of Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's largest national park, is its nature. In addition, in the winter in Asahikawa, there are lots of events, so you can have valuable experiences.

Spot NameFeatures
Asahikawa city Asahiyama Zoo.
Watch the animals in their natural form in a behaviour exhibit
Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway
Connect to Kurodake's fifth station in around 7 minutes
Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway
The latest Cherry blossoms bloom in Japan and the earliest autumn leaves in Japan
Hokkaido Ice Pavilion
Experience a world that is -41℃
Asahikawa Ramen Village
8 Asahikawa Ramen shops are inside

Furano and Biei Area

Furano and Biei area, Hokkaido

The Furano and Biei areas are located in central Hokkaido, between Sapporo and Asahikawa. The lavender fields dotted around the area are well-known, and the best time to visit is from June - July.

Spot NameFeatures
Hinode Lavender Garden
It’s possible to look over the lavender field from the observatory
Hoshino Resort Tomamu Unkai Terrace / Muhyo Terrace
A spot where it’s possible to see a sea of clouds in summer and frost in winter
Shirogane Blue Pond
Fantastic scenery of the withered Japanese larch trees reflected on the blue lake surface
Furano Cheese Factory
It’s possible to watch the cheese making process
Glass Forest In Furano
It’s possible to experience making glass crafts
Farms Chiyoda
Eat the brand beef "Biei Wagyu". Interact with animals like ponies and sheep

Wakkanai, Rishiri and Rebun Areas

Hokkaido Wakkanai, Rishiri and Rebun Areas

The Wakkanai, Rishiri, and Rebun areas are located in northern Hokkaido. It is also the northernmost point of the country. There are islands dotted around Wakkanai, and those islands are sightseeing spots.

Spot nameFeatures
Rebun island
Sightseeing spots such as capes and rocks are dotted around the northernmost island in Japanต่าง ๆ
Rishiri island
An island rich with marine products
Monument of the Japanese northernmost ground
A monument that stands on Cape Soya at the northernmost point of Japan
Wakkanai Noshappu Aquarium
Japan’s Northernmost Aquarium
Sarobetsu Wetland Centre
A place where rare animals and plants can be seen

Abashiri and Monbetsu Area

Abashiri and Monbetsu Area

The Abashiri and Monbetsu areas are in the eastern area of Hokkaido. It is a coastal area which faces the Sea of Okhotsk. The main tourist attractions are facilities related to the sea.

Spot NameFeatures
Abashiri Prison Museum
Look around and experience prison lunch at the site of the prison
Ice-water Observation Tower Okhotsk Tower
Observation tower that overlooks the only drift ice in Japan
Okhotsk Tokkari Center
See seals that are protected and bred at the centre
Omusaro Nature View House
Primitive flowers in summer, drift ice in winter
Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum Scenic Spot Tentosan Observation Deck
Enjoy looking at both the sea creatures and mountain scenery

Tokachi and Obihiro Area

Tokachi and Obihiro Area

The Tokachi and Obihiro areas are located in the southern area of Hokkaido. There are no large mountains, and the plains spread all the way through the area. There are lots of tourist spots that make use of its nature.

Spot NameFeatures
Tokachi Glamping Resort
You can try out Glamping easily
Rikubetsu Space Earth Science Museum
You can observe space with a large telescope
Tokachi Hills
A park with a flower, agriculture and food theme
Tokachi Millennium Forest
Take a stroll on the Segway (reservation necessary)
Tokachi Nuppuku Garden
Handmade garden measuring around 4 hectares

Kushiro and Nemuro Area

Kushiro and Nemuro Area

This area is located on the eastern edge of Hokkaido. There are lots of spots where you can feel mother nature around you, like the Kushiro Marshland that is registered under the Ramsar Convention, and beautiful lakes such as Lake Akan and Lake Mashu.

Spot NameFeatures
Lake Akan
A lake inhabited by Marimo
Lake Mashu
One of the clearest lakes in the world
Lake Kussharo
The majestic scenery at the largest caldera lake in Japan is attractive
Kushiro Marsh Observatory
An observation deck that overlooks Kushiro Marsh
Akanko Ainu Kotan
Enjoy the Ainu dances and festivals

Recommended Shopping Spots in Hokkaido

Recommended Shopping Spots in Hokkaido

If you wish to go shopping in Hokkaido, large stores such as fashion buildings and shopping malls are recommended.

Spot NameFeatures
Chitose Outlet Mall Rera
There are around 100 fashion and miscellaneous goods stores
JR Sapporo Station
There are some souvenir shops inside
Marui Imai Sapporo Main Branch
Fashion shops for people in their 20s - 40s with telephone interpreters available throughout the shop
Sapporo PARCO
Abundant with casual brands, and on B2F there are souvenir shops
Feeeal Asahikawa
Fashion, miscellaneous goods and souvenirs
FUJIMARU
There are lots of affordable casual brands
Hakodate Pole Star Shopping Centre Shopping centre that handles everything from fashion to miscellaneous goods
Sapporo Factory
A large-scale shopping centre with around 160 stores built on the site of the Sapporo Beer Factory
Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO
Abundant with souvenirs from Hokkaido and Kushiro

There are small shopping malls in each area of Hokkaido, but the most convenient place is around Sapporo Station. There are abundance of fashion specialty shops, as well as souvenir shops that offer goods such as famous confectionary.

Particularly, department stores like the Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store and the Daimaru Sapporo Store offer extensive services for foreigners. For instance, translator services via phones and tablets, and tax exemption services.

Festivals and Events in Hokkaido

Festivals and Events in Hokkaido

In Hokkaido, as well as summer festivals, there are lots of Hokkaido winter festivals and events based on the theme of snow and winter which can only be experienced in cold regions.

Popular Festival and EventsDate
Features
Hokkaido Snow Festival
February
Huge snow statues appear in Odori Park
YOSAKOI Soran Matsuri
March 
A dance festival based on Hokkaido folk songs
Otaru Snow Light Path
February Candlelight fills up the town of Otaru
Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan
January - March
Ice cafes, ice bars, open-air baths, foot-baths, and ice buildings are lined up on the frozen lake
Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Festival
April - October
Fireworks go off every night over Lake Toya
Hoshi no Yume Illumination
December - February
Goryokaku star shape emerges with illuminations

The most famous festival is the Sapporo Snow Festival. The snow and ice statues that are lined up in the boulevard park are impressive, mysterious and you are sure to be fixated on them before you know it.

We also recommend the YOSAKOI Soran Festival, which can only be experienced in Hokkaido. Please enjoy the dances brimming with liveliness right before your eyes!

Nightlife in Hokkaido

Nightlife in Hokkaido

If you go for a night out in Hokkaido, you should head for Susukino. There are around 250 bars in Hokkaido, of which around 90 of them are concentrated in shopping district of Susukino in Sapporo. In addition, there are lots of Hokkaido clubs in Susukino.

Is Hokkaido Safe at Night?

Although the amount of crimes in Hokkaido have decreased, the amount of cases that foreign tourists are likely to get involved in, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, have not changed. Furthermore, the entertainment district that represents Hokkaido, Susukino, once had an established reputation for its good security, but in recent years the crime rate has become higher than other districts in Hokkaido.

Index

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