When Japan pops up in conversation, oftentimes either Tokyo or Kyoto are the destinations top of mind. And while the attention for both is well deserved, there’s so much more to the country than those two spotlight-grabbing cities. Enter Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands.
With agriculture as one of its main economic pillars, exceptional food with the freshest produce and seafood is one of its biggest draws. Aside from delectable cuisine, there’s also plenty to do year-round. For those who love the cold, there is no shortage of snow in the winter and numerous activities to match, including some of the best ski slopes in the world. But if you prefer warmer weather, Hokkaido is blissful in the summer—unlike central Japan, where it can get uncomfortably humid—with a mild climate and colorful vegetation that you thought only existed in fairy tales. Nature lovers will also find the island particularly appealing given that it has six national parks to explore, all boasting breathtaking scenery. And with reasonably priced round-trip tourist airfares from Tokyo costing around $200, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t explore the prefecture.
Below, a closer look at why you should be visiting Hokkaido next time you plan your trip to Japan, where to go, and what to do while you’re there.
Ramen
With the freezing-cold temperatures Hokkaido endures in the winter, ramen not only acts as a delicious meal, but a way to warm up as well. There are four different ramen soup bases that originated from the island: miso (Sapporo), shoyu (Asahikawa), shio (Hakodate), and curry (Muroran). Everyone tends to have a personal preference for which flavor they like with their noodles, but why not try them all before you make up your mind.
Ski or Snowboard Down Some of the World’s Best Slopes
Hokkaido gets a lot of snow in the winter, making it one of the best destinations for skiers and snowboarders. In fact, Niseko has long been consistently rated as having some of the best slopes in the world thanks to its unbelievably powdery snow—which lends itself well to snow surfing—and boasts an incredible après scene. But there are also several other ski resorts to choose from, including family-friendly Tomamu and easy-to-access Furano. And for more experienced professionals in search of a challenge, the island is also ripe with off-piste opportunities.
Flowers or Snowmobiling at Shikisai-no-oka
From April to October, thousands of flowers spanning dozens of species blanket the hills of Shikisai-no-oka, so there are many months to feast your eyes on a rainbow of blossoms. In the winter, snow covers the 37-acre field and you can cruise around on a snowmobile or go sledding down the slopes. No matter which season you decide to visit, they also have an alpaca ranch where you can help feed the fuzzy animals.
Unwind at a Hot Spring
Cold weather automatically calls for onsen in Japan, so it’s no wonder that Hokkaido is packed with them. These hot springs are the epitome of wellness in the country and are an amazing way to decompress. Soak away your worries and achy muscles in a steamy bath and let the minerals from these natural waters work their magic. Noboribetsu is considered to be the spot to go to on the island, but if you’re looking for something closer to Sapporo, check out Jozankei.
Learn About the Ainu
The Ainu are Japan’s Indigenous people that largely reside on Hokkaido and parts of northern Honshu. Unfortunately, as is the case with many Indigenous groups, Ainu history is one marred by unseemly difficulties and erasure. However, there have been some efforts in recent years to recognize and preserve Ainu culture, including the openings of the Sapporo Ainu Culture Promotion Center in 2003 and the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in 2020. Additional opportunities to learn more about Japan’s indigenous people include visits to Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum in Asahikawa, the oldest Ainu museum in the country, and Akanko Ainu Kotan, one of the largest Ainu settlements located on the edge of Lake Akan.
Watch a Baseball Game
Sumo wrestling might be Japan’s national sport, but baseball is right up there in terms of popularity. And as of 2023, Hokkaido is home to what might just be the finest baseball stadium in the world. Located between New Chitose Airport and Sapporo, Hokkaido Ballpark F Village is a multi-use development that features on-site hotels, outdoor activities, and dozens of dining options that include a brewery. But its heartbeat is Es Con Field Hokkaido, where the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters—Shohei Ohtani’s first team—call homebase. The state-of-the-art facility boasts a retractable roof, a natural turf field, and a capacity of 35,000 people. Arrive ahead of the game to take a guided tour of the stadium and walk the field or, better yet, book a stay at Tower Eleven Hotel and watch the game from your room or the property’s onsen. That’s right, the hotel boasts a hot spring and sauna that have views of the pitch. Now how’s that for a story to take back home?
Indulge in Soft Serve
Because Hokkaido milk is of such high quality (it’s considered to be the best in the country), there’s truly no better place to have soft serve than when you’re visiting the island. Creamy, smooth, and with a very distinct milky flavor, you’ve never had ice cream quite like this before. Have a couple of cones a day; we won’t judge.
Have Fun in Sapporo
The island’s capital may be one of the most underrated cities in Japan. Home to the eponymous beer (a museum has been dedicated to it), expansive sculpture parks, and delectable regional cuisine such as soup curry and jingisukan (grilled mutton), there’s plenty to see and eat in Sapporo. And of course, there are markets to visit. Nijo Market is the most accessible from downtown, but if you want to shop with the locals, head out to Jogai Ichiba for a more authentic experience. While you’re at it, make a trip to Shiroi Koibito Park to see how the confectioner’s famous cookies are made, and snack on some outrageously delicious white chocolate soft serve after picking up a few sweet souvenirs at the shop.
Marvel at the Sapporo Snow Festival Sculptures
On the topic of Sapporo, held every year in February, the Sapporo Snow Festival features hundreds of snow and ice sculptures depicting everything from temples to cartoon characters, spread across three sites: Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino. These enormous works of art (which also include slides) bring a whole new meaning to winter wonderland and make enduring the freezing temperature well worth it.
Savor Fresh Seafood
Thanks to the plankton-rich Sea of Japan, seafood is highly abundant in the waters surrounding Hokkaido. The high-quality crabs are especially worth a try, and most are in season from late fall to early spring. There are four types to choose from: king, horsehair, snow, and hanasaki. If you’re not a fan or get tired of cracking your way through those spiny legs, sea urchin, squid, scallop, and salmon roe (best had over a bed of rice) are also plentiful.
Visit Shiretoko National Park
Declared a World Heritage Site in 2005, Shiretoko National Park is a true natural gem. You’ll need to block off a few days to get there and hike around, but it’ll be well worth it for those who enjoy exploring the outdoors. Keep your eyes peeled for Sika deer and brown bears; visit the numerous waterfalls and lakes in the protected area; and for those that are willing to combat the cold, drift ice can be seen in the Shiretoko Peninsula in the winter.
Smell the Lavender at Farm Tomita
Provence isn’t the only destination with lavender fields that grow as far as the eye can see. Farm Tomita in Furano is filled with the purple plant as well as several other colorful flowers. For the best experience, visit in July when they’re at their very peak—and don’t forget to try the lavender soft serve before you leave.
Snap Photos at the Blue Pond
If you’re visiting either Shikisai-no-oka or Farm Tomita, add on a stop to Shirogane Blue Pond. If you owned a Mac in 2012 when the OS X Mountain Lion operating system came out, then there’s a chance that you had this man-made basin as your wallpaper. Located in Biei, it’s shockingly blue, as its name suggests, and the wispy trees that stick out from the pond make it even more captivating.
Shop Your Way Through Otaru
Just a short 30-minute train ride from Sapporo, Otaru is particularly known for glassware and music boxes, but if you’re going to make a trip to this small harbor city, make sure to grab lunch at Wakadori Jidai Naruto Honten, where you’ll have some of the best fried chicken you’ve ever sunk your teeth into. Walk off your meal along the Otaru Canal before you turn onto Sakaimachi road to do a little shopping at the many boutiques that line the street. Then end your visit with stops at Rokkatei for their Marusei butter sandwich (where two biscuits sandwich a thick slab of buttercream with raisins mixed in) and Kitakaro for a supersize cream puff.
Chill Out on Lake Shikaribetsu
Nestled within Daisetsuzan National Park, Lake Shikaribetsu is the park’s only natural lake. It also happens to be Hokkaido’s highest-altitude lake. This beautiful body of crystal-clear water can be enjoyed throughout the year, with highlights being summer for hiking and sea kayaking and autumn for eye-catching foliage and increased sightings of pikas. But if you come between late January to mid-March, the lake freezes over and becomes a fantastical ice village wonderland, complete with a bar, chapel, open-air baths, and igloos you can spend the night in—all made from snow and ice. While you’re here, get in touch with Bell Veggy to see if they’re available for privately catered meals. Owned by two strawberry farmers, the duo also operates a food truck with a focus on sustainable ingredients and desserts made with their wildly sweet strawberries.
Go Fruit Picking
Fruit in Japan can be really expensive (perfectly round and unembellished melons carry a price tag in the tens of thousands of dollars), which is why heading straight to the source and picking out your own is the best way to go about it if you want to go easy on your wallet. Whether you’re after strawberries, apples, pears, or grapes, there’s a farm in Hokkaido that will fit the bill. If you’re looking for one that has a little bit of everything, check out Jozankei Farm, Sakuranboyama, and Nitori.
Explore Hakodate
If you’re training up to Hokkaido from Honshu, the Shinkansen stops at Hakodate, making it an ideal stop to break up the long trip. This city was one of the first two ports in Japan to open up to foreign trade, so you’ll find a lot of international influence in Hakodate. Stroll through the steep hillsides of Motomachi district where you’ll find a number of European-style buildings (like the former British Consulate or a Russian Orthodox church) before making the trip to Mt. Hakodate for incredible panoramic views of the city, followed by a visit to the bay where a group of red-brick warehouses have been transformed into a shopping center, making it a perfect spot to pick up souvenirs and have a little snack (the miniature fluffy cheesecakes at Pastry Snaffle’s are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth). As the birthplace of shio (salt) ramen, a bowl here is obligatory. But no visit to Hakodate would be complete without a visit to the morning market, where a plethora of fresh seafood awaits.
Observe a Sea of Clouds at Unkai Terrace
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu’s Unkai Terrace offers the chance to see what is known as the “Sea of Clouds.” While conditions aren’t guaranteed (it is nature, after all), you’ll at the very least have incredible views of the Hidaka Mountains. It’s only open from May to October, and while you don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to go to the observation deck, it’s a great idea anyhow given that you’ll have to arrive as early as 4:30 a.m. for the best odds of checking out this phenomenon.
Enjoy Lake Mashu
Considered to be one of the clearest caldera lakes in the world, Lake Mashu is located in Akan National Park and is appreciated for its crystalline water when the fog that blankets it dissipates. There are two observation decks from which you can hope to catch a glimpse of the lake as well as a hiking trail that leads to the summit of Mt. Mashudake should you want some alternative views. If you’d like to see more incredible bodies of water, Lake Kussharo and Kaminoko Pond are nearby. Plus, Lake Akan, where marimo (moss balls) can be seen, is a little over an hour’s drive away.
