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When Japan pops up in conversation, oftentimes either Tokyo or Kyoto are the topics 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 is one of its biggest attractions. 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 it, 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 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 tourists 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, and what to do while you’re there.
1. 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.
2. Shikisai-no-oka
From April to October, dozens of flowers 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 grounds and you can cruise around on a snowmobile or go sledding down the slopes. No matter what season you decide to visit, they also have an alpaca ranch where you can help feed the fuzzy animals.
3. Hakodate
This is the island nation’s first port 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, and Seiryuken is the place to go for it. But no visit to Hakodate would be complete without a visit to the morning market, where a plethora of fresh seafood (particularly crab and squid) awaits.
4. 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 Jyogai 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.
5. Sapporo Snow Festival
Held every year in February, the Sapporo Snow Festival features about 250 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.
6. 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 flavor, you’ve never had ice cream quite like this before. Have a couple cones a day; we won’t judge.
7. 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 number of shops that line the street. Make a stop at Rokkatei for their Marusei butter sandwich (where two biscuits sandwich a thick slab of cream with raisins mixed in) and Kitakaro for a supersize cream puff.
8. 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. There are four types to choose from: king, horsehair, snow, and hanasaki queen. And given how ubiquitous they are, feasting on these crustaceans is much more inexpensive here than anywhere else in the country. 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 in the area.
9. Lavender Fields 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 a number of 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.
10. 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 the Blue Pond as your wallpaper. This man-made basin in Biei is shockingly blue and the wispy trees that stick out from it make it even more captivating.
11. Skiing and Snowboarding
Hokkaido gets a lot of powdery snow in the winter, making it one of the best destinations for skiers and snowboarders. There are several ski resorts to choose from, but Furano and Niseko tend to be favorites for overall terrain.
12. Hot Springs
Cold weather automatically calls for onsens in Japan, so it’s no wonder that Hokkaido is packed with them. These hot spring towns are favored by locals and tourists alike, and are an amazing way to decompress. Soak away your worries 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.
13. 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.
14. Lake Mashu
Considered to be one of 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.
15. Unkai Terrace
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu’s Unkai Terrace offers up 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.
16. Fruit Farms
Fruit in Japan can be really expensive (perfectly round and unembellished melons carry a price tag in the tens of thousands of yen), 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, Yamamoto, and Sakuranboyama.
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