About Hokkaido
With it’s mixture of charming cities, wild terrain and great food, Hokkaido has something for everyone.
Hokkaido is much cooler than the rest of Japan, with the summer season providing a welcome contrast to the humidity of the more southern areas of the country. Winter is also popular among holidaymakers, as the Hokkaido snow is ideal for skiing or snowboarding.
For those in search of slightly more relaxing pursuits, Hokkaido’s national parks are a perfect way to enjoy the island’s rich natural scenery. The Shiretoko and Shikotsu-Toya national parks boast some stunning vistas and attractions, while Daisetsuzan also provides some excellent hiking challenges.
After all that exercise, why not relax with a good meal and a soothing stay at an onsen (hot-spring bath)?
Hokkaido has a well-deserved reputation for it’s excellent seafood, which includes some of the best oysters, crabs and scallops in all of Japan. Hokkaido’s onsens are also a big draw, and spa resorts such as those in Noboribetsu attract millions of visitors every year.
Sapporo Guide
Area Guide
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Sapporo Clock Tower
The Sapporo clock tower building was constructed in 1878 and was once used by the Sapporo Agricultural College, the precursor to today's Hokkaido University. Once inside the building, visitors can see the actual working mechanisms of the clock tower - including the ringing of the bell - on a large screen.
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Odori Park
Located in the heart of Sapporo, Odori Park runs approximately 1.5 kilometers from east to west across the city. The park contains numerous attractions and facilities, such as flowerbeds, fountains, statues and monuments. Odori Park also plays host to a number of large annual events, including the Sapporo Snow Festival, summer beer gardens and the August Obon festival. These events attract visitors from all across Hokkaido and beyond.
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Susukino
Sapporo's entertainment district comprises approximately 4500 different restaurants, bars, and clubs, making it the largest of it’s kind in northern Japan. This area is home to a number of restaurants famed for their distinctive Hokkaido taste, such as "Ramen yokocho" - a small side street lined with ramen restaurants.
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Former Hokkaido Government Office Building
Built in 1888 to an American style neo-baroque design, this building has been designated as a culturally important national property. As a representative of Japan's Meiji-era architecture, the building's lush front garden is a veritable oasis in the heart of Sapporo.
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Sapporo Factory
The Sapporo Factory is home to approximately 160 shops and facilities, including shops, entertainment destinations, restaurants, and hotels, making it one of Japan's largest commercial complexes.
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JR Tower Square
Containing a shopping mall, bars and restaurants, department store, and hotel, this multiuse building brings together a variety of consumer destinations under one roof. Visitors can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of Sapporo from the observation deck on the 38th floor.
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Mount Moiwa
Located in the center of Sapporo with an elevation of 531 meters, Mount Moiwa is the perfect location for taking in a stunning view of the city and its surroundings. Expect to see verdant greenery and striking red colors from spring to fall, while winter visitors to this year-round destination will see the city blanketed in a deep carpet of powder snow.
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Mount Okura
Mount Okura is famous for hosting the ski jumping competition at Sapporo Winter Olympics in 1972. Many visitors come to to see the jump platform with their own eyes, while the facility's 300-meter elevation allows for a birds eye view of Sapporo and the surrounding Ishikari plain.
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Historical Village of Hokkaido
This open-air museum displays restored and recreated Meiji and Taisho-era architecture from all over Hokkaido. A horse tramway runs through the park, with visitors taking rides on a horse-drawn sleigh in the winter months. The charm of the sleigh ride set against a wintry backdrop make this one of this center's more popular attractions.
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Sapporo Bier Garden
The Sapporo Bier Garden dates back to 1889 and is known for its distinctive ivy-clad, red-brick exterior. The "Kaitaku-shi" beer brewed here provides a pleasing contrast to regular beers, and is appreciated for it's mellow and fragrant taste.
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Jozankei Hot Springs
The mountain-clad Jozankei onsen (hot spring) resort is located in Shikotsu-Koya National Park in the center of Hokkaido. This region is perfectly suited for walking and hiking activities, with the commonly-held view that a simple stroll outside your accommodation is more akin to a walk in the woods.
Other Area in Hokkaido
Furano
The resort town of Furano is located in central Hokkaido, and is a two-hour train ride (or a two-and-a-half-hour car journey) north from Sapporo. In July the slopes around the town are covered in lavender, while visitors can also enjoy golf and enjoying downhill or cross-country skiing in the winter months. Furano also served as the location for the popular Fuji TV drama "Kita no kuni kara" (From the Northern Country).
Otaru
Only a 30-minute train ride from Sapporo, Otaru was the economic hub of Hokkaido from the Meiji to the early Showa period. The city still retains a number of charming buildings from this era, with many visitors coming to experience the town's unique charms and nostalgic atmosphere. Another popular attraction of Otaru is its reputation as one of the best places in Japan to eat fresh and delicious seafood at very affordable prices.
Hakodate
The city of Hakodate is approximately three hours by train or roughly five and a half hours by car from Sapporo. Hakodate's main attraction is the city's famous night view from Mount Hakodate, rated by many Japanese as one of the best three night views in the world. Popular local delicacies in Hakodate are sushi (made from the city's freshly-caught seafood) and shio (salt) ramen, which originated in Hakodate.