Here are Some Things to Do in Hokkaido to Make Your Trip Even Better

Whether or not it’s your first time in Japan, there are definitely other cities and prefectures to venture to apart from Tokyo and Osaka. Hokkaido is one of the destinations in Japan that’s worth exploring and even staying in for a few days or so. It is the largest prefecture and the northernmost island in the country. It’s also a top destination all year round. 

Some fun things to do in Hokkaido are hiking, river rafting, relaxing in hot springs, visiting lavender fields, and exploring national parks. Even though it gets pretty warm in Hokkaido during summer, the weather still makes it easy and breezy to go around the city!

Hokkaido is also a premier destination in the winter thanks to its powder-like snow and exceptional resorts that are great for skiing and snowboarding. Tourists also visit for the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is a week-long celebration featuring snow and ice sculptures that create an enchanting winter wonderland.

To make the trip planning process easier for you, we’ll not only introduce you to some attractions and experiences, but we’ll also help you out in getting around Hokkaido!  

Contrary to what most would say, navigating your way when in another country, city, or prefecture is not rocket science. It’s really not that hard especially when you have passes that cover certain areas and even offer multiple transport options. With that, here’s how you can get around Hokkaido fuss-free:

If your Hokkaido itinerary is packed with scenic nature views and attractions, then consider getting this JR Hokkaido Sapporo-Furano Area Pass. The pass offers unlimited rides to New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa for four days on non-reserved seat trains, so make sure to plan according to your schedule.

This pass is also a good option for those going to famous flower fields in Hokkaido like Farm Tomita and Shikisai-no-oka if you don’t want to rent a car.

Now if you’re planning to explore major cities in Hokkaido like Niseko, Nemuro, Abashiri, and more, then the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass is the pass for you. You get to go to many destinations, all in just one pass! Forget about buying and holding on to multiple single-trip tickets, just keep this one pass safe and sound, and you’re good to go. 

It’s not just convenient, it’s cost-efficient too since this one pass stops at multiple destinations already. To give you an idea, a round-way trip from Wakkanai to Kushiro would already amount to more than the cost of the rail pass itself.

Please note that the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass excludes Hokkaido Shinkansen, South Hokkaido Railway, streetcar, and subway.

This last transport option might be on some travelers’ bucket lists — renting a car and driving around in Hokkaido! This has got to be one of the best options there is when in another country. You get to explore at your own pace, have enough storage for your essentials and souvenirs that you’ll buy, and hey, you might even be able to visit off-the-beaten-track destinations.

There’s a new adventure in Hokkaido each day with attractions for nature lovers, history buffs, and foodies! Depending on the kind of adventure you want to go on, you can definitely find something that fits your liking.

Hokkaido is also no stranger to alluring views. If you’re looking for Instagrammable spots and refreshing experiences, then these day trips are ideal for you:

Shikisai-no-oka is located in Biei, a relatively small town in Hokkaido. But, even if the town is small, you’ll still be impressed by its incredible views of fields and rolling hills as far as the eye can see. The scenery is so good that several spots have been used in commercials and advertisements — that’s how picture-perfect they are!

Shikisai-no-oka and Farm Tomita are two flower fields in Biei that create real-life works of art with the flora in season. Shikisai-no-oka is a 15-hectare seasonal flower field of different colors with different patterns. The fragrant flowers will have you swooning just as much as the spectacular view!

Apart from Shikisai-no-oka, another famous area in Biei is the Shirogane Blue Pond. The pond, known as a “happy accident,” was created in 1988 to reduce the mudflow damage inflicted by Mount Tokachi. Its sparkling blue color is the result of impurities that have seeped into the water. The pond has since become a canvas that perfectly reflects the sky and the trees.

Fun fact: a photo of the pond was used as one of the Apple Macintosh desktop wallpapers!

Next up is Farm Tomita, a flower garden where you just have to capture what you see everywhere you turn. It’s one of the oldest flower fields in Japan and is home to 150 different species of colorful flowers. They even have a lavender field that looks so beautiful it’s almost surreal.

If you want your day trip to Farm Tomita to already come with lunch, and a visit to other attractions like the Ningle Terrace and Furano Cheese Factory, then this day tour is the best option for you:

But if you want to visit other famous attractions in the area like the Asahiyama Zoo, Biei Patchwork Road, and more, then this day tour is ideal for you:

If you love lavenders or just love the color purple, then you’ll probably have a ball at Horomi Pass Lavender Garden. The garden boasts around 8,000 lavender trees that make the area a purple wonderland. Here, you can enjoy the view of the charming gardens, as well as Sapporo’s cityscape. You’ll even be able to harvest your own lavender to take home as souvenirs!

On this tour, you’ll also get to visit Asahiyama Memorial Park, which first opened in 1970 to celebrate Sapporo’s 100th anniversary. There, you can take in Sapporo’s cityscape, seascape, and the Ishikari Plain. Feel free to explore the walking paths, the rest house, the hanging bridge, and the playground.

Head to Shakotan Town for unique experiences that will surely make your Hokkaido trip more memorable. Visit Shakotan Ocean View Restaurant for a taste of premium purple sea urchin (uni), a delicacy that the town is especially famous for! The best months to try it are June and July when they’re in season, and foodies flock to Shakotan for a taste. For dessert, you can also try Shakotan blue soft ice cream — a mint-flavored soft serve meant to replicate the blue sea Shakotan is also known for.

This tour also includes visits to Otaru Canal, where you can take Instagram-worthy pics in front of the red brick warehouses, the filming location of a Japanese drama. You’ll also get to visit Yoichi Town. Yoichi is a town most popular for its fruits, especially its apples, wine, apple juice, and Nikka Whisky Distillery. With this tour, you’ll even be able to visit the town’s orchard and pick your own fresh strawberries and cherries!

Lake Toya, a part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Toyako, is not like any other lake you’ve seen before. It’s said to be the second most transparent lake in the country and it truly is a sight to behold, all thanks to its sparkling blue waters. You can view the lake up from Mount Usu — one of Japan’s most active volcanoes — to take in the entire view. There are also nearby attractions you can explore if you want to stay a while longer, such as onsens, hand and footbaths, and walking trails. The Waterfront Forest Lane, or Takarada Nature Observation Trail, is a stroll along the lake where you can appreciate the trees’ colored leaves. Another walking trail you can explore is the Nishiyama Sanroku Crater Trail, which will take you to the craters and other ruins from the volcano’s eruption in 2002.

If you’re traveling with little ones, here are more attractions in Hokkaido that your family will love:

Asahiyama Zoo has been the home of native Hokkaido wildlife, along with various animals from around the world, since 1967. There are a variety of areas to explore, such as the polar bear house, the penguin house — where you can walk through an underwater glass tunnel and see them swim next to you, the forests of wolves and Yezo sika deer, the spider monkey and capybara house, the flying bird and flamingo house, and so much more! There’s even a giraffe and hippopotamus house, but we recommend arriving early to see them swim around since hippos are nocturnal.

Your trip to Hokkaido wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Hokkaido’s biggest amusement park, Rusutsu Resort Amusement Park! There are eight roller coasters — yes, eight — with the Hurricane being the most thrilling. There’s also the Standing Coaster which features a 360-degree loop while standing up, as well as the Mad Mouse which is a kid-friendly option. They’ve got even more thrill rides, go-karts, train rides, a horror house, and even musical shows which makes it the perfect destination for families! If you're going in the summer, the park opens its outdoor super jumbo pool that has water slides, fountain pools, running water pools, and kiddie pools. There really is something for everyone at this amusement park!

For a couple’s vacation, make sure these romantic spots are on your Hokkaido itinerary:

Hakodate is extremely popular for seafood, sushi, and Hakodate shio ramen — great options for couples planning a romantic dinner. The city is also famous for its stunning night view with the lit-up city surrounded by the deep blue sea on both sides. For an unobstructed view of the city, head up to the observation deck of Goryokaku Tower. At 107 meters high, you’ll be able to see Mount Hakodate, the Tsugaru Straits, and the Yokotsu Mountain Range. They also have a see-through floor observation deck, as well as an exhibit called the Goryokaku Historic Corridor, where you can learn all about Goryokaku’s history.

Sapporo TV Tower is one of the city’s most popular landmarks, and at 90 meters high, the observation deck offers unparalleled 360-degree views of the city. Appreciate the views of the flowers in bloom at Odori Park, the waters of the Japan Sea, and the Ishikari countryside, all with your loved one.

Complete your trip to Hokkaido with these travel essentials: