5 Best Places to Visit in Hokkaido

5 Best Places to Visit in Hokkaido

Because of its remote location, Hokkaido doesn’t usually feature on first-time visitors’ itineraries to Japan. It is, however one of the most beautiful prefectures of Japan as was recently proven by Hokkaido coming in first in the Regional Brand Survey yet again. The most common reason to go to Hokkaido for international tourists are winter sports, but the area is worth a detour year-round. Let us share with you our favorite 5 best places to visit in Hokkaido!

Click here to see which private tours we offer in Hokkaido

Admire the Beauty of the Blue Pond

The Shirogane Blue Pond hasn’t always been there, as it was created to protect the town of Biei from volcanic mud streams in the event of an eruption. But the fact that it is artificial and wasn’t intended to become an attraction in itself doesn’t make it any less beautiful! The lake features almost unreal bright blue colors in any season because it is rich in aluminium and has white stones on the bottom. Together with the trees around it, the Blue Pond is a perfect spot to take otherworldly pictures.

Eat Seafood in Otaru

All over Japan you can eat very fresh and delectable seafood, but the delicacies you can try in canal city Otaru is truly some of the best in the world. The bowls of seafood over rice that are available on the famous Sankaku Market are simply delicious and include ingredients like sea urchin, salmon roe, crab, and salmon. Another great thing about Otaru is its scenic canal side, where you can enjoy food and drinks on the waterside from restaurants and cafes that are housed in charming old buildings that used to be warehouses.

Scenic Drive on Patchwork Road

If you are looking to take a scenic drive in Japan, Patchwork Road in the Biei area is one of the most impressive drives in the country. With softly rolling hills all around that take on different hues throughout the seasons it almost feels like you are driving through a flower theme park. Late spring is one of the most popular seasons because of the colorful flower fields, and if you really want to enjoy the fresh air to the max then you can even opt to do the route by bicycle instead.

Watch Cranes in Kushiro

Japan’s famous Red-crowned cranes can be seen in the Kushiro Marsh in the south-east of Hokkaido. They are here year-round, but the best time to spot them is between November and March when they come together to feed here. In February and March you can witness the courtship dances between the birds who mate for life. Driving through the perfect winter landscape here in search of the cranes is an experience you won’t easily forget.

Soak in a Hot Spring in Noboribetsu

One of the best ways to enjoy hot spring bathing is to do it in winter. There’s nothing as relaxing as warming up your body in the warm onsen water while your head stays cool in the crisp winter air. As an added bonus, the natural minerals in the water help relieving all kinds of ailments such as joint and muscle pain, skin issues, and digestive problems. You will feel reborn after a good hot spring bath! Noboribetsu is the most famous hot spring resort in Hokkaido, and the nearby Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is also worth a visit if you like to see volcanic activity from up close.

Private Tours in Hokkaido

At this moment, we offer private tours in the historic town of Hakodate. We will update this page once we add more destinations to our network!