19+ must-see & best places to visit in Hokkaido

Check out famous Hokkaido tourist destinations to conveniently plan your trip to Japan. So, where to visit in Hokkaido? Let’s check out top places to visit in Hokkaido with 19+ best places to visit in Hokkaido, must see places in Hokkaido, must visit places in Hokkaido suggested by Klook! What to do in Hokkaido? Let’s find out!

Hokkaido is a prominent name on the Japanese tourist map, boasting many attractions, from the picturesque lavender fields of Furano and 6 spectacular national parks, to the specialties of Northern Japan and vibrant nightlife.

In winter, Hokkaido becomes a wonderland with world-famous ski resorts, and volcanic hot springs. Here, you will find ancient Ainu cultural heritage and local cultures unlike anywhere else in Japan. What are you waiting for? Klook will lead you to the reasons why you should visit Hokkaido when you have the opportunity to travel to Japan next time, and the best Hokkaido tourist destinations you can visit.

Popular Hokkaido Travel Destinations for Self-Guided Groups

Located quite close to Russia’s Far East, Hokkaido is famous for its stunning landscapes, wildlife, volcanoes and ski slopes. A trip to Hokkaido will give you the opportunity to enjoy nature, see animals from brown bears to whales, learn more about the culture of Northern Japan and sample some great local dishes.

The brilliant flower fields in Hokkaido

Depart from Sapporo｜Furano Tomita Farm Flower Fields & Biei Blue Pond & Fairy Terrace…

Nature lovers will feel extremely happy when coming to Hokkaido, because of the diverse and beautiful landscape. In the summer, Shikisai-no-oka grassland in Biei is covered in a rainbow of brilliant flowers like in a fairy tale. In addition, Furano has purple lavender stretching over an area of ​​20 hectares. You can go mountain biking, canyoning and rafting to enjoy the beautiful scenery here. For those who love “living virtual”, Hokkaido is the perfect choice!

JR Hokkaido Sapporo-Furano Area Pass

Hokkaido Nature Trail (#best places to visit in Hokkaido)

Klook Pass Hokkaido

The Hokkaido Nature Trail is one of the best kept secrets of outdoor enthusiasts. With 2,849 miles long, the trail takes you past lakes, through forests, beneath volcanoes and along glaciers. The island’s temperate climate makes it perfect for hiking in the summer, and you can soak up the stunning scenery.

Niseko Ski Resort in Hokkaido

In the winter, you can go skiing in Niseko, which has some of the softest powder snow in the world, creating a giant snow carpet for people to slide and play on. As you glide down the slopes, you’ll see the 1,900m snow-capped Mt. Yotei in the background, creating a magical scene like in a frozen wonderland.

Unlimited Data 4G SIM Card (Multiple JP Airport Pick Up) for Japan from Sakura Mobile

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is a fascinating place to visit any time of year. Its food culture is vibrant, its markets are always bustling, and its parks are filled with colorful foliage.

Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort Lift Pass and Equipment Rental

Sapporo proves its charm even more in February, when it hosts the Sapporo Snow Festival, which features over 250 snow and ice sculptures, attracting visitors from all over the world to admire and ski.

Otaru Port City, Hokkaido

Just a half-hour train ride from Sapporo, Otaru is a charming port city surrounded by canals, old warehouses, sushi bars, and sake distilleries. Otaru is romantic, peaceful, and a little nostalgic. It’s a place that will give you an insight into Japan of days gone by.

From here, you can go snorkeling and kayaking to explore the great caves. Then, head to Sushi Street and enjoy fresh sushi to your heart’s content.

Hokkaido Otaru Rickshaw Tour

Shakotan Peninsula in Hokkaido (#must see places in Hokkaido)

Near the city of Otaru, the Shakotan Peninsula is a majestic mountainous coastline with spectacular views of the Sea of ​​Japan (East Sea). Shakotan offers hiking trails and local legends to walk along, and night diving trips are also popular in the summer; you can spot bioluminescent marine life in the caves around the coast.

Cape Camui & Shiroi Koibito Park & Otaru & Shakotan Day Tour

Shiretoko National Park in Hokkaido

Tucked away on a northeastern peninsula, Shiretoko National Park is a great place for hikers and nature lovers, with its pristine forests, waterfalls and coastline.

You’ll see migratory birds everywhere, as well as brown bears and spotted sika deer. From Rausu, a port in the southeast of Shiretoko, you can see all sorts of marine life. Head to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk to see 13 different species of whales in the spring and summer, as well as dolphins and seabirds. In winter, Shiretoko is blanketed in snow, with red foxes flitting about.

Shiretoko Goko Lakes Half-Day Guided Walking Tour

Sea of ​​Clouds at Unkai Terrace in Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Lake Toya Tour from Sapporo (English / Chinese Guide)

For a stunning, surreal experience, take the ropeway from the foot of Mount Tomamu to Unkai Terrace at dawn to hunt for clouds. Here, you will see a sea of ​​clouds that resembles a waterfall rolling down the mountains below.

This cloud-hunting area is located at an altitude of 1,088m above sea level, offering you a stunning view above the clouds, with a full range of entertainment services, from Cloud Bar to Cloud Bed and Cloud Pool.

Shirogane Blue Pond Hokkaido in Hokkaido (#must visit places in Hokkaido)

Possessing a mysterious beauty similar to “death of a love cave”, Shirogane Blue Pond is famous for its magical, brilliant blue color, which can change shades in different weather conditions.

Surrounding the pond are hundreds of bare Japanese pine trees, half submerged in water, half standing tall and skinny, reflecting on the surface of the pond, creating a beautiful natural picture. Shirogane Blue Pond attracts photographers and tourists looking for a peaceful, quiet place.

Shikisai Hill, Shirogane Blue Pond & Farm Tomita Tour from Sapporo

Akan Mashu National Park in Hokkaido

Akan Mashu National Park is a spectacular place, consisting of lakes, craters and native forests. You will find wildlife scattered with beautiful hiking trails.

Lake Akan Steamboat Cruise in Hokkaido

Lake Akan is located in the Akan crater. Under the water are Japan’s famous marimo moss balls, while above the lake is a sparkling field of frosted flowers.

Akan is also home to the indigenous Ainu people, giving you the chance to learn about their unique way of life. At the traditional Ikor theater you can watch worshiping of bears and other animal spirits.

Noboribetsu Hot Springs in Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Lake Toya Tour from Sapporo (English / Chinese Guide)

Like the rest of Japan, Hokkaido has plenty of geothermal features to explore. You can choose from at least a hundred onsen hot springs, five active volcanoes with fumaroles, and many more geysers.

Icebreaker Ship Ride in Mombetsu The Garinko Day Tour from Sapporo

Experiencing Japan’s famous onsen culture is a must when visiting Hokkaido, especially in the area around Noboribetsu.

Jigokudani Valley in Hokkaido

From Noboribetsu, you can hike through the densely wooded hills and explore Jigokudani Valley. If you go early in the morning, you will feel like you are on another planet. The ethereal colors of the bleached rocks, the steaming river, the bubbling sound of the nearby pond, and the smell of sulfur rising from the lakes make the scenery here eerie.

But regardless, Jigokudani Valley is a beautiful place. Soak your feet in the hot water to relax after a long walk.

Cooking Class in Shikabe, Hokkaido

JR Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass

One of the great local experiences in Shikabe is learning cooking techniques from a Japanese chef without having to speak Japanese. The location of the class itself is quite unique: it’s in a hot spring! With water temperatures reaching up to 80 degrees Celsius, this is an ideal source of hot springs for cooking.

Asahiyama Zoo, Hokkaido

Famous for its “open” model, Asahiyama Zoo offers you an authentic and close experience with animals. The scenery is meticulously recreated from the landscape to the climate, allowing you to observe rare animals from many angles, including underwater.

Admire polar bears swimming happily, watch penguins waddle underwater or watch snow monkeys bathe in hot springs amidst the snowy landscape. Asahiyama Zoo is also home to many other rare animals such as seals, red pandas, etc., promising to bring you exciting moments of discovery.

Asahiyama Zoo & Furano & Biei Blue Pond Tour from Sapporo

Traditional Ryokan inn in Hokkaido

Ryokan are Japanese-style inns found throughout the country, especially in hot spring resorts. More than just a place to sleep, ryokan are an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality through elements such as tatami rooms, futon beds, onsen baths, and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists. (agoda, booking)

In Noboribetsu, you can enjoy a ryokan-style stay inside the Dai-ichi Takimotokan.

Toya-Usu Global Geopark in Hokkaido

Kimono Rental in Sapporo

About 25 miles from Noboribetsu is the UNESCO-designated Toya-Usu Global Geopark, a vast geopark centered around the 10km-wide Lake Toya, where you can enjoy nature, culture, food and the awesome power of volcanoes.

Climb to the top of the observatory on Mount Usu, a 73m-high active volcano, for a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. You can also try cycling, kayaking and spotting the sika deer that live on the island in the lake.

JR Tower Observatory T38 in Hokkaido

JR Tower Observation Deck T38 Ticket in Hokkaido

Located at an altitude of 160m, the Hokkaido JR Tower Observatory on the 38th floor promises to bring you a spectacular view of Sapporo, day or night.

Stepping into the observatory, you will be overwhelmed by the stunning 360-degree view of the city. The whole view of Sapporo appears before your eyes, stretching to the horizon. At night, the city is sparkling with lights, and during the day, under the sunlight, you can fully admire the brilliant colors of Sapporo. Further away, you can even see the majestic Yubaridake and Ashibetsudake mountains.

Arte Piazza Bibai Sculpture Park in Hokkaido (#top places to visit in hokkaido)

2-day tour from Sapporo to Hakodate

From mid-October, you can enjoy Hokkaido’s stunning autumn colours, and one of the best places to do so is Arte Piazza, a sculpture park in Bibai.

Surrounded by wooded hillsides, the park becomes ablaze with autumn foliage. You can also admire around 40 marble sculptures scattered throughout the park, and even sign up for a class and try your hand at sculpting if you like.

Hakodate Jomon Culture Center in Hokkaido

Mt. Hakodate Night View Sightseeing Bus Tour

The Hakodate Jomon Culture Center is a place where you can learn about Hokkaido’s rich and complex history, including the first human presence in the area over 10,000 years ago.

You can explore some of the customs of our ancestors through the many artifacts discovered near the museum, then stop by the Tropical Botanical Garden to see monkeys warming themselves in a natural hot spring bath.

Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Hokkaido

JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass

More than just a cemetery, you will be surprised to see that Makomanai Takino has a giant Buddha statue as well as 33 replicas of the world-famous Moai statues on Easter Island and even a replica of Stonehenge. This attraction is surrounded by giant lavender fields to help visitors feel as peaceful as possible, a rather strange but extremely impressive experience.

What Do You Know About Hokkaido Tourism?

Hokkaido is not an island that is too developed or has a rapid urbanization rate like Tokyo or Kyoto, so it is still surrounded by wild nature, many national parks and rural landscapes; and that is the attraction that attracts tourists to come here to enjoy the peaceful, fresh air.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find many joys when traveling to Hokkaido, including: skiing, hiking, cycling and camping from June to September.

Hokkaido, Sapporo, Furano, Lake Toya, & Otaru Customized One Day Car Tour

In addition, Hokkaido is considered one of Japan’s best-kept culinary secrets. The seas around this island have provided an abundance of fresh seafood such as: crab, scallops, salmon and octopus, especially the famous Hokkaido sea urchin sashimi with a delicious sweet taste.

Hokkaido Car Rental with Driver to Sapporo Urban/ Sapporo Suburb

Where is Hokkaido?

Hokkaido is the second largest of the four main islands of Japan. Located in the far north, Hokkaido has a rather harsh climate in winter with heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and frozen seas. Meanwhile, summer is not as hot and humid as in other parts of Japan, but has a mild climate, colorful vegetation like in fairy tales.

ISOKIN Fisheries in Sapporo Susukino – Super Popular Crab & Seafood Izakaya

Guide to Traveling to Hokkaido from Tokyo

Hokkaido is a tourist destination with the largest land area among the 47 prefectures in Japan. Because of that, the cities and destinations in Hokkaido are quite far apart.

If you want to go from Tokyo to Hokkaido, you need to determine in advance the area you want to go to in order to choose the appropriate means of transportation. The most popular are planes and bullet trains, but you can also drive a car.

Flying is one of the favorite ways for many people because it is fast, convenient and inexpensive compared to bullet trains. There are 13 airports in Hokkaido with different numbers of flights to Hokkaido at each airport. Each flight from Tokyo to Hokkaido usually lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and to be quickly taken to the city center, you should remember to book a shuttle service at New Chitose International Airport.

Besides, it would be a big regret to come to Japan without experiencing the Shinkansen bullet train. The express train line between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto will make accessing the beautiful island of Hokkaido easier than ever. The Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Hokkaido will take 4 hours.

Sanyo Shinkansen Train Ticket

Traveling by Shinkansen takes longer than by plane, but there are usually no delays or stops in bad weather. Plus, you have time to enjoy the scenery outside the train windows.

Hokkaido’s wide roads make many people want to drive themselves to explore all its beauty. If you rent a car in Tokyo and drive north through Tohoku, then go to Hokkaido, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. However, this drive will take about 17 hours and there are no stops.

Popular Transportation in Hokkaido

Buses may take longer to travel, but most of them are reasonably priced. There are also overnight buses, allowing you to maximize your time by resting on the way to your next destination and waking up refreshed and ready for another day of activities.

Some people prefer trains because they can relax and watch the scenery pass by without thinking too much.

For either of these transportation options, be sure to check the schedules in advance as some lines operate irregularly.

Also, consider purchasing a JR “All-Japan” Pass (before arriving in Japan) or a Hokkaido Rail Pass (after arriving in Japan) for even more savings.

JR Hokkaido Rail Pass

Hokkaido’s roads are well maintained and you can enjoy the amazing scenery by driving yourself. You can rent a car in major cities and airports through Klook’s super convenient car rental service. In Hokkaido, like the rest of Japan, you will have to drive on the left.

What is the Best Season to Travel to Hokkaido?

Hokkaido has perhaps the best summer in Japan: never too hot, never too humid, no rainy season, and plenty of outdoor activities to do and see! So for those who looking for outdoor adventures, summer might be the best time to visit Hokkaido. The mild sunny days and cool nights will give you plenty of time to enjoy each day.

July is famous for its myriad of flowers in bloom, and August is the best time to get out and enjoy all of Hokkaido’s lush landscapes and outdoor spaces.

All you need during the day is comfortable clothes and sunscreen, although a light jacket is recommended in the evenings!

JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass

There will never be enough time and space to describe all the wonderful things about Hokkaido, but hopefully through this article, Klook has somewhat introduced the most wonderful places in this gem located in the North of Japan. Klook is always ready to support and help your Hokkaido trip smoother and more convenient through fun services, sightseeing, entertainment, delicious food in Hokkaido, even flights, train passes or accommodation.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Hakodate & Hokkaido you can refer to

• Mt. Hakodate Night View Sightseeing Bus Tour
• 2-day tour from Sapporo to Hakodate
• A Rickshaw Tour Visiting the Sunset of Hakodate
• Downtown Hakodate – Matsumae Bus Transfer Ticket
• Hakodate Nagamare Kaikyo Dinner Train Experience
• Hokkaido Enjoy Pass
• Hokkaido Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Shirogane Blue Pond, and More
• Sapporo Highland Sightseeing Bus Tour with Meals
• Sapporo Private Day Tour with Local Licensed Guide
• Hokkaido Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Shirogane Blue Pond, and More
• Hokkaido Enjoy Pass
• Furano and Tomita Farm Day Tour from Sapporo
• Sapporo Afternoon Bus Tour
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Are you looking for more Hokkaido travel guide and top things to do in Hokkaido: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Hokkaido travel blog — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Hokkaido, Japan.