1. Walk through the rainbow meadows of Furano
Nature lovers will be in seventh heaven in Hokkaido. The landscapes are varied and beautiful, offering a feast for the eyes. In summer, the meadows of Shikisai-no-oka are blanketed in a fairy-tale rainbow of flowers. It’s like stepping inside the Wizard of Oz, and there’s nowhere quite like it.
In addition, the Furano region is home to the soft lavender fields of Farm Tomita, stretching over an incredible 20 hectares of land. There are also opportunities for mountain biking, canyoning and rafting in the province, so there are plenty of reasons to visit.
2. Hike the Hokkaido Nature Trail
The Hokkaido Nature Trail has to be one of the hiking world’s greatest secrets. Totalling a whopping 2849 miles of trail, it weaves past lakes, through forests, below volcanoes and alongside glaciers. The mild climate of the island makes it perfect for trekking in the summer, so if you’re after an off-the-beaten-track experience drenched in gorgeous scenery, it’s a winner.
3. Ski down world-class slopes
In winter, you can go skiing or snowboarding in Niseko, known for having some of the best powder snow in the world. No snow canons are used here, making it a brilliant ski experience. As you glide, you’ll see the snow-capped peak of Mount Yotei (1900m), the little brother of Mt Fuji, in the background. It’s a magical place.
4. Visit the Sapporo Snow Festival
Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is a fascinating place at any time of year. The food culture is outstanding, the markets are endlessly exciting, and the parks are full of glorious foliage. Sapporo takes its appeal up a notch in February, when it stages the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. Every year, the city is transformed into a winter wonderland with over 250 snow and ice sculptures. It’s a glistening affair that draws visitors from all over the world.
5. Explore Otaru
Only half an hour from Sapporo by train, Otaru is a charming port city scattered with canals, old warehouses, sushi bars and sake distilleries. Peaceful and perfectly preserved, it’s somewhere that will give you an insight into the Japan of bygone days. From here, you can take snorkelling and kayaking trips to discover the magical Blue Cave site, and explore the Otaru Caves, where you can spot sea lions if you're lucky. Afterwards, head to Sushi Street and eat your own body weight in fresh sushi.
6. Discover the Shakotan Peninsula
Near to Otaru, Shakotan Peninsula is a dramatic, mountainous coastline with staggering views over the Sea of Japan. Criss-crossed by walking trails and steeped in local legend, it’s somewhere to soak up the scenery and regain some perspective. Night snorkelling trips here are also popular in summer; you can spot luminescent sea life in the caves surrounding the coast.
7. Spot wildlife in Shiretoko National Park
The wildlife of Hokkaido is quite exceptional. I saw migratory birds everywhere on the island, as well as brown bear and spotted sika deer. Tucked away on a north-east peninsula, Shiretoko National Park is an incredible place for hikers and wildlife lovers. Meaning ‘the end of the world’ in the indigenous Ainu language, it’s a wilderness of forests, waterfalls and wild coastlines, bursting with nature.
From Rausu, a port on the south-east side of Shiretoko, you can take to the water and spot all kinds of marine life. Here, in the Sea of Okhotsk, you can see 13 different whale species in the spring and summer, as well as dolphins and seabirds. In winter, the park becomes a beautiful snowscape where you can spot red foxes and ice drifts off the coast.
8. Look down at the Sea of Clouds at the Unkai Terrace
For a stunning, surreal experience, take the gondola up to the Unkai Terrace at dawn. Here, a waterfall-like sea of clouds created by trade winds rolls in over the mountains below (weather conditions allowing). The terrace is perched at 1,088m above sea-level, giving you a fantastic view over the clouds. The terrace has all kinds of cloud-related entertainment on offer, from the Cloud Bar to the Cloud Bed and the Cloud Pool. It’s something you certainly won’t forget in a hurry.
9. Stroll around the Blue Pond in Biei
Now a tourist hotspot, the Blue Pond has an otherworldly feeling about it. Its brilliantly blue colour changes hue in different weather conditions, lending it a dream-like quality, and there are hundreds of bare Japanese larch trees half-submerged in its waters. A favourite spot for photographers, it’s a serene and unique place to visit.
10. Discover the frost flowers of Akan National Park
Akan National Park is a jaw-dropping area of lakes, volcanic calderas and native forest, packed with wildlife and dotted with scenic hiking trails. Lake Akan itself sits within the Akan caldera. Beneath the surface its waters, you can see the famous Japanese ‘marimo’ moss balls or – if conditions are right – you can gaze at the meadow of ‘frost flowers’ that forms on the lake. It’s simply magical.
Akan is also home to a settlement of Hokkaido’s indigenous people, the Ainu. Around 200 Ainu people still live here, giving you can chance to learn about their unique way of life. At the local “Ikor” theatre you can watch traditional performances in worship of bears and other animal spirits.
11. Take a dip in a traditional onsen
Like the rest of Japan, Hokkaido has plenty of geothermal sites to discover. You can choose between at least a hundred hot springs (‘Onsen’ baths), five active volcanoes with fumaroles, and lots of geysers too. Taking a dip is a must-do while you’re visiting Hokkaido, especially in the area surrounding Noboribetsu.
