Island in 🇯🇵Japan

Hokkaido

Snow, milk, and cheese - Japan's wild north

Snow-covered mountains and fertile plains define Japan's northernmost island. Home to the massive Daisetsuzan National Park, winter ski resorts, and producers of the famous Sapporo No. 1 cheese.

5
out of 5

Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido welcomes you with experiences for every season. Ski through powder snow at Niseko's slopes, watch steam rise from sulfur vents in Daisetsuzan National Park, and eat fresh crab at Hakodate's morning market. In winter, walk among towering ice sculptures at Sapporo's Snow Festival, while summer brings you to Furano's purple lavender fields stretching toward the mountains.

Getting to Hokkaido

Flights from Tokyo land at New Chitose Airport in 90 minutes, while the Hokkaido Shinkansen takes you from Tokyo to Hakodate in about 4 hours. To continue to Sapporo, transfer to a connecting train. From New Chitose Airport, trains run to Sapporo Station every 15 minutes, taking 40 minutes to reach the city center.

Winter Activities in Hokkaido

You'll find deep powder snow at Niseko from December through April, with four interconnected ski areas across the mountain. During the Sapporo Snow Festival in February, artists work on snow and ice sculptures throughout Odori Park, creating structures up to 15 meters high. The ski resorts of Rusutsu and Furano share similar snow conditions throughout winter.

National Parks

Walk through ancient cedar forests in Shiretoko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where brown bears and foxes roam freely. On calm days, the park's five lakes reflect the mountain peaks above. In Daisetsuzan, Japan's largest national park, follow hiking trails past active volcanic vents and soak in hot springs at mountain bases.

Local Food in Hokkaido

Eat fresh crab, uni (sea urchin), and salmon caught daily in Hokkaido's cold waters. Try Hakodate's unique ramen, where chefs add local kelp to create rich broths. In Sapporo, warm up with spiced soup curry filled with local vegetables, or visit a Jingisukan restaurant where you'll grill lamb on dome-shaped metal plates—a cooking style that emerged from the island's sheep farming past.

Seasonal Activities

Watch cherry trees bloom in May, about a month after mainland Japan. In July and August, walk through Farm Tomita's lavender fields in Furano, where rows of purple flowers create geometric patterns across the hills. Hike Daisetsuzan's trails in October when maple trees turn red and birch leaves become golden.

Transportation Around the Island

Take JR Hokkaido trains between major cities, including the Limited Express Hokuto from Hakodate to Sapporo. Drive to reach rural areas and national parks, especially in summer when mountain roads are clear. Buses connect to ski resorts and tourist areas, but schedules can be limited in remote regions.

Average temperatures during the day in Hokkaido.
December
0°
Jan
-3°
Feb
-2°
Mar
3°
Apr
11°
May
18°
Jun
21°
Jul
25°
Aug
26°
Sep
21°
Oct
15°
Nov
7°

What people say about Hokkaido

5
People
5
Food
5
Spaces
5
Value
5
Safety
5

Best places to visit in🇯🇵Japan

Articles about Japan

Image of Bucket list-worthy places in Japan
Image of Bucket list-worthy places in Japan

Bucket list-worthy places in Japan

December 2023,
Japan is a country that never fails to impress visitors with its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation. With a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and mouth-watering cu
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world
Image of The most beautiful national parks in the world

The most beautiful national parks in the world

November 2024,
National parks are unique in several ways, about 15% of all land and 8% of all water in the world is protected. National parks are protected pockets of nature that offers a unique opportunity for bot
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851

All World Expo locations since 1851

November 2024,
For more than a century and a half, global citizens have congregated at World Expos to celebrate human achievement, explore pressing issues of the day, and experience the cultural expressions of peopl
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world

The 30 best food cities in the world

November 2024,
This is a list of the top food destinations in the world based on the opinions of travelers from more than 100 countries. If you travel to eat, this is for you! It doesn’t matter if you are a foodie o
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

January 2023,
To find the best cities for cycling, we looked at the Copenhagenize Index, a comprehensive ranking of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities based on ambition, culture, and city design. Below you wi
Image of The best places for women to travel alone
Image of The best places for women to travel alone

The best places for women to travel alone

October 2024,
There are many places around the world that are great for female travelers! When choosing a destination to visit alone, women tend to look for places that are safe, easy to get around on foot or by pu
Image of The best places to visit in April
Image of The best places to visit in April

The best places to visit in April

April 2024,
April marks the beginning of spring. It is when the cold winter gradually recedes, paving the way to blooming flowers and warmer weather. This guide is about some of the best cities to visit in April,
Popular on Humbo right now
Humbo™AboutVisitedBucket listSustainable travelPrivacyTerms