Japan

Hokkaido

Region

Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's four main islands, covering a fifth of the country's land area yet home to only four percent of its population.

by Felix Gillen

Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's four main islands, covering a fifth of the country's land area yet home to only four percent of its population. Volcanoes, primeval forests, and lakes characterize the island: In winter, skiers worldwide flock to Niseko for powder snow; in summer, lavender fields bloom around Furano. Other highlights include the capital Sapporo, the port city Hakodate, the wilderness of Shiretoko National Park, and the culture of the Ainu, Northern Japan's indigenous people.

Hokkaido, Japans nördlichste Präfektur, zeichnet sich durch seine weiten, unberührten Landschaften und eine einzigartige Kultur aus. Hier entdeckst du vulkanische Gebirge, dichte Wälder und weite Küsten, ideal für Outdoor-Aktivitäten. Die Hauptstadt Sapporo fasziniert mit dem Odori Park und dem lebhaften Susukino-Viertel, während Otarus historischer Kanal und Hakodates sternförmiges Goryokaku-Fort weitere Höhepunkte bieten. Die indigene Ainu-Kultur ist im Upopoy National Ainu Museum erlebbar; kulinarisch überzeugt die Insel mit frischen Meeresfrüchten und Spezialitäten wie Sapporo Ramen. Im Winter locken erstklassige Skigebiete wie Niseko; im Sommer bieten Furanos Lavendelfelder ein malerisches Bild. Für eine entspannte Naturerkundung und die Herbstfärbung empfiehlt sich der Frühherbst.

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Akan

Akan, nestled within the majestic landscape of Akan-Mashu National Park, invites you to immerse yourself in a world of untouched nature and rich indigenous culture.

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Furano & Biei

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Hakodate

The port city of Hakodate in southern Hokkaido fascinates with its unique mix of historic charm and maritime atmosphere.

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Niseko

Niseko, located on Hokkaido, is a world-renowned ski resort, celebrated for its exceptional powder snow and diverse winter sports opportunities.

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More places in Hokkaido

Otaru

Otaru on Hokkaido, a former port city, is known for its historic canal and Sakaimachi Street. The Otaru Canal with its red-brick warehouses bears witness to its heyday as an important trading hub. On Sakaimachi Street, you'll find specialty shops for glassware, music boxes, and local sweets. Visit the Otaru Music Box Museum and enjoy fresh seafood in the local sushi restaurants. An evening boat trip offers an atmospheric perspective of the canal under gas lamps. Otaru is particularly charming in winter during the Snow Light Festival or in colorful autumn.

Sapporo

Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital, presents itself as a modern metropolis with wide avenues and unique European city planning. You'll discover a rich history of beer brewing here, extensively documented in the Sapporo Beer Garden & Museum. The central Odori Park forms the city's green heart and hosts the famous Snow Festival in winter, while the Sapporo TV Tower offers panoramic views. Hokkaido's historic Government Building, known as the "Red Brick Office," testifies to the city's early development. In the evening, the lively entertainment district of Susukino invites exploration. For a pleasant exploration, visiting in the summer months of July and August is recommended, when the climate is mild. Be sure to try the local specialty Soup Curry or the famous Miso-Ramen, offered in many small eateries.

Shiretoko Nationalpark

The Shiretoko National Park on Japan's Hokkaido island is a designated UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, renowned for its pristine wilderness and ecosystems. Here you'll encounter a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, including brown bears, deer, sea eagles, and various seal species. Boat tours along the coast are highly recommended to observe the wildlife in its natural habitat. The Shiretoko-Goko (Five Lakes) offer easy hiking trails with views of the surrounding mountain scenery. Another natural phenomenon is the Kamuiwakka Falls, a waterfall with hot spring water, of which usually only the lowest section is accessible for safety reasons. The months of May to October are considered the best time to visit, with late spring and autumn offering good conditions for wildlife viewing. Note that parts of the park are inaccessible in winter.

Toya-See & Noboribetsu

The region around Toya Lake and Noboribetsu in Hokkaido offers a fascinating mix of volcanic landscapes and relaxing Onsen culture. At Toya Lake, a crater lake, you can enjoy picturesque views and explore Nakajima Island or take the ropeway up active Mount Usu to observe the geological activity. Noboribetsu is known for its Jigokudani, the "Hell Valley," where you'll experience sulfurous steam and bubbling springs up close, a testament to the region's intense volcanic activity. The hot springs here are among Japan's most famous and offer relaxation after a day in nature. Visit Noboribetsu preferably in the cooler months to enjoy the full Onsen experience, while at Toya Lake, a short fireworks display is held nightly over the lake from late April to October. Plan at least one full day for both locations.

Sights in Hokkaido

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Attraction

Asahidake (Daisetsuzan National Park)

Asahidake, at 2,291 meters, is Hokkaido's highest mountain, located in Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's largest national park, east of Asahikawa. From its flanks, plumes of steam rise from volcanic vents.A ropeway takes you from Asahidake Onsen to around 1,600 meters. At the top, an approximately one-hour loop trail passes ponds and fumaroles. In late summer, the mountainside turns autumnal earlier than anywhere else in Japan.

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Natural Feature

Shikotsu Lake

Lake Shikotsu lies in a volcanic caldera roughly an hour southwest of Sapporo and near New Chitose Airport. It is one of Japan's deepest lakes and does not freeze even in winter.On its shore lies the small Onsen village of Shikotsu-Kohan, offering boat rentals and glass-bottom boats. The volcanoes Tarumae and Eniwa surround the lake; a gentle half-day hike leads up Tarumae.

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Attraction

Cape Kamui (Shakotan Peninsula)

Cape Kamui juts out at the tip of the Shakotan Peninsula, about two hours' drive west of Sapporo, into the Sea of Japan. The water here is so clear that its blue is known as “Shakotan Blue.”From the parking lot, a narrow path leads over the ridge for about 20 minutes to the tip, offering views of Kamui-iwa Rock. In strong winds, the path is closed. In the peninsula's harbors, you can enjoy fresh sea urchin in summer.

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National Park

Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park

Japan's largest wetland is located in eastern Hokkaido, north of Kushiro city. The Kushiro River meanders through reeds and moorland; here live the Manchurian cranes, which are considered a symbol of long life in Japan.From the Hosooka and Kushiro-Shitsugen-Tenbōdai viewpoints, you can overlook the moorland. In winter, the cranes visit the feeding grounds near Tsurui and Akan. In summer, you can canoe on the river.

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Eating & Drinking in Hokkaido

Ocean Harvest

Crabs, sea urchins, salmon roe, and scallops from the cold waters around the island rank among the nation's finest. At the morning markets in Hakodate, Sapporo, and Kushiro, you can get them as Kaisendon on rice.

Ramen

Three cities, three styles: Miso-Ramen in Sapporo, Shoyu-Ramen in Asahikawa and Ramen with clear salt broth in Hakodate.

Jingisukan

Lamb or mutton, grilled with vegetables on a domed iron plate at the table. The dish is named after Genghis Khan and is widely popular in Hokkaido.

Soup Curry

A Sapporo invention: thin, spicy curry with large pieces of vegetables and chicken, with rice served separately.

Dairy products and Melons

Hokkaido is Japan's leading dairy region – many farm shops sell soft serve, cheese, and butter. In summer, orange melons from Yūbari and Furano are added.

Culture & History of Hokkaido

The cultural identity of Hokkaido is significantly shaped by the indigenous Ainu people, whose deep connection to nature manifests in their spiritual practices, oral traditions, and intricate wood carvings. Until the 19th century, the island, then called Ezo, was primarily Ainu land. With the advent of the Meiji era, it was renamed Hokkaido in 1869, and the Japanese government pursued an intensive colonization and assimilation policy that profoundly altered its social and cultural fabric.Hokkaido's architecture exhibits an interesting blend: Alongside traditional Japanese influences, many Western-style buildings emerged during the island's rapid development and industrialization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Examples include the former government buildings in Sapporo or the brick structures in Otaru, which reflect the modernization of that era.Local traditions today encompass both the revival and appreciation of Ainu culture, visible in museums and cultural centers like the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park, and modern festivals such as the world-renowned Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival). This annual festival, a blend of art, craftsmanship, and seasonal celebration, reflects creative adaptation to the island's climatic conditions and attracts millions of visitors, making it a significant part of Hokkaido's contemporary culture.

On the Road in Hokkaido

Getting ThereFlight: New Chitose Airport near Sapporo is the main hub. The JR Rapid Airport train takes you to central Sapporo in about 40 minutes. For the east, there are domestic flights to Kushiro and Memanbetsu.Shinkansen: The Hokkaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo through the Seikan Tunnel to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. The extension to Sapporo is under construction.Train and BusJR Hokkaido express trains connect Sapporo with Hakodate, Asahikawa, Kushiro, and Abashiri. Distances are long: travel to Hakodate or Kushiro takes about four hours. In rural areas and national parks, trains and buses run only a few times a day.Rental CarFor Furano and Biei, the east including Shiretoko and Akan, and the peninsulas, a rental car is the most practical solution.Japan has left-hand traffic. German driving licenses are only recognized in conjunction with an official Japanese translation.From about November to April, roads are snowy or icy. Rental cars come with winter tires, but driving experience on snow is still important.

Round trips through this region

Hokkaido – Japans wilder Norden

The route begins in Hakodate at the southern tip, which you reach from Tokyo via the Hokkaido-Shinkansen, and continues by train to Otaru and Sapporo. From Sapporo, you drive about four hours to Kushiro and then proceed by bus or rental car to Lake Akan.

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Furano & Biei

The region around Furano and Biei in Hokkaido is renowned for its vast, gentle hilly landscapes and colorful flower fields. In Furano, the iconic lavender fields of Farm Tomita define the scenery, blooming fully from July to early August. Biei captivates with its agriculturally used "Patchwork Hills," stretching along scenic routes such as the Panorama Road. Another highlight is the mystical Blue Pond (Aoiike), whose unique coloration makes it a popular photo spot. Furano is also known for its cheese factory and as a significant ski resort in winter. To optimally explore the expansive landscapes, renting a car is recommended. The ideal time to visit for the flower spectacle is between mid-June and early August, while winter sports enthusiasts appreciate the region from December to March.

Akan

Akan, nestled within the majestic landscape of Akan-Mashu National Park, invites you to immerse yourself in a world of untouched nature and rich indigenous culture. Here, on the shores of the mystical Lake Akan, you will find a unique blend of relaxation, adventure, and deep insights into the Ainu way of life.