What are the best places in Hokkaido, Japan?

What are the best places to visit in Hokkaido, Japan?

Hokkaido is the second largest and northernmost island of Japan, known for its natural beauty, winter sports, and seafood. Some of the best places to visit in Hokkaido include:

1. Sapporo: The main city in Hokkaido with the largest population. It is known for its annual Snow Festival, dance festival and beer garden, which attracts millions of visitors from around the world.
2. Lake Toya: Located in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, Lake Toya is a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains and hot springs. Some people say they like the northern side of the lake better as it's good for camping, hiking and watersports. But the large resorts are on the southern side.
3. Noboribetsu Onsen: Located in Noboribetsu city, Noboribetsu Onsen is a hot spring resort known for its therapeutic hot springs and beautiful natural surroundings.
4. Asahiyama Zoo: Located in Asahikawa, this zoo is known for its innovative enclosures that allow visitors to observe animals in their natural habitats.
5. Shikotsu-Toya National Park: Located in the western part of Hokkaido, this national park is known for its beautiful lakes, mountains and hot springs.
6. Hakodate: Located on the southern tip of Hokkaido, Hakodate is known for its beautiful bay area and the iconic Goryokaku Fort.
7. Otaru: Located on the western coast of Hokkaido, Otaru is a charming port town known for its canal, historic warehouses and seafood.
8. Furano: Located in the central part of Hokkaido, Furano is known for its beautiful lavender fields and ski resorts.
9. Niseko: The western part of Hokkaido. Niseko is known for its powdery snow and world-class ski resorts.
10. Akan National Park: Located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Akan National Park is known for its beautiful lakes, mountains, and hot springs.

The Horonobe Tonakai Reindeer Ranch/Farm

Hill of Buddha (Buddha Hill) Makomanai, Sapporo

North Safari Sapporo (Zoo)

Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival

Sapporo, Cherry Blossoms 2025

Sapporo Beer Museum

Hokkaido Ballpark F Village - Es Con Field Baseball Stadium

Hokuryu Sunflower Festival

Takino Snow World Family Ski Resort

Toyokoro Jewel Ice

Cape Kamui, Shakotan

Sapporo Clock Tower

Kotoni Shinto Shrine

Hanasaki Lighthouse and Stone Wheel, Nemuro

Abashiri Prison Museum

Old Hokkaido Government Office Building, Akarenga

Biei Flower Fields / Gardens / Farms

Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine

Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

Lake Toya - Toyako - Businesses Around The Lake

Otaru Snow Story - The Blue Canal

Kitara Concert Hall

Sapporo Factory Christmas Tree

Ningle Terrace

What are 10 more popular places to visit?

Here are ten more popular places to visit in Hokkaido:

11. Abashiri OkanKan: Located in Abashiri, this museum features a collection of traditional Japanese houses and buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods.
12. Onuma Quasi-National Park: Located in the western part of Hokkaido, this park is known for its beautiful lakes and wetlands.
13. YokanKan: Located in the city of Asahikawa, this museum features a collection of traditional Japanese houses and buildings from the Edo period.
14. Daisetsuzan National Park: Located in the central part of Hokkaido, this national park is known for its beautiful mountains and hot springs.
15. Tomamu: Located in the central part of Hokkaido, Tomamu is known for its ski resorts and beautiful natural surroundings.
16. Obihiro: Located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Obihiro is known for its annual Hokkaido Festival and beautiful natural surroundings.
17. Rusutsu: Located in the western part of Hokkaido, Rusutsu is known for its ski resorts and beautiful natural surroundings.
18. Otaru Canal: Located in the city of Otaru, this charming canal is surrounded by historic warehouses and is a popular spot for evening strolls.
19. Shiretoko National Park: Located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, this national park is known for its beautiful mountains and forests, as well as its diverse wildlife.
20. Hakodate Morning Market: Located in the city of Hakodate, this bustling market is known for its fresh seafood and local specialties.

What are 10 more popular places?

Here are ten more popular places to visit in Hokkaido:

21. Otaru Music Box Museum: Located in the city of Otaru, this museum features a collection of antique music boxes from around the world.
22. Moere Numa Park: Located in the city of Sapporo, this park is known for its beautiful flower gardens and natural wetlands.
23. Sapporo Beer Museum: Located in the city of Sapporo, this museum traces the history of Sapporo Brewery and features a collection of vintage beer bottles and advertisements.
24. Sapporo Clock Tower: This historic clock tower is a tourist attraction and serves as a symbol of the city. It has a small gallery and area to sit in on the second floor. Most locals just take a photo at the front of the building but rarely go in.
25. Toyako Onsen: Located in the western part of Hokkaido, this hot spring resort is known for its beautiful lakeside setting and therapeutic hot springs.
26. Sapporo TV Tower: Located in the city of Sapporo, this tower offers panoramic views of the city and is a popular spot for evening views.
27. Sapporo Snow Festival: Held annually in Sapporo in February, this festival attracts millions of visitors from around the world and features elaborate snow and ice sculptures.
28. Sapporo Maruyama Zoo: Located in the city of Sapporo, this zoo is known for its collection of animals from around the world and its beautiful natural surroundings.
29. Sapporo Art Park: Located in the city of Sapporo, this park features a collection of contemporary artworks and is a popular spot for outdoor recreation.
30. Susukino: Located in the city of Sapporo, Susukino is the largest entertainment district in Hokkaido and is known for its nightlife and dining options.

What are 10 more popular places?

Here are ten more popular places to visit in Hokkaido:

31. Kamui Ski Links: Located in the city of Asahikawa, this ski resort is known for its powdery snow and challenging terrain.
32. Sapporo Ice Festival: Held annually in Sapporo in February, this festival features ice sculptures and other winter-themed events.
33. Sapporo Factory: Located in the city of Sapporo, this shopping and entertainment complex features a variety of stores, restaurants, and a movie theater.
34. Nakajima Park: Located in the city of Sapporo, this park is known for its beautiful gardens and ponds, and is a popular spot for outdoor recreation.
35. Sapporo Dome: Located in the city of Sapporo, this dome-shaped stadium is home to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters professional baseball team.
36. Furano Cheese Factory: Located in the city of Furano, this factory produces a variety of cheeses and offers tours and tastings to visitors.
37. Sapporo Susukino: Located in the city of Sapporo, Susukino is the largest entertainment district in Hokkaido and is known for its nightlife and dining options.
38. Sapporo Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium: Located in the city of Sapporo, this stadium is home to the Sapporo Ski Jumping Hill and is a popular spot for winter sports.
39. Sapporo White Illumination: Held annually in Sapporo in December, this festival features elaborate light displays and other holiday-themed events.
40. Hokkaido Jingu: Located in the city of Sapporo, this shrine is dedicated to the deities of Hokkaido and is a popular spot for traditional Japanese ceremonies.

There are many beautiful and interesting places to visit in Hokkaido, and it would be difficult to compile a comprehensive list of all the popular attractions in the region. Some other popular places to visit in Hokkaido include:

• Asahikawa Winter Festival: Held annually in Asahikawa in February, this festival features elaborate snow and ice sculptures, as well as other winter-themed events.
• Niseko Annupuri: Located in the western part of Hokkaido, this ski resort is known for its powdery snow and challenging terrain.
• Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill: Located in the city of Sapporo, this observation hill offers panoramic views of the city and is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in the spring.
• Sapporo Moiwayama Ski Resort: This ski resort is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and challenging terrain.
• Sapporo Okura: Located in the city of Sapporo, this shopping and entertainment complex features a variety of stores, restaurants, and a movie theater.
• Sapporo Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium: Home to the Sapporo Ski Jumping Hill and is a popular winter sports spot.
• Sapporo Snow Festival: Held annually in Sapporo in February, this festival attracts millions of visitors from around the world and features elaborate snow and ice sculptures.
• Sapporo White Illumination: Held annually in Sapporo in December, this festival features elaborate light displays and other holiday-themed events.
• Sapporo Yuki Matsuri: Held annually in Sapporo in February, this festival features a parade of elaborately decorated floats made of snow and ice.
• Sapporo Zoo: This zoo is known for its collection of animals from around the world and its beautiful natural surroundings.
• Shikotsu-Toya National Park: Located in the western part of Hokkaido, this national park is known for its beautiful lakes, mountains, and hot springs.
• Shiretoko National Park: Located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, this national park is known for its beautiful mountains and forests, as well as its diverse wildlife.
• Susukino: The largest entertainment district in Hokkaido, known for its nightlife and dining options.
• Toyako Onsen: Located in the western part of Hokkaido, this hot spring resort is known for its beautiful lakeside setting and therapeutic hot springs.
• Lake Toya: Located in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, this lake is surrounded by mountains and hot springs and is a popular spot for outdoor recreation.