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Hokkaido is said to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan.
I have been to Hokkaido several times, but the first time I went to Hokkaido was on a school trip, and many Japanese schools have Hokkaido as their travel destination.
In this article, we will introduce basic information about Hokkaido, its attractions, and popular sightseeing spots.
Where is Hokkaido?
Hokkaido (Hokkaido) is a road located in the Hokkaido region of Japan. The prefectural capital is Sapporo City.
It is the only “road” among the 47 prefectures. As of 2021, it will be ranked first for the thirteenth consecutive year in the "Attractiveness Ranking of Prefectures" by the Brand Research Institute, ranked first in tourism motivation, product purchase motivation, and residency motivation.
The main island of Hokkaido has an area of 77,983.90 square kilometers, making it the second largest island in Japan after Honshu, and the 21st largest island in the world after Ireland. It is large, about twice the size of the 35,980-square-kilometer island of Taiwan.
It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk, and boasts fertile land blessed with great nature, majestic mountains such as the Daisetsuzan Federation, natural lakes with wonderful scenery, and vast wetlands. You can enjoy the scenery from time to time.
<Map of Hokkaido>
Charm of Hokkaido
Next, I will introduce the attractions of traveling to Hokkaido.
seafood
Because Hokkaido is surrounded by the sea, it is rich in marine products. Horsehair crabs from the Sea of Okhotsk and sea urchins from Rebun Island and the Shakotan Peninsula are famous as popular seafood.
Sapporo ramen
Sapporo ramen in Hokkaido is known as the most famous ramen in Japan, and there are many ramen shops in Sapporo.
vast nature
Hokkaido boasts the largest area in Japan. There are many sightseeing spots in Hokkaido where you can enjoy the endless scenery.
Many hot springs
Hokkaido is the prefecture with the highest number of hot springs. There are various types of hot springs, and there are many hot springs where you can see the magnificent scenery from the large public baths and open-air baths.
Winter sports
The charm of Hokkaido in winter is the quality of the snow, which is called "powder snow" and many people loves to skiing and snowboarding during winter seasons.
Popular tourist attractions in Hokkaido
Asahiyama Zoo
Asahikawa
Japan's northernmost zoo is one of Hokkaido's leading tourist spots, with approximately 1.4 million visitors annually! Asahiyama Zoo is the northernmost zoo in Japan, located about 25 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport. The zoo became famous as one of the first to implement the "behavior exhibition" that many zoos now hold, and has prepared an environment close to the natural ecology, where you can see the natural behavior and abilities of animals. . The "Penguin Walk" held during the season when the park is covered with snow (usually from late December to mid-March the following year, depending on the snowfall) is worth seeing. There are plenty of attractions that will make you smile, such as "Mogu Mogu Time" where you can see the animals eating up close.
[Access] [Train] About 40 minutes by rapid train from New Chitose Airport Station to Sapporo Station, about 1 hour 30 minutes by express train from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station, 40 minutes by bus from Asahikawa Station to Asahiyama Zoo
[Car] About 25 minutes from "Asahikawa Kita IC", about 25 minutes from "Asahikawa Airport"
Otaru Canal
Otaru
Otaru Canal is a symbol of Otaru tourism. The cityscape that changes with the seasons and time is a must-see! The highlight of the Otaru Canal, one of Hokkaido's leading tourist destinations, is the beautiful scenery of the buildings that create a nostalgic atmosphere along the canal. At dusk, 63 gas lamps along the canal walkway are lit up, lighting up the canal and stone warehouses with warm light. You can enjoy a romantic atmosphere that is different from the daytime. Dine at a retro restaurant in a converted brick warehouse that surrounds the canal.
Goryokaku Tower
Hakodate
Enjoy the view from 90m above the ground! Goryokaku Tower is a landmark of Hakodate with a height of 107m (lightning rod height). From the observatory 90 meters above the ground, you can enjoy the view of Hakodate city and Goryokaku, a special historic site, and on clear days, you can even see the Shimokita Peninsula and the Tsugaru Peninsula (Aomori Prefecture). Cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, red leaves in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter. If you come to Hakodate, this is a spot you want to stop by at least once.
[Access] About 15 minutes on foot from Hakodate Tram "Goryokaku Koen-Mae"
Shirogane Blue Pond
Kamikawa-gun
Shirogane Blue Pond, located in Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido, is visited by many tourists from all over the world as one of the most scenic spots in the Furano/Biei area. There is a theory that the reason why it is "blue" is that Shirahige Falls, which contains aluminum, mixes with the Biei River, which scatters the light and makes it look blue. In addition, dead larch trees are accented to create a fantastic atmosphere.
[Access] About 25 minutes by car from Biei Station
Noboribetsu Onsen
Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu Onsen Town, located in Noboribetsu City in the south of Hokkaido, is one of the leading hot spring areas in Japan. Blessed with an abundant amount of hot water and a variety of spring qualities supported by numerous sources, such as the cloudy-white sulfur springs unique to Noboribetsu Onsen, many tourists from Japan and abroad visit throughout the year. We also recommend not only hot springs but also scenic spots full of charm, such as Noboribetsu Jigokudani, an explosion crater with a diameter of about 450m and an area of about 11 hectares, and Enmado, where the Enma Daio Karakuri Float is enshrined.
[Access] [Train] About 1 hour and 20 minutes from JR Sapporo Station to Noboribetsu Station by express train [Car] About 13 minutes from Hokkaido Expressway "Noboribetsu Higashi IC"
Odori Park
Sapporo
Odori Park is used as a place of relaxation for Sapporo citizens and tourists. About 4,700 trees and flowerbeds of about 90 species such as lilac and elm, along with fountains and lawns, are loved as an oasis in the business district. It is also a venue for events and festivals that represent Hokkaido, such as the Lilac Festival, Snow Festival, and Yosakoi Soran Festival, and is crowded with many people, including tourists and locals.
[Address] 1-12 Odori Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Farm Tomita
Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun
Farm Tomita has one of the largest lavender fields in Japan and is visited by one million tourists every year. About 60,000 lavenders reach their peak in mid-July every year. You can enjoy seasonal flowers such as phlox and moss phlox in spring and salvia in autumn. At the cafe, you can enjoy dishes and sweets made with ingredients from Furano, so you can spend a relaxing time.
[Access] [Bus] Take the Furano Bus Rapid Lavender from Asahikawa-mae Bus Terminal for about 1 hour and 25 minutes and get off at Nakafurano, then walk for about 25 minutes [Car] About 45 minutes from Asahikawa Airport
Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery
Yoichi-gun
Completed in 1934, the Yoichi Distillery is a mecca for Nikka Whiskey known as Japan's Scotland. With traditional techniques and passion that have not changed since its founding, it is still loved by many fans and delivers the fragrant taste of unblended malt to visitors. At the Yoichi Distillery, you can observe the whiskey manufacturing process and taste the whiskey. In addition, you can learn more about the whiskey manufacturing process during the guided tour (free, as of July 2020, reservations are required in advance, so check the website).
[Access] About 1 hour and 10 minutes from JR Sapporo Station, about 3 minutes on foot from Yoichi Station
Noboribetsu Bear Park
Noboribetsu
The Noboribetsu Bear Park, located near Noboribetsu Onsen, is a rare spot where more than 70 Ezo brown bears, which live only in Hokkaido, are raised. The behavior of begging for food is also full of charm, such as lying down and raising both hands! In "People's cage", it is made as if a person is in a cage, so you may feel like you are prey to be targeted by a bear.
[Access] [Bus] About 15 minutes by bus from JR Noboribetsu Station, get off at "Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal" and about 5 minutes on foot [Car] About 10 minutes from Hokkaido Expressway "Noboribetsu Higashi IC"
Lake Toya
Abuta-gun
Lake Toya is located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park in the southwestern part of Hokkaido and is said to be the 9th largest lake in Japan. From the Silo Observatory, which many tourists visit, you can see not only the islands of Lake Toya but also Mt. Usu, Mt. Showa Shinzan, and Niseko on a clear day. In addition to a pleasure boat that allows you to cruise around Lake Toya, you can also experience interacting with Yezo deer in the summer. It is a spot where you can feel the panoramic view unique to Hokkaido.
[Address] Abuta Town, Abuta District, Hokkaido / Toya Village / Sobetsu Town
Summary
Hokkaido in Japan is famous as a tourist destination.
In addition to delicious Japanese cuisines such as abundant seafood and Sapporo ramen, there are many tourist attractions.
Please visit once by all means.