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Toyako Town

Toyako Town, within Shikotsu-Toya National Park, is one of Hokkaido's premier hot spring resort destinations set on the shores of a stunning caldera lake. Lake Toya, a perfectly circular caldera lake formed by volcanic activity some 110,000 years ago, is ringed by pristine nature and graceful mountains. Over 100 hotels and ryokan line the lakeshore, and the legendary Toyako Long-Run Fireworks Festival lights up the sky every single night from late April through late October — making it one of Japan's most extraordinary fireworks traditions. The surrounding volcanic landscape, including Mt. Usu and Showa Shinzan, is recognized as a UNESCO...

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Matsumae Town

Matsumae Town, in the southernmost tip of Hokkaido, flourished as a castle town of the Matsumae Domain during the Edo period. Matsumae Castle is the only traditional Japanese-style castle remaining in Hokkaido, and it played a vital role in guarding the northern frontier. Matsumae Park, surrounding the castle, is one of Japan's most celebrated cherry blossom destinations, where some 10,000 cherry trees of 250 different varieties bloom in late April through early May — earning it fame for the greatest variety of cherry blossom species in Japan. Matsumae-zuke, a traditional Hokkaido pickle of kelp, dried squid, and herring roe in...

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Shiretoko (Rausu Side)

Shiretoko (Rausu Side)

Rausu Town, on the eastern flank of the Shiretoko Peninsula, is the gateway to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Shiretoko from the east. The Shiretoko Traverse Road, crossing Shiretoko Pass to connect with Shari Town, is famous for its spectacular 'snow corridor' — towering walls of snow remaining in May that leave visitors in awe of nature's scale. Rausu kelp, harvested from Shiretoko's deep, nutrient-rich waters, is among Japan's finest and most sought-after kombu. Wildlife encounters are the highlight here: whale-watching and cruises to observe orca and sperm whales offer thrilling views of marine megafauna in the wild. Diverse seabirds...

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Nemuro City

Nemuro City, Japan's easternmost city, sits at the far tip of Hokkaido and is home to Cape Nosappu — the easternmost point of Japan's main islands. From Cape Nosappu, the disputed Northern Territories islands are visible across the narrow straits, making it a uniquely poignant destination of historical and geopolitical significance. A thriving fishing port, Nemuro lands abundant seafood including the prized Hanasaki crab, Pacific saury, and salmon. Local specialties like Hanasaki crab rice bowls and Escalop (rice with demi-glace sauce) are flavors you can only find here. The Kiritappu Wetlands, the panoramic Pacific views from the JR Hanasaki Line,...

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Hakodate City

Hakodate City, at the southern tip of Hokkaido, is a historic port city that flourished as an international trade hub from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji era. The panoramic night view from Mt. Hakodate is celebrated as one of the world's three great night views, drawing millions with its million-dollar vista of twin bays. Goryokaku, the star-shaped Western-style fortress, the European and American architecture of Motomachi, and the Hakodate Morning Market's fresh salmon roe, crab, and squid make Hakodate an exceptional destination. With excellent shinkansen access, Hakodate is the main gateway to southern Hokkaido.

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Kushiro City

Kushiro City is a port city in eastern Hokkaido celebrated for its sunsets, considered among the world's three most beautiful. The vast Kushiro Marshland National Park, Japan's largest wetland, draws visitors from around the globe to witness flocks of red-crowned cranes soaring over its pristine landscape. Nearby volcanic lakes including Lake Akan and Lake Mashu are renowned natural wonders — Lake Mashu, perpetually shrouded in mist, and the spherical marimo algae of Lake Akan are icons of eastern Hokkaido. The fresh seafood at the Kushiro Washo Market, including the legendary 'katte-don' custom rice bowl, is a must-try experience. The city's...

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Obihiro City

Obihiro City is the central city of the Tokachi Plain in eastern Hokkaido, a world-class agricultural region that has developed into a true food paradise. Obihiro's famous pork bowl (butadon), made from locally raised pork, has won nationwide popularity, and renowned confectioneries like Rokkatei and Ryugetsu draw sweet lovers from across Japan. The city hosts Banei Racing, a unique draft horse racing event designated as a Hokkaido Heritage, making it the only race of its kind anywhere in the world. The Tokachi hot springs, known for their distinctive peat-enriched waters, and the vast panoramic farmland and starry night skies round...

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Abashiri City

Abashiri City, on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk in eastern Hokkaido, is famous throughout Japan for its spectacular drift ice (ryuhyo). From late January through March, massive ice floes drift in from Siberia, creating an otherworldly frozen seascape. The drift ice sightseeing icebreaker Aurora offers an unforgettable experience of navigating through the ice. The Abashiri Prison Museum, a preserved historical facility from the Meiji era, chronicles the pioneering history of Hokkaido and is well-known as a film location. At the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, visitors can actually touch real drift ice and learn about this unique natural phenomenon.

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Rishiri Town

Rishiri Town is located in the southwestern part of Rishiri Island, floating in the Sea of Okhotsk off northern Hokkaido. The island's iconic Mt. Rishiri (Rishiri-Fuji), standing 1,721 meters above sea level, is a perfectly conical volcanic peak whose silhouette rising from the sea has earned it the nickname 'Rishiri Fuji.' Summer is ideal for climbing Mt. Rishiri and savoring world-renowned Rishiri kelp in a range of gourmet dishes. Cycling around the island offers sweeping views of the surrounding sea and the majestic mountain from every angle. Ferries to Rebun Island also depart from Rishiri, making it a hub for...

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Rebun Town

Rebun Town is home to Rebun Island, a remote island floating off Japan's northernmost tip, celebrated as the Floating Island of Flowers. Despite its low elevation, the island boasts over 300 species of wildflowers including many rare alpine species found nowhere else on Earth. June and July bring the most spectacular floral displays, featuring the island's beloved Rebun Island edelweiss. The dramatic coastal trekking routes from Cape Sukoton to Cape Sukai offer breathtaking ocean views and flower-filled meadows. Fresh sea urchin, scallops, and kelp make Rebun Island a gourmet paradise as well.

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Wakkanai City

Wakkanai is Japan's northernmost city, located at the very tip of Hokkaido. Cape Soya, the northernmost point of Japan, is a must-visit landmark drawing travelers from around the world. Facing both the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, Wakkanai offers dramatic natural scenery including coastal cliffs, wildflower fields, and sweeping pastoral views. The city serves as a gateway to the remote islands of Rebun and Rishiri, accessible by ferry. In winter, drift ice approaches from Siberia, creating a breathtaking frozen seascape, while the city's legendary sunsets are said to be among the most beautiful in the world.

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Biei Town

Biei Town, known as the Town of Hills, is a picturesque farming village in the Kamikawa region of central Hokkaido. The gently rolling hills create a stunning patchwork of colorful crop fields, while the mystical Blue Pond (Aoiike) shimmers with an otherworldly blue-green hue. Framed by the majestic Tokachidake Mountain Range, the scenery changes dramatically with each season, from vibrant fields of canola, sunflowers, and lavender in summer, to a magical winter landscape of snow-covered plains and frost-covered trees. One of Hokkaido's most beloved destinations for international visitors, Biei also offers delicious cuisine made from the freshest local produce.

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Nakafurano Town

Nakafurano Town

Located in the Furano Basin in the heart of Hokkaido, Nakafurano Town is globally renowned as the "Sacred Land of Lavender." Home to the famous Farm Tomita, which pioneered the region's lavender boom, the town sees its rolling hills blanketed in a vibrant purple carpet every summer, drawing countless visitors from around the world. Framed by the majestic Tokachidake Mountain Range, the landscape features idyllic pastoral scenery and patchwork flower fields that soothe the soul. In winter, the slopes of Mount Hokusei transform into a snowy ski resort. Nakafurano is a floral paradise where anyone can immerse themselves in the...

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Furano City

Located in the heart of Hokkaido, Furano City is one of Japan's premier rural tourism destinations, surrounded by the majestic Daisetsuzan and Tokachidake mountain ranges. In summer, the entire city is embraced by the scent of vibrant purple lavender, and the beautiful patchwork of flower fields stretching across the rolling hills captivates all visitors. Famous as the setting for the hit TV drama "Kita no Kuni kara" (From the North Country), it still preserves a nostalgic and pristine northern landscape. In winter, Furano transforms into a world-class ski resort with legendary powder snow, attracting winter sports enthusiasts globally. Furthermore, blessed...

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Mount Asahidake, Daisetsuzan

Mount Asahidake, Daisetsuzan

Mount Asahidake, rising 2,291 meters, is the highest peak in Hokkaido. Providing easy access to this grand and sacred sanctuary—revered in Ainu culture as "The Playground of the Gods"—is the Asahidake Ropeway. Connecting the base station to Sugatami Station at an altitude of 1,600 meters in just about 10 minutes, the ropeway offers a breathtaking aerial ride with panoramic views of the Daisetsuzan primeval forests stretching into the distance. Upon stepping off the ropeway, visitors are greeted by seasonal wonders: a heavenly paradise of alpine flowers in summer, Japan's earliest brilliant autumn foliage, and world-class powder snow in winter. With...

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Asahiyama Zoo

Located in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Asahiyama Zoo is Japan's northernmost and globally renowned zoo. It is widely recognized as the pioneer of "behavioral exhibits," designed to showcase the natural instincts, abilities, and behaviors of animals rather than just their appearance. The park features innovative facilities that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the animals, such as the Penguin House where they glide through the water like flying, and the Seal House with a vertical tunnel. In winter, the famous "Penguin Walk"—originally started to keep them active—attracts visitors worldwide as they adorable waddle across the snow. Filled with love and ingenuity, this northern wonderland...

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Asahikawa City

Located in the heart of Hokkaido, Asahikawa City is a vibrant hub beautifully harmonizing urban lifestyle with the majestic nature of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range. It is home to the world-renowned "Asahiyama Zoo," Japan's northernmost zoo famous for its innovative "behavioral exhibits" that allow visitors to see animals acting on natural instincts. Appointed as a UNESCO Creative City of Design, Asahikawa breathes art and culture through its superior furniture making and crafts. Food lovers can indulge in authentic "Asahikawa Ramen" born from the cold climate, and premium sake brewed with pristine snowmelt water. It also serves as the perfect gateway...

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Noboribetsu BearPark

Noboribetsu BearPark

Accessible via a scenic ropeway ride from the hot spring town, the Noboribetsu Bear Park is a world-class bear theme park located at the 550-meter summit of Mount Shihorei. Inside the park, visitors can observe majestic Ezo brown bears up close as they playfully beg for treats despite their giant sizes. A highlight is the thrilling "Human Cage," a glass-walled viewing area where you can feel the bears' breathing, offering an intense experience as if you were the one inside the cage. Featuring dynamic and clever bear shows, the world's only Brown Bear Museum, and an observation deck overlooking Lake...

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Noboribetsu City

Noboribetsu City

Located just a 1-hour drive from New Chitose Airport, Noboribetsu City is a premier hot spring town in Hokkaido facing the Pacific Ocean. Its central attraction, Noboribetsu Onsen, is sourced from "Jigokudani" (Hell Valley), a dramatic crater where the Earth’s energy boils to the surface. It is often called a "department store of hot springs" for the incredible variety of spring types found in a single location. Visitors can enjoy a soothing soak at the natural footbath of the Oyunuma River, surrounded by primeval forests. The city also features popular theme parks like the Noboribetsu Bear Park and Noboribetsu Date...

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Rusutsu Village

Rusutsu Village

Located about a 1.5-hour drive from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, Rusutsu Village is one of Hokkaido's premier highland resorts, nestled at the foot of majestic Mount Shiribetsu. Home to the world-renowned "Rusutsu Resort," winter visitors can indulge in world-class powder snow across vast ski fields spanning three mountains. During the green season, the village transforms into an outdoor paradise featuring Hokkaido's largest amusement park, four expansive golf courses, and various activities overlooking Mount Yotei. With delicious local cuisine like fresh highland vegetables and pork, alongside soothing hot springs, it is a year-round entertainment destination filled with dynamic excitement.

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Yoichi Town

Nestled at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula, Yoichi Town is a romantic port town blessed with rich nature and bountiful food. Globally renowned as the holy land of Japanese whisky, it features the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, founded by Masataka Taketsuru, the "Father of Japanese Whisky," where historic red-brick buildings still welcome visitors today. Benefiting from a mild climate, the town thrives with fruit cultivation, offering delightful fruit-picking experiences. In recent years, it has also gained international acclaim for its boutique wineries producing world-class Japanese wines. Offering stunning landscapes of seas and mountains alongside exquisite drinks and cuisine, Yoichi...

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Cape Kamui

Jutting dynamically into the Sea of Japan from the tip of the Shakotan Peninsula, Cape Kamui is one of Hokkaido's most breathtaking scenic spots. Steeped in mystical history as a place once forbidden to women, it features a ridge-line trail called the "Charenka Path." A 20-minute walk along this path rewards visitors with a stunning 300-degree panoramic view that reveals the curvature of the Earth. The cape is surrounded by a miraculously vibrant and transparent blue sea, famously known as "Shakotan Blue." With the iconic Kamui Rock standing at its tip and the ruggedly beautiful cliffs, this overwhelming natural masterpiece...

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Niseko Town

Located about a 2.5-hour drive from Sapporo, Niseko Town is a world-class mountain resort overlooking the majestic Mount Yotei, often called "Ezo Fuji." In winter, it is blessed with the highest quality powder snow (known globally as "JAPOW"), drawing skiers and snowboarders from around the globe and filling the town with a vibrant, international atmosphere. However, Niseko’s charm extends far beyond winter. Summer offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including trekking, golf, and rafting on the pristine Shiribetsu River. With its abundant hot springs scattered throughout the area and exquisite cuisine featuring fresh vegetables and dairy products grown from rich...

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Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway & Ski Resort

Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway & Ski Resort

As the iconic symbol of the city, Mount Tengu offers sweeping panoramic views of the Otaru cityscape, its beautiful port, and the distant Shakotan Peninsula. Taking the ropeway to the summit reveals a stunning contrast between the blue sea and town by day, and a breathtaking night view by night—celebrated as one of the "Top Three Night Views of Hokkaido" for its jewel-like sparkle. In winter, the mountain transforms into a premier ski resort where skiers can glide down slopes as if diving into the harbor, enjoying Japan's finest powder snow. Featuring a park to interact with cute chipmunks and...

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