18 Must-Visit Attractions in Hokkaido

>> 23 must-visit places in Hokkaido, Japan's northern island. Explore the land of snow and enjoy nature to the fullest. Updated 2023. <<

If you're traveling to Hokkaido, eating seafood alone would hardly do the trip justice. Hokkaido isn't only about food — it has many other interesting places to visit too. Hokkaido is a large island at Japan's northernmost point, so it has cool summers and cold, snowy winters, along with natural scenery worth seeing at least once in your life. If you want to try soaking in an onsen hot spring, Hokkaido has that too. So what else does this region have to offer? Let's look at 18 popular attractions in Hokkaido.

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▌1. Fort Goryokaku, Hakodate

Fort Goryokaku, also called the five-pointed star fort, is located in Hakodate. It is called the five-pointed star fort because, viewed from above, the fort resembles a Western-style star. It was built in the final years of the Edo period to defend against the threat of Western powers. At the center of the fort stood the office of the governor who administered Hokkaido during the shogunate era. Once it was no longer in use, the building was restored and the grounds turned into a park, where the cherry blossoms bloom all at once in May (Hokkaido is the northernmost island, so it warms up later than elsewhere, and its cherry blossoms bloom later than the rest of Japan). Fort Goryokaku also has the 107-meter Goryokaku Tower, built in 2006, offering panoramic views around the fort. At the base of the tower are souvenir shops, restaurants, and an exhibition about the fort's history.

Hours

Open daily. April to October: 8:00 AM–7:00 PM.

October to April: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Admission

The park area inside the fort is free to enter.

The former government office at the center of the fort: adults 500 yen, students and seniors 250 yen, children free.

Goryokaku Tower: adults 840 yen, students 630 yen, children under 5 free.

▌2. Mount Hakodate Viewpoint, Hakodate

The Mount Hakodate viewpoint is ranked as one of the three most beautiful viewpoints in Japan. From the top of Mount Hakodate, which stands 334 meters high, you get a wide view of the Hakodate area, beautifully surrounded by mountains and the sea. It's worth visiting both during the day and again at night, since each time of day offers a different kind of beauty.

Hours

Open daily. Late April to October: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM.

Late October to April: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM.

Admission

Free to enter, but taking the ropeway up to the viewpoint costs 1,280 yen for adults and 640 yen for children.

▌3. Otaru Canal Area, Otaru

Otaru was originally a small port that was very lively in the early 20th century. But as transportation developed and modernized, the port gradually lost importance and became a quiet herring fishing town. Because of its charm, the town was later redeveloped into a tourist destination: seafood warehouses were converted into restaurants and a museum telling the area's history, and old-style lamps were installed along the street running alongside the Otaru Canal, adding to its romantic atmosphere.

Hours

Open 24 hours every day, and free to visit.

▌4. Furano Flower Fields, Furano

Lavender has been grown in the Hokkaido region for more than half a century. Flower fields of various sizes can be found throughout Furano, a tourist destination that draws visitors to admire the beauty of its flower fields. Lavender is at its fullest bloom from mid-July to early August, though it continues blooming into mid-August. There are also many other flowers in other seasons: poppies and lupines in June, lilies in July, and sunflowers, salvia, and cosmos from August to September.

The best spot to view the lavender is Farm Tomita, which has beautiful scenery with Mount Tokachi in the background, and is free to enter. Near the flower fields there are also cafes and shops selling lavender products.

Hours

Open daily and free to enter, though hours vary, roughly 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.

▌5. Furano Ski Area, Furano

Many travelers come here specifically to ski, not just to sightsee and eat. Furano Ski Area once hosted world-level skiing competitions, so it has gentle slopes for beginners as well as steep slopes for pros. You can also try snow activities such as riding a dog sled, just like in the movies.

Hours

Open 8:30 AM–8:00 PM, winter season only.

Admission

3 hours: 4,000 yen. Full day: 5,500 yen. 5:00 PM–9:00 PM: 1,600 yen. (Equipment rental is extra.)

▌6. Abashiri Drift Ice Cruise, Abashiri

If you visit between January and March, Abashiri's drift ice is worth seeing at least once in your life. Drift ice usually only forms in Arctic waters, so this is a rare sight. For the full experience, take an ice-breaker cruise out among the ice. It's called an ice-breaker because when the boat hits the ice sheet, the ice splits apart so the boat can keep moving forward. Cruises run 4 to 5 times a day, so if you want to take this exciting drift-ice cruise, be sure to check the schedule in advance.

Hours

Departures from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Admission

The boat fare costs 540 yen per person.

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▌7. Jigokudani Hell Valley Noboribetsu

The valley gets its name, Hell Valley, from the sulfur-rich hot water that flows through it and the steam that constantly rises along it. Despite the name, it is beautiful and well worth a visit. There are walking paths up the slopes to view the beautiful hot springs and mud pools. It's no surprise that film crews from several countries have used it as a filming location.

▌8. Noboribetsu Onsen, Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu Onsen is said to be the best hot spring (onsen) in Japan, with as many as 9 different types of hot springs (some say 11), divided by mineral content, such as sulfur springs, salt springs, and sodium bicarbonate springs. When you arrive and want to soak in a hot spring, you can pick the type you want and use the bath at a hotel that offers it. Prices range from about 700 to 2,500 yen (staying overnight costs more).

Hours

Most hot springs open from around 7:00 AM and close by 9:00 PM, though some may be open 24 hours.

▌9. Aoiike Blue Pond, Biei

Aoiike Blue Pond is located in Biei, not far from the Tokachi mountain range. What makes this pond stand out is its bright blue color in summer, which turns blue-green in winter, contrasting beautifully with the snow on the branches. The water changes color because it contains a large amount of aluminum oxide, which reflects sunlight to create a bright blue or blue-green appearance, depending on where you stand and how the sunlight hits it.

Hours

Open 24 hours.

Admission

Free to enter.

▌10. Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa

This is one of the top attractions in Hokkaido that travelers should not miss. The zoo is so popular because it offers viewing experiences different from a typical zoo, such as walking through a glass tunnel to watch penguins swim, or through a glass snow dome to see polar bears in their habitat. The zoo's biggest highlight is watching the penguin parade walk along the snowy path, viewable up close with nothing in the way.

Hours

Open daily, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM (may extend to 5:00 PM at certain times).

Admission

820 yen.

▌11. Jozankei Onsen, Sapporo

This onsen is located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, not far from central Sapporo, which makes it popular with both tourists and locals who enjoy soaking in an onsen. It's easy to reach and has beautiful scenery, earning it the nickname "Sapporo's living room." There are many ryokan-style hotels around the onsen area, and soaking in the hot spring costs only 1,000 to 1,500 yen. If you'd rather just soak your feet, that's free.

▌12. Chocolate Factory (Shiroi Koibito), Sapporo

One of Hokkaido's most famous souvenirs is the white chocolate butter cookie brand Shiroi Koibito, made by Ishiya, which opens its factory to visitors. Inside, you can watch every step of the cookie-making process up close, and there are also other treats like cupcakes, soft-serve ice cream, and chocolate. If you'd like to try making cookies yourself, the factory also offers short workshops.

Hours

Open daily, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Admission

600 yen.

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▌13. Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo

Sapporo TV Tower is a broadcast tower in Sapporo standing 144 meters tall, located on the east side of Odori Park. What makes it special is that visitors can go up to an observation area 90 meters above the ground, and festivals are held around it throughout the year.

Hours

Thursday to Tuesday, 9:00 AM–10:00 PM.

Fees

Adults 720 yen, students 300–600 yen, young children 100 yen.

▌14. Mount Moiwa Viewpoint, Sapporo

Mount Moiwa is located southwest of Sapporo. It's a spot to view the city at night (best viewed after sunset). To reach the summit, you need to take a gondola and then a cable car. Don't miss dining at the restaurant "The Jewel," where the food is delicious and you can also enjoy sweeping views of Sapporo.

Hours

Open daily, 10:30 AM–10:00 PM.

Admission

Free to enter, but the gondola and cable car cost 1,700 yen.

▌15. Niseko Ski Resort, Niseko

Niseko is a town in Hokkaido that attracts many visitors and long-term residents, as it's one of the best places for skiing thanks to its soft, powdery snow that cushions falls. English is widely spoken in the town, and there's a hot spring where you can soak while wearing clothes. Within the ski area there are 4 resorts offering accommodation and ski equipment rental, with rental prices ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 yen.

▌16. Sapporo Beer Museum, Sapporo

Many beer lovers are probably familiar with Sapporo Beer. But did you know this is the oldest beer brand in Japan, and became so popular that it's now exported and sold worldwide? This led to the creation of the Sapporo Beer Museum, which tells the story of the beer's history for visitors to learn about. After the tour, you get to sample beer for free.

Hours

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 AM–8:00 PM.

Admission

Completely free to enter.

17. Lake Akan

This is a volcanic lake basin in Akan National Park, with a 26-kilometer shoreline surrounded by dense forest. It's also home to marimo, a rare green ball-shaped algae.

Access: Lake Akan is located about 75 kilometers north of Kushiro. Buses run 3-4 times a day between Kushiro Airport and the lake.
Or rent a car: it takes 90 minutes to reach Lake Akan, and just 1 hour to reach other lakes in the national park area, such as Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, and Kawayu Onsen.

18. Shiretoko Peninsula

This is a region Japanese people are especially proud of. Since 2005, this part of Hokkaido has been designated a World Heritage Site, and it's also a natural habitat for wildlife such as seals, bears, eagles, and many more.

Access: From the Bus Terminal, walk about 650 meters to reach the ticket building on the left, then walk through the tunnel another 200 meters to the pier.
The Shiretoko Peninsula cruise departs from Utoro. The pier is located behind Oronkoiwa Rock, near the town center.

And these are the 18 must-visit places when you visit "Hokkaido". Check opening days before you go so you don't arrive to find a place closed.

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