Overview
Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island, feels completely different from the rest of the country: wide open landscapes, national parks, cooler summers and some of the world’s best powder snow.
It suits families who have already seen the Golden Route, and anyone looking for snow or summer flower fields.
- Region
- Northern Japan
- Stay
- 4 to 6 nights.
When to go
December to February for snow, with the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February. July for lavender and flower fields in Furano and Biei, with peak lavender usually in mid-July. Autumn colour arrives earlier than in the rest of Japan.
How long and getting there
How long: 4 to 6 nights.
Getting there: About 1.5 hours by flight from Tokyo to Sapporo (New Chitose Airport).
Highlights
- Sapporo. The island’s capital, with the Snow Festival in February.
- Otaru. A historic canal town with glassworks and music boxes.
- Furano and Biei. Lavender and flower fields in summer, and rolling hills.
- Niseko. World-famous powder snow for skiing and snowboarding.
- Noboribetsu. A hot-spring town with a dramatic volcanic valley.
- Asahiyama Zoo. Known for its penguin walk in winter.
Vegetarian and Jain food
Hokkaido is famous for seafood and dairy. Vegetarian options are good in Sapporo but limited in smaller towns, so we plan meals around your route.
Theme parks and family days out
- Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura. An Edo-period village with ninja and samurai shows.
- Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe. An aquarium set in a Danish-style castle.
- Shiroi Koibito Park, Sapporo. A chocolate and biscuit factory with displays and hands-on workshops.
- Rusutsu Resort. Amusement park rides in summer and skiing in winter.
Opening days, prices and ticket rules change through the year. We book dated tickets in advance as part of your itinerary.
Combine with
Tokyo, or Okinawa for two completely different sides of Japan in one trip.
Sample journeys that include Hokkaido
Other regions
Questions people ask
Is Hokkaido too cold in winter?
It is cold, often well below freezing, but hotels, transport and attractions are well heated. With proper winter clothing, which we advise on, families enjoy it.
Do we need to ski?
Not at all. Snow festivals, snow activities, onsen and winter scenery make it a great trip for non-skiers too.