As you know, Hokkaido is a wonderful place where you can enjoy different things in every season.

The area offers a variety of activities and events that make the most of its harsh winters, and from spring to summer, it boasts moss phlox and breathtaking lavender fields, while autumn offers expansive displays of colorful foliage, always keeping tourists excited.

So, you're probably wondering what awaits us in August, which is generally considered the height of summer, right?

So, this time, I'd like to introduce some of Hokkaido's must-see attractions and events in August, from classic spots to more niche information!
Why not try some seasonal ways to enjoy Hokkaido that are unique to the region?

<Table of Contents>
1. Flower spots in August
2. Outdoor spots in August
3. Notable events in November
4. August weather and clothing
Final thoughts

1-1. Cosmos field at Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park

Many people might be surprised to hear about cosmos flowers in August, but Hokkaido is an environment where you can feel the arrival of autumn a little earlier.

In August, approximately 10 million cosmos flowers bloom across a vast 10-hectare area in the cosmos field at Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park.

Even though we simply call them cosmos, there are many varieties. The cosmos we usually see are the pink variety called "Ooharushungiku" and the yellow variety called "Kibana Cosmos."

The park boasts 16 different varieties of cosmos flowers, including the popular "Chocolate Cosmos" which has a faint chocolate scent, and "Versailles Pink," a large-flowered variety with a classic cosmos shape!

When the flowers start to bloom, there are tons of events such as the "Cosmos Blooming Declaration Fireworks Display" and the "Cosmos Festa"!

Nearby, you can enjoy the rich natural environment by visiting an observation deck where you can take in a 360-degree view of the flowers, or by climbing up to the "Rainbow Plaza" in Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park and visiting the Mihara Ranch where you can play with cows and take in the view of the entire town.

During this time of year, three carts operate throughout the park, so why not take your time and enjoy the autumn scenery at your leisure?

[Engaru Park, Sun Hill]
Address: Marudai, Engaru-cho, Monbetsu-gun
Phone: 0158-42-8360 (Engaru Town Tourism Association, Engaru Branch)
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Operating period: Closed during winter
Fee: Only charged during the cosmos blooming season.
・Adults (high school students and above) 300 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 150 yen
Official site:http://cosmos-love.com/

1-2. Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village

After 20 years, Kitaryu Town's Sunflower Village is now home to a staggering 150 million sunflowers in full bloom.
Hybrid sunflowers, as well as spring gentians, summer gentians, and flowering gentians, are blooming all over the area.

The sunflower fields, carefully nurtured by the residents of Hokuryu Town, have now been featured in numerous media outlets and have become a popular scenic spot.
The park gets very crowded during this period due to events, but since it's open 24 hours, going early in the morning or in the evening is also an option!

[Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village]
Address: 143-2 Itaya, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0164-34-2082 (Only available during the Sunflower Festival: late July to late August)
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 18:00 PM
Operating period: July 15th (Sat) - August 20th (Sun), 2017. Open every day.
Price: Free admission
Official site:http://portal.hokuryu.info/

1-3. Observation Flower Garden, Shikisai-no-oka

Biei is also in full bloom with flowers.
Once the lavender season is over, Shikisai-no-Oka will be adorned with the flowers of midsummer.

Because the gardening is applied directly to the hillside, the beautiful curves are so perfectly rendered that they look like they were painted on a picture.

In August, colorful celosia flowers, sunflowers, dahlias, snapdragons, and other flowers bloom profusely, and towards the end of August, cosmos flowers also begin to bloom.
Afterwards, we took a relaxing break at the alpaca farm. It's a lovely place where you can enjoy different flowers depending on the season, even though it's a popular spot.

[Shikisai-no-Oka Observation Flower Garden]
Address: Shinsei 3rd, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0166-95-2758
Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 18:00 PM
Operating period: Year-round (The restaurant is closed every Wednesday from November to March of the following year.)
Admission: Free (We would appreciate a donation of approximately 200 yen to help with the maintenance of the flower garden!)
Official site:http://www.shikisainooka.jp/

2-1. It's summer! Let's go camping in the forest! Let's go to "Dōmin no Mori" (Hokkaido Residents' Forest), where you can enjoy all kinds of activities!

"Dōmin no Mori" is a general term encompassing the areas of Kamui-shiri, Makiba Minami, Aoyama Chuo, Ichibangawa, and Tsukigata, a vast 12,000-hectare forest where visitors can enjoy activities, camping, river activities, pottery, woodworking, and more—experiences that are difficult to find elsewhere—in the midst of nature.

Activities that we particularly recommend include forest observation tours, mountain climbing, and Nordic walking, where you can encounter and discover various forms of life.

We offer everything from short 30-minute hiking courses perfect for beginners to more challenging mountain climbing routes like Mt. Kamui-shiri, Mt. Pinneshiri, and Mt. Kumane-shiri, provided you're properly prepared!

In addition to outdoor activities, there are also pottery and woodworking workshops at the forest learning center, offering plenty of things for people of all ages to enjoy.

Furthermore, the wooden sandbox, perfect for families with young children, and the large grassy area where kids can play freely outdoors are also attractive features!
You can buy a packed lunch and spend the whole day there.

Furthermore, it is possible to stay overnight at the Hokkaido Prefectural Forest.
You can choose between a survival-style camping experience where you pitch a tent in the middle of nature, or a bungalow or well-equipped cottage, depending on your preference.

Also, the old-fashioned "Goemon bath" in the Ichibangawa area is a precious bath where you can do everything yourself, from filling it with water to chopping firewood.
Enjoy it with your family and friends!

[Hokkaido Citizens' Forest]
Address: 192-7 Sakaemachi, Tobetsu-cho, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0133-22-3911
Opening hours: 9:30 AM - 16:30 PM
Operating period: Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from November to April.
Prices vary depending on the facility. Please check the official website for details (online reservations available).
Official site:https://www.dominno-mori.org/

2-2. Moerenuma Park

Moerenuma Park skillfully incorporates art and is also used as a place of relaxation for the people of Hokkaido.

In the summer, Moere Beach, designed to resemble a beach, becomes the perfect playground!
The pond features a mechanism that creates ripples of water spreading from the center down to the seashore, making it a pleasant place for both children and adults to run around barefoot.

[Moerenuma Park Moere Beach]
Address: 1-1 Moerenuma Park, Higashi-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
Phone: 011-790-1231
Opening hours (Moere Beach): 10:00-16:00 (tentative)
Operating period (Moere Beach): June 16th (Fri) to September 6th (Wed), 2017. Closed on Thursdays.
Price: Free admission
Official site:http://moerenumapark.jp/

2-3. Lake Shikaribetsu

Lake Shikaribetsu is famous for its winter village, but it actually has plenty of things to do in the summer too!
Lake Shikaribetsu is home to the "Shikaribetsu Lake Nature Center," which offers a variety of activities including canoeing, night watching, and air trips.

Furthermore, along Prefectural Road 85, also known as the "Pearl Skyline," which connects Nukabira Onsenkyo and Lake Shikaribetsu, there's a chance you might even see a sea of ​​clouds!
If you take this limited-time route and get to see a sea of ​​clouds, you're in luck!

[Shikaribetsu Lake Nature Center] *Activity experience location
Address: Lake Shikaribetsu, Shikaoi-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0156-69-8181
Official site:http://www.nature-center.jp/summer_act.html

<PR>
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Niikappu Heartwarming Stamp Rally 2017
The "Niikappu Heartwarming Stamp Rally 2017" is being held in Niikappu Town, the hometown of horses, from April 22nd to September 30th, 2017.
Visit three or more tourist spots in town, up to a maximum of seven, collect stamps at each location, and enter the contest for a chance to win prizes (275 winners in total).
Participants have commented, "What a wonderful view!", "The horses are so cute!", and "I rediscovered the charm of Niikappu," making it increasingly popular! Why not take this opportunity to enjoy Niikappu town and its sprawling horse ranch scenery?
[Niikappu Town Tourism Association Official Website]For more information, click here

3-1. Hakodate's Big Event! Hakodate Port Festival

The Hakodate Port Festival, eagerly awaited by the approximately 2 residents of Hakodate, features parades through the city dancing the Hakodate Port Dance and the Hakodate Squid Dance.

This festival, which takes place over five days, features a different route each day, and "Wasshoi Hakodate" is filled with excitement, bringing energy not only to the citizens but also to the spectators.

Furthermore, on August 1st, the day this event begins, the 62nd Doshin Fireworks Festival will also be held, and the magnificent fireworks soaring from Hakodate Port will surely boost morale.
Why not experience the biggest event that brightens up Hakodate's short summer?

·Official site:http://www.hakodate-minatomatsuri.org/
Event period: August 1st (Tue) - August 5th (Sat)

3-2. Hokkaido Balloon Festival

The balloons soaring high into the sky have now become a major event in Kamishihoro Town.

The Hokkaido Balloon Festival, now in its 44th year, is a competition where teams from both within and outside Hokkaido take to the skies.
Numerous events are held within the venue, so you can stop by as a tourist and experience the excitement firsthand.

·Official site:http://www.kamishihoro.jp/sp/balloonfestival
Event dates: August 11th (Fri) - August 13th (Sun) (tentative)

~The photo is for illustrative purposes only~

The Obihiro and Tokachi area also boasts a plethora of fireworks displays, including the Obihiro Hirokoji Tanabata Festival, Toyokoro Summer Festival Fireworks Display, Tokachi Port Maritime Fireworks Display, Kachimai Fireworks Display, Ikeda Summer Festival Evening Fireworks Display, Doshin Tokachi River Fireworks Display, and Otofuke Chamber of Commerce Summer Festival Evening Fireworks Display!

3-3. Onneyu Hot Spring Festival

The Onneyu Onsen Festival is a major summer event in the Onneyu Onsen area, attracting many tourists every year.

The highlight is the spectacular "Mikoshi River Crossing," a procession expressing gratitude to the "God of Hot Springs." The sight of the portable shrine being carried into the Mukagawa River and paraded through the streets is a unique experience only found here.
Other events include fireworks displays and performances of YOSAKOI Soran dance.

More details should be available in July, so please check the official website.

·Official site:http://www.onneyuonsen.jp/index.html
Event dates: August 5th (Sat) - August 6th (Sun)

3-4. Citizen-created Hakodate outdoor drama

The Hakodate Citizens' Creative Outdoor Theater is one of the largest outdoor theater productions in Japan, taking place at Goryokaku in Hakodate.

From planning and production to casting, this epic 75-minute historical drama, entirely handled by citizen volunteers from Hakodate, vividly illuminates Goryokaku at night.
Why not experience the immersive atmosphere of this premium world, available only during this time of year?

·Official site:http://www.yagaigeki.com/
Dates: August 11th (Fri), August 12th (Sat) *There will also be performances in July.

3-5. Noboribetsu Hell Festival

~Image provided by Noboribetsu Tourism Association~

The Noboribetsu Hell Festival is Noboribetsu's biggest event, held once a year when the cauldrons of Hell Valley open and King Yama and demons appear.

The Hell Festival is also particularly popular with families with children.
The terrifying appearances of King Yama and the demons are so intimidating they'll silence even crying children!

·Official site:http://www.noboribetsu.tv/maturi02/
Event dates: August 26th (Sat) - August 27th (Sun)

Although there are temperature differences between the north and south of Hokkaido, you can generally wear short sleeves, just like on the mainland.
In Sapporo, the average temperature in August is around 21 degrees Celsius. In eastern Hokkaido, where the temperature is the lowest, it's a comfortable 17.5 to 20 degrees Celsius.

However, one thing to be aware of is the significant temperature difference between morning and evening.
It's always a good idea to bring something to wear over your clothes, so I recommend preparing one.

Final thoughts

What did you think?
We've selected some must-see spots in Hokkaido that are perfect for summer!

Hokkaido, which has the shortest summer in Japan, offers plenty of unique sights to see during that time of year.
I hope you enjoy it!

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