Winter is the perfect time to visit Hokkaido! January's must-see destinations in Hokkaido! Hokkaido Lab ~A comprehensive guide to enjoying Hokkaido's cuisine, nature, and culture~

Winter offers plenty of attractions to visit! Hokkaido travel in January: Highlights!

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: Last updated: September 12, 2018

Table of contents

1. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in January

Polar bears at Asahiyama Zoo Many people might think that January in Hokkaido is a time of short days, cold, and unsuitable for travel other than skiing.
That's one of the biggest misconceptions.
January in Hokkaido is full of otherworldly charms that you simply cannot experience anywhere else in Japan.

But for those of you who are unsure where to go, we'll introduce some absolutely recommended spots from a truly fantastical world beyond your imagination.
I hope that after reading this article, you will experience the charm of enjoying the outdoors in the bitter cold.

<Table of Contents>
1. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in January
1-1. Asahiyama Zoo Winter Zoo
1-2. Drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk
1-3. Nayoro Sun Pillar
2. Must-see events in Hokkaido in January!
2-1. Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival
2-2. Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan
2-3. Hakodate Winter Festival
3. Hokkaido specialties you'll want to eat in January!
3-1. Bluefin tuna from Toi, Hakodate
3-2. Sea urchins from Shiretoko Rausu
4.1. Hokkaido weather and temperature in January
5.1. What should I wear when going to Hokkaido in November?
Summary

1. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in January

1-1. Asahiyama Zoo Winter Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo is especially popular in the summer.
It's perfectly natural to want to see animals in cool Hokkaido during summer vacation.
However, the climate in Asahikawa, where temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius even in Hokkaido, is a bit harsh for Asahiyama Zoo, which has many animals from northern regions, and the animals are somewhat exhausted.
It's a shame that the Amur tiger, whose main selling point is its behavioral exhibit, became immobile due to the heat.

Hokkaido trip in January Image source: Asahikawa Tourism Photo Library

The animals of the northern regions are at their most vibrant and are best seen this January.
The penguins are incredibly popular for their adorable gait, and their strolls are a major draw. Later, ferocious animals like tigers and snow leopards also stroll around their enclosures as if they've found their own way, or take comfortable naps.

The polar bears looked exactly as they do on television when you see them on the ice fields. This truly exemplifies the essence of behavioral exhibits.
Naturally, animals that are sensitive to the cold won't go outside, but giraffes and rhinos sometimes linger around, seemingly enjoying the scenery and climate different from their birthplace.
As a zoo in the north, it boasts an excellent location this January. I highly recommend visiting.

Hokkaido trip in January Image source: Asahikawa Tourism Photo Library

Basic Information
Asahiyama Zoo Winter Zoo
Event Period (Winter Opening/Typical): Mid-November to Early April
Access: From JR Hakodate Main Line "Asahikawa Station," take Asahikawa Electric Railway bus number 41, 42, or 47 for approximately 40 minutes and get off at "Asahiyama Zoo."
Admission fee: 820 yen for adults, free for junior high school students and younger.
For inquiries, please contact Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa City at 0166-36-1104.
website http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/

1-2. Drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk

Typically, drift ice approaches the Hokkaido coast in mid-January, coming within about 40 km of the coast.

This moment marks the start of drift ice sightseeing. The drift ice approaches the land day by day, separating the azure sea and the blue sky.

To enjoy the beautiful contrast with the ocean, January might be a better time than February when everything is completely covered.

Ice floe sightseeing boats depart from terminals in Monbetsu and Abashiri in search of drift ice.
On the drift ice, you might see seals raising their young in an environment free from natural predators, or eagles using the drift ice as a foothold to travel all the way to Hokkaido.

Hokkaido trip in January

They are so small they are invisible to the naked eye, but there must be sea angels (Clione) gracefully drifting in the sea beneath the drift ice.

The drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk is one of the southernmost forms of drift ice found in the Northern Hemisphere.
Moreover, tasting the first harvest of the season is nothing short of a feast for the eyes. Please enjoy this jewel that shines amidst the harsh winter of Hokkaido.

This is because, perhaps due to the effects of recent global warming, the time when the seas open and the drift ice disappears is gradually getting earlier. What used to be visible in April can now be reliably seen until the beginning of March. Hurry!

Hokkaido trip in January

~Garinko II operates (Monbetsu)~
Operating period: Mid-January to late March
Access: From JR Sekihoku Line "Engaru Station," take a local bus and get off at "Okhotsk Tower Entrance"; from JR Senmo Line "Abashiri Station," take an express bus (operates only in winter); from JR Hakodate Line "Asahikawa Station," transfer to an intercity bus at "Monbetsu" and then take a bus to "Kaiyo Koryukan" (operates only in winter); or from "Memanbetsu Airport," it's about a 2-hour drive.
Admission: Adults 3000 yen, Children 1500 yen (Reservations required)
For inquiries, please contact Okhotsk Garinko Tower Co., Ltd. at 0158-24-8000.
~The icebreaker "Aurora" for drift ice sightseeing is now in operation (Abashiri)~
Operation period: Late January to early April
Access: 20-minute walk from JR Senmo Main Line "Abashiri Station" or approximately 5 minutes by bus from platform 3 to "Abashiri Bus Terminal" and then a 10-minute walk (winter only: take a bus from platform 1 at JR Senmo Main Line "Abashiri Station" and get off at "Michi-no-Eki Ryuhyo Saishosen Noriba").
Admission fees: Adults (junior high school age and older) 3300 yen, elementary school students 1650 yen. *Infants are free.
For inquiries, please contact Doto Tourism Development Co., Ltd. at 0152-43-6000 (reception hours: 9:00 AM - 18:00 PM).

1-3. Nayoro Sun Pillar

Diamond dust is a phenomenon that can only be seen in some mountainous areas of Japan, such as Nagano and Toyama prefectures, and in Hokkaido.

This phenomenon occurs when water vapor in the air freezes and floats in the air, scattering fragments of light all around our field of vision.

Then, when the rising or setting sun shines on that diamond dust, it looks as if a staircase of light is stretching into the sky, which is the phenomenon known as a sun pillar.

Hokkaido trip in January Image provided by: Kamikawa General Promotion Bureau

This phenomenon only occurs at temperatures below -15℃, and the first condition is that there is no snow or clouds.
This mystical sight can be observed in the Kamikawa region, including Nayoro City.

As the rising sun begins to peek over the mountain ridge, a column of light stretches upward into the sky in the opposite direction.
You will feel something that cannot be expressed by the word "emotion" as it runs up your spine.

A fleeting glimmer that soon vanishes into thin air. If you can experience that moment, it's sure to be a lifelong memory.

Hokkaido trip in January Image provided by: Kamikawa General Promotion Bureau

Visit the Kamikawa region in mid-to-late January, the coldest time of year, to experience something truly moving.
Nayoro City, in particular, boasts many facilities named after sun pillars, making it famous for its spectacular winter scenery.

Nayoro Sun Pillar Basic Information
Period: From the end of December to the beginning of March
For inquiries, please contact the NPO Nayoro Tourism and Community Development Association.
Address: 1-10, Higashi 1-jo Minami 7-chome, Nayoro City, Hokkaido 096-0001, Japan (Ekimae Koryu Plaza Yorona 1F)
TEL +01654-9-6711-XNUMX
FAX +01654-9-6712-XNUMX

Next page 2. Must-see events in Hokkaido in January!