June in Hokkaido is just around the corner, and preparations for summer are about to begin. Many people may be wondering what to enjoy, what events are taking place, what the weather and climate are like, what to wear, and what are the must-see sights during this time of year.
Hokkaido is a wonderful place where you can enjoy yourself in every season. If you break it down month by month, the way you enjoy it changes! So, I'd like to introduce some Hokkaido tourist spots that are unique to June and that you should visit in June!
The coming season will be perfect for a summer getaway! We hope you'll enjoy the refreshing summer weather in Hokkaido.

<Contents>
6. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in June
6. Hokkaido's must-see events in June!
6. Hokkaido specialties you'll want to eat in June!
6. Weather and temperature in Hokkaido in June
What should I wear when going to Hokkaido in May or June?
Summary

6. Must-see sights in Hokkaido in June

If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido in June, I'd like to introduce some nature-based tourist spots, hoping that as many people as possible will get to experience its wonders.

Let's go trekking in Shiretoko and Lake Rausu, and visit the Shiretoko Sea to see whales and orcas.

June is the best season to see the beautiful scenery with lingering snow! The weather is generally good during this time, and a spectacular view awaits you at the end of your trek through the wetlands. However, the mountain trail is hilly, so you will need to be prepared for hiking.

Because the terrain is difficult to navigate and it's easy to get lost, I highly recommend enjoying the trek with a nature guide rather than going alone! They can tell you all about alpine plants and other points of interest.

Photo by Shiretoko Nature Office
Another attraction of Rausu's waters is the abundance of wildlife you can encounter! In June, you can mainly see minke whales, orcas, and dolphins, so be sure to take a sightseeing boat and observe them.

<Tourism Information:Shiretoko Rausu Town Tourism Association>
■Address: 361-1 Honcho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido
■Telephone: 0153-87-3360

<List of Rausu Lake Nature Guide Companies>
The mountain guide is...
★Shiretoko Factory
■Telephone: 0153-87-5885
★Shiretoko Club Guide
■Telephone: 0153-87-5019
The Rausu cruise is...
★知床ネイチャークルーズ
■Telephone: 0153-87-4001
Local tours to enjoy the flavors and culture of Rausu are available...
★Shiretoko Rausu Wrinkle
■Telephone: 0153-85-7604

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【Related article】
[Latest cherry blossoms in Japan? Cherry blossoms bloom in July!] A report on my trekking experience at Lake Rausu!
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The season has arrived! Rishiri Island and Rebun Island

Rishiri and Rebun Islands, with their alpine plants and places offering panoramic views of the majestic Mount Rishiri, will enter their peak tourist season in June. This year, tour groups have already been arriving in droves and seem to be thoroughly enjoying their sightseeing.
This remote island can be reached by taking the Heartland Ferry from Wakkanai Port. Why not try trekking or sightseeing during the best season?

The characteristics of each island are...
Rishiri Island is an island where you can enjoy spectacular views of Mount Rishiri, lakes and marshes where you can see the reflection of Mount Fuji in the water, and various sightseeing activities on the island.

Rebun Island is an island where you can enjoy alpine plants and trekking courses. It's a place with wonderful rolling hills and views overlooking the mountains.
Both locations are easily accessible as day trips from Wakkanai, so please do visit them! If you want to enjoy them at a more leisurely pace, I recommend staying overnight on the island.

<Tourism Information:Rishiri Town Tourism Association>
■Address: 14-1 Midorimachi, Kutsugata, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun (Inside Rishiri Town Hall)
■Telephone: 0163-84-3622

<Tourism Information:Rishiri Fuji Town Tourism Association>
■Address: 6 Fujino, Oshidomari, Rishiri-gun, Rishiri-Fuji-cho
■Telephone: 0163-82-1111

<Tourism Information:Rebun Island Tourism Association>
■Address: Tonnai, Kafuka Village, Rebun Town, Hokkaido (Inside the Industry Division of Rebun Town Hall)
■Telephone: 0163-86-1001

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【Related article】
The Complete Guide to Rishiri Island's Must-See Attractions! [Spring, Summer, and Autumn Edition]
Rebun Island Tourism | How to Enjoy Japan's Northernmost Island | 2015 Edition!
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・Tomamu Sea of ​​Clouds Terrace (located within Hoshino Resorts Tomamu)

The much-talked-about "Sea of ​​Clouds Terrace" will open again on May 12th, 2018! While only open in the early morning, you can enjoy a blissful time seeing the sea of ​​clouds up close. The breathtaking view that unfolds before your eyes will give you an experience unlike anything you've ever felt before.

In 2013, it became a famous spot with over 110,000 visitors in a single season, and now the Sea of ​​Clouds Terrace is a well-known destination, with repeat visitors and other visitors frequently mentioning it. It has even been selected as one of the must-see scenic spots.

The secret to its popularity lies in the fact that by using the ski resort's gondola during the summer, you can easily access the magnificent sea of ​​clouds that you would normally only be able to see by hiking, while enjoying an aerial stroll of about 13 minutes to the mountaintop.

Tomamu has a unique weather condition with large temperature differences between daytime and night/morning, making it ideal for the formation of sea of ​​clouds. As a result, the probability of a sea of ​​clouds forming is approximately 30-40% throughout the season.

Furthermore, you can enjoy four different decks, each offering a completely different view of the sea of ​​clouds. Depending on the weather conditions, you can get closer to the clouds from the jutting terrace and enjoy the sea of ​​clouds stretching right up to your feet!

Furthermore, with various items available such as the observation cafe, commemorative postcards, Tomamu Mountain climbing, and guided tours of the sea of ​​clouds, why not use this spot not only to see the sea of ​​clouds, but also to have various experiences in the environment where the sea of ​​clouds forms? You'll receive a lot of positive energy!

A new deck will be opening this year, so be sure to check the weather forecast and give it a try!
*Please note that the sea of ​​clouds is a natural phenomenon and may not occur, or the gondola may be suspended due to inclement weather.

Enjoy a yoga experience at the Sea of ​​Clouds Terrace!

<Sea of ​​Clouds Terrace, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu>
■Address: Nakatomamu, Shimukappu Village, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido
■Telephone: 0167-58-1111
■Operating period: May 12, 2018 (Sat) - October 15, 2018 (Tue)
■営業時間：【5月16日～5月31日】5:00～8:00（上り最終乗車）　※下り最終9:00
【9月1日～9月30日】4:30～7:00（上り最終乗車） 　※下り最終8:00
【10月1日～10月13日】5:00～7:00（上り最終乗車） ※下り最終8:00
■Price (Sea of ​​Clouds Gondola Ticket): Adults (Junior High School Students and older) 1,900 yen, Elementary School Students 1,200 yen, Pets 500 yen
■Discount for people with disabilities: (Junior high school students and older) Adults 950 yen, Elementary school students 600 yen
*All admission is free for preschool children.

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【Related article】
Breathtaking scenery! Three carefully selected locations in Hokkaido where you can enjoy the highly-anticipated sea of ​​clouds! [2017 Edition]
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・A night view of Sapporo from Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo!

The night view from Mt. Moiwayama is just as spectacular as the night view from Hakodate.
It is 531 meters high and is known as a mountain with an Ainu name.
Ainu name: Inkarshipe
Meaning: The place where one always goes up to keep watch.
From the observation deck, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view, including the cityscape of Sapporo, the Ishikari Plain, and Ishikari Bay.

The best time to enjoy a clear, beautiful night view with stable weather is from early June onwards. Be sure to head to the observation deck a little before sunset to witness the sight of the lights beginning to come on.

Also, in 2012, the "Bell of Love" located on the observation deck was selected as a sacred place for lovers, and it is said that if a couple writes their names on a love padlock and attaches it there, that couple will never break up.

Ringing a bell to deepen your bond with someone special is a wonderful way to do it!

<Sapporo Moiwayama Ropeway(Mountain Foot Office)
■Address: 5-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
■Telephone: 011-561-8177
■Operating period: Summer: April 1st to November 23rd
■Opening hours: 10:30 - 22:00 *Last northbound train is at 21:30
■ Rates
★Moiwa Mountain Foot Station → Moiwa Mid-Mountain Station → Moiwa Mountain Summit Station (Observation Deck) [Ropeway + Morris Car (Mini Cable Car)] Adults 1,700 yen, Children (Elementary school age and younger) 850 yen
★Moiwa Mountain Foot Station → Moiwa Mid-Mountain Station [Ropeway only] Adults 1,100 yen, Children (elementary school age and younger) 550 yen
★Moiwa Mid-Mountain Station → Moiwa Summit Station (Observation Deck) [Morris Car (Mini Cable Car) only]
Adults 600 yen, Children (elementary school age and younger) 300 yen

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【Related article】
One of Hokkaido's three greatest night views! The night view from Mt. Moiwa is a must-see when you go to Sapporo!
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・The best season is finally here! Lavender sightseeing in Furano and Biei

June is the season when the fresh greenery is dazzling, and Furano and Biei offer beautiful scenery that makes even a simple drive enjoyable.
But if you're going all the way there, a lavender tour is definitely a must. The peak season for lavender is July, but it starts to look beautiful from mid-to-late June, and it's a good time to enjoy it at your leisure as there aren't as many tourists.

Choosing from among so many farms can be difficult, but since they're concentrated along the Hanabito Kaido (Flower People's Road), you should be able to visit most of them. The farm I personally recommend is "Kanno Farm."

You can stay until sunset. All the seedlings are grown by hand. In addition to lavender, summer flowers are in full bloom, and seasonal local vegetables are also grown, so be sure to stop by!
Furthermore, Furano is dotted with tourist spots that have been featured in famous dramas. Visiting the Wind Garden and getting to know all the plants is also highly recommended!

Biei is known for its beautiful scenery that takes advantage of the slopes, such as "Shikisai no Oka" (Four Seasons Hill) and "Patchwork no Oka" (Patchwork Hill)! You can enjoy beautiful flowers along with the fresh greenery, so we recommend stopping by here as well.

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【Related article】
Let's go see the lavender in Furano! Everything you need to know about the best time to see it and the highlights!
Spots that showcase the best of Furano and Biei, along with suggested itineraries broken down by time!
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6. Hokkaido's must-see events in June!

A hot summer is coming to Sapporo! Let's feel the excitement at the YOSAKOI Soran Festival!

Provided by: YOSAKOI Soran Festival Organizing Committee
The Sapporo YOSAKOI Soran Festival is finally about to begin again this year. The festival will run for five days, from Wednesday, June 6th to Sunday, June 10th, 2018, and the city of Sapporo will be filled with dancing day and night.

YOSAKOI Soran is a fusion of the naruko (wooden clappers) used in Kochi Prefecture's Yosakoi Festival and the Hokkaido folk song Soran Bushi. Each team works together to showcase their uniquely crafted dances and compete against one another. The quality of the performances improves year after year, and the sight of each dancer dancing freely is so captivating that it's hard to sit still! You can witness the truly spectacular YOSAKOI Soran Festival.

Provided by: YOSAKOI Soran Festival Organizing Committee
Why not come and see the YOSAKOI Soran Festival, which takes place throughout the city, this year? There are also paid special seats available, so be sure to inquire in advance.

<YOSAKOI Soran Festival Organizing Committee>
■Telephone: 011-233-4351

・The opening of Shiretoko is full of fun!

The Shiretoko Opening Ceremony is a lively and vibrant event, taking place over two days, on the third Saturday and Sunday of June.

Rausu Town is a lively place filled with cheerful voices, and its main events include the Shiretoko Sennin Odori dance that parades through the town streets, the local performing art of Shiretoko Ibuki Taru, a fireworks display, and a town-wide tug-of-war competition! And you can't miss the sale of fresh seafood and marine products, as well as the Shiretoko Sennin Nabe, a hot pot dish made in a giant pot. There's so much to enjoy!
Be sure to enjoy it along with your sightseeing in Rausu!

<Tourism Information:Shiretoko Rausu Town Tourism Association>
■Address: 361-1 Honcho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido
■Telephone: 0153-87-3360

6. Hokkaido specialties you'll want to eat in June!

・Soft and creamy sea urchin available from June!

There are two types of sea urchins: the purple sea urchin and the green sea urchin. Actually, the best season for both is from June to August. The key to their taste lies in the seaweed they eat. Sea urchins that feed well on kelp and wakame grow well and become sweet and delicious. After August, sea urchins begin preparing to spawn, so be sure to try them this season! (I recommend sea urchins from the Shakotan Peninsula and Rishiri and Rebun Islands! Both are famous kelp producing areas, and the sea urchins there feed on delicious kelp, which makes them even tastier!)
*The fishing season for sea urchins (specifically the green sea urchin) opens in early to mid-June (this varies by region), so please check the opening date in advance if you plan to go during that time.
<Shakotan Tourism Association>
■Address: 380-6 Funama, Bikuni-cho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun, Hokkaido (Inside Shakotan Town Tourist Center)
■Telephone: 0135-44-3715

<Tourism Information:Rishiri Town Tourism Association>
■Address: 14-1 Midorimachi, Kutsugata, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun (Inside Rishiri Town Hall)
■Telephone: 0163-84-3622

<Tourism Information:Rishiri Fuji Town Tourism Association>
■Address: 6 Fujino, Oshidomari, Rishiri-gun, Rishiri-Fuji-cho
■Telephone: 0163-82-1111

<Tourism Information:Rebun Island Tourism Association>
■Address: Tonnai, Kafuka Village, Rebun Town, Hokkaido (Inside the Industry Division of Rebun Town Hall)
■Telephone: 0163-86-1001
(Be sure to check out restaurants that serve fresh sea urchin!)

The fishing season is in full swing from June. It would be a shame not to try Hakodate squid sashimi!

Every year, June 2nd marks the opening of the fishing season for Japanese flying squid (Surumeika)! According to the Hakodate Fisheries Cooperative's regulations, fishing for Japanese flying squid is prohibited from January to May. During this period, you cannot enjoy Hakodate's proud "transparent squid somen." Squid sashimi is raw squid eaten with soy sauce. Squid somen refers to squid eaten like somen noodles with noodle dipping sauce. The translucent Japanese flying squid dipped in noodle dipping sauce and eaten like somen is the best.
Fishing season will be opening soon! Many repeat customers are eagerly awaiting it. Enjoy the delicious squid sashimi made with squid caught this morning, and it's well worth the trip all the way to Hakodate!

<Tourism Information:Hakodate Morning Market Cooperative Association Federation Secretariat>
■Address: 9-19 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate City
■Telephone: 0138(22)7981

6. Weather and temperature in Hokkaido in June

(Left) Sapporo and (Right) Kushiro: Monthly average temperature and average precipitation (from the Japan Meteorological Agency website)

Because Hokkaido is so vast, the temperature around Hakodate is completely different from that around Kushiro, Wakkanai, and Shiretoko.
It's a common pattern that coastal areas like Kushiro are still cold, while inland areas are hot.

As you can see from the graph, the average temperature in inland areas such as Sapporo in June is 21 to 22 degrees Celsius, while the average temperature in coastal areas such as Kushiro is 17 to 18 degrees Celsius. In addition, the perceived temperature will differ in coastal and mountainous areas. On windy days, it can feel so cold that you might shiver, so be careful. In eastern Hokkaido, it is still quite cold in June around Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu, and Lake Akan. Make sure you are well-prepared so that you don't have to go back to your car because it's too cold when you wanted to take your time sightseeing.

What should I wear when going to Hokkaido in May or June?

In inland areas like Hakodate and Sapporo, there are days when short sleeves are fine, but it can still get chilly in the mornings and evenings, so a long-sleeved jacket is essential. A proper jacket is especially necessary when going out at night!

Also, depending on the tourist spot, while short sleeves may be fine in Sapporo or Hakodate, as mentioned above, in places like Kushiro, Wakkanai, Shiretoko, Furano, Biei, and the lake tours in eastern Hokkaido, you will definitely need a long-sleeved shirt to block the wind in open areas or mountainous regions. Surprisingly, people sometimes catch a cold due to insufficient clothing preparation, so be careful.

The conclusion is...
If you're going inland, bring short sleeves for hot days and long sleeves for evenings or windy days.
If you're going to Kushiro, Wakkanai, Shiretoko, etc., bring a long-sleeved jacket.
This is recommended. *However, be sure to take proper precautions against UV rays!

Summary

So, what did you think of our recommendations for Hokkaido in June? Just as there are seasons for food, there are also peak seasons for sightseeing, and there are plenty of exciting events coming up! We hope you enjoy Hokkaido in June.

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