1. Hakodate

Hakodate is a port town. It once flourished as a pioneering settlement, and traces of that era remain, giving off a distinct foreign cultural atmosphere.
Furthermore, since remnants of dramatic events from the end of the Edo period remain throughout Hakodate, if you choose Hakodate as your destination, it is recommended to explore it thoroughly in a single trip.
You'll be able to truly appreciate its charm by taking your time to stroll along the hilly streets and explore places like the foreign cemetery.

Major tourist attractions include the Motomachi area with its cluster of churches, the Bay Area with its Kanemori Brick Warehouses, and Goryokaku Park for historical walks. Hakodate Morning Market, where you can enjoy seafood bowls and shopping, is also famous.
And in winter, you can see monkeys soaking in hot springs—a sight unique to Hakodate. You can see this at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden.

And when you talk about Hakodate, you can't miss Mount Hakodate, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the million-dollar nightscape.
In fact, you can not only enjoy the night view but also take a mountain walk while tracing its history, so if you want to enjoy both, be sure to climb up before sunset.

2. Otaru

Otaru is a city dotted with numerous tourist attractions, most notably the nostalgic Otaru Canal. Because it's easily accessible from Sapporo for a day trip, it attracts many tourists throughout the year.
Along the Otaru Canal, gas lamps illuminate the scenery, creating a breathtakingly beautiful atmosphere for a stroll. They beautifully illuminate the remnants of the city's past as a thriving shipping port from the late Meiji period to the early Showa period.

Furthermore, climbing Mt. Tengu or Mt. Kenashi in Otaru offers stunning night views of Otaru, making it a win-win situation where you can enjoy yourself both day and night.
It's also fun to stroll through the retro streets, visiting places like the Otaru Music Box Museum, the steam clock, and the area in front of the Nippon Yusen building.
On the other hand, there are places to hike near Otaru, with the Anataki waterfall on Shioya Maruyama being particularly famous. Many people also relax in hot springs after descending the mountain to soothe their fatigue.

Other popular spots include Takashima Cape, the Herring Mansion, Hiyoriyama Lighthouse, and Otaru Aquarium. There are also plenty of places to visit, such as the cherry blossoms at Temiya Park, the Otaru Wine Gallery, and Kitaichi Glass.
Otaru is also famous for its seafood and delicious sushi, so the fact that you can enjoy the best of Otaru all in one place is a great advantage for travelers!

3. Sapporo

Sapporo, arguably the quintessential Hokkaido destination, boasts excellent access from New Chitose Airport, the gateway to the north. Many people likely aim to start their trip there!
There are plenty of sights to see, with remnants of the Hokkaido Development Commission era, such as the Sapporo Clock Tower and the former Hokkaido Government Office building, concentrated along Odori Park and the south exit of Sapporo Station.
Other attractions include the Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, famous for its statue of Dr. Clark; Moerenuma Park, known for its artistic atmosphere; Toyohirakan, a nationally important cultural property located within Nakajima Park; and the Sapporo Snow Festival, held in Odori Park during the winter.

Sapporo also boasts a wealth of experiential facilities, including Maruyama Zoo and North Safari Sapporo, where visitors can interact with animals such as polar bears and owls, as well as Sapporo Satoland, a rural theme park that connects the city with agriculture.
For those who want to connect with nature, we also recommend the vast Maeda Forest Park, which feels like stepping into another world, as well as Mt. Moiwa, known for its beautiful autumn foliage, and Jozankei.
In the city, there are plenty of convenient foods you can eat while walking around, but it's best to eat until you're about 8% full, as eating too much and then walking right away can upset your stomach.

4. Furano and Biei

Furano and Biei are the places that have become popular tourist destinations, connecting Hokkaido with lavender.
Tomita Farm, which has become world-famous thanks to a single JR poster, is located right here in Furano.
The fields, spanning several hectares, begin preparations in the spring with everyone pitching in, and the landscape curves with not only lavender but also a variety of other colorful and beautiful plants.
Furthermore, it is famous as a filming location for numerous popular dramas, and the stone house and truck of Goro Kuroita used in "From the North Country," as well as the garden that appeared in "Garden of the Wind," are still used as tourist attractions.
If you try sightseeing from Goro's perspective, you might feel a sense of closeness to the place.

Biei is known as the "town of hills," and its rolling hills are beautifully depicted with seasonal flowers and rural landscapes.
In particular, pay attention to the trees standing in the midst of nature, such as the Mild Seven Hill and the Christmas Tree, which have become famous through TV commercials. Since it is basically a hill, every view is picturesque.
Also, the famous Shirogane Blue Pond is located here in Biei, so many people stop by to visit it as well.
Besides the lavender, the scenery of seasonal flowers beautifully painting the landscape is also one of its charms.
Cherry blossoms in spring, flowers in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snow in winter. The familiar four seasons unfold on a dynamic scale, making it quite a sight to behold.

5. Asahikawa

Asahikawa is a well-known tourist destination, home to the Asahiyama Zoo. A drama series based on the zoo has also been produced, and its popularity continues unabated.
The main attraction of Asahiyama Zoo is undoubtedly the "behavioral exhibit" method, which allows visitors to get very close to the animals.
Another point to note is that the animals you can see and the exhibits differ between summer and winter, ensuring that you can enjoy the park no matter when you visit.

Asahikawa isn't just known for its zoo.
The "Snow Museum," whose entire interior is designed to resemble snow, is located next to Asahikawa Station and opened on July 4, 2016. "Kitasaido Garden" features flowerbeds planted with seasonal flowers, herbs, and vegetables, allowing visitors to easily enjoy plant viewing.
Also, Tokiwa Park, a popular spot for Asahikawa residents to relax, offers boat rides where you can enjoy cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, so it's a great idea to explore not only the zoo but also the city of Asahikawa itself!

6. Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu boasts one of the largest volumes of hot spring water in Japan. From the mountain known as Jigokudani (Hell Valley), you can see the hot springs and steam emanating from underground, amidst the sulfurous air.
The presentation is quite impressive, with life-sized statues of characters like the blue demon and the red demon, all in keeping with the theme.
This is a rare opportunity to take a commemorative photo with a demon, so don't forget your camera. *Please rest assured that the demon is not alive.
Other famous attractions include the gourd-shaped Oyu-numa hot spring lake, Lake Kuttara, a caldera lake boasting some of the clearest waters in Japan, and Noboribetsu Bear Park, where bears are the stars and will strike any pose to get food from humans.

Another hot topic in recent years is the footbath at Oyunuma River. Here, the hot spring water overflowing from Oyunuma Lake flows naturally into the footbath! (In other words, the river itself is a hot spring.)
You can enjoy the unique pleasure of Noboribetsu by soaking your feet in a footbath while enjoying the scent of sulfur and the refreshing forest air.
Located very close to Taisho Jigoku (Taisho Hell) on the Oyunuma River nature trail, it's easy to drop by while taking a stroll. Admission is free.

7. Akan

Akan is a place where the traditions of the Ainu village remain strong. Even today, those traditions are expressed in various forms.
Furthermore, with beautiful lakes and observation decks scattered throughout the area, such as Lake Onneto, Lake Kussharo, and Lake Mashu, all set against a backdrop of stunning natural scenery, it's a great place to stop by while on a drive.
Lake Akan is home to spherical marimo algae. To visit the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center, where you can observe these rare marimo, which are also a special natural monument, take a sightseeing boat or high-speed ferry to Churui Island.

Other recommended nearby tourist attractions include the Ainu village, Mount Iwo, Benkei's Footbath (Bokke Promenade), and the Kushiro Marshland, which can be explored via walking trails.
The walking trail along the Kushiro Marshland Observatory course is about 2.5 km long, and the stroll to the satellite observation deck offers a valuable opportunity to encounter a variety of creatures and plants.

It is also famous for being a place where you can see red-crowned cranes in winter, and you can even see the cranes being protected at the Akan International Crane Center.

From the Higashi Hokkaido Photo Library
Another attraction of the Akan area is the abundance of events held throughout the year. There are various festivals such as the Marimo Festival, the Akan Autumn Harvest Festival, the Iomante Fire Festival, and the Lake Akan Ice Festival.
If you plan to go, I highly recommend getting event information beforehand and trying to time your visit accordingly.

8. Tokachi

Many of Tokachi's tourist attractions offer breathtaking scenery and opportunities to experience nature, and their scale will far exceed your imagination.
The "Garden Road," which connects eight gardens from Daisetsuzan to Furano and Tokachi, is the perfect route for a flower-viewing drive. The scenery, filled with flowers, is sure to be incredibly relaxing.

Also, the Taushubetsu Bridge, a concrete arch bridge located on Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro Town, is a fantastic sight when reflected in the lake. The nearby hot spring town is dotted with secluded hot springs.
Speaking of hot springs, Tokachi Onsen is also famous. This is also the place where you can enjoy "moor hot springs," which are known for their beauty benefits.

Also nearby are Kofuku Station, which has been designated a "Lover's Sanctuary" by the NPO "Lover's Sanctuary Project," and the former Horoka Station, which is no longer on the railway line but continues to attract tourists.
And this is no joke; JR seriously cooperated with the project, and there are things like the "Tofutsu Station sign" because the "futsu" in Tofutsu Station's name sounds similar to "dollar," so there are plenty of things to see, including people who come hoping for good luck.

9. Shiretoko

Shiretoko, a treasure trove of nature, offers a glimpse into a world shared by living creatures and nature itself.
Shiretoko Five Lakes, home to brown bears and other wildlife, is home to the famous Oshinkoshin Falls, as well as other natural wonders such as Kashuni Falls, Frepe Falls, and Youshibetsu Falls, which flow into the sea.

Also, since Hokkaido deer can be seen walking (and sometimes running) everywhere, extra caution is needed when driving. Because there are many mountain roads, safe driving is paramount.

As you head towards Utoro, you'll also come across "Godzilla Rock," which, once you're told it looks like Godzilla, is quite striking.
When taking commemorative photos, the subject may not fit in the frame, so you should give up on getting yourself in the shot and take the picture from a slightly further distance.

Another famous feature in winter is the "drift ice" that comes to the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.
You can learn about this mechanism at the Hokkaido Prefectural Okhotsk Sea Ice Science Center.
Hokkaido is home to many endangered bird species, including the Steller's sea eagle and the white-tailed eagle.
Since this bird can only be seen in winter, be sure to look for it if you visit Shiretoko during that time.

The sea angel (Clione), a fairy of Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage site, is also a creature of Shiretoko.

10. Wakkanai

If you consider going to the southernmost or northernmost point of a country a status symbol, then Wakkanai is highly recommended.
From Cape Nosappu, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Mount Rishiri, Rebun Island, and the silhouette of Sakhalin Island.
The Wakkanai Port North Breakwater Dome, located nearby, has been selected as a Civil Engineering Heritage Site by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and a Hokkaido Heritage Site.
And if you continue further north to Cape Soya, you will finally set foot on the northernmost point of Japan.
A monument has been erected to prove that this is "Japan's northernmost point," so it should make for a memorable experience.

Another famous route is the Orolon Line, a superb scenic drive along the coast from Wakkanai.
Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery, including the giant wind turbines of the Otonrui Wind Power Plant and the straight roads stretching out before you. You'll really get a sense of just how vast Hokkaido is.

Final thoughts

What did you think?
Even within the vast expanse of Hokkaido, there are certain places that you absolutely must not miss.
For first-timers, it's best to start with the classics! This selection of 10 places is guaranteed to satisfy.
As with any tourist destination, don't forget to check out the local cuisine. You'll be amazed by the freshness of the seafood and vegetables harvested in Hokkaido.

I hope you'll experience the grandeur of Hokkaido at least once, fall in love with it more and more, and come back again and again.

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