Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter: Recommended Trips to Hokkaido! | Hokkaido Lab - A Hokkaido Travel Guide to Enjoy Gourmet Food, Nature, and Culture

If you're going to Hokkaido in any season, here are some recommended trips!

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: Last updated: September 12, 2019

Speaking of which, what's your favorite season?

Hokkaido is enjoyable no matter when you visit, but of course, you'll want to visit during your favorite season, right?

However, even those who dislike winter because they find it cold might find clues to their love for winter by deliberately going out in winter.

So, this time, I'd like to introduce "What kind of trips should you take to Hokkaido in spring, summer, autumn, and winter? Recommended trips for each season."

Knowing about our recommended themed trips, spots, and must-try foods for each season might inspire you to want to go! We hope this is helpful!

1. A Springtime Trip Filled with Cherry Blossoms

First, let's talk about spring. In Hokkaido, the northernmost region of Japan, the peak of spring is from late April to mid-May. Let me introduce you to some famous spots for the cherry blossoms, which are the last to bloom in Japan, and for the moss phlox, which transforms the landscape into a sea of pink.

1-1. Goryokaku Park, a major cherry blossom viewing spot.

Goryokaku Park in Spring

Goryokaku Park, a symbol of Hakodate, is a place where cherry blossoms, steeped in history, are magnificent.
When spring arrives, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees, said to have been planted during the Taisho era, bloom all at once. There are approximately 1,600 of them! It's truly a wonderful feeling to stroll through Goryokaku while walking through a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
While viewing the cherry blossoms up close is certainly beautiful, the view from Goryokaku Tower is also absolutely stunning, so why not enjoy both?
Timing (typical year): Late April to early May

1-2. Large-scale moss phlox: Higashimokoto Moss Phlox Park

Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park

Located in Ozora Town in eastern Hokkaido, Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park is known as one of the best places to see moss phlox in Hokkaido.
In recent years, there has also been a phenomenon called "lucky moss phlox," where it is said that finding a cherry blossom with seven petals will bring you happiness.
While gazing at the sea of moss phlox, why not try looking for good luck too?
Timing (typical year): Early May to early June

1-3. Speaking of moss phlox that has been attracting attention recently, there's "Mr. Mishima's Moss Phlox Garden."

Mishima's Moss Phlox Garden

And, based on my own personal opinion and bias, I absolutely must introduce this moss phlox.
"Mishima-san's Moss Phlox Garden," located in Kutchan Town, is a private residence that is open to the public free of charge. The moss phlox that adorn the flowerbeds, covering approximately 4000 square meters, is truly beautiful!
The contrast with Mount Yotei in the background makes for a picturesque scene. Let's fully connect with nature in this place that truly evokes the feeling of spring.

Official site:http://www.town.kutchan.hokkaido.jp/tourism/midokoro/shibazakura/mishimasan/
Timing (typical year): Late April to early May

2. 'Summer': A Journey of Flowers, Forests, and Fresh Greenery

Next up is Hokkaido in the summer, when it transforms into its most vibrant colors.
Here, we'll introduce two places that even those who aren't Hokkaido fans should visit at least once: Furano and Biei, and Rishiri and Rebun, which are must-visit destinations for Hokkaido enthusiasts.

2-1. Furano and Biei

Furano Lavender Fields

Summer in Hokkaido is short, but even within that short time, there are many flowers that bloom beautifully.
Speaking of famous spots, the farms of Furano and Biei are a must-see. Poppies and salvias begin to bloom around springtime, and as the varieties change, they paint the entire area in beautiful colors.
In the summer, lavender, along with other flowers such as celosia, Japanese rose, and marigolds, bloom in a curving pattern, allowing you to fully enjoy the floral art.
There are many impressive farms, making it a perfect tourist destination for flower viewing. The "Garden Road" connecting to Tokachi is also worth seeing. Driving along the road and following the flowers is a fun experience!
Timing (typical year): Early June to early September (lavender is in season from late June to late July)

2-2. Rishiri and Rebun

Mount Rishiri

Rishiri Island offers stunning views of the majestic Mount Rishiri. Every year, many tourists visit Rishiri Island to enjoy the summer flowers, such as the alpine plants Hemerocallis middendorffii and Anemone flaccida.
The island has many places to visit, including popular spots like Himenuma Pond and Otatomari Pond, as well as Fujino Park, which is home to a large colony of Ezo daylilies.
Period (typical): From early June to late October

Rebun Island

Rebun Island is also a popular tourist destination. It's known as the "Floating Island of Flowers" because alpine plants bloom even at sea level. It's highly recommended for those who want to enjoy Rebun Island's unique vegetation and trekking!

Why not experience firsthand the brief period when the area is filled with beautiful alpine plants?
Period (typical): From early June to late October

3. Autumn: A trip to enjoy the autumn foliage on a grand scale.

Next, we'll introduce "Autumn in Hokkaido." After summer ends, autumn arrives in Hokkaido in the blink of an eye.
In some areas, the autumn foliage can be seen from late August until around October, making it the best time to enjoy autumn in Hokkaido.
This time, we'll introduce two famous spots where the scenery is bathed in crimson light.

3-1. Coral grass of Lake Notori

Coral grass of Lake Notori

Lake Notoro, located in Abashiri City, is usually a quiet lake, but as autumn arrives, the coral grass begins to change color, covering the lake in a crimson carpet.
Lake Notori itself is a saltwater lake connected to the Sea of Okhotsk, and the unique characteristic of the salt-tolerant plants, such as coral grass, that turn red in autumn creates a breathtaking crimson wonderland. A truly awe-inspiring experience awaits you.
Timing (typical year): Mid-September to late September

3-2. Autumn leaves in Jozankei

Autumn leaves in Jozankei

Jozankei is a gorge located in Minami Ward, Sapporo City. Often referred to as Sapporo's hidden gem, this area is a popular spot year-round due to its hot springs.
But the best time to visit is definitely autumn. You can see the beautiful scenery of the mountains when they are ablaze with color from the mountaintop by taking a gondola. There is also a "Momiji Kappa Bus" that tours the best spots to see the autumn leaves.
There are many ways to enjoy the autumn foliage, from canoeing to soaking your feet in a footbath. Let's enjoy the autumn leaves in a way that is unique to Jozankei.
Timing (typical year): Early October to mid-October

4. Winter: A journey to enjoy the mystery of snow and ice and the cold.

Finally, we'll cover "Winter in Hokkaido." February is the coldest month of Hokkaido's long winter, and we'll explore the unique natural phenomena and events that can only be experienced in winter in Hokkaido.
Among them, I'd like to introduce two experiences that are truly representative of Hokkaido in the middle of winter.

4-1. Drift ice

Drift ice in Abashiri

In the northern land of Hokkaido, winter offers mystical natural phenomena depending on the location. One such phenomenon is the drift ice that completely covers the Sea of Okhotsk.
These ice floes are mainly found around Abashiri, and you can explore this world by cruising on an icebreaker sightseeing boat or walking through it.
The scale of this spectacle is something that cannot be fully conveyed in photographs, so I highly recommend you see it for yourself. Why not experience a phenomenon that can only be seen in extreme cold?
Period: Late January to late March

4-2. Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan

Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan

photolibrary

Lake Shikaribetsu, the only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park, hosts the "Shikaribetsu Lake Kotan" festival every winter.
Because it's located at the highest altitude in Hokkaido, the lake freezes completely. That's where the village (kotan) appears.
On the lake, you can enjoy a festival of snow and ice, with ice lodges, ice chapels, ice bars, and the world's only open-air ice bath.
The phantom village (kotan) that only appears in winter can only be enjoyed at this time of year.
If you dress warmly, you'll surprisingly not feel the cold. You can have an experience you can only have here!
Period: Late January to late March

Final thoughts

Summer scenery in Hokkaido

What did you think?
This time, we introduced travel spots that we recommend for each of the four seasons.
Each region has its own unique characteristics, allowing you to experience the four seasons, and I think Hokkaido is the place where you can truly experience the best of Japan.
I hope you will experience a trip that brings out the maximum emotions a person can feel, such as seeing flowers or vast landscapes.

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