Must-see sights and must-try foods in Hokkaido this summer | Hokkaido Lab - A comprehensive guide to enjoying Hokkaido's cuisine, nature, and culture.

Must-see sights and must-try foods in Hokkaido this summer.

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: Last updated: September 7, 2019

Hokkaido in summer, with its vibrant greenery, is full of breathtaking scenery you'll want to see and delicious local specialties you'll want to try.
But Hokkaido is huge!
To ensure you don't miss out on must-see places and must-try foods within your limited time, we'll give you a digest of "Hokkaido's best summer delights."

Table of contents

1. Scenery to see

　1-1. Furano and Biei in Summer

　1-2. Summer on Rebun and Rishiri Islands

　1-3. Sea of clouds

　1-4. Brown bears in Shiretoko during summer

　1-5. Sunflower Field

　1-6. Summer Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks

2. Must-try gourmet foods and local specialties in Hokkaido during the summer

　2-1. Melons: Kyowa Town, Yubari, Furano

　2-2. Corn (Furano)

　2-3. Sea urchin, Shakotan

　2-4. Japanese flying squid, Hakodate

　2-5. Hanasaki Crab, Nemuro

3. Conclusion

1. Scenery to see

Summer brings an enhanced contrast between the sky, sea, and land. Because the scenery in Hokkaido is so different in each of the four seasons, there are certain sights you simply must see!

1-1. Furano and Biei in Summer

Many people probably instinctively associate Hokkaido with Furano and lavender. The peak season for lavender in Furano is July.
In addition to the purple of lavender, the entire area is covered with flowers of red, yellow, and other hues.
When it comes to lavender in Furano, Farm Tomita is famous as a pioneer, but there are many other lavender spots as well.
During peak season weekends, traffic congestion can occur due to people heading to see the lavender fields, so it's a good idea to allow plenty of time when sightseeing in Furano.
July in Hokkaido: Furano Lavender

Shikisai-no-oka (Seasonal Flower Garden)

<Access to Furano>
by car
New Chitose Airport: Approximately 3 hours via expressway.
Asahikawa Airport: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes using public roads
By JR
New Chitose Airport to Sapporo to Takikawa to Furano: Approximately 3 hours if connections go smoothly.
Asahikawa to Furano: Approximately 1 hour
by bus
Sapporo to Furano: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Asahikawa Airport to Furano: Approximately 1 hour
*From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo, it takes about 40 minutes by JR rapid train and about 1 hour by bus.

1-2. Summer on Rebun and Rishiri Islands

Rebun Island, also known as the "Floating Island of Flowers," sees its alpine plants begin to sprout around April or May after the long winter ends, reaching their peak in the summer.
The contrast between the alpine plants, which can only be seen at altitudes of 1600m or higher, and the deep blue of the sea is the same on neighboring Rishiri Island.
Located on an island in the northernmost area, and only visible seasonally, this scenery is considered quite rare even within Hokkaido.

<Access to Rebun Island and Rishiri Island>
From New Chitose Airport
JR
There are no direct trains, so you will need to transfer at least twice. It's about a 10-minute walk from Wakkanai Station to Wakkanai Port.
New Chitose → Sapporo → Asahikawa → Wakkanai: 6 hours 30 minutes, one-way fare ¥10,390

Bath
Both the travel time and fare are reasonable. There are buses going to the bus terminal in front of the station and to the ferry terminal, and it's about a 10-minute walk from the bus terminal in front of the station to the ferry terminal.
Sapporo to Wakkanai: 5 hours 50 minutes, one-way fare ¥6,200
http://www.hokto.co.jp/b_wakkanai.htm

From the nearest airport
The nearest airport is Wakkanai Airport. A shuttle bus service operates in conjunction with flight arrivals and departures.
Airport – (approx. 30 minutes) – Wakkanai Station Terminal – (approx. 5 minutes) – Ferry Terminal. The one-way fare from the airport to the ferry terminal is ¥600.
http://www.soyabus.co.jp/airport/

ferry
Since there are only 2 to 4 round trips per day, be sure to check the schedule carefully.
Wakkanai → Rebun: 1 hour 55 minutes
http://www.heartlandferry.jp/

1-3. Sea of clouds

When it comes to sea of clouds in Hokkaido, "Tomamu" and "Lake Kussharo" are the top two.
Tomamu is a resort area with convenient access from New Chitose Airport, making it a spot where people of all ages can enjoy the sea of clouds.
On the other hand, Lake Kussharo has several viewpoints surrounding the lake, allowing you to enjoy the sea of clouds while driving and feel even closer to it.
The best time to see a sea of clouds is from June to August. It's heavily dependent on the weather, so if you've seen one, you're very lucky.
IMGP9164-2

<Access to Tomamu>
JR
Approximately 90 minutes by express train from New Chitose Airport.
(I.e.
Approximately 90 minutes from New Chitose Airport via expressway.
<Access to Lake Kussharo>
by car
Approximately 55 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport
Approximately 70 minutes from Nakashibetsu Airport
Approximately 110 minutes from Kushiro Airport
Approximately 90 minutes by car from Lake Akan

1-4. Brown bears in Shiretoko during summer

May to July is the active season for brown bears.
Brown bears are very wary, so you'll rarely see one in person, but you can see traces of their activity all over the wild and beautiful natural landscape of Shiretoko.
I highly recommend going trekking with a guide and listening to the sounds of the animals that live in the forest.
Wild animals of Hokkaido
<Access to Shiretoko Five Lakes>
Approximately 130 minutes by car from Memanbetsu/Nakashibetsu Airport

1-5. Sunflower Field

Sunflowers, like the summer sun. The sunflower fields of Hokkaido are simply breathtaking.
The season varies depending on the location, but it starts as early as July in some places and as late as September in others, ending in October.
It would be great to take photos that look like you've wandered into a fairy tale world.
Image of a sunflower field in Hokkaido
<Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village Access>
by car
Approximately 120 minutes from New Chitose Airport
Approximately 90 minutes from Sapporo
Approximately 60 minutes from Asahikawa

1-6. Summer Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks

There's a hot spring resort town by the lake, and a short drive away you'll find stylish, hidden cafes and bakeries—a perfect area for sightseeing.
Every year from Golden Week until the end of October, you can enjoy fireworks displays from 8:45 PM to 9:05 PM, so we highly recommend staying overnight to fully appreciate them.
Lake Toya as seen from Toyako Sun Palace
Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Festival
<Access to Lake Toya>
by car
Approximately 90 minutes from New Chitose Airport
Approximately 120 minutes from Sapporo Station
By JR
From New Chitose Airport, take the limited express train with a transfer at Minami-Chitose in approximately 90 minutes.
Approximately 120 minutes by limited express train from Sapporo Station.

2. Must-try gourmet foods and local specialties in Hokkaido during the summer

Even in Hokkaido, there are seasons for gourmet food.

2-1. Melons: Kyowa Town, Yubari, Furano

Melons are a representative fruit of Hokkaido. In particular, the "Yubari melon," characterized by its red flesh, is well-known and extremely popular.
Furano, which is next to Yubari, and Kyowa Town, which is next to Niseko, are also melon-producing areas.
Yubari melons are in season a little earlier, in June and July, so they tend to be more expensive. However, in Furano and Kyowa town, the season runs from July to September, and you can enjoy delicious melons at a slightly better price compared to Yubari melons.

2-2. Corn (Furano)

"Toukibi" is a local dialect name for corn. Hokkaido boasts over 45% of Japan's domestic corn production share. Within Hokkaido, the most famous corn-producing regions are concentrated in the inland areas where there is a large temperature difference between day and night.
It's cultivated in a relatively wide area including Furano, Biei, Yubari, and Niseko, so if you come across it during your travels, be sure to take a bite!
Also, from April to October, corn is sold from corn wagons in Sapporo's Odori Park, so in a sense, this is also a spring and summer specialty.

2-3. Sea urchin, Shakotan

In Hokkaido, sea urchins of various species can be harvested somewhere in the fishing grounds around Osaka throughout the year, but the peak season is summer!
I especially recommend Shakotan!

West of Otaru, in the waters off Shakotan, sea urchin fishing is permitted from June to August!
There are two types of sea urchins: Ezo sea urchin and Kita purple sea urchin. The Ezo sea urchin is sweeter and more expensive.
I recommend the luxury of comparing different flavors.

2-4. Japanese flying squid, Hakodate

When it comes to squid in Hokkaido, Hakodate is the place to go.
The squid fishing season usually opens in June. I'd love to eat the large, mature squid in squid sashimi noodles around July or August.
Also, a specialty of Mori Station, located near Hakodate, is the "Ika Meshi" (squid rice) bento box. From late July to late August, it's sold by vendors on the platform at Mori Station, making it a summer tradition!
Squid in a fish tank

2-5. Hanasaki Crab, Nemuro

The Hanasaki crab is characterized by its bright red, spiky appearance. Fishing for it is permitted from July to September in Nemuro, the easternmost point of Hokkaido.
The unique flavor and rich sweetness of Hanasaki crab.
It's a bit of a struggle to eat, but the deliciousness is well worth the effort.

3. Conclusion

There are sights to see and foods to eat in Hokkaido during the summer that you simply must experience!
Looking at it this way, Furano and Biei, Lake Toya and Shakotan, and Shiretoko and Lake Kussharo all seem like great places to visit, offering both sightseeing and delicious food.

However, I still have lingering feelings for Rebun Island, Rishiri Island, and Tomamu. Ah, why is Hokkaido so vast!

A luxurious summer getaway to Hokkaido. Let's start planning now so we don't have any regrets!

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