Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in winter, thanks to its abundant powder snow and top resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. Sapporo, Hokkaido’s main city, famous for Sapporo beer, Sapporo ramen and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. Hakodate is a traditional port with charming historical areas and gorgeous night views. Hokkaido’s mild summers provide relief from Japan’s humidity, and the perfect conditions for hiking and exploring the many National Parks. Much of Hokkaido is wild and unspoiled, with natural hot springs, volcanic lakes and unforgettable experiences. Explore the culture and traditions of the indigenous Ainu people at Lake Akan, and journey to the Shiretoko Peninsula to see free-roaming brown bears, foxes and deer.
How to Get There
Hokkaido is accessible by plane from all major airports in Japan to New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, with international flights from Shanghai and Seoul. Daily direct flights from Tokyo reach Sapporo in less than 2 hours. It’s also possible to take the bullet train from Tokyo; the journey is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Don’t Miss
• Hitting the slopes of Niseko and Rusutsu in winter
• The rolling hills of Furano’s lavender farms in summer
• Fresh seafood including succulent crab, salmon and fresh sushi
• The unspoiled wilderness of Hokkaido’s national parks