Sapporo
Hokkaido’s capital is an easy first night after the flight or train from Honshu: beer halls, a snow festival in February, and a compact centre that is simple to explore on foot.
Visit Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is the country’s last wilderness. The high mountains, crystal-clear lakes and wide-open spaces set it far apart from the hustle, bustle and city lights of southern Japan — and its empty, sweeping roads are ideal for self-driving. Despite its remote location, Hokkaido is linked to the main island by air and rail, and our specialists visit regularly so they can share their experiences to build a tailor-made trip to suit you.
This is where you’ll find Japan’s highest concentration of national parks, which vary from the almost fluorescent-green Kushiro Wetlands to Shiretoko National Park, where you can sometimes spot brown bears along the coast.
Places to visit in Hokkaido
Shiretoko National Park
A UNESCO-listed peninsula of forests, drift ice in winter and one of Japan’s best chances of seeing brown bears, eagles and coastal wildlife.
Asahidake
A cable car climbs toward the summit of Hokkaido’s highest peak, with alpine boardwalks, steam vents and onsen villages at the base.
Furano & Biei
In summer the hills fill with lavender and flower fields; in winter the same valleys become a ski and powder-snow landscape.
Hakodate
A historic port at Hokkaido’s southern tip, known for its morning market, star-shaped fortress and night views from Mount Hakodate.
Kushiro Wetlands
Japan’s largest marshland is one of the last strongholds of the red-crowned crane, especially atmospheric when frost and snow settle in winter.
Best time to visit Hokkaido
Hokkaido is at its most comfortable in late spring and early autumn. Winter brings deep snow, skiing and festivals; July and August are the months for flower fields and hiking without the humidity of Honshu’s cities.
Suggested itineraries featuring Hokkaido
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Hokkaido, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created around you.
South Korea and Japan
Japan & South Korea's Busan with a luxury Silversea cruise
18 days from £11,800pp
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Places near Hokkaido
Photos of Hokkaido
Our expert guides to exploring Hokkaido
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Hokkaido, these guides will help you make the most of your time there.
Driving in Japan: Hokkaido Island
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is a volcanic, alpine-forested wilderness with bubbling hot springs and vivid-blue caldera lakes. Japan specialist Toby explains how you can make the most of your visit by self-driving across the island.
Driving in Japan: the logistics
In this how-to guide, our Japan specialist Toby explains what it’s like driving around Japan. We’ve asked him some practical questions about traffic, navigation and the quirks of Japanese motoring.
Japan, the Joanna Lumley way
Spotting red-crowned cranes on a snow-dusted field, riding the ultra-modern bullet train, swimming with female free divers who represent a centuries-old tradition… Inspired by the 2016 docuseries Joanna Lumley’s Japan, Audley’s specialists share some like-minded experiences to include on a Japan trip.
Accommodation choices for Hokkaido
Hotel Bearmonte
Asahidake · Medium
JR Tower Hotel Nikko
Sapporo · First Class
Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi
Utoro · First Class
Tsuruga Hotel
Akan-ko National Park · Medium
Ideas for experiencing Hokkaido
Asahidake
Asahidake trekking
From Asahidake Onsen the cable car ride to the midway point of Mt Asahidake is the main attraction, and deservedly so — the views get more and more breathtaking the higher up you climb.
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