Visit Hokkaido, Japan

The high mountains, crystal lakes and wide open spaces of Hokkaido Island set it far apart from the hustle and bustle of southern Japan. This is Japan’s last wilderness region.

Daisetsu-zan National Park

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The high mountains, crystal lakes and wide open spaces of Hokkaido Island set it far apart from the hustle and bustle of southern Japan.

This is Japan’s last wilderness region, boasting the nation’s greatest concentration of national parks and brimming with a wonderful abundance of flora and fauna.

Hokkaido's weather

As Tokyo swelters through long summer days Hokkaido savours warm, temperate weather ideal for hiking in the high peaks of Daisetsu-zan or relaxing by the crystal-clear waters of the island’s many caldera lakes. In winter arctic air from Siberia is drawn across Hokkaido, ensuring the plentiful snowfall that makes this area a popular winter sports destination and providing the raw materials for the fantastic annual Sapporo Snow Festival.

Travelling around

Western Hokkaido is readily accessed by public transport, but for those wishing to explore in more depth Hokkaido’s wide, empty roads make driving a delight. Self-drive itineraries of all lengths can be arranged to suit your interests and schedules.

Places within Hokkaido

Akan-ko National Park

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• Located on the shore of scenic Lake Akan, the Akan Kohan Hotspring Resort is a good base from which to explore the Akan National Park.
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Asahidake

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• The small town of Asahikdake Onsen sits at the foot of Daisetsuzan's highest peak, Mt Asahidake, and is the ideal location to base yourself while exploring this beautiful part of Japan.
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Hakodate

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• Overlooked by the famous Mt Hakodate, the port city of Hakodate straddles a small peninsula on the southern tip of Hokkaido Island, looking out across the Tsugaru Straits to Aomori Prefecture in northern Honshu.
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Kushiro

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• The port city of Kushiro is located in the Doto region of eastern Hokkaido and with regular flights south to Tokyo can act as a convenient entry and exit point for visits to...
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Sapporo

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• Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo, dates back only 120 years, and this bright, cosmopolitan city, well-endowed with gardens and parks, makes the perfect base from which to head out and explore the island.
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Shiretoko National Park

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• The Shiretoko Peninsula is the dramatic, windswept, easterly tip of Hokkaido, with only Cape Nosappu to the south being further east.
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Sounkyo

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• The small collection of hot spring resort hotels and restaurants that make up the Sounkyo Resort offer excellent access into Japan's largest national park, the magnificent Daisetsuzan region.
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Utoro

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• Utoro is a small working fishing port which also doubles as a tourist resort and principle access point for the beautiful Shiretoko Peninsula National Park.
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