Hokkaido Regional Guide
Hokkaido Prefecture
Hokkaido is Japan’ s northernmost prefecture and is renowned for its vast, unspoiled natural environment. The climate is cool throughout the year with heavy snowfall in winter, and the four seasons are especially distinct. Spring brings plum and cherry blossoms, summer offers deep greenery and clear blue skies, autumn showcases vivid foliage, and in winter the region’ s famous high-quality powder snow attracts skiers from around the world.
Key Points
What to see
139 GOLF COURSES OPENING FROM MARCH-NOVEMBER
UNESCO WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE SITE OF SHIROTOKO
HOKKAIDO’ S SKI RESORTS GET APPROXIMITLY 15 METERS OF SNOW PER YEAR
REGARDED AS THE NO. 1 SEAFOOD DESTINATION IN JAPAN
NISEKO, HOKKAIDO’ S MOST FAMOUS RESORT DESTINATION ALSO OFFERS GOLF IN SUMMER
Getting there
Chitose Airport offers direct flights from major airports across the country, including Haneda and Kansai International. Shinkansen is also available from the mainland via the Shinkansen tunnel taking 4 hours from Tokyo to Sapporo.
Jozankei Onsen
A popular hot spring resort that has good access by car about 40 minutes from central Sapporo and 1.5 hours from New Chitose Airport. It offers picturesque sceneries in the valley, such as Futami Tsurubashi Suspension Bridge, Shiraito Waterfall and Yu no taki. A spectacular view unfolds as leaves turn crimson in autumn.
Odori Park
An Oasis, located in the heart of Sapporo City, famous as the venue for the Sapporo Snow Festival and Lilac Festival. Flowers of each season bloom in the 1.5 km stretch of land, and you will also enjoy cherry blossom viewing in the spring.
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building
Nicknamed " Red brick ", it is the symbol of Hokkaido that tells about the history of pioneering. It is an American-style Neo-Baroque architecture built in 1888, and its outer wall is decorated with a red star which projects the image of the North Pole.
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