Things to do in Hokkaido～Tours & Activities～
Sapporo is the fifth largest region in Japan. The true heart of Hokkaido with endless sights that draw in the many tourists who stay here. To name a few, there is Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and Sapporo Beer Museum.
The surrounding area of Sapporo Station is also a ramen hot spot, popular for local cuisine and convenient souvenir shopping.
Asahiyama zoo is the northernmost zoo in Japan, located in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. Generally, zoos in Japan focus solely on the exhibition of animals. However, the Asahiyama Zoo focuses on showcasing the animals’ natural behavior. This way, visitors can view the animals as if they were in their natural habitat. This dramatic style of exhibition is what initially brought, and continues to bring attention to Asahiyama zoo. The zoo attracts many families and couples, amongst other visitors. More than 1.65 million people visited the zoo in the fiscal year of 2013.
Access: 40 minutes by Asahikawa Electric Tramway Bus from JR station "Asahikawa Station" or 30 minutes by taxi from the nearest station.
Northern Hokkaido (Rumoi, Shibetsu, etc.) recommended spots!
In the hilly country of Biei, due to the unique geology of the Tokachidake mountain range, there are many mysterious and fascinating places, with Biei blue pond being one of them. After an eruption in 1988, a pond was constructed to help deal with volcanic sand erosion, then as water from the river began to accumulate a natural phenomenon occurred. Initially, access was prohibited, but in 2010 it was opened to the public and since has become a very popular tourist sight.
Tomita Farm is spacious farmland located in Furano-cho, Hokkaido. Lavender and other various colorful flowers are grown at the farm, with their full glory on show from spring to autumn. There are many facilities to enjoy on the farmland: flower arrangements displays, a gallery exhibiting photos of the flowers during the four seasons, a museum, a distillery house where the famous lavender essential oil is extracted, gift shops and cafes. Walking around the flower gardens is free throughout the year, from sunrise to sunset.
The Otaru Canal has a retro atmosphere even during the day, but at dusk it is lit up with gas lights, allowing you to enjoy a more romantic scenery. Every February, it becomes the main venue for the "Otaru Yukiakari no Michi" event, in which candles on glass floats are floated down the canal. The event attracts about 500,000 visitors every year who come to enjoy the fantastic candle lit cityscape . There is the famous photography spot at Asakusabashi Gaien as well as the Otaru Canal Cruise which requires a reservation in advance.
An 8-minute walk from JR "Otaru Station" There are also places worth a visit in the area such as the Conventional History Museum, the Canal Building along with the Otaru Canal Plaza.
Shikotsu-ko is a caldera lake that boasts the best water clarity in all of Japan while also being Japan’s northernmost lake that does not freeze. There are a variety of natural wonders here to see.
Lake Toya is Japan's ninth-largest lake and the third largest caldera lake. The area surrounding Lake Toya is apart of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, which contains the registered Japanese Geopark and registered UNESCO Global Geopark the "Toya-ko Lake-Mount Usu Geopark."
Take the JR Chitose line Line to "Chitose Station" and transfer to the Hokkaido Chuo Bus bound for Shikotsuko to "Lake Shikotsu" bus stop. If you are visiting by car, take the Hokkaido Expressway and exit at "Chitose IC". Parking is available for 410 yen per day.
Hakodate is also a popular city to visit in Hokkaido. There are sights to see such as Goryokaku Tower / park, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, the fish market, Trappistine Monastery, and much more. If you stay till night, the view from Mt. Hakodate is just outstanding.
Lake Mashu is a caldera lake in Teshikaga-cho, Hokkaido. Its area measures 19.2 km2, and circumference about 20 km, with the maximum depth reaching 211.4 m. It is a highly transparent lake and ranked first in the world in transparency.
To protect the natural environment, entering the lake prohibited. Instead, you can enjoy the view from the first observatory near Mashu hot spring, or the third observatory near Kawayu hot spring, or Ura Mashu observatory near Kiyosato town. You can enjoy different views in all three places, so try seeing them all.
The nearest station is JR Senmo Main Line's "Mashu Station". There is a bus departing from the station except in winter. Please use a taxi when the bus is not in service. It takes 25 minutes by bus or 20 minutes by taxi. If you are visiting by car, take the Doto Expressway and exit at "Urahoro IC". Lake Mashu is then about a 2.5-hour drive. There is a paid parking lot, costing 410 yen for general vehicles.
The Shiretoko Five Lakes are a series of lakes in Shiretoko National Park. The five lakes are simply named lake one, lake two, lake three, lake four, and lake five. Situated in a wetland, the lakes are can be viewed while walking along the trailing promenade. The view of the lakes from the boardwalk and observation decks are included among the Shiretoko Hakkei (Eight Views of Shiretoko). These mysterious lakes with no inflowing rivers continue to be a spectacle that charms tourists that venture here.
The promenade is divided into two routes: an elevated wooden boardwalk that overlooks lake one and leads to the observation deck, and the other that loops around all lakes. It takes about 40 minutes to go back and forth between the elevated wooden walkway and the observation deck, and about 90 minutes to circle around all of the five lakes.
It is wise to choose your route based on time allowance and physical condition. You may encounter wild animals such as the Hokkaido squirrel and Hokkaido deer while strolling. However, there are often sightings of brown bears as well. If a brown bear is sighted, the promenade will be closed and people will no longer be able to pass through it.
By public transit, take the JR Senmo Main Line to "Shiretoko-Shari Station". From there take the Shari Bus headed in the Shiretoko Goko/Shiretoko Ohashi direction and get off at the "Shiretoko Five Lakes" bus stop. By car, take Japan National Route 334 or Hokkaido Prefectural Road Route 93 to Shiretoko Park. Paid parking is available.
Lake Akan is the fifth largest freshwater caldera lake in Hokkaido, located in Kushiro City, Hokkaido. The lake is famous for being the only one in Japan where "Marimo" grow in clusters. In particular, the "Marimo" of Lake Akan is designated as a special natural monument in Japan because it forms a beautiful spherical body. The magnificent view of Mt. Oakan towering on the east coast is overwhelming. On the surface of the lake, you can see the four islands of Ju-wului and Yai-tae, and you can go to Ju-wului by a pleasure boat and see the wild Marimo.
At Lake Akan, you can enjoy different nature experiences in each of the four seasons. Especially in winter, the lake surface freezes and you can experience winter sports such as smelt fishing, skating and snowmobiling, and there are many events such as Akan Lake Ice Festival and winter glory. In spring, icebreakers sail across the frozen lake. In addition, from September to October in autumn, the "Senbon Torch Matrix" is held, where you can see the aboriginal people of Hokkaido, the "Ainu people" making a parade of lights at night to pray for the god of fire. Those who want to participate can also participate.
By public transit, take the JR Nemuro Main Line to "Kushiro Station" and then transfer to the Akan Bus on the Akan Line and get off at "Akanko Onsen" Bus Stop. By car, take the Bihoro Bypass to "Bihoro IC" then continue to drive for 1 hour and 10 minutes. There is paid parking around the hot spring resort area.
It is very convenient if the bus tour start or end at airport. If you are a lot of number of people traveling together, charter a bus would be your choice too.
If you have your own itinerary to visit but cannot find a tour to meet your demand, then just contact Tabiplusone and we would arrange for you with private vehicle.
Seasonal Recommend
Ryu-hyo (drift ice) WalkAbashiri and Shiretoko; these two locations along the Okhotsk coastline of Hokkaido are the only places where you can experience a drift ice walk. This is only possible because during peak season, the drift ice virtually covers the ocean along the coastlines of these two cities.
Even more than watching the massive pieces of drifting ice, riding an icebreaker ship that plows through them is a very impressive experience. We highly reccomend this experience where you can walk across the pieces of ice with a guide, and even enter the freezing water in between the frozen chunks.
Asahiyama ZooThere is theSeal Aquarium and Polar Bear Aquatic Park, where you can enjoy observation animals natural behavior. Ohter highlights in this zoo are Orangutan Trapeze, Spider Monkey and Capybara, Chimpanzees Forest. Get a feel for the animals up close at the Lesser Panda Suspension Bridge and Tancho-sha.
Furano bus tourWe will tour through the following locations; Asahiyama Zoo that can be enjoyed by both adults and children; Patchwork no Michi, which shows off the seasonal appearance of beautiful rolling hills; the illusory Biei Blue Pond; and the Ningle Terrace, guaranteed to be Instagenic when it is illuminated at certain exclusive periods! As this is a season where Winter approaches, you can enjoy those sights!
Asahiyama Zoo in winter-time, plus Shirogane Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls Lit UpWith this luxurious bus tour, spend a plentiful three hours at the popular Asahiyama Zoo! Afterwards, travel to Biei to enjoy the otherworldly Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls lit up at night.
About Hokkaido
Hokkaido holds the title of the largest area in Japan, given so it has numerous note worth sightseeing areas such as Niseko, Furano, Otaru, and Asahikawa to name a few. Even during hot summers, enjoy sightseeing in the cool air thanks to Hokkaido's location in the upper north. Summer also draws in large numbers to welcome the lavender fields coming into season in Furano. Thanks to the winter cold there is an abundance of activities to try from drift ice walking, ice breaker ship cruises, Japanese pond smelt fishing, to snowmobile riding.
See the true beauty of Hokkaido's four seasons for yourself!
