12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# fb: http://ogp.me/ns/fb# article: http://ogp.me/ns/article#"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/5238/2/"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Libre+Bodoni:wght@400..700&family=Literata:opsz,wght@7..72,200..900&family=Niramit:ital,wght@0,200;0,300;0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,200;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="keywords" content="All About Japan, japan,Travel,Experiential,Modern,Seasonal,Japanese Food,Historical Site,Festivals,Mountains,Hiking,Cherry Blossoms,Flowers,Autumn Colors,Snow,Animals,Dance,Deeper Japan,Great Outdoors,Summer Festivals,Resorts,Ski & Snowboard,Solo Travel,Holidays,Family,Sapporo,Hakodate,Hokkaido"> <meta name="description" content="Not sure when you can make it out to Hokkaido? Here are twelve events worth checking out, one for each month of the year."> <meta property="og:title" content="12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido | All About Japan"> <meta property="og:type" content="website"> <meta property="og:description" content="Not sure when you can make it out to Hokkaido? Here are twelve events worth checking out, one for each month of the year."> <meta property="og:url" content="https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/5238/"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/1200/900/global-aaj-front/article/2017/05/591592dd39dcf_591592d32a842_613129516.jpg"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="All About Japan"> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1634548196833464"> <meta property="fb:pages" content="1626199600996814" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@AllAbout_Japan"> <meta name="twitter:title" content="12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido | All About Japan"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Not sure when you can make it out to Hokkaido? Here are twelve events worth checking out, one for each month of the year."> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/1200/900/global-aaj-front/article/2017/05/591592dd39dcf_591592d32a842_613129516.jpg"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <meta name="B-verify" content="989620007ca5fb37ae3463b04bfb68c838cc9e65" /> <title>12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido | All About Japan</title> <link rel="prev" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/5238/"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://allabout-japan.com/favicon.ico"> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/css/article.css?id=c730f840b07acd26da31e7d4b86f6ec7"> <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-W9DBWT');</script> <script type="text/javascript"> function isSP() { if( !( navigator.userAgent.match(/iPhone/i) || navigator.userAgent.match(/Android(.+)?Mobile/i) || navigator.userAgent.match(/BlackBerry/i) || navigator.userAgent.match(/Windows Phone/i)) ) { return false; }else{ return true; } } function isTablet() { var ua = navigator.userAgent; if( (ua.indexOf('Android') > 0 && ua.indexOf('Mobile') == -1) || ua.indexOf('iPad') > 0 || ua.indexOf('Kindle') > 0 || ua.indexOf('Silk') > 0 ) { return true; }else{ return false; } } var aa = aa || {}; aa.v = aa.v || {}; aa.v.service = 'allabout_japan'; aa.v.language = 'en'; aa.v.category = 'travel'; aa.v.sub_category = 'experiential'; aa.v.author_type = 'writer'; aa.v.author_id = '123'; aa.v.author_name = 'Wendell T. Harrison'; aa.v.article_id = '5238'; aa.v.article_type = 'multiple'; aa.v.article_pubdate = '2017-05-12'; aa.v.article_updatedate = '2017-05-13'; aa.v.page_title = '12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido'; if (isSP()) { aa.v.device = 'sp'; } else { aa.v.device = 'pc'; } </script> <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-W9DBWT');</script> <script type="text/javascript"> function isSP() { if( !( navigator.userAgent.match(/iPhone/i) || navigator.userAgent.match(/Android(.+)?Mobile/i) || navigator.userAgent.match(/BlackBerry/i) || navigator.userAgent.match(/Windows Phone/i)) ) { return false; }else{ return true; } } function isTablet() { var ua = navigator.userAgent; if( (ua.indexOf('Android') > 0 && ua.indexOf('Mobile') == -1) || ua.indexOf('iPad') > 0 || ua.indexOf('Kindle') > 0 || ua.indexOf('Silk') > 0 ) { return true; }else{ return false; } } var aa = aa || {}; aa.v = aa.v || {}; aa.v.service = 'allabout_japan'; aa.v.language = 'en'; aa.v.category = 'travel'; aa.v.sub_category = 'experiential'; aa.v.author_type = 'writer'; aa.v.author_id = '123'; aa.v.author_name = 'Wendell T. Harrison'; aa.v.article_id = '5238'; aa.v.article_type = 'multiple'; aa.v.article_pubdate = '2017-05-12'; aa.v.article_updatedate = '2017-05-13'; aa.v.page_title = '12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido'; if (isSP()) { aa.v.device = 'sp'; } else { aa.v.device = 'pc'; } </script> <script type="text/javascript" async="async" src="//widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js"></script>  <script> !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '1519245875051082'); fbq('track', "PageView"); fbq('track', 'ViewContent'); fbq('track', 'Search');</script> <noscript><img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1519245875051082&ev=PageView&noscript=1" /></noscript>  <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; </script> <script src="/js/general.js?id=5ca7582261c421482436dfdf3af9bffe"></script> <script src="/js/common.js?id=486577925eb1613dec562007412e71ec"></script> <script src="/js/return-to-top.js?id=2b44630e450271948a7e067eecbf180b"></script> </head> <body> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W9DBWT" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.4"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script> <header class="pc"> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/"> <img src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/header/banner_pc.svg" alt="allabout japan""> </a> <nav class="container">  <div class="search_container"> <div class="search_icon"> <img src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/header/icon_search.png"> </div> <div class="search_form"> <form action="https://allabout-japan.com/en/search/" method="get"> <label onclick=""><input class="search_input" type="search" name="q" placeholder="Uncover more" required /></label> <button class="search_submit" id="search" type="submit"><i class="fa fa-search"></i>Go</button> </form> </div> </div>  <div class="topnav"> <ul class="topnav_menu"> <li class="menu_item"> <a class="menu_item_anchor travel" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/travel/">Travel</a> </li> <li class="menu_item"> <a class="menu_item_anchor food" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/food/">Food & Drink</a> </li> <li class="menu_item"> <a class="menu_item_anchor fun" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/fun/">Entertainment</a> </li> <li class="menu_item"> <a class="menu_item_anchor innovations" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/innovations/">Innovation</a> </li> <li class="menu_item"> <a class="menu_item_anchor shopping" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/shopping/">Life in Japan</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="language_container"> <div class="language_icon"> <img src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/header/icon_language.svg"> </div> <div id="language_options" class="language_options"> <ul> <li class="language_options_item"> <a class="language_options_item_link" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/">English</a> </li> <li class="language_options_item"> <a class="language_options_item_link" href="https://allabout-japan.com/zh-cn/">简体中文</a> </li> <li class="language_options_item"> <a class="language_options_item_link" href="https://allabout-japan.com/zh-tw/">繁體中文</a> </li> <li class="language_options_item"> <a class="language_options_item_link" href="https://allabout-japan.com/th/">ภาษาไทย</a> </li> <li class="language_options_item"> <a class="language_options_item_link" href="https://allabout-japan.com/ko/">한국어</a> </li> <li class="language_options_item"> <a class="language_options_item_link" href="https://allabout-japan.com/ja/">日本語</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </header> <header class="sp"> <div class="sp_nav"> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/"> <img src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/header/banner_sp.svg" alt="allabout japan""> </a> <div> <object id="sp_nav_icon_object" class="sp_nav_icon" type="image/svg+xml" data="https://allabout-japan.com/image/header/icon_hamburger.svg"></object> </div> </div> <nav class="sp_nav_modal"> <div class="sp_search_and_language">  <div class="sp_search"> <img class="sp_search_icon" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/header/icon_search.png"> <div class="sp_search_form"> <form action="https://allabout-japan.com/en/search/" method="get"> <label onclick=""><input class="sp_search_input" type="search" name="q" placeholder="Uncover more" required /></label> </form> </div> </div>  <div class="sp_language_container"> <div class="sp_language_icon"> <img src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/header/icon_language.svg"> </div> <div id="sp_language_options" class="sp_language_options"> <ul> <li><a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/">English</a></li> <li><a href="https://allabout-japan.com/zh-cn/">简体中文</a></li> <li><a href="https://allabout-japan.com/zh-tw/">繁體中文</a></li> <li><a href="https://allabout-japan.com/th/">ภาษาไทย</a></li> <li><a href="https://allabout-japan.com/ko/">한국어</a></li> <li><a href="https://allabout-japan.com/ja/">日本語</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sp_nav_links"> <a class="sp_nav_home" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/">HOME</a> <ul class="sp_nav_menu"> <li class="sp_menu_item"> <a class="sp_menu_item_anchor travel" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/travel/">Travel</a> </li> <li class="sp_menu_item"> <a class="sp_menu_item_anchor food" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/food/">Food & Drink</a> </li> <li class="sp_menu_item"> <a class="sp_menu_item_anchor fun" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/fun/">Entertainment</a> </li> <li class="sp_menu_item"> <a class="sp_menu_item_anchor innovations" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/innovations/">Innovation</a> </li> <li class="sp_menu_item"> <a class="sp_menu_item_anchor shopping" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/shopping/">Life in Japan</a> </li> </ul> </div> <hr class="short"> <div class="sp_nav_abouts"> <a class="sp_nav_abouts_anchor" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/about/">About Us</a> <a class="sp_nav_abouts_anchor" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/site-policy/">Site Policy</a> </div> </nav> </header> <main class="main container"> <article class="article_container"> <div class="article_meta"> <aside> <div class="breadcrumb"> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/" class="breadcrumb_link"><span>Home</span></a> <span class="breadcrumb_delimiter">/</span> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/travel/" class="breadcrumb_link"><span>Travel</span></a> <span class="breadcrumb_delimiter">/</span> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/travel/experiential/" class="breadcrumb_link"><span>Experiential</span></a> </div> </aside> <time class="updated_time" datetime="2017-05-13">Updated May 13 2017</time> </div> <header class="article_header"> <h1 class="main_title">12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido</h1> <div class="article_header_description_area"> <div class="article_header_description_main"> <p class="lead_txt">While many tourists flock to big cities of Tokyo and Osaka every year, nature lovers know that the largest region of Japan, Hokkaido, is the place to go for unspoiled natural beauty, incredible food and the best snow in Japan. Not sure when you can make it out to Hokkaido? Here are twelve events worth checking out, one for each month of the year.</p> <address class="article_written_by"> <a class="article_written_link" href="/en/author/detail/123/"> By Wendell T. Harrison </a> </address> </div> <aside> <ul class="share_social"> <li> <span class="share_social_label">Share:</span> </li> <li class="share_social_icon_item"> <a href="http://twitter.com/share?text=12%20Great%20Ways%20to%20Spend%20the%20Year%20in%20Hokkaido&url=https%3A%2F%2Fallabout-japan.com%2Fen%2Farticle%2F5238%2F&hashtags=AllAboutJapan&via=AllAbout_Japan" onClick="window.open(this.href, 'tweetwindow', 'width=550, height=450, personalbar=0, toolbar=0, scrollbars=1, resizable=1'); return false;"> <img class="sns_icon" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/sns/x_twitter.png" alt="x logo"> </a> </li> <li class="share_social_icon_item"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fallabout-japan.com%2Fen%2Farticle%2F5238%2F&t=12%20Great%20Ways%20to%20Spend%20the%20Year%20in%20Hokkaido" onclick="window.open(this.href, 'window', 'width=550, height=450,personalbar=0,toolbar=0,scrollbars=1,resizable=1'); return false;"> <img class="sns_icon" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/sns/facebook.png" alt="facebook logo"> </a> </li> </ul> </aside> </div> </header> <div class="article_body"> <div class="article_body_contents_area"> <section class="article_body_section" > <h2 class="section_title">July — Farm Tomita</h2> <div class="article_image_area has_link"> <figure class="article_image_component"> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/115/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img class="article_image" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/1200/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2017/05/591592e00c114_59158633954a6_1824954863.jpg" alt="July — Farm Tomita"> </a> </figure> </div> <p class="contents_body_txt">If you're a lavender lover, Furano City is definitely the place to go. Each summer, from July to August, the short window for viewing these violet beauties is open and this city sees more than one million visitors each year. As evidenced in the photo above, lavenders aren't the only spectacular blossoms on display there. Cosmos and dahlia are also part of the floral rainbow. And if this gorgeous scenery isn't enough to get you out there this summer, keep in mind: it’s free!</p> </section> <section class="article_body_section" > <h2 class="section_title">August — Aoi Ike</h2> <div class="article_image_area has_link"> <figure class="article_image_component"> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/3143/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img class="article_image" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/1200/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2017/05/591592e12db37_591545dd872f1_124520264.jpg" alt="August — Aoi Ike"> </a> </figure> </div> <p class="contents_body_txt">After checking out the oranges, pinks and purples of the flowers in Furano, head out to Biei in August to see some of the most beautiful, crystalline water in the country. This water, aptly called the Blue Pond (Aoi Ike in Japanese) gets its brilliant azure color from an abundance of aluminum hydroxide, which clearly reflects the sky and trees. Thus the exact shade of blue depends on when you visit.<br /> <br /> If you don't have access to wheels, fortunately, there's a bus from JR Asahikawa Station that'll help you get out there. Heading toward Shirogane Onsen, alight at the Shirogane-Aoi Ike Entrance (白金青い池入口) and take a short five-minute stroll.</p> </section> <section class="article_body_section" > <h2 class="section_title">September — Furano Bellybutton Festival (Hokkai Heso Matsuri)</h2> <div class="article_video_area"> <figure class="video_component"> <div class="video"> <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rpZopnttDmk" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </figure> </div> <p class="contents_body_txt">It makes sense that Furano, right in the center of Hokkaido, holds the Hokkai Heso Matsuri. <i>Heso</i>, by the way, means belly button in Japanese. Try not to bust a gut laughing at the joyous participants who have painted faces on their stomachs to march down the streets. Around 5,000 participants come out every year to see the annual baring-of-the-bellies, which happens on July 28 and 29 each year.</p> </section> <section class="article_body_section" > <h2 class="section_title">October — Autumn Leaves at Daisetsuzan</h2> <div class="article_image_area has_link"> <figure class="article_image_component"> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/533/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img class="article_image" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/1200/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2017/05/591592e23dc28_59153cd49b5e2_2018087563.jpg" alt="October — Autumn Leaves at Daisetsuzan"> </a> </figure> </div> <p class="contents_body_txt">As Hokkaido is the northernmost part of Japan, the autumn leaves start changing colors before the rest of the country. And with the expanse of forest blanketing the large island, you are guaranteed to get an eyeful of colors each fall. There are so many incredible places to witness the natural splendor of <i>koyo</i> (autumn leaves), but one place that simply shines in gold and red is Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's largest national park. The leaves begin their transition in mid-September and are absolutely brilliant in October, right before the November snow falls. While this is a popular hiking spot, there's also the <a href="http://asahidake.hokkaido.jp/en/" target="_blank">Asahidake Ropeway</a> service that'll give you an incredible aerial view as you climb up 1,600 meters (5,250 ft) to the summit station atop Asahidake, the tallest mountain in Hokkaido.</p> </section> <section class="article_body_section" > <h2 class="section_title">November — Japow at Rusutsu Resort</h2> <div class="article_video_area"> <figure class="video_component"> <div class="video"> <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bjqs4ra7rI0" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> <figcaption class="video_quotation"> <blockquote> <p class="video_quotation_text">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjqs4ra7rI0</p> </blockquote> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <p class="contents_body_txt">As winter is making its way to Hokkaido, why not get ahead of the crowd and get an early start on skiing and snowboarding at <a href="http://www.hokkaido-rusutsu.com/" target="_blank">Rusutsu Resort</a>. With a total of 18 lifts, including four gondolas and 42 kilometers (26 mi) of runs, this is one of Hokkaido's largest resorts—and a great place to experience <i>Japow</i> (the famed Japanese powder). November is not only the earliest time you can go but the best because it's still off-season in Hokkaido and you'll beat the Niseko crowds, which is only about 30 minutes away if you're feeling adventurous and social. The resort is a 90-minute drive from Sapporo, with access points from the New Chitose Airport, Tomakomai and Muroran. No matter how you travel—by plane, car, bus or ferry—it's easy to get out to Rusutsu Resort.</p> </section> <section class="article_body_section" > <h2 class="section_title">December — Dip & Dine at Yunokawa Onsen</h2> <div class="article_image_area has_link"> <figure class="article_image_component"> <a href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/3617/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img class="article_image" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/1200/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2017/05/591445d819b5d_591444282f280_1785537234.jpg" alt="December — Dip & Dine at Yunokawa Onsen"> </a> </figure> </div> <p class="contents_body_txt">We can't talk about Hokkaido and not mention food! To avoid the chill of Hokkaido winter, you should head to Yunokawa Onsen, one of the most popular <i>onsen</i> (hot spring) in Hakodate. Hakodate has never been easier to access, with the new Hayabusa Shinkansen from Tokyo Station, but it's also near Hakodate Airport. When you're done soaking in the open-air <i>onsen</i>, head to Yumoto Isaribikan for an amazing dining experience, especially the famous breakfast. We recommend going in December so you don't miss squid season and the amazingly fresh Japanese squid sashimi.</p> </section> </div> <div class="article_side_area"> <aside> <div class="article_ad"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/4872126/aa_AAJ_article_1stRec', [[336, 280], [300, 250], [300, 600]], 'div-gpt-ad-1525744191340-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1525744191340-0'style="text-align: center;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1525744191340-0'); }); </script> </div> </div> <div class="article_ad"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/4872126/aa_AAJ_article_2ndRec', [[336, 280], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1525744240477-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1525744240477-0'style="text-align: center;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1525744240477-0'); }); </script> </div> </div> </aside> <div> <div class="article_tags_area"> <div> <span class="article_tags_label">Tags</span> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/japanese/"> <div class="tag_box"> Japanese Food </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/historical-site/"> <div class="tag_box"> Historical Site </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/festival/"> <div class="tag_box"> Festivals </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/mountain/"> <div class="tag_box"> Mountains </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/hiking/"> <div class="tag_box"> Hiking </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/cherry-blossoms/"> <div class="tag_box"> Cherry Blossoms </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/flowers/"> <div class="tag_box"> Flowers </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/koyo/"> <div class="tag_box"> Autumn Colors </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/snow/"> <div class="tag_box"> Snow </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/animals/"> <div class="tag_box"> Animals </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/dance/"> <div class="tag_box"> Dance </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/deep-japan/"> <div class="tag_box"> Deeper Japan </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/great-outdoors/"> <div class="tag_box"> Great Outdoors </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/summer-festivals/"> <div class="tag_box"> Summer Festivals </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/resort/"> <div class="tag_box"> Resorts </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/ski-snowboard/"> <div class="tag_box"> Ski & Snowboard </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/solo-travel/"> <div class="tag_box"> Solo Travel </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/holidays/"> <div class="tag_box"> Holidays </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/family/"> <div class="tag_box"> Family </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/sapporo/"> <div class="tag_box"> Sapporo </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/hakodate/"> <div class="tag_box"> Hakodate </div> </a> </div> </div> <div class="article_tag_layout"> <div class="tag_component"> <a href="/en/tag/hokkaido/"> <div class="tag_box"> Hokkaido </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="article_side_author_area"> <address class="author-profile-area"> <a href="/en/author/detail/123/"> <img class="profile_image" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/240/auto/global-aaj-front/author/2017/02/58b3e234d8887_58b3e22d4a783_745795214.jpg" alt="Wendell T. Harrison" width="60"> <p class="profile_txt">Actor, director and writer who called Japan home for nine years before moving to NYC. Lover of the stage and all things Final Fantasy. Hobbies include drawing, gaming, gym, and cooking (not simultaneously).</p> </a> </address> </div> <div class="article_side_latest_area"> <aside class="author_latest"> <span class="author_latest_label">Also recently by Wendell T. Harrison</span> <ul> <li class="author_latest_item"> <a class="author_latest_link_txt" href="/en/article/9527/">Japan's Cute New Mascot Came to Fight COVID-19</a> </li> <li class="author_latest_item"> <a class="author_latest_link_txt" href="/en/article/9216/">Fireworks Flying High All Across Japan</a> </li> <li class="author_latest_item"> <a class="author_latest_link_txt" href="/en/article/9208/">Secret Fireworks Shows Encourage Staying Home</a> </li> </ul> </aside> </div> <aside class="article_side_banner_area"> <a href="https://world-natural-heritage.jp/en/" target="_blank"> <img src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/banner/world-natural-heritage.jpg" alt="World Natural Heritage"> </a> </aside> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pagination-box"> <ul class="has-grid pc"> <li class="prev"> <a href="/en/article/5238/" class="has-grid"> <img class="paginator_arrow" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/arrow/arrow_left_black.svg"> </a> </li> <li class="non-current"><a href="/en/article/5238/">1</a></li> <li class="pagination-current"><span>2</span></li> </ul> <ul class="has-grid sp"> <li class="prev"> <a href="/en/article/5238/" class="has-grid"> <img class="paginator_arrow" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/arrow/arrow_left_black.svg"> </a> </li> <li class="non-current"><a href="/en/article/5238/">1</a></li> <li class="pagination-current"><span>2</span></li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="bottom_hr"> <div class="article_bottom_container"> <aside class="related_articles"> <span class="related_article_label">Related Articles</span> <div class="related_article_grid"> <article class="article_card"> <a class="article_card_link" href="/en/article/11293/"> <div class="article_card_contents"> <div class="article_card_thumbnail"> <img src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/400/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2024/05/66375bf6f269a_66375beb6cc35_401395855.png" alt="Lazy Days or Outdoor Action: Hayama Has It All, Just an Hour from Tokyo"> </div> <div> <h2 class="article_card_title"> Lazy Days or Outdoor Action: Hayama Has It All, Just an Hour from Tokyo </h2> <p class="article_card_lead"> Hayama, a beach town one hour away from Tokyo, is home to the Imperial Villa, charming cafes, a commanding view of Fuji, spectacular sunsets over the sea, and fun activities. Here's a lowdown of things to do in this chill town. </p> </div> </div> </a> </article> <article class="article_card"> <a class="article_card_link" href="/en/article/11309/"> <div class="article_card_contents"> <div class="article_card_thumbnail"> <img src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/400/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2024/08/66bee3a3a6024_66bee1499dd01_795026364.jpg" alt="Japan Sea Port Town: Historic Site of Wealthy Merchants and Brave Boatmen"> </div> <div> <h2 class="article_card_title"> Japan Sea Port Town: Historic Site of Wealthy Merchants and Brave Boatmen </h2> <p class="article_card_lead"> From here, bold local merchants set sail to destinations up and down the coast of Japan, bringing wealth to the successful. Its charms dating from that period are a treat for travelers. </p> </div> </div> </a> </article> <article class="article_card"> <a class="article_card_link" href="/en/article/11308/"> <div class="article_card_contents"> <div class="article_card_thumbnail"> <img src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/400/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2024/08/66b090d805e52_66b08c5370295_721031755.JPG" alt="Japan’s Stunning Coastal Pilgrimage: The Kumano Kodo's Ohechi Trail"> </div> <div> <h2 class="article_card_title"> Japan’s Stunning Coastal Pilgrimage: The Kumano Kodo's Ohechi Trail </h2> <p class="article_card_lead"> The Ohechi coastal route is an underexplored section of the network of pilgrimage trails that crisscross the Kii Peninsula. John Rucynski shares the highlights of the route after his three-day, two-night journey to the destination of Nachi Taisha shrine. </p> </div> </div> </a> </article> <article class="article_card"> <a class="article_card_link" href="/en/article/11295/"> <div class="article_card_contents"> <div class="article_card_thumbnail"> <img src="https://imgcp.aacdn.jp/img-a/400/auto/global-aaj-front/article/2024/05/6642b4585c97e_6642adfd0b50b_1031870546.jpg" alt="A Guide to the Top Six Rooms at the New teamLab Borderless"> </div> <div> <h2 class="article_card_title"> A Guide to the Top Six Rooms at the New teamLab Borderless </h2> <p class="article_card_lead"> teamLab Borderless finally reopened in the lower depths of the Azabudai Hills complex. Check out our guide to the top 6 rooms at the incredible new complex. </p> </div> </div> </a> </article> </div> </aside> </div> </main> <footer class="footer"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer_links"> <ul class="footer_menu"> <li class="footer_menu_item"> <a class="footer_menu_item_anchor travel" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/travel/">Travel</a> </li> <li class="footer_menu_item"> <a class="footer_menu_item_anchor food" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/food/">Food & Drink</a> </li> <li class="footer_menu_item"> <a class="footer_menu_item_anchor fun" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/fun/">Entertainment</a> </li> <li class="footer_menu_item"> <a class="footer_menu_item_anchor innovations" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/innovations/">Innovation</a> </li> <li class="footer_menu_item"> <a class="footer_menu_item_anchor shopping" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/shopping/">Life in Japan</a> </li> </ul> <div class="footer_sns"> <span class="footer_sns_label">See us on, and join in the conversation</span> <ul class="footer_sns_icons"> <li><a href="https://instagram.com/allabout_japan_/" target="_blank"><img class="sns_icon" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/sns/instagram.png" alt="instagram logo"></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllAboutJapan.en" target="_blank"><img class="sns_icon" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/sns/facebook.png" alt="facebook logo"></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="footer_abouts"> <a class="footer_abouts_anchor" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/about/">About Us</a> <a class="footer_abouts_anchor" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/site-policy/">Site Policy</a> </div> <div class="footer_logo"> <img class="footer_logo_img" src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/common/logo.jpg" alt="all about japan"> <p class="footer_copyright">©AllAbout-Japan.com - All rights reserved.</p> </div> </div> </footer> <div id="return_to_top" class="return_to_top"> <img src="https://allabout-japan.com/image/common/return_to_top.png"> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> $(function(){ if (!localStorage.getItem('cookieAccepted')) { $('.cookie-message').show(); } $('.cookie-agree').on('click', function() { $('.cookie-message').hide(); localStorage.setItem('cookieAccepted', 'true'); }); }); </script> <div class="cookie-message"> <div class="cookie-content"> <p class="cookie-text">This website uses cookies</p> <button class="cookie-agree">Agree</button> <a class="cookie-more" href="https://allabout-japan.com/en/site-policy/eu/" target="_blank">Find out more</a> </div> </div> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

12 Great Ways to Spend the Year in Hokkaido | All About Japan