Jingisukan (grilled lamb)ジンギスカン
Lamb and vegetables grilled on a domed iron pan, a Sapporo favourite best eaten with a cold local beer.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido Travel Guide
Local tips, regional food and places off the tourist trail
Japan’s northernmost island is a single, huge prefecture: Sapporo and Otaru in the west, Hakodate in the south, and wide open country like Furano, Biei and Shiretoko further out. Come for seafood, powder snow, flower fields and wild nature.
Open Hokkaido on the map78 places on the map · 11 local favourites
Local tips
- TipDistances are big: Sapporo to Hakodate or Kushiro is around four hours by express train, so pick a few bases rather than day-tripping.
- DoRent a car for Furano, Biei and eastern Hokkaido; trains and buses there are sparse and many sights sit far from stations.
- Heads upIn winter, roads get icy and whiteouts happen; rentals come with snow tyres, but drive slowly, keep your distance and allow extra time.
- Heads upWatch for deer on rural roads, especially at dusk, and take bear warnings seriously when hiking in places like Shiretoko.
- TipHidden gem: the Shakotan Peninsula west of Otaru has striking blue coves and fresh sea urchin in summer.
What to eat
Sapporo miso ramen札幌味噌ラーメン
Rich miso broth with thick curly noodles, often topped with stir-fried vegetables and butter or corn.
Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl)海鮮丼
Rice piled with sea urchin, salmon roe, crab and more; try it at morning markets in Hakodate or Sapporo.
Local favourites
Places mostly visited by people who live here — quieter, and often the highlight of a trip.
Kamikawa Shrine
上川神社 Temples & GoshuinchoAsahikawa's main shrine, set in a forested hill park. It's known for its seasonal goshuin designs.
● Mostly localsMatsumae Castle
松前城 Sights & HistoryNature & SceneryJapan's northernmost castle, in a quiet town at Hokkaido's southern tip. The castle park is one of Hokkaido's top cherry blossom spots with many different varieties.
● Mostly localsHakodate Hachimangu
函館八幡宮 Temples & GoshuinchoHakodate's main shrine at the foot of Mount Hakodate, reached by a long stone stairway through the trees, and far quieter than the Motomachi churches nearby.
● Mostly localsSapporo Art Park
札幌芸術の森 Sights & HistoryNature & SceneryA wooded art complex in southern Sapporo with an outdoor sculpture garden, a museum and craft studios. It's a peaceful half-day that few overseas visitors find.
● Mostly localsManabe Garden
真鍋庭園 Nature & SceneryA large private garden in Obihiro with Japanese, Western and landscape gardens created by a tree nursery.
● Mostly localsSapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine
札幌伏見稲荷神社 Temples & GoshuinchoA hillside shrine in western Sapporo with a tunnel of red torii gates climbing to the main hall, a quiet local alternative to the city's big-name sights.
● Mostly localsSumiyoshi Shrine, Otaru
小樽 住吉神社 Temples & GoshuinchoOtaru's main shrine, reached by a long stone stairway on a hillside. Few visitors to the canal area make the short walk up to it.
● Mostly localsFukiage Open-Air Bath
吹上露天の湯 Hot SpringsNature & SceneryA free, unstaffed natural outdoor hot spring in the forest near Tokachidake. It's mixed bathing, so bring a swimsuit or towel.
● Mostly localsHachiya Gojo Main Store
蜂屋 五条創業店 Local FoodA long-running Asahikawa ramen shop known for its smoky, burnt-lard soy sauce ramen. A true local favourite.
● Mostly localsMomoiwa Observatory, Rebun
桃岩展望台 Nature & SceneryA viewpoint on Rebun Island, known as the island of flowers, from which you can see Rishiri over the sea.
● Mostly localsWakkanai North Breakwater Dome
北防波堤ドーム Sights & HistoryA long arched breakwater with Roman-style columns built to protect the harbor.
● Mostly localsThe famous sights
The places most visitors come for. Worth it — just go early.
Mount Hakodate
函館山 NightlifeNature & SceneryThe hilltop viewpoint famous for a night view over the narrow neck of land between two bays. Take the ropeway up and arrive before sunset to secure a spot.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
ニセコグラン・ヒラフ ExperiencesHokkaido's top international ski resort, famous for deep, light powder snow. Its village is full of restaurants and bars in winter.
Otaru Canal
小樽運河 Sights & HistoryA restored canal lined with old stone warehouses, Otaru's most photographed scene. It's prettiest in the evening when the gas lamps are lit.
Hakodate Morning Market
函館朝市 Local FoodShoppingA big market by Hakodate Station selling crab, squid and sea urchin, where you can fish for live squid and eat it as sashimi.
Sakaimachi Street
堺町通り商店街 ShoppingLocal FoodOtaru's main tourist street of preserved merchant buildings filled with glass shops, sweets and seafood. Walk it toward the Music Box Museum at the southern end.
Farm Tomita
ファーム富田 Nature & SceneryFurano's best-known flower farm, with rows of lavender and multi-colored flower strips. Try the lavender soft-serve ice cream.
Shirogane Blue Pond
白金青い池 Nature & SceneryAn eerily blue pond with dead trees standing in the water, near Biei. Its color changes with the weather and season.
Goryokaku
五稜郭公園 Sights & HistoryNature & SceneryA star-shaped Western-style fort surrounded by moats, now a park with a rebuilt magistrate's office inside. View the star shape from the tower next door.
Souvenirs to bring home
Shiroi Koibito cookies, Royce’ nama chocolate and Rokkatei’s Marusei Butter Sand are the classic picks.
When to go
Summer is mild with little rainy season and lavender in Furano, while December to February brings powder snow and the Sapporo Snow Festival — book early for that.