Rakuten Travel Recommends: 67 Famous Sightseeing Destinations in Hokkaido

Cape Ogon juts out of the sea from just beyond Bikuni Port, and there is a walkway set up providing three separate entry points for visitors to reach the observatory. From there, you’ll have a clear view of Shakotan’s crystalline blue seas, the sheer cliffs along the coastline, and the bustling of the nearby ports and towns. You can also get an up-close look at Takara (“Treasure”) Island, one of the symbols of Shakotan and so named because it was once a prime fishing location for great schools of spawning herring that brought much food and prosperity for the local people. 

Cape Kamui extends out into the blue waters of Shakotan. It’s about a 20-minute walk along the footpath to the tip, and during the walk visitors can take in the splendid views of the Japan Sea from both left and right. In early summer, the cape is covered in fresh blossoms of yellow ezo-kanzo (sometimes known as Zen Garden flowers), providing captivating contrast with the rich blue ocean.

Sea urchin is a famous delicacy of the Shakotan area. They’re in season from June to August; if you come in early summer, be sure to try a taste of freshly caught sea urchin. 

The name Noboribetsu is known around the country as one of Hokkaido’s foremost hot spring locales. The area is blessed with nine types of natural spring qualities, including sulfur, alum, iron, sodium bicarbonate, and radium. It was here (several thousand years ago) that volcanic activity on Mount Hiyori resulted in a burst crater, which is now known as Noboribetsu Jigokudani (or “Hell Valley”); come and get an up-close look at the billowing steam and bubbling mud of Showa Jigoku, Namari Jigoku, Tatsumaki Jigoku, and other hot spring “hells”. In total, the springs pump out about 10,000 metric tons of water every day, most of which is funneled to the nearby hot spring accommodations for guests to enjoy.

On the summit of this mountain, you’ll find about 100 brown bears grazing freely. The males are among the largest land animals in east Asia. The tour space is constructed almost like a barred prison cell for the visitors, but it lets you get an up-close, full-impact view of the impressive beasts. The park grounds also include Yukar Village, which teaches about Ainu culture, and an observatory platform that looks out on Lake Kuttara — both great stops when strolling around the mountain!

Lake Toya is said to have formed after a volcanic eruption roughly 110,000 years ago. It doesn’t freeze over even in winter, putting it in the same class as Lake Shikotsu (Hokkaido’s northernmost non-freezing lake). The lakeshore is dotted with artistic elements including art museums and 58 outdoor sculptures. Nakajima Island in the center of the lake is replete with nature and home to more than 100 ezo deer; there’s also a great hiking course set up on the island.

The Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Display is held from late April to the end of October, and it simply is a must-see. Every night during this period, fireworks are set off above the lake, painting the air in a dazzle of color.

Toyako Onsen formed in 1910 (the 43rd year of the Meiji era) due to volcanic activity of the nearby Mount Usu. The scenery here of the lake’s waters and surrounding mountains is counted as one of Hokkaido’s three best views, and there is plenty of lush nature all around. The hot spring town features a variety of establishments that make it easy to enjoy the fresh hot water, including hand baths, foot baths, and day-use hot springs; it’s great for a little hot spring-hopping stroll around town. Some accommodations even have open-air baths offering front-row seats of the Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Display. 

Reaching an altitude of 6,227 feet, Mount Yotei is listed as one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains, and it’s earned the nickname “Ezo Fuji” thanks to its majestic resemblance to the real Mount Fuji. Its flora has collectively been designated a national natural monument; from early July to early August, the area above the 5,577-foot mark blossoms with over 100 varieties of alpine plants. There are four hiking routes available to choose from: Kutchan, Makkari, Kyogoku, and Kimobetsu. 

The region around the Niseko mountain range is dotted with 15 hot springs. The main locale features such famous hot springs as Annupuri, Niseko Goshiki, Niseko Higashiyama, Niseko Konbu, and Niseko Yumoto. The springs are found in unique locations showcasing verdant pastures, beautiful streams, and snow-white mountains — though all are charming for their rich spring water quality. Roadside stations and other visitor hubs offer Niseko hot spring-hopper passes at a discount. The Niseko area has a wide variety of nature-laden experiential activities to offer in both summer and winter. After a full day of being active, soak away your fatigue with a dip in the hot springs. 

The Upopoy Ainu National Museum and Park opened on April 24, 2020, as a place for revitalizing and further developing Ainu culture. The grounds are composed of a museum — Japan’s first national museum centered on the history and culture of the indigenous Ainu people — and a national park which, through various hands-on programs, allows visitors the chance to experience Ainu culture and the way it developed in harmony with nature. This space engages all five senses as it teaches you about the importance of Ainu culture and the struggles it faces surviving in the modern world.

The nighttime views from the summit of Mount Hakodate are so beautiful, they’ve been listed as a 3-star attraction in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. In addition to views of the Hakodate cityscape and Tsugaru Strait, on a clear-weather day you can even see the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture to the south. The summit is accessible by bus or taxi, but it may get crowded toward sundown, so we recommend taking the ropeway for ease of access. 

Japan’s first ever orthodox church was erected in 1860 as an affiliated church of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Japan. Though it burnt down in a great fire, it was rebuilt in 1916 in Russian-Byzantine style, resulting in the Hakodate Orthodox Church that you see today. The church is designated a national important cultural property, and Hakodate locals have given it the affectionate nickname of Gan-gan (“ding-dong”) Temple thanks to its beautifully tuned bells.

The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward was erected in 1910 (the 43rd year of the Meiji era) on a plateau overlooking Hakodate Port. It pulls the eye in with a combination of blue-gray and yellow hues, which was one of the more modern color schemes at the time. The guestrooms and 4,600-square-foot great hall have been preserved in all their glory, and there is now an adjoining clothes purveyor. Dresses and tailcoats can be rented out for commemorative photographs. Be sure not to miss the views from the second-floor terrace. 

The story of these warehouses begins with Kumajiro Watanabe, who built them in the Meiji era. They were reborn in 1988 as a series of commercial establishments akin to a modern shopping mall. Each warehouse features a lineup of goods that can only be found in Hakodate, including locally produced sundries, souvenirs, draft beer straight from the brewery, and even soft-serve ice cream using fresh Hokkaido dairy. We also recommend a nighttime stroll when the warehouses are illuminated — quite romantic!

Goryokaku was the location of the Battle of Hakodate, the last confrontation of the Boshin War of 1868–1869, and as such this star-shaped castle has been designated national special historic site. Goryokaku Tower reaches a height of 351 feet, offering stunning views of the surrounding city. From here, you’ll get a fantastic look at the star-shaped architecture, the Hakodate cityscape, and Mount Hakodate. The park is filled with about 1,600 cherry trees that color the grounds in gorgeous blooms from late April to early May; that said, winter is also a great time to visit with fantastical light-up scenery courtesy of the Goryo Hoshi no Yume illumination event. 

Trappistine Abbey was founded in 1898 (the 31st year of the Meiji era) by eight nuns who were dispatched to Japan from France. Even now, nuns spend their days here praying with devotion. This means that there are no tours available of the inner abbey, but guests can see the beautiful garden and visit the museum to learn about the abbey’s history and the daily life of a nun. The madeleine butter cakes sold at the abbey shop can only be found here. They’re simple in flavor but perfect as souvenirs. 

This zoo houses about 110 species — including not just arctic dwellers but animals from all over the planet — and it has gained acclaim for its “active exhibitions” designed to showcase the animals’ natural physical abilities. There are oodles of interesting sights to see here: polar bears diving into the gigantic pool, seals swimming playfully through cylindrical tanks, hippos lounging the day away underwater, and more. Also, don’t miss the “mogu-mogu (munch-munch)” feeding times where handlers give an up-close lesson about the animals.

Daisetsuzan National Park is located in the center of Hokkaido and spans a whopping 888 square miles. As Japan’s largest on-land national park, it includes wide alpine belts such as the Tokachi and Ishikari mountain ranges. The park is a vast natural environment; it’s been confirmed to host roughly 250 species of alpine flora — 40% of all species known to grow in Japan — and you can even find rare animals thriving here such as the Hokkaido crying rabbit (said to have survived from the Ice Age), the alpine butterfly (found only on Mount Daisetsu!), the black woodpecker, and the Blakiston's fish owl.

To truly enjoy the gently undulating paths and alpine flora, we recommend taking the Asahidake Ropeway halfway up the mountain and then strolling around Sugatami-no-ike Pond. The summertime scenery is fantastic, but you can come in autumn to enjoy the beautiful crimson foliage as well. 

You may recognize this famous lake if you’ve ever used the default background photos of Apple’s MacBook Pro. The withered larch trees standing resolutely above the blue surface of the water creates a whimsical scene. The source of the unique blue hue is thought to be colloid, a crystalline substance produced when the waters of the Biei River mix with Mount Tokachi groundwater. The fine colloid particles are scattered about the pond, thoroughly diffusing the sun’s rays and returning the shorter blue wavelengths that fall within humans’ field of vision. The pond turns a different shade of blue depending on the weather, season, and even time of day; try visiting a few times to get the full spectrum! 

Farm Tomita consists of 12 vast flower fields that bloom at unique times throughout the year, including a multi-species lavender field and a colorful field of seven distinctly hued flowers planted in rows. The grounds include a terrace with views of the austere Tokachi mountain range and a spattering of cafes that serve full meals, soft-serve ice cream, and other sweets. The layout makes it easy to take a rest here and there as you tour all the beautiful flower fields. If you visit while the lavender is in bloom, don’t miss a tour of Lavender East*, one of the largest lavender fields in the entire country.

*Located in Higashinaka, Kamifurano Town, about 2.5 miles from Farm Tomita. (Closed during 2021)

Situated at an altitude of 3,543 feet, Unkai Terrace commands stunning views of the natural landscape below. If the atmospheric conditions are just right, a sea of low-altitude clouds will roll in during the early morning, creating a natural phenomenon cherished by locals and visitors alike. There’s only about a 40% chance each season for the sea of clouds to appear, but there are plenty of installations on the terrace for guests to enjoy the majestic views regardless. Get your fill of the fantastic scenery from wherever you want: the cloud-shaped lookout platform with 210-degree visibility, the suspended hammocks that make you feel like you’re floating on the clouds, or even the stylish lookout cafe. 

Ikeda Town’s Tokachi Wine has made it to the world stage. The wine castle is part of a complex facility known as the Ikeda Town Grape and Wine Laboratory, which is officially run by the local government. Along the slopes you’ll find grape varieties exclusive to Ikeda Town such as Kiyomai and Yamasachi, and within the castle you can tour the curing room, exhibition corner, wine tasting corner, and several restaurants. It’s a great place to get your fill of the seasonal food and wine Tokachi has to offer.

Also within the grounds is DCT Garden Ikeda, an exhibition hall featuring Dreams Come True and other works by the Ikeda-born singer/songwriter, Miwa Yoshida. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to buy some of her limited merchandise! 

Challenge yourself to a new kind of sightseeing in the skies of Tokachi! Dance in the air up high and take in all of Tokachi’s vast nature from above; it’s a kind of thrilling experience you just can’t get with your feet on the ground. As a vast flatland, the winds above Tokachi are very stable, making it an ideal location for paragliding. Leave the steering up to the seasoned paraglider pilots and enjoy this one-of-a-kind walk through the skies.

This is the only place in the world to watch iron sled horseracing. Pulling hefty iron sleds behind them, these horses and their handlers put on a spectacular show of power, speed, and endurance. In addition to races held every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the racecourse offers morning tours that showcase the horses’ training regimens and highlight “the beauty of quiet movement”. There’s also a Fureai (petting) Zoo which gives kids the chance to interact with the racehorses, ponies, rabbits, and chickens. 

Spanning over 10,130 acres and with two Class A rivers all to its own, Tokachi Ranch is a picturesque region that speaks for all of Tokachi. Here you’ll find White Birch Avenue, a 4,265-foot straightaway of birch trees that has been designated a “beautiful natural forest” of Otofuke Town and used as a filming location for many movies and dramas in Japan. The area is also home to many free-range livestock — including cows, sheep, and Hokkaido-bred horses — creating a peaceful and healing ambience. Stop by the observatory to take in 360-degree views of Hokkaido’s awe-inspiring size.

Once used by the Shihoro Line of the former Japanese National Railway, this arched bridge is now registered as Hokkaido heritage. When the June rains come, a lake forms under the bridge, slowly submerging it such that by October, it’s almost entirely underwater; then when the waters freeze in January, its image is reflected on the surface of the lake, earning it the nickname of “phantom bridge”. The mystical appearance of the arches reflecting off the water’s surface brings out the beauty of curvature expressed by the bridge. When the lake freezes over and gets covered in snow, it’s the perfect time to don some snowshoes and hike around the bridge.

*The forested road leading up to Taushubetsu Bridge is off limits to all but specially approved vehicles. The Bridge can be seen from the Taushubetsu Observatory, but for close-up tours please contact the non-profit Higashitaisetsu Nature Guide Center and consult about their paid tour services. 

Known and feared as the most remote prison in the country, Abashiri Prison has now been relocated, reconstructed, and restored as an outdoor historical museum. Covering a plot of land roughly 3.5 times the size of Tokyo Dome, the living quarters of this prison have been used since the Meiji era (1868–1912), and several structures have been preserved in their original state such as the government office building and the conjoined prison house and central guard house — both of which have been designated important cultural properties. And in 2017, the prison cafeteria was renovated to include a reproduction menu of what prisoners really ate while they lived behind bars; visitors are welcome to order some of their very own prison food! 

This cruise boat offers enjoyable sightseeing experiences year-round during its summer season (May to October) and winter season (January to April). Orca sightings are frequent in early spring, while in summer you’re more likely to see the beautifully two-toned black and white Dall's porpoise or even a few sperm whales — the largest of all the toothed whale varieties. In winter, the cruise boat cuts through the ice drifts and offers passengers the chance to experience the vast nature of Shiretoko as they observe large flocks of white-tailed eagles and Steller’s sea eagles.