Best Things to Do in Hokkaido: 2025 Ultimate Guide for Nature, Food & Culture​

Hokkaido Island is the second largest island in Japan, with heavy snowfall in winter and unspoiled natural views. Many tourists visit Hokkaido for its world-class powder snow, beautiful landscapes, and delicious seafood. Let's check the top things to do in Hokkaido and add them to your Hokkaido trip.

Hokkaido's Natural Wonders & Outdoor Adventures

What is Hokkaido known for? It must be the high-quality fluffy powder. Experiencing skiing and snowboarding is beyond doubt. Now, read on to find other best things to do in Hokkaido.

1. Skiing & Snowboarding in Niseko and Furano

Don't hesitate about what to do in Hokkaido. Hokkaido's powder snow is epic. As a well-known ski resort in Japan and even around the world, Hokkaido boasts first-rate powder snow and world-class ski slopes. In winter, you can fully experience the thrill of snowboarding turns or sudden stops with fluffy powder snow lifting.

Niseko Ski Resort is known for abundant snowfall and magnificent natural landscapes. There are four resorts in Niseko with a rich variety of terrain: Niseko Hanazono, Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Annupuri, and Niseko Village Resort, which form Niseko United. Whether you are beginners, intermediates, or skiing experts, you can get an unforgettable experience in Niseko.

Furano is also a ski heaven, suitable for skiers and snowboarders at every level. Furano Ski Resort includes 2 areas: Furano Zone and Kitanomine Zone, offering 28 trails.

Visiting Hokkaido later in the powder snow season is a wise decision to avoid crowds. Ski resorts in Niseko and Furano open until early May.

2. Drift Ice Cruises in Abashiri

In late January every year, drift ice will appear on the Sea of Okhotsk, creating a spectacular scene of white mass covering the entire sea surface. Taking a drift ice cruise is an excellent way to experience the wonders of Hokkaido's drift ice in winter.

From mid-January to late March, Abashiri on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido Island offers drift ice sightseeing cruises. The bow of the icebreaker ship "Aurora" breaks the thick ice, making a shocking sound. If you're lucky, you will have chances to encounter many wild animals, such as seals, Arctic foxes, Hokkaido deer, Steller's sea eagles, and more.

3. Shiretoko National Park Exploration

Shiretoko National Park has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its pristine natural scenery. The pristine natural environment has made Shiretoko National Park the home of many wildlife species. You can take a cruise for animal watching, including brown bears.

There are also many popular hiking trails. The nature trail around the stunning Shiretoko Goko Lakes is considered to be an easy route, which allows you to appreciate the picturesque natural landscape. Or you might want to try the challenge one, like the Rausu Onsen Route.

Besides hikes, don't miss natural volcano hot springs in Shiretoko, such as Kamuiwakka Hot Spring Falls, Iwaobetsu Onsen, and Rausu Hot Spring.

4. Lavender Fields of Furano

If you haven't decided what to see in Hokkaido, consider purple lavender in Furano. Farm Tomita is one of the most famous lavender resorts in Hokkaido. In July, the lavender of Farm Tomita is in full bloom, which looks like a dreamy purple fairyland.

You can take the "Lavender Bus" traveling through the purple fields. In Farm Tomita, you can also immerse yourself in other lovely flowers like a rainbow, besides lavender flowers.

Cultural & Historical Highlights

If you want a deep exploration of Hokkaido, it is important to discover local culture and history. Here are some experiences worth exploring.

1. Sapporo Snow Festival

Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival brings a unique charm to Sapporo in winter. After nightfall, the dream-like illumination reflects on snow and ice sculptures. During the Sapporo Snow Festival, you will also enjoy ice sculpture contests and concerts.

Odori Park is the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is famous for its large snow statues. In 1950, local high school students made some snow sculptures in Odori Park. It later evolved into what is now the Sapporo Snow Festival. Other attractions include Susukino Site and Tsu Dome Site.

2. Otaru Canal & Glassworks

Otaru is a port city near Sapporo and is known for glass making, music boxes, and sake breweries. The iconic Otaru Canal runs through the city of Otaru. The canal is lined with shops ranging from craft stores, old warehouses, to restaurants and cafes. You can stroll along Otaru Canal at a leisurely pace or take a boat ride on the canal, imagining the bustling scene of the canal in the past.

Otaru glass blowing is another thing worth experiencing in person. You can make your own glass cups, vases, or other glassware as souvenirs. You can find so many studios to experience it, such as Kitaichi Glass and Taisho Glass Museum.

3. Hakodate's Historical Gems

As one of the best places to go in Hokkaido, Hakodate boasts a unique history, delicious seafood, and beautiful scenery. The best way to unearth the history of Hakodate is to visit its historic attractions, like Goryokaku Park, Hakodate City Museum, Motomachi District, etc.

At Goryokaku Fort, visitors can enjoy the beauty of different seasons. Goryokaku Park's cherry blossoms in spring are particularly attractive. From the observatory decks of Goryokaku Tower, you can enjoy panoramic views of the star-shaped fort.

4. Ainu Heritage at Upopoy Museum

Ainu people are indigenous people in northern Japan. To protect and further develop the culture of the Ainu people, Upopoy is established. Visiting the Upopoy National Ainu Museum is an opportunity to learn about Ainu culture.

At the exhibition hall in the museum, you can get an idea of Ainu culture and history. Outside the museum, you can also explore the traditional Ainu village, try Ainu crafts, and watch music and dance performances.

5. Matsumae Castle & Cherry Blossoms

Matsumae Castle is the northernmost castle in Japan, with an atmosphere of the Edo Period. There is a history museum in the reconstructed castle tower with various exhibits. From the windows of the castle, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Tsugaru Strait.

Matsumae Castle is one of the best Hokkaido attractions to enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring. You can appreciate about 10,000 pink and white cherry blossom trees with 250 varieties. In late April, Matsumae Castle holds a Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival.

Food Experiences You Can't Miss

1. Feast on Hokkaido Seafood

For foodies, discovering authentic Hokkaido food is one of the must-try things to do in Hokkaido. If you're seeking local seafood markets in Hokkaido, you should definitely pay a visit to Sapporo Nijo Market and Hakodate Morning Market. And Hakodate Seafood Market is where you can see live seafood auctions.

Nijo Fish Market and Hakodate Morning Market both offer an array of fresh seafood and processed seafood products. When you pass various food stores or restaurants, pause to taste the gourmet food, like plump crabs, seafood bowls, sushi, sea urchin, and grilled seafood.

2. Ramen Tasting in Asahikawa

Ramen is a very popular Japanese noodle dish in Japan. Tasting ramen is part of exploring Japanese food culture. Asahikawa is a culinary haven for ramen enthusiasts. Asahikawa ramen features its double broth and soy sauce flavor.

The most famous Asahikawa Ramen Village gathers eight first-rate ramen restaurants with the best ramen in Asahikawa. You can get multiple ramen experiences and delve into Hokkaido ramen culture in one place.

3. Sapporo Beer Museum

When it comes to beer in Japan, Sapporo cannot be overlooked. Sapporo Beer Museum showcases the history and culture of Sapporo beer.

On a brewery tour, you can taste beer at the museum's tasting room in addition to rich exhibitions and interactive experiences. Nearby Sapporo Beer Garden has a few restaurants with Genghis Khan BBQ (Japanese grilled mutton dish). It's delightful to enjoy the aroma of mutton barbecue while drinking fresh beer.

4. Dairy & Dessert Delights

From iconic Shiroi Kobito cookies to silky soft ice cream, the desserts in Hokkaido attract taste buds from all over the world. Dairy products is one of the characteristics of Hokkaido, renowned for its high quality and rich taste.

At Furano Cheese Factory, you can observe how cheese is made and taste some cheese samples. There is also a studio for visitors to experience cheese-making. For those who are dessert lovers, you surely don't want to miss ice cream in Biei. When you visit Furano and Biei in summer, the Lavender Ice Cream is the best sweet to cool down in hot weather.

Seasonal Activities (2025 Updates)

Hokkaido has distinct four seasons with different views. See what to do in Hokkaido for each season.

Winter (Dec - Feb)

Hokkaido in winter is a world of ice and snow. Winter sports are the best things to do in Hokkaido in winter, including enjoying skiing, snowboarding at famous ski resorts, and experiencing ice fishing.

You may also want to visit Odori Park's ice sculptures during the Sapporo Snow Festival or relax in the steaming hot springs. One of the highlights at Asahiyama Zoo is the penguin walk, usually from December to March.

Spring (Mar - May)

Spring in Hokkaido is a picture-perfect season of vibrant colors. Viewing cherry blossoms is one of the most popular spring activities in Hokkaido. Due to the cooler weather, cherry blossoms in Hokkaido usually bloom in early May. Matsumae Park, Goryokaku Park, and Shizunai Nijukken Road are the best places to see gorgeous cherry blossoms in Hokkaido.

Summer (Jun - Aug)

Summer in Hokkaido is also a good time for outdoor activities. You can embark on a hiking tour to explore trails in Daisetsuzan National Park with scenic alpine lakes, breathtaking mountains, and volcanic terrain.

In Furano, you can rent a bicycle and travel through the endless flower fields. From late April to the end of October, there are spectacular fireworks displays at Lake Toya from 20:45 to 21:05.

Autumn (Sep - Nov)

If you visit Hokkaido in September, you may see early autumn leaves in Hokkaido. You can find the best autumn colors at Sounkyo Gorge and Jozankei. When you plan your Hokkaido tour, be sure to add Asahiyama Zoo to your itinerary. In Asahiyama Zoo, you can observe the animals up close, especially the red-crowned Crane, Japan's national bird.

Practical Tips

Getting Around

The cities and scenic spots in Hokkaido are quite far apart. It's very flexible to explore Hokkaido Island by a rental car, which can also help you get deep into remote scenic spots. But it needs an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you want to drive in Japan. A customized Hokkaido tour package with a private car can get you a worry-free travel experience.

Winter driving in Hokkaido isn't suitable for inexperienced people. The roads may be slippery and are covered by ice and snow. For these snowy roads, taking the train with a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass would be safer. Noted that the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass doesn't include the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

Summer Road Trip Ideas

A Hokkaido road trip is an excellent way to explore the natural scenery and unique culture of Hokkaido during summer. In summer, you can't miss Patchwork Road, which is a blend of gorgeous, idyllic scenery and colorful fields. You can combine your patchwork road tour with Shirogane Blue Pond and Furano with Farm Tomita.

Cycling around the shore of Lake Toya is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Hokkaido during summer. You can see the beautiful lake with the amazing mountains around. Along the way, there are many parks for rest.

Family-Friendly Activities

If you visit Hokkaido with kids, you can consider visiting animals to make them interested and excited. At Asahiyama Zoo, there are many areas for interaction, animal exhibits, and activities, good for families with kids. You can find stroller rentals in the zoo. At Noboribetsu Bear Park, you can enjoy family time and learn more about bears. The park is accessible and stroller-friendly.

Fruit picking is a time to spend with family in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. You can pick the fruit while strolling around the farms, such as Jozankei Farm and Sapporo Fruit Garden.

FAQs about Visiting Hokkaido

1. Is Hokkaido worth visiting in summer?

Yes. Although Hokkaido is famous for its high-quality powder snow, you can still find interesting things to do in Hokkaido in summer. For example, you can enjoy the best lavender in Furano, visit the mysterious Blue Pond, and drive through Patchwork Road.

2. How many days are enough for Hokkaido?

5 days in Hokkaido is enough to explore one or two cities, like Sapporo, Niseko, or Hakodate. With a duration of 7 days to 14 days, you can get an insight into the history, culture, and stunning nature of Hokkaido.

3. Can I visit Hokkaido without speaking Japanese?

Yes. There are usually English signs in scenic spots, airports, and train stations. Prepare translation apps on your mobile phone in advance so that you can communicate with the locals.

4. What is the best time to visit Hokkaido?

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