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Hokkaido (Japan)
Hokkaido is the northern island of Japan, famous for its deep winter snow and fresh seafood. You can ski on beautiful mountains or explore huge, colorful flower fields in the summer. It is a very relaxing place if you love nature and want to eat really well.
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Summary
Neighboring Countries
Did you know?
Drift Ice Walk – In winter, the northern coast freezes over with massive blocks of sea drift ice, allowing brave tourists wearing drysuits to walk right on top of the frozen ocean.
Overview
Months
April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, September
Vacation type
Couple, Family, Mountains, Skiing
Expenses
<100€, <150€, <200€, Over 200€
Temperature
Under 0°C, 0-10°C, 10-20°C, 20-25°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm, 100-150mm
Safety
Very safe
Continent
Asia
Currency
Japanese yen
Languages
Japanese
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to visit Hokkaido depends on whether you want world-class snow or mild summer weather. Unlike mainland Japan, Hokkaido has two distinct peak seasons: winter (December to February) and summer (July to August). Hokkaido does not get the humid rainy season that affects the rest of Japan in June and July.
If you want to ski, snowboard, and visit the famous ice festivals, travel between December and February. If you want to see blooming flower fields, hike national parks, and road-trip without freezing temperatures, travel between July and September.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: December to February / July to August
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours (Winter) / 6 to 8 hours (Summer).
Rain Frequency: 18 to 22 days of snow per month (Winter) / 8 to 10 days of rain per month (Summer).
Rainy Hours per Day: 4 to 6 hours of snowfall (Winter) / 1 to 2 hours of light rain (Summer).
Intensity: Constant, light, dry powder snow in winter; occasional brief summer showers.
Duration: Winter snowfall can continue softly for days. Summer rain usually clears up quickly.
Off-Peak Season: April to May / October to November
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 6 to 7 hours.
Rain Frequency: 8 to 11 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Cold drizzle, sleet, or slushy melting snow.
Duration: Weather changes quickly. Mountain trails are often muddy or closed due to melting snow in spring.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: December-February / July-August
Budget Vacation ($60-95/day)
Accommodation: $25-45/night (dorm beds in hostels, capsule hotels in Sapporo).
Food: $15-25/day (convenience store meals, small counter ramen shops).
Activities: $5-15/day (public parks, historic walking streets, temple visits).
Transportation: $10-20/day (city subway passes, local commuter trains).
Other Costs: $5/day (coin lockers, hot canned tea from vending machines).
Mid-Range Vacation ($150-280/day)
Accommodation: $70-140/night (business hotels like Dormy Inn, traditional ryokan inns).
Food: $35-65/day (fresh seafood bowls at morning markets, soup curry, draft beer).
Activities: $30-60/day (onsen hot spring day passes, ropeway cable cars).
Transportation: $40-70/day (compact rental car or JR Hokkaido train pass).
Other Costs: $10/day (hand warmers, entry to observation decks).
Luxury Vacation ($500-1,200+/day)
Accommodation: $300-800+/night (ski-in/ski-out chalets in Niseko, luxury hot spring ryokan with private open-air baths).
Food: $120-250+/day (multi-course Kaiseki dinners, king crab feasts, premium Wagyu).
Activities: $100-300+/day (lift passes, private ski instructors, private boat charters).
Transportation: $100-200/day (private transfers, premium 4WD rentals).
Other Costs: $30+/day (gear rental, high-end souvenirs).
Off-Peak Season: April-May / October-November
Budget Vacation ($50-75/day)
Accommodation: $20-35/night (off-season hostel beds, budget hotel rooms).
Food: $15-20/day (supermarkets, local noodle shops).
Activities: $5-10/day (free hiking trails, city museums).
Transportation: $10-15/day (local buses, discount regional train tickets).
Other Costs: $5/day (hot drinks).
Mid-Range Vacation ($110-180/day)
Accommodation: $50-90/night (discounted business hotels and hot spring lodges).
Food: $30-50/day (local izakayas, casual dining).
Activities: $15-30/day (botanical gardens, indoor museums).
Transportation: $30-50/day (standard car rental).
Other Costs: $10/day (coffee, rain gear).
Luxury Vacation ($350-700+/day)
Accommodation: $200-450+/night (quiet high-end ryokan outside the snow rush).
Food: $90-180/day (seasonal local tasting menus).
Activities: $60-150/day (private onsen retreats, autumn foliage photography tours).
Transportation: $70-130/day (rental SUV).
Other Costs: $20/day (local specialty snacks).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Sapporo
- The capital of Hokkaido, famous for its wide grid-pattern streets, fresh beer, miso ramen, and the massive annual Snow Festival.
2. Hakodate
- A historic southern port city known for its early Western-style architecture, a fresh morning seafood market, and night views from Mount Hakodate.
3. Otaru
- A coastal town near Sapporo filled with preserved stone canal warehouses, historic glassblowing workshops, and world-class sushi bars.
4. Asahikawa
- The second-largest city, located in the central plains. It serves as the gateway to the mountains of Daisetsuzan and is famous for soy sauce ramen.
Sapporo
Did you know?
Red-Crowned Cranes – Snow-covered wetlands host rare Japanese cranes that perform elaborate, graceful mating dances in the middle of heavy blizzards.
Islands
1. Rishiri Island
- A round volcanic island off the northern coast dominated by Mount Rishiri. It is famous for pristine coastal hiking trails and premium wild kelp (kombu).
2. Rebun Island
- Located just next to Rishiri, known as the "Island of Flowers" because alpine plants and wild orchids bloom directly at sea level.
3. Teuri Island
- A small, quiet island off the western coast that serves as one of Japan's most important breeding sanctuaries for rare seabirds.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Daisetsuzan National Park
- The largest national park in Hokkaido, featuring raw alpine wilderness, smoking volcanic vents at Mount Asahi, and deep gorges.
2. Shiretoko National Park
- A remote UNESCO World Heritage peninsula in the far east, known for towering ocean cliffs, waterfalls, and a dense population of brown bears.
3. Lake Toya
- A nearly circular volcanic caldera lake with active volcanoes nearby, featuring lakeside hot springs and walking trails around Mount Usu.
4. Blue Pond (Aoiike)
- A striking turquoise-blue pond near Biei, created artificially by a dam and filled with dead, bare Japanese larch trees standing in the water.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Goryokaku Fort
- A massive star-shaped Western fortress in Hakodate built in the 1860s, surrounded by a water moat and hundreds of cherry trees.
2. Upopoy (National Ainu Museum and Park)
- A large cultural complex in Shiraoi dedicated to preserving and showcasing the indigenous Ainu people's crafts, music, and traditions.
3. Otaru Canal
- A preserved waterway lined with early 20th-century stone warehouses that once stored cargo from international trading ships, illuminated by gas lamps at night.
Unique Experiences
1. Skiing Hokkaido Powder ("Japow")
- Gliding through bottomless, dry, feather-light snow in resort areas like Niseko, Rusutsu, or Furano.
2. Bathing in a Snow Onsen (Yukimi-buro)
- Soaking in naturally hot volcanic mineral water outdoors while snow falls gently on your head.
3. Riding an Icebreaker Ship
- Cruising through thick fields of floating drift ice (Ryuhyo) off the coast of Abashiri in the Sea of Okhotsk during February.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Daisetsuzan
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Zaborin
Location: Hanazono, Kutchan, Hokkaido, Japan
An ultra-luxury ryokan nestled in a snowy forest wilderness, featuring minimalist Japanese architecture, private indoor and outdoor hot spring (onsen) baths fed by natural thermal waters, and stunning views of the surrounding birch trees.
Restaurants / Bars
Byakuya
Location: Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
An exclusive fine-dining destination in the heart of Hokkaido's premier mountain region, celebrated for its seasonal kaiseki menus highlighting pristine local seafood from surrounding seas and wild produce from the northern snow country.
Tours to do
1. The Wild Eastern Loop
- A scenic road trip starting in Kushiro, driving through the crater lakes of Akan Mashu National Park, and ending on the rugged Shiretoko Peninsula.
Best Time: June to October.
Average Cost: $800 – $1,400 per person
2. The Central Flower and Mountain Route
- Driving from Sapporo through the colorful lavender and patch-worked flower hills of Furano and Biei, then climbing into the alpine passes of Daisetsuzan.
Best Time: July to August.
Average Cost: $700 – $1,200 per person
How to get around
1. Car Rental
- The most practical way to explore Hokkaido's vast landscapes outside of Sapporo. In winter, all rentals include studless snow tires, but driving on icy roads requires caution.
2. Railways (JR Hokkaido)
- Trains connect major cities like Sapporo, Hakodate, Otaru, and Asahikawa quickly, but rail lines to remote eastern and northern areas are limited.
3. Domestic Aviation
- Regional flights from Sapporo's Okadama or New Chitose airports make it easy to reach distant spots like Wakkanai, Kushiro, or Memanbetsu.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Beer Ice Houses – Sapporo locals build massive bars and lounges entirely out of thick winter snow and ice, serving cold drinks in hand-carved ice mugs.
What to eat
1. Sapporo Miso Ramen
- Thick, wavy egg noodles served in a rich broth flavored with local fermented soybean paste, topped with sliced pork, sweet corn, and a melting pat of Hokkaido butter.
2. Jingisukan (Genghis Khan)
- A signature local barbecue dish. Thin slices of mutton or lamb and fresh vegetables are grilled at the table on a convex metal dome shaped like a helmet.
3. Kaisen-don
- A steaming bowl of sushi rice completely covered with sweet raw sea urchin (uni), glistening salmon roe (ikura), scallops, and fresh king crab meat.
4. Soup Curry
- A thin, aromatic, spicy curry broth packed with large chunks of tender roasted root vegetables and a whole braised chicken leg, served with rice on the side.
Jingisukan
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €900 to €1,600 (Connect via Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, or Seoul).
- Cheapest Months: May and November.
- Peak Prices: Late December, January, and July.
From North America:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,000 to $1,800 (Direct flights to Tokyo, followed by a quick 90-minute domestic connection to Chitose).
- Cheapest Months: April and October.
- Peak Prices: Christmas/New Year, February, and July.
From Asia:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $300 to $700 (Direct flights available to Chitose from Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok).
- Cheapest Months: May, June, and September.
- Peak Prices: Lunar New Year and early February (Snow Festival).
From Australia (Domestic/Oceania):
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $900 to $1,600 (Seasonal direct flights from Sydney, or connect via Tokyo).
- Cheapest Months: May and November.
- Peak Prices: December and January (peak ski season).
From Africa:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,200 to $2,000 (Connect via Doha or Dubai into Tokyo, then fly to Chitose).
- Cheapest Months: March and October.
- Peak Prices: December and July.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Many travelers, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia, do not need a visa to enter Japan for short stays.
2. Visa-Free Entry
- Citizens from several countries can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
3. Visa Application
- Travelers from countries that require a visa must apply for a Japanese visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate before traveling.
4. Types of Visa
- Common visa types include a Temporary Visitor Visa: For tourism, business, or visiting friends/family, typically valid for stays of up to 90 days.
5. Processing Time
- Visa processing can take from a few days to a few weeks, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance if required.
6. Duration of Stay
- Visa-free visitors can stay for up to 90 days; visa holders can stay for the duration specified in their visa.
7. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but travel insurance is highly recommended.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY). Credit cards are accepted in urban areas.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 100V, and plug types A and B (two flat pins) are used. No adapter is needed for devices from North America.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is not customary and can be seen as rude.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like NTT Docomo and SoftBank. They can be purchased at stores.
6. Driving Side
- In Japan, people drive on the left side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Kibori Kuma (Carved Wooden Bears)
- A traditional folk art statue of a brown bear carved from a single block of wood, typically depicted holding a salmon in its teeth.
2. Kitaichi Glassware
- Delicate, hand-blown glassware, decorative sake cups, and paraffin oil lamps made by artisans in Otaru.
3. Shiroi Koibito Cookies
- Iconic thin butter cookies sandwiching smooth white chocolate, produced locally in Sapporo and sold in decorative blue-and-white tins.
Kitaichi Glassware
Location
Reviews
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