Best Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen is a renowned Japanese hot spring destination located in Hokkaido. The area’s distinctive features include Jigokudani, a sulfurous “hell valley,” and nine distinct mineral springs celebrated for their therapeutic properties. These waters are utilized by visitors seeking relaxation...

The Kushiro Marsh is a significant wetland ecosystem located in Hokkaido, Japan. It’s recognized as one of Japan's largest marshes and a Ramsar site, highlighting its ecological importance. The area provides crucial habitat for numerous bird species including the critically endangered Japanese crane...

Noboribetsu Jigokudani is a remarkable mudpot located within Hokkaido’s active volcanic valley. The site features intensely hot, mineral-rich geothermal waters discharging approximately ten thousand tonnes each day. This area offers unique opportunities for experiencing Japan's geological activity a...

Noboribetsu Jigokudani fumaroles represent a significant area of active geothermal activity in Hokkaido, Japan. These vents release superheated steam and gases from deep within the earth, fueling the region’s renowned hot spring resorts. The site is notable for its intense heat and vibrant colors cr...

Lake Shikotsu is a freshwater caldera lake located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Reaching a maximum depth of approximately 363 meters, it ranks among the deepest lakes in Japan. Because of its significant depth and volume, the lake rarely freezes over du...

Sapporo is the prefectural capital of Hokkaido, Japan. It’s a major urban center known for its distinct culture and climate. The city developed significantly during the Meiji era and remains a vital economic hub within Japan. Sapporo serves as an important administrative center and is particularly r...

Lake Akan is a caldera lake located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan, situated within Akan Mashu National Park. The lake is known for its colonies of marimo, a rare growth form of the filamentous green algae Aegagropila linnaei that forms distinct, velvety spheres. These algae colonies were de...

Niseko United, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, is globally synonymous with the lightest, driest powder snow on Earth-'Japow.' The resort is actually four interconnected ski areas (Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, Annupuri) offering incredible tree skiing and consistent snowfall. The e...

Lake Toya is a freshwater caldera lake located in southwestern Hokkaido, Japan, within Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It was formed by a massive volcanic eruption and is known for being mostly ice-free throughout the winter. The lake features Nakajima, a group of forested islands in its center that se...

Hakodate is a city located on the southern tip of Hokkaido, Japan, facing the Tsugaru Strait. It was among the first Japanese ports opened to foreign trade in 1859 following the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry, leaving a legacy of Western-style architecture in its Motomachi district. The city is...

Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido, Japan, is renowned for its innovative enclosures that prioritize animal welfare and allow visitors unique perspectives of wildlife behavior through underwater viewing tunnels and simulated habitats.

Miso ramen is a Japanese noodle soup associated particularly with Sapporo and the wider island of Hokkaido. Its broth is seasoned with miso, a fermented soybean paste that gives the soup a savory, full bodied character distinct from ramen primarily seasoned with soy sauce or salt. Typical versions u...

The Tokachidake fumaroles are volcanic gas vents on Mount Tokachi, an active stratovolcano in central Hokkaido, Japan. They release steam and gases heated by the volcano's underlying hydrothermal and magmatic systems, providing visible evidence of continuing activity. Mount Tokachi has produced dest...

Shio ramen is one of the four primary styles of Japanese ramen, distinguished by its light, clear broth seasoned primarily with salt (shio means salt in Japanese). Unlike the soy sauce-based shoyu, the miso-based broth, or the cloudy pork bone-based tonkotsu, shio ramen features a delicate soup that...

Sarobetsu Wetland is a vast peat bog in northern Hokkaido, Japan, designated as a Ramsar site. It serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds and supports unique flora adapted to acidic conditions. The wetland is part of the Sarobetsu Plain and includes boardwalks for ecological observation.

The Jigokudani fumaroles, meaning "Hell Valley," form the geothermal center of Noboribetsu Onsen in Hokkaido, Japan. This volcanic area features bubbling mud pools, sulfurous streams, and steam vents emerging from a landscape largely bare of vegetation due to the extreme conditions. The thermal acti...

The Tarumae fumaroles are geothermal vents on Mount Tarumae, an active andesitic volcano in Hokkaido, Japan. They occur around the summit area and its prominent lava dome, which was formed during the 1909 eruption, and release steam and volcanic gases from the heated subsurface. The fumarolic activi...

Shikabe Geyser is a hot-water geyser in Hokkaido, Japan, discovered during drilling in 1924 and known for recurring eruptions from a confined vent.

Lake Saroma is the largest lagoon and the third-largest lake in Japan, located on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido along the Sea of Okhotsk. It is a brackish body of water separated from the ocean by a narrow sandbar, with two artificial channels allowing tidal exchange. The nutrient-rich waters m...

Asahikawa is a city located in the center of Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, and serves as the region's second-largest municipality. Situated in a large inland basin, the city is geographically characterized by its harsh, snowy winters and significant temperature fluctuations throughout the y...

Mount Asahi, also known as Asahidake, is an active volcanic peak situated in the Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaido, Japan. Rising to an elevation of 2,291 meters, it holds the distinction of being the highest mountain on the island. The mountain is a prominent destination for alpine enth...

Ishikari Bay is a large inlet on the western coast of Hokkaido, Japan, opening into the Sea of Japan. It is fed by the Ishikari River, which is one of the longest and most extensive river systems in the country. The surrounding alluvial plain formed by the river has historically made the region high...

Nosappu Cape Lighthouse, situated on a rocky promontory in Hokkaido, Japan, was constructed in 1873 to guide ships through the treacherous waters of the Tsugaru Strait and stands as a vital navigational aid.