City: Hokkaido
Top Things to do in Hokkaido
Countries
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaidō, literally "Northern Sea Circuit") (Japanese: [hokkaꜜidoː] ( listen)), formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is the second largest island of Japan, and the largest and northernmost prefecture. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu. The two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel. The largest city on Hokkaido is its capital, Sapporo, which is also its only ordinance-designated city. About 43 km north of Hokkaido lies Sakhalin Island, Russia, whereas to its east and north-east are the disputed Kuril Islands.
Restaurants in Hokkaido
1. Mount Hakodate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,650 reviews
Reviewed By nikols195
So happy to have a chance to visit the observatory at Hakodate-yama. The bright lights look beautiful surrounded by the jet black ocean. If the nights are clear, you can see as far as the lights stretch and can enjoy the view. It is the perfect opportunity for inta-lovers looking to get that iconic shot to share on social media or with friends and family! The view is amazing, but you might need to wait awhile as there are lots of tourists up there. There are two observation decks on the 2nd and 3rd floor – one indoor and one outdoor. The highest floor is overwhelmingly crowded just before the sunset, but on the second floor you can find the door that leads to the lower observatory deck that goes unnoticed. Getting up the mountain is very easy. You can access it by the Mount Hakodate Ropeway that offer a great view while going up the mountain.There are several facilities of the ropeway station at the peak, including a tea lounge, restaurant, and gift store.
2. Mt. Moiwa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,437 reviews
Typical night view enjoyment spot in Sapporo authorized by "the Japanese new three big night view" in October, 2015. To the extent the night view which can look a ropeway and a MORISU car (mini cable car) around 360 deg from a mountain top observatory of the altitude 531m which takes and arrives is also called "northern jewelry box", that it shines, when I'm shining also it's fine for the daytime as well as the night view, a far place as well as Sapporo-shi district can even look Shokanbetsu chain of mountains and Ishikari bay around. It's possible to go up summertime by car in Moiwayama sightseeing motorway (charge) to the Mid station, and it's possible to enjoy about 3.5 kilometers of freeway (A winter season closes.) At the Mid station, Mt. MOIWA, there is a stand where I get a large selection of original products of the mascot character "MORISU", and a takeout section is also next to the planetarium, the casual French restaurant where you can have a meal while enjoying the scenery "THE JEWELS" and the restaurant at the mountain top station, and it's also enriched in the facilities. It's barrier free full equipment in order to have many people enjoy in the facilities again, and a guide announcement in a ropeway MORISU car stop is also doing correspondence of English, Chinese and Korean.
Reviewed By WengHerng - Kobe, Japan
Very nice observatory to appreciate the vast cityscape of Sapporo. Highly recommended to check the weather forecast to find out the sunset times during your trip, and go up around 20 to 30 minutes before sunset, so you can enjoy both the day view and night view on the same trip.
3. Shiretoko National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Shiretoko, which originated from the Ainu word, “Shiri Etoku” which means “far corner of the earth” is exactly located at the northernmost tip of Japan (excluding the Northern Territories). Shiretoko National Park is characterized by the rugged grand landscape formed by volcanic activities and drift ice as well as abundant wildlife. In particular, large mammals such as brown bears and killer whales as well as a number of large endangered raptors inhabit the park. With them at the top of the hierarchy, a variety of wild animals strongly cohabit together. Such biodiversity and the link between ecosystems of the sea, river, and forest were highly valued, and Shiretoko was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in July 2005.
4. Asahiyama Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,761 reviews
Reviewed By carlbrown1 - Kaminoyama, Japan
I thought that we were going along to some small zoo in a small town in Hokkaido. Turned out to have many exhibits with most animals seemingly enjoying themselves despite there being snow on the ground - even the African ones. Usually one expects animals to be sleeping all the time but here they were up and about. Loved the different viewpoints for the "dancing hippo" and of course the penguin walk in the snow right in front of you. Well worth the trip - we actually took time off specifically to visit i.e. not a stopover for something to do, as we had seen a Japanese drama story based on the zoo
5. Moerenuma Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 841 reviews
Moerenuma Park is a landscape sculpture Mecca designed by Isamu Noguchi offering distinctive expressions of the four seasons Moerenuma Park is designed by sculpture artist Isamu Noguchi as a work of sculpture art in itself. The park was reborn from a waste disposal site and transformed into an art park representative of Sapporo over a period of 23 years. The grand scale of this project earned it the name “landscape sculpture.” Visitors can enjoy different scenery depending on the time of the day and season. Instead of picturing yourself in a park, you should probably think of yourself as being inside a huge sculpture piece.
Reviewed By vrkung - Hong Kong, China
Free to enter. We rented bikes at very reasonable rate (200 yen for 2 hours) at the entrance and helped to move around, which saved our energy for walking up to various higher grounds for most charming views around. We enjoyed the 15 minutes fountain show. Check the schedule at the bike store.
6. Mt. Okura Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,340 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
The view from Mt Okura Observatory is stunning, at night you can see the city lights spread out in front of you. The cable car was enjoyable. By the way, if you take the bus to the Observatory, make sure you know the time of the return bus, as taxis may be scarce.
7. Niseko Village Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 434 reviews
Reviewed By Philadelphians_in_AU - Sydney, Australia
First time there 2 yrs ago, the snow condition was unbelievably amazing. So much snow!!! We loved it and decided to go back again this year. Not as great as last time but still good experience with sun out. Such a beautiful ski resort. Would be back again.
8. Kokuei Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 430 reviews
Reviewed By SingaporeJacy - Singapore, Singapore
We visited on Christmas Day,taking a taxi to Makamonai subway station as we were running late and wanted to catch the 10. 45am bus. At bus stop 2,do stand in line to wait for bus 106 as it only takes up to bus - allowed capacity. The ride to Takino SuZuran was pretty as it passed residential areas with houses all covered in snow. Upon arrival,within 50m, you will find lockers, which we used to put stuff we didn't need. There are more lockers inside the place. It was minus 9 degree celcius that day. Most activities are free and well organized with a queue system to ensure safety. You will need to walk some distance to the sledding and tubing area. Ski rental was a reasonable ¥2900. However, the most fun was just playing in the snow and taking in the experience. The place is huge so there is no problem with crowds. There is a cafe serving food and a drinks at reasonable prices. Also nice kids play area. We took the 3.30pm (i think it was the 2nd last bus of the day) bus back. Again, do remember to line up early to board. All in, a great day spent and also one which didn't cost a lot.
9. Shiretoko Goko Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 952 reviews
Reviewed By LCWW - Singapore, Singapore
Two routes available. An elevated footpath takes the visitor on a 1.6km out-and-back walk to Lake Ichiko. It is free and no special footwear is required. The route provides stunning views of the Shiretoko mountain range. Electric fences surround the walkway, to keep the bears away The second route of 3km round trip starts on the ground and joins the elevated walkway towards the end. Entry fee costs 5000 yen from 10 May to 31 July, but drops to only 250 yen from 1 August to 20 October. Visitors are required to register and attend a 10-minute briefing on safety precautions, including action to take in the event of a bear encounter. Ground conditions are classified on a scale of 1 to 3, with 3 being muddy and gum boots required, but gum boots are still highly recommended for condition 2. You’ll need to plan in advance, as the gum boots can only be hired for 500 yen at the Shiretoko Nature Centre, which is located 9km away before you get to Shiretoko Five Lakes. Parking at 500 yen per car, and toilets available. Pleasant walk through nature with lovely views of the lakes and mountain ranges. Best to go on a sunny day, as rain will obscure the view of the surrounding mountains.
10. Lake Toya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 527 reviews
Reviewed By stevaniezaneta - Sydney, Australia
We decided to stop at Toya during our trip from Sapporo to Hakodate. Toya is around 2 hours from Sapporo. From Toya Station, we took the bus to Lake Toya, you can purchased the return bus ticket inside the train station. We got off at the Lake Toya Tourism Centre, and the lake is just in front of the building, it is very beautiful blue lake, it was snowing so hard when we arrived. excellent photo spot!!!
