Overview
The northernmost and second-largest of Japan’s main islands, Hokkaido was settled late and kept much of its wilderness, with national parks, active volcanoes and a coastline of drift ice in winter. Its capital, Sapporo, anchors the west, while the rest is a landscape of farms, forests and hot springs under a cooler, four-season climate. It is a destination for the outdoors and the seasons, from deep winter snow to summer flower fields, and for some of Japan’s best seafood and dairy.
Highlights
Winter brings the powder snow of Niseko and other resorts and the Sapporo Snow Festival, while summer opens the lavender and flower fields of Furano and Biei. The national parks of Daisetsuzan and Shiretoko offer volcanoes, hiking and wildlife, and hot-spring towns like Noboribetsu steam year round. Sapporo itself is the base, known for its ramen, beer and the crab and seafood of the north.