Top Reasons to Visit Hokkaido Anytime of The Year

Of all the places in Japan that have cultural, historical, and modern importance in a country that looks small on the map but is incredibly large and vast, Hokkaido is certainly at the top of the list. Not only is the northernmost island-speckled with compact and convenient cities, but it also has short summers, long winters, and plenty of festivals and outdoor activities to keep you busy throughout the year.

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Having lived in Japan on and off for over 6 years now, Hokkaido is my favourite place, even when compared to major metropolitan areas like Osaka, Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Kyoto. Here are my reasons to visit Hokkaido throughout the year:

Four Seasons

Ice Sculptures near Odori Park | *image: Flickr

Unlike Honshu, the main Japanese island, Hokkaido experiences the seasons a little differently. Winter is long, spring and summer come fast, and autumn washes the island in a fiery glow of reds and yellows.

These four seasons create astounding sights, sounds, and scents throughout the year, such as the Snow Festival in February, where ice sculptures line the roads of Odori Park in Sapporo.

Cherry Blossoms at Hakodate Star-Shaped Fortress, Goryo-Kaku | *image: ©JNTO

In the spring, cherry blossom petals coat the grounds of the star-shaped fortress in Hakodate. Come summer, the fields of Furano are blanketed in bright purple lavender.

Naturally, these seasons come with the perfect weather conditions for enjoying hikes in the many national parks, swimming along the coastline, cycling through the countryside, or skiing at one of the mountain resorts.

Festivals Galore

Yosakoi Festival | *image: © Kochi Visitors & Convention Association/©JNTO

I already mentioned the Sapporo Snow Festival, but that’s not the only major event that happens in Hokkaido. In the summertime, because the season is so short, there are fireworks festivals, Bon Odori dance festivals, Yosakoi festivals and so many other celebrations happening every single week.

You can expect there to always be something happening in Hokkaido, especially since many communities are close-knit and love spending time together.

Budget-Friendly Attractions

Hokkaido is much, much cheaper than Tokyo and Osaka. Sure, your tourist attractions will be slightly inflated, but when it comes to accommodations, transportation, food and drink, and admission fees, I found Hokkaido to be much more budget-friendly.

Booking.com

I could easily last on 5000 yen a day. During the winter, prices drop on accommodations. In the summer, there are also discount sales happening in places like Sapporo and Otaru.

Characteristic Cities and Towns

One thing that always makes me fall in love with Hokkaido would be the character of every town and city. Sapporo is a convenient city full of museums, botanical gardens, parks, shopping, and interesting people. Hakodate is where you go if you love seafood and oceans.

Otaru Canal in Winter | *image: ©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO

In the winter, Otaru canal is lit up with lanterns, which looks magical when the snow is falling. Biei and Furano are surrounded by mountains and flower fields that change colour every month. Asahikawa is tiny, but the restaurant scene is wild. Wherever you go, the distinct feel of each location is a delight.

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Hokkaido is my favourite island in Japan for a number of reasons, such as the ones I listed above. There is undoubtedly something for everyone to enjoy, no matter the season or your reason for visiting.

Whether you are looking for fresh seafood, skiing, festivals, hiking, shopping, or all of the above, Hokkaido is bound to leave you with many memories.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are the author’s and in no way reflect the views and/or opinions of Fat Starfish.