Visit Hokkaido: Japan’s Beautiful Northern Island
- SpeakAnglo
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Why visit Hokkaido? From the bustling streets of Sapporo to the steaming views of Jigokudani in Noboribetsu. Why steaming? Jigokudani, which translates as Hell Valley, is an amazing geothermal crater with volcanic activity.
Sapporo
This busy capital of Hokkaido prefecture is a great place to start. You can travel there from Tokyo either with the bullet train, known as the Shinkansen, or with by flying with a budget airline. Flights are considerably cheaper than the bullet train if you’re sticking to a tight budget.
Once in Sapporo, you can head to Odori Park and stroll among the greenery and flowers. It is a peaceful and relaxing place. Plus, it plays host to various festivals throughout the seasons, as well as being transformed into a beer garden in summer. It was initially established as a firebreak in 1871 but is now an urban green retreat for locals and visitors.
You can also take in 360-degree views of the city from Mount Moiwa. A return ticket up the ropeway currently costs around $13 per adult and $6.50 per child. Included in the price is both the ropeway and the mini cable car to the summit.
The best times? Nighttime views are spectacular and current opening times are daily until 22:00. Last car up is at 21:30.
Another great activity is a visit to the Sapporo Beer Museum. It is Japan’s only dedicated beer museum and you can learn about the history of beer in Japan as well as sip on some local brews.
For dinner, why not try out the Nijo Fish Market? Seafood offerings include crab, sea urchin and salmon rice bowls. Delicious!
Noboribetsu
This is a famous hot spring resort in Japan and about an hour from Sapporo. You can either do a day visit or an overnight stay in the resort. The latter is better if you really want to enjoy the bathhouses and walking trails along the volcanic crater to the full.
It’s located an hour away from Sapporo by bus.
Did you know? The word for a traditional Japanese hot spring is an onsen and it must meet certain requirements to be classified as such, like the water being geothermically heated.
Along with the famous Jigokudani crater valley, visitors can visit the Noboribetsu Bear Park or take a look at the Oyunuma Pond.
At the bear park, you can take a gondola ride and enjoy taking in the brown bear exhibits.
If you head to the pond, you’re in for a special sight. Around 1000 litres of hot spring water well up every minute, sending dramatic plumes of white steam into the air above the pond. As you approach, the earthy and pungent smell of sulphur fills the air and you hear the sound of water bubbling up from deep underground.
Skiing
If skiing is your thing, there are a number of resorts and the best time to go is from mid-December through to March. The area is famous for super-light, powdery snow. What's more, one of the resorts, Niseko United, offers English-speaking instruction at its ski school if you're a beginner and need to learn the basics beforehand.
Overall, Hokkaido has a lot to offer and we have just skimmed the surface with the few activities and sightseeing spots mentioned here. So, get out your holiday planner and who knows, just maybe, the second-largest island in Japan will be the destination on your next Japanese adventure!
Vocabulary
Geothermal
(adjective)
Meaning: Relating to heat from within the earth.
Example: We visited the geothermal crater.
Bustling
(adjective)
Meaning: Full of energetic activity, lively and busy.
Example: Tokyo is a bustling city.
Spectacular
(adjective)
Meaning: Something that is extremely impressive or beautiful to look at.
Example: Table Mountain offers spectacular views of the coastline and city below.
Pungent
(adjective)
Meaning: A smell that is strong and sharp.
Example: I love blue cheese but it has quite a pungent smell.
Powdery
(adjective)
Meaning: When a texture is soft and fine, like powder.
Example: The old library books were full of powdery dust that made me sneeze.
Discussion
Do you prefer winter or summer vacations? Why?
What factors do you take into account when deciding where to go on holiday?
How does the season and weather affect our holiday choices?
In what way do sensory details, such as sounds and smells, impact our travel memories?
How do you balance saving money with getting the most out of your trip?
Why is learning about local culture important to you when traveling?
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