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Hokkaido 北海道
A spacious island located at Japan's northern extremity with festivals throughout the seasons. A region with an abundance of natural beauty.
Hokkaido is an island at Japan's northern extremity, surrounded by sea in all directions. It is an extensive land, accounting for 22% of Japan's total land area. Low humidity makes the summers pleasant, while in winter you can enjoy winter sports. The island is gaining popularity as a tourist destination throughout the four seasons.
In Hokkaido you can enjoy the magnificence of nature to your heart's content: Daisetsu-zan National Park, which forms the roof of Hokkaido; the secluded Shiretoko-hanto Peninsula; Kushiro Marsh, home to many precious living things such as Japanese cranes; Shikotsu-Toya National Park, which is full of volcanoes and lakes; and the ever-changing Shakotan-kaigan Coast. There are also numerous hot springs, like the Noboribetsu-onsen, Jozan-kei-onsen and Soun-kyo-onsen, where you can enjoy a leisurely bath to help you get over the fatigue of your journey.The Sapporo Snow-matsuri Festival and Monbetsu Ice Floes-matsuri Festival are held in winter. In summer enjoy the Furano Lavender-matsuri Festival, as well as port festivals in every coastal town held to pray for a good catch and safe fishing. Hokkaido boasts of over 1,200 festivals and events held throughout the year.
Directions
From Tokyo:
[Air] 1h 30 min from Haneda to Shin-Chitose Airport.
[Rail] 17h from Tokyo to Sapporo by sleeping car.
From Osaka:
[Air] 2h 10 min from Itami, or 1h 55 min from Kansai International Airport to Shin-Chitose Airport.
Related Information
Official Sites by Location
JNTO's Travel Tips
- Sapporo &Shikotsu-Toya National Park [PDF]
- Kushiro, Abashiri, Shiretoko & Akan National Park [PDF]
- Hakodate & Vicinity [PDF]
- 3-Day Sample Travel Plan
