Hokkaido is one of those places that seem to be beautiful all year round. No, there’s more to it than cherry blossoms in spring. In summer, the island is blessed with excellent weather and beautiful scenery, with a myriad of other flowers bursting into full bloom. This itinerary is made to maximise time outdoors, while hitting all the main points, and is excellent for a first-timer in Hokkaido. In terms of transport options:
- Car - Driving around Hokkaido in summer is a great option and especially with a bigger group, it is one way to truly get your money’s worth.
- Train - For solo travellers, smaller groups and those preferring not to have the hassle of driving, You may want to opt for a JR Pass because trains are expensive and will definitely add up!
With that, let’s begin our journey!
Hakodate (Day 1 and 2)
The first stop on this itinerary is the port city of Hakodate (depending on your flight, you can choose to spend a night in Sapporo, then head to Hakodate), a 4-hour train ride or 3.5-hour drive from New Chitose Airport. You’ll want to set aside a decent amount of time here; as the third largest city in Hokkaido, it has a lot to offer! Being one of the earliest ports to open up to international trade, Hakodate’s buildings and structures are an eclectic mix of both western and eastern architectural styles—set aside your first day to fully admire these buildings! In the evening, ascend Mount Hakodate by cable car to fully take in the views of the city.
What to see:
- Hakodate Morning Market - Aside from a variety of fresh produce that is available for sale here, you’ll find an array of freshly-caught seafood. Order a bowl of steaming hot rice from one of the many stalls and have your pick at the thinly sliced .
- Goryōkaku - This former fort is shaped as a star and definitely has to be one of the most unique forts out there. You’ll be able to fully appreciate the design from the vantage point of Goryokaku Tower, which provides picturesque views of the surrounding area.
- Motomachi District - At the foot of Mount Hakodate you will find many western-style buildings, remnants of the foreign inhabitants it used to house.
- Mount Hakodate - Take the cable car up to enjoy panoramic views of Hakodate’s skyline
- Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse - Facing the port, this commercial complex consists of four facilities, where you’ll find a number of shopping and dining options.
What to eat:
- Lucky Pierrot - An absolute staple, operating only in Hakodate is the house name Lucky Pierrot. While fast food wouldn’t be on the top of our list, this place gets bonus points for its exclusivity. They have a variety of interesting and affordably-priced burgers. Try the Chinese Chicken Burger, which is their most popular menu item.
- Shio ramen - Compared to Sapporo-style or Ashikawa-style ramen, the specialty in Hakodate is shio ramen. Consisting of a light, clear broth and springy noodles, it is much lighter on the palate, perfect for a hot summers’ day!
- Seafood - Surrounded by the sea, it is no surprise that a smorgasbord of seafood awaits you in this city. Do stop by the morning market for some of the freshest seafood bowls in the city, however, if waking up early isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of sushi restaurants scattered throughout Hakodate.
- Pastry Snaffles - Stop by this famous local patisserie for some delightful desserts such as mille crepes and cheesecake. Their cheesecakes are known as cheese omelettes, for the fluffy, soufflé-like texture it retains. If you haven’t the time, these adorable little cheesecakes are also available to-go, individually wrapped and arranged neatly in a box.
Noboribetsu and Lake Toya (Day 3 and 4)
After two wonderful days in Hakodate, we head to Noboribetsu. Part of the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, Noboribetsu is a town known for its natural hot springs, where you can also visit its volcanic crater, named Jigokudani, or Hell Valley. It is named Hell Valley for a reason – volcanic gases seep from the surface of hellish rocks, heating the spring water which fills the towns’ hot springs. While the strong sulfuric smell lingering in the air could be off-putting, the trails in Jigokudani are breathtaking (quite literally!) and are well-worth a visit.
There are a number of ryokans offering traditional accommodation and food. Check out Daiichi Takimotokan, which offers 7 different types of hot spring waters with different accompanying benefits.
Spend the next day exploring the expanse of Shikotsu-Tōya National Park. Admire Lake Tōya, a volcanic caldera lake with the majestic Mount Usu in the background. Many hiking trails are available here for your walking pleasure, to fully appreciate the beauty of the surrounding areas. The best part is that the park is beautiful all year round, with a different beauty attached to each season. While you can always head back to Noboribetsu for the night, we’d recommend staying in the area—the ryokans here provide fantastic unobstructed views of the landscape.
Furano and Biei (Day 5 and Day 6)
After the restful two days spent soaking up in thermal waters, the next two will be spent in the flower fields on Furano and Biei. One thing you definitely must not miss if you are in Hokkaido in summer is the flowers! Arranged in rows of varying colours, these flower fields are a treat for the eyes. At the farms, be treated to a wide range of flower-themed food items such as soft serve and cakes.
Of these, Farm Tomita, a lavender farm, is one of the most well-loved. Shikisai-no-oka is another popular choice, with alpacas added into the mix at this colourful flower farm! Be prepared to spend two days here to appreciate most of the sights as Furano and Biei cover a huge area. Also not to be missed is the stunning Shirogane Blue Pond, a naturally coloured blue lake providing tranquil views.
With the first 6 days done and dusted, check out Part 2 for a continuation of this journey through Hokkaido!
