Sapporo (札幌)
- Odori Park & Sapporo TV Tower (大通公園＆札幌テレビ塔)
- Nearest JR Station: Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
- Additional Transport: Subway (Odori Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line), or local buses.
2. Hokkaido Shrine (北海道神宮)
- Nearest JR Station: Maruyama-koen Station (円山公園駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or taxis from Sapporo Station.
3. Mount Moiwa Night View (藻岩山夜景)
- Nearest JR Station: Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi to the ropeway station at the base of the mountain.
- Note: I recommend take the tram and walk 10 min to the ropeway station. There is a free bus (but not frequent) in summer from the tram station to the ropeway station. Also, bring warm clothing as its cooler upstair.
4. Tanukikoji Shopping Street (狸小路商店街)
- Nearest JR Station: Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
- Additional Transport: Subway (Tanukikoji Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway)/ or tram
5.Nijyo Market (二条市場)
- Nearest JR Station: Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
- Additional Transport: Subway (Nijyo Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway).
- Note: they open early and close early
6. Hokkaido University (北海道大学)
- Nearest JR Station: Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or a 25-minute walk from Sapporo Station.
7. Sapporo Mount Yotei Observation Deck (羊ヶ丘展望台)
- Nearest JR Station: Shin-Sapporo Station (新札幌駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Shin-Sapporo Station.
8. Shiroi Koibito Park (白い恋人パーク)
- Nearest JR Station: Miyanosawa Station (宮の沢駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Miyanosawa Station.
9. Sapporo Beer Museum (札幌ビール博物館)
- Nearest JR Station: Sapporo Station (札幌駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or a 30-minute walk from Sapporo Station.
Hakodate (函館)
- Hakodate Night View (函館夜景)
- Nearest JR Station: Hakodate Station (函館駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi to the cable car station for the night view.
2. Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (金森赤レンガ倉庫)
- Nearest JR Station: Hakodate Station (函館駅)
- Additional Transport: Local bus or a 15-minute walk.
3. Goryokaku (五稜郭)
- Nearest JR Station: Goryokaku Station (五稜郭駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Hakodate Station.
- Note: instead of getting off the shinkansen station, 函館駅 + local tram/ bus is more convenient
4. Hachiman-zaka Slope & Motomachi Church Group (八幡坂＆元町教会群)
- Nearest JR Station: Hakodate Station (函館駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or a 20-minute walk.
5. Hakodate Morning Market (函館朝市)
- Nearest JR Station: Hakodate Station (函館駅)
- Additional Transport: 2-7-minute walk.
Otaru (小樽)
- Otaru Canal (小樽運河)
- Nearest JR Station: Otaru Station (小樽駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or a 12–20-minute walk.
2. Sakaimachi Street (堺町通り)
- Nearest JR Station: Otaru Station (小樽駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or a 7-minute walk.
3. Sankaku Market (三角市場)
- Nearest JR Station: Otaru Station (小樽駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or a 7-minute walk.
Furano (富良野)
- Tomita Farm (富田農場)
- Nearest JR Station: Nakafurano Station (中富良野駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Nakafurano Station/ 20 min walk. In summer, there will be a temporary station, which is 7 min walk away it, but only specific train has it (2024 timetable: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/travel/furanobiei/pdf/furanobiei2024.pdf).
2. Forest Fairy Terrace (森林精霊の丘)
- Nearest JR Station: Nakafurano Station (中富良野駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Nakafurano Station. Recommend bus.
Biei (美瑛)
- Shikisai no Oka (四季彩の丘)
- Nearest JR Station: Biei Station (美瑛駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Biei Station.
2. Shirogane Blue Pond (白金青池)
- Nearest JR Station: Biei Station (美瑛駅)
- Additional Transport: Taxi or bus from Biei Station. But the bus is not frequent.
Asahikawa (旭川)
- Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園)
- Nearest JR Station: Asahikawa Station (旭川駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Asahikawa Station.
Other Locations
- Lake Toya (洞爺湖)
- Nearest JR Station: Toya Station (洞爺駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus (like 20min) or taxi from Toya Station.
2. Noboribetsu Hell Valley (登別地獄谷)
- Nearest JR Station: Noboribetsu Station (登別駅)
- Additional Transport: Bus or taxi from Noboribetsu Station.
3. Abashiri (網走)
- Nearest JR Station: Abashiri Station (網走駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or taxis.
4. Shiretoko (知床)
- Nearest JR Station: Shiretoko-Shari Station (知床斜里駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or taxis.
5. Tokachi (十勝)
- Nearest JR Station: Obihiro Station (帯広駅)
- Additional Transport: Buses or taxis.
6. Kushiro (釧路)
- Nearest JR Station: Kushiro Station (釧路駅)
- Additional Transport: Local buses or taxis.
Here are some of the top festivals in the Hokkaido region:
1. Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり)
- Location: Sapporo
- When: Early February
- Description: One of Japan’s largest and most famous winter festivals, featuring impressive snow and ice sculptures, snow slides, and various performances. It attracts millions of visitors annually.
2. Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (小樽雪あかりの路)
- Location: Otaru
- When: Early February
- Description: This festival transforms Otaru’s streets into a winter wonderland with thousands of lanterns and illuminated snow sculptures. The romantic atmosphere makes it a popular event for couples.
3. Asahikawa Winter Festival (旭川冬まつり)
- Location: Asahikawa
- When: Early February
- Description: Known for its large snow sculptures and ice art, this festival also features ice slides and winter sports. It’s a key event in the winter season in Hokkaido.
4. Yuki Matsuri (雪まつり)
- Location: Various locations in Hokkaido
- When: January to February
- Description: This general term for snow festivals can refer to smaller local festivals across Hokkaido, celebrating the winter season with snow-related activities and decorations.
5. Hokkaido Shrine Festival (北海道神宮祭)
- Location: Sapporo
- When: June
- Description: Held at the Hokkaido Shrine, this festival features traditional Shinto rituals, parades, and cultural performances, celebrating the shrine’s annual festival.
6. Sapporo Summer Festival (さっぽろ夏まつり)
- Location: Sapporo
- When: July to August
- Description: This festival includes the popular YOSAKOI Soran Festival, with colorful dance performances, street parades, and various summer activities.
7. Furano Lavender Festival (富良野ラベンダー祭り)
- Location: Furano
- When: July
- Description: Held in the Furano region, famous for its lavender fields, this festival celebrates the peak of lavender bloom with guided tours, lavender-related products, and local crafts.
8. Tokachi Agricultural Festival (十勝大収穫祭)
- Location: Obihiro
- When: October
- Description: This festival celebrates the harvest season in Tokachi with local produce, agricultural exhibits, food stalls, and various entertainment activities.
9. Shiretoko Onsen Festival (知床温泉祭り)
- Location: Shiretoko
- When: Summer
- Description: A festival celebrating the local hot springs with traditional performances, food stalls, and community events in the beautiful Shiretoko region.
10. Monbetsu Ice Festival (紋別氷祭り)
- Location: Monbetsu
- When: February
- Description: Known for its impressive ice sculptures and activities like ice fishing, this festival celebrates the winter season in the Monbetsu area.