Hokkaido attracts visitors from all over the
globe for its pristine natural scenery and snow festivals
which are held annually.
Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan and is
also the home to populations of rare species like the
red-crowned crane. Hokkaido is the second largest
island of the four main islands but has the least
developed land. Because it has been able to maintain
much of its natural environment, many types of flowers
have been allowed to flourish during the warmer months
of the year. There broad colors of seasonal flowers
attract many travelers throughout the year. Japanese
Cherry Blossoms bloom throughout the country from
early March to early May with Hokkaido blooming on the
late end of the spectrum. Another popular Hokkaido
flower is the shibazakura, which has a sensational pink
color that spreads out like blankets on the ground,
causing it to look like a sea of flowers that wave a
spectrum of strong pink. In the summer, lavender
viewing is one of the top attractions in Hokkaido. Both
public and private lavender fields extend along Furano
City, wrapping around the whole hillside that turns into a
mass of violet in the peak season from mid-to late July.
For those interested in combining their wanderlust with
snow festivals, Sapporo has one of the most popular
snow festivals in Japan. The Sapporo snow festival
takes places annually during the first week of February.
Competitions take place during the beginning of the
festivities; ice sculptures, mazes, and other icy creations
are built for the public to view. Some artists create
historical, architectural, or cultural-based sculptures
amongst many other types of themes creating a variety
of entertainment for everyone. Besides Sapporo’s snow
festival, there are also romantic, picturesque sites like
the Otaru Canal located just west of Sapporo. The Otaru
Canal is especially scenic during the night, especially
during winter when path is lit by lanterns made of snow
alongside the canal. The water reflects the lit candles,
complementing each other and creating a peaceful
scene.
Please see below for tours that include
Hokkaido:
