Hokkaido is perhaps Japan's most visually stunning region, where well-maintained hiking paths curve their way around mountains and dormant volcanoes, beside lakes clear as glass and gorgeous coastline, around spectacular waterfalls that freeze solid in winter, and through dense forests home to various native creatures. At the top end of Hokkaido's best hikes are the trails through the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO Heritage Site with varied wildlife including the rare Steller's Sea Eagle soaring high over the coastal drift ice, which hikers love to catch a glimpse of after trekking by (or over) Mount Rurasu to one of the idyllic hot spring towns. Daisetsuzan National Park is nearly as splendid a region to explore, where a group of stunning peaks form the "Roof of Hokkaido" - a magnificent plateau, at it's prettiest times, delicately draped with snowfallen streams. The Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park is also gorgeous, with fields of alpine flowers near picturesque mountains. Further south, the Akan-Mashu National Park offers some gorgeous lakeside hikes, including Lake Kushiro, where hikers attempt to spot the mysterious lake monster, known as "Kusshi". And hikers flying in from Sapporo enjoy easy access to Shikotsu-Toya National Park enjoy the magical beauty of Lake Toya - a clear blue caldera lake surrounded by charming onsen towns. Finally, the Onuma Quasi-National Park, which invites hikers to traverse enchanting islands connected by wooden bridges in Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma. The best hikes in Hokkaido invite active travelers to enjoy its beauty, which stretches across Japan's Island of Nature.
Hokkaido is rich with natural splendor, and has some of Japan's most beautiful hiking trails and walking paths. From majestic mountains to floral lowlands, Hokkaido is filled to bursting with unique beauties that beckon to adventureous travelers. The island is nearly covered in breathtaking national parks that offer hikers their choice of bewitching nature sights. Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park beckons hikers to its famed mountain, known as Rishiri-Fuji. Shiretoko National Park charms travelers with lovely scenes of drift ice and sea eagles. Mighty Daisetsuzan National Park takes adventurers over the roof of Hokkaido: the home of Hokkaido's brown bears. Akan-Mashu and Shikotsu-Toya National Parks feature some of the world's clearest lakes, and Onuma Quasi-National Park has a truly majestic volcano. There are hiking trails in Hokkaido to fit every skill level, so every traveler with sturdy hiking boots can enjoy the island's beauties.
Read more about hiking in Hokkaido
Hokkaido Hiking Trails
Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park is comprised of two islands and a long stretch of wetland in northwest Hokkaido. Rustic, remote, stunning: the Rishiri and Rebun islands feature fishing towns, forest paths with secret little shrines, and over all, Mount Rishiri – a shapely Fuji-esque volcanic cone rising nearly 2,000 meters out of the sea. Most local hikers come in mid-summer to climb the photogenic peak; the scant number of international visitors truly give the trails up the mountain that treasured off-the-beaten-track feel. The park has numerous other trails around the island and through the Sarobetsu Wetlands, where birdwatchers enjoy watching the bean goose and other cute waterfowl. The Rebun island is well-known in the area for the alpine flowers growing near its stunning coastline.
Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park
Shiretoko National Park, located on the northeast tip of Hokkaido, offers almost endless opportunities for adventuresome hikers. Unforgettable landscapes including mountains, lakes, pristine forests populated by numerous animals, and a breathtaking scenes of drift ice captivate the travelers trekking to the region. Exciting ice-breaker cruise tours and excursions walking out over the ice are available through late winter, and especially birdwatchers scour the area hoping for the precious sight of a Steller’s Sea Eagle. The Shiretoko Five Lakes are some of the region’s best unspoiled areas, with well-maintained nature trails and even an elevated boardwalk by the first lake. From May to July is a popular time to join a hiking tour to visit Shiretoko National Park to sightsee the local wildlife, especially searching for groups of delightful black bears.
Shiretoko National Park
Daisetsuzan National Park is Japan’s largest national park. Known by the native Ainu people as Kamuimintara - “the gods’ playground” – this national park is one of the first places hikers go to see autumn foliage. A number of different biomes can be explored at Daisetsuzan: the mountain range includes Hokkaido’s highest peak, Mount Asahidake, which provide the best views atop the roof of Hokkaido. Some trekkers prefer traversing gorgeous Sounkyo Gorge, which features the breathtaking waterfalls, Ryusei no Taki and Ginga no Taki, cascading over 100 meters down the side of a cliff. Browsing around this national park’s untamed wilderness, hikers can see the park’s celebrated animal attraction: brown bears, along with Yezo Sika Deer, northern pika, and various other native creatures.
Daisetsuzan National Park
Akan Mashu National Park is an especially lovely park located in eastern Hokkaido, known for its splendid lakes and volcanic regions. The park is subdivided into two regions, each with distinct charms for travelers. The first is the area around the Akan volcanic caldera, which includes Lake Akan – gorgeous in any season but especially in winter, when it freezes solid enough to walk across. Also in the area is Mount Meakan – the tallest peak in the park and a hiker’s delight for those in search of fantastic views. On the other side of the park is Lake Mashu – one of the clearest lakes in the world, boasting a visibility depth of almost 40 meters, and surrounded by delightful greenery. Lake Kussharo is nearby and is Japan’s largest caldera lake. The lake offers local hot springs: a perfect place to rest after a long hike. The lake is the habitat of the beautiful white whooper swan, which attracts birdwatchers to its shores. Traveling nature-lovers also hope to sight the local legend: a lake monster playfully named "Kusshii".
Akan-Mashu National Park
Shikotsu-Toya National Park is on the western side of Hokkaido, within easy travel distance from Sapporo. Come to the region to enjoy two delightfully clear lakes, the volcanic region of Noboribetsu, and breathtaking Hohei Gorge near Jozankei Onsen. Hike beside captivating lakeside scenery at Lake Shikotsu – delightfully clear even in winter, and aside from a few spare houses, boasts plenty of unspoiled splendor. The park is renowned for excellent hot springs, each providing local charms: Jozankei Onsen has gorgeous Hohei Gorge which is especially pretty covered in fall leaves, and Noboribetsu Onsen has close by the primordial valley of Jigokudani, constantly wreathed in volcanic steam. Lake Toya is a nearly perfect circle, and is Japan’s second most transparent lake, sparkling prettily surrounded by mountainous landscape. The tallest mountain on the border, Mount Usu, offers breathtaking views to climbers, including nearby Showa-shinzan, a relatively young volcano and a fascinating sight to admire.
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Onuma Quasi-National Park is in southern Hokkaido at the foot of Mount Komagatake, easily accessible from the city of Hakodate. By far the best season to visit Onuma is in the fall: the park is widely acknowledged as one of the top fall foliage spots in Hokkaido. The two lakes, Onuma and Konuma, are the most attractive areas for hiking, with plenty of well-managed trails to explore including a total of 18 charming bridges that let travelers hop from island to island across the lake. Cyclists are sure to enjoy lakeside area as well, the cycling route around Lake Onuma. Kamogatake is impressive at any time of the year, a picturesque sight from across the lake. Myriad other outdoor activities apart from hiking are available in season, whether you enjoy canoeing or camping in summer or snowshoeing and ice fishing in winter. The national park is a must-stop for birdwatchers, who visit there in late winter in search of the waterfowl that roost on the lake - especially dainty white swans.
Onuma Quasi-National Park
