Things to do and see in Hokkaido?
May 19, 2011 11:40 PM   Subscribe

Four days in Hokkaido - wanting recommendations for things to do, places to see?

We are planning on a 4 day trip to Hokkaido in summer, flying in and out of Sapporo and hiring a car. Myself, my wife (who's Japanese) and another couple.

We have a completely blank slate and have never been there before.

We love food and onsens, but nothing too strenuous as my wife will be quite pregnant.

Any tips more than welcome.
posted by mairuzu to Travel & Transportation around Hokkaido, Japan (4 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Response by poster: we're going around the end of July.
posted by mairuzu at 4:28 AM on May 20, 2011


July is a good time for Tomita Farms. Don't miss the surprisingly delicious lavender soft cream!

Sapporo has Tanuki Matsuri at the end of July, and a month long summer festival in Odori park.

As far an Onsens are concerned, the ones with the best water are in Noboribetsu. You can also explore a nearby mini-Yellowstone in Jigokudani, and a brand-new baby volcano called Showa Shinzan.

I did onsens in Japan while pregnant, and it's shockingly easy to get overheated. She probably already knows this, but your wife should keep the dips short in duration and get out if she starts to turn red or sweat.
posted by Alison at 4:54 AM on May 20, 2011


Danny Choo's page on Hokkaido is fun to look through. Can probably give you ideas of what to do and check out. They are also known for tons of awesome ramen shops and... SEAFOOD! If you are into those, many Japanese travel there just for the hairy and king crabs.
posted by xtine at 1:27 PM on May 20, 2011 [1 favorite]


What we did for a six-day trip last August was a couple of nights at the Marukoma onsen at Lake Shikotsu (better than Lake Toya, imo), driving around the national park to places like Jigokudani and Koke no domon in the day. Drove up to Furano/Biei next for another two nights, visiting the cheese factory and Farm Tomita, with day drives around the designated 'scenic routes', and then back towards Sapporo, stopping by Otaru for a few hours.

We stayed at Hotel Gracery at Sapporo, which was perfect. Onsen-wise, Marukoma was very good, but it doesn't come with private in-room onsen.

Plenty of seafood, ice cream, and sweet corn in Hokkaido! I think I ate ice cream every day (you always have the summer heat as an excuse). Have fun!
posted by hellopanda at 9:58 AM on May 22, 2011 [1 favorite]


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