Let’s explore these spots filled with Hokkaido’s unique charm and culture! On this page, we have carefully selected six of Hokkaido’s coolest spots for you to explore. From spots woven with magnificent nature to vibrant local shopping streets and even a bear park! Please use this article as a reference to make your Hokkaido trip even more special and memorable!
Noboribetsu Jigokudani/Hell Valley (登別地獄谷)
Noboribetsu Jigokudani is the largest source of hot springs in Noboribetsu Onsen, a representative hot spring resort in Hokkaido. It is the site of an explosive crater of 450m in diameter and 11 hectares in area, created by the eruptive activity of Mt.Hiyori. The smell of sulfur pervades the entire area. The hot springs gush out from here at a rate of about 10,000 tons per day, and the hot springs are supplied to inns and hotels in the hot spring resort.
Noboribetsu Bear Park (のぼりべつクマ牧場)
Noboribetsu Bear Park is located in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. Located at the top of a 550-meter-high mountain, it takes about 7 minutes by ropeway from Noboribetsu Onsen Town. This is a rare spot where visitors can see Hokkaido brown bears, which live only in Hokkaido. Visitors can learn about the ecology of brown bears, try feeding them, and enjoy a spectacular view of Hokkaido from the observatory on the premises.
Blue Pond/ Aoiike (青い池)
Aoi Ike (Blue Pond) is located in Biei-cho. The lake shines in a beautiful blue color due to a combination of various conditions. The blue-white surface of the water, the withered birch forest, and the mysterious scene created by nature make it a popular sightseeing spot. The colors change slightly depending on the angle of view, the season, and the weather, so you will have to wait until the day of your visit to see what the colors look like. The blue pond in early summer, when it is freshly green, is especially beautiful because of the contrast between the green and the blue.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street (狸小路商店街)
Tanukikoji Shopping Street is one of the oldest shopping streets in Hokkaido, with the largest 7 blocks totaling approximately 900 meters in length and 200 stores in all covered arcades. This long arcade shopping street allows shoppers to shop comfortably without worrying about rain, snow, or strong sunlight.
In the shopping street lined with stores from 1-chome to 7-chome, visitors can encounter crepe stores, ramen noodle shops, karaoke, amusement arcade, souvenir stores, and many other types of stores. Just strolling through the area is fun, and it is a popular tourist spot, attracting visitors from both inside and outside of the prefecture. It is a must-see attraction when visiting Sapporo because of its unique stores.
Farm Tomita（ファーム富田）
Farm Tomita, famous for its lavender fields, is a sightseeing farm located in Furano Town. The spacious garden has many kinds of flowers, and visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers other than lavender. The best time to see the lavender is in July, when the entire slope is covered with purple lavender, an extremely beautiful sight that is not to be missed. Enjoy the largest lavender field in Japan with your eyes and smell it with your nose.
Sapporo Art Park (札幌芸術の森)
The Sapporo Art Park is a recommended art spot where visitors can experience a variety of art in a rich natural setting. The park is home to the Sapporo Art Museum, where visitors can view outstanding works by artists associated with Sapporo and Hokkaido, and the Crafts Hall, which features a exhibition of craft works, a dyeing and weaving studio, and exhibitions related to crafts. In addition, there is the Sapporo sculpture garden, which is spread out over 7.5 hectares of richly undulating nature.
