"Spring Lingers in Hokkaido ..." Top 5 Page for this destination Hokkaido by idy

Hokkaido Travel Guide: 838 reviews and 1,830 photos

Brrrrrrrrr!

My first visit to Japan and it is to Hokkaido, in all its spring splendor. As spring was still sipping her last cup of tea, not many of the famous cherry blossom trees were in full bloom. Fortunately, we caught some in the warmer areas near the city, and yes, they are lovely indeed! With branches ladened with countless pink or white blooms, you'd think that these trees have no leaves!

Blowing hot and cold?

In the middle of nowhere in Hokkaido

Hokkaido, being the northern-most region of Japan, can get very cold. In winter, despite the sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall, its mountain ranges are the playgrounds of skiiing enthusiasts and the city of Sapporo is the gracious host of visitors who arrive for the Snow Festival.

Hokkaido is, on the other hand, also one of Japan's most popular hot spring regions. Many Japanese travel to Hokkaido specifically for a hot spring vacation. The region also boasts several national parks, including Japan's largest - the Daisetsuzan National Park, which attracts countless hikers and campers during the summer months.

Visitors will also see another side of Hokkaido as they travel the region - agriculture and farming. Padi fields and tobacco plants line the road, black and white cows graze in distant pastures, and in the summer, lavender blooms cover the hillside and fill the air with a familiar potporri scent! While seafood is aplenty here, visitors should not miss some of Hokkaido's best produce such as sweet corn, fresh milk, sweet potato and lavender ice cream!

The Statistics

Crafts for sale at Otaru

Length of stay: 6 days, 6 nights
Weather: Chilly, with small drizzles (depending on the season)
Accomodation: Various hotels and spa resorts
Went:
Sapporo
1. Sapporo Brewery
2. Ishiya Chocolate Factory
3. Odori Park & TV tower
4. Susukino
5. Nijo Market
6. Li Xiao Lu shopping arcade
Do-o (Central Hokkaido)
7. Otaru
8. Noboribetsu (Jigokudani)
9. Shiraoi (Ainu Village & Museum)
Do-hoku (Northern Hokkaido)
10. Asahikawa (Otokoyama Sake Brewery & Museum)
Daisetsuzan National Park
11. Sounkyo Gorge
12. Mount Kurodake
13. Furano (Farm Tomita)

NB: Backpacking is generally the norm for me, but not in this instance. If you've got backpacking questions, all I can really say is that the attractions or places a visitor might plausibly want to visit are generally quite a distance apart, so its best if you've got lots of time to spend on the road. Also, backpackers may find a travel guide that provides bus numbers and road directions very handy. Unless, of course, you can speak Japanese.

Last visit to Hokkaido: May 2005
Intro Updated Mar 25, 2006
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Reviews (22)

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Hotels (3)
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Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Summer in the Daisetsuzan National Park
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Comments (6)

y_lyn Apr 24, 2007 at 1:28 AM Report Abuse

Wow... Sakura! Every season gives a different feel!
shikokuzen Aug 25, 2006 at 1:24 AM Report Abuse

aaaaahhhhhhhhh sakura!!!!!!!! love cherry blossoms....doing well i hope.......
bpacker Mar 22, 2006 at 8:17 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful photos, am considering backpacking here. Did you backpack as well?
maxmtxmix Jan 5, 2006 at 1:03 AM Report Abuse

Nice write-up! Was wondering if you did Hokkaido in a tour group or did you backpack or travel on your own? I want to do it either this or next year on my own - wondering if it's possible. Anyway, happy new year!
arni_ph075 Dec 1, 2005 at 11:37 PM Report Abuse

I just discover Royce Chocolate in Singapore and known that its originally coming from Hokkaido..are there lots of chocolate stores there? :-) I love chocolates..Cheers!
SanguiniA Nov 24, 2005 at 2:44 AM Report Abuse

Great tips - with great pics and info. Hokkaido seems to be such a wonderful place!