Hokkaido is a place of great natural beauty. While modern Japan is known for its great metropolises, there is plenty to see outside of the cities, and the government of Japan has decided to preserve these beautiful natural areas by turning them into national parks.
They are open to visitors and offer excellent opportunities to hike, sightsee, and more. Some of the areas in these national parks are highly recommended to see Hokkaido’s beautiful fall colors and enjoy skiing in the winter months.
Here are six beautiful national parks in Hokkaido:
1. Akan Mashu National Park
This national park consists of three calderas, Akan, Mashu, and Kussharo. Akan is in the southwest of the area and contains Lake Akan, which is famous for its bright green balls of algae called marimo.
You can book a boat tour around the lake or hike 1,370-meters to the peak of nearby Mount Oakan. On the southern shore, you can find Akanko Onsen, a small hot spring town. In the winter, there is ice skating available on the lake as well as skiing at the nearby Akankohan National Ski Area.
The largest Ainu settlement in Hokkaido, Ainu Kotan, can be found within the township and you can visit to see performances and other displays of Ainu culture.
To the northeast is the Mashu area, centered on the largest caldera lake, Lake Kussharo. Take a summer canoe tour or watch for whooper swans or other migrating birds who come from Siberia to enjoy the volcanically warmed waters.
Hike at some of the many trails nearby. You can also find Lake Mashu, one of the clearest lakes in the world. This is a much more wilderness-focused area, but there are still plenty of amenities.
Click here to see some of Hokkaido’s most beautiful lakes.
2. Daisetsuzan National Park
The largest national park in Hokkaido, here you will find a vast expanse of unspoiled wilderness. It is larger than some Japanese prefectures! It was established in 1934.
Asahidake (Mt. Asahi), the highest peak in Hokkaido is located here in this park. It is the first place in Japan to see autumn foliage and snow each year. A circular trail around the ropeway’s upper station is quite popular for visitors (beginner hikers).
Wildlife can be found all over the park and there are many trails for hikers. The fall colors are magnificent, while the snowfall in winter turns the expanse into a wilderness winter wonderland.
There are many places to base your exploration of the national park out of, including many different small onsens, or hot spring inns, as well as a more tourist-style resort found in Sounkyo Onsen.
3. Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park
This is the largest marshland in Japan and serves as the habitat for the largest population of Japanese Cranes in the country. It is a great place for bird watching, even in winter, as there is very little snowfall in the area.
If you’d like to see Japanese Cranes in their full glory, coming here in winter is perfect as they tend to gather in winter feeding areas. Besides bird watching, you can also enjoy numerous hiking trails as well as canoeing and kayaking.
No matter what season you go, these activities are always on offer and they change as the landscape does with the turning of the year.
The best way to get to any of the feeding areas, nature centers, or trail heads is by rental car since public transportation to and from the park is limited.
4. Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park
Located in the most northern part of Hokkaido, this park includes volcanic cones, peat marshes, sheer coastal cliffs, and two small islands off the coast. Many migrating birds stop here, including the Taiga bean goose.
You can also find whistling swans, white-tailed eagles, black woodpeckers, and more. Besides birdwatching, enjoy a view of Mount Rishiri from Sarobetsu Plain where it seems as if the mountain is floating on the ocean.
You can also hike many trails. In spring and summer, many different fields of flowers will be in bloom as you walk through them. A lot of scenic views and walking trails in the park will make your journey a great adventure.
Visitors can see many alpine flowers on both islands, especially from June to August. On Rishiri Island, there is a cycling road along the island’s northern coast which offers breathtaking ocean views and the mountain.
5. Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Named after its two famous lakes, Sikotsu and Toya, this park is located near Sapporo, making it a great option for a day trip if your time is limited. The crystal-clear caldera lakes attract all sorts of animals, both on land and on the wing.
The area is still volcanically active and there are many steaming vents, hot water sprouts, and hot springs to be seen. This means that there are plenty of onsens to visit as well! You can also see some of this volcanic action at Jigokudani, “Hell Valley”.
Take the chance to go kayaking or canoeing on Lake Shikotsu. Hojei Gorge offers a spectacular hike in untouched forest. To get an amazing view of Lake Toya and its surroundings, ride on the Mount Usu Ropeway.
If you visit from January to February, you can visit the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival to see ice sculptures and fireworks. There is a lot to do in this national park, whether you stay for a day or a week!
6. Shiretoko National Park
Established in 1964, this park is found on Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido. It is largely untouched and you won’t find any roads that reach further than three-quarters of the way up the peninsula.
UNESCO designated this park as Natural Heritage Site in 2005.
You can only see the northern part of the park by sea or on guided trekking tours that last several days. It’s an incredible place to see many different kinds of wildlife as well as drift ice in the winter.
There is so much to see here that it is worth taking a few days to visit. See waterfalls or the striking five lakes. There are also hot spring towns all around, offering wonderful places to stay and experience this gorgeous wilderness area.
