Hokkaido is a popular tourist destination during the summer months in Japan. This is the northernmost island of Japan, which offers an array of experiences that will leave you speechless. I have been traveling to Hokkaido over a decade, and my expertise have helped me to write this blog post so you get some useful travel tips before arriving Hokkaido.
Note that winter brings tons of powder snow for ski enthusiasts there, and those who are not interested in winter sports can spend their time exploring beautiful landscapes and attending magical winter festivals.
Summer is one of the best times to travel to Hokkaido. Many kinds of flowers bloom here and there. Trees look stunning with green leaves and the hiking trails around Hokkaido provide the perfect conditions to enjoy the outdoors.
From scenic landscapes to delicious culinary delights, Hokkaido offers a lot of amazing activities to make your summer vacation a great adventure. Here are the top 10 things to do in Hokkaido during the summer season.
1. Explore Furano’s Lavender Fields and Flower Gardens
Every year in mid-July, we plan a road trip to Furano from Sapporo City. For us, the summer season in Hokkaido is not complete if we don’t get there and enjoy the fresh air and, most importantly, the lavender fields.
In search of the best lavender fields and flower gardens in Japan, you must come to explore central Hokkaido in the summer. Furano, Biei, Kamifurano, and Nakafurano are all part of this region. With scenic mountain views, the most beautiful flower fields and gardens in Hokkaido can be found in those areas.
As summer rolls in, witness the stunning beauty of Furano’s lavender fields in full bloom during the summer (mid-July). Farm Tomita is a must-visit destination, offering plenty of vibrant purple flowers stretching across the landscape, creating a picturesque vista that is both visually captivating and relaxing!
Read our guide on the best flower fields to explore in Hokkaido in summer.
2. Attend the Yosakoi Soran Festival in Sapporo
Held annually between early and mid-June in Sapporo, the Yosakoi Soran Matsuri is one of the biggest summer festivals in Hokkaido that you can experience.
This vibrant summer matsuri highlights teams from across Japan as they perform energetic choreography to the rhythm of traditional Soran bushi music. Dancers dressed in colorful costumes and dance through the streets.
They create an eye-catching spectacle that is truly impressive to see. Their captivating performances out on the streets have become a great highlight of Hokkaido’s summer calendar (June).
If you are planning a trip to Hokkaido in this coming summer, I highly recommend you to enjoy this summer event!
3. Relax in an Onsen in Noboribetsu
When people ask me about the best onsen to visit in Hokkaido, I always recommend exploring Noboribetsu Onsen. In my opinion, it’s the best onsen resort town in Hokkaido and one of the most famous in Japan.
Noboribetsu is known for its healing waters of Jigokudani or Hell Valley. You can experience unique mineral-rich thermal baths for many health benefits. You should stay a night at Daiichi Takimotokan, a renowned hotel that provides various hot spring baths, hot tubs, and an indoor swimming pool.
When you walk in the hot spring town, make sure to enjoy the food, and don’t leave Noboribetsu until you experience Oyunuma River Natural Footbath!
Surrounded by scenic beauty, this hot spring resort town is a must-see place when you plan on visiting Hokkaido. So, explore this unique sightseeing attraction in the summer and see how rewarding your trip could be.
4. Enjoy a Day Trip to Otaru
Otaru has become one of my favorite places to visit on the weekend! With a list of amazing activities, summer is absolutely a good time to visit Otaru.
You can wander through the charming streets of Otaru and explore its historic canal and old buildings. Each warehouse you see there is beautifully preserved. The Otaru Canal itself is a symbol of Otaru, where tourists experience a lovely stroll along its banks. And a stroll along the Sakaimachi Street is what you don’t want to miss.
The street is packed with a lot of shops, cafes and restaurants. Fresh seafood is what Otaru is famous for! So, eat some sushi there. Besides, you can easily find a unique gift at Otaru Music Box Museum or other shops in the neighborhood.
We have shared a list of the best things to do in Otaru, please take a look at that and plan accordingly.
5. Explore Lake Toya
If there is one caldera lake in Hokkaido that is truly stunning to see and easily accessible from Sapporo, then it would be Lake Toya. From banks of Lake Toya, you will get picturesque view of Mount Yotei, which resembles the iconic Mount Fuji.
Visitors can embark on a scenic boat cruise or kayaking adventure on the lake. Every year from late April to late autumn, you can enjoy spectacular fireworks display every night for about 20 minutes.
Around Lake Toya you will many viewpoints to enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake. Many tourists also prefer cycling around Lake Toya for outdoor recreation. Fruit picking experience in the town of Sobetsu, located near Lake Toya lets you discover the beautiful Hokkaido’s countryside. These kinds of activities offer countless experiences that you don’t want to miss!
Visiting the Usuzn ropeway is another best thing to do around Lake Toya. You need to take this cable car ride for a scenic bird’s-eye view! From scenic landscapes to delicious culinary delights, Lake Toya definitely is a great place to discover in summer.
6. Enjoy Mountain Biking at Rusutsu Resort
Rusutsu is a renowned ski resort in Hokkaido. In summer, the area offers various kinds of outdoor activities to enjoy Hokkaido’s unspoiled nature.
Every year, many tourists visit Niseko for a cycling tour through scenic rural landscapes and villages. This year in summer, you may go to Rusutsu and find out how impressive the mountain biking trails are. We guarantee that you will experience breathtaking scenery at every turn!
You will be accompanied by a professional guide along the way. So, there is nothing to worry about losing the trail as you embark on a cycling tour to experience Hokkaido’s tranquil countryside. Check out these amazing mountain bike courses you can enjoy at Rusutsu Resort.
7. Hike the trails of Mount Asahidake
If there is one amazing outdoor adventure you really want to experience in Hokkaido in the summer, it would be climbing the highest mountain of Hokkaido, named Asahidake!
When summer arrives, it’s the right time to escape the summer heat by traveling to the famous Daisetsuzan National Park. Part of Daisetsuzan National Park, Asahidake is a popular summer destination for visitors and locals alike, and when you get there you will see why.
There are many hiking trails to choose from when it comes to hiking in the Daisetsuzan National Park. And we recommend the trail that leads you to the summit of Mount Asahidake. This trail can be easily accessed from the upper station of the Asahidake Ropeway.
As you walk along the trail you will come across many viewpoints to admire the beauty of Hokkaido’s unspoiled nature, including beautiful alpine flowers, plants, and the beautiful Sugatami pond.
Sometimes the weather there could be unpredictable; therefore, you need to start your journey with the right gear, such as hiking boots, trail maps, rain gear, snacks, layered clothing, water, First-aid kit and so on. Please note that hiking season beings from July to late September.
8. Self Drive Tour to Biei from Asahikawa
Asahikawa is the second largest city in Hokkaido. Many foreign tourists pick their car from Asahikawa and enjoy self drive tour to Biei and often further to Furano. This way they can experience stunning vistas, beautiful flower fields and attractions on a self-drive tour through the diverse landscapes of Biei and beyond.
When I drive a car from Asahikawa to Furano, I can see many interesting attractions along the way. Places like the picturesque Blue Pond, Shirahige Waterfall, Shikisai No Oka, Zerubo Hill, Hinode Park, Farm Tomita, and Flower Land Kamifurano are my favorite attractions that visitors can easily explore by a car.
Driving is a wonderful way to explore Hokkaido’s spectacular scenery at your own pace. Roads are busiest during summer in Biei and Furano, so be careful when you drive. If you are looking for a budget friendly hotel to stay overnight in Furano, this is the right property!
9. Enjoy the Food of Hokkaido
Hokkaido is not only renowned for its beautiful landscape but also for its delicious cuisine. With a variety of local dishes, one of the best places to enjoy food in Japan is Hokkaido. Indeed, there is so much more to eat than sushi!
Soup curry is extremely popular in Hokkaido, but the most delicious and flavorful ones will be found in Sapporo. This is Sapporo’s local specialty, and thankfully you can find vegan soup curry in the city. How cool is that!
When you travel to Hakodate, be sure to explore the Hakodate Morning Market and enjoy the freshest seafood there. You should also try sushi in Otaru! Restaurants there offer the finest sushi in Hokkaido.
In general, Fruit picking in Hokkaido beings in the summer and visitors can enjoy this outdoor activity until late autumn. This Food Guide reveals the must-try foods in Hokkaido, which include dairy products and drinks!
10. Visit Sapporo and Explore Amazing Sightseeing Attractions
Sapporo is an amazing city to travel to. It’s the heart of Hokkaido! There are so many parks in and around Sapporo City, and most of them offer stunning views throughout the four seasons.
If you like visiting museums, Sapporo won’t disappoint you. The Hokkaido Museum and the Historical Village of Hokkaido are two important museums you can visit and learn about history of Hokkaido.
Horomitoge Lavender Garden is a stunning place to visit in the summer in Sapporo. Enjoy the purple blossoms and the fragrance!
Besides, be sure to visit historical landmarks like the Sapporo Clock Tower, Hokkaido Beer Museum, and Hokkaido Shrine. This one day in Sapporo itinerary helps you where to go and spend a lovely day in the city.
The following are the popular summer festivals you can experience in Sapporo:
1. YOSAKOI Soran Festival
2. Hokkaido Shrine Festival
2. Sapporo Summer Festival
