“The Snow Festival in Sapporo is huge - it took me by surprise. On my first visit, I brought an Australian friend who had never seen snow. He started making snowballs and playfully throwing them at everyone, exclaiming, 'It's so cold, but such great fun! I love it!'” (American, male)

Hokkaido is renowned for its snowy landscapes, attracting visitors from around the globe for winter sports and the breathtaking scenery created by the cold, dry air that produces fine, powdery snow. While snow can be found across Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival is especially renowned.

This winter extravaganza, held in the 1.5-kilometer-long Odori Park, boasts impressive snow statues, snowboard jumps, and ice rinks. The amount of snow used - up to 500 truckloads - and the equipment required to create the 15-meter-tall sculptures is truly remarkable.

But the trade-off for beautiful Hokkaido's snowy scenes is the cold. Local residents use the expression shibareru (chilled to the bone) to describe Hokkaido's winters which are biting cold; the average temperature in January is 0.6 degrees below zero. And this is in Sapporo which is not as cold relative to other areas in the center of the prefecture. You need to wear clothing that protects your skin from the cold air because it feels more “painful” than “cold”. But Sapporo residents have a secret way for getting through the winter...

“I am from New York so I thought I was accustomed to cold weather, but the winters in Hokkaido are really cold. I was surprised, though, because there are really some great underground shopping areas in Sapporo! They are really interesting and really convenient in winter. I thought they were a little bit like a maze, but the next time I come, I plan to spend more time exploring them.” (American, male)

The secret is “Don’t go outside!” From Sapporo Station in the north to the Susukino underground station there is an underground passageway running for about two kilometers. There is an east-west underground town or underground passage that connects the Tohoku Line and the Toho Line, and it also connects to the underground floors of major buildings and hotels, so you can walk without going outdoors in a fairly large area. The city center of Sapporo is like a checker board, so when local residents hear that the address of where they want to go is near such and such place, they are able to walk underground to the exit nearest that address.

“The main image of Hokkaido is its winter snowy landscapes, however, in summer, Hokkaido presents a completely different picture when it is transformed into fields of flowers and rice fields. That is amazing! Hokkaido is sheer white in winter but very colorful in summer. Many Taiwanese like colorful things, so maybe they would feel comfortable in Hokkaido.” (Taiwanese, female)

If you're picturing Hokkaido as a winter wonderland, think again! The summer season in Hokkaido is an entirely different story. While you may be accustomed to Hokkaido's snow-covered landscapes, in the summer, the island is transformed into a lush, pastoral wonderland. Just outside of the cities, you'll be greeted with picturesque views of rural scenery dotted with fields of various crops like rice, wheat, and vegetables. And for an even more spectacular sight, visit fields of rapeseed, sunflower, and flax that are cultivated for oil production. When these flowers are in full bloom, they paint the fields with a stunning palette of yellows and blues.

But that's not all! Hokkaido is also home to natural fields of wildflowers. During the short summer season, these simple wildflowers and grasses burst into a colorful array as if in competition with one another. Don't miss out on the chance to take in the breathtaking vistas of flowers in Hokkaido. You can find them all across the island, from the Wakka Wild Flower Park in the north to the Kiritappu Wetlands in the east, and the Koshimizu Wild Flower Garden. So, pack your bags and get ready to experience the stunning summer scenery of Hokkaido!

"I visited Komagatake volcano. There are a few volcanoes in Europe, but this one's natural beauty took my breath away. From the national park, I was able to take some great photos of the lake with the volcano in the background. It's not really possible to take that kind of photo in England. Then I rented a bike and went cycling in the area, and cycled to this amazing roast beef sandwich place I'd heard about. It made a perfect day trip for me!" (British, female)

More people are now able to enjoy these many spots in the wilderness because footpaths have recently been created and there are guided tours. There are also many types of activities offered, such as road bike and mountain bike rental, and even canoe and kayak rental. There's a lot of information available for your research. But....

"The ‘Blue Pond’ was truly beautiful! But I was a little surprised because it was more like a really small artificial pond. I had imagined that it would have been much larger. And the river nearby was also of the same blue color..." (American, female)

...It was actually different than she had expected (the "nearby river" was the Biei River which is also called the "Blue River" as it is of the same color as the Blue Pond. "The Shirahige Falls nearby was also beautiful!" And the journey itself seems to have been very satisfying.

"I love the designs on the manhole covers and was able to see lots of interesting ones in Hokkaido. For example, there was one of three squids that were really cute. The designs based on the scenery of Mount Biei are great too. I could really get a sense of the local character through these." (American, male)

Japan is a treasure trove of unique and quirky finds, and one thing you don't want to miss is the local manholes! These specially designed covers can be found all over Japan, and Hokkaido is no exception. Keep your eyes peeled for manhole covers with designs that represent the local area. From the clock tower in Sapporo to the red-crowned crane in Kushiro, each cover tells a story about the town it represents. And if you're in Noboribetsu, you might just stumble upon a cute ogre or bear peeking up at you!

But manholes aren't the only things worth noticing in Hokkaido. Take a look at the "Countryside Signs" at the borders of municipalities. Each of the 179 municipalities in Hokkaido has its own unique design, featuring specialties, landmarks, and even cute characters. These signs became so popular that a Japanese TV program featured a trip to see all of them, sparking a boom in local areas. So don't forget to keep your eyes open for these delightful signs on your travels through Hokkaido!

When you first visit beautiful Hokkaido, you may well be shocked by the immense size of the place, but don't worry - there are plenty of ways to prepare!

“Navigating Hokkaido can be more challenging than in Tokyo, as public transportation outside of major cities is limited to buses or walking. It's important to plan ahead to ensure you can visit the places you want to see. Renting a car can be a great option, but if you prefer public transportation, be sure to research routes and schedules in advance. As someone who has experienced traveling in Hokkaido, I highly recommend keeping this in mind when planning your trip.” (American, male)

Did you know that Hokkaido is actually as big as Austria? That's right! With a land area of 83,456 square kilometers, it extends about 500 kilometers east to west and 400 kilometers north to south. So, if you're planning a visit to this amazing destination, be sure to set aside plenty of time to explore everything it has to offer.

While there are trains, buses, and airplanes connecting the major cities, cars are the way to go in Hokkaido. Public transportation outside of the cities may not run as often as you'd expect, so renting a car is highly recommended. However, if you prefer public transportation, be sure to do your research in advance and see if certain places offer pickups and drop-offs.

Many people wonder if it's possible to see all the famous places in Hokkaido in just two nights and three days. While it might be tempting to try, you'll end up rushing through and missing out on so many amazing sights. So, make an itinerary that allows for plenty of travel time and leisurely exploration.

With these tips in mind, you're sure to have an incredible time discovering all that Hokkaido has to offer!

Written by: Minna no kotoba sha