Hokkaido is a hub of fun festivals and events during tourist season, with new things to do every week. These events attract both locals and tourists alike, offering opportunities to learn all about the area's history and specialties, and allowing visitors to deepen their appreciation of Hokkaido.

One of these events is the Hokkaido Jingu Festival in Sapporo (also known as the Sapporo Festival). This historic event boasts a history of over 100 years. It features a grand parade of over 1,000 participants, adorned in colorful costumes, marching through the city center alongside four mikoshi (portable shrines carried by people) and eight dashi (wheeled floats hosting musical performances and dances).

The area around Hokkaido Shrine and Nakajima Park also comes to life with all kinds of stalls, bringing with it the festive vibes of traditional Japanese festivals. There are plenty of other fun events in the city, as well, so be sure to look around—you're sure to find lots more to do on your trip!

In the northern region of Hokkaido, flowers burst into bloom all at once during the short summer season. From June to early July, the region is awash with color as the flower beds at various spots come into full bloom, while wildflowers and agricultural crops also reach their peak.

Panoramic Flower Garden Shikisai-no-Oka is a famous flower spot in Biei-cho, where flowers like lupines, campanulas, peonies, and others blossom one after another, weaving a colorful tapestry of stripes across the fields, with the lavenders coming into their own by late June.

And while Furano may be most widely known for its vast lavender fields, Sapporo boasts its own impressive landscapes of purple at places like the lavender fields at Horomi Pass.

In June, the mountains of Hokkaido come back to life as the snow melts and peaks begin to open for hiking season.

Amongst these is Mt. Asahidake, the tallest peak in Hokkaido, which typically opens in the third weekend of June and remains open for climbing until the first snowfall in late September.

Other notable peaks opening in June include Mt. Yotei, (often called "Ezo Fuji" for its resemblance to Mount Fuji), and Hokkaido Komagatake, an active volcano with a distinctive horn-shaped peak.

Please note that even after the mountains open to hikers, it's not uncommon for snowfall to linger on the ground, and with sudden weather changes and temperature drops, there's an increased risk of hypothermia. Be sure to come well-prepared with warm clothing and rain gear. For those looking for a less intense mountain experience, you may also consider a guided trekking tour to navigate these beautiful but challenging terrains safely.

In June, due to greater day-night temperature gaps and higher atmospheric moisture, fog is much more common, especially at higher elevations. These conditions often bring spectacular views known as "unkai," or seas of clouds.

One of the best places to see this phenomenon firsthand is at Hoshino Resort Tomamu in Shimukappu Village, where a special platform known as Unkai Terrace has been built as a dedicated viewing spot. There are three types of clouds you can see at Tomamu. The "Pacific Ocean Unkai" forms under high pressure over eastern Hokkaido, creating sea fog. The "Tomamu Unkai" results from radiative cooling when the Tomamu area is under high pressure. Lastly, the "Bad Weather Unkai" appears before or during poor weather conditions.

This phenomenon is most frequent between mid-May through mid-October. Rusutsu Resort, located in the Yotei area, also experiences unkai between June and August, with a special guest-exclusive early-morning gondola service, where you can watch these incredible formations from the Yotei Panorama Terrace.

The Kijihiki Highlands in Hokuto City, southern Hokkaido, also sees a higher frequency of unkai between May and June.

Shirakamba (or white birch) trees are known for their beautiful white trunks. While these trees are considered alpines in other parts of Japan, in Hokkaido, they flourish naturally even across the plains, and are often planted along roadways, creating picturesque avenues that have become scenic landmarks in many areas.

Particularly in June, these trees turn from a fresh green color to a lush deep green, making them stand out even more. One such scenic spot is Funkawan Panorama Park in the hills of Yakumo Town, southern Hokkaido, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Funkawan Bay framed by these iconic birch trees.

The contrast of the birches' white and green against the blue seas and skies on a clear day also makes for a magnificent sight. Other popular spots include Tokachi Farm in Obihiro City, often featured in TV dramas, and the white birch rows of Biei, both of which are beloved tourist destinations.

Noboribetsu Jigokudani (literally "Hell Valley") is the source of the waters at popular hot spring resort Noboribetsu Onsen. It gets its name from its eerie atmosphere created by the numerous geysers and fumaroles spewing hot steam and water, said to resemble a hellish landscape where demons dwell.

This theme is echoed throughout the town with numerous demon statues and motifs. And from June 1st, the "Jigokudani Demon Fireworks" event is held, featuring the yukijin, the mythical demon gods of the springs.

The magnificent display includes the yukijin lining the stairs, and fireworks that burst forth like volcanic eruptions. Witnessing these fireworks is also believed to dispel bad luck and bring happiness to those who see them.

Since Hokkaido is free from the inconveniences of a rainy season, there's a much higher likelihood of an uninterrupted display, making this event a must-see during your visit to Noboribetsu Onsen.

When it comes to summer delicacies in Hokkaido, melons take center stage. The iconic Yubari melon is first auctioned in late May, with peak season spanning June through July when they hit the markets.

Melon lovers will also not want to miss the all-you-can-eat Yubari melon experience at Yubari City Agricultural Cooperative Center, only available for a limited time during melon season!

Furano is another famous melon-producing area in Hokkaido, which also sees its peak season in June. In the latter part of the month, melons from various regions, including Raiden melons from Kyowa Town in central Hokkaido, are also available at the markets, making it the perfect opportunity to taste and compare all the different varieties available!

Summer is also the season for seasonal specialties from the sea, the most notable being uni, or sea urchin. Surrounded by the sea, Hokkaido offers sea urchins in abundance from different regions, depending on the time of year.

Urchin fishing lasts from May to August on the Sea of Japan sides, while Shakotan, the most famous sea urchin production area, begins its season in June, drawing in visitors from all over during this time.

Hokkaido is home to two kinds of urchin: the vivid orange Ezo-bafun uni, and the Kitamura-saki uni, whose flesh is of a lighter hue. Both are delicious, and it's highly recommended to try them side by side in a beautifully arranged uni rice bowl, as well as in raw sashimi and sushi.

They can also be enjoyed steamed, grilled, or in fish dishes, and even in pasta sauces!

June is the perfect month for a drive, with pleasant weather and lush green trees. So why not rent a car for a scenic road trip?

One popular driving route is the Sea of Japan Ororon Line, which stretches 380 km along the coastline from Otaru to Wakkanai. On clear days, the route offers stunning views of Rishiri Fuji, which looks just like a mountain floating on the sea.

There are also lots of spots to enjoy the sunset along the way, such as Cape Kogane in Rumoi. And the extended daylight hours around the summer solstice means you can enjoy your drive well past 7 PM!

Hokkaido's inland roads feature long, straight stretches cutting through farmland and wilderness. National Route 12, which links Sapporo to Asahikawa, is Japan’s longest straight stretch of road, spanning about 29 km between Bibai and Takikawa.

However, just because there are no curves doesn’t mean it’s okay to speed—always remember to follow traffic rules and drive safely within the speed limit!

Hot air ballooning is a great way to view the breathtaking landscapes of Hokkaido from above. In June, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the lush green fields, snow-capped mountains, and colorful patchwork of farmlands.

In Niseko, visitors can join a tethered hot-air balloon experience, starting June 1st. This early morning adventure takes place when the winds are still calm, elevating you 30 meters above ground for incredible views of Mt. Yotei and the Niseko mountain range.

Hot-air balloon experiences are also available in Tokachi, Furano, and other regions in Hokkaido, so if you're in the area, be sure to look for a tour near you!

While early summer marks the rainy season for most of Japan, Hokkaido is blessed with a comfortable climate perfect for outdoor activities. Neither too hot nor too cold, the days are long and the weather is just right.

This makes it easy to dress for the occasion, no matter what activity you enjoy! We recommend long-sleeved shirts on cool days, and tees on warmer ones. However, do be sure to always carry a jacket, as temperatures can suddenly drop, with large gaps in the mornings and evenings.

With its longer daylight hours, you can make the most of your day exploring the gorgeous green landscapes and beautifully blooming flowers. So come and experience the spectacular scenery of Hokkaido's great outdoors for yourself!


English translation by: Krys Suzuki