Explore Hokkaido with JR Hokkaido rail pass, that offers unlimited access to JR Hokkaido lines. You can choose JR Hokkaido 3 days, 5 days or 7 days consecutive pass. You can also opt for flexible 4-day pass for use within 10 days period.
What to do in Hokkaido? Here’s some suggestion!
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Fort Goryokaku
Access: Goryokaku Station.
Take a Streetcar from Hakodate Station
or Bus from Goryokaku Station
Goryokaku park is a western-style, star shaped fort in Hakodate and is the No. 1 spot during Sakura season in Hakodate as there are 1,600 sakura trees around the fort. It can also be an instaworthy place during other season too!
2. Lake Toya
Access: Toya Station.
Take a Bus from Toya Station
Lake Toya is famous for their hot springs (onsen) and also the breathtaking view of Lake Toya and the active volcano, Mt. Usu during winter. No matter if you’re a photography lover or an onsen lover, this place is for you!
3. Jigokudani
Access: Noboribetsu Station.
Take a Bus from Noboribetsu Station
Jigokudani(Hell Valley) is a popular spot in Noboribetsu as not only they offer such a dynamic natural scenery, but you’ll also be able to see snow monkey bathing in hot onsen at The Jigokudani Monkey Park.
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Niseko Village
Access: Niseko Station or Kutchan Station
Take a Bus from Niseko Station or Kutchan Station
Niseko Village sits within the Niseko United ski area that is surrounded by mountains which make it the perfect place for a winter retreat and enjoy winter activities such as skiing or just playing with powder snow!
2. Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu
Access: Kutchan Station.
Take a Bus from Kutchan Station
Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu is a ski resort located in the Hirafu area of Kutchan and they are popular among ski enthusiasts for the night skiing!
3. Otaru Canal
Access: Otaru Station.
Walk from Otaru Station
Otaru Canal has a very nostalgic atmosphere thanks to the old port warehouse that are well kept along the canal. Around sunset time, stone-made warehouses are lit up and gas lamps are tuned on so you can enjoy an even more romantic scene at night. Don’t forget to ride on the 40mins cruise along the canal
4. Hokkaido Goverment Office
Access: Sapporo Station.
Walk from Sapporo Station
Not your usual government office. The Former Hokkaido Government Office is Hokkaido’s best-known symbol and the red star on its exterior wall is the symbol of the Hokkaido Development Commission. Visiting here feels as if you’re visiting Japan during the Meiji Era!
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Moerenuma Park
Access: Sapporo Station.
Take a Subway and Bus from Sapporo Station
Moerenuma Park is a comprehensive park in Sapporo that is intended to be the base of the “Circular Greenbelt Concept” that combines the green spaces of the city of Sapporo within a loop. During winter it is turned into a winter activity snow park like skiing and also sledding!
2. Yurigahara Park
Access: Yurigahara Station.
Walk from Yurigahara Station
With more than 100 varieties of lilies, which is the symbol of Yurigahara Park, you’ll also be able to enjoy a large variety of flowers such as lilacs and tulips in this 25.4 hectar area flower park.
3. Odori Park
Access: Sapporo Station.
Walk or Subway from Sapporo Station
Odori Park is a broad park in the center of Sapporo, separating the town into north and south; the best place to hangout after a stroll around the city! In February, it is turned into a park with giant snow sculptures as it is the main site of Sapporo Snow Festival.
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Cape Soya
Access: Wakkanai Station.
Take a Bus from Wakkanai Station
Is located in the northeastern part of Wakkanai city, the Japan’s northernmost city. The cape is a popular stopping point for bikers and tourists and has quite a few monuments, gift shops, a windmill, and a lighthouse. If the weather is good you can see Sakhalin, a Russian island once part of Japan, from the lookout point.
2. Wakkanai Park
Access: Wakkanai Station.
Walk from Wakkanai Station
Must see monument called Hyousetsu-no-Mon Monument. It was built to honor the people who died longing to return to Sakhalin and visit the Antarctica Expedition Sakhalin Husky Monument, and 100th Year Memorial Tower. From the hill you’ll be able to see the whole Wakannai and the best season to visit is summer!
3. Mt.Piyashiri
Access: Nayoro Station.
Take a Bus from Nayoro Station
Enjoy the powder snow at Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Resort. There are 9 ski courses in total which makes it perfect for ski enthusiasts who wants to ski in the best quality of snow in Hokkaido. Don’t forget to ski at Piyashiri Schanze ski jumping stand for the amazing view!
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Lake Shikotsu
Access: Chitose Station.
Take a Bus from Chitose Station
Lake Shikotsu has one of the most transparent lake in Hokkaido making it reflects the surrounding mountains and forests creating a picture postcard scene. Other than enjoying onsen nearby during winter, many tourists also kayak or snorkels during summer making it a go place year long!
2. Hiraoka Park
Access: Shin-Sapporo Station.
Take a Bus from Shin-Sapporo Station
The Best Autumn Leaves Spots in Hokkaido. The garden is hugely popular during autumn, and is best known for over 700 maples and the 150 m arcade made with lines of bright red Japanese maple trees.
3. Mt. Moiwa
Access: Sapporo Station.
Walk or Subway and Streetcar from Sapporo Station
You can never miss a night view from Mount Moiwa as it is listed as the top 3 best night view in Hokkaido. You can enjoy the night view from the ropeway and observation platform on the peak.A perfect place for couples to enjoy a romantic night together!
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Snow Crystal Museum
Access: Asahikawa Station.
Take a Bus from Asahikawa Station
Think every snow is the same? You definitely should visit the Snow Crystal Museum, a museum dedicated to snow flakes and everything snowy! Not only you can view it during winter, you can also view it in summer. Be awed by this very beautiful museum.
2. Shikisai No Oka
Access: Bibaushi Station.
Walk from Bibaushi Station
or take a Taxi from Biei Station
A flower garden on a hill carpeted with different flowers from April to October. If you’re a fan of flowers, this is a must go as there are several dozens of flowers and grasses species across 15 hectares of land, such as lavender, sunflowers, tulips and many more.
3. Farm Tomita
Access: Naka Furano Station.
Walk or take a Taxi from Naka-Furano Station
Farm Tomita is a must-visit place in Hokkaido, especially during summer as the field is filled with 4 kinds of lavender flowers and colourful poppy flowers making it a very colourful hill! Not to mention the contrast of green field below and blue sky, it’s definitely a scenery you should see once in a lifetime. Don’t forget to try their lavender ice cream too!
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Bear Mountain Sahoro
Access: Shintoku Station.
Take a Taxi from Shintoku Station
You can see brown bears in their natural surroundings instead of seeing them in a cage. You can opt for bear watching from the small bus that drives around the forest, or better yet, take a walk around the park to see the bear from above!
2. Furano Cheese Factory
Access: Furano Station.
Take a Taxi from Furano Station
The place to visit for dairy lovers. You’ll be able to see how they make their cheese, ice creams and even delicious pizza with their cheese! Not only you get to experience how to make cheese and butter, but you can also eat them. Make sure to give their ice cream and pizza a try!
3. Sandan Falls
Access: Ashibetsu Station.
Take a Taxi from Ashibetsu Station
It was named “Sandan taki” (three-step falls) There are a few view points that you can view the waterfall from and the best season to visit is Autumn!
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Abashiri Ice Drift Sightseeing
Access: Abashiri Station.
Take a Bus from Abashiri Station
The majestic beauty of the drift ice phenomenon with this one hour sightseeing cruise from Abashiri. A variety of wild animals can be seen with the coming of drift ice season. As the drift ice arrives, so do the Clione, or Sea Angels.
2. Kaminoko Pond
Access: Shiretoko-Shari Station.
Take a Taxi from Shiretoko-Shari Station
Kaminoko Pond is a very unique blue and emerald green water pond, situated outside the border of Shiretoko National Park it has a very mysterious feel to it and it became a popular tourist spot as a spiritual place.
3. Lake Akan
Access: Kushiro Station.
Take a Bus from Kushiro Station
This crater Lake Akan located in Akan Mashu National Park is the most beautiful (and coldest) during winter as the whole lake is covered in ice. Lake Akan is also famous for their incredibly pure water. It’s so pure that you can see Marimo (moss balls) which can only grow in cold and pure water.
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Kofuku Station
Access: Obihiro Station.
Take a Taxi from Obihiro Station
Visit the famous station “Hokkaido Hapiness Railway Station”. It become famous because the station name is Kofuku means hapiness in Japanese language.
2. Bear Mountain Sahoro
Access: Shintoku Station.
Take a Taxi from Shintoku Station
You can see brown bears in their natural surroundings instead of seeing them in a cage. You can opt for bear watching from the small bus that drives around the forest, or better yet, take a walk around the park to see the bear from above!
3. Unkai Terrace
Access: Tomamu Station.
Take a Bus from Tomamu Station
Unkai Terrace is literally the terrace where you can view the Sea of Cloud. Unkai Terrace is situated at a height of 1,088m above sea levels, which is why you can be “above” the clouds. The best timing to view this Sea of Cloud is during early morning where you can have a morning coffee while viewing the clouds. Your coffee will taste delicious instantly!
Recommended Places to Visit
1. Abashiri Prison Museum
Access: Abashiri Station.
Take a Bus from Abashiri Station
During your trip to Hokkaido, visiting a prison is probably not on your list. But Abashiri Prison Museum is actually a very worthy place as it was constructed and preserved from Meiji era which was 120 years ago. Learn about the history of the prison that had the most dangerous criminals back then and enjoy the old building constructions that was done without machinery!
2. Snow Crystal Museum
Access: Asahikawa Station.
Take a Bus from Asahikawa Station
Think every snow is the same? You definitely should visit the Snow Crystal Museum, a museum dedicated to snow flakes and everything snowy! Not only you can view it during winter, you can also view it in summer. Be awed by this very beautiful museum.
3. Asahiyama Zoo
Access: Asahikawa Station.
Take a Bus from Asahikawa Station
Asahiyama Zoo is a must visit zoo as it is one of the zoo in Hokkaido that you can see penguin walk parade, right in front of you during winter. And best yet, not behind a glass window! Although you can’t touch the penguins while they are parading, you can take photos and videos up close.
Purchase an exchange order (MCO: Miscellaneous Charges Order) at H.I.S. Travel
*Once issued, MCO must be exchanged in 3 months.
After entering in Japan, present the MCO with a passport at exchange locations, fill out an application with necessary details, and exchange for your JR PASS destination area pass
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