20 Best Scenery to See in Hokkaido
With its magnificent nature and spectacular scenery, Hokkaido is a popular tourist destination. The prefecture is especially famous for its gorgeous lakes, magnificent flower fields, and majestic national parks, but there is more explore. In this article, we will introduce some of the best scenery in Hokkaido you should check.
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1. Kaminoko-ike (Kaminoko Pond)
Kaminoko-ike is a pond located in Kiyosato-cho in the east of Hokkaido. While it is a relatively shallow pond with a depth of only 5m, the waters are clear and you can see to the very bottom. The emerald green of the waters marks the mysterious atmosphere of the pond.
HP: www.kiyosatokankou.com/kaminokoike.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Kiyosato-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
2. Taushubetsugawa Kyoryo (Taushubetsugawa Bridge)
A concrete arch that has been selected as one of Hokkaido’s heritage sites. Located in Kamishihoro-cho, the arch is called the Bridge of Illusion as it appears and disappears depending on the season. The best time to see it is from December to March. We recommend dressing up warmly if you are going to see this one!
HP: www.kamishihoro.jp/place/00000072 (Japanese Only)
Address: Nukabira Onsenkyo, Kamishoboro-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
3. Kamuiwakka-no-Taki (Kamuiwakka Falls)
An outstanding example of the nature of Shiretoko. Located in Shari-cho, Shari-gun, the Kamuiwakka Falls itself is a hot spring that you can enter. You can also climb up the side of the waterfall, so we recommend coming in some clothes that are easy to move in.
HP: center.shiretoko.or.jp/en/
Address: Iwaobetsu, Onnebetsu-mura, Shari-chou, Shari-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
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4. Unkai Terrace (Sea of Clouds Terrace)
A terrace operated by the resort hotel Hoshino Resort Tomamu from which if the conditions are right, you can enjoy a view of a magnificent sea of clouds. The chance of getting to see the sea of clouds in quite low at only 40%, but if you are lucky enough, you’ll be treated to a spectacular sight!
HP: www.snowtomamu.jp/summer/en/
Address: Naka Tomamu, Shimakappu, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
5. Aoi-ike (Blue Pond)
Located in Biei-cho, this cobalt blue pond, known as the Aoi-ike (literally Blue Pond) in Japanese, is such a beautiful spot that it was selected as one of the backgrounds for Mac OSX. In winter it is closed off due to snowfall, so the time to visit is during summer.
Address: Shiragane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
6. The Night View from Mt. Hakodate
One of Japan’s three most celebrated scenic night views, this million-dollar night view is visited by countless tourists every year. You can get to the peak of the mountain by the ropeway, so there is no need to bring anything with you.
Address: Hakodate City, Hokkaido (Google Map)
7. The Night View of the Muroran City Factories
Selected as one of Japan’s top 100 scenic spots and one of the five best factory night views in Japan. With the brightly illuminated piping and machinery, and the factory buildings seeming to rise out of the darkness, the view looks like a scene from the near future. We really recommend visiting this romantic night scene.
HP: www.muro-kanko.com/yakei/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 1-5-1 Kaigan-cho, Muroran City, Hokkaido (Google Map)
8. Kamui-misaki (Cape Kamui)
Part of the Niseko Shakotan Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park, Cape Kamui sticks out into the Japan Sea. The clear blue waters give off an air of mystery. This beautiful part of the Japan Sea is one place we recommend visiting.
HP: www.kanko-shakotan.jp/category/list.php?category=1
Address: Kozaki-cho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
9. Otaru Unga (Otaru Canal)
This 1,140m long canal is one of Otaru’s most popular tourist spots. The canal is lit up at night by the orange street lights, allowing you to enjoy a spectacular, atmospheric night view. The canal is easy to get to from Sapporo, so why not pay it a visit?
HP: https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/destinations/the-pride-of-otaru-the-otaru-canal
Address: Wharf 5, Daido Soko, Minato-cho, Otaru City, Hokkaido (Google Map)
10. Biei-no-oka (Biei Hill)
At Biei-cho, you can see the vaste spectacular scenery of Hokkaido. Biei is known as the most beautiful town in Japan, and has a number of fantastic sightseeing spots known as Biei-no-oka, or Biei Hill. The sides of the hills are a beautiful patchwork of colors.
Address: 1-2-14 Moto-cho, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
11. Himawari-no-sato
At the Himawari-no-sato, fields of sunflowers, or himawari, spread like a yellow carpet as far as the eye can see. Located in Hokuryu-cho, in summer over 1 million sunflowers blossom in this small village. The best time to visit is from mid-July to mid-August. This is a great place to experience the sheer size of Hokkaido.
HP: portal.hokuryu.info/himawari (Japanese Only)
Address: Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
12. Higashimokoto Moss Phlox Park
Japan’s largest moss phlox (shibazakura in Japanese) garden. Located in Ozora-cho, the best time to visit the park is from May to June, when you can enjoy the spectacular view of the town covered in the beautiful pink of the shibazakura. At night, the flowers are lit up, offering a different but still fantastic sight that we highly recommend.
HP: www.shibazakura.net/column/column.cgi (Japanese Only)
Address: 393 Suehiro, Higashimokoto, Ozora-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
13. Akan National Park Onneto
Onneto is a lake in the Akan National Park in Ashoro-gun. Known as the Lake of Mystery, the changing beauty of the lake over the seasons is breathtaking. With easy access from Lake Akan, this is one place we really recommend you visit.
HP: https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/english/post-en2.html
Address: Shigeashoro, Ashoro-cho, Ashoro-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
14. Kushiro-shitsugen (Kushiro Wetlands)
Kushiro-shitsugen is Japan’s largest wetlands and has been designated as a National Park. In winter, Japanese cranes visit the Kushiro-shitsugen, making it one of the regions best winter site seeing spots. This is one place we recommend for people looking to experience Hokkaido’s magnificent nature.
HP: https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/destinations/kushiro-wetland-a-paradise-for-shutterbugs-and-greenthumbs
Address: Onnenai, Tsurui-mura, Akan-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
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15. Ororon Line
The Ororon Line is a road that runs from Otaru City to the horizon of Wakkanai City. Known as the mecca for bike riders, this is one spot where you can enjoy an exhilarating ride and feel the magnificence of Hokkaido first hand!
HP: https://hokkaido-labo.com/purpose/carrental/hokkaido-ororon-line
Address: 2-6 Asari, Otaru City, Hokkaido (Google Map)
16. Sea of Okhotsk Ice Floes
The ice floes floating in the vast Sea of Okhotsk really highlight the sheer scale of nature. You can see the ice floes of the Sea of Okhotsk from the ice-breaker which leaves from Abashiri City. The ship only departs from late January to early March so be sure to move fast!
HP: ms-aurora.com/abashiri/en/
Address: Tento-zan, Abashiri City, Hokkaido (Google Map)
17. Shiretoko Goko (The Five Lakes of Shiretoko)
Shiretoko is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Shiretoko Goko are 5 lakes located in an untouched forest in the area. The area is rich with nature, so if you have a chance to visit Hokkaido, we highly recommend putting some time in your schedule to visit the lakes.
HP: https://www.goko.go.jp/multilingual_eng/index.html
Address: Onnebetsu-mura, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
18. Mikuni-toge (Mikuni Peak)
Mikuni-toge is the highest highway in Hokkaido. The Matsumiohashi bridge on the Mikuni-toge highway is one of the few man-made constructions in the area, and cuts through the unending forests like a floating pathway. This is well worth a visit!
HP: www.kamishihoro.jp/page/00000140 (Japanese Only)
Address: Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido (Google Map)
19. Lavender Hatake (Lavender Fields)
Located in Furano City, these purple fields of lavender are a beautiful sight to see. The best time to see the fields is July, when countless tourists come to visit to enjoy the lavender. We recommend the fields cultivated by Tomita Farm, whose beautifully decorated fields are well worth a visit.
Address: Nakafuranokisenkita 15-go, Furano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido (Google Map)
20. Notoroko (Lake Notoro)
Located in Abashiri City. From September, the lakeside transforms into a rich red by the glasswort, which has made it a famous sightseeing sport. Lake Notoro is said to be the best place to see glasswort in Japan, so why not drop by for a visit?
HP: https://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/destinations/lake-notoro-coral-grass
Address: Minami 3-jo Higashi 4-chome, Abashiri City, Hokkaido (Google Map)
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The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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