Author: Author

Kuromatsunai (黒松内) is a nice place to hike the footpaths in the countryside. Slow your pace and take the time to relax.

About 45km northeast of Asahikawa, this small town is a stopover en route to Sounkyo Onsen. Also, Kamikawa is known for its tasty ramen.

A pleasant riverside setting, Toyokoro (豊頃) is a quiet gateway of the Tokachi-kaigan. In winter, photogenic ‘jewelry ice’ washes onto Otsu.

In the northwestern of the Tokachi Plain, Shikaoi (鹿追) is the year-round gateway to Shikaribetsu-ko and the base of geological and agricultural tourism.

Nukabira Gensenkyo (ぬかびら源泉郷) is a tranquil onsen village on the southeastern side of Daisetsuzan National Park. It is a good base for hiking and cycling around Nukabira-ko.

One of Japan’s snowiest and coldest towns, Horokanai (幌加内) offers fabulous landscapes and activities around Shumarinai-ko, Japan’s largest artificial lake.

The pretty village of Akaigawa (赤井川) lies the dormant caldera, surrounded by the forested mountains. Winter visitors generally head straight to the ski resort of the Kiroro Snow World.

The engaging town of Yoichi (余市) is home to Japanese whisky. The area is also well-known for its fruit farming and wine making, with a number of orchards and wineries.

One of Japan’s most scenic industrial port towns, Muroran (室蘭) is a subprefectural capital of Iburi Region on the Etomo Peninsula with a natural harbor.

Kitayuzawa Onsen (北湯沢温泉) is a charming hot spring resort nestled in the valley and is a good starting point for mountaineering on Tokushunbetsu-yama and Horohoro-yama.

Date (伊達) is a coastal agricultural city rooted in the culture of the Ainu and samurai, with a scenic Jomon site and a tasteful temple.

Toyoura (豊浦) features a scenic stretch of sandy beaches and craggy cliffs along the Uchiura Bay. The coastline is a part of Toya-Usu Unesco Global Geopark.

The vast and quiet Nopporo Forest Park (野幌森林公園) contains two of Sapporo’s most important museums: the Hokkaido Museum and the Historical Village of Hokkaido.

About 40km southeast of Sapporo, Chitose (千歳) is home to Hokkaido’s main international airport and a transport hub for access to the lake Shikotsu-ko.

Shin-Sapporo (新札幌) is a compact transport hub on the JR Chitose Line and the Tozai subway line. It is a good location to visit Hokkaido Museum and Hokkaido Ball Park.

Moiwa-yama (藻岩山) offering breathtaking views over Sapporo, especially after dark. This preserved leafy mountain can be climb by ropeway, car or foot. There is also a scenic ski areas.