Hokkaido: The Japan’s Hidden Gem

As countries start reopening their borders for vaccinated travelers, it is time to think of new mesmerizing journeys to new locations. Moreover, as tourism is not back on track completely, today’s travelers can see even the most popular destinations without the usual hordes of tourists. While Tokyo is hosting the Olympics, let’s take a look at one of the most untouched and beautiful parts of Japan – Hokkaido.

The second-largest and northernmost island of the country is home to numerous natural parks. Hokkaido is primarily famous among fans of skiing as local powdered snow offers a world-class skiing experience. Naturally, Hokkaido hotels get more guests in winter. It is not hard to get to the island from Tokyo – tourists can take a two-hour flight from the capital or get on a train. The latter is covered by the Japan Rail pass, so there is no need to pay extra for tickets.

Although not many know about this, summer is a great time to visit Hokkaido as well. Most of Japan is quite hot in summer but the temperature remains comfortable in Hokkaido. This makes the island a great destination for various outdoor activities like hiking, visiting volcanic lakes, and exploring national parks. Trekkers and nature photographers are particularly fond of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Virgin forests and sunken lakes create a mesmerizing view. Moreover, this piece of wilderness is home to many wild animals such as bears, deer, and rare species of birds.

If you don’t know where to start your journey in Hokkaido, consider booking a hotel in Niseko, Furano, or Rusutsu. These are the most popular resorts on the island. By the way, Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo, hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972. In winter, travelers can participate in drift ice expeditions and enjoy the spectacular beauty of this place. Travelers can also learn more about the culture of the Ainu people, the original inhabitants of the island.

Many travelers try to visit Hokkaido during the Sapporo Snow Festival. This event has been held in the island’s capital since 1950. Beautiful ice sculptures decorate the city during the festival, which takes place in early February and lasts one week. Approximately 400 ice sculptures are prepared for the event, and millions of people visit the festival to take a look at them. Needless to say, the Snow Festival is an amazing place to try authentic Hokkaido food, such as jingisukan, ishikari-nabe, chan chan yaki, salmon, and seafood.