Hokkaido On a Budget
Hokkaido, Japan
Being so far north, Hokkaido experiences quite a bit of snow in the winter and is overall much cooler than other areas of Japan. The most popular times to visit are between May and August due to the dry and cool sunny days.
Sights
Hokkaido is home to seven national parks, each one with their own hiking trails and stunning views. The Akan National Park is famous for their mysterious lakes, while the Onuma Quasi National Park has a peaceful lake near the Hakodate. Head to Shiretoko National Park on the eastern peninsula where you can view bears roaming the wilderness and bathing in the hot waterfalls. Plus, Shinetoko was recently named a World Heritage Site, so you can truly enjoy the inhibited beauty.The Daisetsuzan National Park is the largest of the parks and located in the center of Hokkaido. It is known for being the best park for extreme hikers due to the intense landscape. One of the most popular parks is the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, primarily due to their picturesque volcanic hot springs and mossy canyons. Finally, the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park is made up of two islands: Rishiri-to Island consists of a single volcano while Rebun-to Island is known for their waterfalls and wildflowers.
Regions
As a whole, Hokkaido is divided into four circuits: Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern. The capital city of Sapporo is located in the Central Circuit and is home to the tourist office and the majority of food and accommodation options. The Eastern Circuit is the largest and most remote, the Northern Circuit is known for Furano, a popular ski resort, and the Southern Circuit is where you'll find the Onuma Quasi National Park.Activities
The major activity in Hokkaido is hiking; there is no shortage of trails that range from beginner to extreme, all of which provide some of the most beautiful scenery in Japan. Each national park has a number of activities of their own; take a boat cruise at the Shiretoko National Park or go canoeing near the Kushiro river at Akan National Park.Plenty of activities can also be found in the Wakkanai region, from hiking to visiting national parks and wetlands, it's a nature lover's dream. For more information, check out this great guide to Wakkanai Hokkaido.
Hot springs are also a popular activity throughout Hokkaido, you'll find they vary from being open to the public to secluded resorts.
If you're there in the winter, head to Sapporo, home to Mt. Teine which was featured in the 1972 Winter Olympics. Here, you'll find a range of both beginner and experienced slopes. Sapporo also hosts an annual Snow Festival in early February which is famous for their ice sculpture competition which attracts artists from around the world.
Food and Dining
Hokkaido is well known for their seafood options, especially their uni -sea urchin-and hairy crab dishes. Head to Ramen Yokocho, an alley east of the Susukino Station in Sapporo that's home to dozens of ramen shops with some unique flavors like crab ramen and scallop ramen.Hokkaido is also the largest producer of dairy products in Japan, which results in some very unique combinations with their food. Specifically, their bata-kon ramen, a Hokkaido special that is made with a thick corn and butter broth.
Hokkaido also has some of the best options for sake, a must try is Asahikawa's Otokoyama. Sapporo is also famous for their Sapporo Beer, available in every bar in the area. At Mugishutei, you'll find over 300 bottled beer options and over 50 types of tequila. For more nightlife options, head to Susukino located south of center Sapporo, which has plenty of nightlife options ranging from pubs to clubs.
Transportation
In Japan, trains are one of the fastest and lowest cost means of transportation. Getting a Japan Rail Pass can save you money if you plan to stay for several days or more. Regional and nation-wide passes are available, usually for the number of days of your choice.Hokkaido is very spread out and therefore it is easiest to get around by car. Having a car makes it far easier to travel throughout the cities and take you the various national parks. Due to the snowy and icy roads in the winter, only drivers experienced with these conditions should drive. If you're visiting during the winter and unfamiliar with driving in these conditions, there are other options.
Trains connect larger cities, with some lines taking you to within walking distance of national park entrances. During summer, cycling is a popular option, especially for cycling throughout town then taking a ride through one of the national parks. Finally, Experience Japan tour company provides single and multi-day tours to various areas and parks throughout Hokkaido, making it a great option for those opting out of driving.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.