Hokkaido Four Seasons Travel Guide: Each Season Tells a Different Story

📍 Sapporo · 👁 6360 reads · ❤️ 26 likes

Hokkaido has four distinct seasons, each with its own colors: cherry blossoms in spring, flower fields in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and drift ice in winter.

No matter when you come to Hokkaido, it will show you different scenery. If you ask me the best season to visit, I think it depends on the purpose of your trip. Any time is the best time—it just depends on what kind of Hokkaido you like.

Let's take a look at the characteristics of each season and plan a perfect trip accordingly.

The seasons are divided by month. As you know, Hokkaido's cherry blossom season is a bit later, around early May!

January–March | April–June | July–September | October–December

1. Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is a snow and ice festival visited by many tourists from all over Japan and overseas. It is a popular event representing Hokkaido's winter. It consists of three venues, such as the Odori site with snow sculptures of various sizes and the Susukino site mainly featuring ice sculptures. The nighttime illuminations are also dreamlike—please enjoy this fantasy world.

2. Drift Ice

Only in Hokkaido's winter can you experience drift ice. The ice originates from Russia, about 1,000 km from Hokkaido, in an extremely cold environment of -18°C. Driven by wind, it moves and grows, gradually forming a huge drift ice zone that rushes toward the Sea of Okhotsk coast. Please experience this amazing natural phenomenon for yourself! You can also walk on the ice and feel the drifting.

3. Sounkyo Onsen Ice Falls Festival

A major event at Sounkyo Onsen, where strange ice formations are created in the snow-covered valley, creating a dreamlike world. The ice sculptures lined along the cold Ishikari River create a romantic scene. At night, you can enjoy a dreamlike and beautiful ice world illuminated in seven colors.

4. Tokachigawa White Bird Festival - Sairinka

Sairinka is a winter fantasy weaving light and sound. This festival is held after thousands of white swans arrive at Tokachigawa Onsen. In the silver world, a new sense of entertainment merges sparkling lights and stirring beautiful sounds! It is a popular photo spot, the "Light Tunnel."

5. Lake Akan Ice Festival - ICE / Love / Akan "Winter Beauty"

Both adults and children can enjoy activities brought by the cold on the completely frozen Lake Akan. From being unaccustomed to the cold to actually enjoying it. At night, about 330 fireworks bloom as "Winter Beauty." Fireworks that bloom in the clear night sky of Akan gleam like jewels in the sky.

6. Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding are representative winter sports. Why not experience Hokkaido's unique powder snow against the magnificent northern panorama? Various attractive ski resorts await you, such as slope-side inns, a wide variety of slopes, and slopes popular among overseas skiers. Also recommended for family trips and group travel.

(Spring-Summer section)

Kafu Betsu? Actually referring to the Tulip Park? It blooms in mid-May. In the vast park, about 200 varieties and 1.2 million tulips bloom, including those directly imported from the Netherlands.

"Shibazakura" (moss phlox) brings the feeling of spring in eastern Hokkaido. From mid-May to early June, the two main parks, Takiue Shibazakura Park and Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park, are a must-see. Hokkaido is thought to be the largest shibazakura blooming area in Japan.

Furano's lavender fields represent the early summer landscape of Hokkaido. The best viewing time is around July each year.

2. Rishiri and Rebun Hiking

From early summer to early autumn, many travelers, both domestic and international, come to see the precious natural scenery. On Rebun Island, hiking around the natural attractions while enjoying the beautiful flowers is recommended!

1. Sapporo White Illumination

The entire street of Odori Park is colorfully decorated with lights, sparkling in the snow. (Usually from November to March)

2. Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

The lights reflecting on the sea are incredibly beautiful. Also, don't miss the 20-meter-tall Christmas tree imported from Canada.

For me, the most important thing about Hokkaido is its pleasant scenery. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle of Tokyo or Osaka, but it offers a rare tranquility. One of the pleasures of traveling is the beautiful scenery along the way and perhaps meeting someone who touches your heart.

I wish everyone who visits Hokkaido an unforgettable, wonderful, and lucky journey.

Travel Diary Contents:

1. Preface

2. Season Division by Month

3. Things to Do from January to March

4. Things to Do from April to June

5. Things to Do from July to September

6. Things to Do from October to December

7. Conclusion

Travel Information

Hotel Index

Guide Index