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Hokkaido is a region in northern Japan where nature thrives and is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Hokkaido is known for its snow-capped mountains, hot springs, lush valleys, and coastal towns. Skiing, snowshoeing, watching festivals, shopping in markets, and gaming in arcades are just a few of the activities available in Hokkaido.
1. Noboribetsu Onsen
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Noboribetsu Onsen is one of the three most well-known hot spring resorts on Hokkaido’s northernmost island, possibly the most well-known, and for good reason. It’s located in Muroran City’s north-east corner, at the foot of the volcanic Mount Hiyori, and filters more than 10,000 liters of hot spring water daily through its various onsens.
2. Rusutsu Amusement Park
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One of the best family entertainment parks in town is Rusutsu Amusement Park. This amusement park has so many wonders and attractions that exploring it will take more than a day.Roller coasters, thrill rides, a kart and train, a kid’s land, a safari, a Ferris wheel, a mountain road, and indoor and outdoor facilities are all available at the park. Not only that, but you’ll be able to explore three mountains: Mount Isola, East Mountain, and West Mountain. The park will provide trail maps and other hiking necessities.Summer and winter Rusutsu have different appearances, but both are extremely entertaining. During the summer, you can enjoy the park’s natural beauty, participate in a variety of water activities, and play golf. In the winter, on the other hand, Rusutsu Amusement Park provides many dynamic hospitality options to its visitors.
3.Tomita Farm
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Tomita Farm is a popular tourist destination in Furano, especially during the spring and summer months. It is a large area divided into fields of beautiful flowers, souvenir shops, and food stalls. Whether you arrive at the farm by car, bus, or train, you can spend a couple of hours here taking in the sights! The flower season begins in mid-April and lasts until early October. The different flowers bloom at different times, but the best times to visit the park are late June through July.
4. Ningle Terrace
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The Ningle Terrace is a picturesque cottage with stalls set up to sell items to tourists. Ningle Terrace was built with natural materials and timber buildings, and the beautiful waterfall adds to the village’s charm the half-day chauffeur tour to the boutique houses. The village in the woods resembles a fairy village, with workshops displaying traditional crafts and the owners demonstrating the process. When the lights are turned on in the white snow, you will have an immersive experience of day and night. In the cafe, you can enjoy watching handmade items and having a soothing, relaxing experience.
5. Sapporo Snow Festival
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If you want to see Hokkaido from a different perspective, don’t miss the Sapporo Snow Festival. Every year in February, Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, hosts this festival for a week. It is a traditional show festival that began in 1950 and has since become one of Japan’s most well-known winter events. The massive show and ice sculptures are the festival’s main attractions. There are nearly 200 snow and ice sculptures on display. Everything from temples to cartoon characters has been depicted in these sculptures.
6. Asahiyama Zoo
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You might think that watching animals in a zoo is boring, but it is also a safe place to do so. Furthermore, Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido has a magnificently well-designed enclosure that allows visitors to get a closer look at these animals than usual. Because of its rare collection of animals, such as polar bears, wolves, penguins, and foxes, Asahiyama Zoo has earned the reputation of being one of the best and most popular zoos in Japan. A family tour or a half-day trip can be an excellent way to learn about this wildlife. If you visit the zoo in the winter, you can enjoy the famous “penguin walk,” which is the zoo’s main attraction. During these days, the king penguins parade, and the rest of the penguins follow. They walk twice a day, depending on their condition.
7. Sapporo Beer Museum
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Hokkaido is the birthplace of beer in Japan, and Sapporo Beer is the country’s oldest beer brand. Sapporo Beer Museum, of course, is the best place to learn about the history of beer in Japan. The museum opened in 1987 to educate visitors on the history of beer in Japan as well as the brewing process. During the Meiji period, it was a brewery, and after the 1980s, it became a beer museum.
8. Mount Moiwa
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Mount Moiwa is one of the best places to get a great night view of Sapporo. The 531-meter-high mountain, located in the heart of Sapporo, offers visitors a panoramic view of the entire city. The mountain top provides a 360-degree view of the city as well as views of Ishikari Plain and Ishikari Bay. Mt. Moiwa’s Viewing Point is ideal for romantic dates. Even the location is known as the “holy ground for lovers,” and it is believed that if a couple secures a padlock to the surrounding handrail, they will be together forever. Several exotic animals, including the titmouse, Hokkaido squirrel, Ezo red fox, and Ezo owl, will greet you as you make your way up the mountain.
9. Hokkaido Shrine
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Hokkaido Shrine is a well-known springtime attraction in Hokkaido. If you’re in Hokkaido from early to mid-May, don’t miss the Hanami, or flower viewing festival, held at this temple. Because the temple is surrounded by 1,500 cherry blossom trees, they are all in full bloom during the spring season. Nothing could be more romantic than witnessing this natural beauty.
10. Mount Hakodate
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Hakodate is another lovely city in Hokkaido, and the city’s highlight is Mount Hakodate, which stands 334 metres above sea level. The mountaintop offers a panoramic view of the city. You can get to the top of the mountain tower by taking either an aerial gondola or a bus. The night view is even more enchanting when the city is decked out in incredible lights and colours. If you visit Mount Hakodate in the winter, you can take a snow walk along the trail and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery. It could be one of your most memorable experiences.
11. Otaru Aquarium
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Otaru is a lovely small harbour city in Hokkaido that has a number of attractions for visitors, including the Otaru Aquarium, which is one of the best and must-see attractions in the city. It is Hokkaido’s largest aquarium, with nearly 350,000 visitors each year. This aquarium is also one of the oldest in the world, having opened in 1959 and housing nearly 5,000 cold and warm sea creatures from 250 different species. Even though some parts of this aquarium are outdated, you will still find a variety of interesting features to keep you entertained.
12. Shirogane Blue Pond
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The Blue Pond is unquestionably a natural wonder, but it is an artificial lake formed by a dam built in 1988 to prevent mudflow from the Bieigawa River. The lake’s incredible blue colour is caused by aluminium hydroxide, which changes depending on the weather and seasons. It gradually transitions from a light milky blue to a deep green turquoise. However, colour isn’t the only thing that gives the pond a mystical appearance. The pond is surrounded by Japanese larch and silver birch trees that have grown all around it.
13. Daisetsuzan National Park
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Daisetsuzan National Park is well-known for being Japan’s largest national park, covering an area of 2,268 square kilometres. At the same time, the park is home to Hokkaido’s two most important mountains.
14. Shiretoko National Park
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Shiretoko National Park is one of Japan’s most beautiful sights, but because it is located on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido’s farthest northeastern cape, the park is comparatively less visited. At the same time, it is one of Japan’s most beautiful and pristine national parks.
15. Lake Toya
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Lake Toya is one of Hokkaido’s most popular tourist destinations and a must-see for its flora and fauna. Shikotsu-Toya National Park includes the lake, which is a caldera lake formed by volcanic activity. The lake’s natural surroundings are so beautiful that it has been named one of Japan’s 100 Great Views. Because the lake was formed by volcanic activity, there is also an active volcano near Lake Toya. Mount Usu is the volcano’s name, and it last erupted in the year 2000.