15 pictures that will make you want to visit Hokkaido

Have you ever been to Hokkaido? If not, here you find at least 15 good reasons to organize a trip to this island in Japan.

I visited Japan for the first time a few years ago but, due to the limited time, I stayed only in Tokyo (here my guide). This time I had the chance to explore the countryside of Japan in Hokkaido and all I can say is that it’s amazing!

What to do in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is famous for its amazing landscapes both in Winter and in Summer. In my article, I mention several places you might have never heard of. For an easy reference, you can find them on this map. Two of them are called Furano and Biei, about two and a half hours from Sapporo.

If you are looking for a place to stay while you visit Hokkaido check out Booking.com. Alternatively, check Trip.com.

Pictures of Hokkaido

Let me show you 15 pictures that will make you want to visit this beautiful island in Northern Japan.

Snapdragon flowers, paraglider, a volcano on background, and people taking selfies. What else do you need to take the perfect picture?

These beautiful flower fields are in a place called Furano. The best time to go there is towards the end of July.

One of the 60 volcanoes in Hokkaido. Did you know that about 10% of the volcanoes in the world are located on this island?

This canal in the city of Otaru reminds me of Europe. Otaru is not a big city but is a good place to spend a few days enjoying the relaxed vibe of the island.

Japan it’s probably the only place in the world (well excluding China of course. Speaking of which, don’t forget to check this post about the amazing Canola fields in Luoping, Yunnan) where you can see a lavender field and a Ferris wheel, all in the same place. It was still a bit early to see the flowers though.

A really friendly chipmunk. They are quite common in the island.

Another example of what Hokkaido has to offer: more flowers. This place is located in the famous Tomita farm.

If you want to you can also visit a local factory, where lavender flowers are processed and become perfumes, soap, and other products.

The coast of Hokkaido it’s as beautiful as the countryside. Beware of the strong winds though, they are quite strong.

Some more flowers. Obviously, knowing how well-organized the Japanese are, also the fields are perfect.

It’s not possible to visit Japan and don’t eat sushi. There are many restaurants on the island and Hokkaido is particularly well known for its seafood, especially the scallops.

Hokkaido is also a good place to visit in winter, well if you like skiing. It’s one of the few in the world where you can ski in front of the ocean.

Winter is also the perfect time to photograph the local wildlife, including some rare Japanese Cranes and the Steller’s Sea Eagles.

The month of July it’s the best season to see the flowers. When I visited, the end of July would have been a better choice though. Keep an eye on the weather the previous weeks and possibly social media such as Instagram. I often use it to check if the flowers have blossomed whenever I want to visit a new place.

Sometimes Hokkaido reminds me of Tuscany.

Don’t forget to try some local food like homemade tofu. Eating in a traditional restaurant can be a bit pricey but, in my opinion, the experience it’s worth the money.

Here you can find some more pictures I took in Japan.

Provence is another great place to see some beautiful flower fields. Here my pictures of the Jacaranda trees in Yunnan, China. Here is some useful info if you want to become a digital nomad.