Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, boasting sublime natural scenery and biodiversity that will make you feel a million miles from the hectic buzz of Tokyo. For many travellers, the main draw here are the ski resort with Niseko leading the pack, but exploring beyond the slopes and chalets is more than worth the effort. Here are just some of the natural wonders of Hokkaido.
Shiretoko National Park
The Shiretoko Peninsula sits at the northern tip of Hokkaido, making it one of the most remote regions in the country and arguably, in the world. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shiretoko is home to a unique ecosystem “largely influenced by the formation of seasonal sea ice at the lowest latitude in the northern hemisphere.” The area is home to several rare and endangered species, including the Steller’s Sea Eagle and Blakiston’s Fish-Owl.
In total, there are six national parks in Hokkaido, with Daisetsuzan being the largest national park in Japan.
Noboribetsu Onsen
Noboribetsu is one of the most famous onsens in Hokkaido – and in Japan, for that matter. This cluster of natural hot springs is located at the foot of Mount Hiyori and is famed for its stunning scenery: think rolling mountains with billows of steam rising from the hot springs. The onsens are said to offer 11 varieties of thermal waters which are considered some of the best in Japan.
Lake Toya
Lake Toya is a volcanic caldera lake offering stunning scenery in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaido. The lake is said to be one of the most transparent lakes in Japan. There are plenty of walking trails around the lake to really drink in the scenery. The region is also home to the mighty Mount Usu, an active volcano which last erupted back in 2020. As a testament to the region’s alluring natural beauty, Lake Toya was chosen as the site of the G8 summit in 2008.
Ice Waterfalls
One of the most incredible sights to experience in Hokkaido are the waterfalls – especially during winter. During the winter months, you can find stunning natural waterfalls reaching hundreds of meters in height frozen into magical natural ice sculptures throughout the island. The beautiful Fukuroda waterfalls (featured in the main image) are stunning no matter what time of year you visit, but they are nothing short of magical when frozen during winter.
For a more festive take on the falls, Sounkyo Ice Waterfall brings together fun winter activities and epic ice sculptures. The scene is stunning any time of day: during the day, the sculptures take a on a frozen shade of blue, while at night, they are lit up with all the colours of the rainbow.
Do you love the wintry wonders of Japan as much as we do?
Be inspired by our Niseko travel guide and check out our Niseko video gallery. All videos were filmed on site in Niseko – the powder capital of Asia.
