Hokkaido is the north-most prefecture in Japan, separated by a body of water it is not accessible by car. If you are dying to drive your beloved vehicle through Hokkaido’s scenic nature, you will need to use a car ferry. Otherwise, taking an airplane is the most practical means of transportation. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll still want to rent a car when you arrive. Hokkaido is Japan’s largest prefecture, and there is a lot to discover.
Driving to the northern tip of Hokkaido will land you in a coastal city named Wakkanai. Arriving on a clear day will grant you a view of Japan’s northern neighbours. Your best bet for catching a glimpse of Russia will be at Cape Soya – which is technically the north-most point of the country.
Although Hokkaido is famous for its winter wonderlands, the summers on this island are also extremely popular. After the snow melts, the lands are replaced with an array of beautiful flowers. The easiest destination to witness this will be in Furano city. Farm Tomita is almost guaranteed to be packed with tourists, but its for good reason. Summer seasons bring about a colorful pallet of flowers. Lavender, in particular, is a summer specialty on the northern island.
A trip to Hokkaido is not complete until you try the cuisine. While Japan as a nation is known for delicious food, it isn’t a stretch to claim that Hokkaido has some of the best food in the nation. The fishing industry continues to thrive on this island, with many cities carrying their own fish markets. Come early for the freshest catch and prepare to stuff yourself on the best seafood.
If seafood isn’t your calling, then you can still indulge yourself with a wide variety of ramen. Delicious noodles can be found throughout the prefecture; you really can’t go wrong. The famed Ramen-Street can be found in Sapporo City. It is in this narrow alleyway where you can find about 15 ramen shops neatly lined together. Be sure to save room for seconds, as you’ll want to try out all these shops.
Lovers of onsen will enjoy the natural waters of Noboribestsu, the prefecture’s most famous hot-spring resort. A small town, appropriately named Hell Valley, features natural steam vents and hot spring waters. While the sulfur may make the valley stink like rotten eggs, it is a clear indication of the water’s potency. After your stroll, you will want to take a soak in one of the nearby hotels which offer their hot-springs to both overnight guests or day-trip visitors.
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