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Japan · Hokkaido

Hokkaido travel guide

Powder snow, flower fields and seafood

Flower fields in Furano. Photo: wakimasa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

11h 15mflight from London
CTSnearest main airport
20° in Augwarmest month
-7° in Jancoolest month

Hokkaido is Japan's wild northern island, famous for powder snow in winter and lavender fields in summer. Niseko is one of the world's best ski resorts.

Sapporo, the capital, has the Snow Festival, beer and seafood, and the national parks have bears and hot springs.

Good forSkiingNatureFoodHot springs

What Hokkaido is known for

  • Powder snow

    Niseko's world-famous snow.

  • Flower fields

    Lavender in Furano.

  • Seafood

    Crab, sea urchin and ramen.

  • Snow Festival

    Ice sculptures in Sapporo.

Top things to do in Hokkaido

  1. 1

    Niseko

    Ski deep powder all winter.

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  2. 2

    Furano and Biei

    Lavender and flower fields in July.

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  3. 3

    Sapporo

    The Snow Festival and beer museum.

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  4. 4

    Otaru

    A canal town with glass and sushi.

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See all tours and tickets in Hokkaido

Where to stay in Hokkaido

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Best time to visit Hokkaido

Best value: Dec–Jan, Jun, Sep–Oct. December to March for skiing; July for flowers and cool summer weather.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
-6.9 C-7°J-6.6 C-7°F-2.9 C-3°M3.5 C4°A10 C10°M14.9 C15°J18.8 C19°J20 C20°A16 C16°S9.2 C9°O2.1 C2°N-4.6 C-5°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Hokkaido, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 11h 15m from London to CTS, and flights from most UK airports.

Trains and a hire car. Domestic flights from Tokyo.

Find flights to Hokkaido (CTS)

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Good to know

  • Winter driving needs experience.
  • Book Niseko ski trips well ahead.
  • Summer is cool, around 25°C.
Japan guidesWomen travellersVisasPlugs & adaptersDriving abroadEnglish spokenWhen to goFlight times

Hokkaido FAQ

Is Hokkaido good in summer?

Yes, it's cooler than the rest of Japan.

How do I get there?

Fly from Tokyo in about 90 minutes.

More places in Japan

Back to the Japan travel guide + Add Hokkaido to your bucket list