City guides北海道
Hokkaido for first-timers
Powder snow in winter, lavender fields in summer, and the best seafood in Japan.
Last reviewed · Sep 2026
Japan's northern island is big, rural and best visited with a clear season in mind. Fly into New Chitose (Sapporo) — it's about 90 minutes from Tokyo.
| Place | Why go | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | Food, beer, Snow Festival | All year; festival early Feb |
| Otaru | Canal town, glass, sushi | All year |
| Niseko | World-class powder skiing | Dec–Mar |
| Furano & Biei | Lavender and flower fields | Jul |
| Hakodate | Night view, morning market | All year |