Exploring Hokkaido Prefecture.
#Sapporo.
The principal city of Hokkaido, Sapporo boasts some excellent sightseeing opportunities. The city is also well-positioned to use as a base for exploring other parts of Hokkaido, making it the perfect place to spend a few days.
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Highlights: Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Factory, Hokkaido University Botanic Garden, Heisei Poplar Avenue, Gingko Avenue, Hokkaido Jingu, JR Observatory Tower, Tanukikoji Shopping Street, Nakajima Park, Iyahiko Shrine, Sapporo Gokoku Shrine, Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine, Hokkaido Jingu, Shiroikoibito Park, and Royce Cacao and Chocolate Town.
#Otaru.
With its historic stone warehouses that sit alongside a canal, the charming port city of Otaru is certainly worth a visit. The city is also well known for its attractive glasswork and music boxes, both of which make for unique and beautiful keepsakes.
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Highlights: Foreigner Slope, Old Temiya Rail Line, Steam Locomotive Museum, Temiya Ryokuka Botanical Garden, Ironai Futo Park, Sakaimachi Hondori, Shussemae Hiroba, Otaru Music Box Museum, Otaru Denkuki Koji, Warehouse District, Otaru Canal, and Otaru Yatai Village.
#Noboribetsu.
Best known for its boiling sulphuric hot springs (a.k.a hells), The city of Noboribetsu makes for quite the photogenic day trip from Sapporo.
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Note: For travel onto Jigokudani take the Donan bus from outside Noboribetsu Station and alight at the Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal - see more at
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Highlights: Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village, Jigokudani (Hell Valley - pictured), Noboribetsu Bear Park, Yukar no Sato (Ainu Village), and Noboribetsu Marine Park.
#Muroran.
Not too far from Noboribetsu lies the port city of Muroran, which rewards visitors with splendid coastal views. The city is particularly great for those who enjoy walking or cycling.
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Highlights: Yume-no-Mori, Horaimon Gate, Cape Chikyu (pictured), Golden Screen, and Tokkarisho Observatory.
#Asahikawa.
With plenty to see and do, Asahikawa deserves at least a full day (if not two) of one's itinerary. The city boasts relaxing parks & gardens, historic temples, and a pretty cool shopping street.
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Highlights: Kaguraoka Park, Ueno Farm, Kamikawa-jinja Shrine, Asahikawa Science Museum, Asahikawa Kitasaito Garden, Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art, Heiwa–dori shopping street, Tokiwa Park (pictured), and Hokkaido Gokoku-jinja Shrine.
#Hakodate.
Brimming with sightseeing opportunities, Hakodate is an excellent place to spend a couple of days. The city is regarded as being one of the more popular in Hokkaido yet remains quite relaxed despite this.
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Highlights: Daimon Yokocho, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, Hachiman-Zaka (slope), Hakodate Gokoku Shrine, Mt Hakodate Observatory, Hakodate Hachimangu, Cape Tachimachi, Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, Yukura Shrine, Goryōkaku Tower, and Goryōkaku.
#Biei.
