Hokkaido COOL! Nature & Culture Experiences
People drawn to Hokkaido's great outdoors. Sharing the excitement of our guides.
Nature beckons. Majestic mountains, crystal-clear waters, breathtaking views throughout the seasons. An experience found only here. It soothes both mind and body.
Hokkaido Nature and Culture Experiences
“Representing Japan’s landscapes and boasting natural scenery that is the pride of the world.” This is the definition of Japan’s national parks, designated and managed by the national government.
Hokkaido has seven national parks. Among them, Daisetsuzan National Park covers approximately 226,764 hectares, roughly the same size as Tokyo’s approximately 220,000 hectares. It represents Japan in terms of its vastness. Whether to heal mind and body, challenge yourself just a little, or deepen bonds with others, experiencing nature makes people brighter, stronger, and more energetic.
Even beginners, even solo travelers… joining events like canoeing, cycling, or trekking now means making new friends and enjoying Hokkaido. Let’s go to HOKKAIDO!
Hokkaido Nature & Cultural Experiences : 12 Areas
❶ Kushiro and Lake Akan Nature and Cultural Experiences
Walking through Japan's largest marshland and the Forest of Light at Lake Akan
＜Akan-Mashu National Park, Kushiro Marsh National Park＞
The red-crowned cranes inhabiting Japan’s largest Kushiro Marsh, and the connections between birds and all living things. Experience the breathtaking natural landscapes of the marshlands—from hiking and fishing in the Ainu village (kotan) at Lake Akan to the Forest of Light.
Popular Activities
- Red-crowned Crane
- Observation
- Stroll through the Forest of Light at Lake Akan
- Marimo Tour
- Fishing at Lake Akan and Akan River
- Canoeing on Lake Akan and Kushiro River
- Kushiro Marsh Walking Trail
- Kushiro Marsh Observatory
- Kushiro to Akan Cycling
- Mount Oakan and Mount
- Meakan Climbing
- Onneto Trekking
- Ainu Kotan
- Ainu Dance
Guide for ecosystems and nature experiences
❷Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo (Teshikaga Town) Nature and Cultural Experiences
Heal your body with the mist and sea of clouds at the two lakes and the sulfur springs of Kawayu Onsen ＜Akan Mashu National Park＞
Experience the mystical Mashū Blue and the raw power of Japan’s largest caldera lake through cycling and trekking. Relax your body in the sulfur springs of Teshikaga Town, packed with highlights.
Popular Activities
- Ph1.7 Strongly Acidic Kawayu Hot Springs
- Mount Io-zan Sightseeing and Hiking
- Lake Mashu Sightseeing
- Lake Kussharo Sightseeing, Sea of Clouds (from the Pass)
- Lake Kussharo Winter Omiwatari
- Sunayu (Sand Bath) Experience
- Lake Kussharo Kushiro River Source Canoeing
- Mashu-Kussharo Trail 44km
- Teshikaga Cycling
- Dairy Farm Milking Experience
- Stargazing
You can enjoy the four seasons here, like a department store of nature experiences.
❸ Shiretoko Utoro (Shari Town) Nature and Cultural Experiences
The peninsula where Japan's finest nature and diverse ecosystems coexist
＜World Natural Heritage Site Shiretoko, Shiretoko National Park＞
The natural environment of Shiretoko is a balanced ecosystem where marine life gathers around nutrients like plankton, predators capture them, and insects and plants thrive. The magnificent natural scenery is truly awe-inspiring.
Popular Activities
- Shiretoko Five Lakes Hiking
- Sightseeing Boat Tour
- Oshinkoshin Falls
- Furepe Falls
- Shiretoko Cape Trekking
- Salmon Run Viewing
- Drifting Ice Play
- Mount Rausu Climbing
- Mount Iou Climbing
- Kamuiwakka Hot Spring
- Waterfall Experience
- Mount Saru Climbing
- Road to Heaven
- Canoeing, Kayaking
Experience both World Natural Heritage sites and national parks
❹ Drifting Ice Town: Nature and Cultural Experiences in Abashiri, Okhotsk
Abashiri: Where the breathtaking beauty of drift ice meets the history of Okhotsk culture
＜Abashiri Quasi-National Park＞
The drift ice covering the Sea of Okhotsk paints a fantastical, breathtaking landscape. Experience a thrilling cruise aboard an icebreaker sightseeing ship. Furthermore, in this land where the Saruwa culture thrives, museums abound where you can learn about ancient lifestyles and wisdom. In Abashiri, where history and nature merge, enjoy a journey that will stay with you forever.
Popular Activities
- Icebreaker
- Cycling
- Noto Lake Coral Grass
- Abashiri Prison Museum
- Tentozan Observatory
- Okhotsk Drift Ice
- Museum
- Northern Peoples Museum
- Okhotsk Culture
- Moyoro Shell Mound
Wakasagi Ice Fishing on - Lake Abashiri
Experience Okhotsk Culture and Nature
❺Tsubetsu Nature and Cultural Experiences
Tsubetsu Sea of Clouds and Hokkaido's Only Forest Therapy® Town
This town is rich in nature, blessed with the clear air created by its forests. It is known for the sea of clouds at Tsubetsu Pass, which has the highest appearance rate, and as the only town in Hokkaido that offers forest therapy.
Recommended Spots
- Tsubetsu Wooden Crafts Museum Kinos
- A campground where fireflies fly
- Nonno-no-Mori Nature Center
- Sea of Clouds at Tsubetsu Pass
Gourmet & Shopping
❻ Kamikawa Daisetsuzan Nature and Cultural Experiences
The Ultimate Mountain Adventure Experience at Sounkyo Onsen
＜Daisetsuzan National Park＞
Sounkyo Onsen, a beloved mountain resort serving as the starting point for climbing Mt. Kurodake. It offers a pleasant one-hour trek to the summit, hiking from the peak, and abundant activities like rafting on the Ishikari River.
Popular Activities
- Kurodake Ropeway
- Kurodake Mountain Climbing
- Ishikari River Rafting
- Kurodake Ski Resort
- Sounkyo Onsen
- Ginga no Taki (Milky Way Falls), Ryusei no Taki (Meteor Falls) Viewing
- Ice Waterfall Festival
- Daisetsu Morino Garden
- Ukishima Wetland
- Ohachi-daira
- Okane-kogane
- Hokkai-dake, Hokuchin-dake, Ginsendai, Hakun-dake, Asahi-dake
The gateway to Mount Kurodake in the Daisetsuzan Range. Your guide to a magnificent nature experience.
❼ Asahikawa Nature and Cultural Experiences
Central hub of Hokkaido. Home to Asahiyama Zoo with its behavioral exhibits and gateway to the Daisetsuzan mountain range.
Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second-largest city, is a mountain town at the gateway to the Daisetsuzan Range. It is also a cultural city distinct from Sapporo, having produced the Kamikawa Ainu, Asahiyama Zoo, and literary masters.
Popular Activities
- Asahiyama Zoo
- Cycling
- Mt. Asahidake and Mt. Kurodake
- Kaneto Kawamura Ainu
- Memorial Hall
- Asahikawa Winter Festival
- Asahikawa Tabe Marche
- Shujitsu Hill Hiking
- Ayako Miura Literary
- Memorial Museum
- Asahikawa Literary
- Museum
- Asahikawa Ueno Farm
- Kamikawa Shrine
- Biei Hill Stroll
- Lavender Stroll
Based in Asahikawa, we offer a variety of experiences.
❽ Sapporo Nature and Cultural Experiences
Activities Around the Dome to Experience Sapporo's Four Seasons
One of Japan’s five major domes, the Daiwa House Premist Dome (Sapporo Dome). Its expansive grounds feature a retractable indoor baseball stadium and soccer field, with seasonal activities available throughout the surrounding area. Easily accessible by subway from central locations.
Popular Activities
Snow Season
- Sledding
- Kick Target
- Tube slide
- Dome Observatory
Green Season
- Wild Bird Watching
- Flower and Tree Observation
- Dome Tour
- Dome Observatory
Recommended Spots
❾ Otaru Nature and Cultural Experiences
Experience the culture of Otaru, the frontier city of Sapporo's development, registered as a Japan Heritage site.
Experience nature and culture through visits to the Herring Palace and Otaru Art Village, explore the city’s brick buildings, try your hand at glassmaking, take in the views from Otaru Tenguyama Observatory, enjoy a cruise along the Otaru Canal, and discover the Blue Cave.
Popular Activities
- Otsuru Canal Walk
- Glassmaking Experience
- Otaru Art Village
- Visit to Otaru Aquarium
- Rickshaw
- Climbing Otaru
- Tenguyama, Ski Resort
- Asarigawa Onsen
- Herring Palace Tour
- Otaru General Museum
Your guide to Otaru's history and nature experiences
❿Kankoma（Nanae-cho, Mori-machi, Shikabe-cho）Nature and Cultural Experiences
Nature Experiences in the Three Towns Surrounding Mount Komagatake and Onuma Quasi-National Park, Hokkaido＜Onuma Quasi-National Park＞
The three towns of Mori, Nanae, and Shikabe in Hokkaido, surrounding Mount Komagatake, promote nature experiences and health maintenance in an artistic area rich in natural beauty designated as Onuma Quasi-National Park. This is a destination for extended nature stays.
Popular Activities
- Onuma Canoeing
- Climbing Mount Komagatake in Hokkaido
- Cycling
- Shikabe Geyser
- Fruit Picking in Nanae Town
- Greenpia Onuma
- Eight Views of Torizaki Valley
- One of Japan’s Longest Gondolas at Nanae Ski Resort
Nature Experience Guides for Mori-machi, Nanae-cho, and Shikabe-cho
⓫ Hakodate / Jomon Nature and Cultural Experiences
The World Recognizes Japan's Roots—Journey to Jomon Culture
A miraculous way of life that endured for over 10,000 years across the Japanese archipelago. Jōmon culture built a rich life centered on hunting, fishing, and gathering, coexisting with nature. In 2021, 17 archaeological sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tōhoku were inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site, acknowledging the global significance of the Jomon era.
Popular Activities
- Kakinoshima Ruins
- Ofune Ruins
- Hakodate Jomon Culture Center
- Jomon Pottery Making
- Experience
- Mount Esan Climb
- Hiura Tunnel
- Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen
- Horseback Riding
- Yunokawa Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen
- Hakodate Marathon
Experience a wide range of nature and cultural activities in Hakodate, one of the world's three great night views.
⓬ Mori-machi Nature and Cultural Experiences
A famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Mori Town, rich in seafood and mountain delicacies.
Surrounded by Mt. Komagatake and Uchiura Bay, Mori is rich in marine and mountain produce from nature’s bounty. Ika-meshi (squid rice) is popular as an ekiben (boxed meal). The town is also famous for its cherry blossoms, with more than 1,000 cherry trees in bloom in spring.
Recommended Spots
- Oniushi Park
- Mount Komagatake Climb
- Torizaki Valley
- Horseback Riding
- Nigorikawa Onsen
Gourmet & Shopping
Hokkaido's Natural Attractions: 12 Recommended Areas
