Central Hokkaido Area
This is a popular “gourmet, shopping and skiing” area visited by 85% of Hokkaido travelers with the cities of Sapporo, Otaru, Chitose and the Niseko ski area.
Sapporo City
Sapporo is a city where the tourist elements of Hokkaido are concentrated. The “street names” in the center of the city include names from all parts of Hokkaido, such as “Watashima-dori” and “Goshi-dori” (see figure). The “buying and eating” of the entire Hokkaido region gathers here, and the history of Hokkaido (e.g., the Hokkaido Kaitakushi no Mura, the Hokkaido Development Village) can be seen. On the other hand, it is also a town where new products such as home appliances, cameras, and animation, as well as brand-name goods such as bags, leather goods, and clothing gather, making it a deeply rooted and popular gourmet and shopping town for all generations.
Popular stores
Area Attractions
Mt. Moiwa, Mt. Teine trekking & nature observation / Cycling along Toyohira River and Koko Road leading to Kitahiroshima / Sosei-East stroll / Various night view observatory / Market meals
Local Gourmet
Sapporo Ramen / Jingiskan (Japanese grilled mutton dish) / Sapporo Soup Curry / Seafood dishes (including sushi) / Restaurants with Hokkaido Japanese beef and Hokkaido sake and wine / Sapporoki onion dishes / Closing parfait, etc.
Otaru City
Otaru City is full of history and romance as a city that first flourished as a port for goods and human resources for the construction of the Hokkaido Government Headquarters and the development of Sapporo. Otaru developed greatly with Hokkaido’s first locomotive and herring fishing, and became the center of Hokkaido’s economy and a financial center. It is wonderful to enjoy seafood dishes while turning the pages of the past by visiting those many historical buildings and heritage sites.
Popular stores
Area Attractions
Otaru Canal / Otaru Aquarium / Mt. Tengu Ropeway / Asarigawa Onsen Resort / Glass work / Fresh Market / Otaru Ushio Festival
Special Product
Seafood/Sushi/Mantis Shrimp/Otaru Chow Mein with thick sauce /Japanese sakedddddd/Wine/A deep-fried half sized whole chicken
Niseko Area
Niseko is a town that was convinced as one of the leading ski resorts in Asia and has successfully attracted investment from all over the world by one foreigner who introduced Niseko’s world-class snow (powder snow), culinary treasures, and various types of springs to the rest of the world. It aims to be a full-season resort with a rich summer green season menu.
Area Attractions
Takahashi Farm / Mt. Yotei / Ski Resort / Arishima Memorial Museum / Michi-no-Eki “Niseko View Plaza”
Special Product
Yogurt / Potatoes / Vegetables, Sake (Niseko Sake Brewery)
Toya Area
Lake Toya is a large caldera lake with abundant water that never freezes even in winter. Lake Toya is approximately 43 km in circumference and has a maximum depth of 180 m. It is blessed with hot springs and is home to a large number of plants and animals. Blessed with hot springs, the area is home to numerous plants and animals, and outdoor activities are abundant. Located in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the area is a Geopark district centering on Mt.
Area Attractions
Usu Ropeway / Showa Shinzan Bear Farm / Nakajima / Volcano Science Museum / 36 km around Lake Toya by rental bicycle / Sky Cruising / Crater Walkway / Irie Takasago Museum / Sculpture Park / Canoeing / Horse trekking
Special Product
Wakasaimo / Japanese beef / Udon noodles / Lake Toya wooden sword / White oshiruko / Tsukiura winery / Gelato / Herbal lunch / Folk crafts
Noboribetsu Area
Noboribetsu Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan, with nine different types of hot springs, making it one of the few places in the world where hot springs can be found. The Jigokudani (Hell Valley), the site of an exploding crater, is a famous tourist attraction, with its billowing smoke and boiling fumaroles, which inspired the motif of the “demons of hell”. Noboribetsu City has a fishing port where visitors can enjoy abundant marine products.
Area Attractions
Jigokudani / Onsen Town / Oyunuma River Natural Footbath / Bear Farm / Marine Park Nixe / Date Jidai Mura / Off-Road Park / Oku no Yu / Demon Statue / Sun Child (mini zoo) / Lake Kutaraku
Special Product
Noboribetsu Milk / Yogurt / Pudding / Scallops / Hairy Crab / Onsen Eggs
JR Chitose Line Area
This is an area that will be the focus of attention in the future. In Chitose City, where Chitose Airport is located, one of Japan’s leading and newest 2nano semiconductor factories is being built and is expected to become “Hokkaido-Valley. In Kitahiroshima City, the home field of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham baseball team has moved to a new location and is currently developing an ESCON field. Furthermore, a huge commercial facility called D-Square is being built in Shin-Sapporo (Sapporo subcenter), and the JR Chitose Line area is definitely worth checking out.
Area Attractions
Sapporo Station Area Development Site / Bivi Shin Sapporo / Sunpiazza / F VILLAGE / Kururu no Mori / Former Shimamatsu “Ekiteisho” / Mitsui Outlet Park / Chitose Outlet Mall Rera / Sunpiazza Aquarium / Michi-no-Eki “Salmon Park Chitose” / Chitose Airport Terminal Building
Special Product
自Nature Farm Vegetables/Ham and Bacon/Smoked Food/Chitose Burger/Ezo Venison/Kitahiro Deer Burger/Sweets