Best Things to Do in Hokkaido in the Summer

Why visit Hokkaido in the summer?

Rich in nature, Hokkaido offers beautiful summer scenery with blue skies and lush mountains. Summer temperatures are cooler than in Tokyo, making for a pleasant and comfortable trip. Since Hokkaido is surrounded by the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Okhotsk, you can also look forward to fresh seafood specialties during your visit.

Get around the area with the Hokkaido Rail Pass and enjoy unlimited rides on all JR Hokkaido Lines.

What to wear during the summer in Hokkaido?

Temperatures differ in Hokkaido’s coastal and inland regions. While Kushiro City in the east is a popular summer resort with a pleasant average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, temperatures in Sapporo City in the west are slightly higher at around 25 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures between morning and evening can differ drastically, and it can become quite humid during the day. Bring a cardigan, or hoodie for a full day of sightseeing in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido is surrounded by bountiful nature, including rivers and mountains, so be careful of insects and bring an insect repellant spray.

Try local summer food

Hokkaido is known as a treasure trove of fresh seafood, including Hanasaki crabs, scallops, and sea urchins with Rebun Island and Otaru City seeing the largest amount of sea urchins. The prime season for sea urchin is between May and August, and you can get a taste of this local specialty at markets and restaurants in the area.

In addition to seafood, Hokkaido is also rich in vegetables and fruits, such as watermelons, muskmelons, pumpkins, and peas. Look out for special menus at local restaurants, which serve Melon Ale, a beer made with melon juice, and curries packed with flavorful local vegetables.

Where to go skiing in the summer?

Sapporo Bankei Ski Resort is a popular leisure spot where you can enjoy dry-slope skiing across three areas even in the summer. Tubing and sledding are also available for young children, making it ideal for families.

The dry slopes are harder than snow, so there is a risk of injury if you fall. Always wear elbow and knee pads when skiing.

Sapporo Bankei Ski Resort
Address: 410 Bankei, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 13-min bus ride from Maruyama Koen Station
Official website: https://www.bankei.co.jp/home-english/

Best things to do in Hokkaido in the summer

Below are some recommended sightseeing spots where you can fully enjoy Hokkaido's summer, including vibrant festivals and picture-perfect lavender fields.

Experience the summer festival at Odori Park in Sapporo

Selected as one of the "100 Best City Parks in Japan," Odori Park in Sapporo is a favorite recreational spot for the locals.

When visiting between mid-July and mid-August, visit the Sapporo Summer Festival, which has been a summer staple in the city for 65 years. Enjoy a cold pint at the beer garden, which offers famous brews from all over Japan, or join the lively Bon Odori dance, among many other of the festival's main attractions.

Odori Park
Address: 1-12 Odori-nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Odori Subway Station (Namboku, Tozai, Toho lines)
Official website: https://odori-park.jp/en/

Enjoy family fun at Tokachi Millennium Forest

Tokachi Millennium Forest is located at the foot of the Hidaka Mountains, which stretch out across 150 kilometers. Popular activities for children include horseback riding through the forest and cheese making using Hokkaido's rich milk.

Nature fans can join a Segway tour, an electric two-wheeled vehicle, through the forests of Hokkaido. If you are lucky, you may even see wild animals such as Yezo sika deer and Ezo squirrels.

Tokachi Millennium Forest
Address: 10 Sen, Haobi-minami, Shimizu-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 15-min taxi ride from Tokachi Shimizu Station (Nemuro Main Line)
Official website: http://www.tmf.jp/index.php

Take in mesmerizing mountain views from the Shiretoko Goko Lakes

The Shiretoko Goko Lakes are a popular scenic spot on the Shiretoko Peninsula, which has been designated a World Natural Heritage site. The area features five lakes which are surrounded by pristine nature. The location offers a spectacular view of the Shiretoko mountain range, including Mount Rausu and Mount Io, and turns into a popular trekking spot in the summer.

Near the entrance to the boardwalk is the Shiretoko Goko Lakes Field House. Here, you can shop for a wide variety of local souvenirs to commemorate your visit to the Shiretoko Goko Lakes. The boardwalk is well-maintained, but please wear sneakers that are easy to walk in.

Shiretoko Goko Lakes Field House
Address: Near Onnebetsu-mura, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido Prefecture
Opening period: Usually mid-April to mid-November (during the opening period of the Prefectural Highway No. 93 Shiretoko Park Route)
Access: 57-min drive from Shiretoko-Shari Station
Official website: https://www.goko.go.jp/multilingual_eng/index.html

Marvel at picture-perfect lavender fields at Farm Tomita

The lavender fields of Farm Tomita are one of Hokkaido's most popular sightseeing attractions, with the best views typically available from early to mid-July. Here, you can enjoy the sight of four varieties of pale purple lavender.

The flower garden is open 24 hours a day, however, we recommend visiting in the early morning if you want to avoid the crowds. Additionally, during that time the air is clear, and you can enjoy a fantastic view of lavender bathed in the morning sunlight.

Farm Tomita
Address: 15 Kisen-kita, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 7-min walk from Lavender Farm (Batake) Station
Official website: https://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/en/

Enjoy unlimited rides on JR limited express trains, rapid trains, and local trains between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei and Asahikawa for 4 days with the Sapporo-Furano Area Pass.

Partake in outdoor activities at Onuma Park

Onuma Park, located on the Watashima Peninsula in Hokkaido, is a 9,000-hectare quasi national park 20 kilometers north of Hakodate. The temperature in August is a comfortable 25 degrees Celsius, making it a popular summer retreat.

Enjoy outdoor activities like cycling, horseback riding, and canoeing. The latter is especially popular as you can enjoy a pleasant breeze while taking in spectacular views of the mountains. Experienced guides will teach you how to paddle, so even beginners can feel at ease.

Onuma Park
Address: Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 75 minutes from Hakodate Airport by Onuma-Hakodate Airport Shuttle Bus, 10 minutes from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to JR Onuma Koen Station by Limited Express Hokuto or Super Hokuto
Official website: http://onumakouen.com/ (in Japanese only)

Enjoy the beautiful blue sea from Cape Shakotan

Cape Shakotan is located at the northern tip of the Shakotan Peninsula. Surrounded by towering cliffs over 100 meters tall, you can even descend right down to the water’s edge. The crystal clear sea that stretches out before you is called Shakotan blue. Please note that the sea wind is strong in the vicinity, so hats and stoles are likely to be blown away.

Shakotan is also famous for its sea urchin catch, and there are plenty of restaurants in the area where you can get a taste of this local creamy delicacy.

Cape Shakotan
Address: Irika-cho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 20-min walk from Shimamui Kaigan Iriguchi bus stop
Official website: https://www.kanko-shakotan.jp/en/spot/cape-shakotan-and-the-shimamui-coast/

Unwind in the hot springs of Noboribetsu Onsen

Noboribetsu Onsen is a renowned hot spring resort boasting a history of over 160 years, and its natural spring water flows directly from the source without dilution. The resort offers a diverse range of hot spring facilities with nine distinct types of hot springs available, which are believed to have various therapeutic effects.

Annually from early June to late July, the Jigokudani Demon Fireworks are held to pray for people's health and safety. The sight of the Yukijin guardian deity performing a dance to drive away evil spirits is breathtakingly powerful and impressive.

Noboribetsu Onsen
Address: Noboribetsu Onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access: 17-min drive from Noboribetsu Station
Official website: https://noboribetsu-spa.jp/en/

Enjoy unlimited rides on JR limited express trains, rapid trains, and local trains between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu for 4 days with the Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass.

Enjoy your summer in Hokkaido while enjoying a drive through bountiful nature

If you wish to explore Hokkaido's sightseeing attractions efficiently, we highly recommend renting a car. Driving along the roads enveloped by nature imparts a feeling of liberation, allowing you to savor the journey until you reach your destination. Create unforgettable memories of your summer trip in Hokkaido.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.