10 Must-See Highlights in Hokkaido in Summer

Hokkaido is super popular in winter because it’s a paradise for skiers without having to go all the way to Europe, and it also has many spectacular snow festivals. But if you think Hokkaido loses its charm in other seasons, think again—because in summer, Japan’s northern island comes alive once more with all kinds of flowers, especially lavender. The list of 10 must-not-miss things for Hokkaido in summer is therefore quite different from winter. Put aside snow and cold-weather activities and come enjoy the colors and sweet fragrances of summer with these 10 things. Let’s go!

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1. Tomita Farm (Tomita Farm)

In other seasons, there’s no need to come here, but if it’s summer—especially from late July to August—this farm turns a brilliant purple with rows of lavender flowers. No need to fly all the way to France, and the summer weather here isn’t as scorching as over there. This farm is in Furano, about 110 km east of Sapporo.

CreditImage: www.asahi.com

2. Shikisai-no-oka GardenNaoka (Shikisai-no-oka)

Since you’re already into flower fields, when you’re in Hokkaido you should add a second garden to the plan. The name of this garden means “colors of the four seasons.” You’ll see rows of flowers on a hill like a multicolored mountain, creating a backdrop that’s definitely more spectacular than a flat field. The garden islarge, measuring 7 hectaresThis place is south of Biei City, not far from Tomita Farm. Since you're already here, you can visit two beautiful gardens in one day.

Image source: www.snowtomamu.jp/summer/en/unkai/

3. Heavenly Terrace (Unkai Terrace)

If you want to feel like an angel or a deity at least once in your life, hurry and take the chance to stand above the sea of clouds at Unkai Terrace. You can take the gondola up from the hotel area.Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, but since a full viewing has to be very early in the morning (the gondola operates only from 5:00 to 8:00), there’s no avoiding an overnight stay to get settled at this resort. This breathtaking phenomenon occurs only in summer.

See more information about Unkai Terracehere

Image source: http://takinoreien.com

4. Hill of the Buddha (Hill of the Buddha)The hill surrounding this Buddha statue, which stands 13.5 meters tall and weighs 1,500 tons, is a creation by the architect Tadao Ando (Tadao Ando). It is located in the southern part of Sapporo. From a distance, you can see only the Buddha’s head rising above the hill. What makes this place a must-visit in summer is that more than 150,000 lavender plants surround the Buddha statue. Already a great place to visit, it has therefore risen to the top of the must-see list for traveling in Hokkaido during the summer season.

5. Sapporo City (Sapporo)

No matter the season, you can’t avoid stopping in this gateway city of Hokkaido—partly out of necessity because it’s close to the airport, but it also has standout attractions of its own. Places worth visiting in this city include the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, the historic Clock Tower, Odori Park, or going on a shopping spree along the Tanukikoji shopping arcade and the Susukino district. Another must-do is the giant crab leg buffet, which no tour program fails to include (except very cheap tours). Some tour programs also take you to the viewpoint on Mount Moiwa.

6. Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Factory (Shiroi Koibito Park)

A famous chocolate brand’s production site Shiroi Koibito From Ishiya (Ishiya Chocolate Factory), a must-buy souvenir that everyone takes home. This place is both a factory and a theme park, but most tours do not include the admission fee to go inside. What you miss is seeing the real production process with staff actually working, and sitting in the café upstairs to sip tea and enjoy beautifully made cakes and desserts. The factory is on the outskirts of Sapporo to the west, on the way toward Otaru, so you’ll notice Hokkaido tour programs often stop here while traveling between these two cities.

7. Otaru City (Otaru)

A romantic city that most people don’t miss when visiting Hokkaido: the old canal that is the city’s symbol, the steam clock—one of only two in the world still in operation—the music box museum, and the shopping street lined with food, cafés, and dessert shops such as the famous LeTAO. However, Otaru is placed at rank 5 rather than higher because in summer, sightseeing routes tend to lean east of Sapporo where the flower gardens are located. As a result, many premium tour programs won’t detour left to Otaru, choosing instead to spend their time fully in the eastern zone for a deeper experience rather than going back and forth. These programs are likely designed for people who have already visited Hokkaido before.

8. Blue Pond (Blue Pond)

The real name isAoiike Pond (Aoiike) orBlue pond (Blue Pond)Located southeast of Biei. The blue color comes from naturally occurring minerals. Its natural beauty makes it a popular tourist attraction and it is convenient for those stopping by to see the lavender fields, because Biei is adjacent to Furano.

Image credit: chefsanjeevkapoor.blogspot.com

9. Yubari Melon Buffet

Hokkaido’s famous summer fruit is melon, and the best growing area is Yubari City. That’s why Yubari melons are a must-try. If you’re visiting Hokkaido in summer, how could you miss it? And since you’re already there, just tasting a little would be a waste—so there are all-you-can-eat melon spots such as Melon Terrace in Yubari. Many tour programs (at premium prices) already include a Yubari melon buffet in their itineraries.

10. Giant crab leg buffet

Once you’re in Hokkaido, you can’t miss tasting giant crab legs. Every tour program usually has to include this item; otherwise it can’t compete with others. You’ll get to eat three kinds of giant crab legs all you can (popular places favored by Thai tourists even provide Thai-style seafood dipping sauce). There’s also seafood like giant scallops, shrimp, shellfish, crab, fish, and great cuts of meat—forget about gaining weight. But after you finish, you’ll have the smell of grilled food clinging to you as a bonus.

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