Hokkaido ｜みんなの観光協会

HOKKAIDO

DATA

Total area 83,424 k㎡
Population 5,381,733 people
Number of households 2,440,405households
Number of municipalities　 municipalities
Major cities　Sapporo City, Asashikawa City

Hokkaido is located in the northernmost part of the Japanese archipelago, there are 23 natural parks including Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage Site. The magnificent mountains, primeval forests with alpine plants, vast marshes, and lakes are attractions of the northern natural landscape that brings in many tourists. Intensive agriculture such as vegetables, grains, potatoes, beans, etc. growing in the vast land and the scallops, Alaska pollock, Okhotsk Atka mackerel, salmon, Pacific saury, and kombu harvested in the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Okhotsk surrounding the island. The “Food” is one of the main attractions of Hokkaido.

Good Day Hokkaido

Tourist Spots/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Goryōkaku

The first Western-style castle in Japan to manage and protect the Republic of Ezo from foreign countries, which was built by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1864. The characteristic star-shaped castle has advantages such as fewer blind spots on the defending side. You can overlook its beauty from the adjacent Goryokaku Tower.

Lavender-Farm Station

The Furano Basin is located in the central part of Hokkaido. It is a land of hills dyed in lilac-colored lavender that represents Hokkaido’s landscape in the summer. The lavender fields are scattered throughout the area, and you can see the idyllic countryside and the Tokachidake mountain range from various places.

Asahiyama Zoo

Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo has become famous nationwide for its “behavior exhibition” that brings out the ecology and behavior of animals. There are lots of interesting content such as polar bears and hippos swimming in the water, walking penguins, and feeding time of various animals.

Otaru Canal

Otaru Port was a gateway to the development of Hokkaido. The Otaru Canal was completed in 1918 to increase the distance so that the canal boats that connect the large ships and the wharf can dock. It is a popular spot where gas lights and the stone warehouses are lit up in the evening.

Food/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Miso Ramen

It is said that the miso ramen “Miso Aji Men” was originated from the store Aji no Sanpei in Sapporo City. Miso soup, which is a common food staple in the Japanese household, is topped with vegetables such as bean sprouts and onions fried in lard. It features thin noodles that are easily mix with soup, and there are many unique shops in the city.

Obihiro Butadonn Pork Bowl

A specialty gourmet that is loved not only by Obihiro citizens but also by tourists. It is thickly sliced pork loins grilled in a sweet and spicy sauce that displays the characteristics of the restaurant. It was created as a delicious and powerful stamina dish for farmers and pioneers who sweat in the fields.

Souveniers/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Kitakaro / Pioneer Okaki

From rice to rice cake, fried tofu, and seasoning, 7 days are taken until each grain is carefully made. There are many variations such as Hakodate / squid, Mashike / sweet shrimp, Shibetsu / autumn salmon, Esashi / sardine, Erimo / kelp, Shiranuka / Yanagidako, Shiraoi / Kojohama tarako.

Marusei butter sandwich cookies

A standard Hokkaido souvenir made by sandwiching cream with white chocolate, raisins, and 100% Hokkaido milk butter on biscuits. It also features a retro package named after the butter “Marusei Bata” that was first made in Tokachi.

Festivals/Events/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Sapporo Snow Festival

Every year at Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome in Sapporo, many tourists from all over the country visit the snow and ice festival held. There are plenty of activities that you can enjoy such as impressive-looking large snow statues, skating rinks, gourmet foods unique to Hokkaido, and more events.

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Inspired by the roots of “Yosakoi Festival” in Kochi Prefecture, mixing the Yosakoi Festival’s “Naruko (wooden hand clappers)” and the Hokkaido folk song “Soran Bushi”, this festival began in the year 1992. It is a lively and energetic festival in which dancers wearing colorful costumes and holding naruko in their hands.