10 Instagrammable Places in Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido (北海道 ) is one of the most popular places in Japan to visit for tourists, especially those interested in winter sports and onsen, but it also happens to be one prefecture that has an incredible array of natural landmarks and attractions that are sure to make anyone envious with wanderlust. Below you’ll find the roundup of the most Instagrammable places in Hokkaido that are a definite must see if you’re heading to the second largest island of Japan.
For more adventures in mainland Japan, make sure to check out some of the amazing experiences that are worthy of any bucket list!
Without further ado…
Shirogane Blue Pond
青い池
20 minutes by car from JR Biei Station or a two- and half-hour drive from Sapporo will get you to one of the most famous and beautiful views of Hokkaido; the Shirogane Blue Pond, more simply known as the Blue Pond and takes the #1 spot for the most Instagrammable places in Hokkaido..
Also known as Aoiike in Japanese, this picturesque place is actually man-made as a by-product of dam construction following the eruption of Mount Tokachi in 1988. The unbelievable blue colour is due to minerals in the lake – which means you can’t swim in it – but you can still enjoy incredible views across all four seasons – the most famous, winter and autumn. And best of all, it’s free!
biei-hokkaido.jp
Shirogane, 美瑛町 Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan
Takino Reien
頭大仏殿（Hill of the Buddha）
World famous architect Tadao Ando asked himself “How does a statue become a more solemn, attractive figure?” and his answer was the creation of Hill of the Buddha; the symbol of Makomanai Takino Cemetery where the giant Buddha statue is surrounded by a hill of lavender with just the head poking out.
Although stunning in all seasons, the Buddha surrounded by lavender is best viewed in July, or in winter when covered in snow. The concept of showcasing hidden depths is perfectly captured and portrayed, and easily one of the most beautiful places in Hokkaido to add to your insta feed.
takinoreien.com
2-3 Takino, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0862, Japan
Takinoue Park Shibazakura
芝ざくら滝上公園
From early May to early June, the small town of Takinoue transforms into one of the most Instagrammable places in Hokkaido, Japan. Shibazakura, also known as moss pink, moss phlox or creeping phlox blooms, transforming the landscape into a sea of pink, purple and white. In other places in Japan, notably near Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, you can also see Shibazakura but in Takinoue you can stroll through millions of beautiful flowers over 100,000 square meters. It’s a small town without a train station, so it will take a threeand a half-hour drive from Sapporo – but don’t worry there’s plenty of other things to see in do in the area!
town.takinoue.hokkaido.jp
Motomachi, Takinoue, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido 099-5604, Japan
Sapporo Factory
サッポロファクトリー
The Sapporo Factory is a shopping and entertainment complex in downtown Sapporo which is made up of four large buildings. Originally the Sapporo Brewey in 1879 it is now a popular place for eating, shopping and the Sapporo Kaitakushi Brewery where you can observe the brewing process and taste a damn good beer!
As well as some stellar fine dining and standard restaurants, there is also a wine cellar and beer hall – but if you’re looking for the most photogenic spots then it’s definitely the outside of the buildings, where it changes appearance across seasons – again, autumn being my favourite!
sapporofactory.jp
4 Chome Kita 2 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0032
Snow Crystal Museum
雪の美術館
Located in the middle of Hokkaido on the outskirts of Asahikawa and housed within the Hokkaido Traditional Arts & Crafts Village is the mesmerising Snow Crystal Museum. Like a scene out of Beauty and the Beast crossed with Frozen, the European style building surrounded by snow is simply captivating.
Easily one of the most Instagrammable spots in Hokkaido, you will be captivated from the luxe spiralling staircase to the Snow Crystal Museum which is decorated with countless snow crystals and snowflakes. Making your way into ‘The Hallway of Ice’ allows you a closer look at the surrounding ice structures that are constantly changing in the -15 degree Celsius weather outside. Relive your Beauty & the Beast or Frozen fantasies in this one-of-a-kind museum.
yukibi.marryblossom.com
3 Chome-1-1 Minamigaoka, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 070-8028, Japan
Daisetsuzan National Park
大雪山
Spanning over 2000 square kilometres, smack bang in the middle of Hokkaido is Japan’s largest national park, Daisetsuzan National Park – and 100% is easily one of the most Instagrammable places in Hokkaido.
With several mountains surrounding Mt. Daisetsu, some of which are active volcanoes, this unspoiled wilderness is a paradise for outdoorsy types, hikers and nature lovers. Whether you want to hike and snap away or catch the cable car followed by the chairlift to the summit, there are endless ways and opportunities to get all the shots you need for your feed. There’s no better way to finish off your trip to Daisetsuzan National Park than by soaking in one of the numerous onsen in the hot spring towns located in the foothills of the area.
env.go.jp/park/daisetsu/
Yukomanbetsu, Higashikawa, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido Prefecture 071-1472
Mount Yotei
蝦夷富士
Located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Mount Yotei is an active stratovolcano roughly 3 hours from Sapporo – but don’t worry, the last eruption was roughly 6,000 years ago. Also known as Yezo Fuji or Ezo Fuji, Mount Yotei has garnered this nickname based off the old name for the island of Hokkaido (Ezo), due to its resemblance to Mount Fuji.
As one of the tallest peaks in Hokkaido, rising to 1,898 meters, Mount Yotei dominates the skyline of the Niseko Valley and overlooks the largest of Hokkaido’s ski resorts, Rusutsu. If you’re up for hiking there are four trails to the top, generally taking around 4-6 hours. If you’re not up for the hike or venturing out into the cold weather, being a single mountain you can get a 360 degree uninterrupted view anywhere – win-win!
Mount Yōtei, Kawanishi Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0131 Japan
Lake Toya
洞爺湖
Located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park and attributed as one of the three great landscapes of Hokkaido, Lake Toya is also the ninth biggest lake in Japan.
Formed from volcanic activity, this large donut-shaped lake is free to enjoy and one of the most picturesque places to enjoy scenic and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The Shikotsu-Toya National Park is a part of the “Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark” and the surrounding region features several onsen, as well as the perfect place for outdoor adventures including camping, hiking and fishing.
laketoya.com
Toyakonsen, Toyako-cho Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 049-5721, Japan
Sapporo Snow Festival
さっぽろ雪まつり
Probably one of the most notable festivals in Japan and definitely one of the most instagrammable places in Hokkaido is the Sapporo Snow Festival – blending creativity with the winter dreamland of Hokkaido. Think sand sculptures are cool, wait till see you massive ice sculptures that take your breath away!
In 2020, the Sapporo Snow Festival will begin Friday 31 January and end on Wednesday 12 February – and it’s absolutely worth visiting, along with the other 2 million people from Japan and abroad that travel to attend the largest winter festival in Japan. Snow statues, ice sculptures, illuminations and interactive events – there’s so much to enjoy. The Snow Festival is held across three primary locations, Odori Avenue (Odori Park), Susukino, and Tsudome, which are all easy to get to so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything.
Cape Kamui
神威岬
A 2-hour drive from Sapporo is the stunning seaside of Cape Kamui on the Shakotan Peninsula. This is the perfect place for 360 degree panoramic views of the peninsula and the sea called ”Shakotan Blue” which is a popular tourist attraction noted for the jutting steep precipes that protrude into the deep sea.
With a thrilling 800m walking trail that extends to the tip of the cape, the easy hike will take roughly 20-30 minutes each way providing you with refreshing sea breezes and striking views of the clear blue sea. Arriving in the car park provides one of the best vantage points for Instagram snaps, and visitng in the afternoon offers mesmerising sunset views.
Kamui-misaki, Kozakicho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun 046-0321, Hokkaido
Even if you’re not a winter person like me (I could live in summer weather all year round), you have to admit that Japan, and in particular Hokkaido has some of the most amazing places to see. If you want to discover more amazing places in Japan you check out my other Japan articles here!
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Thanks for reading my fellow avid traveller…
Xx Marc
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