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Hokkaido is the second largest, northernmost and least
developed of Japan's four main islands.
Hokkaido's weather is harsh in winter with lots of
snowfall, below zero temperatures and frozen seas, while in
summer, it does not get as hot and humid as in the other parts of the country.
With its unspoiled nature, Hokkaido attracts many outdoor lovers,
including skiers and snowboarders in the colder seasons
and hikers, cyclists and campers from June to September.
Attractions
Daisetsuzan
Daisetsuzan is Hokkaido's largest national park. It preserves
a densely forested, mountainous area of virtually unspoiled
wilderness, which equals more than ten times the size of Osaka
City. It is a paradise for hikers, outdoor lovers, deer and
brown bears.
Shiretoko National Park
Shiretoko National Park, located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, is one of Japan's most beautiful and unspoiled national parks. No roads lead further than about three fourth up the peninsula, and the northern tip can only be viewed from boats or be reached on multi day trekking tours.
The peninsula is home to a variety of wildlife, including brown bears, dear and foxes. In winter, the peninsula's coast along the Sea of Okhotsk becomes one of the northern hemisphere's southernmost regions to see drift ice.
In July 2005, Shiretoko was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for the irreplaceable value of the peninsula's ecosystem and biodiversity.
Rishirito (Rishiri Island)
Rishiri viewed from Rebun
Rishirito (Rishiri Island) and Rebunto (Rebun Island) are two small islands near the northern tip of Hokkaido. The islands are part of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park and offer beautiful hiking trails, costal sceneries, alpine flowers and small fishing villages.
Rishiri is a round island with the 1721 meter tall Mount Rishiri at its center. Due to its appearance, the dormant volcano is also known as Rishiri-Fuji. Rebun is longer and flatter than Rishiri and most famous for its wealth of alpine flowers found at sea level due to the harsh climate.
Lake Toya (Toyako)
Lake Toya (Toyako) is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Besides the beautiful lake, the area offers hiking, fishing and camping opportunities, as well as hot springs and close up views of one of Japan's most active volcano's, Mount Usu (Usuzan), which most recently erupted in the year 2000.
HOW TO GET HERE :
How to travel between Hakodate and Tokyo
By air:
JAL (3 flights/day), ANA (2 flights/day) and Air Do (2 flights/day) offer direct flights between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Hakodate Airport. The flight duration is about 80 minutes.
The regular one way fare by JAL and ANA is about 27,000 Yen, with discount tickets usually available from around 20,000 Yen.
The regular one way fare by the discount airline Air Do is about 22,000 Yen, with discount tickets usually available from around 17,000 Yen. If you book at least 45 days in advance, you qualify for the Air Do Special, which costs just 10,000 Yen for the one way flight.
Foreign tourists should consider Japan air passes. Note, however, that many discount tickets are not available during travel peak seasons.
Hakodate Airport is a 20 minute bus ride (300 Yen) outside of central Hakodate. For access details to Tokyo's Haneda Airport, click here.
By daytime trains:
Take a hayate train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hachinohe (3 hours), its terminal station. Note that a seat reservation is required on the hayate train. Then, take a limited express train from Hachinohe to Hakodate (3 hours). The one way fare from Tokyo to Hakodate is about 18,000 Yen.
Rail passes worth considering for a round trip to Hakodate are the nationwide Japan Rail Pass (available to foreign tourists only) and the Futari No Kitatohoku Hakodate Free Kippu (available to any man and woman traveling together).
By night train:
Several night trains operate from Tokyo (Ueno Station) to Sapporo each night, making a stop in Hakodate along the way. Most of them reach Hakodate in the early morning hours around 4am, but the Hokutosei #3, leaving Tokyo around 7pm, stops in Hakodate at a more reasonable 6am. In the opposite direction, night trains leave Hakodate between 9pm and midnight.
The one way journey by Hokutosei in the cheapest type berth costs around 21,000 Yen. Note that the Japan Rail Pass covers only part of the cost for traveling on all-berth night trains. Pass holders will have to pay a supplement of about 12,000 Yen when using the Hokutosei night train in the cheapest type berth.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation:
Central Hakodate with JR Hakodate Station, the old Motomachi district and Mount Hakodate are located on an distinctively shaped peninsula. The city is served by two tram lines and a bus network. A ropeway leads to the top of Mount Hakodate, which is also accessible by city bus.
Hakodate Airport is located about five kilometers east of the city center. Airport buses (by Hakodate Teisan Bus) operate every 20 minutes between Hakodate Station and the airport, taking 20 minutes and costing 300 Yen for the one way journey, while less frequent city buses (by Hakodate Bus) do the journey in 30 minutes and for 280 Yen one way.
Single rides on trams cost between 200 and 240 Yen, depending on the distance traveled. A day pass for unlimited use of trams is available for 600 Yen. A day pass for unlimited use of trams and Hakodate Bus buses (not including the Hakodate Teisan buses to the airport) is available for 1000 Yen, while a 2-day pass for trams and Hakodate Bus buses costs 1700 Yen.
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