Hokkaido: Amazing Places to Enjoy This Summer!

Hokkaido stands apart from the rest of Japan, especially in summer. While much of the country swelters in heat and humidity, this island in the north feels like a cool breath of fresh air. With endless fields of flowers, misty lakes, fresh mountain breezes, and gentle festivals, Hokkaido’s summer is a world uniquely its own. Let’s look at explore five locations worth visiting during this time of year!

Sapporo

No journey to Hokkaido in the summer feels complete without stopping in Sapporo. It is the island’s biggest city. During this time of year, Sapporo transforms into a place of festivals, music, and open-air evenings. The mild and pleasant weather makes city strolls easy. These walks might be too hot in Tokyo or Kyoto.

Odori Park cuts through the center of Sapporo. In the heart of summer, it becomes like an open living room for the city. The Sapporo Summer Festival fills the park with lively crowds, night stalls, music, and the smells of festival food. The beer garden is one of the largest in Japan. It invites locals and travelers alike to relax among friends and strangers. Walking under the green shade of Odori Park’s trees and listening to happy conversations feels like a gentle pause in city life.

Furano

The island’s most iconic summer destination might be Furano, which is in Hokkaido’s central region. Across rolling hills, the landscape becomes a patchwork of vibrant color—lavender, red poppy, sunflowers, and soft blue flax stretch as far as the eye can see. Nowhere else in Japan are such dramatic flower fields so easily accessible.

The best-known of Furano’s flower wonders is Farm Tomita. This spot has become a legend for its neatly arranged rows of purple lavender, blossoming at their peak in July. The sweet scent drifts on the wind, and the sight of the hills under summer skies draws visitors with cameras and sketchbooks. Other farms offer the chance to see vast lines of sunflowers, try flower-picking, or even make lavender-scented crafts.

Beyond flowers, Furano is famous for its local foods—Furano cheese, rich soft-serve ice cream, and fresh farm-baked bread. In town, the quirky Hokkai Heso Matsuri (“belly button festival”) adds a dose of laughter to summer, where dancers paint faces on their bellies and perform in the streets, continuing a tradition meant to bring good fortune and happiness.

Biei

Biei, sitting north of Furano, offers another side of Hokkaido’s legendary landscapes. While Furano is famous for rolling hills, Biei is known for its “patchwork hills” and quiet, almost painted scenes. The hills shift in color through the season, with new crops and wildflowers blooming in turns. Visits here feel unrushed, as if time itself has slowed with the wind.

One of Biei’s most famous summer sites is the Shirogane Blue Pond. Created to trap volcanic runoff, the pond’s mysterious blue shade has become world-famous. On clear days, the water glows an almost electric turquoise, with pale tree trunks rising from below the surface. The sight is both eerie and beautiful, drawing travelers for a gentle walk and quiet contemplation.

Biei is also known for its panoramic viewing points—lookouts where you can gaze at the fields of potatoes, wheat, and flowers rippling in the breeze. The Patchwork Road and Panorama Road offer cycling and driving routes past these famous hillsides. Every view is unique, and visitors stop frequently for new photos, sketches, or simply to soak in the atmosphere.

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Shiretoko Peninsula: Hokkaido in Nature

The Shiretoko Peninsula is the answer for those searching for Hokkaido’s untamed edge. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shiretoko preserves some of Japan’s wildest, most untouched nature. In summer, the harsh cold of winter recedes, uncovering dense forests, hidden waterfalls, and trails where wild deer and foxes still roam freely.

Summer brings easier access to hiking trails, especially around the Shiretoko Five Lakes, where wooden walkways allow visitors to cross wetlands and catch glimpses of the peninsula’s mountains mirrored in still water. Guided walks help you spot flowers unique to Hokkaido and the region’s famous brown bears (from a safe distance).

The peninsula’s coastline is a major highlight. Whale and dolphin-watching tours leave from local harbors. It is not uncommon to see orcas or sperm whales in the open water. The crisp, foggy air and haunting seabird sounds create a feeling of one of Japan’s last great wildernesses. Shiretoko also holds a stronghold in Ainu culture. Local museums offer insights into Hokkaido’s indigenous people. They complement the natural beauty with stories and traditional crafts.

Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu, not far from Sapporo, is where deep, clean water perfectly reflects the green mountains on calm summer days. Known for its incredible clarity, the lake is considered one of the cleanest in Japan. The blue color—sometimes called “Shikotsu Blue”—is eye-catching, and visitors are often surprised at how far down they can see into the water.

In summer, Lake Shikotsu is a dream for those who love gentle outdoor activities. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards dot the water, while sightseeing boats glide for wider lake views. Forest trails around the lakeshore offer peaceful hiking, with birdsong and the rustle of breeze in the trees as constant companions. The lake’s volcanic origins mean hot springs are never far away, and local inns provide relaxing baths with a view of the lake’s calm surface.

Why does Hokkaido draw travelers back each summer?

The answer lies in Hokkaido’s blend of nature, tradition, and slow, friendly summer days. Whether surrounded by city lights, fields of violet, peaceful blue ponds, wild peninsulas, or mirrored lakes, each place offers a gentle, memorable experience and a new view into Hokkaido’s welcoming world. Have you explored Hokkaido in the summer or do you have a dream spot to visit? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments; we’d love to hear about your Hokkaido summer adventure!