It has always been in our bucket list to visit all the regions of Japan. We have ticked off Toyko, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Nagoya. Hokkaido would be the next in our list. The trip nearly did not happened due to the September 2018 earthquake but we were glad that we took the decision to still fly to the northern region of Japan in October. It was autumn in Hokkaido. The rest was history.
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| Lake Toya |
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| Otaru Canal |
Hokkaido is Japan's largest prefecture and it is impossible to visit every part during our 2 weeks stay. Being this was our first trip there, I planned my trip on the more popular destination at the southern part of Hokkaido. I call it the "Southern Circuit". We would touch down at New Chitose Airport and took a Airport Bus Limousine to our hotel in Sapporo. Sapporo was our base where we would make side trip to Otaru, (a small romantic city famed for it's music boxes and glass wares) and Asahikawa for it's famous Asashiyama Zoo.
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| Google Map Capturing Our Travel Route |
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| The Sapporo TV Tower |
After nearly a week stay in Sapporo, we traveled by JR train (our main transport beside buses and trams) to Lake Toya. Lake Toya is famous for it's onsen and amazing lake view. We simply loved our 2 days stay there. Historic city-Hakodate was next. Apart from it's super fresh seafood, this city has many historic architecture and of course it's global famous night view from Mount Hakodate.
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| Mount Hakodate Night View |
After Hakodate, we would then proceed to Noboribetsu, another area famous for it's onsen. A major attraction here is Jigokudani, also known as "Hell Valley". Sulphuric steams raising from the streams and cracks of the valley gave this place it's notorious reputation. Beware of the many demons that "prowl"and protect this sacred place.Another highlight at Noboribetsu was also the Penguin Parade at the Nixe Marine Park.
