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.
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ReplyDeleteRich information of Hokkaido and I love all the descriptions of your own thoughts! Keep it up and I hope to see more of your amazing content!
ReplyDeleteThank u ��
DeleteThe views from Mount Hakodate at night are beautiful, this is something I would want to see and experience. I also like how you describe the town of Otaru, the Otaru Canal definitely seems like a romantic place to escape to!
ReplyDeleteMount Hakodate is definitely the highlight of this trip!
DeleteI would love to visit Japan and was glad to come across your post with details on Hokkaido . Would definitely want to visit the places along the southern circuit including Lake Toya. That night-time view from Mount Hakodate looks absolutely incredible. I didn’t know about Jigokudani until I read this post. Thanks for sharing all these details – will be referring back to this post as we plan our visit.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful trip in advance :-)
DeleteI had no idea that Hokkaido was so large that you can't see it in two weeks. Lake Toya sounds like a fantastic place to relax. I'd love to visit an onsen.
ReplyDeleteLake Toya is good reason enough for me to visit Hokkaido again!
DeleteI've been to Japan, but yeah, we skip Hokkaido, cause it's large, and kinda far too. But there's so many things we wanted to take a picture in Hokkaido. Well I guess, there's always reason to visit Japan
ReplyDeleteThese give you good reasons and excuses to visit Hokkaido one day :-)
DeleteIt was great reading about Hokkaido. I had no idea it was such a beautiful place to visit. I will definitely include Jigokudani in my bucket list. I loved your pictures and thank you for sharing such detailed post with us.
ReplyDeleteGlad you love the photos :-)
DeleteMy husband and I need to branch out of our Japan travels. So far we've been to Tokyo (2 times), Osaka, Kyoto, and Koya-san. Would love to visit Hokkaido to see Mount Hakodate and Jigokudani. Did you have a chance to see the Furano with the lavendar fields and colorful flowers?
ReplyDeleteWe missed Furano as October is not an ideal time to see the flowers. I understand May to July is the best period.
DeleteTrip to Hokkaido in Japan looks worth with so many beautiful things to do. Lake Toya looks stunning. Even the Otaru canal is very photogenic. I was not knowing about Hokkaido but thanks to your post for introducing wonderful place to me.
ReplyDeleteOne more to your bucket list :-)
DeleteWow, Hell Valley sounds fascinating! I'm curious, does the sulphur smell? We visited a sulphur mine in Indonesia that was so strong and toxic that you had to wear a gas mask. Is this the same? Lots of cool things to see and do!
ReplyDeleteNo gas mask needed but the sulphur did not smell good :-(
DeleteI spent a week in Japan but unfortunately didn't make it to Hokkaido. Lake Toya looks really great, your photos are excellent too.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post! I truly love Japan and I have been fortunate to visit it several times. I always find something new to explore. Just wondering if you managed to see the snow monkeys in Jigokudani?
Missed the snow monkeys but i managed to catch them at Arashiyama.
DeleteThe Otaru Canal and the Hell Valley look interesting. I hope to visit Japan one day, my fiance absolutely loved his trip. Unfortunately, it was before we met.
ReplyDeleteGo for a honeymoon trip to Japan this time :-p
DeleteOtaru Cana looks romantic. It will be high in my list of visit Hokkaido, together seeing the city at night from Mount Hakodate. The city lights look just incredible!
ReplyDeleteYes! Otaru canal at night is the best time to visit. The night view at Mount Hakodate on a good day is breathtaking!
DeleteThis is so interesting: I'm going to Japan next month, but will traval south from Tokyo. However, I would love to visit Hokkaido, hopefully on my next visit. The colors on your pics look so bold - almost surreal.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your stay in Japan and hope you got a chance to visit Hokkaido soon :-)
DeleteWhat a charming city. I haven't visited Japan yet nor did I hear about Hokkaido but I would definitely love to visit after seeing your pictures
ReplyDeleteRemember to put it in your bucket list :-p
DeleteJapan is amazing, but I have never heard about this city before. I will definitely check more out after this blog post.
ReplyDeleteGreat!
DeleteOh wow I had now idea that Hokkaido was so big but it sounds like you packed loads into your visit. My dream is to visit Japan one day
ReplyDeleteLaura x
Hope you realize your dream soon :-)
DeleteMount Hekodate looks awesome at night. Hell valley seems to be interesting for exploration. I liked all the descriptive information about your 2 weeks exploration around Japan.
ReplyDeleteThank u :-)
DeleteNice....
ReplyDeleteLove u all....
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