Title: Visit Hokkaido Prefecture: 2026 Travel Guide for Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan | Expedia.com [Hokkaido Prefecture Hotels](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Hokkaido-Prefecture.d6048149.Hotel-Destinations)[Vacation Rentals in Hokkaido Prefecture](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Hokkaido-Prefecture.d6048149.Vacation-Rental-Destinations)[Hokkaido Prefecture Flights](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Hokkaido-Prefecture.d6048149.Flight-Destinations)[Things to do in Hokkaido Prefecture](https://expedia.com/Things-To-Do-In-Hokkaido-Prefecture.d6048149.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Car Rentals in Hokkaido Prefecture](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Hokkaido-Prefecture.d6048149.Car-Rental-Destinations)[Hokkaido Prefecture Vacations](https://expedia.com/Hokkaido-Prefecture.d6048149.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Hokkaido Prefecture ## Japan ![Nijo Market which includes food](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6224103/01abb7fd-161b-4f07-9206-e4e9103a590c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Nijo Market which includes food](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6224103/01abb7fd-161b-4f07-9206-e4e9103a590c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Hakodate showing a city, night scenes and landscape views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6128244/814e6aa7-3cb3-4332-9a46-244053afa39f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Sapporo showing a city, landscape views and a sunset](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248633981721842/c58735d0-2616-4ca3-8bd9-0c2ba6bce676.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Shirahige Falls which includes rapids, landscape views and a gorge or canyon](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532776851/192e0268-fa0e-4a7e-b285-ce91f862793f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### This mostly undeveloped northern Japanese island features drift ice and hosted the Olympic winter games. It has some of Japan’s harshest winters. If you are visiting Japan during the winter, consider dropping by its northernmost island, Hokkaido. As Japan’s snowiest island, Hokkaido is where residents from across Japan go to ski, see drift ice from the Russian seas and warm up in hot springs. Outside winter, Hokkaido is still a natural paradise worth visiting, with one twentieth of Japan’s large population on one fifth of its total landmass. Hike across volcanic mountain ranges, enjoy the blossom-filled city parks and explore the famous lavender fields of the central farmland. You may not have expected drift ice to be part of your itinerary when deciding to visit Japan, but that’s exactly what you will find in the northeasterly Shiretoko National Park. The thick layer of oceanic ice drifts down from Russia’s Sea of Okhotsk. Book an ice-walking tour to step out on the ice in a wetsuit, although expect to do some swimming in dangerously cold water if the ice is thin. Find more wintertime activities in Daisetsuzan National Park at the heart of the island. Known as the “roof of Hokkaido” for containing the highest peaks on the island, the volcanic range is a great place to ski. Outside winter, see some of Hokkaido’s most spectacular countryside in the central region around Furano. Vibrant lavender fields cover a significant portion of the farmland here. Visit Farm Tomita for a view of a picturesque hillside covered in parallel strips of lavender and wildflowers of various colors. Hokkaido’s main cities are filled with natural areas as well. Explore the island’s capital of Sapporo, site of the 1972 Olympics. The 13-block Ōdōri Park runs from east to west through the center of the city. Hakodate, a port city on the southern tip of the island, features a star-shaped park covered in cherry trees. Take a gondola up nearby Mount Hakodate to look out over the cityscape, especially beautiful at night. The quickest way to reach Hokkaido is to fly from Tokyo to Sapporo. You can also reach the island by train or ferry. ### Popular cities in Hokkaido Prefecture [Sapporo Known for Festivals, Seafood and Sightseeing ](https://expedia.com/Sapporo.dx6054145) With ski slopes, parks, beer gardens and festivals, this sprawling city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido has something to offer year-round. ## Reasons to visit - Sapporo Dome - Tanukikoji Shopping Street - Odori Park [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Sapporo.dx6054145)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Sapporo-Hotels.d6054145.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Hakodate Known for Shopping, Seafood and Tours ](https://expedia.com/Hakodate.dx6128244) This large city on Japan’s northernmost island has a medley of architectural styles, spectacular nature and some of the freshest seafood in the country. ## Reasons to visit - Fort Goryokaku - Mount Hakodate - Hakodate Ropeway [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Hakodate.dx6128244)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Hakodate-Hotels.d6128244.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Asahikawa Known for Skiing, Zoo and Rivers ](https://expedia.com/Asahikawa.dx6143139) Visit mouthwatering ramen shops, sample Japan’s famous sake, meet wild animals and hike on the tallest peak of Hokkaido island. ## Reasons to visit - Asahiyama Zoo - Kamui Ski Links - Asahikawa Ramen Village [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Asahikawa.dx6143139)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Asahikawa-Hotels.d6143139.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Furano Known for Friendly people, Skiing and Mountains ](https://expedia.com/Furano.dx182156) Experience the skiing, mountains, and coffee in Furano! ## Reasons to visit - Furano Ski Resort - Ningle Terrace - Furano Shrine [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Furano.dx182156)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Furano-Hotels.d182156.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Kutchan Known for Skiing, Snowboarding and Small town ](https://expedia.com/Kutchan.dx6126709) Trendy Kutchan is calling! Discover its skiing, hot springs, coffee, and more. ## Reasons to visit - Niseko Mountain Resort Grand Hirafu - Mount Yotei [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Kutchan.dx6126709)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Kutchan-Hotels.d6126709.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Niseko Known for Skiing, Mountains and Small town ](https://expedia.com/Niseko.dx6128413) Four ski resorts, one dramatic mountain and lots of fun await powder hounds who travel to this top Japanese skiing destination. ## Reasons to visit - Annupuri - Niseko Annupuri Gondola [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Niseko.dx6128413)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Niseko-Hotels.d6128413.Travel-Guide-Hotels) ## Cities in Hokkaido Prefecture ![Sapporo TV Tower which includes night scenes, a city and landscape views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6104012/f8fa157e-15a4-4533-84ef-b21cb5b53110.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Sapporo (and vicinity) With ski slopes, parks, beer gardens and festivals, this sprawling city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido has something to offer year-round. ![Hakodate showing heritage elements and a sunset](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6128244/c0e756c4-e260-4d88-9d8b-a8f102112e92.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Hakodate This large city on Japan’s northernmost island has a medley of architectural styles, spectacular nature and some of the freshest seafood in the country. ![Niseko showing snow, mountains and snow skiing](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6128413/6996058c-eded-42e1-90c4-6b2dea6c0cca.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Niseko Four ski resorts, one dramatic mountain and lots of fun await powder hounds who travel to this top Japanese skiing destination. ![Asahikawa which includes street scenes, a sunset and a city](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6143139/3565316b-57f9-4996-86df-de10b89e390b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Asahikawa Visit mouthwatering ramen shops, sample Japan’s famous sake, meet wild animals and hike on the tallest peak of Hokkaido island. ![Rusutsu Resort showing night scenes, snow skiing and snow](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6102606/2f4bb0d6-7254-48ba-b5d0-cb3d692f9709.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Rusutsu Visit a fabulous winter playground with miles of skiable trails for all levels and lots of snow-based fun away from the slopes. ![](https://forever.travel-assets.com/flex/flexmanager/images/2026/02/06/expedia-sale-2026-desktop-us-ca.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1400&h=600&q=mediumHigh) ## The Annual Vacation Sale Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. 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