The best things to do when in Hokkaido Japan

Hit the slopes at Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

Sapporo Teine Ski Resort is considered to have one of best snow quality and course layouts in Japan. It’s just 25km from downtown Sapporo and about 40 minutes by public transportation. The resort has terrain to cater for beginners, experts and everyone in between, plus a park exclusively for kids so they can develop their skills.

The world was introduced to Mount Teineyama in 1972 as the first Winter Olympics venue in Asia. It has an altitude of 1023 metres, so from the top you can easily look over the magnificent Ishikari plain and Sapporo City.

Sapporo Teine Ski Resort features facilities including the Olympia Ski Centre – a ski in-ski out zone -, ski school, ski hire, restaurants, a snack house.

Indulge in Sapporo’s food scene

Offering the succulent seafood, deep bowls of ramen and Jingiskan, Sapporo will have your tastebuds dancing.

Crab, tuna, urchin, salmon – you name it Hokkaido is home to the freshest seafood in Japan. Plankton-rich waters and low water temperatures provide extra nourishment to fish and crustaceans. If you’re not sure where to start, The Sapporo Nijo Fish Market is the best place to sample seafood and watch local fishmongers in action. 

A trip to Sapporo isn’t complete without tasting the city’s specialty ramen. Chefs will top the rich and thick soup with ingredients such as butter, corn, and Char-siu (pork). They will refine the broth with miso paste to create a flavour that is unique to Sapporo and will leave you coming back for more.

To finish off with something sweet, take a bite of a Shime Parfait or “night parfait” as people traditionally eat it at the end of a night out. Eating a gorgeous Shime Parfait at the end of the day is a part of the daily culture of Sapporo citizens. Let’s try a Shime Parfait and feel the culture of Sapporo!

Stroll around Susukino

Susukino – or downtown Sapporo – is Japan’s largest entertainment district north of Tokyo.

Flashing with bright neon lights and packed with restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas and karoke clubs, Suskino is the place to let your hair down.

The neon sign, a symbol of downtown Susukino, is a sign for Nikka Whisky, which is known worldwide. In Susukino, enjoy bar hopping to enjoy Hokkaido’s local sake, Nikka Whisky, Japanese sake, Sapporo beer and craft beer.

To get there, Susukino Station is one stop from Odori Station and two stops from Sapporo Station on the Nanboku Subway Line.

Snowshoe trekking in Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park

Come and explore the beauties of snow covered forests at the foot of Mt Rishiri, on snowshoes at your own pace. Snowshoeing is a great way to immerse yourself in the winter wilderness of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. 

The snow activity doesn’t require any prior technical skill, meaning it’s easy for almost anyone to take part.

With the help of a guide you will explore one of the most popular trails in Japan. Marvel at the sight of Mt. Rishiri – the beautifully cone-shaped mountain is a recognisable symbol of the park.

Enjoy the drift ice season at Shiretoko National Park

During winter you’ll be lucky enough to witness the spectacular phenomenon of drift ice or “ryuhyo” in Japanese. Detached pieces of ice drift with the wind or ocean currents, creating a stunning natural mosaic.

Shiretoko National Park is the spot to see the phenomenon, the ice usually appears along the peninsula by late January and disappears again by early April. You can see it by participating in various drift ice activities.

A drift ice walk will take you close to the action. You’ll wear a special dry suited with integrated shoes. It’s waterproof and buoyant so you can play among the drift ice without a worry.

Another way of enjoying the winter landscape is by cycling. Fatbikes have super thick tires, so they’re stable even on snowy roads. If you’re a beginner who isn’t familiar with riding on snowy terrain, don’t fret, an accompanying guide will help.  

Special cruises are available in the Sea of Okhotsk, so that you can enjoy the drift ice from a boat. From January to March, a cruise ship operate in Rausu, while two drift ice breakers operate in Abashiri and Monbetsu. The Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora works by riding its bow into the ice and breaking it with the power of its own weight.