JUST 800 KILOMETRES OFF RUSSIA’S southeastern coast, Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest island. Fly into Sapporo, the capital, and wrap up warm as temperatures can drop to -6°C. There’s plenty to see and do before you hit the slopes – take a stroll through Oduri Park, and tour Sapporo Beer Museum to sample some local brews.
THE CHARMING PORT CITY of Otaru is known for its beautifully preserved historic buildings – and resident artisans. This is the place to pick up glassware, antiques, music boxes and kimonos. The Otaru Canal is particularly picturesque, lined with old warehouses that have been converted into museums, shops and restaurants.
NATURE LOVERS MAKE A BEELINE for Shiretoko National Park: the 380-square-kilometre UNESCO World Heritage site is a haven for wildlife, including brown bears, deer, foxes and orcas. You can sign up for a boat tour to enjoy the dramatic coastline or explore the remote wilderness on foot, walking on drift ice and snowshoeing through forests.
NOBORIBETSU-ONSEN IS HOME to Hokkaido’s most famous hot springs: choose from a selection of baths with different mineral compositions, each providing unique health benefits. The town itself is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including Hell Valley (Jigokudani), where you can see volcanic activity up close.
SNOWMOBILE RIDING IS something you really must experience, as is the unrivalled romance of reindeer sledding. With the kids in mind, there’s also igloo-making at Niseko Outdoor Centre and snow tubing at Hanazano Tube Park. Many of Hokkaido’s ski resorts and guesthouses provide sleds free for guests’ use.
HOKKAIDO HOSTS MANY WINTER FESTIVALS and two of the best are held in February. At Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, you can explore ice caves, enjoy ice slides and participate in traditional winter sports, like ice fishing and dog sledding. At Sapporo Snow Festival, artisans gather at the city’s parks to create intricate ice and snow sculptures.
OF ALL HOKKAIDO’S SKI RESORTS, Niseko is the most famous: the japow (powder) is legendary thanks not only to its abundance but also its quality – low water content means the slopes are almost entirely ice free. The Hokkaido ski season runs from November to early May, and Niseko delivers with a world-class mix of challenging runs and beginner-friendly slopes.
