If Hokkaido isn’t on every adventure traveller’s bucket list, it should be. Here, adventure happens on a scale that’s hard to find anywhere else. This is a place where mountains dominate the center, coastlines stretch along three different seas and Indigenous Ainu culture adds layers of meaning. Forget the busyness of Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and other over-touristed sites. Adventure in Hokkaido is uncrowded and epic. These travel tips will help you discover a side of Japan that feels refreshingly off the beaten path.
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Adventure in Hokkaido
Whether you’re chasing powder in winter or hiking volcanic peaks in summer, you’ll find plenty of adventure in Hokkaido. This guide reveals several Hokkaido travel tips most visitors have no clue about. From what adventures you can’t miss to where to stay in Sapporo to getting the assistance you need if you don’t speak Japanese, we’ve got you covered.
Where is Hokkaido?
Japan’s second-largest and northernmost main island sits at the northern end of the Japanese archipelago. Hokkaido is bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west, the Sea of Okhotsk to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south.
Its location results in a colder climate with significant snowfall each winter, which is exactly why adventure seekers flock here when the temperature drops. But we’re not talking crazy cold. It’s just a bit colder than Japan’s largest island of Honshu, where Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt. Fuji and Hiroshima are located.
Sapporo is Hokkaido’s capital, and you’ll want to spend at least a few days in this buzzy city. Definitely venture down Ramen Alley to taste Hokkaido’s three famous ramen styles. Sapporo is renowned for its miso ramen, but I’m more tempted by shoyu (soya sauce) ramen.
Hokkaido Adventure 101
Hokkaido has generated a lot of buzz in recent years for its legendary powder, making it one of the world’s best skiing and snowboarding destinations. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Hokkaido adventure.
When summer arrives, that same terrain transforms into hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and rivers ripe for all forms of paddling. The landscape is protected by several national parks and cultural sites for the Ainu and Jomon cultures.
But where to begin? How does a non-Japanese speaker actually nail off their favourite outdoor adventure activities?
Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide
What sets Hokkaido apart from other destinations is the way the government has thoughtfully developed a program to help tourists get the most out of their travels.
The Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide certification system ensures safe and authentic adventure travel experiences across the island. Every certified guide meets international standards, including emergency and lifesaving certification. All guides are fluent in English, and many have lived in Canada and the US, so they understand what North American travellers are looking for.
These guides know Hokkaido like the back of their hand. With this insider knowledge, you can be assured you’re seeing and doing the very best of all Hokkaido has to offer. And that’s a lot.
Besides the exceptional natural surroundings and nature-based activities for all ages, the island offers loads of cultural experiences. Hokkaido is the traditional home of the Ainu, and you’ll also find many Jomon heritage sites scattered throughout the island.
Hokkaido Guide Recommendations
I was lucky enough to travel with several of Hokkaido’s Adventure Travel Guides. Here are my recommendations for guides and their specialties.
Arai Kazuhiro for Mountain and Cultural Adventures
Kazu is the co-founder of Adventure Hokkaido, and is an excellent choice for any adventure activity. Kind, patient and highly knowledgeable, Kazu can answer any question, whether it’s about geography, history or the Ainu people.
Daisetsuzan National Park is Japan’s largest mountain park, and Kazu is an excellent choice to guide you through this wonder. He launched a nature school here, which leads tours (including for kids) and fosters sustainable community development.
Contact Kazi by email: [email protected] or via hokkaido-adventuretravel.com
Yuko Fujimori for Soft Adventure and Cultural Experiences
In addition to being an Adventure Travel Guide, Yuko is a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. She travels all over Japan leading tours, but is based in Hokkaido. Yuko loves working with families, so if you’re travelling with young children or elderly individuals, you’ll find a sympathetic host.
Contact Yuko by email: [email protected]
Nara Wataru for Backcountry and Any Crazy Adventure
If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay in Sapporo, Wataru not only owns a guesthouse but also serves as a guide.
SappoLodge offers dorm rooms plus private rooms for 1 to 3 people. You’ll have access to a communal kitchen, and there’s even a climbing wall. On the main floor is a full-service restaurant and bar where you can share the day’s adventures with new friends. Much of this guesthouse was handmade by Wataru himself, who incidentally spent two years at an Antarctic research station.
Wataru leads backcountry trips right from Sapporo. In winter, you can go backcountry skiing through secret powder stashes. He can also take you snowshoeing and ice fishing.
In summer, Wataru runs multi-day trips that include hiking, biking and camping. He’s also a proficient paddler (SUP, kayak) and can take you mountaineering if you’re into climbing.
The best part? He just opened a campsite on the western tip of Hokkaido, known for its intensely blue sea.
Contact SappoLodge: sappolodge.com and you can contact Wataru by email: [email protected]
Ishizuka Yuya for Cycling
Yuya runs a cycling company called Cycling Frontiers. They lead tours all over Hokkaido and have English-speaking guides, though Yuya’s English is pretty solid too.
Senda Ayako for Snowboarding and Rafting
Ayako is an instructor at Furano’s ski resort. If you’ve heard of Hokkaido’s legendary silky snow, Furano is where you’ll find it. During the summer months, she also works as a rafting guide. We really hit it off because Ayako used to live in Canmore, Alberta, just like me.
Contact Ayako by email: [email protected]
Sasaki Mihoko for Volcanoes and Jomon Culture
Mihoko is a volcano meister, which means she knows a lot about volcanoes from a scientific, historical and hot spring perspective. If you’re fascinated by Japan’s ancient Jomon culture, you’re in luck. This is another area of her expertise. Mihoko has permission to guide guests through Jomon ruins in areas off-limits to the general public.
Contact Mihoko by email: [email protected]
You’re in good hands if you sign up for an outdoor adventure in Hokkaido with any of these guides. I’ve personally met and vetted them all.
Have you ever travelled to Hokkaido? I’d love to hear your tips.
