Fall Sightseeing: Top Activities

From October to early November, Hokkaido's forests turn into a carpet of spectacular foliage, with breathtaking views after each bend in the road. Top foliage sightseeing places include Jozankei's Hoheikyo Dam, Niseko's Goshiki Onsen, Mt. Asahidake's Sugatami Plateau, Sounkyo Gorge, Lake Akan National Park and Onuma Lake. However, there is much more on offer in Hokkaido's autumn then foliage: The list below includes some of our favorite activities, with plenty of cultural, historical, and nature-oriented sites to choose from.

Sapporo / Central Hokkaido

SAPPORO Nijo Fish Market ~ Former Hokkaido Governor's Office ~ Hokkaido Shrine ~ Sapporo Clock Tower ~ Sapporo TV Tower ~ Shiroi Koibito Park (Chocolate Factory) ~ Susukino Nightlife ~ Maruyama Zoo ~ Okurayama Ski Jump Museum & Viewpoint ~ Sapporo Wholesale Market ~ Mt. Moiwa Ropeway ~ Mt. Maruyama ~ Nishioka Koen Nature Reserve ~ Moerenuma Park ~ Nakajima Park ~ Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade ~ Sapporo Beer Factory ~ Sapporo Art Park ~ Jozankei Hot Springs Resort ~ Hoheikyo Dam Foliage ~ Lake Shikotsu ~ Historical Village of Hokkaido ~ Salmon Museum ~ Ramen Alley ~ Museum of Modern Art ~ Satoland Sapporo ~ Dairy Farms ~ Hill of the Buddha
 
OTARU Otaru Canal ~ Otaru Canal Boat Trips ~ Otaru Aquarium ~ Mt. Tengu Yama Ropeway ~ Herring Mansion ~ Sakaimachi Street ~ Tanaka Sake Brewery ~ LeTao Chocolate ~ Kitaichi Glass Factory ~ Music Box Museum ~ Fruit Picking ~ Charter Boats

NOBORIBETSU/LAKE TOYA Noboribetsu Hot Springs ~ Hell Valley ~ Date Jidaimura Historical Theme Park ~ Shiraoi Upopoy National Ainu Museum & Village ~ Lake Toya Sightseeing Cruise & Nakajima Island Nature Trails ~ Marine Park Nixe ~ Lake Kuttara ~ Lake Hill Farm ~ Silo Observatory ~ Mt. Usu-zan Ropeway & Crater Rim Observatory

NISEKO  Hot Springs ~ Mount Yotei ~ Kyogoku Freshwater Spring ~ Goshiki Onsen Foliage 

Central / Northern Hokkaido

​FURANO/BIEI Biei Blue Pond ~ Fukiage "Wild" Hot Spring ~ Tokachidake Onsen Resort  ~ Shirahige Falls ~ Farm Visits ~ Flower Fields ~ Fruit Picking ~ Furano Cheese Factory ~ Tomita Farm ~ Ningle Terrace

ASAHIKAWA/KAMIKAWA Asahiyama Zoo ~ Asahidake Ropeway ~ Asahidake Onsen Resort ~ Kurodake Ropeway ~ Sounkyo Onsen Resort ~ Waterfalls ~ Sake Breweries ~ Farm Visits ~ Ginsendai Foliage  

WAKKANAI Cape Soya ~ Wakkanai Park ~ Harbor Seal Observatory ~ Lake Onuma Bird Observatory ~ Noshappu Aquarium ~ Hot Springs ~ Port Market ~ Rishiri Island ~ Rebun Island

Eastern Hokkaido

​KUSHIRO Fisherman's Wharf ~ Nusamai Bridge ~ Kushiro Wetlands N.P. ~  Washo Market ~ Bear Park ~ Red-Crested Cranes Observatory ~ Shikaribetsu Lake ~ Tokachigawa Onsen ~ Ryugetsu Sweetpia Dessert Factory

LAKE AKAN/ LAKE KUSSHARO Akan Lake ~ Akan Kotan Ainu Village ~ Marimo Algae ~ Kussharo Lake ~ Sunayu Sand Hot Springs ~ "Wild" Hot Springs ~ Mashu Lake ~ Lake Onneto ~ Mt. Meakan ~ Mt. Iou Geothermal Park ~ Ikoro Ainu Theater

SHIRETOKO/ABASHIRI Five Lakes ~ Shiretoko Pass ~ "Wild" Hot Springs ~ Nature Cruise Ferries ~ Abashiri Prison Museum ~ Museum of Northern Peoples ~ Cape Nosappu ~ Shunkunitai Wild Bird Sanctuary ~ Whale & Dolphin Watching ~ Bear Spotting Cruises ~ Lake Furen ~ Okhotsk Tokkari Seal Center ~ Notsuke Peninsula ~ Cape Notoro

Southern Hokkaido
​HAKODATE REGION Mount Hakodate Ropeway ~ Nightview ~ Tsugaru Fort ~ Goryokaku Fort & Tower ~ Motomachi District ~ Red Brick Warehouses ~ Morning Market ~ Matsumae Fort ~ Onuma Lake N.P. ~ "Wild" Hot Springs ~ Trappist Monastery ~ Squid Fishing