Spring Activities: April - June
Spring - the season of rebirth - is dramatic in Hokkaido. As winter snow and ice melt from the city streets, rolling farmland and snow-laden mountains, new shoots take their place in multi-hued greens. Bamboos stand tall, birch, spruce and oak bring forth new leaves, and tulip and iris bloom in mass. Even the fabled cherry blossoms have their day in early May, with Hakodate, Matsumae and Sapporo being well-known for their sakura hanami festivals.

There is a large variety of spring activities, with a fraction of the crowds, for those lucky enough to come. Please check-out our Spring Activities page to see what's available.   

Spring Sightseeing

Our English speaking guides will accompany you to the best sightseeing spots in Hokkaido from the comfort of private vehicles to visit temples, museums, zoos, aquariums, farms, distilleries and anywhere else you may want to go.
 
Half-day to multi-day sightseeing tours are available all over Hokkaido.. Visit the Spring Sightseeing page to learn more about the top activities offered in the spring season.

Time of Year: April - June
Fitness Level: All levels

Spring Gourmet

Hokkaido's cuisine is famous throughout Japan and across Asia. Come with us on a Gourmet Tour to sample the best seafood, beef, lamb, Genghis Khan, soup curry, ramen, soft cream, dessert houses, cafes and many, many other great eats.

We visit a wide variety of gourmet locations - local restaurants, famous establishments, homestead farms and wholesale markets, to name a few - all according to your taste and budget. Springtime also offers fruit picking across Hokkaido, with strawberries and cherries leading the charge. Indulge in all-you-can-eat fruit picking; fun for the whole family. 

Gourmet Tours: Available across Hokkaido throughout the year. 
Fruit Picking:  May - October

Spring Festivals & Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Viewing

Hokkaido's spring festivals are centered around the abundance of flowers in full bloom found in every corner of the island: Sakura (cherry blossoms), azaleas, lilacs, tulips and moss phlox compete for attention between the months of April to June. 

There is always a festival occurring somewhere in Hokkaido during the springtime, so we will try to include at least one in your tour.

Time of Year: April - June

Hot Springs  

Few experiences are as iconic to Japan as a long soak in a hot spring, and none are more relaxing. We are veritable connoisseurs of Hokkaido's hot springs offerings: Small ryoukans, large hotels, "wild" hot springs, foot baths and even hot springs waterfalls are all possible in Hokkaido.  

Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels

Spring Wildlife & Zoos

Although spotting wildlife in the spring can be challenging, when it does happen it feels all the more exhilarating: A brown bear resting on a snow-covered mountain slope; ezo deer grazing in a forest; hungry kitsune (Hokkaido foxes) venturing timidly in search of food. Other spring wildlife encounters may include Steller's Sea Eagles in eastern Hokkaido, red-crowned cranes north of Kushiro or all manner of birds island-wide. 

If you're not lucky enough to spot wildlife during your tour, Hokkaido has some fantastic zoos and aquariums where you can quickly become acquainted with the island's local fauna. Take a look at our Spring Wildlife & Zoos page for more information.      

Time of Year: April - June
Fitness Level: All levels

Hokkaido Farm Visits & Horseback Riding

For people who lead busy lives in crowded cities, farm visits are a great way to unwind and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of farm life. Overnight farm stays include vegetable, fruit, dairy and sheep farms; from just outside Sapporo to the pasture land of eastern Hokkaido. This is your chance to milk a Holstein, shear a sheep or just watch the asparagus grow before you munch it down over a slow-cooked country dinner. 

​Horseback riding is another popular and relaxing way to get back in touch with nature. You can participate in beginner to advanced horseback rides all over Hokkaido on seaside, grassland, hilly and forested courses. 

Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels

Ferry & Boat Excursions

Hokkaido offers many boating opportunities at the plentiful lakes, rivers and coastlines that bless the island. The ferry rides at Lake Toya, Lake Shikotsu, Lake Onuma and Lake Akan are a relaxing way to take in spectacular volcanic scenery. Nature cruises at the Sea of Okhotsk and Tsugaru Strait are remarkable for their wildlife viewing, and can include dolphin and whale-watching, birding and more. There are also charter services available for private tours around remote coastline regions. Ferry & boating excursions are available in spring, summer and fall. 

Time of Year: April - November
Fitness Level: All levels

Hiking & Trekking

The mountains of Hokkaido welcome back hikers and trekkers after the long winter, with the snow pack being stable enough to not require snowshoes starting in early May at all but the highest peaks.

We offer complete mountain guiding across Hokkaido, with many years of hiking and trekking experience both in Japan and abroad. Hikes can last a few hours to a few weeks, and by hiking and trekking with us you'll receive excellent service with private transportation, the best of Hokkaido's hot springs selections, high safety standards and an intimate connection with nature.   ​

Time of Year: April - November 
Fitness Level: All levels

Gliders & Hot Air Ballooning

Takikawa glider flights are an incredible way to see Hokkaido's landscape from the Ishikari Plains to the Daisetsuzan National Park mountain range. Flights last about 30 minutes from take-off to landing. The perfect silence of the descending glider will leave a strong impression that is completely different from an airplane flight.

Hot air balloon flights are also available in the spring season, with operators from Niseko, Furano and eastern Hokkaido flying daily when the weather cooperates.  The Hot Air Balloon Festival in August is a main drawcard for Hokkaido's ballooning enthusiasts.     

Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels

Adventure Activities

For those seeking adrenaline on their visit to Hokkaido, adventure activities are for you. On offer are whitewater rafting, river and sea kayaking, bridge swinging, canyoning and stand-up paddle boarding and more, with transportation to/from Sapporo included.    

We work with licensed professional operators who maintain the highest safety standards in their industry. Contact us for more information on how to include adventure activities in your tour.

Time of Year: April - November
Fitness Level: All levels

Resort & Backcountry Spring Skiing & Snowboarding 

Our English-speaking guides have been riding at Hokkaido's best resorts for years, and we know the best in-bounds and side-country runs on the island. Resort riding extends into early May, and it can be a great time to learn how to ski or snowboard. We offer beginner to advanced packages with some of the most competitive rates in Hokkaido.

For backcountry, spring is a perfect time in Hokkaido to explore peaks that are otherwise inaccessible or outright dangerous in mid-winter. Awesome summit ascents in Daisetsuzan National Park, Mt. Yotei or lesser mountains become an absolute pleasure as air temps rise and the snow pack begins to soften. 
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Time of Year: April - Late May
Fitness Level: All

Daisetsuzan National Park: Spring   

As Japan's largest national park, a visit to Daisetsuzan National Park should be on every Hokkaido itinerary. April heralds in a season of warmer temperatures, snowmelt, and the reemergence of green from the vast primary forests. As the snow continues to melt and June approaches, the patchwork of white and brown on mountain faces is mesmerizing.
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Popular spring activities include ropeways, snowshoeing, waterfalls, camping, fishing and hot springs. There are excellent hotels and specialized tour operators in key areas as well. Top places to visit include Tokachidake Onsen Resort, Asahidake Onsen Resort, Sounkyo Gorge and Shikaribetsu Lake.
 
Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels

Crafts, Culture & Cooking Courses

Want to try a new craft, learn about Japanese culture or how to cook a typical Hokkaido meal? Our Craft, Culture & Cooking Courses offer a wide variety of activities all over Hokkaido, including: soba noodle making, glass blowing, ceramic arts, wooden crafts, kimono ​fitting, tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy, pounding rice into mochi, sausage making, sheep shearing and much more.

Time of Year: All year
Fitness Level: All levels