Nestled within Daisetsuzan National Park, Lake Shikaribetsu is the park’s only natural lake. It also happens to be Hokkaido’s highest-altitude lake. This beautiful body of crystal-clear water can be enjoyed throughout the year, with highlights being summer for hiking and sea kayaking and autumn for eye-catching foliage and increased sightings of pikas. But if you come between late January to mid-March, the lake freezes over and becomes a fantastical ice village wonderland, complete with a bar, chapel, open-air baths, and igloos you can spend the night in—all made from snow and ice. While you’re here, get in touch with Bell Veggy to see if they’re available for privately catered meals. Owned by two strawberry farmers, the duo also operates a food truck with a focus on sustainable ingredients and desserts made with their wildly sweet strawberries.
Go Fruit Picking
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Fruit in Japan can be really expensive (perfectly round and unembellished melons carry a price tag in the tens of thousands of dollars), which is why heading straight to the source and picking out your own is the best way to go about it if you want to go easy on your wallet. Whether you’re after strawberries, apples, pears, or grapes, there’s a farm in Hokkaido that will fit the bill. If you’re looking for one that has a little bit of everything, check out Jozankei Farm, Sakuranboyama, and Nitori.
Explore Hakodate
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