Hokkaido in 1 Trip π―π΅ | Sapporo β Otaru β Furano β Hakodate β Shiretoko | Japan Most Beautiful Route
Welcome to Hokkaido, Japan’s great northern island, where nature’s heartbeat still echoes through the wind. This land is vast and wild, shaped by volcanoes, snow, and time. Here, every season tells a different story. From snow-covered winters to fields bursting with color in summer, Hokkaido is not just a place on a map. It is an emotion. The freedom to breathe, the peace to wander, and the wonder of discovery. Our journey begins in the capital Saporro, and travels through the romantic port of Otaru, the flower fields of Fano, the historic lights of Hakodate, and the untouched wilderness of Shirkco. Let’s discover the true heart of northern Japan together. Saporro is more than just a city. It is the heartbeat of Hokkaido. Founded only in the late 19th century, Saporro’s design is unique among Japanese cities. A perfect grid inspired by American urban planning. Wide streets, open parks, and a clear skyline make it one of Japan’s most livable cities. Every February, millions visit for the Saporro Snow Festival, where massive ice sculptures transform Odori Park into a frozen gallery. Each sculpture is carved by artists from around the world, a symbol of friendship through art and snow. At the center of the city stands the Saporro clock tower, a symbol of the city’s history. Built in 1878 when Hokkaido was first being developed. Nearby, the former Hokkaido government office, nicknamed the Red Brick Building, recalls the days when Saporro was a frontier outpost of the Maji era. Food lovers will find paradise here. Saporro is the birthplace of miso ramen, rich in flavor and perfect for a cold winter’s day. Local specialties like Hokkaido crab, soup curry, and Saporro beer define the taste of the north. And as the sun sets, head up to Mount Moa. From its summit, Saporro glitters below, a sea of lights surrounded by mountains. This is the spirit of Saporro, modern, warm, and alive even in the deepest winter. Only 30 minutes from Saporro lies Otaru, a city that feels like stepping back in time. Once a major trading port connecting Japan with Russia and beyond, Otaru’s canal still reflects the elegance of its past. At sunset, the gas lamps along the Otaru Canal light up and their reflections shimmer on the water. One of Japan’s most romantic sights. The city is also famous for its glass work. Utaru glass is handmade using traditional techniques, producing everything from fine table wear to art pieces. Each shop on Sakimachi Street tells its own story with craftsmen often working in front of you as you watch the glowing glass take shape. Don’t miss the Music Box Museum, where thousands of beautifully crafted boxes fill the air with nostalgic tunes. It’s a place where time slows down, where sound, light, and memory blend together. And of course, Otaru’s seafood is legendary. The city’s proximity to the Sea of Japan means the fish is caught fresh every morning. Try a Kaisendon. A rice bowl topped with sea urchin, salmon row, and scallops so sweet they melt on your tongue. It’s not just a meal. It’s a reflection of the ocean’s gift to Hokkaido. In winter, when snow falls silently over the canal, Otaru becomes a living snow globe. Peaceful, timeless, and unforgettable. From Otaru, the journey takes us inland to Fano, a small town surrounded by endless hills and color. Known as the belly of Hokkaido, Ferrano is famous for its breathtaking seasonal changes. In summer, lavender fields stretch endlessly across farm to filling the air with their gentle fragrance. This region pioneered flower tourism in Japan, attracting visitors from around the world. The sight of purple fields under blue skies has become one of Japan’s most iconic landscapes. In autumn, the rolling farmlands turn golden, while winter transforms Ferrano into a skier’s paradise. The snow here is worldrenowned, light, dry, and powdery, earning it the nickname J A P O W, short for Japanese powder snow. Fano’s ski slopes are known not only for their quality, but for their breathtaking views of Mount Tokachi and the surrounding valley. Ferrano is also a place of warmth, not just in its scenery, but in its people. Small familyrun cafes serve homemade cheese, wine, and ice cream made from local milk. Here, the connection between the land and the table is clear. Every flavor tells the story of the region. Whether you come in summer or winter, Fano invites you to slow down and breathe with nature. It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers. Heading south, we arrive at Hakodate, a city that connects Japan’s past and present. In 1859, Hakodate became one of the first Japanese ports to open to the world after centuries of isolation. Western traders brought architecture, culture, and flavors that remain visible today. Our first stop is Goryokaku Fort, a star-shaped fortress built in the 19th century as Japan’s first westernstyle fortification. It played a key role during the final battle of the Ban War, a conflict that shaped modern Japan. From above, its perfect five-pointed shape is mesmerizing. Surrounded by moes that bloom into pink clouds of cherry blossoms each spring, Goryokaku is more than a landmark. It’s a living chapter of Japan’s transition from samurai tradition to a modern nation. Next, we explore the Moto Machi district, where European style churches and consulate buildings line the sloping streets. Each structure, from the Russian Orthodox Church to the old British consulate, tells the story of Hakodat’s multicultural spirit. From these hills, the view of the harbor below is breathtaking, blending the charm of east and west in one perfect frame. As night falls, take the ropeway to the summit of Mount Hakodate. From there, the city’s lights curve gracefully along the bay, forming a shape many say resembles a shining diamond necklace. It’s considered one of the three most beautiful night views in the world, alongside Hong Kong and Naples. In the morning, visit the bustling Hakodate morning market where fishermen sell live crabs, scallops, and sea urchins still moving in their shells. Each bite of a fresh seafood bowl captures the essence of Hokkaido’s northern ocean. Rich, clean, and pure. Hakodate is a city of contrasts, where east meets west, where history meets the sea, and where every sunrise feels like a new beginning. Far to the northeast lies Shiratco, one of Japan’s most remote and unspoiled regions. Its name comes from the Anu language, meaning the end of the earth. And standing here surrounded by towering cliffs and icy seas, you’ll understand why. Sher Tokco is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a sanctuary for wildlife and a symbol of nature’s resilience. From the sky, the coastline looks like a living painting. Deep blue waters meeting green cliffs and silver waterfalls. Take a cruise along the Shiratco Peninsula and you may spot brown bears fishing for salmon along the shore. In winter, the sea of Okot freezes and drifting ice fills the horizon. Aboard the red icebreaker ship Gino, you can feel the power of nature as the ship crushes through the frozen sea. Above the ice, stellar sea eagles spread their enormous wings while seals rest peacefully on floating ice sheets. Every moment feels like a scene from a nature documentary, raw, silent, and humbling. Venture inland to the Shiraco five lakes, where the reflections of mountains dance across the water’s surface. In the quiet forests, the only sound is the rustle of leaves and the distant cry of birds. Here, humans are merely visitors, guests in nature’s vast cathedral. This is not a place to rush through. It’s a place to listen, to feel, and to remember what it means to be alive. As our journey comes full circle, we return to Hakodate, now under the night sky. From the observation deck, the city glows like a constellation scattered across the earth. And then slowly, the stars begin to fade as the first light of dawn appears over the bay. Fishing boats depart quietly, steam rising from the sea as the morning light touches the waves. This is the moment when the beauty of Hokkaido feels eternal. When nature and human life exist in perfect rhythm, Hokkaido is not just a destination. It’s a story, one of light and shadow, silence and song, beginnings and endless horizons. As the sun rises over the northern sea, we say farewell, but only for now. Because every sunrise in Hokkaido is an invitation to return. Thank you for joining us on this unforgettable journey across Japan’s northern frontier. This is Wonder Travel Japan, where every road leads to a new story and every story begins with wonder.
π Welcome to Wonder Travel Japan β
Your cinematic journey through Hokkaido begins here.
π―π΅ Experience Japanβs northern paradise in one unforgettable trip:
From the lively streets of Sapporo, the nostalgic canals of Otaru,
the colorful flower hills of Furano, the romantic night view of Hakodate,
to the untouched nature of Shiretoko, this is Japanβs most beautiful route.
β¨ Each moment reveals a different face of Hokkaido β
from modern city life to quiet forests, from warm lights to icy seas.
Itβs not just a trip. Itβs a story of light, silence, and discovery.
Japan Travel Essentials
πhttps://linktr.ee/WonderTravelJapan
β¨ Planning your Hokkaido adventure?
Get your JR Hokkaido Rail Pass here π
π JR Hokkaido Rail Passhttps://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=97523&aff_adid=1145497&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F3067-7-day-jr-hokkaido-rail-pass-jr-pass%2F%3Fspm%3DSearchResult.SearchResult_LIST%26clickId%3Dafb70be602
πΈ Want to explore Furanoβs lavender fields and scenic countryside?
Check out this Furano Tour for an unforgettable experience!
π Furano Tourhttps://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=97523&aff_adid=1145516&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F89271-furano-biei-blue-pond-shikisai-no-oka-one-day-tour-sapporo%2F%3Fspm%3DSearchResult.SearchResult_LIST%26clickId%3D507d86ae6b
eSIM for Japan (stay connected instantly):
πhttps://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=97523&aff_adid=1123957&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F109393-japan-esim-high-speed-internet-qr-code-voucher%2F%3Fspm%3DSearchResult.SearchResult_LIST%26clickId%3Db5c7d0bd0a
Follow me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wondertraveljapan?igsh=MTR0NDJiZmUwam5qdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@wondertraveljapan?_t=ZS-906TzQ3uCva&_r=1
#Hokkaido #VisitJapan #JapanTravel #HokkaidoVlog #Sapporo #Otaru #Hakodate #Furano #Shiretoko #JRHokkaidoPass #TravelJapan #ExploreHokkaido #BeautifulJapan
0:00 Opening
1:00 Sapporo
2:50 Otaru
4:28 Hurano
6:18 Hakodate
8:47 Shiretoko
AloJapan.com