Hokkaido offers unique charm in each of the four seasons, and there is no definitive "best" season—it depends on the experience you're seeking. For lavender and cool weather, mid-July to early August is ideal; for autumn foliage, late September to mid-October when the Daisetsuzan mountain range first turns color offers breathtaking scenery; winter enthusiasts can visit January to February for skiing and drift ice; spring (April to May) has the fewest crowds and best deals, perfect for those looking to avoid peak season.

Taipei Taoyuan Airport offers multiple airlines (EVA Air, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, etc.) with direct flights to New Chitose Airport, with multiple daily departures and a flight time of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. From Hong Kong, the journey takes about 4 hours. Budget airlines (Peach Aviation, Vanilla Air, etc.) can reduce ticket costs, but checked baggage must be purchased separately. Connecting flights via Tokyo Narita/Haneda offer more departure options, but the total journey takes 5 to 6 hours.

If your itinerary focuses on cities like Sapporo, Hakodate, and Otaru, public transportation (JR + city buses) is fully adequate. However, if you plan to explore rural areas like Furano, Biei, or Shiretoko, self-driving is far more efficient than public transport, as bus frequencies are low and wait times are long. Daily car rental costs (including insurance) average ¥6,000–¥10,000, which becomes quite economical for groups of 2 to 4 sharing the expense. Additionally, driving in Hokkaido is easy with plenty of parking available.

Seafood: The sea urchin rice bowls at Hakodate Morning Market (¥3,000+), Otaru hair crabs (seasonal pricing), and fresh sea urchin from Rishiri and Rebun are the top choices. Ramen: Sapporo miso ramen, Hakodate salt ramen, and Asahikawa soy sauce ramen are known as "Hokkaido's Three Famous Ramen." Dairy products: Soft serve (made with rich Hokkaido milk), Rokkatei butter sandwich cookies, and White Lover (ISHIYA) chocolate cookies are the most popular souvenirs. Obihiro's pork rice bowl (ton-don) is another must-try local delicacy.

Strongly recommended. The Shiretoko Five Lakes ground trail requires guided tours with certified guides during the brown bear active season (May to mid-July), and popular dates may be fully booked 1 to 2 months in advance. The Aurora drift ice sightseeing boat during peak season (January to February) also recommends booking 2 to 3 weeks in advance online. Hot spring ryokan in Utoro and Rausu during summer and drift ice season are often fully booked 2 to 3 months ahead, so early reservation is essential.

If your itinerary covers multiple cities like Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, and Abashiri, and you primarily travel by train, the 5-day pass (¥22,000) or 7-day pass (¥27,000) is usually more economical than individual tickets—just the round-trip express fare from New Chitose to Hakodate (¥18,880) plus other routes quickly exceeds the pass price. Note: The pass must be purchased outside Japan (available at travel agencies or the official website for exchange vouchers), then exchanged for the actual pass upon arrival in Japan.

Lavender at Farm Tomita typically begins blooming gradually from late June, reaching peak from mid- to late July (when the purple is most vibrant), and fading by early August. The overall viewing window is approximately 6 to 8 weeks, but the prime golden period lasts only about 10 to 14 days. Various flowers at the farm (lavender, sunflowers, nemophila, cosmos) bloom in succession, so if you can't visit during peak lavender season, June and August offer other flowers to enjoy.

During winter (December to March), outdoor temperatures can drop to -10 to -20°C. Essential items include: layered warm clothing (recommend onion-style layering), waterproof and anti-slip snow boots, gloves, scarves, and hats. Self-drivers should note: Drive slowly on snowy roads, and exercise extra caution on black ice; rental companies automatically provide snow tires in winter. Additionally, heavy snow may cause flight and train delays—it's recommended to allow buffer time and purchase travel insurance to cover unexpected situations.

Otaru glassware has been crafted since the Meiji era, renowned for hand-blown techniques. Most worthwhile purchases include: colored glass wine glasses (from ¥2,000), music boxes (from ¥3,500), wind chimes (from ¥1,500), and perfume bottles. Shops like Kitaichi Glass, Taisho Glass Palace, and "Young Glass Craftsmen's Store" offer various style options. Some workshops offer experience courses (glass-blowing experiences cost approximately ¥3,000–¥5,000, with finished products mailed home), requiring advance booking—a unique travel experience.

Hakodate Mountain night view is ranked among the world's three most beautiful night views (along with Hong Kong Victoria Harbour and Naples). The best viewing time is 30 to 60 minutes after sunset, during the transition from deep blue to darkness—when the city lights are illuminated while there is still afterglow in the sky, creating the most layered effect. In summer, it's recommended to ascend around 8-9 PM; in winter, 5-6 PM offers good viewing. During peak season, cable car queues can reach 60-90 minutes, so it's recommended to depart 1 hour early, or take a city bus (Hakodate Bus) up the mountain to reduce wait time.

Taking a one-week (7-day) trip as an example, the approximate budget is as follows: Flights (round-trip from Taipei) cost approximately NT$12,000–NT$25,000; accommodation costs ¥6,000–¥12,000 per night (approximately NT$1,400–NT$2,800), so 7 nights total approximately NT$10,000–NT$20,000; food costs ¥3,000–¥6,000 per day, so 7 days total approximately NT$5,000–NT$10,000; admission tickets and transportation (including JR Pass) cost approximately ¥25,000–¥40,000. The total weekly budget is approximately NT$40,000–NT$80,000, varying significantly depending on accommodation standards and dining preferences.

Hokkaido is rich in hot spring resources. The main hot spring areas include: Noboribetsu (sulfur springs, strongly acidic, featuring the "Hell Valley" scenic area), Lake Toya (lakeside hot springs with beautiful scenery), Utoro in Shiretoko (facing the Sea of Okhotsk), Jozankei (about an hour's drive from Sapporo, convenient for city visitors), and Lake Shikaribetsu (ultra-high altitude hot springs, featuring ice village activities in winter). Noboribetsu and Lake Toya are best suited for independent hot spring ryokan experiences, while Jozankei is ideal for inclusion at the beginning or end of your itinerary as a relaxing option.

Hokkaido has multiple facilities suitable for family outings: Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa (penguin walks, polar bear exhibits, a globally pioneering creative animal display); Sapporo Youth Science Museum (interactive science exhibitions); the Hokkaido Pioneer Village (restored Meiji-era village, an outdoor historical theme park); the Tokachi Waterfalls Nature Village children's playground in Obihiro; and various farm experiences such as milk milking and strawberry picking. Farm activities during summer are particularly popular with children, offering hands-on opportunities to experience farm life.