Your complete guide to must-visit attractions in Japan, including opening hours, tickets, and tips.
For more recommendations, see the full guide.
The true charm of Hokkaido's landscapes lies in the extremity of its seasonal changes. While autumn foliage on the main island offers gentle golden hues, Hokkaido's October burns with deep crimson; winter brings not just snow, but drift ice drifting in from the Sea of Okhotsk, transforming the eastern coast into a polar landscape. This guide takes you through five classic routes using the JR Hokkaido Pass, experiencing scenery often overlooked by自驾 tourists yet deeply holding the soul of Hokkaido.
The Uniqueness of Hokkaido's Scenic Routes
Hokkaido is approximately 1.8 times the size of Honshu, yet has a population of only 5 million. What does this result in? Vast tracts of untamed nature. Having walked through many Japanese scenic areas, only Hokkaido's landscapes will leave you driving for three hours without spotting a single convenience store—and this is precisely where its charm lies. Spring brings remote cherry blossoms (late April), summer brings lavender fields (July), autumn brings world-class foliage, and winter brings drift ice and rime ice found nowhere else in Hokkaido. The scenery here is not a carefully arranged garden, but the authentic breath of the northern land.
Recommended Routes and Destinations
1. Shiretoko Five Lakes (Shiretoko Goko) — Morning Mist Sanctuary of a World Heritage Site
The five lakes at the eastern tip of the Shiretoko Peninsula are one of only two UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites in Japan. The lakes are named Lake 1 through Lake 5, each ranging from 0.3 to 30 hectares. The most special experience is joining a guide early morning (open July–October) into the highland ecological zone, where bear sightings are common in the morning mist rising from the lake surface. Visitors must wear bear bells (rental ¥500), not as an amusement feature, but as a genuine respect for Hokkaido's wild nature. The highland lake trail at Shiretoko Five Lakes is approximately 3 km long; wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms are available at the lowland lakes. In autumn (mid-September–October), the coniferous forests around the lakes turn golden yellow, forming an extremely rare color contrast against the azure lake water.
2. Biei Hills "Patchwork Road" — Agricultural Landscape with the Most Dramatic Seasonal Color Changes
The hilly farmland around Biei Town forms natural color blocks through crop rotation, locally known as "Patchwork Road." Spring brings emerald green wheat fields, summer turns to golden wheat and purple lavender side by side, while autumn and winter display deep brown and white minimalism. The most famous "Mild Seven Hill" (actually just farmland, named after a past tobacco advertisement) in spring is covered with white birch trees, the scenery almost resembling Scandinavia. Visitors can rent bicycles to tour the hills, or take the "Biei Norokko Train" (a sightseeing locomotive, fee ¥4,700/adult, operating June–October) slowly passing through the farmland. Notably, many famous photo spots are located at the edge of private farmland; please do not cross boundaries. Farmers are quite friendly to rule-abiding tourists but will clearly ask violators to leave.
3. Sounkyo Hot Spring and Autumn Foliage Corridor — Viewing Fall Leaves from an Open-Air Bath
Sounkyo is a magnificent gorge along the Ishikari River, with cliffs rising 100 meters on both sides, but the main reason it draws me is not the geological scenery, but the cluster of hot spring inns within the gorge. Most of these inns are built along the river, offering rotemburo (open-air hot spring baths). In autumn (late September–mid-October), the entire gorge is enveloped by crimson maple trees and yellow birch trees—you can soak in the hot spring while admiring the foliage, an experience extremely rare elsewhere in Japan. Accommodation at Sounkyo Hot Spring typically costs ¥12,000–¥20,000/person/night (including two meals), while rotemburo day-use for non-staying guests typically costs ¥1,000–¥1,500. In winter (January–March), the gorge hosts an "Ice Fall Festival," where artificially created ice sculptures are illuminated by colorful spotlights at night.
4. Lake Mashu's Mysterious Mist and Winter Ice
Lake Mashu is Japan's clearest lake (depth 211 m), yet is called the "Lake of Mist" due to its constant shroud of fog. Early morning in autumn and winter offers the best chance to see the mist, especially from mid-October to early November, when cold air causes steam to rise from the lake surface. From the first and third observation decks, the entire lake appears to float in clouds. In winter (January–March), the lake surface freezes completely—one of the few lakes in Japan to do so, with the ice strong enough to support cars and people. No admission fee is required around Lake Mashu; observation deck parking is free. Taking Akan Bus from Kushiro takes approximately 1.5 hours (bus ticket ¥2,500).
5. Kushiro Wetland's Wildlife and Sunset Scenery
Kushiro Wetland is Japan's largest wetland (approximately 18,290 hectares), where red-crowned cranes (Japan's national bird), tundra swans, and other rare birds can be observed during spring and autumn bird migrations. Visitors can admire the wetland panorama from the "Kushiro Wetland Norokko Train" (Norokko, ¥4,800/adult, operating May–September), or climb the "Kushiro City Wetland Observation Deck" (free, with barrier-free facilities on the upper floor). At dusk, the wetland turns golden under the setting sun—this is when the scenery is most magnificent. Entry to the protected area within the wetland is prohibited, but official bird-watching routes are safe and legal.
Practical Information
Transportation and Passes
Shiretoko, Biei, Sounkyo, Lake Mashu, and Kushiro are located in different directions across eastern Hokkaido. Using the "JR Hokkaido Pass" (7-day pass ¥22,000, 4-day pass ¥15,000) can effectively reduce costs. The pass covers most scenic area buses and JR trains. The recommended route is Sapporo → Asahikawa (JR Limited Express 2 hours) → Biei → Sounkyo → Asahikawa → Kushiro (Limited Express 5 hours) → Lake Mashu → Shiretoko. In winter, roads freeze and some bus routes may be suspended; it is recommended to check official operating status in advance.
Cost Estimate
- JR Pass 4-day: ¥15,000
- Shiretoko Five Lakes guided tour: ¥3,000–¥4,500
- Scenic area parking fees: ¥500–¥1,000/time
- Open-air hot spring day use: ¥1,000–¥1,500
- Public transport resort accommodation (with meals): ¥12,000–¥20,000/night
Best Seasons
Autumn (mid-September–mid-October) offers the richest scenery but also the most tourists; accommodations should be booked 1–2 months in advance. Winter (January–March) features unique drift ice and rime ice scenery, but routes in the northeast often close due to snow conditions—close monitoring is advised. Spring (mid-April–May) sees cherry blossoms and fresh greenery bloom simultaneously, but the flowering period is short.
Travel Tips
Hokkaido's outdoor environment changes rapidly. Even in autumn, bring a windproof jacket; mountain temperatures can be 10°C lower than in lowland areas. In winter, be sure to wear winter hiking boots—regular tourist shoes slip easily on ice. Eastern areas like Shiretoko and Kushiro often experience strong winds; sunscreen and moisturizing products are essential.
Some high-popularity attractions (such as Shiretoko Five Lakes) require advance online booking. Sounkyo hot spring inns are often fully booked during the autumn foliage season; book two months in advance.
Hokkaido has fewer public restrooms than Honshu; it is recommended to take care of needs at service areas and major stations in advance. In remote areas like Kushiro and Shiretoko, convenience stores are far apart; stock up on snacks and drinks in Kushiro or other regional cities before long drives.
Regarding accessibility, JR major stations and Shiretoko observation decks have accessible restrooms and wheelchair ramps, but facilities at older hot spring inns are often limited. Confirm with your inn in advance whether rooms and baths have handrails and wheelchair access.
