Spring in Hokkaido

Hello, my name is Tsuyama of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel writer.

Isn't there many of you going on a sightseeing trip to Hokkaido, which has become warm during the spring break?

In fact, Hokkaido is divided into four areas: Central Hokkaido, Southern Hokkaido, Eastern Hokkaido, and Northern Hokkaido. Among them, Sapporo, Hakodate, Otaru in Southern Hokkaido, Furano, Asahikawa in Northern Hokkaido, and Shiretoko and Obihiro areas in Eastern Hokkaido are particularly popular as tourist destinations during the spring break.

However, if you are a beginner in Hokkaido, you often get lost where to go and what to eat because there are too many highlights!

Therefore, this time, we will introduce "Popular Spring Areas & Sightseeing / Gourmet Spots" that locals seriously recommend so that even beginners in Hokkaido can enjoy sightseeing efficiently. If you read this blog, you can see the highlights of the spring vacation sightseeing in Hokkaido!

If you are planning a trip plan for the spring break, please check out this blog first and realize a fun sightseeing in Hokkaido!

1. Clothing for sightseeing in Hokkaido during spring break

First, I would like to introduce the standard temperature and clothes for each area of Hokkaido during the spring break. Be prepared in advance so that you don't get sick!

Source: Hokkaido Tourism Promotion Organization

<Temperature and Clothing in Hokkaido during the spring break season>
Sapporo area: The average temperature is around 0 to 5 °C, and it is recommended to wear clothes similar to winter in the Kanto region.
Asahikawa / Shiretoko area: The average temperature is around -2-5°C, below freezing at night. Clothing similar to winter in Kanto + detachable cold protection equipment such as cold outerwear, hats and gloves are required.

According to locals, during the spring break season, snow melting remains everywhere, so it is recommended to bring waterproof shoes and waterproof sprays. You can avoid mud jumping on your favorite shoes and clothes and feeling uncomfortable!

2. Recommended sightseeing and gourmet spots by spring Hokkaido area

Now that you are ready, we will introduce the sightseeing and gourmet spots during the spring break that Hokkaido people really recommend! Please check it out when planning a trip to Hokkaido!

Part 1. Southern Hokkaido area "Sapporo, Hakodate"

First of all, I would like to introduce the recommendations of the Southern Hokkaido area, which is the most popular destination for easy travel.

Tourism
・Shiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo)
Source: Shiroi Koibito Park

You can visit the production line of "Shiroi Koibito" and make Shiroi Koibito using original photos. The exterior is cute, and you can enjoy flowers and illuminations all year round. There are many tricks in the hall that children can enjoy.

Shiroi Koibito Park
Location 2-11-36, Miyanosawa-2-jo, Nishi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Access Approx. 40 minutes by train from Sapporo Station (excluding transfer time)

・Okurayama Jump Stadium (Sapporo) Citation Source: Okurayama Jump Stadium

Here, you will get on the lift and climb to the observation deck where you can see the jump stand at once. It is a spot where you can see the superb view of Sapporo city wrapped in spring flowers and greenery, and you can also study the history of winter sports in Japan, so it is two birds with one stone!

Okurayama Jump Stadium
Address: 1274, Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Access Approx. 30 minutes by train and bus from Sapporo Station (excluding transfer time)

・Night view of Mt. Hakodate (Hakodate)
The night view of Mt. Hakodate is a popular spot that has been selected as one of the three stars of Michelin Green Guide Japan, and you can climb to the top by ropeway. If you are worried about today's night view and the state of the top, we recommend checking in advance with the official live camera!

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
Address: 19-7, Motomachi, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
Access Approximately 10 minutes by car from Hakodate Station, and a direct shuttle bus runs from JR Hakodate Station Bus Terminal from April to October

<Gourmet>
・Sapporo Ramen
There are more than 1,000 ramen shops in Sapporo City, so if you want to go around efficiently, it is recommended to go to Ramen Yokocho, Shin Ramen Yokocho and Tanuki Menkoi Street. You can also check the taste and price on Facebook called Sapporo Ramen Kurakubu made by local people!

Reference: Ramen Yokocho、Shin ramen Yokocho、Tanuki Menkoi Street

・Hakodate Lucky Piero

Source: Lucky clown

The staff of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel also recommends the lucky clown, which is the best local burger in Japan! The most popular local dish is Chinese chicken burger sandwiched between fried chicken, but there is also THE Footcho burger with a height of 20 cm (laughs).

Store Information Lucky clown

Part 2. Northern Hokkaido area "Furano, Asahikawa"
Next, we will introduce the popular "Northern Hokkaido area" for enjoying beautiful scenery and animals!

Tourism
・Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa)
November to April is the winter opening period of Asahiyama Zoo. During the spring break, you can enjoy winter-only animals such as penguin walks and polar bears.

It is a hot topic even when a baby polar bear was born for the first time in 40 years in December 2021, and there is no doubt that it will be exciting with souvenir stories!

Asahiyama Zoo
Address: Higashiasahikawachokuranuma, Asahikawa-shi
Access Approx. 40 minutes by bus from JR Asahikawa Station

・Shirokane Blue Pond (Biei-cho)
Biei and Furano are lavenders, but it is still early in spring.…For such people, "Platinum Blue Pond" is recommended!

In spring, when the melting water flows, you can enjoy the fantastic scenery dyed green and blue. Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel staff also recommends it with confidence!

Platinum blue pond
Address: Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Access Approx. 20 minutes by car from JR Biei Station

<Gourmet>
・Asahikawa Ramen
Asahikawa ramen, which combines pork bones and seafood, is famous, and there is also the head office of Ramen Santohi, which is developed around the world. Especially near Asahikawa Station, it is a fierce battle zone, so you can eat and walk around various shops!

・Jundock of Pigeon Hall
Source: Tabelog JUN DOG Pigeon Hall

Jundog, which is loved as a local fast food in the Furano and Asahikawa areas, is a rice ball wrapped with sweet and spicy shrimp fried in rice.

It is sold only at roadside rest area around Asahikawa, JR kiosks, Asahiyama Zoo, etc., and if you are lucky enough, it is a very popular product that you can purchase immediately!

Store Information Pigeonkan Main Store

Part 3. Eastern Hokkaido area "Shiretoko, Obihiro"
Finally, the Eastern Hokkaido area! Eastern Hokkaido is an area where you can feel the breath of spring and enjoy winter activities at the same time. We will introduce the charms of Shiretoko, the local area of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel!

Sightseeing, events
・Drift Ice Tour · Drift Ice Sightseeing Ship (Shiretoko)
Source: Sinla drift ice walk

Eastern Hokkaido is one of the few spots where you can see drift ice in Japan. Among them, Shiretoko's drift ice remains until the slowest April in the country, so you can enjoy it even during the spring break!

A drift ice tour where you can walk on drift ice runs until the end of March, and a sightseeing boat with drift ice runs until early April.

Reference: Sinla drift ice walk、Drift Ice Sightseeing Icebreaker Orora

If you want to know how precious Shiretoko's drift ice is, please refer to this article!

Related Articles : For those who want to see real drift ice in Hokkaido! A long-established ryokan in Shiretoko opens the best spots

・Lake Nukahira and Tauschebetsu River Bridge (Obihiro)
Source: Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido Official Website

In the past, this was the track of a trolley train running between Obihiro and Kamishihoro. The bridge is in the dam and is completely submerged from summer to autumn when the water level rises, so you can see the whole picture only from spring to early summer! In addition, it is said that the deterioration is fast, and the present figure can be seen only a few.

Public transportation is not available, so let's rent a car or taxi to see this precious sight right now!

Reference: Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido

<Gourmet>
・Seafood dishes such as sea urchins and hair crabs (Shiretoko)
During the spring break, sea urchins and hair crabs are in season in the Shiretoko area.

Fresh seafood at various shops, such as "Utoro Fishery Cooperative Women's Club Shokudo", which offers fish raised that day, "Araiso Cuisine Kumanoya", which sticks to local ingredients, and "Café & Bar GVO" opened by local sea urchin fishermen You can enjoy seafood dishes!

If you like seafood, you can only go to Shiretoko!

Utoro Fishery Cooperative Women's Department Shokudo
Address: 117, Utorohigashi, Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido
Access 2 minutes by car from Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal

・Yanagitsuki Sweet Pier Garden "Mikata Roku no Supplement" (Obihiro)
Source: Obihiro Sightseeing Navi

It is a place where you can visit the factory of Yanagitsuki, a long-established confectionery shop known for "Sankata Roku" in famous confectionery, and in spring you can see the garden outside!

In fact, among the locals, the super-valued "Sankata Roku no jiki" that can only be purchased here is very popular, and you can line up 30 minutes before the opening of the store. In fact, the staff of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel also goes to buy it. If you want to get it sure, go early and get a numbered ticket!

Yanagitsuki Suite Pier Garden
Address: Nishi 18-2, Shimootofuke Kita 9 Line, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido
Access 20 minutes by car from JR Obihiro Station

How was it? Spring break in Hokkaido is so attractive that you may not be able to decide where to go. In such a case, we recommend using the accommodation plan of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel, which is 30% off rent-a-car! 

Guests staying at Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel can get a 30% discount on car rental throughout Hokkaido. In other words, after enjoying the Sapporo Hakodate area, you can move to the Asahikawa area, and then move to the Shiretoko area! Of course, it’s possible to drop off!

Recently, LCCs have also been operating from Memanbetsu Airport to Narita and Kansai, so it is easy to get to and from Shiretoko. By the way, if you enjoy hair crabs and drift ice tours in Shiretoko, there is no doubt that you will be a very satisfying spring vacation sightseeing! Check out the plan right now!

As mentioned above, Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel writer Tsuyama delivered it!