The cold is so powerful that, between mid-January and early March, many of the small waterfalls and streams will freeze in place, making it appear as if time itself has escaped for the winter. Oirase Gorge – Waterfalls Frozen in Time! (Aomori)įlowing 14-kilometers through the thick wilderness of Aomori’s Towada region, Oirase Gorge is a dynamic mountain stream of powerful rapids boasting 14 waterfalls!ĭuring winter, the surrounding boulders and trees are engulfed by thick snowfall, creating a spectacular frozen landscape that looks like a painting! While often difficult to bear, witnessing these surreal natural phenomena at their peak is worth braving the chill!Ī coastline smothered by snow, charming temples on a frozen mountainside, and some enchanting wintery Ghibli-vibes - we’ll let you in on 10 of Tohoku’s best-kept winter sightseeing secrets!ġ. Planning to visit Hokkaido in summer? I’ve got a guide for that.While most of Japan experiences a fairly intense winter, the biting cold and heavy snow of northern Tohoku in winter is an entirely different beast!įrom Aomori's frozen waterfalls to the giant icicles in Akita, winter scenery like this only occurs in the coldest of places. However, if you have a good grasp of all there is to do, and how much ground you can realistically cover with the amount of time you have, it’s difficult to fail. As I know from personal experience, simply heading to Hokkaido during the coldest part of the year is not a guarantee of success. I hope my Hokkaido winter itinerary has informed and inspired you as you plan your own trip to Japan’s great, white north. If you don’t have a lot of experience driving in wintry conditions, you shouldn’t rent a car in Hokkaido during the winter. The challenge is when a blizzard hits-and they can hit at any time-or if ice is on the road. If the snow isn’t freshly-fallen, or hasn’t frozen over after it’s melted, you’re unlikely to face any difficulty at all. Hokkaido isn’t always a difficult place to drive during the winter. Is it difficult to drive in Hokkaido in winter? As a general rule, I don’t recommend driving in Hokkaido during winter. The best way to get around Hokkaido during the winter is public transportation, be that express trains from Sapporo to other cities, local trains in more rural parts of the island or buses in places where the rails don’t run. How do you travel around Hokkaido in winter? ![]() ![]() Not a skier? Not a problem? From Otaru’s icicle-lined canal, to Asahikawa’s penguin parade, to the wild scenery of far eastern Hokkaido, there’s never a dull moment when you’re this far north. Winter is when Hokkaido is most itself-you should absolutely visit Japan’s northernmost island at this time, if you can. Other FAQ About Hokkaido Winter Travel Should I visit Hokkaido in the winter? I’d probably recommend exploring Hokkaido before you ski, although that’s somewhat down to preference. For others, however, I’d say you should plan at least a week to however long you plan to ski. ![]() Some will fly to New Chitose Airport, to a bus directly to Kutchan or Niseko, and get moving again only to head back to the airport. This will give you a few days in Sapporo to get yourself situated, plus the opportunity to head east, optionally all the way to Kushiro and Abashiri, if that’s in the cards for you.įor skiers, on the other hand, spending winter in Hokkaido is a slightly different discussion. If you don’t plan to ski, I’d say the minimum you should plan to spend is a week. Take it from me: You don’t want to come to Hokkaido in January or February without enough time to see and do everything. Hakodate which, after night, allows you to take in what is often ranked as Japan’s best “night view.” How Many Days Do You Need in Hokkaido in Winter? The best way to appreciate this is to ride the ropeway up Mt. One of the many reasons for this is its geography: The city sits between two roughly symmetrical bays, and a mountain that rises at the tip of a peninsula. For many years, Hakodate was my favorite city in Hokkaido on the whole-I still love it a lot.
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