Hokkaido Holidays
Hokkaido is the second largest, northernmost and least developed of Japan's four main islands.
The capital city, Sapporo is one of the nation's youngest major cities and is built on a North American style rectangular street system. The city hosted the 1972 Olympic Winter Games making it world famous, and today, Sapporo is well known for its ramen, beer, and the annual snow festival held every February.
The downhill slopes of Furano and Biei transform into Lavender fields in July & August. The hot spring resort of Noboribetsu, is surrounded by forested hills and at Jigokudani or "Hell Valley" the aromas of the sulfurous steam vents, streams and ponds can be smelt. It is an area of unspoiled nature, offering activity orientated travellers the opportunity to ski and snowboard in the winter and hike, cycle and walk from June to September.
Shiretoko National Park, located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, is one of Japan's most beautiful and unspoilt national parks. No roads lead further than about three quarters of the way up the peninsula, and the northern tip can only be viewed from boats or reached on multi day trekking tours.
Home to a variety of wildlife, including brown bears, deer and foxes, in winter, the peninsula's coast along the Sea of Okhotsk becomes one of the northern hemisphere's southernmost regions to see drift ice, and is a Unesco World Heritage site due to the irreplaceable value of the peninsula's ecosystem and biodiversity.
Another larger National Park, Daisetsuzan, preserves a densely forested, mountainous area of virtually unspoiled wilderness, which equals more than ten times the size of Osaka City. It is a paradise for hikers, outdoor lovers, deer and brown bears.
For more information or advice on your holiday to Japan, please contact Paul our country expert on 01285 651 010.
Alternative Suggestions
Japanese Alps
A beautiful region offering awe inspiring mountainous scenery.
Kyoto
A slower paced city offering an unexpected geisha encounter.
Tokyo
An exciting city full of life and stamina. 
Mount Fuji
A magnificent example of Japans suberb scenery.
Okinawa & The Southern Islands
A mixture of relaxation and serenity can be enjoyed here.