Japan's Hidden Gems: A Glimpse Of Hokkaido's Paradise

However there's more to Hokkaido than meets the eye, with a number of lesser-known wonders also worth seeking out. Whether it's visiting the home of a famous desktop wallpaper, wandering a shopping village in the woods, or setting your foot on the literal tip of Japan, here are 12 hidden Hokkaido gems you need to know about. 

Sobetsu Fruit Village is made up of 18 fruit farms, all squeezed into a one-kilometre stretch of Sobetsu's main highway. Head here in the summer or autumn to pick your own strawberries, apples, grapes, peaches, cherries and other fruits; or buy a bag of your preferred produce from one of the roadside stalls. You can also purchase juices, jams and even cider. 

If seeing a tanuki (the elusive Japanese raccoon dog) is on your bucket list, get along to Nopporo Forest Park. These famously shy critters are known to frequent this huge, 2000ish-hectare site—which has year-round walking tracks—along with Ezo risu (Hokkaido's native squirrel), snow rabbits, more than 150 species of wild birds, and over a thousand types of insects and mushrooms. Be sure to check out the Historical Village of Hokkaido—featuring 50 immaculately restored buildings from the Meiji to early Showa period—while you're here.

Ningle Terrace—sounds like something out of a Studio Ghibli film, right? And it sure looks like it, too. This charming collection of wooden cabins in the Furano forest is a magical experience no matter when you visit, but is especially enchanting in the evening when lit from within, and in the winter when covered with snow. Each cabin houses a different artisan or craft store selling handmade goods, from candles through to kaleidoscopes (there's even a shop dedicated entirely to owl merch). Want more? Check out more of the best things to do in Furano.

Sapporo's Maruyama Zoo puts you closer to wild animals than most, with immersive experiences including an underwater tunnel that lets you walk beneath polar bears and seals as they swim (on separate sides, of course!) and an 'elephant house' boasting an indoor pool. Hokkaido's first zoo is also home to another 170-odd animal species including red pandas, wolves, snow leopards, bears, and the native Ezo flying squirrel. 

Japan and hot springs go hand-in-hand, and you'll find some of its most unique tucked away in the tranquil town of Kawayu Onsen. Thanks to its proximity to Iozan (Sulfur Mountain), the hot springs here boast some of the country's most acidic water with a pH level of 1.4-1.9 (that's similar to lemon juice!), which have powerful antibacterial properties. Visit in the winter, and you'll also be treated to the phenomenon that is Diamond Dust—water vapour that has frozen in the air, creating a magical 'glitter' effect. 

Come spring, there's only one place around here you want to go for hanami (flower viewing), and that's Sobetsu Park. Perched on the hills above the picturesque Lake Toya, this spot becomes a blanket of fragrant pink in mid-May when around 300 Bungo plum trees (a breed native to Japan) spread across 20,000 square metres begin to blossom. And that's not all—in a rare sight, cherry trees can also be seen flowering at the same time. Don't forget to pack a picnic and of course, your camera. Check out more of the best things to do in Lake Toya. 

Something strange is afoot in the forest of Kiyosato—a crystal clear, sapphire blue pond with perfectly preserved trees visible beneath the surface. This is Kaminokoike Pond (the “child of the gods”), named after nearby Lake Mashu (the “lake of the gods”), from which it was supposedly formed. Fed by spring water at a temperature that, incredibly, keeps the trees from rotting—and with a deceptively shallow appearance (it's actually five-metres deep)—this is one of those surreal nature moments that shouldn't make any sense. Top tip: avoid visiting in the winter as the track to the pond can get snowed out. 

Family-friendly adventures await at Sapporo Satoland, an amusement park boasting a petting zoo, train rides, handmade crafts, horse-drawn carriages, and even ice-cream- and butter-making classes. Enjoy a picnic amongst the bright purple lavender fields in the summer, or visit in the cooler months when the grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland complete with tubing and horse-drawn sleighs, yee-haw! You can even harvest your own vegetables here at certain times of the year. 

About 20km off the coast of northern Hokkaido you'll find Rishiri Island, which can be easily reached by ferry. Home to a dormant volcano—and around 5000 permanent residents—this is a spectacular spot for walking, hiking or cycling (bike rentals are available on the island);  alternatively, enjoy its beauty from the comfort of a bus, via a sightseeing tour. Visit during the spring and summer months, and you'll also be rewarded with masses of blooming alpine flowers. 

For the best views in Sapporo—and officially one of the three best night views in Japan—check out Mount Moiwa. This epic spot affords sweeping views across the city toward the Sea of Japan, best enjoyed from its 360-degree observation deck (for the record, there's also a planetarium and a restaurant). To get there, you'll need to either walk the ropeway or drive halfway up, before hopping on a mini cable car; alternatively, the more adventurous amongst you may like to hike.  

There's something pretty special about standing on the very end of a country—here at Cape Soya, you can visit Japan's northernmost point (and even get a certificate as proof, from the Cape Soya Drift Ice Museum). Double down by getting a snap in front of the triangular Monument of the Northernmost Point of Japan, before visiting the museum to soak up some local maritime knowledge. The highlight here is a climate-controlled room featuring taxidermied seals, foxes, and other cold-dwelling creatures, displayed on real ice drifts, all of which you can view for free.  

And finally, no list of hidden Hokkaido gems would be complete without the Blue Pond (Aoike) in Biei, about half an hour from Furano. This magical body of water—famously used as a desktop wallpaper for Apple—ranges in hues of blue throughout the year, actually caused by minerals in the water. Ain't nature grand? (As a matter of fact, the pond is man-made and part of a local erosion control system). Check out more of the best things to do in Furano. 

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