Hokkaido Summer Travel Guide
Hokkaido's summer climate is refreshing with little humidity, making it perfect for summer travel! It is the best season to visit vast flower fields, experience the outdoors, and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Here are some must-visit spots, seasonal delicacies, and events in Hokkaido in summer.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Temperature, Clothing, Preparation -Summer in Hokkaido is July and August.
In July and August in Hokkaido, you can wear short sleeves during the daytime! In recent years, when the sun shines, the temperature can rise to about 35°C, but basically, the weather remains pleasant. On the other hand, you may feel chilly in the mornings and evenings, at high altitudes, and during bad weather. It is recommended to prepare a light jacket.
Recommended summer spots to enjoy the vast landscape typical of Hokkaido.
- Lavender
- Hokkaido's flower fields are also famous for their lavender fields. It is a very popular spot among tourists every year. Lavender is at its best for only about one month of the year. Please visit during the best season!
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- Sunflower
- Sunflowers are a popular summer flower. The sight of vast fields of sunflowers in full bloom is unique to Hokkaido! The entire field is filled with bright sunflowers, making for a great photo opportunity. The best time to see them is from late July to early August.
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- Shirogane Blue Pond
- A popular spot in Biei. The blue surface of the water is beautiful and has a fantastic atmosphere. The blue color changes depending on the season, weather, and time of day, allowing visitors to enjoy a rich variety of colors. Summer is said to be the most beautiful blue season of the year. It is a great place to take photojournalistic pictures.
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- Unkai Terrace
- Unkai Terrace is located at the Hoshino Resorts Tomamu at an altitude of 1,088 meters above sea level. It is a viewing facility where visitors can get a close-up view of the sea of clouds that can be seen when the weather conditions are right, most likely from June to September. The fantastic and dynamic sea of clouds is truly a spectacular sight.
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- Driving with spectacular views
- A single straight road stretching through the wilderness is a spot where you can feel the grandeur of Hokkaido. It is a photo-worthy spot unique to Hokkaido. Hokkaido's refreshing summer is the best season for driving.
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Hokkaido Gourmet Foods in Season in Summer
- Corn
- Hokkaido, where you can taste freshly picked corn. It boasts a fresh sweetness. Hokkaido's climate, with its large temperature difference between day and night and long hours of sunlight, is ideal for growing sweet corn. Try some in Hokkaido, the corn-growing region of Japan.
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- Japanese flying squid
- Summer is the season for Japanese flying squid. The freshness of the squid allows you to enjoy its translucent beauty and texture. It is recommended to taste it raw as sashimi. The entrails, which can be eaten because they are fresh, are also a delicacy. You should definitely try it!
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- Melon
- Melons are one of the most popular souvenirs of Hokkaido. Hokkaido melons are characterized by their mellow aroma and elegant sweetness. You can also enjoy different varieties in each production area. Try various melon-flavored sweets and fresh, raw fruit as well.
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- Scallop
- Hokkaido has the largest scallop catch in Japan. Scallops grown in the rich sea are full of flavor and nutrition. Eat them raw and you will enjoy their elegant sweetness. Grilled scallops have a savory, concentrated flavor. The texture of scallops is superb in any dish.
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- Soft serve ice cream
- There are many ranches in Hokkaido. You can taste soft serve ice cream at ranches. The soft serve ice cream made from fresh milk is excellent. You can enjoy various flavors such as Haskap and melon, which are specialties of the area.
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Enjoy the short summer! Recommended Events
- Fireworks Display
- Fireworks shot into the night sky of Hokkaido is one of the must-see events! It is an event that adds color to Hokkaido's short summer season. Many fireworks displays are held around hot spring resorts, making them a great way to create memories of your trip.
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- Sapporo Summer Festival
- You can enjoy Sapporo in summer to the fullest. The beer garden, which appears in Odori Park for about a month, is one of the largest in Japan with more than 10,000 seats. Various events are also held for your enjoyment. Enjoy the short northern summer to the fullest!
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- Furano-Biei Norokko Train
- The Furano-Biei Norokko Train is a sightseeing train perfect for enjoying the magnificent scenery of Hokkaido. The train runs leisurely through the land in summer when lavender and other colorful flowers are in full bloom. The large, open windows let in a refreshing breeze, allowing you to experience the summer in Hokkaido. Enjoy the spectacular view that can only be seen from the train windows.
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- Hokkaido Balloon Festival
- Many hot air balloons soar over the vast plains of Tokachi. Every year, many hot air balloons gather from all over Japan for the Balloon Festival, where colorful hot air balloons look beautiful in the clear blue Hokkaido summer sky. The popular balloon boarding experience is also available, so take this opportunity to experience it for yourself!
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- Hokuryu Sunflower Festival
- About 2 million sunflowers bloom on a 23-hectare hill! This is a popular tourist spot visited by more than 200,000 tourists every year. Visitors can enjoy various sunflower fields, such as the Sunflower Corner of the World, where about 30 types of sunflowers can be viewed, and a huge maze made of sunflowers.
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Still more! If you're visiting Hokkaido in the summer, check this out too!
- Swimming beach
- You can also enjoy swimming in Otaru, Ishikari, and other areas convenient for sightseeing. Spacious beaches can be found only in Hokkaido! The dry and refreshing weather is comfortable even at the beach. Enjoy the short and precious Hokkaido summer to the fullest.
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- Campground
- Camping is the best way to enjoy the great outdoors! The cold winter months are for advanced campers, while the pleasant summer months are for beginners. There are various styles of camping, from campgrounds where you can easily experience camping with nothing, to campgrounds where you can enjoy hot springs. We hope you will find your favorite campsite.
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- Lakes & Swamps
- Refresh yourself with a cool waterside view because it's the hottest time of the year! You can enjoy the magnificent scenery unique to Hokkaido. Water activities such as canoeing and snorkeling in the great outdoors are also recommended.
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Ranking of popular articles
- Hokkaido Summer Travel Guide
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/travelguide_summer
- Hokkaido Spring Travel Guide
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/travelguide_spring
- Here are the recommended cherry blossom viewing spots!
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- When is the best time to see lavender? Recommended Lavender Spots in Hokkaido
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/lavender
- Best Places to View Flowers in Hokkaido vol. 1
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/feature/best-places-to-view-flowers-in-hokkaido-vol-1