Chase the best flavours, wild nature and nightlife: HOKKAIDO GUIDE

Renowned for its wild natural wonders and unique food and drink scene, Japan's Hokkaido Prefecture is an immersive playground for intrepid travellers, offering a diverse range of experiences every season. Even for those who might know Hokkaido well, there are still countless undiscovered treasures waiting to be explored.

Straight from the list of our expert curator, here's a selection of the most exciting activities on offer, from slurping down hearty bowls of delicious ramen to escaping into the great outdoors to connect with nature.

Hokkaido holds a sacred place in the culinary identity of Japan. Many believe that Hokkaido's seafood, fruit and vegetables offer an unmatched freshness, which has led to its prized produce being sought internationally. The climate and countryside are perfect for agriculture, with about half of Japan's milk coming from the region.

One of the most celebrated Hokkaido staples is ramen, with three areas in the prefecture boasting distinctive, celebrated styles of ramen.

Sapporo City is hailed as the birthplace of miso ramen, and those hunting for an authentic taste need look no further than Ganso Ramen Yokocho in the entertainment district of Susukino. Established in 1951 with eight ramen shops, the narrow alleyway is now known as “Ramen Alley” and has since expanded to 17 shops, each offering their own unique take on the iconic noodle dish.

In the depths of winter, shuffling into a ramen shop from the cold, snow-driven alley is beyond comforting. Once inside the toasty interior behind their chosen door, guests are greeted by huge steaming vats of rich, unctuous broths, tended to by chefs who are masters of their craft. And while a warm bowl of ramen in the colder months certainly paints a soothing picture, the alley welcomes ramen-lovers year-round.

Sapporo-style ramen is known for its thick, curly noodles, and sometimes a knob of butter and sweetcorn is added for extra richness. Aside from this, however, chefs experiment with different proteins, toppings and tastes.

Travellers to Sapporo who are craving a pint or dram should also venture to the nearby town of Otaru, where you'll find an abundance of whisky and Scotch within bars of different vibes and themes. Craft liquor bar SHARAKU sits within the town, priding itself on intriguing craft beers from around Japan, and further afield.

Further inland, travellers can try another regional staple, Asahikawa City's well-loved take on ramen, at Asahikawa Ramen Village. Asahikawa-style ramen, made with a shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) base, comes with a range of toppings, and is often topped with a thin layer of oil on top so the soup stays warm for longer on cold days. Meanwhile, the small ramen village has a collection of shops and even a ramen shrine where couples can pray for their relationships to last as long as ramen noodles.

To the south of the island lies Hakodate City, where shio (salt-based) ramen reigns supreme, with its distinctive clear broth and straight noodles. Daimon Yokocho is a collection of 26 food stalls and bars that sees hungry visitors huddle shoulder-to-shoulder over small countertops.

The quality of ingredients used here is unquestionable, thanks to the location of the Hakodate Morning Market right next door. Depending on the season, the market operates from as early as 5am, welcoming early birds with fresh seafood and breakfast options.

Thanks to its unique climate, Hokkaido has also proven itself to be a force when it comes to wine and beer making. The prefecture is home to many top breweries, whisky distilleries, vineyards and wineries, as well as producers who are making cider and other refreshing bubbly beverages.

A top spot is Nikka Whisky distillery in Yoichi town, which offers guided tours of its historic grounds and production site. Visitors can learn about Masataka Taketsuru, hailed the first Japanese person to master the art of whisky-making after a journey to Scotland in 1918. After years of training, Nikka Whisky was finally launched in 1940 in Japan. There's also a tasting bar, where talks are frequently held by whisky blenders.

In the south-east of Hokkaido is the Ikeda Town Institute of Grapes and Grape Wine, also known as the "Wine Castle", due to its resemblance to an old medieval European fortress. This is where the award-winning Tokachi wine, a cool, acidic wine made of sour grapes, was developed. As Japan's first winery established by a municipality, there is a museum library and exhibitions on production methods. Besides touring the bottling plant and underground cellar, visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the observation deck, making it an ideal destination for wine enthusiasts eager to explore Hokkaido's rich winemaking heritage.

In Furano City, Tada Winery stands out as an inspiring example of organic producers who are honouring tradition while also applying innovative winemaking practices. The farm has existed since 1901 as a pioneer of Hokkaido wine, and produces a variety of pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, specialising in carrot juice. In 2007, they began cultivating grapes, planting pinot noir vines before adding other varieties such as Merlot and Chardonnay. There's a charming wine shop on site and in autumn, visitors can even witness the grape-sorting.

Other wineries worth visiting include Yamazaki in Mikasa City, which has been in operation for four generations and produces Chardonnay, Merlot and Riesling among others, and Hosui Winery in Iwamizawa City, near Sapporo, where Hokkaido's unique terroir and stunning views welcome you.

Venture a bit further north and you can explore incredibly lush orchards in seasonal growing spots as you wander among the trees and countryside to let yourself stumble upon hidden gems. The apples grown at these orchards are used to make another popular local product, Fukagawa Cider.

Fujitani Kajuen cultivates 3,000 apple trees of 18 varieties on the Irumu Hills, offering apple-picking experiences to the public. Visitors can sample plums, cherries, blueberries and prunes, depending on the season. The orchard also produces a non-alcoholic sparkling drink called "Apple Juice Park".

Just 10 minutes away by car is Hayashi Orchard, a farm that has been in operation for three generations and specialises in cherries and apples. From July to October, the orchard is open for fruit picking, and the farm also makes jams, juices and ice cream.

With a captivating expanse of rugged hiking trails through mountains, fields, forests, lakes, and lowlands, Hokkaido has long been the place to go for unspoiled nature.

Rishiri, a dormant volcanic island in the waters surrounding Japan, lies just off the northern tip of the prefecture and, together with neighbouring Rebun Island, forms the breathtaking Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. There are countless walks and hikes available, including a rewarding ascent of the volcano itself. However, the most exciting way to experience the island is perhaps on two wheels, with a cycling road stretching along the coast in the north.

Another must-see for nature-lovers is Sounkyo in the district of Kamikawa. This hot-spring town is surrounded by a gorge. From warm orange and red autumn foliage to cherry blossoms and mountain flowers that pepper the landscape in spring, the views are staggering. The best way to appreciate it is to take the Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway 1,300m up to Mount Kurodake in the Daisetsuzan National Park. The park is known locally as "the Playground of the Gods", thanks to majestic mountains that serve as a natural habitat to deer and other wildlife.

In 2024, Japan designated its 35th national park, Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park. Located in south-central Hokkaido, it stretches along the Hidaka Mountains and engulfs forests, watersheds, glacial structures and alpine slopes.

Further south lies Lake Toya, a must-see natural wonder within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park.

The lake's breathtaking surroundings offer many camping, fishing and hiking experiences. For those seeking a challenge, a trek up Mount Usuzan, an active stratovolcano, rewards seasoned hikers with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains.

Nearby, Lake Hill Farm has grass-fed cows that roam freely. The fresh milk produced here is used to make more than 20 varieties of homemade gelato, available for savouring at the farm's shop, as you take in unforgettable views of Mount Yōtei. It's even possible to attend group classes on butter churning and ice-cream making. Just a short distance away at Herbal Ranch, visitors can pick their own herbs to craft natural perfumes, teas, herb salt and incense, accompanied by panoramic views of the lake.

With so much on offer, it's no wonder that more people are heading to Hokkaido to feed both their bodies and spirits. The prefecture has a way of casting a captivating spell over all that come here, marking it as a truly unmissable place for those seeking something special.