Beat the Heat in Hokkaido: Best Summer Spots

Asahikawa: Small-city charm, big nature moments

I have a soft spot for Asahikawa. It might seem modest at first glance, but there’s a warmth and ease here that feels ever-so local. Asahiyama Zoo is genuinely delightful. Sure, it’s just a zoo, but seeing seals glide gracefully past your face in underwater tubes or hearing the lion roar changes the game entirely. And just outside the city awaits Mt. Asahidake. Riding the ropeway up to alpine trails dotted with wildflowers and volcanic steam vents, you quickly realize why locals love it here. A clear day at the top gifts you views stretching to infinity, reminding you how wild and beautiful Hokkaido can be.

Asahiyama Zoo

Biei and Furano: Summer’s colorful masterpiece

Nothing quite prepares you for Furano and Biei in July. Farm Tomita’s Rainbow Field is like stepping into a painting, with rows of lavender so vivid you catch their fragrance even before you get out of the car, flanked by fiery salvia and cheerful marigolds. Nearby, Shikisai-no-Oka is a playful cousin, offering tractor rides through striped hillsides in every imaginable hue. I recommend taking the short drive over to the Blue Pond, too, where aluminum-rich water glows a surreal turquoise. Finish your afternoon on Biei’s Patchwork Road, where gentle hills roll out like quilted blankets bathed in golden sunlight—a view you’ll want to savor quietly before heading on.

Lake Akan: Quiet moments and cultural connections

Lake Akan is my favorite spot for slowing down. Once day visitors head home, the shoreline settles into a peaceful stillness, broken only by loon calls drifting across glassy water. Taking a leisurely walk through Akanko Ainu Kotan, you immediately sense you’re somewhere special: hand-carved wooden crafts fill tiny shops, and artisans patiently share stories behind each intricate carving. Performances at the Theater immerse you in powerful dances honoring the land, nature, and spirits that define the Ainu people’s connection to this region. When I’m here, time slows, and everyday worries fade, replaced by a feeling of deep appreciation for the quiet beauty and resilient culture around Lake Akan.

Akanko Ainu Kotan

Tomamu: Sunrise above the clouds

Waking before dawn isn’t always easy, but in Tomamu, it’s unquestionably worth it. The Unkai Gondola lifts you gently upward until, suddenly, you’re above a rolling ocean of clouds. This “Unkai,” meaning “sea of clouds,” occurs when cool mountain air traps moisture in valley bottoms, creating waves of white that flow beneath your feet. Standing on the viewing deck at sunrise as the first rays of sunlight spill across this cloud ocean, you feel both humbled and exhilarated. Afterward, stroll through the lush forests nearby or unwind with a coffee while your mind tries to hold on to the surreal experience you just witnessed. For me, no summer trip to Hokkaido feels complete without the magic of Tomamu’s Unkai.

Sea of Clouds at Tomamu

Getting around Hokkaido is simple and stress-free—hiring a driver or renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your pace.

Pack layers, because mornings can feel brisk even when afternoons warm comfortably into the mid-70s.

Keep some cash handy for roadside stands selling fresh produce, and remember that respectful curiosity in Ainu villages is warmly welcomed.

Drive slowly at dusk—foxes and deer often venture out (I counted at least 20 on the road at one point!), and these unexpected encounters become lovely memories of a trip defined by quiet discoveries.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Japan page.