7 Outdoor Adventures You Can Have In Hokkaido

If white water rafting, hiking, and generally just being outdoors sounds like the trip you’re craving right now, Hokkaido is somewhere that has it all.

This northern Japanese island has natural beauty as far as the eye can see.

For those looking to unwind, disconnect from the city grind, and reconnect with their inner peace by surrounding themselves with nature, Hokkaido offers everything from natural hot springs to beautiful waterfalls.

But if you’re someone – like me – who’s not content with just taking in breathtaking views, Hokkaido also boasts some incredible outdoor adventures to get you up close and personal with all that beauty.

Snow-fiends might know Hokkaido for its powder. Indeed, the island has an array of different ski resorts that are popular in Winter.

But outside of the snowy season the outdoors adventures are a-plenty, and make Hokkaido a great destination year-round.

Ride Around On Fat Bikes

If – like us – you hadn’t heard of a fat bike before now, they’re essentially mountain bikes with super thick tyres. Booking yourself onto a fat bike experience at Lake Shikotsu is a great way to take in this stunning part of Hokkaido.

Hike Up Mount Tarumae

This active stratovolcano in Shikotsu-Toya National Park was formed by an eruption roughly 9,000 years ago. If you manage to scale the steep ascent to the top, you can still see smoke blowing out from the crater.

Explore Jigokudani

Jigokudani is a valley that sits just above the town of Noboribetsu Onsen, and is a main source of the hot spring waters in the town. If you walk around exploring, you’ll see (and smell) the sulphurous steam rising around you.

Kayak On Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu is located the closest national park to Hokkaido’s capital city, Sapporo. It is Japan’s farthest north open water lake that doesn’t freeze in winter and is surrounded by vast mountains, and one of the best ways to take in the views is from a kayak on the lake itself.

Have A Natural Footbath

Oyunuma River Natural Footbath is a hot spring within a much larger onsen. You can reach it after you’ve hiked Jigokudani, and dipping your feet into the soothing water is the perfect end to the hike.

Hike Orofure Mountain Pass

This is not a hike for the faint-hearted, but it is one that will take your breath away with every step you take. It offers incredible views, including Mount Orofure, Lake Kuttara, the Pacific Ocean, and even Mount Yotei.

Go White Water Rafting

The upper stream of Hokkaido’s Toyohira River flows through a deep valley, which makes the view almost impossible to take in from the roads above. The best way to really see the beauty below is on a white water rafting experience down the river.