Hokkaido area (Sapporo, Hakodate, drift ice, Kushiro, Rishiri-Rebun, Shiretoko)

Lake Toya is close to Hakodate and is recommended for those who want to go somewhere a little more besides the standard Hakodate sightseeing. The lake, which spans Toyako Town and Sobetsu Town, offers beautiful scenery and has been selected as one of the "100 Most Viewed Places in Japan." The lake is the ninth largest in Japan in terms of area, and is known as a hot spring resort due to the many volcanoes in the area, such as Showa Shinzan and Usuzan. In 2009, Lake Toya-Usuzan Geopark was certified as a "Global Geopark." It was recognized as an area that can protect valuable geological heritage while promoting science and tourism, and revitalizing the region. After spending a relaxing time in the hot spring town of Lake Toya, why not enjoy the magnificent scenery on Cruise on Lake Toya or take a stroll along the lakeside? It is a spot that can be enjoyed all year round, with a comfortable climate in the summer and pleasant hot springs in the winter.

Located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, at the very edge of the area known as Eastern Hokkaido, it is about 25km wide, 70km long, and large enough to fit 15,200 Tokyo Domes. The name is derived from the Ainu word "Shirietoku," which means "the edge of the earth," "the protruding part of the earth, the dead end, the tip," and is applied to the Japanese name. The tip of the peninsula, including Shiretoko, the northeasternmost point of Japan, is designated as Shiretoko National Park, and much of its natural beauty remains untouched as Japan's last uncharted territory.

Japan's largest wetland and a forest with diverse ecosystems. The Kushiro Marsh is the first wetland in Japan to be registered under the Ramsar Convention for the protection of waterfowl, and is the largest wetland in Japan and has been designated a national park. Its total area is approximately 20,000 hectares, and it is also an important habitat for the red-crowned crane and the northern salamander, which are natural monuments. Another great thing about the Kushiro Marsh is that it shows completely different faces depending on the season and angle. There are five observation decks in the Kushiro Marsh: Hosooka Observatory, Hokuto Observatory, Kushiro City Marsh Observatory, Kottaro Marsh Observatory, and Sarubo Sarurun Observatory, and you can enjoy different panoramic views of the marsh at each one. In addition, there are six walking trails, including the Onnekido, where you can enjoy bird watching and plant observation to your heart's content.

The Tokachi/Obihiro area, where you can enjoy magnificent scenery, is full of tourist spots that make the most of the natural scenery, as well as delicious gourmet food. The second floor of Rokkatei's main store is a cafe where you can enjoy Light meal and sweets. You can also experience making butter at Hanabatake Farm.

Hakodate has many attractive spots such as the beautiful night view from Hakodate, Goryokaku, and the Red Brick Warehouse.
Among them, Hakodate Motomachi, located at the foot of Hakodate, is a port town that opened as an international trading port in 1859. Its exotic townscape is attractive, with the former British Consulate surrounded by beautiful gardens, Hakodate Orthodox Church with its solemn Russian-Byzantine-style cathedral, and Hachimanzaka, which has been used as a setting for many movies and commercials. If you are traveling to Hokkaido, be sure to check out the exotic atmosphere Hakodate.