Five Reasons to Visit Hokkaido in Summer

Hokkaido, an island located at the northernmost part of the Japanese archipelago, is known for its cold climate with abundant snowfall. While it's a popular destination for enjoying skiing and snowboarding, Hokkaido also holds its appeal as a summer getaway. Here are five reasons why you should visit Hokkaido in the summer.

1. Hokkaido is a great summer retreat

As you may know, summers in Japan can be miserable. From June to September, Japan has hot and humid weather, with July and August being the peak months when temperatures soar. There have even been years where temperatures have approached 40℃ (104°F), which makes Japan's summer pretty uncomfortable.

Even as someone born and raised in Japan, I don't particularly want to return to Japan during the summer, and I usually advise people to avoid Japan during this season.

However, many people may need to travel during the summer for their children's summer vacation or other reasons. In such cases, I highly recommend visiting Hokkaido.

Being located at the northern end of the Japanese archipelago, Hokkaido enjoys slightly cooler temperatures compared to Tokyo even during the summer. And the best part? Hokkaido is said to be unaffected by the rainy season, which means that while the rest of Japan experiences rainy weather almost every day from June to July, you can see clear blue skies in Hokkaido!

In August, the average temperature is around 21℃ (70°F), with highs reaching around 30℃ (86°F). Hokkaido has a more comfortable, less humid climate than the main island of Japan, making it the perfect place to escape the summer heat.

2. Less crowded than in winter

Winter in Hokkaido attracts a high number of tourists, especially for skiing and snowboarding. It can get pretty crowded. But, in the summer, it feels like everywhere is less crowded than in winter.

During my summer trip to Hokkaido, I stayed in the Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa areas in central Hokkaido, and was able to enjoy a relaxing trip without much congestion or traffic in any of the areas.

I think the reason it's less crowded than in winter is probably because tourists are not concentrated in ski resorts and snow festivals in the summer. They're dispersed to different tourist destinations, which is great for everyone!

Why not escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the vast, beautiful landscapes of Hokkaido?

3. Plentiful seasonal food in summer

Many people visit Hokkaido to enjoy the fresh seafood, but the seafood delicacies are not just for the cold season. The famous Hokkaido uni (sea urchin) season is said to start from July to August, making this the best time of the year to enjoy the most delicious sea urchin. Great news for uni lovers!

Also, summer is the season for delicious fruits, and while tasty fruits can be found all over Japan, Hokkaido has a wide variety of fruits, particularly famous for its cantaloupes. You can find various types of melons are available in Japan from June to August. In Hokkaido, there are many farms where you can enjoy cantaloupes and desserts made with cantaloupes on-site. Hokkaido is also known for cherries, watermelons, blueberries, and plums. There are a lot of places in Hokkaido where you can enjoy fruit picking.

Fresh cantaloupe
and cantaloupe ice cream

4. Activities to experience the great outdoors

During the summer in Hokkaido, you can explore vast landscapes including lavender fields, birch forests, and even encounter wildlife such as Hokkaido deer. In the Furano and Biei area, located in the center of Hokkaido, colorful flower fields are popular tourist destinations during the summer. You will also find the famous Blue Pond in the Biei area where you can see a naturally blue-colored pond.

If you're looking for a place to stay with your kids, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is a great option. You can see wild animals like deer and foxes up close, and you can even interact with goats and cows that are raised on the resort. Plus, there are lots of activities to choose from, like horseback riding and rafting.

5. Road trip in Hokkaido can make your trip even better!

Hokkaido is so big, and if you're planning to visit multiple cities in the region, renting a car is a great way to get around. Driving in Hokkaido during the snowy season from November to March might not be the best idea, but in the summer, you can enjoy road trips while soaking in the beautiful scenery.

Also, there is not much traffic in Hokkaido, so even if you're not used to driving on the left side of the road, you'll find it easy to drive.

Why not embark on a breezy drive across the vast land while enjoying the unique scenic beauty that Hokkaido has to offer?

Japan has so many different charms depending on the season. It's always a dilemma deciding which region to visit at what time of the year, but I hope this information will help you plan your next trip to Japan!