Hokkaido, the second largest island of Japan, stands as the quintessential destination for Japanese tourism enthusiasts seeking to marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty, serene landscapes, and experience the unique cultural heritage. While Hokkaido boasts four seasons, winter is revered as the most beautiful season in this city.
Emerald Lake, Biei Town
Biei Town is renowned among travelers as a charming town with vast rolling hills and famous for its mystical sites surrounding the Takachidake mountain range, believed to have been born from the power and blessings of the mountains. And Emerald Lake in Biei is one of those mystical places.
The mesmerizing Blue Pond in Biei town - Illustrative Image
The Blue Pond in Biei is nestled along the banks of the Bieigawa River, southeast of Biei town. Its simple name comes from its naturally vivid blue hue. Alongside the commonly seen stunning emerald green, visitors may also catch glimpses of the water turning different shades like lush green depending on the season or perspective.
This is one of the most enticing destinations for budget travelers, showcasing nature's exquisite beauty. From the bottom of the pond, slender white tree trunks shoot straight up, creating an ethereal and surreal atmosphere.
The Flower Fields of Furano
Visiting Furano is like stepping into an ancient land, a renowned tourist destination of Hokkaido, with its quaint old villages nestled on hillsides or the vibrant lavender fields showing off their colors every summer. It's said that Furano's lavender fields are just as romantically beautiful as those in Provence, southern France.
The breathtaking flower fields of Hokkaido - Illustrative Image
From June to September, when visiting Hokkaido, Japan, travelers can immerse themselves in the scenery of fragrant lavender fields stretching to the horizon, golden sunflower fields shining brightly everywhere, or countless colors from hundreds of flowers together creating stunning natural landscapes. And one of the must-visit destinations is the flower farms in Furano town.
Takino Suzuran National Park
Known as one of the parks abundant in nature, bearing the distinctive features of Hokkaido, beloved by many foreign tourists. Inside the park, there are countless species of flowers showing off their colors all year round, wild birds like Akagera, Tsutsuki, and the famous snow slides that attract hundreds of tourists in the winter.
Takino Suzuran National Park - Illustrative Image
Thanks to the idea of architects in creating a play space for children, made entirely of colorful handmade crochet threads, Takino Suzuran National Park is also a favorite spot for Korean children and families on weekends.
Momiji Matsuri Festival
Momiji Matsuri Autumn Festival - Illustrative Image
By the end of September, beginning of October, as the maple leaves turn golden and red, the people of Hokkaido and foreign tourists alike have the opportunity to joyfully attend the Momiji Matsuri festival, the traditional maple leaf festival of Japan. At this time, the entire city of Hokkaido seems to be immersed in romantic colors reminiscent of fairy tales.
The Four Seasons Beer
The Four Seasons Beer is a unique creation of breweries renowned in the Hokkaido region of Japan. It's known that the four colors of this beer symbolize the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
Illustrative Image: Four-color beer representing the 4 seasons in Hokkaido
Among them, the sky-blue beer represents winter, made from water melted from floating icebergs off the coast of Hokkaido. The red beer symbolizes summer, extracted from natural plant pigments in the Hamanasu flower. The green beer symbolizes spring, with its color derived from seaweed and a mixture of various plants on the peninsula. The pink beer symbolizes autumn, a combination of roses, glacial river water, and potatoes.