Dreaming of Hokkaido, the land of culinary wonders...

Known as the culinary capital of Japan, Hokkaido boasts a seafood paradise featuring delicacies ranging from scallops, abalone, snow crabs, tuna, to salmon, sea urchin, octopus, and trout. This northern Japanese island is an enticing destination for Vietnamese travelers.

Wandering through Hokkaido, memories flood back...

Embarking from Vietnam to Hokkaido typically takes around 8 hours including a layover in Tokyo. This distant escapade from the Golden Route offers a plethora of captivating landmarks to explore throughout the four seasons.

Since the 1970s, Hokkaido has gained global recognition for its vast lavender fields in the Furano region, such as Tomita, Lavender East, and Kamifurano. Recently, flower enthusiasts also recognize Hokkaido for its unique sunflower festival, usually held in July in Hokuryu, where over 30 varieties of sunflowers from around the world are cultivated across vast fields, showcasing their vibrant colors.

For gastronomy enthusiasts, one of the first activities for Vietnamese travelers upon landing at Chitose Airport in Hokkaido—usually around lunchtime—is to seek out a distinctive seafood restaurant to indulge in the renowned flavors of Hokkaido. There are numerous unique seafood eateries to choose from, but for group travelers, the ideal destination is the Kani Goten seafood market.

Located just over an hour's drive from Chitose Airport, the restaurant impresses visitors with a giant polar bear perched on its roof, playfully raising its paw as if preparing to hunt. Alongside the bear are Hokkaido's famous seafood offerings such as salmon and king crab, artfully crafted into large sculptures adorning the exterior of the market area.

Stepping through the small doorway, a bustling market space unfolds, with an abundance of freshly caught seafood displayed. Visitors wandering here will have the opportunity to sample various prepared seafood dishes, making it easy to select their favorites. Chefs will then prepare them on the spot, serving them in the dining area of Kani Goten.

Hokkaido also boasts another enticing culinary destination, the Sapporo Garden beer restaurant, nestled within the grounds of the famous Sapporo brewery, established since 1876. Known as the beer capital of Japan, a tour exploring the beer-making process followed by indulging in Jingisukan grilled meat paired with fresh, aromatic beer promises to be a delectable Hokkaido culinary experience.

Hokkaido is also home to breathtaking natural landscapes, with 169 scenic mountains, the most famous being Mount Yotei. Despite its modest height of 1,898 meters, located by Lake Toya, Yotei's sharply pointed peak resembles Mount Fuji, earning it the nickname of Japan's second Fuji (3,776 meters).

The youngest mountain in Japan, Showa Shinzan, is also a renowned attraction in Hokkaido, formed in 1943 after an eruption of the nearby Usu volcano. Today, both Usu and Showa Shinzan remain active, emitting sulfuric smoke daily from fissures, creating a majestic and surreal sight.

A culturally rich destination in Hokkaido today is Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, serving as a theme park dedicated to recreating cultural and customs from the Edo period (1603 - 1868). Featuring architectural styles of merchants, intellectuals, samurais, ninjas, and various vibrant performances and reenactments, it provides a vivid and diverse glimpse into the lives of ancient Japanese during the Edo era.

Hokkaido boasts a vibrant harbor, home to the Ishikari Bay where Otaru resides. Established in 1899, Otaru Port became a pivotal link in Japan's trade with Western countries, notably Britain and the United States. Adorned with architectural marvels from the European Renaissance and Victorian era, remnants like the Otaru Canal, bank buildings, city hall, and seaside workshops still stand today, alongside museums showcasing music boxes and antiquities.

Travelers flock to Sakaimachi in Otaru, a locale immortalized in Shunji Iwai's 1995 film 'Love Letter'. This pedestrian street is a prime attraction, featuring renowned music box workshops and traditional glassblowing studios. With an array of culinary delights and souvenir shops, Sakaimachi ensures visitors feel time slip away during their Otaru sojourn.

For those with ample time in Hokkaido, other enticing destinations include Asahiyama Zoo – Japan's second-largest zoo, housing rare Arctic creatures like polar bears, penguins, and seals, sure to captivate tropical travelers. Hokkaido is also home to the famed Shiroi Koibito chocolate factory, offering visitors a glimpse into Japan's prestigious chocolate-making process and showcasing unique collections spanning from record players to vintage toys from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras.

Despite being a shared destination, the diversity of nature, culture, and historical imprints have sculpted a captivating Hokkaido, marking a new exploration chapter brimming with wonders in the travel diaries of Vietnamese tourists.

According to One World

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Explore with confidence: Travel guide by Mytour