Where to base yourself

Which region to explore in Hokkaido

Every region scored for accessibility, value, local feel, and more. Honest trade-offs on each — no superlatives without substance.

AllBudgetLocal feelNightlifeFamiliesWalkabilityMost central

Top pick

Sapporo

Hokkaido's 2-million-person capital — Snow Festival, beer brewery, Susukino nightlife and direct rail to ski resorts.

Sapporo Hokkaido — Odori Park winter snow and TV tower

Sapporo

Top pick

Hokkaido's 2-million-person capital — Snow Festival, beer brewery, Susukino nightlife and direct rail to ski resorts.

9/10

Walk

7/10

Price

6/10

Local

10/10

Central

Hakodate Hokkaido — Goryokaku star-shaped fort cherry blossom aerial

Hakodate

Good

Southern port city — star-shaped Goryokaku fort, world-famous night view, morning seafood market.

7/10

Walk

7/10

Price

8/10

Local

6/10

Central

Furano Hokkaido — purple lavender rows with mountain backdrop

Furano / Biei

Trade-off

Central Hokkaido patchwork landscapes — lavender in July, autumn colours, ski lifts in winter, year-round draw.

4/10

Walk

6/10

Price

7/10

Local

6/10

Central

Niseko Hokkaido — Mt Yotei conical peak above ski slopes

Niseko

Trade-off

World-class powder ski resort — 15m+ annual snowfall, four interconnected mountains, English everywhere.

7/10

Walk

2/10

Price

3/10

Local

4/10

Central

Shiretoko Hokkaido — drift ice on Sea of Okhotsk with snowy cliffs

Shiretoko

Trade-off

UNESCO wilderness peninsula in far north-east — brown bears, drift ice, no infrastructure, the wildest corner of Japan.

3/10

Walk

5/10

Price

9/10

Local

2/10

Central

Not sure when to go?

Find the best time to visit Hokkaido →