Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Nestled along the serene shores of Lake Poroto, Upopoy—meaning “singing in a large group” in the Ainu language—is Japan’s first national center devoted to the revival and development of Ainu culture. This symbolic space promotes understanding and respect for the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, and serves as a place to learn about their deep-rooted history and rich cultural heritage.

At the heart of the facility is the National Ainu Museum, Japan’s first national museum focusing on the Ainu. Nearby, the National Ainu Park offers a hands-on, immersive experience of Ainu traditions. The park also includes a solemn memorial site, designed with dignity for Ainu ancestral commemoration.

Visitors to the National Ainu Park can enjoy authentic Ainu traditional dance performances, and join in a variety of interactive programs. From playing indigenous instruments such as the mukkuri (mouth harp) and tonkori (five-stringed zither), to participating in cooking and tasting Ainu dishes rooted in traditional knowledge of nature, the experiences are engaging for both adults and children—making it a perfect destination for families.

After exploring, you can browse a curated selection of Ainu crafts, museum goods, and books at the gift shop, or relax at the on-site restaurant or café, where you can savor flavors from Ainu food culture. Spend a fulfilling day surrounded by the stunning scenery of Lake Poroto, immersed in the spirit of cultural harmony.

Oyunuma River Natural Footbath in Noboribetsu Onsen, one of Hokkaido's most popular hot spring resorts, is a charming healing spot. A 30-minute walk along the promenade from Noboribetsu Park Service Center, located next to Jigokudani, while enjoying forest bathing, will lead you to the cobalt blue natural footbath. The unique healing time in the river with hot spring water flowing through it will be a wonderful memory of your trip.

Noboribetsu Onsen is one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Japan. Noboribetsu Onsen is called a “department store of hot springs,” a rarity in the world, and visitors can enjoy a hot spring tour at a variety of ryokan (Japanese-style inns) and hotels. There are many attractions at the source of the hot springs, including Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and Oyunuma Swamp, where boiling water gushes out amidst the scent of sulfur, Sengen Park, where geysers erupt vigorously every three hours, and Oyunuma River Natural Foot Bath, where visitors can enjoy foot bathing in hot spring water overflowing from the swamp. Monuments of demons, the symbol of the hot springs, can be found here and there in the hot spring resort area, so it is fun to stroll around looking for them.

Exhibiting artifacts from Japan’s prehistoric age, the Hakodate Jomon Culture Center brings the Jomon Period (14,000 – 300 BCE) back to life. Drawn from extensive archaeological excavations throughout Hokkaido, the museum’s collection recreates Jomon life and highlights the deep relationship between humans and the natural landscape that surrounded them. As you marvel at clay tablets with impressions of children’s feet and tools constructed out of bone and stone, be sure to check out the Chuku-Dogu, a beautifully decorated hollow clay figurine that was the first item from Hokkaido to be designated a national treasure in 2007.

This hot spring area, said to have opened in 1247, boasts the oldest history in Hokkaido. Known for its various benefits, such as healing burns and gastrointestinal diseases, it has long been cherished as a therapeutic hot spring. The solitary inn nestled in the vast nature features five naturally occurring hot spring sources, offering a variety of spring qualities. The two separate indoor baths for men and women are proud of their robustly built rock baths, with layers of petrified hot spring deposits 'yunohana' as a testament to its history. In recent years, the inn has added more barrier-free rooms and also accepts day-trip visitors.

Esashi Oiwake Kaikan

In Esashi, a historic port town in southern Hokkaido, the Kaikan showcases the region’s famous folk song, Esashi Oiwake, born from melodies sung by Edo period (1603–1868) merchant sailors and herring fishermen. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the song’s profound lyrics and heritage. Crucially, the hall offers live performances of Esashi Oiwake from late April to October, usually three times a day. This is the best way to hear the melancholic, soulful melody firsthand. Hands-on singing lessons are also available.

Esashi Yama Kaikan

Home to Hokkaido’s oldest festival (370 years), the Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival runs from August 9 to 11. This spectacular event features 13 magnificent, multi-tiered floats (called yama), built by wealthy merchants and reflecting cultural influences from Kyoto and Edo. At the Yama Kaikan, visitors can see two of these exquisitely decorated yama displayed on rotation. Large screen footage allows you to experience the festival's exhilarating atmosphere, even outside the August dates.

Located adjacent to each other, these two halls offer a vivid, integrated glimpse into Hokkaido's deep-rooted culture. Step away from the major cities and immerse yourself in the authentic history and soul of Esashi.

To truly understand Lake Toya’s stunning beauty—forged by the dynamic activity of Mt. Usu—start your visit at the Lake Toya Visitor Center. The center introduces the region’s rich natural environment through easy-to-explore panels and real-life specimens, perfect for all ages.

The adjacent Volcanic Science Museum reveals the history and mechanism of Mt. Usu's powerful eruptions through videos and detailed explanations. It features striking exhibits, such as trucks damaged in past eruptions, offering a close-up view of how life coexists with nature’s immense forces.

The area surrounding the lake also features relaxing hot springs and delicious Hokkaido cuisine. Visitors can enjoy both learning and leisure while appreciating the powerful energy that shapes this beautiful landscape.

The Mount Usu Ropeway, departing from Kazan Mura at the foot of Showa-Shinzan, heads to the summit station of Mount Usu in an approximately 6-minute aerial tour.
As the gondola ascends, the reddish-brown slopes of Showa-Shinzan spread below, with the blue surface of Lake Toya shining beyond. Further in the distance, Mount Yotei rises into the sky with its beautiful Fuji-like shape. In autumn, autumn foliage dyes the mountains red and yellow, creating breathtakingly beautiful color contrasts. After arriving at the summit station and walking about 7 minutes to the Crater Plain Observatory, you can see the rough terrain of the crater plain spreading below and mountain ranges continuing into the distance.
Continuing along the walking trail, you can proceed to the Ginnuma Crater and Mount Usu Outer Rim Observatory while viewing Usu, Ko-Usu, and Usu-Shinzan. On the walking trail where wind blows through, the distinctive sulfurous scent of volcanoes drifts, and bird calls can be heard in the distance. While feeling the breath of an active volcano, you can experience Hokkaido's magnificent nature.

A unique destination where baseball meets hot springs and Hokkaido’s natural beauty

Spread across about 32 hectares in Kitahiroshima City, HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE is a next-generation entertainment hub combining a world-class baseball stadium with hot springs, outdoor activities, and stylish accommodations. At its heart is ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Even on non-game days, parts of the stadium are open, letting visitors enjoy its open-air atmosphere and Hokkaido’s natural beauty.

The landmark TOWER 11, named in honor of Yu Darvish and Shohei Ohtani and their iconic jersey number, offers a world-first experience: a natural hot spring and sauna overlooking the field. At the semi-open-air “Totonoë Terrace,” guests can soak in a hot spring or relax in a sauna while watching the game. Even the cold plunge pool faces the field, creating a unique way to unwind.

After your soak, enjoy craft beer brewed inside the stadium at the indoor bar zone. Seasonal events, including magical winter experiences, make every visit special. With family-friendly perks like free admission for elementary school children on game days, F VILLAGE is more than a ballpark—it’s a destination for sports, relaxation, and fun.