Where to see the best autumn sceneries in Hokkaido?
I spent a week in Hokkaido last October and it was my first time visiting this city. Couldn’t agree more that the autumn scene here is too charming, too beautiful.
Here are some of my top picks for the best autumn scenes in Hokkaido:
1. Lake Akan, Kushiro
This has made it to the top of my list out of all the scenic spots that I’ve visited during my holiday.
Lake Akan is one of the most popular lakes in Hokkaido which is also home to the Marimo moss balls. Apparently, wild Marimo is really rare today and is highly protected in Japan. There is a Marimo festival here in Lake Akan every year. You could also catch a glimpse of this cute little wonder at the Observation Centre or by taking the Lake Akan sightseeing cruise.
We stayed at New Akan Hotel which is just sitting by this beautiful lake. A morning stroll around the lake just feels great to let go of all your thoughts and enjoy the moment of calmness. It was great that the autumn leaves have not fallen off completely, even though the weather felt almost like winter already.
Around the lake, there are also hiking trails for those who are up for some adventure.
Here’s another view of Lake Akan before sunrise.
2. Mt Kurodake, Kamikawa-cho
If you are planning to go to Sounkyu for their famous hot springs, you should definitely include Mt. Kurodake in your itinerary.
Mt. Kurodake is part of Daisetsuzan National Park and the view at the top is simply gorgeous.
Mesmerizing late autumn in the mountains.
To get to the top, hop on to Kurodake Ropeway located next to Sounkyu Visitor Centre. It takes around 7 minutes to reach the 5th station where you can walk around to enjoy the view of the mountains. From here, to get to the summit, you can either continue by foot or take the chairlift.
It is really cold up there so remember to layer up, especially if you are planning to hike up to the summit.
3. OTARU CANAL
If you search places to visit in Hokkaido, Otaru will definitely be on the list. You can take a train from Sapporo to Otaru (less than an hour) and spend a day exploring this quaint little historical town.
Stroll along Otaru Canal and you’ll find buildings covered with colourful autumn leaves, definitely a scene not to be missed! It is amazing how this canal has been beautifully preserved until today.
To all dessert lovers out there, Otaru is the right place for you!
You’ll find some of the best Japanese dessert shops along the main street. My favourite was the freshly made cream puffs from Kitakaro. The puff was so fluffy with fresh cream melting in your mouth, they’re just too good!
Apart from those mentioned here, there are lots of other beautiful places to visit in Hokkaido. Autumn is probably one of the best seasons to travel around Hokkaido, given that the weather is cool but not freezing cold yet, and it doesn’t rain much in autumn.
Can’t wait to plan my next trip to Hokkaido again!