70 Carefully Selected Locations in Hokkaido: Map, History, Nature, and the Best Times for Photography

Introducing Instagrammable Photos from Eastern Hokkaido

Eastern Hokkaido is home to numerous breathtaking Instagram-worthy spots that are hard to compare. Sounkyo Gorge in the inland area is renowned for its autumn foliage, where the mountains are dyed red and yellow in the fall, creating a magnificent view. The vibrant scenery, like a colorful carpet woven by nature, captivates the hearts of visitors.

Additionally, the Asahiyama Zoo, located on the outskirts of Asahikawa City, the second-largest city in Hokkaido, is famous for its unique behavior exhibits. Visitors can observe the animals’ natural behaviors up close, and the lively actions of the animals are astonishing. The penguin parade and the seals’ swimming, in particular, offer plenty of moments you’ll want to share on social media.

The coastal areas also have attractive spots. In Abashiri, along the Sea of Okhotsk, the winter drift ice creates a fantastical landscape. The sight of the pure white ice floating on the sea evokes the power of nature and takes one’s breath away with its beauty. Additionally, the Abashiri Prison Museum, a rare prison museum globally, is not to be missed. Exhibits such as the reenactment of escaped prisoners provide unique photo opportunities. In the outskirts of Abashiri, Lake Notoro is dyed red with glasswort in the autumn. This scenery looks like a painting, sure to garner many “likes” when posted on Instagram.

The region is also dotted with numerous lakes. Lake Mashu, boasting one of the highest levels of transparency in the world, creates a mysterious atmosphere when covered in mist. The moment when beams of light, known as the “Angel’s Ladder,” shine down on the lake is a heavenly sight. Nearby Lake Akan is home to marimo, rare spherical algae. These round, cute marimo are perfect for photography.

Sounkyo

Sounkyo is a beautiful gorge near Asahikawa City, featuring distinctive columnar cliffs that stretch for about 25 km. The main tourist spot is the Sounkyo Onsen, with other nearby attractions including Ginga Falls, Obako, and Ryusei Falls. Additionally, there is a ropeway from the hot spring town to Mount Kurodake, offering an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent nature of Hokkaido.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo opened in 1967. The zoo covers a large area and houses a diverse range of animals, with approximately 160 species and a total of 612 animals. This zoo is known for its “behavioral exhibits” where visitors can observe the natural behaviors of animals up close, making it a popular spot for tourists from all over Japan.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Frequent public transportation

Drift Ice in Abashiri

Drift ice is a natural phenomenon that can be seen in the Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido from late January to late March. This ice originates from the mouth of the Amur River in Russia and reaches Hokkaido due to wind and ocean currents. On the eastern coast of Hokkaido, you can enjoy the spectacular sight of drift ice covering the coastline and harbors. During this period, you can also spot many wild animals, and with luck, you might see seals resting on the drift ice.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: Late January to Late March
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Limited public transportation

Glasswort at Lake Notoro

At Lake Notoro in Abashiri, the glasswort turns a vivid red from late August to late September, creating a spectacular contrast with the blue sky. Glasswort is an annual plant that grows to a height of 15-30 cm, and its shape resembles real coral, hence the name.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: Late August to Late September
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Limited public transportation

Abashiri Prison

Abashiri Prison, which has become a pilgrimage spot for fans of the manga “Golden Kamuy,” is a restored building that once served as a real prison. These buildings were constructed from the late 19th to early 20th centuries and are considered the oldest wooden prison structures in the world. The museum features many exhibits that offer insights into the lives of prisoners and the history of the prison, along with dolls, period prison meals, and various souvenirs.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Limited public transportation

Spectacular View of Lake Mashu

Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo are two beautiful lakes located in Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido. Lake Mashu is known for being the second clearest lake in the world, and on clear days, it turns blue, a phenomenon known as “Mashu Blue.” This lake has received high ratings in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Nearby Lake Kussharo is the largest caldera lake in Japan, offering different scenery each season. In winter, the lake freezes over, becoming the largest frozen lake in Japan. Lake Akan was registered as a Ramsar Wetland in 2005 and has received the highest rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. In 1931, Lake Mashu recorded the world’s highest water clarity and remains the second clearest lake in the world today (the first being Russia’s Lake Baikal). In summer, the lake is often shrouded in mist, earning it the nickname “Foggy Lake Mashu.”

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities:Closed in winter
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Sunrise at Lake Mashu

The mystical veil of mist over Lake Mashu creates a fantastical image of the lake. In the early morning, a dynamic sea of clouds sometimes appears over the lake, leaving a deep impression on visitors with its beautiful scenery.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: Closed in winter
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Angel’s Ladder at Lake Mashu

When beams of light shine through the clouds and illuminate the ground like spotlights, this phenomenon can be seen over Lake Mashu. This phenomenon, due to its mystical appearance, is called the “Angel’s Ladder of Lake Mashu.”

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: Rare
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

View of Lake Kussharo from Bihoro Pass

Lake Kussharo is Japan’s largest caldera lake. The view of Lake Kussharo from Bihoro Pass is a popular spot for photography. There are also direct buses from Memanbetsu Airport to this location, making it accessible even without a car.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Winter at Lake Kussharo

Lake Kussharo is Japan’s largest freshwater lake that freezes over in winter, offering a unique natural spectacle. You can observe flocks of whooper swans gathering on the lake and witness the phenomenon known as “Omiwatari,” where the frozen surface suddenly cracks open.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Mount Io

Mount Io, an active volcano with an elevation of 512 meters, offers a scenic nature trail from Kawayu Onsen to Mount Io known as the “Tsutsujigahara Nature Trail.” From June to July, guided tours are available, allowing visitors to get close to the fumaroles.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: Excluding winter
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Lake Akan

Lake Akan offers activities such as canoeing in summer, autumn foliage viewing, smelt fishing in winter, and observing the ice crystals known as “frost flowers.” There are also hot springs around the lake where you can relax while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Marimo in Lake Akan

Marimo is a type of freshwater green algae known for its spherical shape. This algae consists of filamentous strands that adhere to rocks or artificial objects or accumulate on the lake bottom. The spherical marimo forms when the filamentous strands gather and rotate on the lake bottom. The marimo in Lake Akan, known for its beautiful spherical shape, has been designated a Special Natural Monument and has been carefully protected by the local community since 1921.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Lake Onneto

This lake is called “Goshikinuma” because its color changes to various shades of blue, emerald green, and dark blue depending on the season, weather, and viewing angle. The name Onneto means “old large swamp” in the Ainu language.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Autumn Leaves at Lake Onneto

The surrounding mountains and the scenery of Lake Onneto offer a tranquil and beautiful landscape. When enjoying the autumn leaves, it is recommended to visit in the afternoon when the other side of the lake is illuminated by sunlight.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: Early October to Mid-October
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Ainu Kotan at Lake Akan

The Ainu are the indigenous people of Hokkaido, and “kotan” means village in the Ainu language. “Ainu Kotan at Lake Akan” is the largest Ainu village in Hokkaido, with over 30 shops selling wood carvings and folk crafts. Visitors can watch traditional Ainu dances, purchase intricately carved folk crafts, and enjoy unique Ainu cuisine.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed

Akan Lake Onsen Town

The main street of Akan Lake Onsen Town is nostalgic and beautiful, with neon lights from craft shops creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a wizard’s shop in a movie.

Instagrammable: ★★★★★
Photo Opportunities: All seasons
Location Information:▶Map,Hours,Routes
Transportation Information: Car needed