Hokkaido can be a pretty busy destination throughout Christmas and for many good reasons. The main one? Plenty of snow. With all these, the Japanese don’t celebrate Christmas officially, mainly because most of the country is Buddhist.
However, it doesn’t mean you won’t find any associated celebrations if you decide to travel to Hokkaido. While some traditions are certainly different, the stunning Japanese destination can definitely bring in a unique experience.
Here are the most important things to do in Hokkaido for Christmas.
The White Illuminations in Sapporo
Hokkaido is a Japanese prefecture consisting of more cities, towns, and villages. Sapporo is one of the most important ones, especially during the winter holidays. If you’re lucky to be there or you choose to travel, make sure you head downtown and visit the main central park.
The location becomes an astonishing wonderland, with nearly a million white lights covering every tree, path, and shrub in the park. There are all sorts of unique displays lit everywhere, so you can definitely spend a few hours visiting and taking pictures of everything.
On top of this, despite Christmas not really being celebrated in Japan, there are Christmas markets in Odori, where you can find a lot of traditional items, from antiques and collectibles to decorations and food.
The Illuminations in Toyako Onsen
Similarly, Toyako Onsen doesn’t have a tradition for Christmas. However, the winter holidays share a few common things, regardless of the location or religion. From this point of view, illuminations are common pretty much everywhere in the world and this small community from Hokkaido makes no exception either.
Over the past years, the small town has been covered in white and blue lights, hundreds of thousands of them. But if you’re truly looking for a unique experience and one of the most picturesque places in the area, make sure you head to the tunnel by the Nigiwai Plaza.
The tunnel itself is covered in nearly half a million lights. Walking through it will feel like walking through a fairy tale, ideal for romantic couples, as well as families with kids.
In addition to the stunning lights, Toyako Onsen hosts a variety of activities and events during the winter season. Visitors can enjoy local markets offering seasonal treats and handcrafted gifts which makes it the perfect spot to find unique souvenirs.
An Evening at the Sapporo Factory
Too cold for you? Feeling like your hands and feet are frozen after too much walking? No problem, you can find interesting things to do while indoors as well. If you decide to spend more time in Hokkaido, make sure you allocate an afternoon or evening for visiting the Sapporo Factory too.
It may sound like a museum, but it’s actually an indoor mall. Again, while Christmas isn’t official in Japan, this mall stores a massive Christmas tree, which simply looks amazing under the glass roof. It almost feels like you’re outside but without the cold.
However, visiting a beautiful Christmas tree isn’t everything. Take a look around, do a bit of shopping, and maybe check out the local restaurants as well. Many of them host Christmas dinners as well. However, make sure to book early.
If you feel stuffed after the feast and need a break, there’s also a cinema for a bit of relaxation. Nothing beats a good movie on Christmas after such a day.
Check Out the Ningle Terrace
The Ningle Terrace is a must if you’re in the area around Christmas. This place is located close to the New Furano Prince Hotel, so it’s relatively easy to locate on the smartphone’s satnav. The place is suitable for anyone who loves shopping, boutique shops, crafts, and traditional arts.
The whole terrace is practically an enchanting mix of different cottages selling different types of crafts and art, most of them based on Japanese culture. Everything in this place is natural. For example, it’s set close to the forest, so all the walkways and nearby structures are based on timber.
Throw in the fairy lights for winter celebrations and you have the perfect scenario. It’s worth noting that shops are open year-round. However, during the wintertime, they’re also covered in snow and light, so they look even better. Visit during the day and you’ll love the bustle.
Board Aurora
Boarding Aurora is a once in a lifetime kind of experience. It’s the type of experience you’d normally expect on a visit to the North Pole, yet you can do it in Japan as well. It’s not the type of experience for those who don’t like water, but mainly for those who like trying new things.
This ship allows you to explore cruising the Arctic. It’s an icebreaker. It sets off from Abashiri. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll see plenty of wildlife, including seals and birds that often rest on ice blocks.
It’s not a guarantee though, but the sole experience of exploring the Arctic is definitely worth your time.
On board the Aurora, you’ll find plenty of features that make the trip enjoyable. There are cozy indoor areas where you can stay warm while taking in the amazing views of the icy landscape outside. Make sure to book early if you visit during the winter holidays.
Take a Walk Around Biei
Are you the type who loves a good walk? Despite struggling a bit to walk in snow, it’s part of the Christmas experience. And it’s even more fun if you’re not used to too much snow around your home.
Exploring Biei gives you the opportunity to admire the Japanese countryside at its finest. Ideal before stepping into a local restaurant to warm up a bit.
Anyway, Biei is close to Furano and Asahikawa. It’s a small town with impressive fields and hills, excellent for those who love photography.
There are more attractions to explore in the area, with the Blue Pond being the main one.
Normally, such landscapes could be more attractive during the summertime. However, they’re not covered by thousands of tourists in the wintertime, so they offer a more serene experience.
Take a Food Tour
Can anything be better than a food tour? Make sure you keep your stomach empty, then pop from one restaurant to another with breaks in between. Basically, you can have something light in a specialty restaurant, do a bit of shopping, find another restaurant, do a bit of market walking, and so on.
You do need some activity between meals, only to make room for more.
There are lots of options out there, but you can’t go wrong with places like Sushi Yasu (sushi), Ristorante Foresta Verde (a mix of Italian and Japanese food), Kumagera (known for the game meat) or Tonden Farm Factory Restaurant (cooking your own meat, often set as an all you can eat buffet).
Hokkaido is a mix of different cuisines and while there are lots of other options to explore, these four restaurants stand out. Moreover, don’t hesitate to eat in a different place every single time you go out. You’ll love the variety.
Enjoy the Hot Springs
Exploring Hokkaido during the Christmas holidays will expose you to a completely new experience. And since pretty much everything is new, don’t hesitate to try out different ideas. From this point of view, finding an onsen is a must. An onsen is a hot spring and represents a significant thing in Japanese culture.
Generally speaking, people go completely naked inside these springs. However, if you’re uncomfortable with it, you could dig deeper and find more private onsens, as well as onsens where genders are segregated. If you travel with your partner, you could find something smaller and more private.
While you can normally find both indoor and outdoor springs, there’s nothing like being in hot water while it’s freezing cold around you, so opt for the outdoor alternative.
Winter Sports in Furano
Christmas holidays tend to feel better when there are winter sports involved too. Hokkaido is famous for many things and powder skiing is one of them. The skiing field in Furano stands out. Go up there, enjoy the stunning view, get the equipment, and have fun.
The powder is outstanding and the views are unreal. Make sure you pay attention to what you’re doing, as you’re likely to injure yourself if you keep looking at the views, rather than where you’re heading.
Furano really knows how to celebrate winter with fun events and competitions. Every year, they host the Furano Snow Festival, where you can enjoy amazing snow sculptures, delicious local food, and stunning fireworks that light up the night sky. If you’re into sports, the Furano Ski Festival is a must-see as it features exciting races and skill demonstrations from top athletes.
Niseko and Rusutsu are pretty popular too, but the list of ski fields in the area is much longer.
In Conclusion
In the end, these nine activities show off the best of Hokkaido’s winter magic, offering a holiday season packed with adventure, beauty, and festive fun. So, book your tickets and explore the joy and wonder waiting for you in Hokkaido this Christmas. Just to let you know the images you see here are for illustration purposes only.
