A Guide to Enjoying Hokkaido in Summer – Part 1

Summer in Hokkaido is characterized by low humidity and a refreshing, comfortable climate compared to mainland Japan. It is hardly affected by the rainy season, resulting in many sunny days, making it the perfect season for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The average temperature in July is around 20-25°C, which is relatively cool, and mornings and evenings can feel chilly, so it's recommended to prepare a light jacket.

In this article, we'll introduce must-visit classic spots, scenic routes, and seasonal gourmet foods in summer Hokkaido, divided into Part 1 and Part 2.

Table of Contents (Part 1)

1. Summer Weather in Hokkaido

1-1. Summer Weather in Hokkaido
1-2. Hokkaido's Professional Baseball Stadium "ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO" is a Dome-Type Facility for Year-Round Comfort

2. Classic Summer Spots in Hokkaido

3. Popular Summer Spots to Enjoy the Vast Landscapes of Hokkaido

3-1. Lavender
3-2. Sunflowers
3-3. Shirogane Blue Pond
3-4. Unkai Terrace

Summary

1. Summer Weather in Hokkaido

1-1. Summer Weather in Hokkaido

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Summer in Hokkaido lasts from mid-June to late August, characterized by low humidity and a refreshing climate compared to mainland Japan. The average temperature in July is around 20-25°C, and mornings and evenings can be cool, so having a light jacket will help you stay comfortable.
It is hardly affected by the rainy season and has many sunny days, making it perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. This is also the time when magnificent nature and colorful flower fields reach their peak, and many travelers visit Hokkaido during its short summer. Be mindful of temperature differences and enjoy Hokkaido's summer in comfortable attire.

1-2. Hokkaido's Professional Baseball Stadium "ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO" is a Dome-Type Facility for Year-Round Comfort

If you're visiting Hokkaido in summer, we highly recommend visiting "ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO". As a covered dome-type stadium, you can enjoy professional baseball games comfortably without worrying about heat or rain. Even if you're not a baseball fan, this facility located within a park offers plenty of family-friendly attractions including a food hall, hot springs, and observation spots.

If you want to fully enjoy Hokkaido's summer, definitely experience a day at ES CON FIELD!

2. Classic Summer Spots in Hokkaido

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Summer in Hokkaido features numerous tourist destinations where you can enjoy coolness and abundant nature. In Sapporo, you can experience nature even in the city center at Odori Park, Mount Moiwa, and Maruyama Zoo, with beer gardens and events also being abundant. In Otaru, you can enjoy strolling along the canal, retro townscapes, and fresh seafood cuisine, making it popular for day trips.
Particularly noteworthy is the Noboribetsu-Lake Toya area. At Noboribetsu Onsen, you can heal your mind and body in natural hot spring waters while viewing the dramatic landscape of "Jigokudani" (Hell Valley) created by volcanic activity. At Lake Toya, highlights include lake cruises and spectacular views of Mount Yotei from the lakeshore, and during summer nights, long-running fireworks displays are held, with light reflections on the lake surface adding vibrant color to travel memories.

There are also many natural spots to visit for coolness, such as Lake Shikotsu and Niseko, making summer Hokkaido a tourist destination that can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to repeat visitors.

3. Popular Summer Spots to Enjoy the Vast Landscapes of Hokkaido

(Source: Hokkaido Official Tourism Website)

Summer in Hokkaido offers spectacular scenery unique to its vast land spread across various locations. The magnificent nature and colorful landscapes provide a sense of openness that cannot be experienced in urban areas. Particularly, flower fields, lakes, and observation spots captivate many travelers as scenery that can only be seen in summer.

Here, we introduce popular spots where you can experience the unique scale of Hokkaido.

3-1. Lavender

(Source: Hokkaido Official Tourism Website)

One of the iconic summer scenes in Hokkaido is the endless expanse of lavender fields. The most representative is "Farm Tomita" in Nakafurano Town, where lavender is at its peak from mid to late July. It's also possible to visit on foot from the seasonal "Lavender Field Station" that operates during this period.

Additionally, "Hinode Park" in Kamifurano Town offers panoramic views of lavender fields and the Tokachi Mountain Range from its observation deck, allowing visitors to enjoy flowers alongside spectacular scenery. "Horomitoge Lavender Garden" in Sapporo City also features about 8,000 lavender plants in bloom, with an open space overlooking the city center as its attraction. Surrounded by magnificent nature and the fragrance of flowers, enjoy a quintessentially Hokkaido summer experience.

3-2. Sunflowers

(Source: Hokkaido Official Tourism Website)

Sunflowers blooming energetically under the summer sun are one of the flowers that beautifully complement Hokkaido's magnificent landscape.

The famous "Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village" is located in central Hokkaido, where 2 million sunflowers bloom annually across vast grounds equivalent to about 5 Tokyo Domes, making it Japan's largest sunflower field. It offers abundant attractions including a giant maze, observation deck, "World Sunflowers" corner, and visitors can tour the grounds on the sightseeing vehicle "Himawari-go."

Another recommendation is "Nayoro Sunpillar Park" in northern Hokkaido. From "Sunflower Hill," you can overlook the yellow flowers spread across the landscape and the townscape of Nayoro. Family-friendly facilities are also well-equipped, and the annual "Nayoro Sunflower Festival" is held in early August, creating a lively atmosphere. Surrounded by vast landscapes and bright sunflowers, fully experience the energy of Hokkaido's summer.

3-3. Shirogane Blue Pond

(Source: Hokkaido Official Tourism Website)

The "Shirogane Blue Pond" located in Biei Town, Hokkaido, is a popular tourist spot where fantastical scenery spreads like a painting. The pond's water appears blue because the upstream Iou River and Biei River mix together, and aluminum-containing components reflect light, with the white soil at the bottom of the pond also enhancing the blueness.

In summer, the contrast between fresh greenery and blue water is beautiful, and especially on sunny mornings, you can enjoy the most vivid scenery while avoiding crowds. There are well-maintained walking paths around the area, allowing for leisurely strolls through the surrounding nature. It's also conveniently close to Shirogane Onsen, making it perfect for a stop during sightseeing.

As it shows different expressions throughout the four seasons, this is definitely one of the scenic spots you'll want to visit during summer in Hokkaido.

3-4. Unkai Terrace

(Source: Hokkaido Official Tourism Website)

The "Unkai Terrace" is an observation deck located within the resort facility "Hoshino Resorts Tomamu" in Shimukappu Village, Hokkaido, a popular summer-only spot where you can enjoy spectacular views as if standing above the clouds. It operates only during early mornings from May to October when sea of clouds is likely to occur.

At the "Unkai Terrace" located at an elevation of 1,088 meters, dramatic scenery unfolds before your eyes, created by the Hidaka Mountain Range and the fantastical sea of clouds. The three-story observation deck renovated in 2021 and unique observation facilities such as "Cloud Pool" and "Cloud Walk" are well-equipped, offering experiences like walking in the sky. If you're lucky, you can witness the collaboration of sunrise and sea of clouds, creating truly special moments.

Summary

Summer in Hokkaido is blessed with pleasant weather and beautiful nature, making it the perfect season for tourism. Spectacular scenery unique to this time of year spreads across various locations, including lavender fields in Furano and Kamifurano, sunflowers in Hokuryu Town, and the mystical Shirogane Blue Pond.

Continue to "A Guide to Enjoying Hokkaido in Summer – Part 1"! We’ll introduce you to even more scenic spots and local delicacies in Hokkaido.

※This article is based on information as of May 2025