Shirahige Waterfall is a scenic attraction located in Biei. You can admire the waterfall from the bridge above, offering a stunning view. In winter, the waterfall transforms into a beautiful frozen cascade, creating a magical landscape perfect for photos.

Asahiyama Zoo is one of Hokkaido’s most popular zoos, known for its innovative enclosures that allow visitors to observe animals’ natural behaviors up close. You can see penguins, seals, polar bears, wolves, leopards, and more.

A highlight of the zoo is the Penguin Parade, where penguins walk outdoors daily in a charming procession, giving visitors a fun and memorable experience.

Address: Hotel in Asahikawa
Value for : Hotel in Asahikawa

Ginga no Taki (Milky Way Falls) and Ryusei no Taki (Shooting Star Falls) are located about 3 km from the center of Sounkyo Village. Both waterfalls can be viewed from a large parking area across the river or from a small observation deck reachable via a steep 15–20 minute walk from the parking lot (except in winter).

In winter, the waterfalls transform into spectacular frozen cascades, creating a magical icy landscape.

The Kurodake Ropeway offers visitors convenient access to the higher elevations of Daisetsuzan National Park, providing stunning panoramic views and a starting point for hiking trails into the mountains.

From late January to late March, Sounkyo Village hosts the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (Sounkyo Onsen Hyobaku Matsuri). The festival features impressive multi-story ice and snow structures, complete with interior caverns and maze-like tunnels.

While the layout changes annually, typical highlights include large snow domes, ice sculptures, a snow tubing run (small rental fee for tubes), and an event stage.

Entry to the festival grounds is 300 yen, open during the day and evening. The festival is most magical at night when illuminated with colorful lights. On selected evenings, a brief 5–10 minute fireworks display adds extra sparkle to the event.

Address: Hotel in Sounkyo
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Experience the Sea of Okhotsk covered with drifting ice during winter. The ice usually reaches the Abashiri coast from mid to late January and melts by late March to mid-April, with the best viewing period in the latter half of February.

The most popular way to enjoy the spectacle is aboard the “Aurora Sightseeing Boats”, offering an unforgettable drift ice adventure.

Abashiri Prison was originally built in the 1890s to house over a thousand dangerous criminals. Today, the Abashiri Prison Museum preserves its history, showcasing the daily life of inmates and more than a dozen original buildings and structures. Highlights include the main prison building with its five radially arranged wings, a law court, bathhouse, and punishment chamber, offering a vivid insight into Japan’s penal history.

Address: Hotel in Shiretoko
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The Shiretoko Five Lakes (知床五湖, Shiretoko Goko) are a group of five small lakes formed long ago by the eruption of nearby Mount Io and nourished by underground springs. They offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and pristine wilderness.

An 800-meter elevated wooden boardwalk allows visitors to enjoy the lakes, the Sea of Okhotsk, and nearby mountains without disturbing the delicate ecosystem. The boardwalk is free to use, wheelchair accessible, and open throughout the season from late April to late November.

Lake Kussharo is famous for the swans that gather there during winter. While the lake’s surface freezes in the cold season, a hot spring flows into the lakeside, preventing the edges from freezing. This creates a natural warm bath exclusively for the swans, making it a unique winter spectacle.

Address: Hotel in Lake Akan
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Enjoy a traditional winter activity at Lake Akan, famous for its frozen waters. Visitors can try ice fishing for local fish through holes drilled in the thick ice. It’s a fun and unique experience, offering a glimpse of Hokkaido’s winter lifestyle while surrounded by scenic snowy landscapes.

Lake Akan offers a variety of winter sports for all adventure levels. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, winter trekking, snowmobiling, and more. Surrounded by scenic snowy landscapes, it’s a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking fun and excitement in Hokkaido’s winter wonderland.

Address: Hotel in Lake Akan
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Graceful red-crowned cranes can often be seen around Lake Akan, especially in winter. These majestic birds symbolize luck and longevity, making Lake Akan a popular spot for nature and wildlife photography.

Address: Hotel in Sapporo
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