[2025] Obon Travel in Hokkaido | Complete Guide to Costs, Climate, and Recommended Spots
![[2025] Obon Travel in Hokkaido | Complete Guide to Costs, Climate, and Recommended Spots](https://img.activityjapan.com/wi/obon-trip-hokkaido_thumb.jpg)
"
I want to go on a trip during the Obon holidays, but I don't like the heat.
" I would like to recommend this to those who say,
Hokkaido
trip.
In this article,
A perfect trip to Hokkaido for the Obon holidays
will be featured!
From basic information such as the weather in Hokkaido in August and travel cost estimates to recommended events, sightseeing spots, and popular activities. , plenty of introductions!
It's perfect for family trips, couples trips, and outings with friends!
table of contents
- 1 What is the appeal of traveling to Hokkaido during Obon?
- 2 Basic information about Hokkaido Obon trip (August)
- 3 3 Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Hokkaido during the Obon Period
- 4 Event information for Hokkaido Obon trip (August)
- 5 Recommended popular activities for your Hokkaido Obon trip
- 6 Popular Hokkaido activity experience tour ranking
- 7 This year's Obon trip is definitely to Hokkaido!
- 8 Feature articles recommended by the editorial department
What is the appeal of traveling to Hokkaido during Obon?
It is the Obon season in Honshu, where the heatwaves continue.
Hokkaido has a low average temperature and low humidity.
!
It is becoming a popular summer travel destination as you can enjoy the dry, refreshing air.
Fireworks displays, summer festivals, outdoor music festivals, etc. Plenty of events unique to summer It will add color to your memories of the trip.
Also,
Enjoy Hokkaido's summer cuisine
That is also attractive!
Scallops, corn, Yubari melon, etc.
You can enjoy the flavors of the season.
Rafting or SUP , Kayaking The weather is also perfect for enjoying water activities such as swimming, so be sure to give it a try!
Rafting on the Shisorapti River (also known as the Sorachi River) is offered at the best affordable price using high-quality equipment and highly professional guides. This is a very popular river for rafting in Furano, Minamifurano and Tomamu. Recommended for couples, friends and families. Tomamu (17km), Furano Station (51km), Minamifurano Roadside Station or Montbell Minamifurano
This is a rafting tour on the Shiribetsu River. We will guide you through a course that anyone from 4 years old to adults can enjoy. Please come and make memories with your family, friends, and loved ones. The meeting place is in Kyogoku Town, so there are campsites and hot springs nearby, making it the perfect place to refresh yourself after rafting. Let's enjoy playing on Hokkaido's rivers together!
Hokkaido's most popular SUP experience tour. Highly transparent lake water: Lake Shikotsu's high transparency is sure to be an amazing experience. You can see the bottom of the lake more than 10m deep from the SUP board, so you can fully enjoy the beauty of the water. This is a special experience that you can't get anywhere else. Natural beauty: Surrounded by the outer rim of the crater rim,
Basic information about Hokkaido Obon trip (August)
During Obon
Hokkaido
If you are planning to travel, it is important to gather information in advance.
In the following,
Costs, climate, recommended clothing and items to bring
We will introduce you to the details.
What is the average cost of traveling to Hokkaido during Obon?
Hokkaido travel is popular all year round,
August is the month when airfare and accommodation costs are the most expensive in the year.
.
The more people in your family travel or the longer your stay, the higher the cost.
We recommend you make your reservation as early as possible.
is!
Also, if you want to keep costs down, To avoid Obon, move it to early or late August. This is one option.
What is the weather like in Hokkaido during the Obon season?
Hokkaido The weather in August is It is cooler than Honshu and is a very popular summer resort. .
For example, the Japan Meteorological Agency Sapporo and Tokyo Comparing the average temperature data, the average temperature in August 2023 was approximately 26.7°C in Sapporo and approximately 29.2°C in Tokyo, and in August 2024 it was approximately 24.6°C in Sapporo and approximately 29.0°C in Tokyo.
| Average Temperature in August | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | Approximately 26.7℃ | Approximately 24.6℃ |
| Tokyo | Approximately 29.2℃ | Approximately 29.0℃ |
In other words, The difference in average temperature between Sapporo and Tokyo is about 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. It should feel quite cool. .
In addition, the humidity is lower than in Tokyo, so it is less muggy. Comfortable even during the day That's what's attractive about it!
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What to wear and bring during the Obon season in Hokkaido?
recent years,
Hokkaido
However, in some areas the maximum temperature may reach nearly 35°C.
Therefore,
Short sleeves and cool summer clothing are recommended
!
As a measure against ultraviolet rays, hat or sunglasses , Sunscreen This will make your stay more comfortable.
During the day, you also need to be careful about heatstroke. Bring sports drinks, salt tablets, salt candy, etc. with you to ensure frequent hydration and salt intake. .
The temperature can drop sharply in the mornings and evenings, It's a good idea to bring a long-sleeved jacket or a thin cardigan. is.
3 Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Hokkaido during the Obon Period
Next, we would like you to visit Hokkaido during the Obon season in August. Recommended sightseeing spots We will introduce the following.
1. Shirogane Blue Pond
Hokkaido
・
Biei Town
In
Shirogane Blue Pond
"teeth,
A popular tourist spot with a fantastical landscape
!
As the name suggests,
The water surface is a vivid blue color.
Another attractive feature is how its appearance changes depending on the weather, season, and time of day.
On sunny summer days, the pond's water shines cobalt blue, creating a particularly beautiful sight.
Including the contrast with the surrounding greenery,
A great spot for social media
is!
Address: Shirokane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido
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2. Furano Lavender Fields/Farm Tomita
"
Farm Tomita
"teeth,
A farm that boasts lavender in Nakafurano, Hokkaido
.
The lavender fields that spread across the slopes are a sight to behold and a delight to the eyes of all who visit.
The best time to see lavender is usually mid to late July, Even during the Obon period, you can enjoy late-flowering varieties and lavender in greenhouses. !
In addition, Potpourri House At ", you can enjoy lavender soft serve ice cream and light meals while gazing at the Tokachi mountain range. House of Perfume You can see perfume being mixed.
Hokkaido Of course, those who want to experience the summer scenery, A spot that families and couples can enjoy is!
Address: 15 Kisen Kita, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido
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3. The Road to Heaven
"
The Road to Heaven
"teeth,
A road stretching 28.1km in length in Shari, Hokkaido.
.
This straight road, where national highways 244 and 334 join, was named because it appears to continue straight into the sky.
" Top 100 moving moments in Hokkaido It is a scenic road that has been selected as one of the best roads in Japan. Hokkaido You can experience the unique sense of scale while driving.
Address: Shari Town, Shari District, Hokkaido
Event information for Hokkaido Obon trip (August)
Summer
Hokkaido
Various events will be held in various locations.
In the following,
Events held in Hokkaido during the Obon period
We will introduce the following.
Sapporo Summer Festival
"
Sapporo Summer Festival
"teeth,
Sapporo's classic summer event
!
It started in 1954 (Showa 29),
Held annually from mid-July to mid-August in central Sapporo
It has been done.
At the main venue, Odori Park,
A huge beer garden with 10,000 seats, one of the largest in the country, opens
!
Enjoying delicious beer and gourmet food under a clear summer sky is a pleasure unique to Sapporo.
There are also many unreserved seats available, so no reservation is required.
This makes it an attractive place to drop in any time.
Besides," North Sea Bon Dance "or" Tanuki Festival " " Susukino Festival " etc. Sapporo A variety of supportive events will be held simultaneously across the city.
Hokuryu Town Sunflower Festival
"
Hokuryu Town Sunflower Festival
"teeth,
A hugely popular event that attracts over 200,000 people every year
!
From mid-July to late August, 2 million sunflowers will be in full bloom across a 23-hectare site, roughly the size of five Tokyo Domes.
There is also a sightseeing car called "Himawari-go" that slowly travels through the sunflower fields, making it a great place to bring children.
!
There is also a duck ranch within the venue.
Feeding ducks
is also popular.
At the attached tourist center, you can also purchase locally produced gourmet foods and specialty products, so it's a recommended spot and event where you can enjoy nature, experiences, and gourmet food all at once!
Recommended popular activities for your Hokkaido Obon trip
Hokkaido
offers a wide variety of outdoor experiences set in the great outdoors!
In the following,
Popular activities especially recommended for Obon trips in Hokkaido
We will introduce them by genre.
Canoeing and Kayaking
- 5.0
- (17 reviews and experiences)
Enjoy a relaxing Canadian canoeing experience on the Alexinai River, a tributary of the Kushiro River, a winter fantasy world. We will take you on a leisurely round trip in a Canadian canoe about 3km up the Alexinai River, a tributary that flows from Lake Toro, located on the east side of the Kushiro Wetlands, to the Kushiro River. A guide will accompany you on the canoe, so even first-timers can participate with peace of mind.
- 5.0
- (1 review/experience)
This winter canoeing experience is only available in the Kushiro Marshlands. This is a special tour where you can canoe along the Arekinai River, which does not freeze even in sub-zero temperatures, and observe red-crowned cranes and owls. First, you will take a 60-70 minute round trip on the Arekinai River, an ice-free river in the Toro area of Kushiro Marshland National Park. After the canoeing tour, you will move to Tsurui Village to see the owls and red-crowned cranes. *Meeting and leaving
Winter-only Kushiro Wetlands Canoe Private Tour [Alekinai River Round-Trip Course] 80 minutes
Winter-only Kushiro Marsh Private Canoe Tour [Alekinai River Round Trip Course] 80 minutes *Includes hot spring bathing ticket! ■Enjoy the Kushiro Marsh on a private canoe tour! The Arekinai River, which connects Lake Toro to the Kushiro River, flows gently in winter, creating a magical world. It's perfect for those who want to have a short experience of about an hour. Sometimes you can even see red-crowned cranes.
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Rafting Riverboogie
- 5.0
- (1 review/experience)
[Plan name] Snow-viewing rafting (rafting) [Period] Early December to late March [Start time] ① 9:30~ (Meeting time until 9:00) ② 12:00~ (Meeting time until 11:30) ③ 14:30~ (Meeting time until 14:00) *If you are late for the meeting time, we may refuse your participation in the tour. Please allow yourself plenty of time.
[Hokkaido, Furano] Relaxing river rafting (private short tour)
- 4.9
- (8 reviews and experiences)
Take a leisurely river trip on a raft boat down the Sorachi River.
[Hokkaido Akan River] Enjoy a rafting boat ride down a strong current river [Long Course]
- 5.0
- (3 reviews and experiences)
This is the river that flows through Akan Town, the home of the red-crowned cranes. You will go down the river with a strong current that is too strong for a canoe on a rafting boat. There are many ranches in the surrounding area, so you will occasionally see cows coming into the river, and red-crowned cranes flying in the mornings and evenings. Be sure to enjoy rafting on a hot summer day. *This is a long course.
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Trekking
- 4.4
- (25 reviews and experiences)
Walk through the virgin forest on snowshoes and view the cliffs that stretch all the way to Cape Shiretoko. You can see waterfalls flowing into the Sea of Okhotsk, huge icicles, and depending on the season, drifting ice. You can mainly observe Ezo deer and wild birds. You may also be able to see eagles, woodpeckers, and flying squirrels, which are designated as natural monuments. In the event of bad weather such as a snowstorm, we will contact you via your mobile device and, if you wish,
- 4.6
- (8 reviews and experiences)
During the snowy season, you can walk through Shiretoko National Park, a World Heritage Site, on snowshoes. If there is no snow, you can walk without snowshoes. You can walk through natural forests and see waterfalls flowing into the Sea of Okhotsk, huge icicles, and depending on the season, drifting ice. You can mainly observe Ezo deer and wild birds. You may also see eagles, woodpeckers, and flying squirrels, which are designated as natural monuments. In bad weather such as blizzards,
- 5.0
- (3 reviews and experiences)
Walk through the pure white snowfields to see the World Heritage Site, Furepe Falls, known as the "Maiden's Tears" in winter! Wear snowshoes and walk from the forests of Shiretoko to Furepe Falls and the Sea of Okhotsk. During the drift ice season, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the vast drift ice continent. You may even spot wild animals or their traces.
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SUP
- 5.0
- (1 review/experience)
Why not try playing in the winter sea of Shiretoko? After a basic lesson, you will slowly enter the sea of drift ice on a SUP (stand-up paddleboard)! SUP is the easiest and easiest paddle sport to start, but there are many ways to enjoy it. You will wear a dry suit, so you can enjoy the sea of drift ice with peace of mind. Of course, you can also enjoy drift ice walking.
- 5.0
- (1 review/experience)
This is the first tour in Japan where you can enjoy SUP with drift ice as a backdrop. Drift ice can be seen floating in the Sea of Okhotsk, located in the northeastern part of Japan, every year. The drift ice season is from January to March, and the peak for drift ice SUP is from late February to early March. The drift ice SUP tour will be held in the Sea of Okhotsk in the Abashiri area. Hokkaido is the southernmost part of the Northern Hemisphere where drift ice appears.
- 5.0
- (1 review/experience)
●This is a local SUP tour shop at Lake Shikotsu! We have a changing room, bath towels, hair dryers, cotton swabs, tissues, bamboo combs, and various other amenities. ●You will be guided by a "JSPASUP Basic Instructor," so even first-timers can participate with peace of mind! ●Wetsuits, rash guards, etc. are available for free rental. On the lake with fresh greenery
Popular Hokkaido activity experience tour ranking
- 4.5
- (62 reviews and experiences)
Located about 30-40 minutes by car from central Sapporo, the popular Ibarato River is the perfect place to experience ice fishing for smelt! Pick-up from Sapporo Station is included, and all equipment is provided, so you can come empty-handed! Feel free to join us. This is an outdoor activity, so please dress warmly. (Only rubber boots are available for free rental. Please request on the day.) Bait cannot be used.
- 4.3
- (22 reviews and experiences)
We provide a complete set of fishing rods and bait, so you can enjoy unlimited fishing. Please come empty-handed. It is easily accessible, just a 5-minute walk from the station. The smelt you catch will be cooked into delicious tempura! Freshly made tempura is exceptional!
- 4.8
- (45 reviews and experiences)
This is a smelt fishing experience tour brought to you by a leading smelt fishing guide who has guided the most customers in Hokkaido. This is a luxurious plan that will take you exclusively to the Minami fishing spot, known as the best spot, at Lake Shinotsu in Shinshinotsu Village, one of Hokkaido's best smelt fishing spots. It was also the location for filming the smelt fishing segment of a certain famous variety show from Hokkaido.
- 4.1
- (5 reviews and experiences)
If you come to Sapporo, take a trip out and try smelt fishing! Pick-up from Sapporo Station is included. A guide will provide a mini lecture and support with patrols. There are separate flush toilets for men and women, and a rest hut (with merchandise for sale), so you can enjoy the experience in peace and relaxation! ★A hidden spot for smelt fishing in Sapporo★ "Toretagoya Fujii Farm" is one of the few hidden spots near Sapporo where you can enjoy smelt fishing, and is popular among locals. From Sapporo by car
- 4.4
- (25 reviews and experiences)
Walk through the virgin forest on snowshoes and view the cliffs that stretch all the way to Cape Shiretoko. You can see waterfalls flowing into the Sea of Okhotsk, huge icicles, and depending on the season, drifting ice. You can mainly observe Ezo deer and wild birds. You may also be able to see eagles, woodpeckers, and flying squirrels, which are designated as natural monuments. In the event of bad weather such as a snowstorm, we will contact you via your mobile device and, if you wish,
- 5.0
- (3 reviews and experiences)
Our staff will explain everything, so even first-timers and women can easily drive! We offer long courses depending on the ice conditions. ★This is a one-seater plan. If you would like a two-seater, please make a reservation below. https://activityjapan.com/publish/plan/1412★10
- 4.7
- (16 reviews and experiences)
===================================Go fishing with a fishing sage! A plan to go smelt fishing empty-handed♪ Drilling holes, fishing, frying the smelt you catch... This is a smelt fishing tour where you do it all by yourself from start to finish! Since you're not prepared, you'll be taking on the challenge yourself, so you can learn while having fun.
- 5.0
- (11 reviews and experiences)
Sapporo Smelt Ice Fishing Tour | Earth Outdoor Tours Welcome to the ultimate winter experience: catching sparkling silver fish on a frozen lake - that's the beloved winter tradition of Sapporo, "smelt fishing." Earth Outdoor Tours offers this uniquely Hokkaido experience in an easy and safe way. An unforgettable adventure that can be enjoyed by all ages.
You can enjoy ice fishing for smelt, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. Please use the parking lot on the farm and relax in the agricultural greenhouse. There are separate flush toilets for men and women and a rest hut, so women and children can use it with peace of mind. Tempura tasting included! ★Recommended point★ If you come to Sapporo, take a rental car and go smelt fishing! There is a warm rest hut and separate water huts for men and women.
- 4.8
- (59 reviews and experiences)
====================================■ Choose your preferred plan for day or night! ■ Free rental of "snowshoe sets" for easy walking on fluffy snow! ■ (Day) Held in a forest inhabited by small animals such as long-tailed tits and Hokkaido squirrels! ■ (Night) Held on a snowy hill with a panoramic view of one of Japan's three greatest night views! ■
This year's Obon trip is definitely to Hokkaido!
This time, Useful information for traveling to Hokkaido during Obon was featured.
Compared to Honshu, Hokkaido is a perfect place for an Obon trip, as you can enjoy events and activities in a refreshingly hot climate!
During your summer vacation, why not enjoy Hokkaido to the fullest with your family, partner, friends, or other loved ones?
*The content of this article is current as of May 2025.
Featured image provided by:
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