Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道)
Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道) is located in the Hokkaido region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Sapporo. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture include Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.
How to get to Hokkaido Prefecture
1h 30m flight from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose (CTS), or 4h on the Tohoku–Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto plus limited express train. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Hokkaido
When visiting cities across Hokkaido, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Sapporo miso ramen
- Jingisukan (grilled lamb)
- Hokkaido soup curry
- Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls)
- Soft-serve dairy & melon
Best time to visit Hokkaido
June–August for lavender fields and cool hiking (22–26°C); December–February for world-famous powder skiing and snow festivals; late September–October for early autumn foliage.
All 36 cities & municipalities in Hokkaido Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo 札幌市 | Designated major city | 1,976,257 | 1,121.26 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Hakodate 函館市 | Core city | 243,942 | 677.89 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Otaru 小樽市 | City | 130,255 | 243.30 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Asahikawa 旭川市 | Core city | 350,511 | 747.60 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Muroran 室蘭市 | City | 93,078 | 80.65 km² | City guide → |
| Obihiro 帯広市 | City | 168,188 | 618.94 km² | City guide → |
| Yūbari 夕張市 | City | 7,205 | 763.07 km² | City guide → |
| Iwamizawa 岩見沢市 | City | 89,023 | 481.10 km² | City guide → |
| Abashiri 網走市 | City | 100,000 | 471.00 km² | City guide → |
| Rumoi 留萌市 | City | 24,036 | 297.44 km² | City guide → |
| Tomakomai 苫小牧市 | City | 173,761 | 561.49 km² | City guide → |
| Wakkanai 稚内市 | City | 37,911 | 760.83 km² | City guide → |
| Bibai 美唄市 | City | 25,312 | 277.61 km² | City guide → |
| Ashibetsu 芦別市 | City | 12,542 | 865.04 km² | City guide → |
| Ebetsu 江別市 | City | 120,940 | 187.57 km² | City guide → |
| Akabira 赤平市 | City | 9,453 | 129.88 km² | City guide → |
| Monbetsu 紋別市 | City | 24,293 | 830.70 km² | City guide → |
| Mikasa 三笠市 | City | 8,029 | 302.52 km² | City guide → |
| Nemuro 根室市 | City | 28,923 | 512.63 km² | City guide → |
| Chitose 千歳市 | City | 94,124 | 594.95 km² | City guide → |
| Takikawa 滝川市 | City | 42,815 | 115.82 km² | City guide → |
| Sunagawa 砂川市 | City | 16,283 | 78.68 km² | City guide → |
| Utashinai 歌志内市 | City | 2,971 | 55.95 km² | City guide → |
| Fukagawa 深川市 | City | 23,215 | 529.23 km² | City guide → |
| Furano 富良野市 | City | 23,890 | 600.97 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Noboribetsu 登別市 | City | 51,474 | 212.11 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Eniwa 恵庭市 | City | 68,754 | 294.87 km² | City guide → |
| Date 伊達市 | City | 36,461 | 444.28 km² | City guide → |
| Kitahiroshima 北広島市 | City | 60,291 | 118.54 km² | City guide → |
| Ishikari 石狩市 | City | 60,616 | 721.86 km² | City guide → |
| Shibetsu 士別市 | City | 21,640 | 1,119.29 km² | City guide → |
| Kushiro 釧路市 | City | 182,263 | 1,362.75 km² | City guide → |
| Hokuto 北斗市 | City | 48,779 | 397.30 km² | City guide → |
| Kitami 北見市 | City | 124,291 | 1,427.56 km² | City guide → |
| Nayoro 名寄市 | City | 29,869 | 535.23 km² | City guide → |
| Niseko ニセコ町 | Powder ski resort town | 5,074 | 197.13 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |