Summer in Japan refers to the season of summer, typically lasting from June to August, in the country of Japan. During this time, Japan experiences warm to hot weather, high humidity, and longer daylight hours. Summer in Japan is known for vibrant festivals, such as Obon, fireworks displays, and outdoor activities such as hiking, beach visits, and enjoying the natural beauty of the countryside. It is also a popular time for tourists to explore Japan’s famous landmarks, historical sites, and cultural attractions. Additionally, summer in Japan is associated with traditional summer foods, such as shaved ice (kakigori), cold noodles (somen), and seasonal fruits like watermelons and melons.
Start your online gambling journey off on the right foot with this top-rated casino that offers a generous ウェルカムボーナス to all new players who sign up.
1. Daisetsuzan National Park
Could you see yourself visiting a park the size of Tokyo? The largest park in Japan, Daisetsuzan National Park, is located in the Kamikawa district, right in the middle of Hokkaido. It is larger overall than Tokyo at 2267 km2. Still, you won’t be surrounded by humans or buildings; instead, you’ll be surrounded by plants and animals and mountains. If mountain climbing, hiking, or camping aren’t your thing, the park also has hot springs where you may unwind in the midst of the natural world. The park also has pathways for hikers of all skill levels. The summer season is the ideal time to discover the undisturbed, pristine nature found in Hokkaido, which is known as “the rooftop of Hokkaido” because of its extensive mountain range and “the playground of the gods” by the native Ainu people.
2. Flower Fields and Gardens (Furano and Biei)
Hokkaido is covered with snow throughout the winter, but during the summer, the snow is replaced by a carpet of flowers. When the flowers blossom, the countryside is ablaze with color, and the remote settlements of Furano and Biei have full fields. This region raises a variety of flowers and is noted for its fragrant lavender fields. The two most well-liked locations to view the blooms with several fields and gardens are Farm Tomita and Flower Land Kamifurano. All of them are reachable by bus and train from New Chitose Airport. For lavender, the optimum period to view the flowers is from July to August, and for many other flowers, it is from May to October.
3. Lake Shikotsu
Home to some of the most transparent water in Japan, Lake Shikotsu is a spectacular place to explore during the summer months. The caldera lake and hot springs found here were formed by volcanic activity over 30,000 years ago. Perfect for swimming or clear bottom kayaking in the blue waters, the lake is surrounded by mountains giving picturesque views. There’s also a lake water festival in early July with fireworks, performances, a parade, and lanterns. There’s a small town for visiting tourists, but aside from that, most of this area is completely untouched, making it an ideal spot to get in touch with nature.
4. Summer Festivals
Hokkaido boasts magnificent winter festivals, and summertime comes alive with events to celebrate the warmer months. Some of the most popular festivals include The Sapporo Summer Festival (with Japan’s biggest beer garden!), The Otaru Ushio Festival represents the spirit of Hokkaido and the Doshin UHB Fireworks Festival at Toyohira River in Sapporo. Plenty of regional events in the smaller towns and cities bring culture, performances, fireworks, and food to the forefront. Since summer is pretty short in Hokkaido, residents put a lot of effort into the festivals to make the most of the season, and that’s all the more reason to check them out!
5. Blue Pond
One of Japan’s most unique natural phenomena can be found in Biei. Shirogane Blue Pond is unlike any other with its unmistakable bright blue hue. Created after Mt. Tokachi erupted in 1988, the best time to see the richest cobalt color is during late spring and summer. With the absence of wind or rain, the pond looks perfect, like a mirror reflecting its forested surroundings on the still blue water. You can also visit the nearby Shirahige Falls and the Biei River, which resembles a white beard flowing into the blue waters below.
6. Shiretoko National Park
Enjoy the scenery and sea in the remote northeastern corner of Hokkaido, where summer is the peak visiting time. The national park takes up the entire Shiretoko Peninsula, and there’s a lot of ground to explore. Some of the most popular activities here include camping, hiking, mountain climbing, and finishing off with a relaxing onsen soak. If wandering too deep into the wilderness is daunting, an easy way to enjoy the scenic park is at Shiretoko Five Lakes, with its 800m boardwalk. From the boardwalk, you can enjoy the sights of the lakes, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the surrounding mountains. If you want to explore deeper, you’ll be surrounded by lush vegetation and wild animals, from killer whales to eagles. Just watch out for the bears!
7. Path of White Shells
Rolling green hills, clear blue skies, and a road that sparkles in the sun stretching out to the sea sounds like it belongs in a fairy tale or a Ghibli movie. Instead, it belongs on Soya Hills in Wakkanai, Hokkaido. This is where a 3.3km footpath is lined with white scallop seashells, creating a unique and beautiful landscape. But the shells aren’t just there to provide beauty. They help reduce the amount of weeding for the landscape and give a home to the tons of shells that would otherwise be discarded. This is the perfect place to stroll while breathing fresh sea air.
8. Shakotan Peninsula
On the west coast of Hokkaido in north Niseko, a mountainous peninsula juts into the Sea of Japan. This is where you’ll find water as blue as a tropical island, breathtaking views, and some of the best seafood in Japan. The peninsula has three great capes, Kamui with steep green cliffs, Ogon, next to Bikuni Port, with an observation deck, and Shakotan, with an onsen overlooking the sea. If you can’t get enough of the sea, you can swim, dive and snorkel in the brilliant blue waters. The seafood is all delicious, but the area is most famous for sea urchin, which you can get fresh in the summertime.
9. Hokuryu Sunflower Village
Have you ever imagined basking in a field of over two million sunflowers? With peak bloom in early August, it’s the perfect time to participate in the Sunflower Festival in Hokuryo, where these large, yellow flowers take over a 23-hectare field. Admire over 30 types of sunflowers while taking a stroll, riding a bicycle, taking a sightseeing bus, or getting lost in a sunflower maze. You can’t help but feel happy thanks to the sunny yellow flowers in Japan’s most extensive sunflower field, and it is well worth the two-hour train ride from Sapporo.
10. Enjoy Delicious Local Food
Eating is one of the most crucial aspects of traveling! There are numerous delectable dishes to be found in Hokkaido, especially during the summer. There is something for everyone, from the tastiest sea urchin bowls at Shakotan Peninsula to lavender ice cream in Furano and Biei. The delicious Yubari melons, with their melt-in-your-mouth delicacy, are another treat you should enjoy. In addition, Hokkaido is well-known for its abundant fresh vegetables, including potatoes, pumpkins, asparagus, corn, and more. It is also famous for its delectable Hanasaki crab and fresh surumeika squid. Your journey to Hokkaido in the summer isn’t complete without trying their most well-known summer dish, soba! Try Kitawase soba, a flavorful twist on traditional buckwheat noodles, one of their outstanding varieties.
