Lesser known attractions in Hokkaido? (September)

5 comments

1. I’m really glad I visited the Upopoy National Ainu Museum near Noboribetsu. It is a beautiful building and setting. There are some great permanent exhibitions and many hands on activities to learn about Ainu history and culture.

2. have you done the Ishiya chocolate factory tour in Sapporo yet? That was surprisingly fun

3. Or maybe just go all out and take a deep trip up to northeast Hokkaido?

   It would probably go something like this:

   Sapporo -> Asahikawa -> Sounkyo -> Abashiri -> Shiretoko -> Three lakes (Mashu / Kussharo / Akan) -> Kushiro wetlands -> Obihiro -> Sapporo

   The biggest problem (if going by public transport) would be the Abashiri -> Shiretoko -> Three lakes -> Kushiro section. Back when I visited long ago, there was a two-day bus route that follows this path with an overnight stay at Akan, but as I understand that route is no longer in operation. [Akan bus operates a regular sightseeing bus](https://www.akanbus.co.jp/foreign/en/sightse/s01/), but it starts and ends at Kushiro.

   Maybe you’ll just have to ride a normal train fron Abashiri to Kushiro (~3.5hr), and then do a tour from there. There’s also a [tourism train](https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/travel/kushironorokko/index.html) that runs a smaller portion of the section.

4. Abashiri prison for sure especially if you’re interested in the modern history of Hokkaido. To visit Abashiri you can fly to Memanbetsu airport in the morning and fly back to Sapporo in the evening. But I’d recommend staying over a few more days to explore Shiretoko.

5. How about Sapporo art park and Makomanai Takino Cemetery?