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Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost Island, is the country’s last wilderness. The high mountains, crystal-clear lakes and wide-open spaces set it far apart from the hustle, bustle and city lights of southern Japan — and its empty, sweeping roads are ideal for self-driving. Despite its remote location, Hokkaido is linked to the main island by air and rail, and our specialists visit regularly so they can share their experiences to build a tailor-made trip to suit you.

This is where you’ll find Japan’s highest concentration of national parks, which vary from the almost fluorescent-green Kushiro Wetlands to Shiretoko National Park, where you can sometimes spot brown bears and sea lions. As Tokyo swelters through July and August, Hokkaido welcomes warm, temperate weather ideal for hiking in the high peaks of Daisetsuzan National Park or relaxing by the mirror-like waters of the island’s many caldera lakes. From December to February, Arctic air from Siberia is drawn across Hokkaido, ensuring the plentiful snowfall that makes this area a popular winter sports destination and providing the raw materials for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival.