Nature Spots in Hokkaido Area

Area

Hokkaido
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

Nature

ALL
- All categories
- Mountain
- Coast / Beach
- Waterfall
- Lake
- Plateau
- Valley
- Sea
- Island
- Cave
- Special Terrain
- River
- Pass
- Cape
- Wetland / Marshland
- Rock
- Whale Watching
- Peninsula
- Dune
- Other Natural Terrain

Kumagoe Falls

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Menashigunrausuchou National forest 230 Forest team

Kumagoe Waterfall got its name from the time when a bear was seen going through the waterfall. With a drop of about 15 meters and a large flow rate, this is quite a well known and powerful waterfall. Nearby is an area from where you can see the waterfall, and from here deep in the forest you can get up close to the spray as the water crashes down. The best season to go has got to be in the fall when the leaves are changing color.
Oobako

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kamikawagunkamikawachou Sounkyou Big case

This gorge, created by the Ishikari River gradually wearing away at the northern foot of Mt. Daisetsu, is a spectacular spot that typifies the range of gorges known as Sounkyo. The entrance to Obako can be found on the left after passing through the Shinobako tunnel about 6 km from Sounkyo hot spring towards Kitami. The impressiveness of the gigantic rock wall is truly remarkable. It’s recommended to go here in the fall when the leaves are changing color and witness the stunning contrast between the white of the bare rock and the red trees.
Himenuma Pond

Travel / Tourism

Rishiri-Fuji-cho in Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido

Himenuma Pond is located on Rishiri Island around five kilometers from the Oshidomari ferry terminal; it is a small pond with a circumference of around one kilometer. There are footpaths round the edge of the pond, and visitors can enjoy strolling round, admiring the reflection of Mt. Rishiri in the lake and listening to the songs of wild birds.
Seseki Waterfall

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Menashigunrausuchou Seseki

The Seseki Waterfall can be seen on the left as you drive north along Hokkaido Prefectural Highway 87 from Rausu City towards Seseki. Set amidst Yezo Spruce trees and Sakhalin Fir trees, the spray sent up from the waterfall as it comes crashing down from a height of 30 meters is a very impressive sight.
Fujinoenchi

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Rishirigunrishirifujichou Oshidomari

From the Yuhigaoka Sunset Viewing Observatory, you can see the “Fujinoenchi” north of route 105. You can see Ponmoshiri Island up close as well as overlook Rishiri Fuji. A highlight is in July when the area turns yellow with many daylily flowers.
Lake Nukabira

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Katougunkamishihorochou Nukabiragensenkyou

This is an artificial dam lake completed in 1955. The lake is especially beautiful in autumn when the red and yellow colored trees are reflected on the surface of the lake. The lake is popular all year round for fishing fans as it is possible to catch rainbow trout and cherry salmon in summer, as well as fish from the frozen lake surface in winter.
Shinsen Marsh

Travel / Tourism

Kowa-cho, Iwanai-gun, Hokkaido

Shinsennuma Marsh, the largest of the marshes in the Shinsennuma Marshland, is said to be the most beautiful in the Lake Niseko mountains. It is a mysterious marsh with a memorable blue water surface, and the appearance of trees surrounding it is also beautiful. There are many visitors throughout the year and the season of autumn leaves is especially recommended.
Kiritappu Wetland

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Akkeshigunhamanakachou Kiritappushitsugen

It is the fifth largest wetland in the country with an area of 3,168 hectares. The center of the wetland contains about 803 hectares of peat and was designated as a national natural treasure in 1922. It is also known as the “wetland of flowers” and is a beautiful marsh, of many species of flowers blooming from spring to autumn, including daylilies and irises.
Furepe Waterfall

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Sharigunsharichou Onnebetsumura

A waterfall which falls into the Sea of Okhotsk off of a cliff on the east side of Cape Puyuni on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Furepe's source is underground water which seeps out of the bare rock of a cliff face 100 meters above the ocean. Due to the low amount of water and the gentle, drizzling nature of the falls, it is also nicknamed the Maiden's Tears. Considered one of the eight most beautiful sights in the Shiretoko area, it has also been registered as part of the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site. A one kilometer long walking trail leads from the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center to the Furepe Waterfall observatory.
Rusha Bay

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Sharigunsharichou Onnebetsumura

A rocky area continuing into the ocean, in the native Ainu language, rusha means path leading down to the seashore. Due to the extremely treacherous terrain and in order to protect the natural environment, the Shiretoko Forest Road leading to the bay is closed to general automobile traffic. There are sightseeing boats which travel to the bay; taking around two hours round-trip, riders can enjoy the sight of the precipitous cliffs in the area from the sea. Wild animals gather here to catch salmon going upstream, particularly brown bears, and the bay has become a renowned spot for safe bear watching from a boat.
Otatomarinuma Pond

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Rishirigunrishirifujichou Oniwaki

A marshy area on Rishiri Island off of Hokkaido. Small and just one kilometer in circumference, the area is protected as part of the surrounding Rishiri Wetlands, which have been designated a Natural Monument by the town of Rishirifuji. The waters of the marsh are a characteristic azure. A 1.5 kilometer walkway has been built around the area to make it easy for visitors to get around. The view of the marsh's lake and Mt. Rishiri is used on the packaging of the popular Shiroi Koibito confection, and the area where you can take in the same viewing angle has been dubbed Shiroi Koibito Hill.
Ginsendai

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kamikawagunkamikawachou Sounkyou

A spot famous for its beautiful autumn foliage located in the area of the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group. Also known as Akadake, in fall the entire area turns crimson with the changing of the leaves. During the peak fall foliage period in mid-September, the road connecting to Ginsendai from the national road is closed to general traffic. The preferred sightseeing route during this time is to park in the Daisetsu Lake Site parking area and take the shuttle bus from there. Taking just ten minutes to climb up the mountain road from the parking area, the shuttle bus drops you off at a perfect spot for taking in the beautiful ridge of Akadake.
Kunne-poru

Travel / Tourism

Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido

Kunne-poru means black cave in the native Ainu language. The mouth of this giant gave gapes wide amidst the sheer cliffs of the Shiretoko coastline. A deep cave, true to its name the inner depths are dark and impenetrable from the outside. Facing the sea, the face can only be seen by riding a sightseeing boat from Utoro. The surrounding area is a habitat for brown bears and if you are lucky, you'll be able to see some from the boat.
Lake Utonai

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Tomakomaishi Uenae

Freshwater lake in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido. This lake is famous for being a paradise for wild birds with over 250 varieties recorded there. This is a popular spot for migrating birds including wild geese, ducks and swans. Many people visit all year round for bird watching. Utonai Lake was also designated at Japan's fourth Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Oronkoiwa Rock

Travel / Tourism

Shari-cho Shari-gun, Hokkaido Utori-e East

Oronkoiwa Rock is a giant boulder standing 60 meters tall in Utoro Bay, Shari, Shari, Hokkaido. It is named after a tribe known as the Oroko. You can climb the roughly 170 steps to the top where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the Sea of Okhotsk and Mt. Shiretoko. It is also known as one of the eight sights of Shiretoko.
Jimmen Rock and Neguma Rock

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Rishirigunrishirichou Senhoushi Kumi

Rocks on the west coast of Rishiri Island in Rishiri, Rishiri County, Hokkaido. The Neguma Rock or Sleeping Bear Rock was so named because it looks like a sleeping bear and can be seen from the Kita no Ikutsushima Bentengu Shrine. Similarly the Jimmen Rock means Person's Face Rock because it looks like a face. A white headband has been added to the rock. There are also all sorts of interesting rocks along the coastline, making this a great spot for fantastic views.
Cape Puyuni

Travel / Tourism

Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido

A cape in Shari Town, Hokkaido. It is located in the Shiretoko National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the first places that drift-ice makes landfall. Along with great views of the Sea of Okhotsk this spot is famous for watching the setting sun sink below the horizon. In the local Ainu language, Puyuni means place with a hole.
Eniwa Valley

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Eniwashi Banjiri

A valley in Eniwa City, Hokkaido. At this spot along the Rarumanai River, a branch of the Izarigawa River, the green of nature and the water come together in harmony. The river flows over three waterfalls, Sandan Falls, Hakusen Falls, and Rarumanai Falls, on its way to Lake Eniwa and these along with the forest make for a beautiful sightseeing spot. In the fall you can also enjoy the wonders of the fall maple colors.
Lake Kutcharo

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Esashigunhamatombetsuchou Lake Kucciaro

A lake consisting of marshes in Hamatonbetsu, Esashi County, Hokkaido. Onuma marsh and Konuma marsh are characterized by their gourd shape and are connected by a thin waterway. While the lake is known for being a migratory ground for the tundra swan the lakeside also houses camp grounds and hot spring bathing facilities. Events are also held during the different seasons. In spring Swan Fest is held to celebrate the arrival of the swans while in summer Log Bridge Crossing and the Lake Kutcharo Festival take place.
Niseko Yumoto Onsen Oyunuma

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Isoya-gun Rankoshicho Yunosato

Travel / Tourism Nature

Mountain Coast / Beach Waterfall Lake Plateau Valley Sea Island Cave Special Terrain River Pass Cape Wetland / Marshland Rock Whale Watching Peninsula Dune Other Natural Terrain

Hokkaido Areas

Not just a prefecture but an island of its own, Hokkaido is the most northerly prefecture and island of the Japanese archipelago. Arriving in Hokkaido, which is rural and bursting with breathtaking nature, means entering a world where vast national parks, towering mountains, and natural hot springs can be found at every turn. Come December, these natural splendors freeze over and morph into a winter wonderland.