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 and primary transport gateway at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Spanning 179 cities, towns, and villages, Hokkaido is renowned for 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.
RegionHokkaido
Capital citySapporo
Cities & municipalities179
Primary transport hubSapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)
| Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Hokkaido · Capital: Sapporo |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) |
| Municipalities Covered | 179 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Sapporo (札幌市), Asahikawa (旭川市), Hakodate (函館市), Kushiro (釧路市), Tomakomai (苫小牧市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry, Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls), Soft-serve dairy & melon |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Hokkaido Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Sapporo or planning regional day trips from Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), these top municipalities in Hokkaido Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Sapporo (札幌市) — Designated major city (pop. 1,976,257, 1,121.26 km²) served by Sapporo Station (さっぽろ駅) (0.5 km); key local sights include Odori Park & Sapporo TV Tower (大通公園), Hokkaido Jingu Shrine & Maruyama Park (北海道神宮), Mount Moiwa Ropeway Night View (藻岩山).
- Asahikawa (旭川市) — Core city (pop. 350,511, 747.60 km²) served by Asahikawa Station (旭川駅) (0.8 km); key local sights include Asahiyama Zoo, Ski Resorts, Ueno Farm.
- Hakodate (函館市) — Core city (pop. 243,942, 677.89 km²) served by Hakodate Station (函館駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Mount Hakodate Ropeway Night View (函館山), Fort Goryokaku Star Fortress & Tower (五稜郭公園), Motomachi Historic Slopes & Churches.
- Kushiro (釧路市) — City (pop. 182,263, 1,362.75 km²) served by Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Itsukushima Jinja, Kushiro Wetland Park, Kushiro City Museum.
- Tomakomai (苫小牧市) — City (pop. 173,761, 561.49 km²) served by Tomakomai Station (苫小牧駅) (0.7 km); key local sights include Maruyama-tōmi (9.6 km), Utonai Ko (11.7 km), Benten Numa (13.5 km).
- Obihiro (帯広市) — City (pop. 168,188, 618.94 km²) served by Obihiro Station (帯広駅) (0.8 km); key local sights include Satsunai Bashi (2.8 km), Satsunai-seiryū Ōhashi (3.1 km), Makubetsu Smile Park (6.1 km).
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. Once at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 179 municipalities in Hokkaido. 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 — regional culinary specialty across Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道).
- Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional culinary specialty across Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道).
- Hokkaido soup curry — regional culinary specialty across Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道).
- Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional culinary specialty across Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道).
- Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional culinary specialty across Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道).
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 179 cities & municipalities in Hokkaido Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring 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 |
| Setana せたな町 | Town (町) | 9,017 | 638.68 km² | City guide → |
| Okushiri 奥尻町 | Town (町) | 2,963 | 142.99 km² | City guide → |
| Yūbetsu 湧別町 | Town (町) | 9,715 | 505.74 km² | City guide → |
| Yoichi 余市町 | Town (町) | 20,459 | 140.59 km² | City guide → |
| Yakumo 八雲町 | Town (町) | 18,137 | 955.98 km² | City guide → |
| Wassamu 和寒町 | Town (町) | 3,768 | 225.11 km² | City guide → |
| Urausu 浦臼町 | Town (町) | 2,102 | 101.08 km² | City guide → |
| Tsurui 鶴居村 | Village (村) | 2,537 | 571.8 km² | City guide → |
| Tsubetsu 津別町 | Town (町) | 5,369 | 716.6 km² | City guide → |
| Toyoura 豊浦町 | Town (町) | 4,369 | 233.54 km² | City guide → |
| Toyokoro 豊頃町 | Town (町) | 3,420 | 536.71 km² | City guide → |
| Takinoue 滝上町 | Town (町) | 2,895 | 766.89 km² | City guide → |
| Taiki 大樹町 | Town (町) | 5,916 | 815.67 km² | City guide → |
| Sōbetsu 壮瞥町 | Town (町) | 2,751 | 205.04 km² | City guide → |
| Shinshinotsu 新篠津村 | Village (村) | 3,377 | 78.04 km² | City guide → |
| Shimokawa 下川町 | Town (町) | 3,531 | 644.54 km² | City guide → |
| Shikaoi 鹿追町 | Town (町) | 5,654 | 402.88 km² | City guide → |
| Shihoro 士幌町 | Town (町) | 6,444 | 259.19 km² | City guide → |
| Shibetsu Town 標津町 | Town (町) | 5,558 | 1119.22 km² | City guide → |
| Shari 斜里町 | Town (町) | 12,339 | 737.13 km² | City guide → |
| Saroma 佐呂間町 | Town (町) | 5,744 | 404.94 km² | City guide → |
| Samani 様似町 | Town (町) | 4,811 | 364.3 km² | City guide → |
| Rikubetsu 陸別町 | Town (町) | 2,610 | 608.9 km² | City guide → |
| Rebun 礼文町 | Town (町) | 2,818 | 81.64 km² | City guide → |
| Rausu 羅臼町 | Town (町) | 5,787 | 397.88 km² | City guide → |
| Otofuke 音更町 | Town (町) | 45,485 | 466.02 km² | City guide → |
| Otobe 乙部町 | Town (町) | 4,186 | 162.55 km² | City guide → |
| Oshamambe 長万部町 | Town (町) | 6,041 | 310.75 km² | City guide → |
| Ōmu 雄武町 | Town (町) | 4,784 | 637.03 km² | City guide → |
| Okoppe 興部町 | Town (町) | 4,160 | 362.41 km² | City guide → |
| Obira 小平町 | Town (町) | 3,473 | 627.22 km² | City guide → |
| Niikappu 新冠町 | Town (町) | 5,776 | 585.71 km² | City guide → |
| Nanae 七飯町 | Town (町) | 28,824 | 216.61 km² | City guide → |
| Mori 森町 | Town (町) | 17,285 | 368.27 km² | City guide → |
| Minamifurano 南富良野町 | Town (町) | 2,744 | 665.52 km² | City guide → |
| Matsumae 松前町 | Town (町) | 8,501 | 293.11 km² | City guide → |
| Mashike 増毛町 | Town (町) | 5,003 | 369.72 km² | City guide → |
| Kutchan 倶知安町 | Town (町) | 15,816 | 261.24 km² | City guide → |
| Kunneppu 訓子府町 | Town (町) | 5,410 | 190.95 km² | City guide → |
| Kiyosato 清里町 | Town (町) | 4,406 | 402.73 km² | City guide → |
| Kimobetsu 喜茂別町 | Town (町) | 2,448 | 189.51 km² | City guide → |
| Kamishihoro 上士幌町 | Town (町) | 5,046 | 694.23 km² | City guide → |
| Kamikawa 上川町 | Town (町) | 4,064 | 1049.24 km² | City guide → |
| Ikeda 池田町 | Town (町) | 7,384 | 371.79 km² | City guide → |
| Horonobe 幌延町 | Town (町) | 2,553 | 574.1 km² | City guide → |
| Horokanai 幌加内町 | Town (町) | 1,645 | 767.03 km² | City guide → |
| Honbetsu 本別町 | Town (町) | 7,915 | 391.91 km² | City guide → |
| Hiroo 広尾町 | Town (町) | 7,612 | 596.48 km² | City guide → |
| Higashikawa 東川町 | Town (町) | 7,948 | 247.06 km² | City guide → |
| Higashikagura 東神楽町 | Town (町) | 10,050 | 68.64 km² | City guide → |
| Hamatonbetsu 浜頓別町 | Town (町) | 4,000 | 401.59 km² | City guide → |
| Hamanaka 浜中町 | Town (町) | 6,366 | 739.12 km² | City guide → |
| Haboro 羽幌町 | Town (町) | 7,719 | 472.65 km² | City guide → |
| Furubira 古平町 | Town (町) | 3,512 | 188.41 km² | City guide → |
| Fukushima 福島町 | Town (町) | 4,797 | 187.23 km² | City guide → |
| Esashi (Sōya) 枝幸町 | Town (町) | 8,891 | 1115.62 km² | City guide → |
| Esashi (Hiyama) 江差町 | Town (町) | 8,579 | 109.53 km² | City guide → |
| Erimo えりも町 | Town (町) | 5,234 | 284 km² | City guide → |
| Engaru 遠軽町 | Town (町) | 21,747 | 1332.32 km² | City guide → |
| Chippubetsu 秩父別町 | Town (町) | 2,646 | 47.18 km² | City guide → |
| Biratori 平取町 | Town (町) | 5,520 | 743.09 km² | City guide → |
| Bihoro 美幌町 | Town (町) | 21,038 | 438.41 km² | City guide → |
| Betsukai 別海町 | Town (町) | 15,981 | 1320.15 km² | City guide → |
| Atsuma 厚真町 | Town (町) | 4,733 | 404.56 km² | City guide → |
| Ashoro 足寄町 | Town (町) | 7,454 | 1408.04 km² | City guide → |
| Aibetsu 愛別町 | Town (町) | 3,207 | 250.13 km² | City guide → |
| Abira 安平町 | Town (町) | 8,684 | 237.16 km² | City guide → |
| Akaigawa 赤井川村 | Village (村) | 1,143 | 280.11 km² | City guide → |
| Akkeshi 厚岸町 | Town (町) | 10,319 | 739.12 km² | City guide → |
| Assabu 厚沢部町 | Town (町) | 4,352 | 460.58 km² | City guide → |
| Biei 美瑛町 | Town (町) | 10,681 | 677.16 km² | City guide → |
| Enbetsu 遠別町 | Town (町) | 2,951 | 590.8 km² | City guide → |
| Hidaka 日高町 | Town (町) | 13,156 | 992.07 km² | City guide → |
| Hokuryū 北竜町 | Town (町) | 2,080 | 158.82 km² | City guide → |
| Imakane 今金町 | Town (町) | 5,802 | 568.14 km² | City guide → |
| Iwanai 岩内町 | Town (町) | 14,146 | 70.64 km² | City guide → |
| Kamifurano 上富良野町 | Town (町) | 11,498 | 237.18 km² | City guide → |
| Kaminokuni 上ノ国町 | Town (町) | 5,593 | 547.58 km² | City guide → |
| Kamisunagawa 上砂川町 | Town (町) | 3,630 | 39.91 km² | City guide → |
| Kamoenai 神恵内村 | Village (村) | 977 | 147.71 km² | City guide → |
| Kenbuchi 剣淵町 | Town (町) | 3,451 | 130.99 km² | City guide → |
| Kikonai 木古内町 | Town (町) | 4,815 | 221.88 km² | City guide → |
| Koshimizu 小清水町 | Town (町) | 5,279 | 286.89 km² | City guide → |
| Kuriyama 栗山町 | Town (町) | 12,930 | 203.93 km² | City guide → |
| Kuromatsunai 黒松内町 | Town (町) | 3,136 | 345.65 km² | City guide → |
| Kyōgoku 京極町 | Town (町) | 3,267 | 231.49 km² | City guide → |
| Kyōwa 共和町 | Town (町) | 6,399 | 304.96 km² | City guide → |
| Makkari 真狩村 | Village (村) | 2,151 | 114.43 km² | City guide → |
| Makubetsu 幕別町 | Town (町) | 27,682 | 477.64 km² | City guide → |
| Memuro 芽室町 | Town (町) | 19,364 | 513.76 km² | City guide → |
| Moseushi 妹背牛町 | Town (町) | 3,330 | 48.55 km² | City guide → |
| Mukawa むかわ町 | Town (町) | 9,212 | 166.43 km² | City guide → |
| Naganuma 長沼町 | Town (町) | 11,655 | 168.36 km² | City guide → |
| Naie 奈井江町 | Town (町) | 5,987 | 88.05 km² | City guide → |
| Nakafurano 中富良野町 | Town (町) | 5,401 | 108.7 km² | City guide → |
| Nakagawa 中川町 | Town (町) | 1,743 | 594.74 km² | City guide → |
| Nakasatsunai 中札内村 | Village (村) | 4,111 | 536.71 km² | City guide → |
| Nakashibetsu 中標津町 | Town (町) | 24,319 | 684.98 km² | City guide → |
| Nakatonbetsu 中頓別町 | Town (町) | 1,907 | 398.51 km² | City guide → |
| Nanporo 南幌町 | Town (町) | 8,280 | 81.49 km² | City guide → |
| Niki 仁木町 | Town (町) | 3,595 | 167.93 km² | City guide → |
| Nishiokoppe 西興部村 | Village (村) | 1,173 | 308.12 km² | City guide → |
| Numata 沼田町 | Town (町) | 3,416 | 283.35 km² | City guide → |
| Oketo 置戸町 | Town (町) | 3,209 | 527.54 km² | City guide → |
| Otoineppu 音威子府村 | Village (村) | 828 | 275.63 km² | City guide → |
| Ōzora 大空町 | Town (町) | 7,841 | 133.66 km² | City guide → |
| Pippu 比布町 | Town (町) | 4,000 | 86.9 km² | City guide → |
| Rankoshi 蘭越町 | Town (町) | 5,133 | 449.68 km² | City guide → |
| Rishiri 利尻町 | Town (町) | 2,290 | 76.49 km² | City guide → |
| Rishirifuji 利尻富士町 | Town (町) | 2,784 | 105.69 km² | City guide → |
| Rusutsu 留寿都村 | Village (村) | 1,905 | 119.84 km² | City guide → |
| Sarabetsu 更別村 | Village (村) | 3,359 | 176.9 km² | City guide → |
| Sarufutsu 猿払村 | Village (村) | 2,820 | 589.99 km² | City guide → |
| Shakotan 積丹町 | Town (町) | 2,386 | 238.2 km² | City guide → |
| Shibecha 標茶町 | Town (町) | 8,107 | 1099.37 km² | City guide → |
| Shikabe 鹿部町 | Town (町) | 4,311 | 110.61 km² | City guide → |
| Shimizu 清水町 | Town (町) | 9,985 | 402.25 km² | City guide → |
| Shimukappu 占冠村 | Village (村) | 1,220 | 571.41 km² | City guide → |
| Shinhidaka 新ひだか町 | Town (町) | 24,744 | 1147.55 km² | City guide → |
| Shintoku 新得町 | Town (町) | 6,560 | 1063.83 km² | City guide → |
| Shintotsukawa 新十津川町 | Town (町) | 6,967 | 495.47 km² | City guide → |
| Shiranuka 白糠町 | Town (町) | 8,849 | 773.13 km² | City guide → |
| Shiraoi 白老町 | Town (町) | 18,743 | 425.64 km² | City guide → |
| Shiriuchi 知内町 | Town (町) | 4,880 | 196.75 km² | City guide → |
| Shosanbetsu 初山別村 | Village (村) | 1,352 | 279.52 km² | City guide → |
| Suttsu 寿都町 | Town (町) | 3,353 | 95.36 km² | City guide → |
| Takasu 鷹栖町 | Town (町) | 7,300 | 139.42 km² | City guide → |
| Teshikaga 弟子屈町 | Town (町) | 8,018 | 774.33 km² | City guide → |
| Tōma 当麻町 | Town (町) | 7,005 | 204.9 km² | City guide → |
| Tomamae 苫前町 | Town (町) | 3,482 | 454.6 km² | City guide → |
| Tomari 泊村 | Village (村) | 1,825 | 82.35 km² | City guide → |
| Tōbetsu 当別町 | Town (町) | 17,606 | 422.86 km² | City guide → |
| Tōyako 洞爺湖町 | Town (町) | 9,783 | 180.54 km² | City guide → |
| Toyotomi 豊富町 | Town (町) | 4,217 | 520.69 km² | City guide → |
| Tsukigata 月形町 | Town (町) | 3,708 | 151.05 km² | City guide → |
| Urahoro 浦幌町 | Town (町) | 5,337 | 729.85 km² | City guide → |
| Urakawa 浦河町 | Town (町) | 13,512 | 694.3 km² | City guide → |
| Uryū 雨竜町 | Town (町) | 2,780 | 190.91 km² | City guide → |
| Yuni 由仁町 | Town (町) | 5,704 | 133.86 km² | City guide → |
| Bifuka 美深町 | Town (町) | 4,791 | 672.09 km² | City guide → |
| Kushiro Town 釧路町 | Town (町) | 20,480 | 1363.26 km² | City guide → |
| Teshio 天塩町 | Town (町) | 3,424 | 353.56 km² | City guide → |
| Shimamaki 島牧村 | Village (村) | 1,674 | 437.18 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道)?
Top highlights across Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道) in Japan's Hokkaido region 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. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Hokkaido include Sapporo (札幌市), Asahikawa (旭川市), Hakodate (函館市), Kushiro (釧路市), Tomakomai (苫小牧市).
How do I get to Hokkaido Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Hokkaido Prefecture is Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) (prefectural capital: Sapporo). 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. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Hokkaido Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道) include Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry, Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls), Soft-serve dairy & melon—served at station restaurants around Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), local morning markets, and izakaya in Sapporo and Asahikawa.
When is the best time of year to visit Hokkaido Prefecture?
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. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.