May was officially the Month of Photography. That's why we decided to post one picture on our facebook page every day of the month. All of those photos were taken by our staff somewhere in Hokkaido in different times of the year. The result of this posts is an amazing series of beautiful photos:
Day 1: The mesmerizing blue water of Shakotan
On the west coast of Hokkaido you can find the peninsula of Shakotan with its rugged coastline and deep blue water.
Day 2: Tawadaira farm close to Lake Mashu
If you are traveling to Akan National Park and have a car, I recommend stopping at this farm to enjoy the amazing view of the landscape!
Day 3: The view of Sapporo city at night from Mt.Moiwa
Mt. Moiwa is famous for its night view, but it's also known as a good and easy hiking spot in the city ->
Hiking Moiwa
Day 4: Amazing panorama views and perfect snow conditions at Kiroro Ski Resort
Hokkaido is a winter sport paradise! The most famous of them is Niseko, but only one hour North-East of it, there is a hidden gem with even more snowfall and less crowds. The conditions in Kiroro are fantastic, and so is the view!
Day 5: An ocean of flowers in Furano
Every summer, the fields of Furano and Biei transform into a colorful carpet of flowers, attracting many tourists from Japan and overseas.
Day 6: Cherry Blossom in Bibai
May is the time of Cherry Blossom in Hokkaido and you can see beautiful trees in many places all over the island.
Day 7: The Ferris Wheel at Rusutsu Resort
Famous for its great powder in winter, Rusutsu Resort offers a lot of attractions in its amusement park in summer as well.
Day 8: The beach at Zenibako, halfway between Otaru and Sapporo
The closest beach to Sapporo city! Though in May it's still too cold for swimming...
Day 9: The statue of Dr. William Smith Clark in Hitsujigaoka, Sapporo
Dr. William Smith Clark was the father of pioneers in Hokkaido. He left the famous words "Boys be ambitious!"
Day 10: Spectacular Hell Valley in Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu Onsen is probably the most famous hot spring resort in Hokkaido, as it has 9 different kinds of water and a very beautiful scenery. The most stunning of them is Hell Valley, with its hissing steam and boiling water ponds. Noboribetsu is easy to reach by train and makes for a good day trip from Sapporo.
Day 11: Lake Kussharo at Akan National Park in Eastern Hokkaido
The biggest lake of Akan National Park offers not only amazing sunsets, but also numerous onsen and rotenburo (outdoor onsen) and beautiful walking paths.
Day 12: View from Mt. Moiwa
Moiwa mountain again. But it's just such a beautiful place!
Day 13: Winter in Niseko, the village of legendary powder snow
With an annual snowfall of 18m, Niseko is a mecca for powder hounds and known worldwide for its spectacular back-country skiing!
Day 14: The beach at Ishikari
In summer, Ishikari beach looks a lot different from the picture! Only 40min from Sapporo by car, this beach is packed with people sunbathing and BBQing in the warm season.
Day 15: Annual German Christmas Market in Odori Park, Sapporo
With Munich as its sister city, Sapporo is well known for its annual German Christmas Market along Odori Park. It looks a lot like a Christmas market in Germany, too and offers hot wine and German food, that will warm you up in the cold.
Day 16: Jozankei Onsen in autumn
Just one hour south of Sapporo lies the beautiful onsen town of Jozankei. It is a popular tourist destination for its many hot springs and stunning nature. Jozankei has a lot to offer - free hand- and foot baths, a big river in a small gorge, a nice red suspension bridge, parks, walking trail, a waterfall, a lot of Kappas, a dam and lots of hiking opportunities!
Day 17: Beautiful Mt. Yotei! Niseko in winter
Day 18: The blue pond in Biei
A less known but totally stunning tourist destination is the blue pond Aoiike just outside of the hot spring town of Shirogane Onsen, close to Biei. It got its name from its blue color, though it should be called "amazingly blue pond", because this blue is really out of this world!
This place is getting more attention now, after Apple put a picture of the blue pond as one of the default wallpapers for Mac!
Day 19: Winter in Biei
Biei, famous for its lavender farm in summer, is just as beautiful in winter.
You can reach Biei easily by train from Sapporo in 2-3 hours.
Day 20: Odori Park in autumn
Odori park is located in the heart of Sapporo and many local gather here, especially when there is one of the many summer festivals! "Odori" actually means "large street" in Japanese, and with a length of 1,5km it is really large, I would say ;)
Day 21: Mount Oakan in Akan National Park, Eastern Hokkaido
Day 22: Ainu Museum in Porotokotan
There are many places in Hokkaido where you can learn something about the indigenous people of Hokkaido. One of them is the small Ainu museum in Porotokotan , close to Shiraoi in Southern Hokkaido. A visit is highly recommended!
You can see more pictures and get some further information
here
Day 23: Beautiful Mt. Yotei
Niseko again, with Mt. Yotei in the background. In my opinion, the most beautiful mountain there is - and it's hikable as well ->
Hiking Mt. Yotei
Day 24: Mt. Tarumae
Another hikable mountain at the shore of Lake Shikotsu
Day 25: View on mountains from Mt. Moiwa
Day 26: Snowboarding with view of Mt. Yotei
Unbeatable!
Day 27: Amazing Lake Shikotsu
Less than on hour by car and also easy to reach from Chitose, this lake is a great retreat from the city life
Day 28: Ostriches in Hokkaido?!?!?
Yes, you can really find ostriches in Hokkaido! This is the Niseko Ostrich Farm, set agaoinst the backdrop of Mt. Yotei. you can feet the ostriches and buy ostrich sausages at the vending machine next to the farm. They are really yummy!!
Day 29: One of the little bridges connecting the numerous islands on Lake Onuma
Onuma Quasi National Park, where this photo was taken, is an amazing place to explore!
It's easily accessible by train from Hakodate!
Day 30: The Bay area of Hakodate city by night
Hakodate is the 3rd biggest city of Hokkaido and has a lot to offer! Read more about it
here
Day 31: Lake Toya
As the last picture in our photography series we chose the
beautiful and tranquil lake Toya. The photo was taken from a campground at the
North-Eastern side of the lake. In the evening, you can even see the firework
that takes place every day in summer at Toyako Onsen. Definitely one of the
best camping spots in Hokkaido!
Beautiful Hokkaido!!!
