Hokkaido Adventure Travel Blog

The insider’s look into Hokkaido

Travel Tips

Jun 10, 2025 by Zac

Shikotsu-Toya National Park - Adventure Awaits on Sapporo's Doorstep

Accessible from Sapporo and located on the warmer Pacific coast, Shikotsu-Toya National Park boasts amazing volcanic landscapes, lakeside vistas and some of the most popular hot spring resorts in Hokkaido year-round. Zac shares why Shikotsu-Toya is an amazing year-round destination and why you should definitely consider it for your Hokkaido trip!

Four guides, seen from behind, are looking out over Lake Shikotsu under a clear blue sky. They stand on a narrow dirt path, surrounded by lush green and white-tipped bamboo-like foliage. The expansive, deep blue lake fills the middle ground, framed by distant, tree-covered mountains. The guide in the foreground wears a dark cap with the Adventure Hokkaido logo.

Travel Tips

Jan 24, 2025 by Zac

A Local's Guide on What to Expect When Staying in Hokkaido

Staying in Hokkaido is all part of the adventure, but if you've never experienced a Japanese-style stay before, you may be worried about making cultural faux-pas… or wondering what on earth all those buttons on the toilet do! We’ve got you covered - Zac's here with our local’s guide on what to expect when staying in Hokkaido.

A Japanese bedroom with tatami mat flooring (made from dried rush grasses). There is a low table in the middle of the room with a Japanese tea set for two placed on it. At opposite ends of the table are two Japanese-style chairs (sat directly on the tatami with no legs).

Travel Tips

Jul 10, 2024 by Hattie

What to eat in Hokkaido? Adventure Hokkaido Team’s favourite foods!

One of the most commonly-asked questions of guides on our tours is, “What should I eat?” Well, you’re in luck… in this blog, members of the Adventure Hokkaido Team share their favourite Hokkaido foods with you, complete with recommendations on where and when to enjoy them.

Dinner prepared with in-season produce

Travel Tips

Mar 28, 2024 by Zac

Independent Travel to Hokkaido

Independent travel in Hokkaido doesn’t need to be intimidating! While a little more planning and flexibility is needed, Adventure Hokkaido Guide Zac is here to guide you through everything you need to know and to show you that travelling alone in Hokkaido is an unforgettable experience.

A female hiker pauses on a hike to admire the view of Lake Mashu on a lovely day. It is partially cloudy and the lake's surface is reflecting the sky.

Travel Tips

Mar 27, 2024 by Michael

Going Gluten Free in Hokkaido

Like veganism and vegetarianism, gluten free diets have yet to make a splash here in Hokkaido. Culturally important ingredients also mean that avoiding gluten completely can be a challenge. However, as Adventure Hokkaido Guide Michael will demonstrate, it is still possible to avoid gluten while here with a bit of careful planning.

A hand uses metal tongs to grill meat on a meat grill. There are plates of meat and side dishes around the grill.

Travel Tips

Mar 5, 2024 by Hattie

Japan Calling! How to Set Up Your Phone for Travel in Hokkaido

To rent-a-SIM or to not rent-a-SIM? Staying connected while on holiday has never been more important, especially if you plan to venture into Hokkaido’s wilderness. In this blog, we will walk you through all the ways you can set up your phone for travel in Hokkaido.

A pair of hands hold a smartphone in an outdoor setting. A map app is open on its screen.

Travel Tips

Jan 25, 2024 by Zac

A Local's Guide to Eating Out in Hokkaido

Language barriers and unfamiliar cuisine can make eating out in Hokkaido seem daunting at first - but fear not! Adventure Hokkaido's official expert eater Zac is here to help you with all the insider tips you need to enjoy a fantastic meal out in Hokkaido!

A traditional wooden platter of colourful nigiri sushi (small balls of rice topped with slices of raw fish).

Travel Tips

Nov 28, 2023 by Hattie

Layer Up! How to Dress for Hokkaido’s Winter

It get's cold in Hokkaido! But don't let that put you off from heading out and exploring the winter wonderland. Hattie offers advice on how to bundle up nice and warm in Hokkaido’s subzero winter in preparation for your adventure holiday.

Two snowshoers pose for a photo with Mt Oakan in the background

Travel Tips

Oct 16, 2023 by Hattie

Preparing for Your First Hokkaido Adventure Holiday

Hattie talks about her experience on preparing for your first Adventure Holiday in Hokkaido and shares her top tips and tricks on what to expect and how to prepare sufficiently to get the most out of your exciting trip.

A hiker with a large pack stands on the rocky summit of Mt. Shioya-Maruyama, next to a small stone shrine. He looks out over a sweeping coastal view of a bay and the sea near Otaru.