a circular route around the southwest
tip of the island.
Day 1: Noboribetsu
Beginning at Chitose International
Airport, head southeast towards the
hot spring resort town of Noboribetsu.
As you drive through this town, the
foreboding sight of yellowish clouds
of gas escaping from the cracks of
Jigokudani
(Hell Valley) will make any
adventurous and curious traveller hit
the brakes. This land formation is the
crater of a volcano that is responsible
for producing thousands of litres of hot
water every day, rich in therapeutic
minerals that make Noboribetsu’s
onsen
(hot springs) some of the most sought
after in the world.
Equally deserving of your time and
attention are the delightful brown
bears of Hokkaido at the Noboribetsu
The GPS device will also tell you
nearby rest stops and other tourist
information.
There is much ground to cover
in Hokkaido, which has a land area
that is 80 times the size of Hong
Kong. For the first-time visitor
who wants to experience the most
of Japan’s captivating culture and
natural wonders, an ideal itinerary is
a seven-day trip that will take you on
Sure, Hokkaido is known for great skiing, but the off-season
is full of family-friendly fun, too, writes
Cong Contreras.
