Summer in Hokkaido is the season when lush wilderness and crisp air gently unwind your body and mind. As you spend time embraced by vast grasslands, deep forests, and crystal‑clear lakes, everyday noise fades and a quiet ease returns. For travelers planning summer hokkaido experiences centered on wellness and low‑impact travel, this northern island offers space to breathe and room to reset.
Hokkaido is home to seven national parks, among many other untouched landscapes (*1), and it is drawing attention as a destination for mind‑and‑body restoration amid its majestic environment.
In this guide to summer hokkaido, you’ll discover the appeal of elevated nature travel through the lenses of wellness (well‑being of mind and body) and sustainability (long‑term stewardship). If you’re interested in wellness or the spirit of Zen, Hokkaido offers restorative insights that speak to you on a personal level.
Across the region, initiatives are underway to pass its grand nature on to future generations, letting you experience Hokkaido’s abundance in a sustainable, respectful way.
Hokkaido’s great outdoors has a special power to gently envelop you—body and mind. Just breathing the clear air and taking in sweeping scenery loosens the tension that city life often winds tight. Forests, lakes, and flower fields that shift with the seasons invite deep breaths simply by being there, and they naturally reset your inner rhythm.
When you yield to the scale and stillness—as if the earth itself were speaking—your time here becomes more than sightseeing; it turns into a healing experience. Walking Hokkaido, you remember your connection to nature and feel yourself return to what matters.
Under a flawless blue sky, the endless sweep of Hokkaido’s land makes you want to draw a long, grounding breath.
Compared with Honshu, summer in Hokkaido is cooler with lower humidity, and the region brims with diverse scenery: grand forests where conifers mingle with broadleaf trees, and mysterious caldera lakes born of volcanoes. On the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, primeval forests and cliff‑lined coasts remain largely untouched; simply standing there can overwhelm you with the energy of the wild.
In early summer, lavender dyes the rolling hills of Biei and Furano in shades of purple. As far as the eye can see, the fragrance offers a gentle calm—like natural aromatherapy (*2). Immersed in vistas so vast and beautiful, daily stress washes away and your mind settles into ease.
That sense of calm you feel the moment you step into a forest has a scientific basis. “Shinrin‑yoku,” or forest bathing—taking in the air, scent, and scenery of the woods with all five senses—originated in Japan, and its effects are increasingly supported by medical studies.
Research reports that, compared with urban settings, time in forests boosts parasympathetic (rest‑and‑digest) nervous activity by roughly 1.5 times, while cortisol, a stress hormone, drops by around 13% (*3).
In other words, the forest’s healing space can positively tune your autonomic nervous system and hormonal balance. “Nonno no Mori” in Tsubetsu is Hokkaido’s only certified Forest Therapy Base, where guided forest therapy walks invite you to tap into this restorative power.
When you lean into the hush of the wild and breathe in the woods’ aroma deeply, you’ll feel your body and mind gently release (*4).
A journey where wellness tourism meets the Zen mind guides you into experiences that go deeper than ordinary travel. Wrapped in Hokkaido’s vast nature and stillness, you’ll naturally find your breath and clear your heart. The Zen teaching of focusing on “this very moment” offers a fresh perspective to a mind tired of daily noise.
Walking amid grand scenery, listening closely to the forest’s aromas, and greeting the sunrise by the lake become moments that liberate you, body and mind—while giving you precious time to meet yourself. Travel in Hokkaido not only heals your heart; it cultivates a quiet inner strength that brings new richness to life.
Have you heard the term “wellness tourism”? It’s a newer style of travel that aims to keep your mind and body healthy and is drawing global attention (*1). Beyond sightseeing, it emphasizes using experiences on the road to reexamine your lifestyle and sense of purpose, restoring balance to body and mind.
Hokkaido was quick to spotlight how travel can lift your spirits and energize your body, advocating this approach under the name “Hokkaido Care Tourism” *2). It’s an initiative that channels regional assets—grand nature, hot springs, and cuisine—into caring for travelers’ well‑being.
Within the wave of wellness tourism, journeys inspired by Zen—mindfulness and meditation—have garnered special interest in recent years. Zen is a philosophy flowing at the foundation of Japanese culture, teaching you to concentrate on the here and now and quiet the mind.
Mindfulness meditation born of this tradition is scientifically shown to reduce stress and enhance focus, and it has found a place in Western business and healthcare fields. Hokkaido’s great outdoors is an ideal field for practicing such Zen‑inspired mindfulness.
Around Lake Kussharo in Akan‑Mashu National Park, for instance, tours weave together awe‑inspiring nature with mindfulness, proposing a way to travel that unites you with the wild through sharpened senses (*3).
Gently attending to your breath in a silent forest or practicing yoga at sunrise by the lakeshore is, in many ways, Zen for today. Freeing yourself from mental clutter and facing inward, you’ll likely finish your journey feeling light and renewed, body and mind.
Summer in Hokkaido offers more than scenery; it’s full of special activities that soothe you inside and out. On clear lakes, by powerful waterfalls, and out on the expansive sea, you’ll feel the cleansing energy of water with your whole self.
Step onto open land and a different joy awaits—walking through forests, moving alongside horses, or riding the wind on a bicycle. Each moment brings you closer to nature, delivering deep calm far from daily routines. And the season’s low humidity makes every experience more comfortable, balancing you—body and mind—with an airy lightness.
Moments held by Hokkaido’s great outdoors linger long after you return home, leaving a quiet strength within.
Waterfront Experiences That Soothe
Time spent with water brings profound ease to the heart. Push off in a canoe on a still lake at dawn and, with each stroke, sky and clouds shimmer across the surface as if you’re becoming one with the water. Morning light filters through the mist, birdsong rises clear, and a gentle peace unfolds—as if time itself had paused.
The sea offers its own wonders. Summer along Hokkaido’s coasts is your chance to meet wildlife. On cruises off Muroran, you can watch dolphins and whales swim with unhurried grace, and the vitality of these creatures is healing in itself.
At Oshinkoshin Falls on the Shiretoko Peninsula—one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls—the 50‑meter cascade thunders down. Step into its spray and you’ll feel refreshed by the cool, ion‑rich mist that many visitors find revitalizing (*1). Floating on water, wrapped in a waterfall’s mist, and sharing space with living beings—these moments help you forget everyday worries and sink into deep relaxation.
On Hokkaido’s vast terrain, movement itself refreshes you. A gentle hike through dappled forest light fills your lungs with crisp air; each step combines moderate exercise with freshness that steadies both mind and body. Horseback experiences are also popular on the wide grasslands.
In Tsurui Village and elsewhere, you can go horse‑trekking through forests and wetlands on Hokkaido’s native, even‑tempered Dosanko horses. Swaying with their easy gait, you’ll feel your body and mind loosen—as if the northern land were holding you close.
On Kiyosato Straight Road in Kiyosato Town, try downhill cycling on a long, gentle descent that runs arrow‑straight—an exhilarating way to experience the joy of moving through nature.
Because Hokkaido’s summer is less humid and milder than Honshu’s, the comfort of the outdoors stands out even more. After moving freely, a pleasant tiredness and sense of accomplishment remain, helping your spirits reset in a positive way.
Hot springs in Hokkaido are more than a sightseeing stop; they’re holistic experiences that restore you inside and out. Japan’s long tradition of therapeutic soaks, or tōji, has been reimagined for today as “neo‑tōji,” spotlighting anew the restorative and relaxing power of hot spring waters.
Hokkaido’s onsen are inseparable from the grand nature that surrounds them. At quiet therapeutic inns nestled in forests or open‑air baths serenaded by rivers and starlight, the water’s benefits combine with the power of the wild to calm the nervous system and help you recover from fatigue.
Soaking while harmonizing with nature helps you forget daily noise and reclaim a steady vitality from within. In many ways, these hot springs are a much‑needed source of healing for modern life.
In Japan, people have long stayed for extended periods at hot spring towns to recuperate from chronic conditions or fatigue—a culture known as tōji. Hokkaido shares this heritage, and in recent years a contemporary take—“neo‑tōji”—has drawn attention (*1).
Toyotomi Onsen, Japan’s northernmost hot spring village, is known for its exceptionally rare oil‑bearing waters and is even called a “sanctuary for the skin” by visitors dealing with dryness or atopic dermatitis. The town champions “tōji for the future,” with dedicated onsen concierges on hand to support guests—drawing wellness seekers from across Japan.
The popularity of balneotherapy has scientific footing too. Research by the Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine reports that soaking in hot springs activates NK cells, raising immune function by about 15% after bathing, while stress‑related hormone levels drop by around 12%.
The benefits your body receives from unhurried bathing are considerable—hot springs are truly a holistic wellspring of healing.
Another hallmark of Hokkaido’s onsen is how many are surrounded by breathtaking nature. Karurusu Onsen, the secluded inner valley of Noboribetsu, is a forest‑wrapped therapeutic retreat with lodgings suited to longer stays, famed for waters that “warm you to the core” *2).
In summer you can hike nearby mountains; in winter you can stroll through rime‑covered woods—soaking in every season as you soak in the baths.
At Yoroushi Onsen in eastern Hokkaido, riverside open‑air baths let you steep while the murmur of the stream and birdsong play in the background. Come nightfall, a canopy of stars stretches overhead, and in a quiet, dark bath you may feel a wondrous peace—almost as if you were one with the universe.
Step out into the cool night breeze with skin still warm, and you’ll feel cleansed, your energy quietly renewed.
Hokkaido’s food is more than delicious—it’s a source of wellness that helps tune your body and mind. Vegetables and fruit nurtured by vast land and pure water, ocean‑fresh seafood, and fine dairy deliver high nutritional value that soothes travel fatigue and fuels you from within.
Wisdom embedded in local dishes reflects a food culture built to live in harmony with nature.
Eating local ingredients where they are grown is also a meaningful step toward sustainable living. From restaurants embracing eco‑friendly cooking methods and organic produce to rural food experiences that honor nature’s bounty with minimal intervention, travel helps you rediscover how eating and living are deeply connected. Hokkaido’s rich food culture is an essential element that completes a wellness‑focused journey.
As the saying goes, “food and medicine share the same origin.” What you eat directly shapes your health. Blessed with fertile soil and pristine water, Hokkaido is one of Japan’s finest larders. Season by season, you’ll find nutrient‑dense, flavorful ingredients—vegetables and fruit, quality dairy, and fresh seafood, including seaweeds and salmon rich in protein and minerals.
At ELEZO ESPRIT, an auberge in Tokachi, you can savor seasonal dishes while gazing over sweeping natural scenery—a true indulgence. Celebrated for cuisine that channels Tokachi’s gifts, it’s a place where you can refresh both body and spirit. Colorful vegetables brim with vitamins and fiber, and enjoying wholesome Hokkaido cooking leaves you feeling energized from the inside out.
Local favorites also deliver balance—like soup curry layered with vegetables of many hues, or chan‑chan yaki, a steaming pan of salmon, miso, and vegetables.
On a wellness‑minded journey, where you eat matters as much as what you eat. Choosing local not only means fresher flavors; it also reduces environmental impact and supports regional economies.
At the small auberge Erba Stella in Furano, the theme is “simpler and more natural,” with plant‑based, creative cuisine built on organic ingredients. Whenever possible they source locally to cut food miles; when imports are necessary, they select fair‑trade goods and consider low‑pollution methods in production—creating a thoroughly thoughtful, sustainable fine‑dining experience.
At Mori no Naka Yokkuru in Tōma, Kamikawa District, you can live like a local by cooking with home‑grown produce, experiencing a sustainable country lifestyle as you travel (*1).
A table that gratefully receives nature’s gifts holds a quiet power to nourish body and soul. Warm exchanges with producers and encounters with regional dishes make the journey even richer.
（＊1Reference： Tabiyu Editorial Team “Where Are the Best Wellness‑Tourism Spots in Japan?” https://www.itt-show.jp/tokyo/ja-jp/blog/pickup/article-11-wellnesstourism-spot.html)
Travel in Hokkaido carries meaning beyond enjoying nature—it’s also a chance to think through sustainable tourism, ensuring these gifts endure. Wisdom from the Indigenous Ainu on living in harmony with nature and community efforts to coexist with wildlife offer fresh learning.
Ainu cultural experiences in forests and by lakes, conservation activities in Shiretoko, and nature education programs in Furano all stay with you as participatory experiences that go beyond sightseeing. As awe gives way to questions about how to protect these environments, you may find yourself reexamining your own lifestyle.
Hokkaido’s way of living with nature embodies the ideals of sustainable travel, leaving you deeply moved—and hopeful about the future.
Hokkaido faces risks such as climate change and overtourism, which can degrade its resources—making sustainable destination management a vital theme (*1). Within this context, nature‑based travel often includes encounters with Ainu culture and wisdom.
At Lake Akan, guided walks with Ainu hosts lead you through the forest while you learn their long‑cherished ways of engaging with nature and their traditional crafts (*2). In Akan’s land of rich forests and lakes, time spent meeting the Ainu worldview moves you beyond sightseeing, renewing your respect for the natural world.
Exchanges in Ainu kotan (villages), where a distinct culture continues to breathe, bring travelers both comfort and insight.
On the Shiretoko Peninsula, where nature remains largely untouched, you can join unique efforts to consider coexistence between people and wildlife. In recent years, brown bears have appeared in towns in search of food. To prevent this, local volunteers run initiatives under the banner “Shiretoko Kuma‑katsu.”
Travelers can join in by cutting grass and picking up litter—efforts that not only protect bears but also let you feel the fulfillment of taking part in conservation. In Furano, the Furano Nature School—led by screenwriter Sō Kuramoto—engages in environmental education. Beginning with a project to return a closed golf course to forest, the school now offers programs from tree planting to nature observation, inviting you to learn about a sustainable future. Always follow local guidance, keep a safe distance from wildlife, and never feed animals—simple steps that help protect both people and nature.
Set on Hokkaido’s vast stage, a journey that rethinks our relationship with nature will surely influence how you live—positively.
（＊1Reference： Shiretoko Foundation & Kitakobushi Resort “Kuma‑katsu (Bear Action)” https://www.shiretoko.or.jp/report/2024/06/7916.html）
（＊2Reference： SUSTABI “Five Picks for Sustainable Tourism in Hokkaido” https://sustabi.com/blog/3787/)
Hokkaido’s luxury ecotourism is a fresh style of travel that pairs the fullness of nature with comfort and environmental care. Across accommodations and resorts, you’ll find designs using local timbers and natural materials, cuisine that celebrates regional ingredients, and thoughtful practices like waste reduction and energy saving.
Ainu art displayed on property and activities on lakes and in forests deepen what it means to experience Hokkaido. Rather than lavish ornamentation, these spaces prize harmony with nature—delivering time that is both high‑quality and deeply relaxing. Choosing a journey that’s kind to the planet is part of the allure.
If you want a stay that’s both comfortable and conscientious, Hokkaido’s luxury ecotourism answers the call.
Across the region, more properties are blending comfort with sustainability, drawing attention from travelers who seek an elevated experience. In Sapporo, The Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park stands out as a hybrid wooden hotel that makes generous use of Hokkaido lumber.
Guest rooms feature wood speakers crafted from local Todo‑fir, and amenities are picked only as needed to reduce waste—an urban hotel that integrates natural materials and environmental care in Hokkaido style (*1).
Breakfast buffets highlight local produce and offer vegan options, and the hotel sometimes hosts music events featuring Ainu culture—thoughtful touches that connect your stay with local heritage and abundance.
Resorts with sweeping views are taking on sustainable challenges too.
Opened in 2023 on the shores of Lake Tōya, Tsuruga Resort Kō no Uta is a luxury retreat encircled by 56,000 square meters of gardens. A wander through the grounds brings brisk breezes, vistas of Mount Yōtei and Shōwa‑Shinzan, and the shimmering calm of Lake Tōya.
By reusing existing structures while upgrading for efficiency, the property has achieved “ZEB Ready,” bringing overall energy consumption close to net‑zero. Ainu‑inspired art graces the interiors, and activities—fishing, Canadian canoeing, SUP, and more—let you savor Hokkaido’s nature and culture with all five senses.
In Furano, Auberge Erba Stella is known as the third hotel in Japan to be certified as a BIO HOTEL, offering a stay that’s kind to both people and planet. Wood‑rich rooms and organic‑minded meals create a refined, unpretentious comfort (*2).
From your window, broad rural vistas stretch across Furano. These accommodations show you can harmonize with vast nature without sacrificing comfort—enjoy your journey while contributing to a sustainable future. In Hokkaido’s stays that embody the union of luxury and ecology, you can let yourself be restored to the fullest.
（＊1Reference： Livhub “Six Recommended Sustainable Inns and Hotels in Hokkaido” https://livhub.jp/sustainability/accommodation-hokkaido)
（＊2Reference： SUSTABI “Five Picks for Sustainable Tourism in Hokkaido” https://sustabi.com/blog/3787/)
Time spent in summer hokkaido brings well‑being and deep restoration. Held by vast nature and relaxed through all five senses, you’ll set aside modern stresses and feel new vitality. With hot springs and wholesome local cuisine, you refresh from the inside; in the forest’s quiet, time facing yourself may gently shift your outlook on life.
Travel that weaves in sustainability—care for the environment and encounters with regional culture—enriches not only your destination but you as well. On a wellness‑minded, sustainable journey through summer hokkaido, treat yourself to experiences that leave you calm and full. Chances are, by journey’s end you’ll feel a renewed lightness in both body and mind. In this northern land, a new story of healing is waiting for you.