Vast Hokkaido covers an area of about 83,500 square kilometers, which is 2.2 times the size of Taiwan, yet has a population of only 5 million. Natural scenery is everywhere, and with Japan allowing the use of a Taiwanese driver’s license, all you need is a “Japanese translation booklet” to drive a car anywhere in Japan.
Driving in Hokkaido, the roads are straight, the pavement is free of potholes, and the center lines are very clear. Once you leave the city, you’re surrounded by nature. Roll down the window, and there’s no dust flying around—just fresh air that makes you want to take deep breaths at any moment. Drivers follow traffic rules, yield to one another, and you won’t hear any honking. Every car comes equipped with satellite navigation, so even if you haven’t set a specific destination, you won’t get lost. Hokkaido, suitable for agriculture and animal husbandry, has cows, sheep, and horses grazing leisurely. Pastures stretch out from both sides of the road, and the fresh milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, cookies, and milk candies here are all made from genuine ingredients. The agricultural products grown in this excellent environment are especially sweet. However, remember that Japan drives on the right, so when driving—especially turning—you still need to be cautious.
Sapporo :: Niseko Milk Factory
Autumn is the perfect season to visit Hokkaido to admire the crimson maple leaves. It’s one of the earliest regions in Japan where the leaves turn, and there are many famous spots for leaf peeping. Among them, Shikotsu-Toya National Park’s Shikotsu Gorge is surrounded by majestic mountains, with the red foliage front typically arriving around late September—the most stunning in all of Hokkaido. Shiretoko Five Lakes, known for its cobalt-blue waters, is the main tourist attraction on the Shiretoko Peninsula. It takes about an hour to walk around all five lakes, offering beautiful reflections of the Shiretoko Mountain Range on the water. In autumn, when the red leaves are set against the blue sky and lush green mountains, the view is truly refreshing. Additionally, Lake Akan, a volcanic crater lake with a circumference of 26 kilometers, a depth of 44.8 meters, and an elevation of 420 meters, is naturally picturesque. When the red leaf season begins in mid-October, the crystal-clear lakeside contrasts magnificently with the fiery red autumn foliage, making it another popular spot for leaf viewing in Hokkaido. Article reference: Drive around Hokkaido and revel in the maple forests
Read more: Must-bring souvenirs when visiting Hokkaido ~ Shiroi Koibito (Provided by Tripass Attractions)
