Hokkaido, this coveted northern land, boasts breathtaking landscapes, abundant produce, and fresh cuisine, continually attracting numerous tourists to visit again and again. Beyond its food and scenery, several well-known major cities also offer excellent shopping opportunities. Hokkaido’s largest city, Sapporo, presents a bright urban vibe. Sapporo Station is directly connected to department stores, shopping malls, and the subway, with underground passages allowing travelers to shop happily even when it's snowing outside.

Otaru is another extremely popular city. The planned Otaru Canal has become the city’s most beloved attraction. For 10 days in February each year, the canal floats candle-lit orbs, reflecting off the pure white snow in a dreamlike scene. The area offers numerous delicate and charming glassware and music box products, making them perfect gifts or souvenirs for personal use.

It’s said that Hokkaido has already seen its first snowfall this year. For those of you preparing to go to Hokkaido to enjoy the snow, don’t miss out on the following great news: When you’re sightseeing in Hokkaido and shopping a little too enthusiastically, accidentally running out of cash, you can use financial cards from 14 banks including Bank of Taiwan, Land Bank of Taiwan, Taiwan Cooperative Bank, First Bank, Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, Cathay United Bank, Mega International Commercial Bank, Taiwan Business Bank, Shin Kong Commercial Bank, Yanghsin Commercial Bank, Union Bank of Taiwan, Yuanta Commercial Bank, and E.SUN Commercial Bank. Use ATMs with the financial card logo and your domestic PIN (6–12 digits, different from the usual magnetic stripe PIN of 4 digits) to withdraw money. The handling fees are much more favorable compared to credit cards. Alternatively, you can directly use your financial card at shops with the Smartpay logo—there are no fees at all (believe us, it’s really free!!), and you’ll even get a 2% cashback credited back to your account one month after your purchase. Don’t forget to quickly share this great opportunity with family and friends so they can take full advantage too!!

Reminder: Be sure to confirm the relevant card functions with your bank before departure to avoid having a card you can’t use.

The Scenic Spots Facebook fan page is holding a prize quiz: Visit Facebook and search for 景点家 to join the event.

Tokyo to Hokkaido in just 4 hours – JR Shinkansen ticket prices announced