Tripbaa | Asia’s Free Travel Expert
Hokkaido was struck by an earthquake in September, leaving many travelers planning a free trip to the region worried about the condition of various areas and attractions. However, thanks to effective disaster response and restoration efforts, most of Hokkaido’s scenic spots have now largely returned to normal operation—so there’s no need to worry too much.
We suggest that everyone continue to support Hokkaido tourism through their actions. Especially don’t forget that Hokkaido boasts numerous beautiful sights and is a favorite filming location for Asian dramas. Today, let’s revisit the beauty of Hokkaido through these classic dramas.
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When it comes to classic works filmed in Hokkaido, we must first mention the 1995 romantic film "Love Letter," starring Miho Nakayama, Takashi Kashiwabara, Etsushi Toyokawa, and Miki Sakai. The story follows the heroine, Akihi, who, missing her fiancé Fujii Itsuki who passed away three years ago, sends a letter to his old home—only to accidentally reach another girl with the same name. The two girls share memories, reminisce about the past, and gradually step forward toward the future.
The story is set in Kobe and Otaru, but most scenes were shot in Otaru. The opening scene where Akihi lies on the snow was filmed at Otaru's Mount Tenguyama Ski Resort. With an elevation of 532.4m, the resort offers panoramic views of Otaru city and harbor. In winter, the area covered in pristine white snow becomes breathtakingly beautiful and is known as one of “Hokkaido’s Three Great Night Views.”
Transportation: Access to Mount Tenguyama Ski Resort
Hokkaido Attraction – Tenguyama Ski Resort. (Photo / 0??Otaru Tenguyama)
After learning the recipient’s identity, Akihi follows the advice of her friend Akiha and heads to Otaru to uncover the true identity of the other Itsuki. Along the way, they pass several famous Otaru landmarks, including the Otaru Canal Craft Museum and Otaru Park Stadium. One of the most iconic spots is the place where the two characters bump into each other for the first time—the Shikanai Intersection, located near the Otaru Post Office. To this day, it remains a must-visit pilgrimage site for fans.
Transportation: About a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
The library where the female Itsuki works is actually the former Otaru branch building of the NYK Line. From the scenes where she chats with colleagues, you can see the building’s Western-style exterior and elegant wooden interior. It was once hailed as “an unprecedented classic structure north of the Kanto region” and is now a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. Whether you're a fan of "Love Letter" or not, this Hokkaido attraction is worth visiting.
Transportation: About a 20-minute walk from JR Otaru Station
Admission: 300 yen
Do you remember the scene where the boy Itsuki rides a bicycle and mischievously puts a paper bag over the girl’s head? Many viewers found this youthful moment heartwarming and couldn't help but smile—it shows the playful jealousy of first love.
This scene was filmed at Otaru Teine Park. Aside from the snowy setting featured in the film, around 700 cherry trees here bloom simultaneously from early to mid-May every year, making it one of the local parks beloved by residents for strolling and flower viewing. If you want to experience more of the local atmosphere, consider visiting this Hokkaido attraction.
Transportation: About 10 minutes by Chuo Bus from “Teine Taikutsu Tenbo-dai” stop
In addition to Japanese films, international dramas also frequently film in Hokkaido. Take the Korean drama “Love Rain,” starring Jang Keun-suk and Yoona, which tells a romantic story spanning 1970 and 2012. After experiencing the ups and downs of love, the main characters are reunited when their children, Seo Jun and Ha-na, meet in Hokkaido. The series sparked a wave of interest in Hokkaido travel—let’s take a look at some of the Hokkaido locations featured in the drama.
Yes, the first Hokkaido spot from “Love Rain” is Asahikawa Station, where Seo Jun and Ha-na first meet. To accommodate growing tourist numbers, Asahikawa Station has undergone renovations, featuring a modern glass-walled design. It’s currently the second-largest station in Hokkaido after Sapporo Station. Paired with winter snowscapes, it easily brings to mind the drama’s romantic scenes.
And when in Hokkaido, you can’t miss the experience of soaking in an onsen in the snow. In the drama, the hot spring visited is “Furano Fukiage Onsen” in Furano, a well-known free open-air onsen in Hokkaido. Discovered in 1897 and reopened to the public in 1991 after renovation, visitors can enjoy the warmth of the onsen while surrounded by winter’s snowy landscape—an essential Hokkaido destination for both pilgrimage and relaxation.
For those wanting a more leisurely pace to enjoy the outskirts of Hokkaido, you might choose to stay at “Shirogane-so” near Fukiage Onsen, which also offers distinctive onsen experiences such as “Hiba no Yu” and “Iwa-buro” (Hiba: Thujopsis dolabrata, a type of cedar native to Aomori). The bathing facilities even provide a uniquely flavored mineral water tasting—salty, iron-rich, and slightly bitter.
Official Website: Fukiage Onsen
The highlight of “Love Rain” is the so-called “Diamond Snow”—legend says that if lovers see sunlight glinting off snow like diamonds, they will be happy forever. Therefore, the drama was shot in the vast snowy landscapes of Furano Rokugou, Tokachidake, and Biei in Winter. The diamond snow scene was filmed in a birch forest in Furano Rokugou, where snowflakes land on towering trees against a backdrop of pure white snow—a truly romantic sight.
Next is the “Wagamama Curry Shop” featured in the drama. This long-standing curry restaurant in Furano is a two-story wooden house with an open-air seating area on the second floor, giving it a truly unique charm. The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients from Furano, Hokkaido, and its most famous dish is sausage curry—an essential Hokkaido food attraction when visiting Furano.
Transportation: About a 3-minute walk from JR Furano Station
Address: 11-8 Hinodecho, Furano-shi, Hokkaido
Official Website: Wagamama | Furano no Curry Shop
Next is the Taiwanese drama “I Love You So Much,” starring Ethan Juan and Wang Le-Yen, which primarily used Hokkaido and Otaru as filming locations. The story follows a non-blood-related brother and sister, Dan Dan and SKY, as they navigate complex emotions between family and romance. Their trip to Hokkaido helps them realize their feelings for each other upon returning to Taiwan. The drama features many classic Hokkaido spots, including ski resorts and night views.
First and foremost is one of “Hokkaido’s Three Great Night Views”—Mount Hakodate’s Million Dollar Night View. By taking a cable car or bus up to the 334-meter-high observation deck, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Hakodate City. If you have extra time, consider going up earlier to catch the sunset and secure a good spot for the full night view. Trust us, this Hokkaido attraction will be unforgettable.
Transportation: Take the Hakodate Tram and get off at the "Jūjigai Station," then walk about 10 minutes.
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Hokkaido Attraction - Night View from Mount Hakodate. (Photo / Official Hakodate Tourism Information Website)
Another spot listed among the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido," the night view from Mount Moiwa, also appears in this drama. Compared to the grand night view of Hakodate City, the view of Sapporo City from Mount Moiwa is more gentle and delicate. The observation deck on Mount Moiwa is also decorated with some lights, adding a touch of romance, making it a top choice for couples on dates. It is recommended to take the ropeway and enjoy the Sapporo night view from varying distances, up close and far away.
Hokkaido Attraction - Night View from Mount Moiwa. (Photo / Sapporo Tourism Association)
In the drama "I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change," Dandan visits the well-known Hokkaido attraction, the Otaru Music Box Museum, in order to repair an important music box.This is a specialty shop that sells and displays music boxes from around the world, featuring over 3,000 traditional and modern music boxes, as well as a variety of delicate and charming doll collections. If you love music or classic collectibles, this Hokkaido attraction is worth a visit.
Transportation: A 7-minute walk from JR "Minami-Otaru" Station
The last attraction to introduce is the "Rusutsu Resort," which was also the main workplace of Dandan in Hokkaido during the drama. It can be considered one of the largest ski resorts in Hokkaido, with 37 ski runs, as well as snow sledding, snowmobiles, and other snow play experience facilities. Plus, it’s just a 90-minute drive from New Chitose Airport, making it a very popular Hokkaido attraction in winter.
Hokkaido Attraction - Rusutsu Resort. (Photo / Rusutsu Resort)
Hokkaido Attraction - Rusutsu Resort. (Photo / Rusutsu Resort)
After seeing these several Hokkaido attractions featured in Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese dramas, do you also remember the reason why you first got to know or fell in love with Hokkaido? The charm of travel actually doesn’t lie in how beautiful the foreign scenery is, but in how those places once brought you longing through a certain drama, a certain song, a certain person, or perhaps a certain reason—making you want to go and explore them, isn’t that right?
Authorized Repost from Tripbaa Original Source: Don’t Forget the Goodness of Hokkaido: 12 Selected Hokkaido Attractions Featured in Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese Dramas
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