JTB Australia organized a familiarization (Famil) tour to Hokkaido from July 5–12, 2025, inviting Australian travel wholesalers and media to experience the region’s Green Season—a vibrant summer alternative to its famous winter offerings. The tour highlighted nature-based activities, Indigenous Ainu culture, local cuisine, and sustainable tourism across Tokachi, Biratori, and Sapporo. ✨ Tour Highlights Eco-tourism: Rafting, cycling, and farm experiences in Tokachi Cultural exchange: Deep engagement with […]

October 2025 Ainu, Famil Trip, Hokkaido, Nature

Hokkaido is one of the popular destinations to enjoy the snow in winter. This blog will highlight 7 places in Hakodate, which is located in the southeastern area of Hokkaido. They are the places our JTB customers highly recommend visiting. Before Christmas and the new year arrive, let’s plan a wonderful journey! At the end of this blog, you will discover 7 must-see spots and popular […]

December 2024 Christmas, Hakodate, Hokkaido, snow, Winter, Winter destination

  Hokkaido has breathtaking winter landscapes for one to enjoy. It has been famous for their powder snow and thanks to that person from all around the world would flock to Hokkaido just to ski or snowboard. What a lot of people don’t know is that there are actually a lot of outdoor activities that one can participate in, apart from skiing or snowboarding. These include […]

July 2020 Destination, Hokkaido, Michelle, Skiing and Snow Boarding, Winter

  Japan boasts a great snow reputation, and a trip over the winter (December to March) is a perfect occasion to experience white landscapes and trying out snow sports. Winter in Japan also offers unique cultural experiences, and is there a better time to soak in hot springs after a big day out? Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country, snow-shoeing and sledding and amongst the many offerings in most […]

July 2020 Aude, Destination, Hokkaido, Skiing and Snow Boarding, Tohoku, Winter

Our family of six (including four children between 9 and 14) had the holiday of a lifetime skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido in late January 2016. We flew from Brisbane, with a short stopover in Taiwan, Taipei, then straight on to Sapporo, Hokkaido. It was a very comfortable trip, with no jet lag, and we were met by JTB staff and put on a coach for […]

May 2016 Hokkaido, Skiing and Snow Boarding

Hi Olivia,This email is to first thank you sincerely for the brilliant planning you put into the trip. It went exceedingly well, even though the first two weeks were unusually wet. It didn’t stop us – it just meant a few more in-door things to find and do e:g museums which we might add, the Japanese do very well. And as expected, the flights on the […]

December 2012 Hokkaido, Hotel, Museum, Tokyo

Dear Yoko-san   I hope you are well. The trip was fabulous. I had a very enjoyable time. Everything went well, the food was delicious and the hot springs were soothing. I had no problems driving in Hokkaido and saw a fox, deer and squirrels. It was very hot though. I did see the Hiroshima vs Yokohama game and enjoyed it very much. It was nice […]

September 2012 Food, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Onsen Hot Spring

Hi Noriko,   Thank you very much for your contribution to our long awaited return to Japan.  Everything went without a hitch, and whilst we couldn’t do the trip down to Hiroshima this time, it was a wonderful visit yet again.   We spent 8 days in Sapporo with the family, (we hadn’t seen the kids for almost four years), then overnight in Hakkodate, down to […]

May 2012 Hokkaido, Nature, Sakura Cherry Blossoms, Sapporo

Dear Olivia,I know that Lorraine has already sent you an e-mail describing how well the trip around Hokkaido has gone. We fully endorse her comments!In addition, we want to let you know that the arrangements that you made for us personally – JAL trips between Osaka Kansei and Sapporo Chitose, and overnight accommodation at the Bellevue Garden Kansei Airport Hotel – all went according to plan. […]

May 2011 Hokkaido, Hotel, Osaka, Sapporo

Dear Olivia,I was wondering if you could pass on the following comments/ review to JTB in Hokkaido?We have just spent the most enjoyable time with two wonderful people helping us understand and come to love this amazing island of Hokkaido. Our bus driver, Kumada San was always extremely courteous, kept the bus impeccably clean, impressed us with his careful, smooth and safe driving and his ready […]

May 2011 Hokkaido

Lily Just to say thank you for organising the trip . We had an excellent time in Niseko and the arrangements were perfectly co ordinated from JTB and Hokkaido trails . The apartment was very comfortable , nicely furnished and equipped . We will certainly use your service again if we return to Japan and would recommend to others Thanks Julie

March 2011 Hokkaido

Hi Olivia We’re back from our drive around Hokkaido. It was fabulous. A lovely and mostly rugged area to drive through.The hotels you booked for us were great: In scenic locations with good facilities, helpful staff, good food and character.The driving was easy, the GPS helpful even though the written instructions on screen were only in Japanese/Kanji.The spoken instructions were in American. A quick lesson on […]

September 2010 Hokkaido, Hotel, Osaka

Dear Yoko, Thank you for your help organizing our recent trip to Hokkaido. Jerry and I returned only a few days ago. We had a wonderful time! We were very pleased with all of the accommodations – but especially enjoyed the Shiretoko Grand because it gave us the opportunity to stay in a tatami room. While we were a little too early for the fall foliage, […]

September 2010 Hokkaido, Hotel, Nature