Hiking, cycling, flower hunting and a whole lot of eating awaits you during green season in Hokkaido
Ever wondered what happens when all that powder snow melts in Hokkaido?
Well, first the landscape is blanketed by cherry blossoms, including the lovely pink moss called shibasakura, then myriad flowers and plants emerge. Enter: green season, a wonderful time to enjoy the natural beauty of Hokkaido without having to wrestle with layers and your trusty puffer coat.
Another plus? Since you’re all the way north, you won’t have to bear the scorching heat and humidity that defines the rest of Japan. With temperatures ranging from a comfortable 20 to 25 degrees celsius, Hokkaido is the ‘coolcation’ capital you have to visit next.
Read on for our top picks of summer activities in Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano.
NISEKO
Go on a scenic cycle
Niseko is a hotspot for road cycling during summer, annually hosting Hokkaido’s largest road race, Niseko Classic, as well as Niseko Gravel and Hanazono Hill Climb. The mild temperatures and low humidity attracts cyclists from all over, even as far away as Europe. There are various courses to explore with wide, quiet roads perfect for cyclists of all ages and skill levels.
Looking for magnificent scenery and a relatively flat course? Ride a loop around Mount Yotei and maybe you’ll find your way to the best view points and Instagram spots, too. For something more challenging, the Niseko Panorama line meanders through the mountains towards Iwanai, offering plenty of altitude change.
Read also: Niseko Classic 2025 Gears Up for Its Biggest Year Yet
With its central location in Grand Hirafu, The Maples Niseko is the best homebase for cyclists. The condotel features a Rhythm ski rental kiosk, ideal for hobbyists needing to rent gear. You can hire everything online, have it dropped off to you, then collected once you’re finished with it. Easy does it!
Challenge yourself with a hike
You’ve skied it a dozen times, but have you ever hiked Mount Niseko and Mount Annupuri? Accessible from the ski runs straight from Hirafu Village, or via designated trails, you’ll get a great workout and be rewarded with spectacular views once you reach the summit. In fact, the entire Niseko range offers myriad trails to discover, with more than 10 peaks stretching from Niseko to Iwanai.
There are other popular mountains to scale including Chisenpuri, Iwaonupuri and Nitonpuri, which are backcountry goldmines in winter. In the summer, they present a whole new set of challenges and each peak has its own unique character.
If you’re looking for the ultimate challenge, the Mount Yotei hiking season officially opens around mid-June. Soaring 1,898m high, it’s the tallest peak in the area and home to over 100 species of plants that bloom from early July through to August. It’s important to be prepared for this hike though, and note that the weather can change quickly. We highly recommend hiring a guide for your first ascent.
Read also: Dervla Louli Musgrave on Why She Keeps Coming Back to Niseko
Savour local seasonal food
If you’re a foodie, Niseko is the best place to savour local produce. There are plenty of neighbouring towns and cities that have their own special dishes, showcasing the variety of food available during the warmer months. A 30-minute drive from Hirafu, Iwanai is a town known for its fresh seafood, with plenty of fresh seafood and sushi to choose from.
Kutchan, a mere 10-minute drive from Hirafu, is known for growing some of the most amazing potatoes in the world. Specifically, the famous Kutchan 540 potato is unique to this region; this specific potato variety is aged for 540 days in a controlled environment. The aging process has an incredible effect, making the end product sweeter over time. The Kutchan Potato Festival (Jagamatsuri) is hosted every year in early August with activities including rock climbing and carnival games.
If you’re planning to extend your stay until September, the Niseko Autumn Food Festival is a great way to experience the local food scene. You’ll find up to 15 restaurants and bars showcase their specialities using fresh, seasonal produce.
Read also: Niseko Cheat Sheet: The Newest Dining Spots to Know in 2025
Indulge in onsen or BBQ with a view
Summer is the best time to make use of the beautiful terraces and outdoor onsen found in luxe condo hotels. In Hirafu, live the good life at Niseko Kyo’s 6-bedroom penthouse, which has room for up to 14 people and a striking outdoor onsen to boot. There’s also the spacious, glass-encased 5-bedroom Intuition penthouse which boasts one of the best views in Niseko that you can enjoy from the large terrace or while soaking in the onsen.
Want an al fresco feast? Both the penthouses at The Vale Niseko and The Setsumon are equipped with Jacuzzi and barbeque facilities. Grill and chill — sounds like a plan.
WanderLuxe Tip: If the weather’s not on your side and you’re looking to be active, check out the climbing gym at the Niseko Adventure Centre. You could also go rafting… you’ll be getting wet anyway! Lastly, one option good for the family: try ice-cream making at the Niseko Outdoor Centre or at everyone’s favourite, Milk Kobo.
RUSUTSU
Hit up Rusutsu Amusement Park
The largest theme park in all of Hokkaido, Rusutsu Amusement Park opened for business in late April. Featuring eight rollercoasters, a children’s play area, Ferris Wheel and more thrill-inducing rides, it’s a wonderful way to spend a day with the whole family. It even has an outdoor jumbo pool with slippery slides, perfect for a hot summer’s day.
Play a round of golf
Rusutsu Resort Golf 72 consists of four 18-hole courses, making it extremely popular during the warmer months. Each of the four courses are designed to highlight the natural terrain surrounding Rusutsu and provide magnificent views of Mount Yotei. For the keen golfer, check out the Tower Course designed by professional golfer Jumbo Ozaki; an excellent way to test your skills.
The facility also has a Park Golf course and a driving range, great for beginners and practicing your swing. The opening season for golf is highly dependent on snow and weather conditions, but typically occurs around in late April.
Go for a thrilling adventure
Rusutsu is a haven for sports enthusiasts with plenty of activities to entertain guests of all stripes and skill levels. Take a trip down the Shiribetsu river in a canoe or raft, and enjoy the picturesque natural landscape as you float by. A word of caution: You’ll need to be brave to conquer the surging current, so it’s best to get a good guide. If you’re one to keep your feet a bit drier, try some fly fishing or hunting for char and trout in the nearby fishing pond.
Prefer to stay away from the water altogether? Rusutsu also has facilities for tennis, horse riding, trail running, and mountain biking which you can take advantage of.
Wanderluxe Tip: Check into the luxurious The Vale Rusutsu, which provides the perfect base for all summer activities in Rusutsu.
FURANO
Embark on a full on flower hunt
Furano is known for its incredible flower fields that bloom from spring through summer, with lavender being the most popular among visitors and locals alike. In fact, Furano tends to be busier in summer than in winter.
Lavender has been cultivated in Hokkaido since the 1940s but as lower-priced imported lavender has made its way into the country, demand has reduced. As a result, the local farmers shifted their main function from agricultural to being a tourist attraction, which is the main reason there are so many beautiful flowers to view in and around Furano.
You can also find plenty of other species of flowers, such as poppies, sunflowers, lupins, lilies, and more in the area. It pays to rent a car, so you can visit as many flower farms and be on a flexible schedule. There are plenty scattered between Furano and Biei that you can visit while in the area.
Read also: Everything You Need to Know About Furano’s Flower Fields
Enjoy the Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Furano Belly Button Festival)
It might sound strange but Furano is fondly known as the “belly button” of Hokkaido because of its central location on the island. The Hokkai Heso Matsuri (Furano Belly Button Festival) began in 1969 to strengthen the bonds of the people and is held annually, celebrating the Hokushin Shrine. This shrine attracts prayers relating to love, childbirth, personal growth, health, happiness, prosperity and peace.
The biggest attraction of the festival is the belly button dance competition, with over 4,000 dancers attending over a total of two days. Participants draw faces on their bellies and perform a unique style of dance through the city of Furano. You can join in on the fun for a small fee of ¥3,000, which includes all the gear necessary to fit in with the rest of the dancers.
There is also plenty of food available for purchasing from local vendors — a great opportunity to try some of the local cuisine, which includes dishes such as the Furano-style curry, yakisoba (fried noodles) and more.
Bring everyone to a fruit picking excursion
Want an activity that’s a hit with kids and kidults alike? Go fruit picking, a popular summer activity in Furano. There are plenty of locations allowing you to collect fruits and vegetables by hand. This includes harvesting asparagus, digging for potatoes and picking strawberries or cherries from the local farms.
Furano Jam Garden takes this one step further, hosting jam-making classes during the summer. Guests can join for a one hour session where they will be taught how jam is made, allowing for a hands-on experience. There are plenty of fruits to choose from as a base, and participants also get to make their own unique label for their creation. Upon completion, you can take your special jam home with you as a special sovenir.
Read also: Your Complete Fruit Picking Guide In Hokkaido
WanderLuxe Tip: Travelling with a group of friends? Fenix Furano and Fenix West have several room options, plus have in-house cafes in case you’re not keen on cooking breakfast one of the days. If you’re with a bigger gang, the nearby Shiyuki Chalet is your best bet.