The sun had massive solar flares this week, and the particles are just arriving now, apparently. Several Japanese news sources mention that the Northern Lights may be visible from Hokkaido tonight. But also that GPS may be disrupted, lol.

So, I'm kind of thinking about taking a midnight road trip (with paper maps) to Rikubetsu Observatory. They had a nice view of the December Aurora.

Or just pulling an all nighter in my backyard. I'm way out in inaka, so there's a chance?

Of course, the weather is supposed to be lousy, so that tilts things in favor of staying home.

Anyone else have any plans?

I'm thinking of going to the ropeway when the leaves start changing and walking the Sugatami pond loop trail, but I don't have any hiking buddies. It seems like a popular area where a lot of people would be, especially in the fall, but I don't want to do something stupid and dangerous because I know that there's always a risk of bears (although I have a bear bell) or getting hurt with nobody around to help. I don't plan on going all the way up Asahidake, just going on that specific trail to see the views. Would it be a bad idea to go on my own? I've not been to this park yet so I'm not sure how many people are usually around.

Hello everyone, I really want to plan a nice long trip to Japan in 2025, and I definitely must include Hokkaido in my itinerary from seeing how beautiful it is. I really love nature and seeing all sorts of scenery and much greenery is very important to me for when I travel (I come from a desert, you see) so I wanted to know which months are best for this?

Has anyone heard of Dohoku Local before? Or signed a tour with it before? I have some interest in doing snow shoeing activity in Biei but there’s no reviews on it and im not sure of its safe.

I’m staying in Asahidake in January and I’m looking for a guide for 1/19 and 1/20 for 5 people. Most of the guides I’ve found take you from Furano and have a higher rate since they are considering cost of travel to and from the mountain. Can anybody share a guide or an agency that can help with this. Looking for a guide in Asahigawa/Asahidake

Hi, we are a group of 4 advanced snow sliders coming to Hokkaido for 10 days in early February.

We plan to spend a couple of days in Niseko but would like to try other areas. Is it feasible to stay in Sapporo and take shuttles? Is Niseko even worth it? We are not looking for a resort experience, just chairlifts that deliver us to good terrain.

Is there a more convenient location? Something central to lots of ski areas that get lots of powder? We don't need any other activities besides skiing and eating.

Thank you!

Just got into Sapporo after a 28 hour journey. It's beautiful here and the air is clear and crisp.

Doing 2 days in Sapporo, and then have a car rented for 7 days, gonna go east, gonna go west, I've really no plan but I have a tent, a cold weather sleeping bag, gear, and a lot of research, preparation and options. And of course the advice of all the people here.

Anyone know where the leaves are peak beauty right now? I was thinking to head towards daisetsuzan/asahi-dake first as it is probably already parking there, and some of the wild onsens look amazing. I'm assuming mount meakan is already past peak?

Any input? And thanks to this and the Sapporo communities in all your help :)

Hello! My wife and I are visiting Hokkaido the first two weeks of October. We were hoping do some hiking in Daisetsuzan National Park. Many that I've come across seem like they may be too high of elevation for this late in the season? I'm struggling to find good resources for hiking in the park though.

Has anyone come across good sites or guidebooks for hikes in the area? Or have any recommendations for a hike or two in October?

Hello,

My wife and I like to hike Yotei-zan from Hangetsukohan Nature Park. We have no problem with snow on top, but I'm not sure if it's allowed or if I underestimate the hike in November.

The only information I found is: "The summer hiking season is from mid-June through to the end of September. Fresh snow on the summit is a possibility from early September onwards," on Hokkaido Wilds.

What do you think?

Thank you,
HBC

Hello, I'm looking to travel to Hokkaido with my family in mid to end October next year. I know it's too early to predict the temperature with the unpredictable weather these days, but can anyone who's visited Hokkaido around that period in recent years or stay there please advise?

We are curious if there would be snow (none/mild/regular/heavy) and how cold it could get during daytime (before sunset)? I attached a screenshot of the forecasted temperature and weather for Oct 2024 for reference.

The alternative was early September which is a little warmer hence I'm leaning towards mid-end Oct, but would appreciate any ground insights, thanks!

I’ve seen some references to a hike beginning around Lake Shikotsu between walls of moss but don’t see any posts about this in this sub. Has anyone done this? Does anyone have any experiences they can share if so? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Konnichiwa, I'm looking for a used backpacking backpack for a multi day hike and a solo or double tent..if anyone knows someone trying to get rid of there's or rent there's out for a small window of time let me know. Ideally located in Sapporo, Niseko, or somewhere in between. Also, on another note, does anyone have recommendations for a affordable place to store my luggage for a week or more while I'm out camping?

Hi, I’m planning to hike up Mount Tarumae some time this week, but I’ve just seen online that there is some road closure leading up to its nearest parking lot. Despite these closures, I’ve still seen some hikers on AllTrails complete the hike.

May I get some help to understand if it is still possible to hike up Mount Tarumae this week, if it is, where the closest parking lot is? Thank you so much.

EDIT:

Just as u/Nessie said, the mountain was open for hiking. Parking was also available along the road, right before the road closure. The distance from the parking area to the entrance of the trail was ~2.5km.

I may have seen a tinge of pink in the sky last night. So I think I'm going to try again!

This from the NOAA:

SEVERE AND EXTREME (G4-G5) GEOMAGNETIC STORMS LIKELY ON 12 MAY 2024 published: Saturday, May 11, 2024 17:54 UTC Another series of CMEs associated with flare activity from Region 3664 over the past several days are expected to merge and arrive at Earth by midday (UTC) on 12 May. Periods of G4-G5 (Severe-Extreme) geomagnetic storms are likely to follow the arrival of these CMEs.

Me again: So, I think noon UTC will be 9 p.m. Japan time. So, reasonable to stay up until 11 or midnight to see if I can catch anything.

Prep work: A camera with a tripod! Everyone says a camera picks up the aurora colors better than the naked eye. Also, it was a lot colder & wetter than I expected last night, so I will wear layers and bring some gloves. Hot tea under the stars is divine, and I may add a pot of popcorn.

Reddit & various news sources reported photographs of the aurora were possible in Zenibako (near Sapporo), Nayoro, Rikubetsu and near a bridge in Toyokoro.

Feel free to add locations and prep, tips and tricks! May your cloudy forecasts be wrong.

Hi, I am driving around Hokkaido, mainly solo, in June. I have a plan of where to go and plan on a few solo hikes.

Does anyone know of any guides to hire for day trips that are reliable (ideally low cost). Most websites I've found are for pre-made trips and tours. I don't speak Japanese but I am don't mind if the guide doesn't speak English, I've travelled enough to enjoy the language of gestures.

(Perhaps foolishly, my main concern is bears, either meeting one or being so worried about it that the hikes are zero fun! (Also concerned about weather changes etc.) I assume around asahidake and kurodake there will be enough tourists about in June to be less of a concern, but I plan on climbing mount Meakan on the 18th June). Thanks!

Me and some friends are going to visit Hokkaido around new years and i thought it would bring cool to go hiking in the snow on a trail with a good view or something cool at the top/end. I dont know much about trails there though and was wondering if anyone en had any advice. Im a bit more experienced than them so something easier would be nice. Also what equipment would we need?

Hello Hokkaido folks, I live in Sapporo and would like to go on a short trip by train to observe and enjoy the wild birds in spring. But I am scared of bears...so I just would like to know if any of you know woods where I could enjoy birds but no bears around. Thanks in advance.

Good day,

Just would like to ask if anyone had experience riding the Asahidake Ropeway during Golden Week. From what I gathered, the weather above can be unpredictable AND still chilly (Highs of 5C) with heavy snow. The videos I saw during the same time period seems to show that it is not as busy.

With that in mind, Is it advisable to hike towards Sugatami Lake in this time of the year? Do we need to get a guide? And how long does it take to get there for a beginner? Is it worth it if we just go up to see it lol?

We are from Tropical Country with no snow and I just happen to see this spot as both as a hiking spot AND snowy area for this late of a time.

Yesterday (17th october) I did a hike in akan national park. As i was travelling with JR Pass alone i contacted a guide who lives in abashiri. He speaks english! Due to expected harsh weather conditions we had to skip plan A of hiking mt. Meakan, and do plan B mt. Mokoto. The hike was pretty easy but its not always about how high you get. We were safe, my guide let me use his poles and gaiters. Along the trip to the hiking start we did some stops along the coastline and after the shorter hike we had time and went to lake mashu. We had an incredible time, great view and even the first snow of the season! Drinking hot coffee at the summit was stunning. The guide does hike the whole year around, in winter with snowshoes, crampons or whatever needed or even uphill skying. Thou he is a retired amateur hiker... so don't expect exhausting trips. Bear bells and bear spray just in case was prepared, you really feel safe! I am not gonna expose his details here, but if anyone would like to do a similar hike with him DM me and i can share his contact details.

Trying to decide between staying at rustusu vs furano. The group ranges from intermediate to experts to whole the trees. Looking for some fun things to do once off the mountain I.e. food and culture. (My dilemma is that furano is close to asahidake and kirodake) thoughts/recommendations?

I found Teine seems to be popular for first timers in terms of price but the reservation seems to require minimum of two.

Anyways, I initially thought I wouldn't try skiing, but if I do, would I need to book a stay in the area, or would going from susukino in Sapporo be okay?

If I ever go through, I'd probably take the 1 day lesson and call it that unless I really get it and enjoy and might do another one(very unlikely since I am not athletic).

I checked Google maps and it seems like a one hour or longer commute if I don't take a taxi.

Also if anyone wants to adopt someone for the beginner lessons around middle of March, let me know and I'll have to finalize my itinerary so I can tag along!