Hokuto: Your Summer Getaway City in Japan
Located in the heart of the Oshima Subprefecture, Hokuto is a city on Hokkaido Island. It primarily serves as Hakodate’s bedroom community as it is the closest town with affordable hotels and lodging. Hokuto’s foundation dates back to 2006, following the merging of the cities of Ono and Kamiiso. You can fly into Hokuto, Japan, via Hakodate Airport, which is a little over half an hour away. Another alternative airport in the area is on Okushiri Island, Okushiri Airport, which connects the island to Hakodate Airport.
Best Time to Visit
As opposed to the rest of Japan, summer is the preferable time to visit the town of Hokuto as this is when the cherry blossoms start to bloom in the city. Unlike Tokyo, the sakura on the island doesn’t flower until May. The weather is also particularly pleasant by this time of year, so expect plenty of tourists in the city. You can also drive to the town of Sapporo for their annual Sapporo Lilac Festival happening in the latter part of the month. Just make sure to book your Hokuto, Japan hotels early.
What to Do & Area Attractions
If you’re looking for accommodations around Hokuto, check out Guest House Hakodate Crossroad – Hostel, Hakodate Motomachi Hotel, and Winning Hotel. The two latter hotels are within a five-minute walk to the Hakodate Museum of Northern Peoples and Kitajima Saburo Memorial Museum, two of the most interesting museums 20 minutes away from Hokuto. Meanwhile, the Guest House Hakodate Crossroad – Hostel is located in Nanaehama and provides guests with free bicycle use and cozy air-conditioned rooms.