Planning a summer trip to Hokkaido in July? Perfect!

Hi, my name is Yuuka. I grew up in Hokkaido, and my favorite season is summer! As a local, I can guarantee you that July is amazing for enjoying Hokkaido’s beautiful nature.

In this guide, you’ll find the best things to do, what to eat, weather tips and itinerary ideas in July for your trip.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Why Visit Hokkaido in July?
Top Things to Do in July
Local Festivals & Events in July
Seasonal Foods to Eat in July
Hokkaido Weather in July
The Best Itineraries for July

This post contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission to enjoy a cup of coffee on my trip☕

Why Visit Hokkaido in July?

If you love nature, July is a great month to visit Hokkaido! It’s full-on summer here, and many outdoor activities are available for you to experience what Hokkaido has to offer.

That being said, July is high season. It’s the second busiest month in Hokkaido after August, so make sure to book your hotels, rental car and activities early.

If you are going to popular tourist spots, try to get there in the morning when it’s quieter.

Top Things to Do in July

Go on a Road trip

Driving is the best way to travel around Hokkaido with flexibility! And July is great for road trips.

My favorite region for a road trip is Eastern Hokkaido, my home region.

You’ll get beautiful drive scenes from the coastline to the mountain roads. We have lakes, mountains, hot springs, ports, and marshlands… You can have them all in one trip!

It’s also so much easier to travel this area by car than by public transportation (although traveling without a car is of course possible), so you’ll get the most out of your time here.

I have a one-week itinerary for a quick round tour and a two-week itinerary to go around the island at a relaxed pace, both covering Eastern Hokkaido.

Rent a Bike and Explore

Cycling in July is another great way to experience Hokkaido’s cities and nature.

You can join a guided tour or go at your own pace with a rental bike. Here are some spots and cities that provide rental bike services.

Sapporo downtown using shared e-bikes Porocle.
Moerenuma Park in the suburb of Sapporo
Otaru, Obihiro and Abashiri for city rides
Wakka Nature Reserve between Lake Saroma and the Okhotsk Sea
Furano & Biei to bike through fields and hills

Cycling with rental bikes in Wakka Nature Rerserve in Saroma, Eastern Hokkaido

Visit Lesser-Known Lavender Fields

Most people think of Farm Tomita in Furano, when it comes to lavender in Hokkaido… but there are many other spots that are lesser known and less crowded, but as beautiful.

Hokusei Yama Lavender Field in Furano: A lavender field on a ski slope, not far from Farm Tomita. You can take a lift to enjoy the flower field from above and view the Tokachi mountain range at the top.
- Opening hours: 9AM - 4:40PM from late June to mid-August
- Fee: 400 JPY for a round-trip lift ride
- Access: 10 min walk from JR Nakafurano Station
Lake Kanayama in Furano: A beautiful lavender field with a lake and mountains behind, blooming from late July to early August.
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- Free admission
- Access: 40 min drive from Central Furano
Horomi Pass in Sapporo: A lavender field with a background of the Sapporo city view. You can harvest lavender on your own, starting from 500 JPY. Also enjoy a panoramic night view from a dedicated parking area!
- Opening hours: 9 AM - 5 PM from early July to the end of July
- Free admission, 500 JPY for parking
- Access: 20 min drive from Central Sapporo

Local Festivals & Events in July

Summer is a festival time in Hokkaido! Many local festivals are happening throughout the season, and here are just a few.

Shiretoko Summer Festival (July 18–19, 2025)
- In Shari town, streets light up with massive neputa floats, including an 8-meter lantern from sister city Hirosaki in the Tohoku region.
Sapporo Summer Festival (July 18 – August 16, 2025)
- For a whole month, Sapporo turns festive with beer gardens, food stalls, and bon odori dancing across Odori Park, Susukino, and beyond. It’s one of the city’s biggest summer events, loved by locals and packed with energy!
Nemuro Port Festival (July 19–20, 2025)
- This festival celebrates Nemuro’s fishing culture with a “1,000-person dance,” boat races, and fireworks lighting up the port on the second night. Events take place at the port and across town.
Monbetsu Port Festival (July 25–27, 2025)
- At Monbetsu Port, over 100 stalls line the streets with food and fun. The highlight? A fireworks show on July 26 with around 3,500 fireworks lighting up the summer sky!