Hokkaido Stargazing Spots | Best Areas & Season

With little city light and crisp, clear air, Hokkaido's night sky is so full of stars you can clearly make out the Milky Way. In low-light-pollution areas like Furano and Tokachi, guided stargazing and nighttime nature tours are a popular choice. This guide covers recommended areas, the best season, and how to get there.

Why Stargaze in Hokkaido

Hokkaido has a lower population density than the mainland, and many areas have very little light pollution — the darkness of the night sky itself has become a tourist draw. On a nighttime nature tour in Furano or Tokachi, you might spot nocturnal wildlife alongside the stargazing, revealing a side of Hokkaido completely different from its daytime face.

Recommended Areas for Stargazing

Furano

With clear air and little city light, Furano is a great place to take in a sky full of stars on a clear night. A popular "nighttime nature tour," combining stargazing with wildlife watching, is offered here, with some plans including hotel pickup.

Tokachi (Around Lake Shikaribetsu)

Within Daisetsuzan National Park, the area around Lake Shikaribetsu has little artificial light, making it well suited to stargazing. In winter, there's a window when you can combine the ice candles of "Shikaribetsu Kotan," built on the lake's frozen surface, with the night sky above.

Shiretoko

In the World Heritage site of Shiretoko, free of artificial light, night tours with blankets and mats provided let you enjoy stargazing in comfort. You might catch a shooting star, or even spot the International Space Station passing overhead.

Best Time for Stargazing in Hokkaido

Stargazing itself works year-round, but winter's crisp, clear air and the relatively comfortable nights of early summer through early autumn are especially recommended.

Time of Year	What to Expect
June–August	Nights are relatively comfortable, making longer viewing sessions easier
September–October	Clear air makes for sharp star views. Dress warmly
December–February	The air is at its clearest — bundle up, but this is prime viewing season

Typical Pricing

A guided nighttime nature tour typically runs ¥3,300–4,000 per adult. Some accommodations also offer free telescope rentals or stargazing events.

* Prices change, so please check each operator's official website for the latest information.

Is It Suitable for Beginners?

On a guided tour, you'll be shown how to find constellations and what to look for, so no astronomy knowledge is needed. Stargazing on your own is also rewarding — in a spot with little city light, the sky is impressive to the naked eye alone.

Family-Friendly for Kids?

Since these are nighttime tours, pay attention to the start time and temperature if bringing young children. A tour that provides blankets and mats makes it easier to stay warm without much extra preparation.

What to Wear & Bring

• Warm clothing (Hokkaido nights can turn cold even in summer)
• A flashlight (a red-light one helps your eyes adjust to the dark)
• A picnic sheet or cushion, if you'll be sitting on the ground
• Insect repellent (in summer)

Getting There

From Sapporo

By car: About 2.5 hours to Furano, and 3.5 hours to Tokachi (around Lake Shikaribetsu).

By public transport: Since these are nighttime tours, getting there by public transport alone can be difficult.

By taxi: For nighttime travel, or a transfer back to your accommodation after the tour, a private charter taxi is convenient.

From New Chitose Airport

By car: About 2.5 hours to Furano.

By public transport: Direct buses from the airport are limited, and transfers may be required.

By taxi: If you'd like to head straight there after landing, a private charter taxi direct from the airport is convenient.

Taxi Fares by Area & Related Guides

• New Chitose Airport to Furano — approx. ¥44,000–50,000
• Hokkaido Trekking Routes
• Hokkaido Camping & Glamping

Frequently Asked Questions