Hello, fellow adventurers! It’s me, Matatabi Taro, your trusty travel guide with a whisker for mischief and a heart full of wanderlust. Do you know about the newest treasure hunt craze sweeping through Japan? It’s called "Poké Lids"—a journey to discover one-of-a-kind, original design Pokémon manhole covers scattered across the land. And there’s no better place to pounce on this adventure than Hokkaido, where the enchanting Alolan Vulpix and Vulpix have been appointed as official Pokémon ambassadors!
In this blog post, I’ll whisk you away on the ultimate Hokkaido road trip, where you can soak in breathtaking nature and history while tracking down those adorable Alolan Vulpix Poké Lids. Let’s embark on a quest that’s sure to be pawsitively unforgettable!
⚠️ CAUTION: The Hokkaido Size Trap
Before we dive into the details of your treasure map, I must warn you about a common pitfall for travelers: the vastness of Hokkaido! This is no mere city; it’s a massive island, roughly the size of Ireland or Austria.
So, planning to "see Hakodate today and head to Wakkanai tomorrow"? That’s as feasible as a cat herding exercise! The journey from Hakodate to the northern tip of Wakkanai is a whopping 650 kilometers (about the same as driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles), taking around 10 hours by car or train. To truly enjoy your treasure hunt, use domestic flights or express trains for travel, and give yourself at least five days to a week to savor every moment.
🗺️ Spot 1: Hakodate and Mori Town – From Historic Fortresses to Snowy Stations
Our journey begins in Hakodate, the southern gateway to Hokkaido. This exotic port town blends Western and Japanese cultures since its opening in the 19th century. From the top of the star-shaped Goryokaku Tower, the view of the moat below is breathtakingly beautiful—a sight you won’t want to miss!
Take a short trip from Hakodate to Mori Town, where you’ll find a vibrant Alolan Vulpix and Inkay Poké Lid waiting for you near the snow-covered station. This is the purr-fect start to your treasure hunt in the snowy lands of Hokkaido.
✈️ Access to Hakodate
- By Air: Hakodate Airport (HKD) is about an 80-minute flight from Tokyo (Haneda).
- By Rail: Take the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in about four hours, then hop on a local train into Hakodate city. Mori Town is about 40 minutes by JR express train from Hakodate Station.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation
- La Vista Hakodate Bay: Home to "Japan’s Best Breakfast," this hotel is famous among travelers for its customizable seafood rice bowls. A must-visit for seafood lovers!
🔗 Search on Booking.com / Search on Agoda
🍣 Local Gourmet
- Kaisendon at Hakodate Morning Market: Dive into bowls brimming with fresh squid, salmon roe, and sea urchin.
- Lucky Pierrot: A quirky local burger chain exclusive to Hakodate. Try the "Chinese Chicken Burger," a soul food favorite!
🗺️ Spot 2: Sapporo and Kamifurano – From Urban Bustle to Majestic Nature
Next, let’s hop on an express train to Hokkaido’s largest city, Sapporo. The heart of the city is Odori Park, the iconic venue of the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival. From the TV Tower, the straight stretch of the park against a backdrop of distant snow-capped mountains is simply paw-some!
While in Sapporo, make sure to venture to Kamifurano in central Hokkaido. Here, you’ll discover a charming wooden shelter built to protect a Poké Lid from the harsh winter snow. It’s a testament to the love locals have for Pokémon and nature—a truly photo-perfect spot!
✈️ Access to Sapporo & Kamifurano
- By Air: New Chitose Airport (CTS) is the main hub, about a 90-minute flight from Tokyo. A rapid train connects the airport to Sapporo Station in about 40 minutes.
- By Rail: The JR Hokuto express train takes about four hours from Hakodate to Sapporo. To reach Kamifurano, combine a JR express train with local trains (or consider renting a car) for a journey of about 2.5 to 3 hours.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation
- JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo: Directly connected to Sapporo Station, this hotel offers unbeatable convenience. The night view of Sapporo from the high floors is stunning, making it an ideal base for long-distance travelers.
🔗 Search on Booking.com / Search on Agoda
🍣 Local Gourmet
- Jingisukan (BBQ Lamb): Savor Hokkaido’s signature dish at popular spots like "Daruma," paired perfectly with a cold beer.
- Sapporo Miso Ramen: A rich miso broth topped with butter and corn—a true Hokkaido style to warm you from the inside out.
🗺️ Spot 3: Wakkanai – Japan’s Northernmost Point and the Ultimate Treasure Hunt
The climax of our treasure hunt is in Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost city. At Cape Soya, you can gaze beyond the sea to glimpse the silhouette of Russia’s Sakhalin Island. Reaching the "Edges of Japan" gives a sense of accomplishment you won’t find elsewhere.
Of course, a unique Poké Lid awaits you here too. Traversing the immense distances from Hokkaido’s south to its northern tip to uncover all the Alolan Vulpix will reveal the true joy of this "treasure hunt."
✈️ Access to Wakkanai
- By Air: Direct flights to Wakkanai Airport (WKJ) are available from Tokyo (Haneda) and Sapporo (New Chitose). Flying is a must to save time.
- By Rail: The JR Soya express train takes over five hours from Sapporo, offering an adventure through vast wilderness. Ideal for Japan Rail Pass holders.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation
- Dormy Inn Wakkanai: This hotel features a natural hot spring, perfect for relaxing in the face of harsh northern cold. It’s friendly to foreign travelers and offers a popular free ramen service at night.
🔗 Search on Booking.com / Search on Agoda
🍣 Local Gourmet
- Tako Shabu: An exquisite hot pot featuring slices of giant water octopus, a Wakkanai specialty.
- Sea Urchin (Uni): The sea urchin from Wakkanai and nearby Rishiri and Rebun Islands is of the highest quality in Japan. Its sweet, melting texture is a memory to cherish for life.
Summary
By adding the quest to find Poké Lids to your Hokkaido itinerary, your journey transforms into an epic RPG-style adventure. So bundle up in your warmest gear, and embark on a quest to discover the world’s most charming manhole covers amidst stunning landscapes!
A Note from OHA: The Land That Tests You
(A quick message from my human companion and photographer, OHA!)
“Hokkaido is famous for its vast, open landscapes, heavy winter snows, and wild animals like the mighty brown bear. Because of its harsh yet beautiful nature, it is sometimes referred to as ‘The Land That Tests You’ (Tamesareru Daichi) by the Japanese.
However, nature isn’t the only thing testing you here! With an endless abundance of incredible food from the surrounding seas, local farms, and ranches, combined with the endless nightlife of Susukino—one of Japan’s top three entertainment districts—your willpower is constantly being challenged. Landing in this vast, delicious land… I feel like I am truly being tested right now!”
[Matatabi Taro’s Travel Tip]
He says he’s ‘being tested,’ but he’s just eating seafood bowls and drinking beer every night! Anyway, when hunting for Poké Lids in Hokkaido, make sure to plan your transportation carefully, as the distances between locations are absolutely massive, meow!