Kitami City
Kitami City is tucked between the magnificence of the Daisetsuzan mountains and the primeval Akan-Mashu Volcanic Complex.
A quintessential Hokkaido farming city, known for its arid summers and picturesque winter. The largest city by area in Hokkaido, stretching from the foothills of the Daisetsuzan mountains to the brisk Sea of Okhtosk, Kitami has a unique adventure for every season.
A sleeping fox at the North Fox Farm (Justin Randall)
Four Seasons of Fun
Across all four seasons, Kitami offers a range of exciting adventures for solo travelers and groups alike.
In winter, ride snowmobiles and travel across pristine frozen scapes at Lake Saroma, the third largest lake in Japan.
Lake Saroma is the epicenter of scallop farming in Hokkaido and together with the Sea of Okhotsk, they produce abundant and fresh scallops. Eat raw or smoked capturing the savory flavor Kitami scallops have a hint of sweetness and Okhotsk sea salt.
For fall, enjoy fair weather and brilliant orange leaves from a bicycle on a set-paced journey through vast fields. Rent a cycle from the downtown cycling station and learn about the best routes including the Okhotsk Wonder Road. Don’t worry about missing out on the fun, even in winter you can ride a fat bike, with tires designed specifically for snowy conditions.
Coasts along the Sea of Okhotsk with Notoro Lighthouse in view. (Justin Randall)
Stop for a visit to one of Kitami’s many onsens in the nearby towns of Onneyu. Also in Onneyu, is the North Fox Farm (kitakitsunebokujyo) a zoo with over fifty foxes roaming and relaxing in a large enclosure; perfect for up-close photos.
Beat the summer heat and learn to curl, Kitami’s favored sport. With two high-tech facilities perfect for all experience levels.
A local tradition is now impassioned by the successful Japanese Olympic Curling team based in Kitami. They took silver at the 2022 Olympic Games and are looking forward to the 2026 games in Milan.
Springtime ushers in the grandest of Japan’s aesthetics - Cherry blossom season. Enjoy the tranquility of a Kitami hanami (cherry blossom viewing) from Kitami Flower Paradise located in neighboring Wakamatsu—8 acres of cherry blossom on the slopes of Kotohira ending in panoramic views of Kitami City.
Hokkaido’s Yakiniku Capital
Known for its food, Kitami hosts the most yakiniku restaurants per capita in Hokkaido with a proud tradition around barbeque dating back to the post-war era. A slaughterhouse located downtown near the station became a popular source of cheap local meals for both railway workers and traveling businessmen.
Enjoy beef sagari or pork horumon, hanging tender and offal, known for its caramelized texture and rich flavor after cooking over the grill. Complimented by fresh yakiniku sauce known as namadare which is a fresh sauce unprocessed using Kitami’s famous onions and other fresh fruits and vegetables to form a sweet and savory sauce.
Fear not the smoke making your clothes smell as the shops in Kitami offer plastic bags to put your jackets in while you enjoy eating.
Kitami is also home to the world's coldest barbeque festival, hosted in February. Held outdoors in temperatures far below zero. You won't be able to tell the difference between smoke from the grill or your breath on the cold Hokkaido air.
Sunset above the farms in the Kitami Valley (Justin Randall)
A Gem Uncovered
Accessed easily from nearby Memanbetsu Airport just an hour north Kitami has plenty of lodging. From local business hotels to campsites perched above the city Kitami’s diversity of options beckons any traveler.
A perfect basecamp for access to the nearby Daisetsuzan and Akan-Mashu national parks; enjoy towering volcanic peaks by day and fresh yakiniku by night. The vast Shiretoko peninsula is within driving range roughly two hours north, don’t forget to stop in nearby Abashiri to see the mighty floats of drift ice wandering in the arctic.
Hokkaido’s appeal is its contrast in perceptions of Japan. A frontier island, filled from sea to summit with dense nature and unexplored adventures. From the great outdoors to local soul food, Kitami offers a unique experience free from crowds. Built on a connection to the land and deep among its greatest horizons; Kitami encapsulates the soul of Hokkaido.
