What is workation in the first place? Are there any benefits?
Workation is a work style that has gained attention in recent years, where people work while enjoying sightseeing at their travel destination. Workation is popular because it allows people who don't usually have much time to travel to enjoy sightseeing without worrying about work. It is also said to have advantages such as increased concentration and improved efficiency because work and leisure are clearly separated.
For those who want to learn more about workations, please read this article as well.
ワーケーションとは？メリットや向いている仕事もご紹介 近年、働き方改革の一環として注目されている「ワーケーション」。ワーケーションという言葉を聞いたことがある人の中には、 「ワーケーションとはどんなもの？」 「ワーケーションに向いている仕事は？」 というような疑問を持っている方もいるでしょう。 そこで今回は、ワーケーションのメリットやデメリット、ワーケーションが可能な職業について分かりやすく紹介します。What are the attractions of working remotely in Hokkaido?
A major appeal of working vacations in Hokkaido is the ability to plan a trip that perfectly suits your individual needs.
When you think of Hokkaido, its vast landscape offers a multitude of attractions, from nature and gourmet food to hot springs and World Heritage sites. Furthermore, with 179 municipalities, each region has its unique characteristics, whether it's an area surrounded by beautiful nature, a place with deeply rooted unique cultures, or a destination rich in activities. This is why workation plans can be customized to individual preferences and needs.
Furthermore, with Hokkaido as a whole putting effort into workations, many regions have well-equipped work environments such as coworking spaces and facilities with free WiFi.
Want to enjoy sightseeing but also keep costs down? Here are 5 workation plans recommended for the demanding you [Hokkaido]
From here, the TRAPOL editorial department will introduce five carefully selected recommended workation plans and facilities in Hokkaido.
In this article, try to find a workation plan that suits your needs.
① Want to experience a foreign feel even in Japan? "Niseko"
In Niseko, you can enjoy a working vacation surrounded by nature, experiencing an international atmosphere in this resort destination.
Niseko is a premier resort destination in Hokkaido where you can enjoy all four seasons. From spring to autumn, you can enjoy driving and trekking, while summer offers activities like rafting and hot air ballooning. In winter, you can indulge in skiing and hot springs, with a wide variety of appealing activities to experience.
Also, Niseko's snow is light and powdery, making it extremely popular with international travelers. With more tourists coming from overseas than from within Japan, and many people from foreign countries living here, the town has a global atmosphere. When you enter a restaurant, you might only hear foreign languages, which can make you feel like you're in a different world.
Niseko offers a great selection of book cafes and co-working spaces. Accommodation also comes equipped with WiFi, so you don't need to worry. After work, get active, break a sweat, and then relax and refresh in a hot spring bath.
Niseko Town Hall
Quotation:Hokkaido Niseko Town Official Website
Niseko Town Hall is fully equipped with public Wi-Fi within the building. There is a space available for teleworking, making it perfect for "workations."
Address: 55 Fujimi, Niseko-cho, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 2 hours by car from New Chitose Airport
Niseko Central Bank Warehouse Complex
Quotation:Niseko Town, Hokkaido Website
The Niseko Central Warehouse Complex has a community space/free space that anyone can feel free to use. There is also a telework space perfect for focused work, making it ideal for those who want to strike a good balance between work and personal life.
Address: 60-2 Chuo-dori, Niseko Town, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 2 hours by car from New Chitose Airport
② Want to enjoy sports and local cuisine! "Kitami"
In Kitami, you can enjoy workations that combine gourmet food and sports.
Kitami, the largest city by area in Hokkaido. Being close to the Sea of Okhotsk, it's brimming with local gourmet food that takes advantage of the Sea of Okhotsk, such as the nationally famous "Okhotsk Beer" and "Okhotsk Kitami Salt Yakisoba," which highlights its ingredients.
Furthermore, in the gourmet town of Kitami, there are so many yakiniku restaurants that the number of yakiniku restaurants per capita is the highest in Hokkaido! Please be sure to visit any yakiniku restaurants that catch your eye.
Kitami is popular not only for its gourmet food but also for its sports. It is also a town of curling, having produced many Olympic athletes. There are also facilities where you can experience curling year-round.
In Kitami, which boasts such liveliness, an environment perfect for workations is available, including facilities exclusively for workations and coworking spaces equipped for meetings.
KITAMI BASE
Quotation:Official website
KITAMI BASE is a workspace that combines coworking space and accommodation, utilizing vacant shops in the shopping district. It is a recommended workation spot for those who want to enhance both their work and tourism experiences.
Address: 8 Kita 2-jo Nishi, Kitami City, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 2 hours by car from New Chitose Airport
③ Refresh surrounded by nature in Furano!
In Furano, you can enjoy a relaxed working vacation surrounded by Hokkaido's nature.
Furano is a place overflowing with nature, with forests covering about 70% of the entire city. A tranquil atmosphere of nature and rural life permeates the area, allowing you to spend a relaxing time.
The scenery, which changes with the seasons, is also captivating. In early summer, lavender blooms profusely, and in winter, you can enjoy beautiful snowy landscapes. You can also enjoy popular activities such as trekking, where you can fully immerse yourself in nature, and skiing.
Furthermore, Furano is a popular area for television drama filming locations. It has been the setting for numerous dramas, including "Kita no Kunikara," "Yasashii Jikan," and "Love Rain." It seems like it would be fun to visit these filming locations on your days off from work.
In Furano, hotels with shared lounges and rooms that can be used as workspaces are available, so the environment is well-equipped for concentrating on work.
Hotel Naturwald Furano
Citation:Official website
Hotel Naturwald Furano faces the ski slopes of a ski resort. The hotel's concept is said to be "a traveler's second home." It's the perfect hotel for those who want to relax as they would at their own home or parents' home, and for families.
14-46 Kitanominecho, Furano City, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 2 hours by car from New Chitose Airport
④ You can enjoy sightseeing too! "Hakodate"
Hakodate is perfect for working vacations, offering a variety of experiences such as sightseeing, gourmet food, and activities.
Hakodate is said to be the third-largest city in Hokkaido and attracts tourists from all over the world. The night view from "Mount Hakodate," where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view, is famous enough to be called one of Japan's three great night views. In addition, there are also historical tourist spots such as the stylish cityscape of the red brick warehouses and World Heritage sites.
Also, in Hakodate, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides, the bounty of the ocean, such as squid and sea urchin, is abundant, making it a perfect destination for those who want to enjoy gourmet food.
Hakodate is a city with many tourists, so it has a wide range of accommodation options. There are also unique co-working spaces with antique furniture and comfortable sofa seating. You might even consider working from one of these co-working spots instead of your hotel.
CoSta
Citation:Official website
CoSta, with its warm, wood-toned interior, is the perfect workation spot for those who want to work in a relaxed atmosphere.
Address: 2F, West Side Terrace, 14-1 Suehirocho, Hakodate City
Access: Approximately 4 hours by car from New Chitose Airport
⑤ Recommended for those who want to enjoy gourmet food: "Abashiri"
Abashiri is recommended for those who want to enjoy magnificent nature and gourmet food while working remotely.
Abashiri boasts breathtaking natural beauty, including five beautiful lakes and the nationally renowned Mount Tento. In winter, particularly, magnificent drift ice flows in from the nearby Sea of Okhotsk, creating a stunning panorama of the sea covered in a blanket of snow. A cruise to see the drift ice up close is a must-try experience for tourists.
And Abashiri is also known as an area where you can enjoy Hokkaido's finest seafood. Having prospered as a fishing town since ancient times, Abashiri offers an abundance of blessings from the sea, such as fresh crab and scallops. We also recommend staying at restaurants and inns where you can enjoy seafood dishes.
Abashiri is a perfect destination for workations, as it is surrounded by magnificent nature yet easily accessible from airports and cities. The area also boasts excellent working facilities, including public spaces with attached cafes and meeting rooms, as well as roadside stations equipped with WiFi, offering a variety of options.
Okhotsk Culture and Exchange Center (Echo Center 2000)
Quoted:Hokkaido Workation Portal Site
Okhotsk Culture and Exchange Center (Echo Center 2000) The Okhotsk Culture and Exchange Center (Echo Center 2000) is a public facility located in the heart of Abashiri City, featuring a library, cafe, and meeting rooms. With accommodations, restaurants, and a supermarket nearby, it is recommended for those who want to spend their workcation comfortably.
Address: 2-3 Kita 2-jo Nishi, Abashiri City, Hokkaido
Access: Approximately 5 hours by car from New Chitose Airport
In conclusion
This time, we introduced recommended workation facilities in Hokkaido by region.
Each region offers various tourist attractions, gourmet food, and activities, making it perfect for a long stay.
Why not use this article as a reference to create your own personalized workation plan?
Please note that the information published is as of the April 2024 distribution. It may differ from the current content, so please be aware of this in advance.
