Hokkaido's Hakodate stands out as the nation's most attractive tourist destination for the second year in a row, according to a recent survey by a private think tank.

The ranking of cities and as tourist spots by Brand Research Institute, a Tokyo-based think tank, found that municipalities in Hokkaido grabbed top positions, with Hakodate ranking first, followed by Sapporo in second. Otaru and Furano also made it into the top 10 for the annual survey.

By prefecture, Hokkaido secured the No. 1 slot for the seventh consecutive year.