hokkaido travel map

UU Hokkaido Tourist Map

Marumaru HOKKAIDO = Hokkaido MAP for 2024 has been completed.

The generously sized B2 shows Hokkaido. Distribution will begin overseas and in Japan (after November 1, 2023). After the specified number of copies are distributed, a fee will be charged (500 yen per copy, 210 yen excluding shipping and handling charges). Free Distribution Locations Domestic: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, JR Sapporo Station Tourist Information Center Overseas = JNTO overseas offices (Asia, Europe, North America, Australia)/travel expos, business meetings/travel agency offices in Japan.

Linked with Gnome, a digital map that provides special features on five popular areas in Hokkaido, information on transportation within and outside the area, and easy access to information on the surrounding area from your current location or destination. Support for travel planning with a smartphone. Sapporo Tax-Free Shop Special / Relaxing Accommodation Special / Sapporo Sightseeing Special

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How to Plan Your Perfect Hokkaido Itinerary In 2024

• Last Updated: January 26, 2024

We visited some of the best parts of Japan in this 12-day Hokkaido itinerary , and want to inspire you to do the same!

Make no mistake about it, Hokkaido is big. Very big. Distances are vast, the landscape wild and untamed and the weather can change at the drop of a hat. That’s what makes planning your Hokkaido itinerary so difficult.

This is easily one of the most beautiful places we have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Full of dramatic natural scenery, hot springs, delicious food, national parks, ski resorts, and charming towns, there is so much to see and do here.

It is also very likely that you will share this stunning scenery with very few people.

So if you have time for a Hokkaido road trip, definitely fit it into your Japan trip.

Table of Contents

Getting Around Hokkaido

When to visit hokkaido, day 1 – sapporo, day 2 – sapporo to asahikawa, day 3 – asahikawa to utoro (gateway to the shiretoko national park), day 4 – shiretoko national park, day 5 – shiretoko national park, day 6 – shiretoko national park to akan national park, day 7 – mashu-ko and mashu-dake, day 8 – mount io, kussharo-ko and akan-ko, day 9 – akan national park to new chitose via kushiro wetlands, day 10 – shakotan peninsula, day 11 – noribetsu onsen and lake toya, save this pin for later, hokkaido travel tips.

If you’re trying to design your Hokkaido itinerary there are a few things you need to keep in mind first. These are some of our Hokkaido travel tips.

READ MORE: Check out our other guide on the absolute best  things to do in Japan !

The best way to get around Hokkaido for this 12 day itinerary is by renting a car. You can check out our post on how to rent a car here .

Hokkaido does offer a JR pass, but services to the major national parks are limited and even then you will still need to take a bus or taxi to get into the parks proper.

Some of the most stunning scenery we saw was when we were driving. Having your own set of wheels will make your experience infinitely more enjoyable and convenient.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Hokkaido has 4 very distinct seasons and each of them have their merits.

Spring brings blossoming flower fields, summer brings bright sunny days, autumn gives us the changing of the leaves and winter dumps a few feet of snow all over the island.

We ended up doing our Hokkaido itinerary in autumn, which gave us beautiful colours and very few tourists. That being said it did bring some cold weather and occasional rain.

However depending on what your interests are you may prefer to travel in a different season. A Hokkaido 12 day itinerary can be beautiful at any time of year.

Our 12 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

This is the exact trip we did during our travels in Hokkaido, with a list of the places we visited, what we did and where we stayed. From the Sapporo Beer Museum and Beer Garden, to the national parks and lakes, this Hokkaido 12 Day Itinerary is packed with cool attractions!

We picked up our wheels and headed for Sapporo City at the start of our 12 day itinerary. This is a great opportunity to pick up some cold weather clothes if you haven’t got that many with you.

Outside of summer, it can get really cold, especially in Shiretoko and Akan. We brought some extra warm clothes and it was definitely a worthwhile investment.

Sapporo is a lovely city to wander around. Checking out the Sapporo TV Tower Observation Deck, Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, Sapporo Beer Museum, and the botanical gardens is a great way to spend an afternoon.

In the evening we headed to the top of Mount Moiwa for a beautiful nighttime view over the city. The Sapporo TV Tower also has an incredible view from the Observation Deck, if you didn’t get the chance to visit there earlier in the day.

The fresh seafood is amazing, Hokkaido has the best sashimi in Japan according to the Japanese.

• Where To Eat: Ramen Yokocho and any izakaya serving sashimi.
• Where We Stayed:  We stayed in an AirBnB in Sapporo . This place does have parking, it is important to check that the places you stay in Hokkaido, be it hotels, guesthouses or airbnb’s have parking as it is not always a guarantee. Click here to get $35 off your first AirBnB stay .

Check out our brand new and complete guide on the best  things to do in Sapporo !

Next on our 12 day itinerary, this is where our Hokkaido Expressway Pass came into use. You save a few hours taking the highway to Furano. After getting off the highway it’s stunning scenery all the way to Furano.

If you’re visiting in winter, Furano Ski Resort is one of the best places to go skiing and snowboarding.

But you’ll likely be doing a road trip outside of winter when the weather is more favorable.

Be sure to check out Farm Tomita for a mind blowing display of colour. They sell everything lavender, including a rather delicious lavender ice cream. It sounds awful, but like almost everything in Japan it was delicious.

From here you can take route 237 winding through the Japanese countryside to the quaint little town of Biei. From here you can head to the Blue Pond, a place that you will find on many Japanese postcards.

We elected not to do the above. Instead we attempted to get to the Asahidake cable car station for sunset. The weather had been really cloudy all day until around 3:00 so we decided to go for it.

Around 800m we were surprised with a snow storm. Within a few minutes the road was slippery and our windscreen wipers creaking under the weight of snow. Unsurprisingly we abandoned our plans and headed towards Asahikawa for the night.

Where To Eat: Farm Tomita is a good start for a lavender based snack. An advantage of the hotel is the amazing little izakaya over the road from the hotel serving great food for an even better price.

Where We Stayed: Trend Hotel Asahikawa – Nice hotel, but you can probably find something cheaper when you visit Hokkaido, we booked very late in the day.

We had originally planned to spend the day exploring the Daisetsuzan National Park and then drive onto Shiretoko the next day, but the rain put pay to our plans. One advantage of this was it gave us extra time for later in the trip.

We took route E39 from Asahikawa, but be warned the area circling the northern end of the Daisetsuzan National Park will make you forget about the previous day.

This is a long drive, it probably took us between 4 and 5 hours with rest stops included. This and the previous days drive were where Hokkaido Express was invaluable. It saved us so much time by being able to use the highway.

Utoro is a tiny village at the edge of the Shiretoko National Park. As a result most restaurants stay open till around 8pm.

As a side note, the next town down from Utoro is Shari. Accommodation is usually a little cheaper here, but you a now an hour from the park as opposed to 15 minutes in Utoro.

Where To Eat: Options are pretty limited in terms of choice, however there is a great ramen restaurant and a lovely izakaya about 10 minutes walk from the hotel. Staff inside recommended these places to us.

Where We Stayed: Iruka Hotel – Great little guesthouse with friendly staff and a good breakfast .

We checked out the Shiretoko Go-Ko (5 lakes). The long walk around is pretty amazing and you get to sit through a rather interesting safety video about how to avoid bears. The main thing to take away from the video is that if a bear attacks you there is nothing you can do, so best avoid them.

We then checked out the Fureppe Waterfalls, which offers some pretty incredible views. Later on in the day we enjoyed a free foot bath. The guesthouse staff can mark them on a map for you.

One thing to note about Shiretoko is that the weather can change very quickly. Most of our time there was cloudy, but no rain and a fair few blue skies.

Where We Stayed: Iruka Hotel – Great little guesthouse with friendly staff and a good breakfast.  This guesthouse has a number of WOOFERs working there who can also offer great advice on what to do when you visit Hokkaido.

We spent day 5 of our Hokkaido trip on the eastern side of the peninsula around the port town of Rausu.

To get there follow the road to the Shiretoko pass. The pass is absolutely stunning and is a must if you’re in the area. you get amazing views over the coast, and if you are lucky you will be able to see the summit of Mount Rausu.

When you arrive in Rausu take a left and follow route 87 and check out some of the beach foot spas that run along the coastline. It’s a surreal experience to dangle your feet into a foot spa whilst waves from the sea of Okohtsk crash onto the beach.

The Kamuiwakka Hot Falls back towards Utoro make a great place to stop off on your way back. Do be aware that this is an unsealed 10km road. As soon as dusk hits be on the lookout for deer.

Where To Eat: Sashimi in Rausu. A tiny little restaurant south of the centre right on the coast gave us an incredible meal.

We drove via Abishiri along the Okhotsk road which offers some spectacular coastal views. Abishiri has a really interesting prison museum where you can learn about Hokkaido’s history.

From here we headed on to our onsen hotel close to Teshikaga in the Akan National Park. We entered the park along route 102 which takes you through a pass that gives you incredible views of Lake Kussharo. Try and get there around sunset for the best views.

Lots of accommodation in the area offers breakfast and dinner. We decided not to do dinner to give us the chance to go out and explore the nearby towns. Here it is the same story as Shiretoko, restaurants close early, so try and avoid eating late.

The rooms at the hotel do not have showers or baths in the rooms. You wash in the onsens  in the hotel. A word of warning, it can take a bit of practice to get the temperature right as the taps are extremely sensitive, but its a great way to start and finish your day.

Where To Eat: The nearest town is Teshikaga which has 2 restaurants and a bunch of convenience stores. Your choices are ramen or tempura. On the plus side, both are fantastic.

Where We Stayed: Hotel Parkway . Great little onsen hotel .

One of Hokkaido’s top hikes. Getting to the top of Mashu-Dake takes around 4-6 hours return. Bring plenty of water and warm clothes as the top of the mountain can be very cold.

A few minutes after getting to the top we were treated to our own private snowstorm ! You will need good shoes as the track can be slippery, and although it’s not a particularly challenging walk the last 400m are very narrow and steep so take care.

Also the car packing ticket you get at Mashu-Ko can also be used at Mt Io the next day or vice versa.

The hotel offers a great breakfast that comes complete with raw egg rice. You crack an egg into a little bowl whisk it and add some soy sauce before pouring it onto the warm rice. Delicious.

The scenery around Mount Io is to die for, but the smell is not pleasant, think Rotarua in New Zealand – lots of sulphur.

From here its a short drive to Kussharo where there are plenty of hiking options and a few hot water beaches on the shores of the lake. There is a great hike around the peninsula which gives some beautiful views.

Akan-Ko is approx 50km from Kussharo and is a little more developed for tourism than the other two lakes. The drive from Kussharo-Ko to Akan-Ko is particularly good, probably more interesting than Akan-Ko itself in our opinion.

Akan-ko has a rather cool little foot spa cafe. Perfect after a long day of exploring.

This is a long drive, be under no illusions. We left just before 10 and headed straight for the bihoro pass which is a must. Possibly one of the best views we got in Hokkaido.

From here we drove to the Kushiro wetlands, which is ok but there isn’t a huge amount to do. However it does give you a break from driving and the scenery on the way is excellent.

From here we jumped on the Doto Expressway around 2pm thinking there would be a service station fairly soon after where we could grab some lunch as we were starving. Sadly we were wrong, finally coming across one around 4:30. We ended up staying in New Chitose as there was no affordable accommodation around Shikotsu-Ko.

Where To Eat: The area is dotted with great eats. In particular some amazing izakayas and BBQ (yakinuku) restaurants.

Where We Stayed: Hotel Plus Hostel Sapporo . Has private and shared rooms so you can find something that suits your budget.

Not listed in guidebooks or J apanGuide.com, this peninsula an hour and a half outside of Sapporo is an undiscovered gem. We only found out about it after doing a google search of “what to do in Otaru” and this came up on a TripAdvisor thread.

Probably the most stunning coastland we drove in Japan, with only a few others on the road. Some lovely short walks around the peninsula are well marked by road signs.

From the Shakotan Peninsula back to Chitose you pass through the lovely little town of Otaru. At night the canal and the surrounding buildings are lit up, so its a great place to go for a wander. Also check out the little alleyways close to the canal that around stuffed full of izakayas.

Where To Eat: The alleyways around the Otaru Canal offer a huge variety of great food.

Where We Stayed : Sho Inn Otaru . A small but cosy and affordable hotel in Otaru.

Noribetsu is probably the most famous onsen town in Japan full of hot spring baths and naturally, it is very popular with tourists. In fact, this was probably the busiest place we visited during our time in Hokkaido, but we’d definitely recommend it.

There are plenty of great walks around Hell Valley and the one down to Ooyunuma and the Ooyunuma Foot Spa. A great place to dip your feet after a few steep hills. Very easy to get to from Sapporo or New Chitose.

Checking out Hell Valley itself is also super cool. This volcanic crater is filled with bubbling sulphur hot spring baths and dramatic natural colors. The name “Hell Valley” is fitting because it really looks other worldly.

Driving back from Noribetsu you can choose to check out Lake Toya or Lake Shikotsu in Shikotsu Toya National Park.

Lake Toya is one of the most famous sights to see when you visit Hokkaido. Surrounded by volcanoes and peaks, the gorgeous Lake Toya offers some of the most stunning views in the country.

If you’re visiting between April and October, you may get to witness the Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Festival. On clear evenings, a 20 minute fireworks display lights up the skies around Lake Toya, which is a super cool event to witness.

Where To Eat: The dining options in Noribetsu is pretty pricey, but just outside the town there are plenty of cheap restaurants.

Where We Stayed: Dai-ichi Takimotokan . There are lots of accommodation options in the heart of Noribetsu but this one has a hot spring, hot tubs, and swimming pools.

Day 12 – Saying bye to our car and flying on to Hiroshima

We chose a great day to leave as southern Hokkaido was hit by a huge blizzard. We had planned to go and see Lake Shikotsu but the weather was awful. In fact the winds were so strong that trees were blown down blocking parts of the road that were already covered with snow and ice.

Sadly we only saw lake Shikotsu under a fair bit of snow, but it certainly seemed very pretty.

We rented with OTS. The car they gave us was a small modern hybrid which really saved on petrol. The service and packages they offer were comfortably the cheapest and they also have the Hokkaido Expressway Pass set up and installed for you.

Some other companies don’t offer this service and will send it to your hotel, which is pretty inconvenient.

Next stop was to head off and check out the best things to do in Hiroshima .

Renting a car for an epic Hokkaido trip is a once in a lifetime experience. This truly is a place of outstanding natural beauty, culture and hospitality and must for any traveller. Our only regret is that our photos cannot truly convey how beautiful it really is.

Richard Barnes

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Hi, You wrote a great article and it is very informative, thank you very much. May I know when was the above trip: Day 1 ~ Day 12? I will be in Hokkaido from Oct 24 to Nov 3, not sure if it is still worth to travel to Asahikawa?

Hi, do give Richard a message over on his website. He will be able to help you. All the best. https://abearandapig.com/

Hi, I like this report about Hokkaido a lot, am just planing our trip. Been to many other places in Japan before. I only wanted to know, when you have been there, “autumn” is not exact enough to plan 🙂 so can you please be a bit more detailed(like End of Sept. …) ?? Thank you very much!

Hi, I read ur article and need ur advice. Arrive Chitose Airport 27/10/2019, company incentive trip covered Noboribetsu, Jigokudani, Otaru, Sapporo, Mitsui Outlet, Okurayama Ski Jump, Hokkaido Shrine & Tanukikoji St. From 30/10/2019 morning till return flight from Chitose 4/11/2019 09:35 is my free and easy session with another partner Any recommendation program for 30/10 to 3/11?

I will be visiting Hokkaido in November and the group will include elderly and young children. Appreciate if you can recommend itinerary that is suitable

Hope you had a great trip. 🙂

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Best Hotels

Top Things to Do in Hokkaido

Top Things to Do in Sapporo

Best Hikes in Hokkaido

Amazing National Parks

Best Ski Resorts

Day Trips From Sapporo

Food to Try

Best Restaurants

Your Trip to Hokkaido: The Complete Guide

There is nowhere in the world like Hokkaido, let alone just in Japan. The nation’s north most island is an expansive landscape of snow-capped mountains, crystal blue lakes, and endless fields of lavender come summertime. Its capital city of Sapporo is often dubbed the “Tokyo of the north,” and is the birthplace of many of Japan’s best dishes. Home to its native Ainu people, Hokkaido is brimming with its own unique cultural history. All of this without mentioning the seasonal festivals, the skiing, and the three feet of snow in the depths of winter. Hokkaido is like nowhere else, and this is your complete guide to a trip around the island.

Planning Your Trip

Best time to visit : Hokkaido tends to be associated with its winter events and skiing but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do the rest of the year as the island is dry with low humidity  . Arriving in the winter does mean you get to enjoy the spectacular Sapporo Snow Festival in February and the carpet of snow that stays for the seasons whether you’re taking to the slopes or wandering the cities.

The summer is also a great time to visit Hokkaido as it doesn’t see the sweltering temperatures and typhoons that the rest of Japan does. You’ll also be able to enjoy the blooming flower fields and national parks, the many summer festivals, and take part in any number of outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and climbing. The colorful spring and fall seasons bring the cherry blossom and maple leaves so there really is no bad time to visit Hokkaido.

Language : The Japanese language is spoken on Hokkaido. Hokkaido Ainu is still spoken by the indigenous Ainu people  , mostly on the north side of the island, though very few speak it in their day to day life.

Getting Around : Much like the rest of Japan, the train rules supreme for getting around whether that’s the Sapporo subway or the trains that take you between the cities and towns. Your JR rail pass will work on the bullet trains and JR local trains here, and an IC card like Pasmo or Suica card is helpful for using the subway or city buses. You can also pay for goods in some stores with your IC card which can be easily purchased and topped up at subway stations. 

Intercity buses are also helpful if you want to save money or access areas that you can’t reach by train. Buses can be accessed from the main bus stations in major cities. 

Renting a car is also a very popular option in Hokkaido, the roads are open and the views are incredible and as much of Hokkaido’s beauty is nature-based, it makes seeing these natural sites much easier. It’s also worth remembering they drive on the left in Japan. 

Taxis are available in cities and can be flagged down by putting your arm out or can typically be found outside subway stations and tourist attractions. This is one of the most expensive ways to get around in Japan but can be useful.

Things to Do

Hokkaido is brimming with things to do with its wide stretches of untouched nature and its bustling cities, here are a few to start with.

• Wander Daisetsuzan National Park: A colossal national park in the heart of Hokkaido. Daisetsuzan is a pristine paradise of fields, forests, ponds, and mountains that can be comfortably explored for days.
• Jozankei Onsen: One of the most famous and celebrated onsen in Hokkaido, this hot spring offers picturesque valley views that radically change from season to season.
• Hokkaido Shrine: Found in Sapporo, thousands of visitors each year flock to this Shinto shrine. It’s also one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots on the island.
• Go Skiing at Niseko: South of Sapporo is the small village of Niseko, nestled at the foot of the jaw-dropping Mount Yotei, one of Hokkaido’s prime skiing locations.
• Visit the Ainu Museum : The only museum of its kind in Japan, this was created as a symbol of the Japanese government's commitment to treating the Ainu with respect  . Here you can get to know the culture of the indigenous people of Hokkaido which includes an open-air Ainu village to explore and music and craft classes.

What to Eat and Drink

Hokkaido has a lot to offer for food lovers and taking time to try the local delicacies is very worth your time. Since the climate is generally cooler, most of the dishes will leave you feeling warm and satisfied but this is also an island well known for its soft-serve ice cream, sweet treats, and above all, its seafood.

Try Lavender Ice-Cream and Wine in Furano: Furano is known for its amazing flower and lavender fields and this means it’s a great place to try Lavender ice cream and other desserts. If you’re a fan of vineyards then make sure to enjoy a wine tour of Furano.

Eat Seafood at a Seafood Market: Hokkaido is famous for its seafood and some of the best places to try the freshest seafood prepared in front of you is a seafood market. Some of the biggest on Hokkaido are Nijo Market, Otaru Seaport Market, and Kushiro Washo Market.

Try a Bowl of Ramen on Sapporo Ramen Street: Hokkaido is most famous for its miso ramen, but almost every type of Japanese ramen has a spot on Ramen Yokocho just waiting to be visited.

Try a Genghis Kahn Lamb Barbecue: Perfect if you’re traveling as a group, get together and enjoy a lamb barbecue (Jingisukan), a Hokkaido specialty named after the Mongolian soldiers' concave helmets and their preference for lamb.

Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum: Sapporo beer is one of the most beloved beers across Japan and the world, only rivaled by Asahi in terms of global fame. Head to the museum to tour the brewery and do tastings; plus you can visit the large restaurant attached where you can try a number of local dishes.

Where to Stay

Deciding where to base yourself in Hokkaido can be a challenge and many people opt to spend a few days in different areas so they can see the varied beauty of the island. Here are some of the main areas you can stay and what to do nearby. 

Sapporo: The major city of Hokkaido, basing yourself in Sapporo is a great idea if you want to see the city and enjoy some day trips like the nearby retro town of Otaru and Asahikawa. You can also reach some fantastic hot springs nearby such as Jozankei Onsen and Noboribetsu Onsen .

Lake Toya: A perfect place if you’re looking to relax and enjoy scenic views. The area is just over two hours from New Chitose Airport and surrounds the unique caldera Lake Toya and the active volcanoes of Usuzan and Showa Shinzan. Relax in the hot springs, visit Silo Observatory, take a cruise on the lake or hike around it!

Furano: Furano is a lovely base at any time of year but it’s blooming in color throughout the summer months. With local vineyards, independent artists to shop from at Ningle Terrace, and spectacular views of the Daisetsuzan mountains, Furano is a truly special part of Japan.

Ski Resorts: If you’re skiing, then there are plenty of resorts to choose from such as Niseko, Rusustu, or Kiroro which are all under two hours from Sapporo and accessible from the airport.

Getting There

Most international flights arrive at New Chitose Airport but if you’re flying domestically, there are 12 airports across the island which may prove more convenient. You can get the train into Sapporo from the airport which takes around half an hour.

If you're arriving into Sapporo on the bullet train, you'll be arriving into Sapporo Station and will be able to catch the subway from there. You can also change to other trains which will take you to other parts of the island.

Culture and Customs

• There's no need to tip in Hokkaido—same goes for Japan as a whole. In some cases, it can even be considered offensive.
• If you're shopping and paying in cash, make sure to place your money in the dish on the counter. Your change will also be placed thereafter. 
• Remember to carry some cash as some places don't take cards. You'll find plenty of ATMs around the city or in convenience stores like 7/11 or FamilyMart.
• The bow is the standard form of greeting in Japan, but a nod will usually suffice.
• When on the subway, make sure not to use the seats reserved for the elderly.

Money Saving Tips

Luckily, Hokkaido’s nature and outdoor pursuits provide a lot of opportunities for free and budget activities. If you enjoy nature trails or hiking, then you’ll find endless free activities in Hokkaido.

• Many of the festivals that are held in Odori Park are free so make sure to keep up with what’s going on in the city. 
• Make sure to try some convenience store food and coffee to save money. Stores like 7/11, Lawson, and Family Mart have excellent quality bento boxes and hot snacks.
• Take advantage of tax refunds while you’re shopping. Purchases of more than 5,000 yen (around $46) are exempt from the 10 percent consumption tax. Wherever you see the tax refund sign just show your passport and they’ll sort it out.

Hokkaido Tourism Organization. " About Hokkaido ."

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. "The Saga of the Ainu Language." October 2009

Japan National Tourism Organization. "The National Ainu Museum and Park Promotes the Life and Culture of Ainu people, an Ethnic Group Indigenous to Northern Japan."

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Weather in Hokkaido: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

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Hokkaido Hokkaido Explore Japan's northernmost prefecture

• Destinations

Japan’s northern island is famous for its beautiful wilderness, world class powder snow, delicious seafood and fascinating indigenous culture. Just a short flight from Tokyo, Hokkaido is the perfect escape in all seasons

Hokkaido is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in winter, thanks to its abundant powder snow and top resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. Sapporo, Hokkaido’s main city, famous for Sapporo beer, Sapporo ramen and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival . Hakodate is a traditional port with charming historical areas and gorgeous night views. Hokkaido’s mild summers provide relief from Japan’s humidity, and the perfect conditions for hiking and exploring the many National Parks. Much of Hokkaido is wild and unspoiled, with natural hot springs, volcanic lakes and unforgettable experiences. Explore the culture and traditions of the indigenous Ainu people at Lake Akan , and journey to the Shiretoko Peninsula to see free-roaming brown bears, foxes and deer.

Find the latest information on the Sapporo Snow Festival at https://www.snowfes.com/

How to Get There

Hokkaido is accessible by plane from all major airports in Japan to New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, with international flights from Shanghai and Seoul. Direct flights from Tokyo take about 90 minutes. There are also several international flights. It is possible to take the Shinkansen from Tokyo. The Japan Rail Pass can be used to travel on the Shinkansen.

The fastest way to reach Hokkaido is by plane . Flights from Tokyo to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport take about 90 minutes. By train, it takes around eight hours from Tokyo. Take the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, then transfer to the Hokuto limited express to Sapporo. There are also some inexpensive long-distance ferries from Honshu to ports outside of Sapporo. Niigata, Oarai (Ibaraki Prefecture), Sendai, Nagoya, Maizuru (Kyoto Prefecture) and Tsuruga (Fukui Prefecture) all have ferries that go to Hokkaido.

• Hitting the slopes of Niseko and Rusutsu in winter
• The rolling hills of Furano’s lavender farms in summer
• Fresh seafood including succulent crab, salmon and fresh sushi
• The unspoiled wilderness of Hokkaido’s national parks

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Explore Hokkaido by Area

Trending Attractions in Hokkaido

Local Specialties

It's curry in a delicious soup form. This spicy dish is filled with seasonal vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, peppers, cabbage, okra and lotus root. Chicken leg is the standard meat, but you can choose ingredients and toppings such as lamb, pork, or oysters, and adjust the spiciness to suit your taste.

Hakodate Ramen

Hakodate ramen takes the traditional pork or chicken soup base and adds kelp or other seafood to give it the flavor of Hakodate's rich fishing heritage. The result is a lighter, saltier and less oily soup stock.

Obihiro Butadon

Locally sourced pork is aged briefly to bring out its natural umami. It is grilled with a sweet and spicy sauce and served on Hokkaido rice, with more sauce. A simple dish that showcases the natural flavors of Hokkaido.

Hokkaido Seafood

Japan is synonymous with seafood, and it features on menus everywhere throughout the country. Yet, for the very freshest, most delicious and widest array, Hokkaido is considered the place to go. Crab, shrimp, scallops, sea urchin, fish roe, squid and salmon are but a few of the delicacies for which Japan's northern island is famed. To try a little of everything, order kaisendon—a generous assortment of fresh seafood served on a bed of rice.

Ishikari Nabe

The Ishikari River in Hokkaido is famous for the delicious salmon that swim in its waters. Ishikari nabe marries this salmon with locally grown potatoes and various seasonal items in a kelp and miso broth, all cooked together in a boiling clay pot.

Muroran Yakitori

Pig farming flourished in this region in the 1930s, and many yakitori restaurants began putting Muroran yakitori on their menus. Also known as Muroran yakiton, the dish got its name because the juicy chunks of pork are skewered and grilled in the same way yakitori is prepared.

Bibai Yakitori

While most yakitori places offer the standard, recognized chicken parts, Bibai is all about the gizzards, hearts and livers. Try a few skewers and see what you've been missing.

Sapporo Ramen

Served in a rich miso soup and topped with butter, sweet corn, bean sprouts and pork, this winter warmer is on the menu at ramen restaurants throughout Sapporo and the rest of Hokkaido.

Kegani, horsehair crab, can be served raw, boiled or grilled, and yields exceptionally sweet, tender meat. You can find kegani in sushi, bento boxes and hot pots across Hokkaido.

Kushiro Kattedon

Buy a bowl of rice at Kushiro Washo Seafood Market and wander the stalls, filling it with as much fresh, reasonably priced seafood as you like.

Okhotsk Atka Mackerel

Hokke, also known as the Arabesque greenling, lives in the cold waters of the Sea of Okhotsk. A flavorful, juicy fish, hokke can be served raw, boiled or grilled with lemon and soy sauce. Its high fat content makes it a great partner for white rice and alcohol.

Cuts of lamb or mutton and vegetables are cooked at the table on a domed metal grill. Served with dipping sauces, it's a delicious, communal style of dining. The dish's name refers to Genghis Khan, because the Japanese thought lamb was a favorite of Mongolian soldiers.

Yubari Melon

A hybrid melon grown in greenhouses in Yubari that is famous for its perfectly round shape and intense sweetness. You might never enjoy another melon quite as much ever again.

Asahikawa Ramen

With an extra layer of oil on top of a delicious soy sauce-based soup, Asahikawa ramen is extra fun to slurp thanks to its thin, firm and wavy noodles.

Traditional Ainu Crafts

Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is home to the Ainu, indigenous people who have a deep respect for nature and believe God is found everywhere. They once survived by hunting, fishing and foraging, and created many beautiful objects used in their daily lives such as knives and clothing.

Nibutani Trays

Hand-carved wooden trays featuring traditional motifs unique to Ainu culture, including soft spirals, diamond-shaped eyes, thorns and fish scales. Each piece is intricately fashioned to accentuate the wood grain. Ainu bachelors didn't put a ring on it, they carved love tokens, including Nibutani trays.

Nibutani Tree-Bark Textiles

Bark from Manchurian elm or Japanese lime trees is handspun and woven into distinctively textured fabric. Used in regional kimono, workwear and accessories, this durable, breathable natural textile is Mother Nature’s Gore-Tex. Nibutani tree-bark cloth was a common material in Ainu households for centuries.

Yakumo Wood-Carved Bears

Farmers in the little town of Yakumo, Hokkaido, couldn’t work in winter because of the snow, so in 1924 they started carving kibori kuma as souvenirs to make money and fight boredom. This carving of a bear biting a salmon has become one of Hokkaido’s most iconic souvenirs.

Bolta Figurines

Bolta ningyo are dolls welded from bolts, nuts, washers and other components, made in Muroran, a city of iron in Hokkaido. The five-centimeter-high bolta character comes in 100 poses, appearing as a warlord, musician, singer, tennis player, tea ceremony master, astronomer, thinker and many other guises.

Seasonal Highlights

When the snow melts, Hokkaido is transformed. Hokkaido's northern location means the cherry blossom season is later than in other parts of Japan, with blossoms appearing in the second half of May.

Summer is lavender season in Hokkaido, and there are dozens of other flower festivals too. The last mountain snows melt, allowing opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, golf, rafting and other green season sports. It is also less humid and cooler than other parts of Japan.

In fall, enjoy the colorful foliage along the streets and in the national parks. Taste Hokkaido's seasonal produce when it is freshly harvested, and fresh salmon roe from the salmon that travel up the rivers in fall. Autumn in Hokkaido is short, and it's not unusual to see autumn colours and snow at the same time.

When it comes to skiing in Japan, Hokkaido is a popular destination for powder snow. Don't miss a chance to glide down the slopes of the Niseko, Rusutsu or Furano resorts after a fresh snowfall. The Sapporo Snow Festival, with its giant snow and ice sculptures, attracts thousands of visitors every year. Drift ice boat cruises and 'drift ice walks' on the ice floes are also becoming increasingly popular.

Related Links

How to get to New Chitose Airport

Please Choose Your Language

Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Climate
• 1.3 Tourist Information Site
• 4.1 National parks
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.2.1 Seishun 18 Ticket
• 6.3 By ferry
• 7.1 By plane
• 7.2 By train
• 7.5 By bike
• 7.6 By thumb
• 8.1 Castles
• 8.2 Gardens
• 9.3 Hot springs
• 13 Stay safe

Hokkaido (北海道 Hokkaidō ) is the northernmost of Japan 's four main islands and at the same time a prefecture. With both size and population (5.3 million in 2019) similar to Scotland , it is the most sparsely populated part of Japan.

Understand [ edit ]

Home to Japan's native Ainu people, Hokkaido continues to represent the untamed wilderness with many great national parks . Hokkaido is by far Japan's largest prefecture, consisting of Japan's entire northern island and its surrounding islets. For many visitors the scenery resembles a mix of northern Europe and the American West, with rolling fields, grazing cows, and pioneer cottages replacing the rice paddies and concrete warrens of 'mainland' Japan. However, the ubiquitous hotspring resorts in much of the island serve as a reminder that you are still in Japan.

History [ edit ]

Hokkaido was for millennia the home of the Emishi people, whose descendants are today's Ainu. While loosely ruled by Japanese feudal lords since the 1500s, direct Japanese control was limited to the Oshima Peninsula around Hakodate . Mass migration from mainland Japan began only after the Meiji Restoration in 1869, with the Hokkaidō Development Commission (開拓使 Kaitakushi ) created to settle the island and exploit its resources. Lacking the thousand-year-old temples and visible traces of history so plentiful in the rest of Japan, to this day the island retains a bit of a frontier feel , with planned cities with neat grid layouts and plenty of log cabins. As part of the settler colonial policy implemented by the Meiji government, the Ainu were dispossessed of their land and forced to assimilate into Japanese culture.

Hokkaido was particularly hard hit by the end of the Bubble in the late 1980s, with the collapse of local lender Takushoku Bank taking down many local businesses. Add in marginal agricultural land and increasingly unprofitable mining and industry, and the result is long-term population decline, especially in rural areas. Projections indicate the prefecture may lose half its population by 2050. The one bright spot in the economy is winter sports , with Sapporo hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and ski hotspot Niseko in particular booming.

Hokkaido used to be known as Ezo (蝦夷), in earlier times pronounced Yezo , whence modern Latin yezoensis in the scientific names of local species. The current name Hokkaido was only given following the Meiji Restoration in 1869.

Climate [ edit ]

Hokkaido is colder than the rest of Japan, and the merciful lack of Japan's muggy summers and monsoon season makes it a very popular domestic destination between May and August. In the winter season, Hokkaido's central mountains boast some of the best powder in the world and its numerous ski resorts attract millions of domestic and international skiers and snowboarders in winter. Spring and autumn, on the other hand, tend to be cold and wet, and are very much the off season for tourists.

Some of Hokkaido's inland areas have a continental climate, with large daily and yearly temperature variation. Asahikawa in particular is notorious as one of the extreme cities in Japan: it holds the all-Japan record for lowest measured temperature at −41.0°C, and average lows on a typical February day are around -12°C, but it has also clocked up 37.9°C in August!

Tourist Information Site [ edit ]

Hokkaido LOVE! is the prefecture's official multilingual guide site.

Regions [ edit ]

Alone among the main Japanese islands, Hokkaido is not divided into multiple prefectures. Instead, there are 14 subprefectures (支庁 shichō , or officially 振興局 shinkōkyoku from 2008), which are generally grouped into four regions:

Cities [ edit ]

• 43.066667 141.35 1 Sapporo – the capital and by far the largest city in Hokkaido
• 44.016667 144.266667 2 Abashiri – northern fishing port, home to Japan's most infamous prison
• 43.766667 142.366667 3 Asahikawa – the coldest city in Japan (literally)
• 43.35 142.383333 4 Furano – with lavender in the summer and some of the world's best powder in winter
• 41.766667 140.733333 5 Hakodate – the gateway of Hokkaido by train and the capital of the short-lived Ezo Republic
• 43.8 143.9 6 Kitami – between Saroma and Lake Akan, this city is well known for its peppermint farms
• 42.916667 143.2 7 Obihiro – the main city in the Tokachi Plain, one of Japan's major agricultural belts
• 43.183333 141 8 Otaru – Hokkaido's largest port
• 45.415667 141.673056 9 Wakkanai – Japan's northernmost city, a major port with many connections to Russia

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 43.583333 142.466667 1 Biei – the land of beautiful patchwork hills
• 42.8 140.683333 2 Niseko – trendy ski destination
• 42.416667 141.1 3 Noboribetsu – Hokkaido's largest hot spring resort
• 42.983333 142.4 4 Shimukappu – village
• 42.25 142.566667 5 Shinhidaka – thoroughbreds and beautiful cherry blossoms

National parks [ edit ]

• 43.516667 144.266667 1 Akan National Park – known for its mysterious lakes, including Lake Akan
• 42.0121 140.671 2 Onuma Quasi-National Park – peaceful lake near Hakodate in southern Hokkaido
• 44.161944 145.235556 3 Shiretoko National Park – this eastern peninsula park, where bears roam in the wilderness and bathe in hot waterfalls, was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2005
• 43.660278 142.858056 4 Daisetsuzan National Park – Japan's largest national park, in the middle of Hokkaido, and the Holy Grail of extreme hikers and people who love eating seafood
• Kushiro Wetlands National Park
• 42.666667 141 5 Shikotsu-Toya National Park – volcanic hot springs, two beautiful caldera lakes with rumbling volcanoes, and mossy canyons make scenic Lake Toya one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations
• 45.1939 141.258 6 Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park – covering the small islands off Wakkanai at the northern tip

Talk [ edit ]

Most people speak Standard Japanese. There is little regional dialect variation as most people are fairly recent immigrants from all over Japan. However, most of the early immigrants to Hokkaido, whose descendants are found primarily in the fishing villages along the coast, speak Tohoku dialects, which are difficult for people who know only Standard Japanese to understand. Only elderly people, however, are likely to speak only Tohoku dialect.

A very few still speak Ainu , but the language is critically endangered: a 2011 UNESCO report indicated there were just 15 elderly native speakers and a few hundred more with limited ability. As a visitor, the main place you'll see the Ainu language is in place names, which tend to use many plosive "p"-sounds (rare in Japanese) and have characteristic endings like -betsu , -nai and -horo/poro . Otherwise, your only realistic chance of encountering the Ainu language are in cultural performances and ceremonies put on for tourists.

Get in [ edit ]

The Seikan Tunnel, the world's second longest rail tunnel, is the only land link that Hokkaido has to Japan's main island of Honshu. Trains through the tunnel, ferries, and airliners are the only means of reaching Hokkaido. The only way to enter Hokkaido by car is to ship it across on one of the many car ferries.

By plane [ edit ]

Sapporo 's Chitose Airport ( CTS  IATA ) is Hokkaido's sole international gateway of significance, with flights from Hong Kong , Taipei , Kaohsiung , Shanghai , Beijing , Honolulu , Seoul and Busan . However, there are only limited international flights and most visitors will need to transit through hubs such as Tokyo and Osaka . The route between Tokyo and Sapporo is, in terms of capacity and planes flown daily, the busiest in the world. If transiting via Tokyo, beware that most Sapporo flights use Haneda ( HND  IATA ), and you'll need at least 3 hours to travel there from Narita ( NRT  IATA ).

In addition, there are a few international flights (mostly from Seoul and Taipei ) to Asahikawa and Hakodate .

By train [ edit ]

Hokkaido was finally linked to the national shinkansen high speed network in March 2016 with the opening of the segment between Aomori and Hakodate via the undersea Seikan Tunnel. A one-seat trip from Tokyo to Hakodate now takes just four hours using the Hayabusa service. By 2030, the line from Hakodate to Sapporo is expected to be finished.

The terminal station in Hokkaido for the shinkansen is Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (新函館北斗). From here, travelers can take a 15- to 20-minute shuttle train ride down to the center of Hakodate city, or take a limited express train up to Sapporo .

There are car rental facilities just outside the station.

Seishun 18 Ticket [ edit ]

Since the Seishun 18 Ticket does not allow travel using bullet trains, users who want to go to Hokkaido from Honshu must purchase a separate option ticket for ¥2300. The special ticket allows trips in any available standard class seat on Hokkaido Shinkansen trains between Okutsugaru-Imabetsu (the last bullet train stop in Honshu) and Kikonai (the first such stop on Hokkaido). It also covers travel on the private Isaribi Line between Kikonai and Goryokaku, where the rest of the local JR network can be accessed. You must be in possession of a valid Seishun 18 Ticket to purchase and use the option ticket.

By ferry [ edit ]

Ferries are most popular among people bringing their own cars to Hokkaido.

• Ferries from Hakodate link to northern ports in Tohoku , including Aomori and the Shimokita Peninsula .
• Otaru provides links to Maizuru (near Kyoto ) and Seoul .
• Tomakomai connects with Akita , Niigata , Tsuruga , and sometimes Maizuru .
• Wakkanai has ferries to Russia.

Get around [ edit ]

Hokkaido is vast , so allow plenty of time to get around and don't try to do too much if your time is limited. Many Japanese maps show Hokkaido with a larger scale than the rest of the country, which may make distances appear deceptively small.

Due to its vast size and numerous outlying islands, Hokkaido has a fairly well-developed commuter airline network. The main regional carriers are JAL subsidiary Hokkaido Air Commuter and ANA . Many turboprop flights operate out of the tiny Okadama Airport in central Sapporo.

The train network in Hokkaido is (by Japanese standards) limited, although it's more than adequate for travel between major cities. However, access to many of the more interesting sites, such as Hokkaido's many national parks, will require either relying on infrequent and expensive buses, renting your own car, or trying your luck at hitchhiking.

Some convenient express trains include the Hokuto and Super Hokuto between Sapporo and Hakodate (3½ hours, ¥8,830 each way); the Super Kamui between Sapporo and Asahikawa (1½ hours, ¥4,810 each way); the Tokachi between Sapporo and Obihiro (3 hours, ¥7,220 each way); the Super Ōzora between Sapporo and Kushiro (4 hours, ¥9,370 each way); and the Super Soya and Sarobetsu between Sapporo and Wakkanai (5½ hours, ¥10,450 each way).

JR offers a special Hokkaido Pass [dead link] , separate from the Japan Rail Pass, which allows the bearer to ride all JR trains in Hokkaido, as well as most JR buses.

By bus [ edit ]

A cheaper if slower and less comfortable option than the train is using buses, which also cover all the areas not accessible by train. Sleeper services radiate from Sapporo to most corners of the island. Note that local bus schedules can be very sparse, so check them carefully to avoid being stranded.

By car [ edit ]

Hokkaido is among the few places in Japan where renting a car is worthwhile, since access to many national parks and onsen resorts without one can be quite difficult. Major cities are covered by a good network of expressways. However, speed limits are low, with many expressways capped at 70-80 km/h and even the straight, wide and flat highways of Tokachi limited to a poky 50 km/h. Speeding is thus quite common, but so are speed traps and heavy fines.

In winter, the same snow that makes the island a ski haven can also mean dangerous driving conditions, and speed limits drop even lower. Winter tires are mandatory from November onwards (rental cars should be fitted with these already, but it doesn't hurt to ask). Beware of black ice, leave yourself plenty of distance to brake and budget extra time to cover long distances.

By bike [ edit ]

Hokkaido is a cycling paradise from April to September. There are many bike paths and most main roads have very wide sidewalks. Also there are many beautiful back roads to get you where you want to go. Information in English is very limited, the best way is to buy a good map and plan by yourself.

By thumb [ edit ]

Hitchhiking is a viable option in Hokkaido, and due to the limitations of the public transport network it's not unheard-of to see Japanese with their thumb out (a very rare sight in the rest of the country). The major caveats are that even private car traffic can be minimal on some roads, and for half the year the weather is colder than the rest of the country.

See also: Hitchhiking in Japan

See [ edit ]

Castles [ edit ]

Hokkaido did not become a part of Japan until late in the nation's history, so in spit of its size, it never had the number of castles that other prefectures had. Matsumae Castle in Matsumae is Hokkaido's only Japanese-style castle with a donjon . Other castle sites are more akin to forts, such as Hakodate 's Goryokaku. The Ainu people had their own forts, as well, known as Chashi . None of the structures of any chashi remain, but Nemuro has the highest concentration of chashi ruins.

Gardens [ edit ]

Hokkaido is known for its gardens and even has a group of 7 gardens known as the Garden Kaido (Garden Path) stretching 200km. The gardens from north to south are Ueno Farm ( Asahikawa ), Windy Garden ( Furano ), Tokachi Millenium Forest ( Shimizu ), Manabe Garden ( Obihiro ), Tokachi Hills ( Makubetsu ), Shichiku Garden (Obihiro), and Rokka no Mori ( Nakasatunai ). There is a ¥2000 one day combination ticket to visit all the gardens.

Nature [ edit ]

For many visitors Hokkaido's numerous National Parks are number one on the agenda, offering near-unlimited hiking opportunities.

Do [ edit ]

Hiking [ edit ].

Hokkaido has countless hiking opportunities, ranging from challenging multi-day treks across Daisetsuzan National Park to casual strolls in Shiretoko National Park .

Skiing [ edit ]

Hokkaido has some of the best powder in the world and skiing has really taken off, with resorts like Niseko and Furano drawing visitors from far and wide.

Hot springs [ edit ]

Hokkaido is volcanically active and has countless hot springs, with Noboribetsu particularly famous.

Eat [ edit ]

Much of Hokkaido's population lives by the sea, and consequently seafood figures heavily in Hokkaido fare. Check out the hairy crabs (毛蟹 kegani ), king crabs (タラバ taraba ) and the delicious sushi. Akkeshi's oysters, Saroma's scallops, and the northwest coast's sea urchin (うに uni ) are considered to be among Japan's very best seafood.

More unexpectedly, Hokkaido produces most of Japan's dairy products and particularly in the east you will run into many creative uses for them. Ever had cream cheese in your curry, or butter in your noodle soup? How about asparagus, corn, or squid ink ice cream? In Hokkaido, you will.

Other Hokkaido classics include:

• miso ramen (味噌ラーメン) noodle soup, often with butter and/or corn (バターコーンラーメン batākōn ramen ). Hokkaido's most famous ramen chain Santouka , now franchised around the world, hails from Asahikawa .
• soup curry (スープカレー), a hearty curry-flavored soup chock full of veggies, particularly popular in Sapporo
• Genghis Khan (ジンギスカン jingisu kan ), sliced lamb and vegetables that you grill yourself, the Japanese version of Mongolian BBQ (hence the name)
• chanchanyaki (ちゃんちゃん焼き), a stir-fry of miso, salmon and vegetables
• zangi (ザンギ) deep-fried chicken, made with a soy/ginger/garlic marinade
• corn on the cob (とうきび tōkibi or とうもろこし tōmorokoshi )
• cantaloupe melons (メロン meron ) from Yubari , fantastically expensive in Tokyo department stores but practically given away in season

Drink [ edit ]

Hokkaido is home to some of Japan's finest sake, the most famous of the bunch being Asahikawa 's Otokoyama (男山). Beer is also big in Hokkaido, the most famous brand being Sapporo Beer (naturally from Sapporo ), but the many microbrews found in nearly every town are also worth sampling.

Last but not least, famed Japanese whisky makers Nikka have their main distillery at Yoichi .

Sleep [ edit ]

Hokkaido is one of Japan's best places for camping , but beware of the nighttime chill - even in the summer months you'll need a good sleeping bag. In particular, the southwest coast can be surprisingly cold, due to the ocean currents.

Many of Hokkaido's cheaper accommodations slap on an extra fee for winter heating (冬期暖房 tōki danbō ), as Japanese houses even in the north are notoriously poorly insulated and chew up vast quantities of fuel when the temperatures fall. This shouldn't be more than ¥500 or so.

If you are coming for the mountains, be sure to stay in one of the many mountain huts (山小屋 yamagoya ) in Hokkaido. Most are free, and they're both a cheap sleep and a good cultural experience. You'll be sure to make Japanese friends as well.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Hokkaido has the worst fatality rate for traffic accidents in Japan. Hokkaido is one of Japan's most spread-out areas, well known for its wide-open roads. Locals drive at least 20 km/h over the posted limits in many areas. It's not unusual to see cars traveling at over 100 km/h on regular highways (the posted limit is 60 km/h). Head-on collisions at these speeds, especially with minicars, are catastrophic.

Hokkaido has many country farm roads which are narrow, poorly marked, and arrow-straight. These often run parallel to highways and tend to be much less crowded. It's not unusual for locals to exceed 100 km/h on these roads. Missing a stop sign can be fatal, and signs may be hard to spot. Be careful of farm vehicles backing out of sheds with no warning, and especially careful of bicycles in the summer, as there are no shoulders.

Winter driving in Hokkaido is not for the faint of heart. Very little sand or salt is used on the roads, and the heavy snow in many areas means that the roadways turn into packed snow, then solid ice. This also means that the road markings will be totally invisible. Look for overhanging center line (中央線 chūosen ) signs above the roads at intersections. Highways have arrow signs pointing downward at the shoulders of the road, which will also be invisible. Winter tires are mandatory. Chains are recommended for mountain driving. Because speeds are lower, there are less fatalities, but there are more accidents in the winter. If you have never driven in the winter, do not attempt to learn here.

The Hokkaido brown bear (scientific name: エゾヒグマ ezohiguma , colloquially usually higuma), sacred to the Ainu, is Hokkaido's most famous predator. An estimated 10,000 still roam the island, but they're shy, reclusive creatures and you're highly unlikely to encounter one outside remote areas like Shiretoko National Park . Many Japanese hikers carry bear bells (熊鈴 kumasuzu ). If camping in the wild, don't store any food in your tent.

The Hokkaido fox carries the echinococcus parasite , which can be fatal in humans. Because this parasite can be spread through water, do not drink any unboiled river or lake water in Hokkaido. Approaching or feeding foxes is also not recommended. (Feeding wildlife is also illegal.)

Respect [ edit ]

The Ainu people who are indigenous to this region were historically marginalized by the Japanese. Many Ainu concealed their heritage in order to avoid discrimination, and many mixed-race individuals are not aware of their Ainu heritage. Ainu rights to their own culture and tradition were first recognized by a court only in 1997. A resolution in 2008 and bills in 2019 granted official recognition to the Ainu people, which may help to save their culture from extinction.

While you may be able to politely ask people about the history of the Ainu vis-à-vis the Japanese, this is a sensitive subject, and your opinions on the matter will probably not be welcome.

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A first-timer's guide to Hokkaidō, Japan

Oct 3, 2023 • 8 min read

Plan your perfect trip to Hokkaidō with this guide for first-time visitors © Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty Images

Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaidō , is best known globally as a ski and snowboard destination – thanks to its legendary powder snow.

Outdoor adventure is the main reason to visit this naturally stunning region; beyond winter sports, the green season brings opportunities for epic hikes, cycling and camping trips, or simply slowing down and appreciating the photogenic landscapes. 

Travel in Hokkaidō is different than elsewhere in Japan : it’s more nature than people, and points of interest can be far apart. This makes it the best place in Japan for a road trip ; otherwise, you’ll probably want to stick to one area – so as to not spend most of the trip in transit. Plan the perfect trip to Hokkaidō with this guide to things that all first-time visitors need to know.

When should I go to Hokkaidō?

The best time to visit depends on what you plan to do and where you plan to go. For skiing and snowboarding, January and February are considered peak season (though most resorts stay open well into spring). Sapporo Snow Festival – Hokkaidō’s most famous festival – is also held in February, and during these months you’ll need to plan ahead, booking accommodations as early as possible.

While winter is the most popular time of year for international travelers, summer is peak season for Japanese visitors. July, August and September are the months for hiking, camping and cycling in and around the island’s spectacular national parks. Hokkaidō summers are mild compared to the rest of the hot and humid country, and typhoons don’t usually reach this far north (though they can mess up your flights from elsewhere in Japan).

Note that autumn, and then winter, comes early to Hokkaido. Snow can fall as early as September in the mountains, signaling the end of green season: trails and seasonal lodgings close, as do many roads. By November, snow could be falling in Sapporo , which means it is also getting cold, and will stay cold until sometime in April. Higher elevations start to thaw around May, though mountain peaks may retain snow into early summer. 

How long do you need in Hokkaidō?

Hokkaidō, being vast, rewards long stays. If you’re coming to ski or snowboard, the answer is probably as long as you can afford. With only a few days, you’ll want to stick to one resort; with a week, however, you could visit two resorts, for different experiences, or spend a couple of days exploring Hokkaidō’s capital city, Sapporo .

It’s hard to imagine coming to Hokkaidō for less than three days, unless you stick to Sapporo or Hakodate, at the southern reach of the island. With three or four days, you could visit some combination of Hakodate, Sapporo and Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, the easiest of Hokkaidō’s six national parks to reach. Alternatively, you could use one of the island’s regional airports to get out to one of the more remote parks, like rugged and wild Shiretoko National Park , and go off-grid for a few days.

With more like seven or eight days to work with, your itinerary could include several highlights; you could cover some distance, or explore one region in depth. With two weeks, you can really get to know the island, its fascinating topography and complicated history, and visit some truly off-the-beaten-track spots – like the islands that make up Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park in Hokkaidō’s far north.

Is it easy to get to and around Hokkaidō?

Hokkaidō is easy to reach thanks to New Chitose Airport, which has international connections to cities across Asia; frequent daily flights to Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto ); and other connections to regional airports around Japan. Direct trains connect the airport to Sapporo, the main transport hub for the island, in under 45 minutes.

It’s also possible to take the shinkansen – Japan’s iconic bullet train – from Tokyo to Hakodate; the journey, which travels through the oft-overlooked Tōhoku region, takes four hours. The shinkansen doesn’t go any further north than Hakodate (yet), but you can continue to Sapporo via limited express train, the next fastest train class. Sapporo itself is easy to get around; it’s compact and has subway and bus networks.

Limited express trains connect most of Hokkaidō’s major cities, and with a combination of these and local trains or buses it is possible to get to most places you’d want to go – including campgrounds, trailheads and snow resorts – entirely by public transportation. Rail passes, like the Japan Rail Pass and the Hokkaido Rail Pass, can make travel around the island more economical.

A car, of course, gives you more flexibility; rentals can be booked online to pick up at New Chitose Airport (with the right paperwork).

Top things to do in Hokkaidō

Niseko United is the resort that put Hokkaidō on the map as a ski and snowboard destination. It’s the biggest (actually four resorts in one); has the most amenities, including a cosmopolitan après scene; and consistently superlative powder. More recently, travelers have begun seeking out less well-known resorts, like Rurutsu and Furano, or back-country tours up peaks inside Daisetsuzan National Park. For the shortest of trips, you can’t beat Sapporo Teine, a popular local resort within 30 minutes of the city.

The peaks of Daisetsuzan, which means "playground of the gods" in the language of the Ainu, the Indigenous peoples of Hokkaidō, can also be explored on foot in summer. Along with Shiretoko, it’s among the best national parks for multi-day treks. Aforementioned Shikotsu-Tōya National Park is home to caldera lakes and hot spring resorts; the new National Ainu Museum is in nearby Shiraoi. 

While for many the whole point of Hokkaidō is to get away from city life, it should be noted that Sapporo – Japan’s fifth largest city – is an excellent place to spend some time, with dining and shopping opportunities, as well as some interesting sights, like a park designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Historic port city Hakodate has some unique charms, including a morning market to rival Tsukiji in Tokyo.

My favorite thing to do in Hokkaidō

This is going to sound extremely American of me, but my favorite thing to do in Hokkaidō is drive. Driving in Tokyo, and really almost anywhere else in Japan, stresses me out; Hokkaidō, with its wide roads through vast country landscapes, feels just about the only place in the country where I can attempt an American-style road trip – windows down, stereo up and all that. Many motorcyclists from around Japan come to Hokkaidō for this reason, too.

I’ve also been fortunate to eat really, really well in Hokkaidō – mostly thanks to my work on Lonely Planet’s From the Source , and the team that helped put that together. I still think about the meals (and the people!) from that research trip; I don’t want to single any place out, but Menya Saimi and Daruma Honten in Sapporo and Kikuya Shokudō in Hakodate – in the morning market, actually – are probably the easiest to seek out.

How much money do I need for Hokkaidō?

On one hand, Hokkaidō can be the ultimate  Japan budget destination : in summer, there are campgrounds, including free ones. Some people really do cycle around parts of Hokkaidō, and travelers on two wheels (cyclists and motorcyclists) can stay in bargain crash pads called "rider houses," where a futon in a shared room usually costs no more than ¥1000. Washing, meanwhile, can be done in one of the island’s many public hot springs.

Peak snow season is another story: resort areas like Niseko have mostly upmarket lodgings, where rooms cost what they would at any other international resort. Cheaper options exist, but you have to look for them, and book months in advance. Lift tickets, however, are generally considered a good deal; a one-day all-mountain pass for Niseko United for the upcoming season costs ¥9500 – much cheaper than passes at resorts in North America, for example.

Otherwise, prices are fairly similar to elsewhere in the country.

• Capsule hotel: ¥8000 
• Basic room for two: ¥25,000
• Self-catering chalet: ¥40,000
• Train fare to Sapporo from the airport: ¥1150
• Bus fare to Niseko from the airport: ¥3000
• Coffee: ¥500
• Ramen in town: ¥1000
• Ramen on the slopes: ¥1600

How do I stay safe while traveling in Hokkaidō?

Winters in Hokkaidō are no joke. In January and February, temperatures rarely reach above freezing, while cold winds from Siberia bring dumps of pillowy snow. This makes for excellent skiing and snowboarding but also treacherous roads and off-piste conditions; take caution and consider joining a tour or using a guide if you have ambitious plans. Even in peak summer, temperatures can drop in the mountains, so take care to pack appropriately.

You’ll also want to read up on bears. Though not frequent,  higuma (brown bear) attacks do occur in Hokkaidō and hikers typically attach bells to their packs to ward them off. Information centers at the national parks are a good resource — be sure to stop in before setting out on a hike.

What shall I pack for Hokkaidō?

Major snow resorts all offer competitively priced gear rental packages, so you don’t have to have your own equipment to ski or snowboard in Hokkaidō. You can even rent a whole snow outfit, though there will be size restrictions. Some campgrounds offer gear rental, including tents, sleeping bags and camp stoves or grill sets, but this is more likely to require Japanese language skills to sort out. You can find shops selling outdoor equipment and clothing in Sapporo and Niseko. Montbell is a popular Japanese outdoor brand.

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Hokkaido Guide

• Published on : 24/12/2012
• by : Japan Experience
• Add to favorites

Hokkaido guide: read a guide to Hokkaido, Japan's most northerly prefecture famous for its open spaces, cool summers & skiing & snowboarding in winter.

Hokkaido Map

Japan's regions: hokkaido 北海道.

• population - 5.68 million.
• Japan's second largest island after Honshu.
• no rainy season, unlike the rest of Japan.
• famous for open spaces, the annual winter Snow Festival in Sapporo and skiing.
• the most northerly of Japan's prefectures.
• large areas of National Parks, hot springs (onsen) and unspoiled forest
• ideal in summer for camping, hiking and hitch-hiking .

Hokkaido is Japan's most northerly region and prefecture and the second largest of Japan's four main islands, making up approximately 20% of Japan's land mass but with only around 5% of its population.

Hokkaido Prefecture Map

Weather in Hokkaido

Hokkaido has a different feel from the rest of Japan. The weather is cooler with less humidity in the summer and the region escapes the earlier monsoon. Winters are cold and long, stretching from November to March, but are ideal for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding , the celebrated snow festival (Yuki Matsuri) in Sapporo and the frozen northern seas off the coast of Wakkanai and the islands of Rebun and Rishiri.

Hokkaido's History

Hokkaido's history is shaped by its indigenous people the Ainu. Hokkaido, known as Ezo during the Edo Period (1603-1868) largely lay outside the control of the shogunate regime in Edo (Tokyo), however with the coming of the modernizing Meiji government in the 1870's, Ainu culture was largely subsumed during the 20th century, but there has been a recent welcome resurgence and interest in traditional Ainu culture and Ainu handicrafts of late.

There are Ainu villages and museums of Ainu culture at Poroto Kotan and Nibutani north of Noboribetsu.

Hokkaido's Cities & Places of Interest

Hokkaido's main towns and places of interest are: Sapporo , the prefectural capital and arrival point for most flights to the region.

Abashiri - the northern town of Abarashiri is known for its drift ice and Abashiri Prison Museum .

Asahikawa , centrally-located and Hokkaido's second largest city after Sapporo.

Cape Soya , near Wakkanai, is the northern most point in Hokkaido and Japan.

Hakodate , an historic treaty port and the access point for trains arriving from Honshu via the Seikan Tunnel (the world's longest underwater tunnel).

Niseko , one of the best ski resorts in Japan, 100 km west of Sapporo and increasingly popular with visitors from Australia and Asia.

Noboribetsu , Hokkaido's main hot spring (onsen) resort.

Otaru , the relaxed ferry port 40km from Sapporo with a number of historic buildings.

Rebun Island (Rebun-to), located off the north west coast of Hokkaido is known for its alpine flowers in summer.

Rishiri Island is dominated by the 1700 meter-high Mt Rishiri and is ideal for hiking and cycling in summer.

Shiretoko National Park , Shiretoko Peninsula is a protected and isolated peninsula and UNESCO World Heritage Site ideal for bird-watching.

Sounkyo Onsen , within Daisetsuzan National Park, is a peaceful onsen resort in the mountains east of Asahikawa in Hokkaido.

Tokachi Onsen in Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido on the slopes of Mt. Tokachidake (2,077m) claims to be the highest hot spring in Japan, complete with extreme winter sports and unmatchable views from everywhere above tree line on the avalanche-prone slopes of an active volcano.

Wakkanai , a laid-back northern port ideal for reaching the islands of Rebun and Reshiri and nearby Cape Soya and its many monuments.

Access - Getting to Hokkaido

There are airports at Chitose near Sapporo, Asahikawa, Hakodate, Kushiro, Memanbetsu and Wakkanai with flights to other cities in Japan including Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Tokyo . Chitose has international connections to Beijing , Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul , Sakhalinsk (Russia) and Cairns and Melbourne in Australia.

There are a number of ferry services operating to and from various ports in Hokkaido. Otaru to Maizuru, Niigata and Tsuruga. Hakodate to Aomori and Oma. Muroran to Aomori, Hachinohe and Naoetsu (Discontinued). Tomakomai to Oarai, Sendai and Nagoya . Wakkanai to Rebun and Rishiri.

There are trains from  Sapporo Station and Hakodate Station to cities in Honshu including routes to Kyoto and Osaka - Aomori , Sendai and Tokyo.

The overnight Twilight Express has been discontinued.

Sapporo has rail services to Abashiri , Asahikawa, Hakodate, Kushiro, Otaru, Tomakomai and Noboribetsu.

Sapporo is the main hub for highway buses on the island with services to most towns including Wakkanai (6 hours), Asahikawa (2 hours; 30 mins), Niseko (2 hours; 30 mins) and Noboribetsu (1 hour; 40 mins).

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Hokkaido Road Trip: The Perfect 10 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: February 10, 2023

Categories Japan

One of the most beautiful and coolest places in Japan , quite literally, is Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island.

Hokkaido is a wild and untamed destination in Japan with stunning scenery. It's an island of volcanoes, natural hot springs, endless forests, stunning National Parks with plenty of wildlife, and walls of snow that line the roads.

In this Hokkaido self-drive itinerary, you can find all the nitty-gritty details about our Hokkaido road trip.

Hokkaido itinerary: a 10 day Hokkaido road trip

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Road trip Hokkaido

When I was researching Hokkaido and our Hokkaido tour itinerary, I discovered not much has been written about driving in Hokkaido.

That's why I wrote an extensive post including everything you need to know more about renting a car and driving on Hokkaido (the speed limit, the Hokkaido Expressway, how to get and use an ETC card, etc.).

You can read all about it in my Guide to driving on Hokkaido.

In this post, you'll find all the best things to do on Hokkaido, as well as practical tips and where to stay on Hokkaido. I hope this Hokkaido backpacking itinerary will help you plan your Hokkaido driving trip!

Our Hokkaido road trip itinerary: map

You can find our itinerary including all the highlights we visited and our Hokkaido accommodation on the Hokkaido travel map below.

Click here for the interactive Hokkaido road map

Hokkaido trip itinerary

• Day 1: Lake Shikotsu
• Day 2: Noboribetsu and Lake Tōya
• Day 3: driving South (to Hakodate)
• Day 4: Hakodate and around
• Day 5: Matsumae Castle and Onuma Park
• Day 6: driving North (to Furano)
• Day 7: Furano and around
• Day 8: Asahidake Onsen
• Day 9:  Daisetzusan Park
• Day 10: Lake Akan

Plan your Japan trip like a pro with these tools: ✅ Get a Japan Railpass to save lots of time and money. ✅ Rent a car for your Japan road trip via Rentalcars.com . ✅ Stay connected with Airalo Japan offer . ✅ Plan your journey with the Japan Lonely Planet . ✅ Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com . ✅ Join the best tours in Japan via Klook . ✅ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Our Hokkaido travel plan: facts and figures

• I traveled to Hokkaido with my husband; we started and ended our road trip at New Chitose Airport in Sapporo.
• Our Hokkaido driving itinerary was 10 days in total, we drove approximately 2000 kilometers (so ~200 km per day).
• For our road trip we decided to follow the sun, or at least go where the weather forecast said it would be the least rainy and/or cold. I have to say, the Japan weather forecast is extremely good! It was very accurate during our Hokkaido trip, something we definitely used to our advantage while traveling around this amazing island.
• With temperatures below 0°C at some point, we decided to change our plans and head south instead of north to Wakkanai and the islands of Rebun and Reshiri. Our entire Hokkaido travel itinerary was based on the weather and turned out very different from the one I created before our trip. After all, travel is all about being flexible !

Things to know about a Hokkaido road trip

Is it safe to drive in hokkaido.

In general, yes, it's very safe to drive on Hokkaido. Roads are well maintained and people generally obey the traffic rules (except for the speed limit, which can be frustratingly low).

In this post, you can read more about driving in Hokkaido .

Can I use the JR Pass to get around Hokkaido?

If you don't want to rent a car in Hokkaido and use public transportation to get around instead, that's a good option as well.

Note that it will be more challenging to get to remote places, while there is an extensive rail network, trains are only available in the major cities.

That being said, there's a network of buses as well, just keep in mind that getting from place to place will take more time than by car.

You can purchase the regular Japan Rail Pass for your time on Hokkaido but it's also worth looking into the regional Hokkaido Rail Pass .

The regional pass is cheaper than the Japan rail pass, but it depends on your Japan itinerary which one is the best option.

Click here to compare the JR rail pass (valid everywhere in Japan) with the Hokkaido rail pass (only valid in Hokkaido).

What is the best time to visit Hokkaido?

Hokkaido is a year-round destination and each time of the year has its own pros and cons.

A Hokkaido road trip in spring

We traveled to Hokkaido at the end of April and the start of May, my favorite things about traveling to Hokkaido in spring were:

• We got to experience four different seasons in just 10 days. From snow and freezing nights to walking around in a t-shirt and relaxing in an onsen after a very rainy day.
• We got to admire the beautiful cherry blossoms (in full bloom!) at Goryōkaku and Matsumae Castle (read more below).
• I loved that we had the campsites entirely to ourselves as there weren't any other campers yet this early in the season.

However, be sure to pack appropriately and bring plenty of (warm) layers. It's still pretty cold in Hokkaido during this time of year!

A Hokkaido road trip in the summer

During the summer months, you can admire the famous flower and lavender fields on Hokkaido. Plus, you can hike the Shiretoko Traverse and lots of other trails.

Note that many hiking trails on Hokkaido are still closed in Spring (and sometimes even in June) because of the large amounts of snow that fall during winter.

While this isn't a specific Hokkaido summer itinerary, all of the spots included in the post can be visited in summer.

A Hokkaido road trip in autumn

Hokkaido is a very popular spot during autumn because of the brightly colored forests with leaves in vivid autumn colors.

Check the Autumn Color Report  on  Japan Guide  to plan the best time for your visit.

A Hokkaido road trip in winter

If you plan to visit Hokkaido in winter, make sure you're very well prepared. It's not easy to drive on Hokkaido in winter, it can even be dangerous unless you know what you are doing!

That being said, Hokkaido can be a wonderful winter destination! You can visit the Sapporo Snow Festival (read more below), go skiing in one of the ski resorts, and admire the frozen lakes and snowy views.

Where to stay on Hokkaido

Here is a list of all the places we stayed during our road trip around Hokkaido.

Note:  Prices for the hotels, campgrounds, and guesthouses depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices mentioned above are a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Click ‘book here’ to see the latest prices on  Booking  and book ahead to get the best deal.

* Unfortunately the accommodation we stayed at during our Hokkaido trip is no longer available. While we didn't personally stay at the Shin Furano Prince hotel we did visit their spa twice during our time in Furano.

How to find accommodation during Golden Week

Golden Week is the period from the 29th of April to early May and includes a number of Japanese holidays. Check the exact Golden Week dates here

During this week many Japanese people go on holiday and accommodation can be extremely difficult to find.

In fact, when I was looking for some last-minute accommodation on Agoda and Booking , there were only 2 hotels available in the entire city, the cheapest one was €400 a night…

I was very happy to we had our tent and car as a backup option!

If you are traveling in peak season and Golden Week in particular: book your accommodation in advance!

Hokkaido itinerary day 1: Lake Shikotsu

Itinerary: New Chitose Airport – Nissan rental car outlet – Nature trail Lake Shikotsu – Shikotsukomorappu Camping Ground

Pick up your rental car

Pick up your rental car at New Chitose Airport so you can start your Hokkaido road trip immediately after landing on the island. Click here to compare car rental prices on Rentalcars.com.

Important: be sure to stock up on enough drinks, snacks, and some instant ramen at a nearby 7-11 before setting out on your road trip.

If you are traveling early in the season or during winter, many restaurants are (still) closed.

You really don't want to arrive at a beautiful camp spot with an empty stomach and nothing to eat. We did on our first day in Hokkaido and had to drive back to Chitose for supplies.

Go hiking along the shores of Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu is a caldera lake in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Around the lake, there are several mountains and (some still active) volcanoes, such as Mount Eniwa and Mount Tarumae.

There is a short but steep trail going up Mount Tarumae with excellent views from the top.

Unfortunately, the trail was still closed when we visited (too much snow) supposedly the views from the summit are really beautiful and worth the climb.

Where to stay at Lake Shikotsu ⇒ Campsite Morappu (1 night)

The view alone makes this campsite worth a visit! However, the fierce wind blowing over the lake was very cold and I didn't get much sleep that night…

We purchased a set of thermal underwear and extra blankets the next day which solved the problem.

Please note that while there are (clean) toilets, there are no showers. I later found out this is actually quite normal for Japanese campsites because there usually is an onsen (either onsite or nearby) instead.

Price per night: €12,80/$14.

Places to stay near Lake Shikotsu

If you don't want to go camping there are other accommodation options available. However, there are only a handful of hotels to be found around Lake Shikotsu and most are quite expensive.

There is the friendly 3-star Marukoma Onsen Ryokan and the superb 5-star Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta .

Alternatively, you can explore Lake Shikotsu during the day and drive back to Chitose or Sapporo where there are more affordable options to stay.

Hokkaido itinerary day 2: Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Tōya

Itinerary: Shikotsukomorappu campground – Jigokudani (Hell Valley) – Oyunuma Pond – Lake Kuttara – Lake Tōya – Nakatoya Camping Ground

Noboribetsu Onsen

Noboribetsu is Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort and a great place to visit in Hokkaido.

While the town itself it small, it offers a wide variety of activities and attractions, from its beautiful hot springs to its picturesque lakes and mountains.

Visit Jigokudani (also known as Hell Valley)

Volcanic activity is something that has fascinated me since I was a little girl. In fact, my first school project was about volcanos and even got me an A!

The smell of sulfur, the crazy colors of the rocks, and the steaming vents make Jigokudani one of the best places to visit on Hokkaido.

Take your time enjoying the scenic landscape of the area, Jigokudani is one of those places where you truly feel (and smell) the incredible force of nature.

Oyunuma Pond

This was quite possibly my favorite place in Hokkaido! I had never seen a steaming lake before, it was mesmerizing, and couldn’t take my eyes off Oyunuma Pond for a long long time…

Lake Kuttara

This perfectly circular crater lake inside the volcano Kuttara contains the best quality water in Japan. You can drive along its shores and admire the views.

There are hiking trails as well ( such as this one ), but we didn't cover any during our trip.

Lake Toya is another spectacular lake, with an even more spectacular backdrop. It's part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park and a popular location for hiking and camping.

Where to stay at Lake Toya ⇒ Nakatoya Camping Ground (1 night)

During our stay, we were the only ones at the campsite. It was so quiet and the starry night was magical.

Also, with our newly purchased thermal underwear and extra blankets, we were well prepared for the cold, and sleeping in our tent was very comfortable!

Unfortunately, the onsen was closed. Maybe it was too early in the season or the campground manager didn't turn it on because we were the only ones there.

Price per night: €7,20/$8.

Hokkaido itinerary day 3: driving South (to Hakodate)

Itinerary: Nakatoya Camping Ground – Hotel WBF Hakodate

The kindness of Japanese people

While driving south to Hakodate I experienced firsthand that Japanese people are among the kindest and most helpful people in the world.

I had accidentally booked the wrong flight and needed to call customer service. There was just one problem, I didn't have a local SIM card and my own SIM didn't work for some reason.

A very friendly Japanese man generously loaned me his phone. And not only that, he bought us coffee and locally produced food as gifts as well!

I was speechless… And very grateful .

That being said I highly recommend getting a local SIM, click here to buy a SIM card with unlimited data online .

Relax in an onsen

Our first onsen experience was amazing but we also desperately needed it. It had been raining heavily the entire day.

And we had ‘slightly' underestimated how cold Hokkaido would be at the end of April. Therefore, the rain felt like wet snow and we didn’t feel like pitching our tent that night.

I was extremely happy I managed to book one of the last available hotel rooms in Hakodate (it was Golden Week, read more below), which happened to have an onsen.

Onsen = Japanese spa with a VERY hot bath… Utter bliss! Read more about how to visit an onsen in Japan.

I know I've said it before, but I can't stress this enough: Golden Week is the busiest travel period of the year in Japan (because it's a public holiday). Booking accommodation as early as possible is crucial when traveling during this period. My favorite sites to find accommodation are Agoda and  Booking . I usually also check reviews on Tripadvisor if I'm having trouble choosing between 2 hotels.

Where to stay in Hakodate ⇒ Hotel WBF Hakodate (1 night)

WBF Hakodate is a lovely hotel: comfortable and clean. Rooms have an ensuite bathroom and a kettle. The onsen was pure bliss…

The walls are pretty thin and the room is quite small (though that's pretty common in Japan).

Click here to book hotel WBF Hakodate

Hokkaido itinerary day 4: Hakodate and around

Itinerary: Hotel WBF Hakodate – Goryōkaku Castle – Hakodate Mountain walking trail – Hakodate Village – Roadside Rest Area Fukushima

Goryōkaku Castle

We didn’t time our visit to coincide with the cherry blossom season or sakura as it’s called in Japan.

But it was the icing on an already delicious cake (the cake being Japan;-). Walking below thousands of cherry trees dressed in pretty pinks and whites was like stepping into a fairy tale…

Click here to buy a ticket for the Goryokaku Tower online.

Hakodate Mountain walking trails

On Hokkaido nature is never far away. And so it didn’t take us long to find a nice hiking trail leading to the top of Mount Hakodate.

Hakodate historic village

With old brick houses and colonial villas, I almost felt like we were back in Europe. I would have loved to learn more about Hakodate and its interesting history but unfortunately, we didn't have enough time.

If you want to see the most important highlights of Hakodate (such as the Kanemori red brick warehouse) while gaining fascinating insights into Japan’s history and culture, check out this private walking tour with a licensed local guide.

Where to stay in Fukushima ⇒ Roadside Rest Area Fukushima (1 night)

I didn't know this, but sleeping in your car is actually rather common in Japan!

When we arrived at the Michi-no-Eki (road station) in Fukushima we were a bit apprehensive as we weren't sure if it was allowed to stay the night.

We decided to risk it and were very surprised to wake up in a packed parking lot the next morning! There were fully equipped campervans and next to us was a Japanese man in a suit who slept in his sports car.

This road station is a convenient place to spend the night. There was a supermarket across the parking lot where we bought a cup of coffee and some sandwiches for breakfast.

We even brushed our teeth in the shop's little bathroom! However, keep in mind that you're staying at a parking lot and there aren't many facilities.

Price per night: free!

Hokkaido itinerary day 5: Matsumae Castle and Onuma Park

Itinerary: Roadside Rest Area Fukushima – Matsumae Castle – Onuma Quasi National Park – Lake Toya Fireworks – Toyako Parking Lot

Visit Matsumae Castle

Visiting a Japanese castle during cherry blossom season with a perfect blue sky: it doesn’t get better than that!

Explore Onuma Quasi-National Park

We strolled around this nice little park with lovely bridges and stunning Mt. Komagatake in the backdrop. A perfect afternoon activity.

Admire the Lake Toya Fireworks

From the start of Golden Week until October there is a firework show every evening. You don't need a ticket and can enjoy the show from the boulevard.

During our first stop at Lake Toya (on day 2 of this itinerary), we were too early for the fireworks shows (it wasn't Golden Week yet).

We were very lucky to catch the show on our way back north.

Where to stay in Toyako Onsen ⇒ Toyako Parking Lot (1 night)

The parking lot was in the center of the village Toyako, but still very quiet (we were there very early in the season).

There was even a (clean) toilet and a tap with warm water. No showers, but what can you expect from a free parking lot?

Hokkaido itinerary day 6: driving North

Itinerary: Toyako Parking Lot – Shin Furano Prince hotel

Admire the view

With the risk of repeating myself too often: road trips are the best! I love driving around an unknown country, looking out the window of our car, and admiring all there is to see…

Eat the best Maze Soba Tempura in Furano

Until this day, the Maze Soba we had in Furano is the best food I've ever eaten. Food in Japan is pretty much always really tasty, but this dish is my #1 favorite plate of food in the world.

Relax in a spa (onsen)

Hokkaido can be very cold, even in Spring. As such, I had been wearing my thermal underwear for 3 days straight when we arrived in Furano and both my clothes as well as myself were in dire need of cleaning…

The spa at the Shin Furano Prince Hotel was the perfect place to do so. For obvious reasons, taking pictures in the spa isn't allowed, but you can find pictures of the spa on Booking.com .

Where to stay in Furano ⇒ Shin Furano Prince Hotel (2 nights)

This hotel offers clean and spacious rooms in a beautiful location. However, the best feature of the Shin Furano Prince Hotel is the aforementioned spa.

The view from the spa is beautiful and there is no better way to end your day of sightseeing in Furano than by soaking up the heat in the onsen.

Click here to book the Shin Furano Prince hotel

Hokkaido itinerary day 7: Furano and around

Itinerary: Cheese factory – Wine factory – Walk around wine factory – Rollercoaster road – Blue Pools – Glass Forest – Spa at Shin Furano Prince Hotel  

Visit the Furano cheese factory

The first stop of the day was the cheese factory where we watched an informative movie (even though it was in Japanese and so were the subtitles).

We ate wine-infused cheese and black brie, very interesting tastes. And of course, we had to look up Dutch ‘Goudse Kaas' on the World Of Cheese.

Do a tasting at Furano wine factory

Next up was the wine factory (I had no idea they produce wine in Japan). It was fun to take a look in the wine cellar and search for the wine bottles produced in the year we were born.

The weather was amazing during our time in Furano, it was even warm enough to walk around in a t-shirt! We went for an easy 5-km walk near the wine factory and spotted a fox in the fields!

Visit Farm Tomita in Furano

the most famous lavender farm in Japan. I didn’t know this before coming to Japan, but lavender is kind of a thing here. Apparently, there is a special train station that is only in use during the lavender season.

Seeing the already beautiful views from Farm Tomita, I can understand why this place is such a tourist hotspot (for Japanese people).

We bought a lavender ice cream which tasted strangely good albeit a bit weird.

Drive the Rollercoaster Road

This is a fun 4km long road that really fun to drive because of the rolling hills. Thought it would have been even more fun if one were allowed to go faster than 50km an hour…

The Blue Pond

This is a beautiful but odd place with vividly blue glacier water and a lot of dead trees. Pretty but strange.

Drive around Furano valley

The views of the mountains on both sides of the valley were beautiful and we were extremely lucky with the weather!

Visit the Glass Forest

The last stop on our self-drive customized sightseeing tour around Furano was the Glass Forest.

This glass is unique and made using a very special technique that creates tiny cracks in the glass that take 3-5 years to mature! It’s very beautiful but also very expensive!

Enjoy the good life

We ate maze soba again because it was so delicious. And then we hung out in the spa of the Shin Furano Prince Hotel , again…

Hokkaido itinerary day 8: Asahidake Onsen

Itinerary: Shin Furano Prince hotel – Asahidake Onsen – Sōunkyō 7-11 parking lot

Hiking in the snow at Asahidake Onsen

The drive to Asahidake Onsen alone is reason enough to go there. The higher up the mountain we got, the higher the walls of snow lining the road became…

We, therefore, assumed hiking would be out of the question, but when we paid a visit to the tourist information center the friendly guy manning the station told us about a cross-country trail that was accessible for hiking.

Well, that sounded pretty awesome. Turns out it was!

The temperature was around 16 degrees Celsius and was a bit surreal to hike in a t-shirt through a very snowy landscape.

An unusual experience for sure, with gorgeous views along the way.

Where to stay at Sōunkyō ⇒ parking lot next to the 7-11 (1 night)

We asked the staff of the 7-11 if we could park for the night and they so kindly made an exception for us.

Parking next to the 7-11 meant we could literally crawl out of bed to get our morning coffee. Also, as apparently, all supermarkets in Japan do, there was a toilet in the store and a little sink to brush our teeth.

Hokkaido itinerary day 9: the road trip continues through Daisetzusan Park

Itinerary: Sōunkyō 7-11 parking lot – Ryusei-no-taki and Ginga-no-taki waterfalls – Taisetsu Dam in Daisetzusan Park – Lake Akan parking lot

Ryusei-no-taki and Ginga-no-taki waterfalls

I love waterfalls, they are mesmerizing, how can there be such an endless amount of water coming down from those steep cliffs…

To get the best view we hiked to the top of the trail across the waterfalls, from this spot you can take a picture of both waterfalls in one shot.

Be sure to bring bear spray and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. We didn’t see a bear but we did spot a couple of deer strolling through the forest.

Road through Daisetzusan National Park

Even with the dreary weather, it was a delight to drive this road through Daisetsuzan National Park.

We continued driving because with rain pouring down there wasn’t much else we could do and ended up at Lake Akan.

In Akan town, we chilled out in a little café, Pan de Pan, until the rain cleared up. With an almost completely clear sky, we went for a short walk by the beautiful lake and strolled through the Ainu village.

In the shopping street of Akan village, all sorts of arts and crafts products and countless marimo items are being sold in the souvenir shops. Marimo is what Lake Akan is all about after all!

You may wonder what the #$%^ is a marimo?

Marimo are green spheres of algae and very kawaii (because fluffy). How much of a thing is Kawaii in Japan? Let me quote the Lonely Planet : Marimo became endangered after being designated a national treasure. Suddenly everyone in Japan needed to have one. Anyway, these green spheres of algae grow in lake Akan and the people living in the village sure know how to use that fact to their advantage, there are marimo-themed items everywhere you look.

Where to stay at Akanko Onsen ⇒ Lake Akan parking lot (1 night)

The lady selling the parking tickets didn't mind if we stayed the night.

The parking lot happened to be across from 7-11, so getting coffee and breakfast was easy again, as was cleaning up (slightly) in the morning.

I'm nit-picking here, but the ground wasn't entirely level. Not ideal when you sleep in your car.

Price per night: €3,20/$4 (for a parking ticket)

Hokkaido itinerary day 10: Lake Akan and around

Itinerary: Lake Akan parking lot – Lake Akan nature walk – Eco Museum – Lake Onetto – car drop-off point – Hotel Areaone Chitose

Lake Akan nature walk

On our last day in Hokkaido, we were definitely in luck (again): the sun was shining! We went for a short hike over the nature trail next to the Eco Visitor Center.

It was a brief hike but offered great views of the lake. And of course, we passed some mud pools, signs of volcanic activity are never far away on Hokkaido.

Visit the Akan Eco Museum

In the Akan Eco museum, we checked out some particularly fluffy marimo (see the picture above) and learned more about the formation of these strange phenomena.

Hike around Lake Onetto

Lake Onetto is a gorgeous lake with bright blue color and two imposing volcanoes looming over the lake.

We went for a hike around the lake, but the trail was still partially snowed under!

I imagine in summer it’s a nice and easy stroll, but in Spring it was quite a challenging hike as we tried not to sink too deep into the snow!

Where to stay in Sapporo ⇒ Hotel Areaone Chitose (1 night)

We had an early flight to Hiroshima from New Chitose Airport. Hotel Areaone Chitose was close to the airport and offered a free shuttle service.

It was a good place to stay, the room was small but after sleeping in our car for a couple of nights it actually felt big to us;-).

We spent our afternoon soaking in the steaming onsen but unfortunately, the sauna was out of service during our stay.

More things to do on Hokkaido

If you've got more time to spend in Hokkaido (lucky you!), here are some popular places I wish we could have added to our Hokkaido itinerary.

Sapporo Snow Festival

If you happen to visit Hokkaido in winter, you can visit the famous Sapporo Snow Festival! This annual winter event is held in Sapporo and takes place every February in Odori Park (you'll also find the Sapporo tv tower in this park).

One of the highlights of the festival is the Snow Sculpture Contest. Teams from countries around the world compete to create the most amazing snow sculptures and the cool thing is: you can actually see the snow sculptures being made during the festival.

There are lots of other attractions such as snow slides, skiing, live performances, and much more. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a great way to experience the beauty of winter in Sapporo.

Check the official site for more information.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a stunning natural area located in the northernmost part of Hokkaido. With its unique combination of mountains, volcanoes, forests, and seashore, it is a popular destination for hikers, bird watchers, and nature enthusiasts.

The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the endangered Steller's sea eagle, brown bears, and the Asiatic black bear.

If you plan to visit this stunning part of Hokkaido, be sure to read up on bear safety and bring a can of bear spray and a bear bell .

Otaru is a charming port city, known for its picturesque canals lined with old-fashioned warehouses and charming, historical buildings.

The city has a rich history of fishing and trading, and you can still see many of the old fishing boats in the harbor.

Besides the famous Otaru Canal, there are a variety of attractions, such as the Otaru Aquarium, Otaru Music Box Museum, and the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway.

All in all, Otaru is a great place to visit in Hokkaido, as it is a peaceful and relaxing city with many great restaurants, shops, and attractions to explore.

Road trip in Hokkaido: conclusion

Our road trip around Hokkaido was an amazing experience, despite the cold.

Hokkaido truly is a wonderful island: wild, mountainous, active volcanoes, lots of wildlife, pretty lakes, friendly people, and delicious food. 

I will add that 10 days in Hokkaido is not nearly enough to see everything this beautiful place has to offer. I really hope that we'll be able to come back to Hokkaido and visit more Hokkaido highlights.

Not many people include a trip to Hokkaido in their Japan itinerary , but I hope that this Hokkaido travel blog has convinced you Hokkaido is highly worth a visit!

If you want to read more about traveling in Japan , check out my other posts:

• Japan on a budget
• Japan off the beaten path
• Funny things in Japan
• Tokyo itinerary
• Kyoto itinerary
• Osaka itinerary
• Miyajima itinerary
• Japanese Alps itinerary
• 3 days in Kamikochi
• Hiking to Koyasan

Download our Hokkaido free and easy itinerary below and plan your trip in no time! Feel free to ask any questions you may have about planning a trip to Hokkaido, I'm happy to help!

This post was updated in January 2023 .

Sunday 15th of September 2019

Will you recommend Hokkaido in mid October? And if so, what changes from your itinerary do you suggest?

Friday 20th of September 2019

While I think you can visit Hokkaido in October, please keep in mind it will already be quite cold. Also, the leaves will probably have fallen (most of them at least) so you will miss the splendid fall colors. Nevertheless, the scenery will still be stunning and the crowds will have left so you'll have them all to yourself.

I wouldn't necessarily change the itinerary but my most important tip would be to follow the weather. If the weather forecast says sun in the north, go north. If rain is expected in the east, go west. And pack enough layers, gloves and a beanie:-)

Have a great trip! Lotte

Friday 12th of July 2019

Hi Lotte, Your mission has been accomplished as I was truly inspired by your 10day trip to Hokkaido. I live in Malaysia. I am hoping to take my 17 yr old daughter on road trip. I am hoping to rent a MPV (with sleeping and simple cooking set up but no toilet facilities). You are right in that there are not many articles about driving /camping routes around Japan or maybe I don't know what to look for. So thank you very much for sharing your trip. I've never done a driving holiday before and I feel even more responsible bringing my teen daughter so I don't really know where to begin. I chose Japan as I think it is a safe country to begin such a journey and also because I LOVE Japan and have only seen small parts of it. I wonder if you could give me some advise as to how I could go about researching and planning my own trip. (1) I would like to travel mid August 2020 as that is school break for my daughter - would it be meaningful to use your travel route as a guide (keeping in mind I won't see seasonal wonders like cherry blossoms blooming) (2) We plan to sleep in our van (so no hotels) (3) We are not sure how long should we plan ( we think maybe 7-10 days) - also I am concerned about how to plan so I can return the hired van in time. Also, I chose a Van instead of RV ( my teen is hoping I'd get an RV) because I wanted to have freedom of more parking options. (4) We would love to do the following: - Hot springs & light hiking ( a couple of hours) - visit quaint little shops or markets - local interesting places e.g. temples, museums or architecture (we both enjoy craft and art) (5) I am REALLY hoping to end our day with a warm Japanese meal and a bath in an Onsen before we retire for the evening in our van. But we are also prepared to park at a rest stop sometimes and hopefully able to get a shower at least. I need to own up on the fact that I have always been a book and plan in advance person. So this is a huge leap for me. I want to do this before my teen outgrows bunking and holidaying with mom. (6) I looked at the car rental which you mentioned but I don't see that they offer the van which I'm after. I have done some research but if you do have any recommendations, I'd be happy to compare with my own findings.

Thank you for your time. May you have many more lovely trips and wonderful memories. Vivien

Saturday 20th of July 2019

It’s so wonderful to read about your upcoming adventure to Hokkaido with your daughter! Japan is a very safe country indeed and a great place for a first driving trip.

Regarding your questions, I think a van is a good choice as it gives you lots of flexibility. Keep in mind you’ll need/want something (like towels) to cover your windows so you don’t wake up at first light.

In 7-10 days you can see lots of things, but it really depends on the distance you want to cover in one day. You could easily spend a couple of days in the area around Furano, especially since you mention you like quaint little shops and arts&crafts.

Some campsites have an onsen but not all, I’d just ask the camp manager about the facilities when you arrive at a site. We also parked at random parking lots and there are no facilities (like a shower) available at such locations?. Regarding the rental company, if you are after a particular car I’d just go with the company that offers the best deal. As I went with ToCoo I have no experience with other rental companies in Japan.

I wish you a wonderful trip with your daughter! Let me know if you have any further questions:-) Lotte

Oodledoodles

Monday 18th of February 2019

Great post! Thank you for sharing your trip and information with fellow travellers!

I have a question... You mentioned "With temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius at some point, we decided to change our plans and head south instead of north to Wakkanai and the islands of Rebun and Reshiri..." Was weather and freezing temperatures the only reason why you changed your course of travels or was it because of the sights as well (with North having less sights over longer distance and South having more sights over shorter distance travelled?

I am planning to include some south Hokkaido (giving NOBORIBETSU and HAKODATE a miss... the former i've seen plenty in Rotorua and the latter, is just a city) and some of north Hokkaido (including Cape Kamui, Wakkanai and Cape Soya). Will include Biei and Furano as well.

Do you think is workable? I want to follow the tourist route but at the same time i'd like to able to see a little of the north side of Hokkaido as well. Just iffy about the travel distance and time between the cities thats all. We want to be able to take a relaxing journey and take our time, instead of being on the road all the time and rushing from one place to another, not taking time to enjoy the experience.

Sunday 3rd of March 2019

Hi! Thanks, I'm happy to hear that:-) For us the weather was the only reason we traveled South a couple of days sooner than planned. I'd love to revisit Hokkaido as there is so much more to see...

Regarding your itinerary, it really depends how much time you have available. As I mentioned in the post, covering the distances on Hokkaido takes time. However, the views are beautiful though and the roads are in great condition! I always like the journey as well, but I agree you don't want to feel rushed. I'd calculate the distances with google and multiply the time mentioned there by factor 1,3. If that seems alright to you I'd go for it! Have a wonderful trip:-)

Wednesday 30th of January 2019

Hello Lotte!

Thank you so much for this!

Did you go to Hokkaido around late April? I'm planning to go there on this late April and would love to go to Farm Tomita Furano, I saw your picture there, and seems that the lavender is not bloomed yet, But how about other flowers? I'm afraid that late April (30 april) wont be a good time to go to the farm if others flowers are also not bloomed yet.

Thank you Yessi

Friday 1st of February 2019

You are most welcome:-) Regarding your question, yes we traveled to Hokkaido at the end of April. No flowers were in bloom at all, in fact, there was still a lot of snow! Visiting Farm Tomita (and the other places on Hokkaido) was still great but if you are specifically looking for flowers blooming the end of April of probably not a good time. Enjoy your trip!

Friday 7th of September 2018

Hi Lotte - what a great read!

As a non-driver (yeah, shocking I know!) I'm always interested in how folks explore Japan by hire car.

I have a lot of affection for Hokkaido and reading this reminds me not to leave it too long before I'm next there.

The Log Yukari Guesthouse really looks like my kinda place - so that's a good find - thanks for the tip!

If anyone is visiting Hokkaido in Winter (especially between Jan-Mar) then I can thoroughly recommend taking a cruise out into the winter ice floes in an icebreaker ship - it really is an unforgettable experience:

https://www.therealjapan.com/how-to-cruise-an-icebreaker-ship-in-hokkaido/

Wednesday 19th of September 2018

Thanks for reading! I loved exploring Hokkaido by car but of course the trains in Japan are excellent as well;-) I would love to visit in winter, the icebreaker cruise sounds amazing...

Visiting Hokkaido Japan: 14 Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan's Wild North

Travel to Hokkaido, Japan's gorgeous northernmost island, and you'll find spectacular scenery, incredible food, and friendly people! But when taking on a colossal tourist destination like Hokkaido and its great number of scenic sights, you need a foolproof plan to fully enjoy what it has to offer! And we're here to provide clear answers to some common doubts and questions that may have arisen during this planning process. Find out more about Hokkaido's climate, travel distances between sightseeing spots, essential points to note during your trip, must-visit hotspots, and other vital information that will add to your Hokkaido experience.

1. Hokkaido Japan is a huge place! Make sure to plan accordingly

Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost island, and it's an enormous place! In fact, the area of Hokkaido is 22% of Japan's total surface area – nearly a quarter of the country – making it Japan's largest prefecture. An important thing to note is that Sapporo , Hokkaido's capital city, is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from New Chitose Airport . Since most people use Sapporo as a base of operations when exploring Hokkaido, here's a quick list of travel distances and times between the city and a few of the island's leading regions for your handy reference (all numbers approximate). ・ Sapporo to Otaru : 40 kilometers (25 miles) / 45 minutes ・ Sapporo to Furano : 115 kilometers (71 miles) / 2 hours ・ Sapporo to Asahikawa : 140 kilometers (87 miles) / 1 hour 20 minutes ・ Sapporo to Hakodate : 305 kilometers (190 miles) / 4 hours 15 minutes ・ Sapporo to Obihiro : 215 kilometers (134 miles) / 3 hours ・ Sapporo to Kushiro : 342 kilometers (213 miles) / 4 hours 40 minutes ・ Sapporo to Shiretoko (Utoro): 377 kilometers (234 miles) / 5 hours 44 minutes

2. When is the best time to visit Hokkaido?

Note that Hokkaido is located at a northern latitude of 41 to 45 degrees, which puts it at the same latitude as other colder regions in the world, such as the southern-central region of France, the northern region of Spain, northern-central region of Italy, New York City, and Toronto, and temperatures may fluctuate by quite a lot in the same day alone. Sometimes, it may even dip below 20C (68F) during the mornings and evenings. Therefore, always be prepared with something warm to wear, like a cardigan or jacket to throw on as needed when it gets a bit too chilly for your liking.

What is Hokkaido like in winter ? If you're thinking of visiting Hokkaido for sports activities like skiing or snowboarding , then come between January and February, when it's winter . It starts snowing in Hokkaido from November onwards, even in the lowlands, so January and February would be the period with the most amount of accumulated snow. According to data from Japan Meteorological Agency, January is also the coldest month in Hokkaido, as average temperatures may plunge to a frosty -3.6C (about 25F). Be sure to put on a warm coat and accessories that will protect you from the cold, such as a hat, a pair of gloves, and perhaps a toasty muffler. Road surfaces often freeze over during winter , and this makes them very slippery. Wear winter shoes with grooved soles for extra friction to get a good grip on the ground as you walk. There is no need to panic if you've forgotten - you can always look out for anti-slip shoe attachments being sold at train stations or airports. Hokkaido is a large place and temperatures will vary depending on region, with some seeing drops to as low as -20 to -30C (-4 to -22F) during winter . For a comfortable trip, always check the temperature range of the place you'll be visiting beforehand and prepare accordingly.

3. What are Hokkaido's main places and best things to do there?

There are countless places to see and things to do in Hokkaido. You can go shopping in a downtown district, eat some fantastic food, or go out into the suburbs to get closer to nature and the serenity it provides. Here's an abbreviated list of some scenic spots and activities to be enjoyed in each region. Sapporo As mentioned earlier, this is the main city of Hokkaido, where there are great places to shop, eat, sightsee, or relax at almost every corner. The Sapporo Clock Tower and Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill are a couple of the more iconic sightseeing places of interest here, which should definitely consider visiting if you haven't already. Check out the article below for more information!

Niseko The Niseko area stretches out at the foot of Mount Yotei and is globally renowned for its high-quality powder snow . Needless to say, this is a popular place for trying out some winter sports . However, even if you are visiting during summer , you're welcome to join in any one of the outdoor activities being held here as well, such as river rafting!

Hakodate The central area of southern Hokkaido. Here is where you'll find beautiful city nightscapes and plenty of historical buildings that are an exciting mix of styles from the East and West. Some local specialties you can find in the markets here are fresh seafood and tasty Western confectionery.

Asahikawa / Northern Hokkaido One can't mention Asahikawa without also mentioning the famous Asahiyama Zoo , but also not to be missed in the nearby area of northern Hokkaido are places of interest such as the hot springs in Sounkyo , the lavender fields in Furano , and the hills of Biei that are breathtakingly beautiful at every turn.

Eastern Hokkaido Perfect for fans of the great outdoors! This region is where you'll find Shiretoko Peninsula , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and mystical landscapes such as the one in Kushiro Marsh . One of the unique experiences to be had here during the winter season is the observation of drift ice .

Other highly recommended destinations to consider are Otaru , famous for its beautiful canal, as well as Noboribetsu , a haven of hot springs that provide the ultimate relaxation. Include the ones that fit better into your plans and enjoy your trip!

4. How to get around Hokkaido

Other than driving in Hokkaido , you can also make use of buses, trains, and airplanes. Buses take a longer time to reach, but most of them are reasonably priced. There are also overnight buses that allow you to maximize your time by resting on the way to the next destination and waking up refreshed and ready for another day of activity. Others may prefer trains as they can relax and watch the sights outside the window slowly roll by without much thought. For either of these transport options, be sure to check up the schedules in advance before including them in your itinerary, as some of the routes are only operated infrequently. Also, if you'll be mainly taking buses and trains during your trip, check to see if purchasing a JR Hokkaido Free Pass will help you to save more on transport fees too.

If your itinerary calls for covering long distances within short amounts of time, then an airplane will be the best choice, even if it may be a bit pricier and flights may be limited to certain time slots. Whichever option you eventually pick, be sure to include lots of leeway into the schedule to accommodate for unforeseen circumstances!

5. How can I rent a car for my trip in Hokkaido?

As mentioned at the outset, the distances between destinations in Hokkaido are very far apart because of how large the island is. Therefore, driving is a very convenient way to get around here - especially if you'll be traveling with family. Another advantage of driving is that you can take your time and do things at your own pace without having to constantly worry about missing the next bus or train. Cars are readily available for rent at Hokkaido. Still, you must make an advanced reservation as soon as your trip is confirmed, especially if your visit is in summer or corresponds with certain holidays in Japan. This reservation will ensure that you'll definitely have a car when you arrive during such busy seasons . Find a company you like and book online via their website . Don't fret about not understanding Japanese, as most rental car websites in Hokkaido support multiple languages. If possible, request an in-car automotive navigation system when making your rental. This will be very helpful in places where map apps on your phone slow down or stop working due to low signal.

6. What are some things to take note of when driving in Hokkaido?

When driving in Hokkaido, the main thing to look out for is for wild animals dashing onto the roads without warning. This happens from time to time in the suburbs with yezo sika deer and Sakhalin foxes . For places where wild animals are often spotted, you'll also see signage warning you to watch out for them. Another thing to note is driving in winter , as the weather can swing to extremes quickly and affect road conditions detrimentally. This will be a challenge for drivers who have never taken winter roads before. Travel time also becomes unpredictable in such situations, so opting for public transportation may be the better choice during cold and snowy seasons , especially if you're not used to navigating frozen roads.

7. What Hokkaido foods should I try?

Each area in Hokkaido has its own unique local cuisine that contains a wide variety of ingredients, so there are plenty of things you can try here. Here's a general overview of what food items to look out for! Seafood Hokkaido being an island and all, let's start with the most obvious one: Hokkaido seafood ! Horsehair crabs and red king crabs can be found in almost every town. Hakodate 's specialty is squid . Otaru has fresh mantis shrimps and urchin. Kushiro has saury. The eastern part of Hokkaido is famous for fish like chum salmon. And that's just a quick list of the more prominent foods you can find! Some seafood delicacies make use of exotic marine creatures peculiar to Hokkaido, such as smooth lumpfish, Japanese bullheads, or surf clams. Preparation and serving methods also vary greatly, from rice bowls to sashimi , charcoal grills, hotpots, and more. Definitely try out the local ishikari- nabe (salmon hotpot) or chanchanyaki (steamed fish and stir-fried vegetables) if you find them being offered on the menu!

Meat products Mutton is something you don't want to miss here, especially the jingisukan (grilled mutton) dish. Choose whether you want your meat served plain so you can add your favorite sauces later, or to cook it in a broth until the soup's taste permeates the meat entirely. As for chicken dishes, try to find a specialty store or Japanese-style izakaya pub that has something called zangi on their menu. Zangi is a fried chicken dish that is unique to Hokkaido. Unlike the other fried chicken dishes usually served in other parts of Japan (known as karaage), the chicken meat and batter of zangi are both seasoned before being deep-fried to a crispy goodness, so each shop will have its own special flavor! Don't forget to try out some top-class Shiraoi-wagyu and Tochika-wagyu beef as well, and the premium pork offered in places like Kamifurano.

Dairy products Hokkaido has plenty of pastures with dairy cows providing fresh Hokkaido milk for direct consumption or to be made into derivative products such as cheese and soft-serve ice cream, depending on the area. Especially of note is Tokachi, an area that has been given the distinguished title of Hokkaido's Dairy Kingdom.

Vegetables Hokkaido produces great-tasting agricultural products every season . Some examples are asparagus, corn, potatoes, onions, and a range of legumes. All of these can be used as ingredients in straightforward local fare, like steamed potatoes with butter. Not to be forgotten are the rice and grains being produced in great quantities in Hokkaido as well. Biei , Furano , and Tokachi are big on wheat cultivation, and as a result, local-made wheat products like bread and pasta are widely available and very popular here. Speaking of the Tokachi area, the towns of Shintoku and Horokanai are famous buckwheat producers, so they may be worth checking out if you're a soba noodles-person. Fans of Japanese rice will love the high-quality rice available here as well, including such premium brands as Yumepirika and Nanatsuboshi.

Fruits And, of course, no list of Hokkaido foods would be complete without mentioning the fruit most people associate it with - the melon! Of course, you may immediately think of the Yubari King premium melons , but there are plenty of other melon-producing places in Hokkaido as well if you take some time to explore a little. The sourish but refreshing blue honeysuckle (also known as haskap berries) is another fruity Hokkaido delicacy you should try. These berries can be enjoyed as-is or through one of the many snacks made with their juices. Cherries, apples, and prunes are a few other fruits that serious fruit hunters will be on the lookout for during a trip to Hokkaido. Do some research on what delightful local specialty each area is famous for before your trip, and complete your trip with a fantastic local meal!

8. What Hokkaido souvenirs should I buy?

Confectionery You can't go wrong with Ishiya Seika's "Shiroi Koibito," an exquisite and delectable langue de chat cookie snack. Other popular items to look out for are Hokkaido confectionery giant Rokkatei's "Marusei Butter Sandwich Cookies," Royce' raw chocolate , Ryugetsu's "Sanpouroku" layer cake , and Kitakaro's "Kaiseki Okaki" baked mochi flakes. LeTAO is another reliable manufacturer of confectionery souvenirs. They're most famous for their "Double Fromage" snacks. Still, most of their other baked goods and chocolate products travel well and are very suitable for bringing home as souvenirs. Processed food Visitors from abroad love Hokkaido's chinmi . The term literally means "rare flavor," and it covers a variety of uncommon snacks and processed food such as saketoba (preserved salmon) and scallop eyes. Chinmi can be readily found in almost every supermarket in Hokkaido. Dairy products Besides cheese and butter, ice cream is also a popular souvenir. You'll be spoilt for choice as there are plenty of farm brands and dairy manufacturer products available for purchase. Alcohol Each region in Hokkaido has its own special local sake. Some of the more famous examples of brands would be Mashike Town's Kunimare, Sapporo 's Chitosetsuru, and Kuriyama Town's Kobayashi Shuzo. Of course, there's also no end to unique craft beer for the adventurous, including a particular drift ice beer that is as refreshing as it is an attractive shade of blue! Hokkaido is also a wine-producing region , with white grapes such as Kerner and Niagara, and red grapes like Yamasachi and Pinot Noir, being the main cultivated varieties. General goods The range of lavender-based products available in Furano comes highly recommended, as there are plenty of useful products to choose from, including things like essential oils and bath soap. Along the same vein, the mint-based products from Kitami are must-buy items for those who enjoy the herb's energizing fragrance. Several Hokkaido cosmetics brands have been garnering more attention in recent years as well, so keep your eyes peeled for them too! All items mentioned above can be found in specialist shops, department stores , train stations, airport shops, souvenir stores, or convenience stores at some tourist hotspots.

9. What Hokkaido festivals and events can I join?

The internationally renowned Sapporo Snow Festival is one event you should definitely look out for, but there are also other fun and exciting festivals to join throughout the year, even if you won't be visiting in winter . Here's a quick and fun list! ・Early May: Hakodate Goryokakusai ( Hakodate City) Held in Goryokaku Park . The impressive Imperial Parade is one of its highlights. ・Early June: YOSAKOI Soran Festival ( Sapporo City) A dance parade held in Sapporo City with teams of participants dishing out high-energy dances over a few days. (The event has been canceled for 2021; please check the official website for the latest information.) ・Late July: Hokkaido Heso Matsuri ( Furano City) An amusing festival where participants dance around with exposed stomachs painted to look like faces. ・Late July: Otaru Oshio Matsuri ( Otaru City) The main event of this festival is the massive dance parade through town. On the final day, there will be a fireworks show . ・August 9 – 11: Ubagami Daijingu Togyosai (Esashi Town) A traditional festival that has been designated as one of Hokkaido's Intangible Folk Cultural Property. ・Late August: Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri ( Noboribetsu City) An intimidating float of King Enma, lord of the underworld in Japanese folklore, is paraded through the hot spring town. ・September: Kushiro Sanma Matsuri ( Kushiro City) Sanma, or saury fish, is the main feature of this festival. Visitors can look forward to enjoying charcoal-grilled saury and taking part in exciting events like a saury-grabbing contest! Needless to say, there are plenty of other festivals and events as well, so do some research on which ones will be held during the dates of your visit and drop by for a healthy dose of cultural immersion.

10. Any tour packages I can take to enjoy Hokkaido to the fullest?

Yes, there are a variety of Hokkaido vacation packages. Our recommendation is any one of the nature tours, all of which have been carefully designed to appeal even to those who are not used to outdoor activities , complete with explanations about highlights to look out for during the tour. Many of these guided tours can be found in the Niseko or eastern Hokkaido areas, but if you do a little bit of research beforehand, you're likely to find some in other regions of Hokkaido as well! More information can be found on the homepages of individual tour packages, many of which support bookings and reservations in multiple languages for the convenience of non-Japanese visitors. So consider adding a tour or two to your itinerary to enrich your Hokkaido experience! There are also bus tours that bring you on a fixed route to a few mainstream tourist destinations. These tours are efficient ways of hitting most of the well-known hotspots without needing to plan your own schedule, so the convenience will undoubtedly appeal to some. In addition, some travel agencies organize their own tours, while others are provided by bus companies.

11. How can I get to know Ainu culture better?

The Ainu are indigenous to the northern region of Japan, especially the island of Hokkaido island. As a people, they have deep respect for the natural world around them, and thus the common thread that can be seen in their lives is that of harmony with nature , which has also influenced the culture of the people of Hokkaido. There are several places in Hokkaido where you can get to know Ainu culture better. Upopoy (National Ainu Museum and Park) opened in 2020 and serves as the main base in efforts to revitalize and expand Ainu culture. Here, you'll find historical and cultural exhibits and artifacts related to the Ainu being displayed in a way that makes them easy to learn from. Mukkuri (a kind of mouth harp), traditional dances, and traditional arts are performed on stage from time to time, and Upopoy has activities that visitors can take part in to understand Ainu food culture better or make their own traditional craftworks.

12. Where can I find the best city nightscapes in Hokkaido?

City sights at night in Hokkaido are as beautiful as the day, but with an added mystique! One of the more popular night scenes can be found in Hakodate , atop Mount Hakodate . Touted as one of Japan's three most beautiful city nightscapes, the sight of the land beneath sparkling with lights against the deep darkness makes it seem as if the terrain itself were floating upon nothing.

The night view of Sapporo is also considered one of Japan's three most beautiful city nightscapes, and there are a few places you can go to enjoy this electrifying sight. There's the easily accessible Sapporo JR Tower, or the observation decks in Sapporo TV Tower , Mount Moiwa , or Mount Okurayama. Other places of note are Asahiyama Memorial Park and the rooftop Ferris wheel of the NORBESA building in the Susukino district. For extra comfort when enjoying the night views , book a room at JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo and get an exclusive view of the city's night lights all to yourself for the duration of your stay! Otaru and Mount Tengu are other places you can visit for a fabulous night scene. For something unique, try to catch a glimpse of the fantasy-like factories of Muroran at night!

13. Is it true you don't need a map to get around Sapporo?

The truth is, because Sapporo 's buildings are designed in a grid-like pattern, you can indeed get around without a map if you remember certain key points. One such key to remember is that the city is organized into sequentially numbered blocks clearly indicated on street signage. Therefore, it's relatively simple to use these numbers as a reference to get to your destination. The grid system of the city reflects its origin. Sapporo was established in 1869 during the Meiji era (1868 to 1912) and the city structure was based on the streets of Kyoto, which has a similar system for its plots of land. Currently, the city is divided into cardinal directions along Minami 1 Jo-dori Avenue and the Sosei River . To the north of this division is the administrative district; the south houses the residential district, whereas factories are located to the east. Odori Park sits in between the north and south regions of the city as a firebreak. Sapporo City developed into what we now see with those elements as its foundation.

14. Do people in Hokkaido speak Japanese? Yes - Hokkaido-ben!

The people in Hokkaido speak a slightly accented version of standard Japanese along with a number of local vocabulary quirks that often slip casually into normal conversations. So if you have to ask, "Was that Japanese?" then it's most probably something from the Hokkaido-ben dialect ! Here's a quick list in case you're curious. ・ Namara Used as an intensifier, similar to words like totemo (very) or sugoku (extremely). Use " Namara umai ssho ," to tell someone that the food was very delicious! ・ Azumashii This adjective describes something comfortable or calming. The negative plain form of this adjective is azumashikunai . ・ Nanmo nanmo For when you want to reassure someone thanking you profusely that what you did was "no problem at all." ・ Menkoi Used to describe something or someone cute or adorable. The negative plain form of this adjective is menkokunai . ・ (Gomi wo) nageru In standard Japanese, nageru (throw) is mostly used in the context of throwing something around, such as a ball. In the Hokkaido dialect, it specifically means to dispose of something. ・ Tobiki The Hokkaido-ben word for corn ( tomorokoshi ). You'll also hear a lot of -dabe or -dabesa when talking to people in Hokkaido, as those are sentence-ending particles peculiar to the region of Hokkaido that serve the same purpose as -desu or -desho . If you speak some Japanese, try replacing your standard sentences with some of these words to give the locals a pleasant surprise and make their day.

Text by: Minna no Kotobasha *Information in this article is accurate as of April 2021. English translation by: Huimin Pan

• Area Sapporo / Chitose
• Category Other Sightseeing
• How To: Sightseeing

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Hokkaido Guide

– all hokkaido, japan tourist information.

Otaru Canal Museum & Information Center

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Kushiro Marsh Observatory

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Please check here for various maps in the Hokkaido region. If you don’t find what you’re looking for please email us and let us know via our Contact Us page.

For ski area maps please go to our Winter Sports & Resorts page.

* Please note that all maps marked with the Hokkaidoguide.com logo have been hand drawn by the staff at this company and while all care has been taken to produce high quality maps their accuracy cannot be and is not guaranteed by Hokkaidoguide.com. They are for information assistance only. Please check official sites for the most accurate maps.

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Enjoy Slow Travel in Hokkaido!

Sightseeing and transportation information, photo：lake kussharo, travel begins at the airport, air travel is much likely to be your way to get to hokkaido from overseas or within japan. the airports in hokkaido are the entry points for your journey. let’s take a look at the airports and see what they have to offer..

#New Chitose Airport 　 #Asahikawa Airport 　 #Hakodate Airport 　 #Memambetsu Airport 　 #Wakkanai Airport 　 #Kushiro Airport 　 #Obihiro Airport

photo：Souya-Highland White Road

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Hokkaido Town Walks and Short Trips

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Recommended cities by airport area. Let’s take a walk around the city, following along with Gnome’s map!

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Since it is difficult to get a sense of distance and travel time in Hokkaido, the site provides a summary of approximate times, means of transportation, and information necessary for travel, such as intercity express buses, railroads, expressways, and local buses.

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Hokkaido has the largest number of hot springs in Japan, with 251 hot spring resorts. Each has an abundance of gushing hot spring water and a wide variety of hot water types (spring qualities). Enjoy the hot spring culture of Japanese people who love hot springs. You will love Hokkaido's hot springs.

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UU Hokkaido’s sightseeing maps are multilingual (Japanese, English, simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese). It is linked to “digital map Gnome” with reference to traffic information and sightseeing spots. You can use it as a map for making a plan for your trip or as a map for walking around the city.

#digital map Gnome 　 #UU Hokkaido (multilingual) Map

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8-Day Hokkaido Itinerary — Spring Road Trip Under S$1k

Feast on Hokkaido’s best cuisine in Sapporo, drive out of the city through breath-taking terrains, and taste some of Japan’s freshest seafood on this 8 day road trip through the best of Hokkaido — all under S$1k!

Planning a road trip in Hokkaido ain’t easy because there’s just SO MUCH to explore! Ski on powdery slopes in winter, hop around some of the most impressive flower fields in spring and try some of the best produce this region has to offer! If you’re up for an adventure in Hokkaido, here’s how you can experience them all under a S$1k budget (excld. flights)!

8D Budget Breakdown:

Accommodation: S$320.67 Food: S$349.26 Activities: S$53.48 Transport: S$188.84 TOTAL: S$912.24 Click here for detailed breakdown

*Note that this budget is for 4 pax which is the most economical for road trips especially when it comes to splitting the cost for bigger ticket items like car rental and the Hokkaido Expressway Pass. This figure might cost slightly more for 2-3 pax.

Check Flights to Hokkaido

Flight prices are not included in the budget due to seasonal fluctuations. To check the prices of flights for your specific dates of travel, use this widget below:

If you can’t see the widget above, click here to check flights from Singapore to Hokkaido instead!

Pre-trip Essentials

Connectivity:  If you’re going with a group of friends, you can get a pocket 4G WiFi (~S$5/day) to share! Just pick it up from the New Chitose Airport once you land and you’re good to go.

JR Hokkaido Kitaka IC Card: For seamless travel on public transport, get a rechargeable card (IC Card) that can be used on all public transport including JR trains, the subway and buses including the Airport Limousine bus.

If you have IC cards from other regions, like Tokyo (SUICA) , Osaka (ICOCA) , these can be used in Hokkaido too. If not, you can pre-purchase it online  (preloaded with ¥1,500) or get it at the station.

Car rental: Once you’ve had enough of the city, the best way to explore the other sights of Hokkaido is by driving. Japanese car rental sites can be a bit confusing so we  rented ours through Klook  (~S$70/day). Do note that the price does not include options like collision damage insurance (¥648/day), the Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP) and rental of the ETC card (¥324).

Day 1: Sapporo City

Accommodation:  Hotel MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park   — located just a 3-minute walk from Horohira Bashi Subway station.

Airport to Sapporo: The most direct route to the hotel is via the Airport limousine bus 14 to Nakajima at ¥1,030. The bus leaves every hour and the ride is about 1hr 9mins. Alternatively, the JR Airport Rail leaves about three times per hour, and only takes 37mins ¥1,070 (without reservation).

Getting around Sapporo: The key sights within the city are within walking distance. For the subway, you can use the Kitaca IC card or the 1-day unlimited subway pass for ¥830 (¥520 on weekends and public holidays).

Read also:  The Ultimate Sapporo City Guide: Top Things To Do In The Gateway To Hokkaido

Lunch at Nemuro Hanamaru Sushi

Located within the JR Sapporo station, this is perhaps one of the best places to start your trip in Hokkaido! A popular conveyor belt sushi place with quality cuts yet affordable plates ranging from ¥140 – 453, don’t be surprised to find a queue as long as 90 minutes! We arrived around 3PM and only had to wait for about 10 minutes, so do try to avoid the peak meal times.

Cost: From ¥1,200/pax (~S$15) Opening hours: 11AM – 10PM How to get there: From the JR Sapporo Station, go to the 6th floor of JR Tower Stellar Place.

*Pro-tip:  Grab some tasty baked cheese tarts from Kinotoya Bake while you’re at the station (located at the JR Station East Exit).

Check in at HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park

Our cosy abode for the next 2 nights in Sapporo City was at  HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park  located right outside Nakajima Park. Our room had a full view of the park where you can see locals jogging as early as 5AM.

If you’re here around mid-June, you’ll also get to catch the 100-Year-Old  Hokkaido Shrine Festival held in this park.

We got the Deluxe Family Room, which could fit the four of us comfortably but there are also comfortable rooms for two pax!

Cost: From   ~S$58/night Address:  1 Chome Minami 14 Jonishi, Chuo, 札幌市中央区 Hokkaido 064-0914, Japan How to get there: Walk 3mins from Horohira Bashi Subway station

Sapporo TV Tower

Located at the edge of Odori Park is an unmissable structure with a giant LED clock on its front. Measuring 147m, it’s the second tallest tower after the Tokyo Tower . Head up to the tower’s observatory for a 360° panoramic view of the city.

My favourite is the side of Odori Park but you can also catch sight of famous attractions like Mount Moiwa, the Sapporo Dome and even the Sapporo Beer Museum!

If you have time, check out the other historical building in the area like Akarenga Government Building (Red Brick) and the Sapporo Clock Tower . More sights around Sapporo in this comprehensive Sapporo City Guide !

Entrance fee: ~S$8 on Klook Opening hours: 9AM – 10PM How to get there: 5min walk from the Sapporo Municipal Subway Odori Station (Exit 27), or 15min walk from JR Sapporo Station (South Exit)

Suage Soup Curry for Dinner

The curry found in Hokkaido is quite different from the usual Japanese curries you find in places like Coco Ichibanya . As the name suggests, the soup curries have a lot more of a soup-like consistency and are more savoury than sweet which I personally prefer.

On the second floor of a building in the Susukino district, Suage Curry Soup and Dining is often spotted with snaking queues down the stairs during dinner — but they do move quite quickly!

The specialty here is the option to add squid ink to your curry which gives it a nice twist. There’s also the option for add-ons like cheese or egg and the choice of five spiciness levels (1 being not spicy at all, to 5 being “super spicy”). The super spicy isn’t that spicy so if you’re a regular chilli padi eater, just go for level 5.

Cost: Curries from ¥980 Opening hours: 11:30AM – 10:30PM How to get there:  5-chome Minami 4jo Nishi, Chuo-ku  |  2nd Floor ,  Sapporo 064-0804,  Hokkaido

Drinks at Susukino

Susukino can be described to be the Dotonbori of Osaka — neon-lit buildings with giant beer signs competing for your attention and streets where pedestrians from all sides cross at once. Susukino is also where all the famous bars are at.

We checked out Flair Bar ES which overlooks Susukino Street. The bar is also famous for its exciting bartending show which happens twice a night at 7:30PM and 10:30PM. Expect fast-paced choreography, liquor bottles on the verge of smashing, and a bit of fire.

Flair Bar ES Cover Charge:  ¥300/pax (drinks from ¥550) Opening Hours:   6PM – 1AM (Mon – Sat), 6PM – 11:30PM (Sun) Address:  4 Chome-16 Minami 4 Jonishi, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0804, Japan

*Pro-tip:  Walk up to the bar and make a booking before dinner. The bar happens to be only 5 minutes from Suage Soup Curry.

Day 2: Sapporo

Brunch at ramen shingen.

Miso-broth ramen is Sapporo’s specialty and this small 15-seater store has obviously done something right. Arrive at 11:30AM (when the store opens) and you’ll already see a queue of 20 to 30 people. We arrived around 11AM and were one of the last of the first batch to enter so do come early as 90-minute queues here aren’t uncommon!

The menu is entirely in Japanese, but the first on the menu is spicy miso which was what we ended up having and I can almost say this is one of the best bowls of ramen I’ve ever had! The noodles have a nice springy texture and the broth is the sort you’ll want to finish every bit of.

The portions for their regular bowls (¥760) are pretty big so if you’re a small eater, you can opt for the half portion (¥540). The fried rice (¥300) is a great side to have if you still have a stomach for it!

Cost: From ¥540 Opening hours:  11AM – 1AM How to get there:  3min walk from Higashionganji-Mae Station ( Google Maps )

Shiroi Koibito Park (White Lover Park)

This fairytale-themed park 30 minutes from Odori station is created around one of Japan’s most famous white chocolate snack 白い恋人 (Shiroi Koibito) . Walk into an enchanted park with happy music on the speakers, colourful flowers all around and bubbles occasionally filling up the space.

Photo credit: Shiroi Koibito Park

For only an extra ¥540, this is the only place you can customise the tin of the biscuits with your favourite photo — available for both the 36 and 54-piece tins. You can take your photo there or bring along one from home. Great as gifts to your sweet-toothed friends.

Check out the cafe for other popular sweets, join a cookie-making class (¥972 to ¥1,296) or enjoy the scenery with a Shiroi Koibito flavoured soft serve (¥300/450) — one of my favourite soft serves ever in Japan (and that’s a lot given how good soft serves are around the country)!

Also watch out for their popular chocolate tours, especially the Premium Factory Course where the “Professor of Chocolate” will take you through a delectable, chocolate-y world.

Entrance fee: Free, ¥600 for paid area with exhibits Opening hours:  10AM – 6PM How to get there:  Take the Tozai Subway Line to Miyanowasa Station, then walk 7mins ( Google Maps )

Sapporo Beer Museum

Open since 1987, this is the only beer museum in Japan. There’s a free tour on the third floor of the building where you can read through 12 stations explaining how the beer ended up being manufactured in Hokkaido.

The explanations come in English, Korean and Chinese and have pretty interesting facts to uncover. The premium tour (¥500) includes two beers to taste but is only in Japanese.

If you went on the free tour, fret not about the beer since you’ll end up in the Star Hall on Level 1 where beer-tasting vouchers from the vending machine are available. We got the ¥600 taster set which, comes with the Sapporo Classic, Sapporo Black Label and a special Kaitakushi edition made from the original recipe.

Entrance fee: Free, or ¥500 for the premium tour Opening Hours:  11AM – 6PM, daily (last entry at 5:30PM) How to get there:  10min walk from Higashikuyakusho-Mae Station ( Google Maps ). From Sapporo station, there are 2 shuttle buses (¥210) that drops directly at the Beer Museum (North Exit Bus Stop 2, Line Number 188, or South Exit Loop Line no.88).

Sapporo Bier Garten (Beer Garden)

The last Hokkaido signature dish to try on your final night is “Genghis Khan”. I’m not entirely sure of how it got its name but it’s actually a lot like a Thai-style mookata except the ingredients are definitely a lot fresher!

Located right next to the museum, the Bier Garten has a 100-minute all-you-can-at buffet for ¥5,280, with free-flowing beer. The buffet includes a good spread of meats including Genghis Khan-style lamb, sushi, and snow crabs!!! If you only have one meal to splurge on in Hokkaido, this is our recommendation.

To reserve, call them at 0120-150-550 at least a day before! Walk-ins are available; just leave your name at the reservation counter in the Beer Museum, although the wait time sometimes goes up to 2 hours.

Cost: ¥5,280 for the all-inclusive buffet Opening hours: 11:30AM – 9PM (Last order at 8:30PM) How to get there: 15min walk from Higashikuyakusho-Mae Station ( Google Maps )

Read also: The Ultimate Sapporo City Guide: 18 Things To Do-See-Eat In The Gateway To Hokkaido

Day 3: Hakodate via Lake Toya/Noribetsu

Accommodation: Hakodate Kokkusai Hotel — located conveniently between the Hakodate Asaichi (Morning Market) and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.

Car pick-up:  We left at sunrise on Day 3 so we picked up the car the day before. If you plan to leave later, the car rental shop opens at 8AM and can be collected just a short 6-minute walk from the JR Sapporo station.

*Pro-tip:  For getting around with the in-car GPS, just key in the Map Code or phone number (found on Google Maps).

Jigokudani Hell Valley

Not to be confused with the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Nagano, this Hell Valley located in Noboribetsu is a 1.5 to 2.5-hour drive from Sapporo. From here, there are various easy well-paved walking trails ranging from 5 to 20 minutes. Parking here is ¥500.

Map code:  603 288 368*85

Alternatively, you can stop at the Oyunuma Brook Natural Footbath carpark. Get your feet soaked before taking on the 1.2km walking path to Jigokudani. This parking lot is free and can be identified with two tall blue statues called the Welcome Demons . From this spot, it’s only a 5-minute walk to the natural hot spring river.

Entrance fee:  Free Map code:  603 287 856*36 (Oyunuma Footbath Parking)

A 40-minute/70-minute drive (with toll/without toll) from Noboribetsu is a famous caldera, Lake Toya . The best view of the caldera is from the top of Mount Usu via the Usuzan Ropeway (~S$15) which leaves every 15 minutes.

Though, it’s really only worth the trip if the weather is sunny. If it’s cloudy, give it a miss.

There are various walking trails like the Kompirayama and Nishiyama Crater Walking Trail . You’ll be able to see some abandoned buildings damaged by the last eruption in 2000. Start from the visitor centre to grab some maps and be pointed to the start of the trail. Entrance to these trails are free.

Usuzan Ropeway Cost: From ~S$15/pax via Klook , ¥500 for parking Map code:  321 433 350*55

Lunch at Toya Marche

Toya Marche’s food isn’t life changing but the set meals are very reasonably priced compared to many of the overpriced eateries along the lake. Their specialty is in their beef dishes like Wagyu Miso Soup (¥650 comes with rice and salad) and the Toya Beef Gyudon ¥810, all turned out beyond satisfactory.

Cost: From ¥650 Opening hours: 9AM – 6:30PM Map code:  321 518 499*03

Drive from Lake Toya to Hakodate

With toll: 2.5 hours Without toll: 3 hours

Goryokaku Park

Photo credit: Prince Hotels

The star-shaped fort surrounding the park is often the icon that comes to mind when you think of Hakodate. But because of the huge area, the shape can only be seen from the top of the 107m Goryokaku Tower observatory .

That said, don’t forget to check out the park itself! It’s a popular spot during the Hanami period and you can spot locals arriving for a jog as early as 5AM.

Entrance fee:  Free for the park; ~S$9/pax for the tower via Klook Opening hours:  5AM – 7PM for the park; 8AM – 7PM for the observatory (opens 1hr later and closes 1hr earlier from Apr – Oct) Map code:  86 165 294*14 (nearest carpark)

Dinner at Unagidokoro Takahashi (うなぎ処 高はし)

Located just a street from the Goryokaku Park is a gem for Unagi lovers who don’t want to spend a bomb. There’s no English menu here but the staff are incredibly patient although we still couldn’t figure out the difference amongst the few that had pictures.

Regardless, the meal was delicious and well worth the price! Unagi sets range from ¥2,060 for the regular, ¥2,780 for the medium and ¥3,900 for the large, which can be shared amongst two. If you’re here over lunch, grab hold of their limited lunch sets that go at just ¥1,230.

Cost: From ¥2,060 for dinner Opening hours:  11:30AM – 1:45PM; 5PM – 8PM (closed on Tue) Map code:  86 165 624*63

Daimon Yokocho

Lined with more than 20 over small eateries and bars, Daimon Yokocho is a great alternative for dinner, snacks, and drinks. Each eatery only fits an average of 5-15 pax but you can find a variety of food including Genghis Khan, Chirashidon, seafood and even Squid ink gyozas (¥450/5pc) which were really good!

Opening hours: 5PM – 12AM Map code:  86 073 393*17 (Nearest carpark)

Check-in at Hakodate Kokusai Hotel

Conveniently within walking distance to both the Hakodate Asaichi morning market and the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse , our accommodation for the night in Hakodate was at the  Hakodate Kokusai Hotel  — which was selected as one of the Top 100 hotels in Japan.

Our favourite part though was the breakfast spread up on the SkyLounge! The spread offers a wide variety of Japanese, Western and even French cuisines all of which are incredibly fresh and delicious! Arguably one of our favourite meals in Hokkaido!

Cost: From ~S$109/night Map code:  86 042 874*36

Day 4: Hakodate to Otaru

Accommodation in Otaru: Hotel Sonia Otaru  — Located one street away from the famous Otaru Canal . Some rooms even offer scenic views of the canal.

Hakodate Asaichi Morning Market

If you didn’t get breakfast from Hakodate Kokusai Hotel (you really should), the Hakodate Asaichi Morning Market opens as early as 5AM. Grab a fresh bowl of Kaisendon (~¥2,000) or check out the indoor market for popular snacks like crab crackers, dried scallop and packed Ikura you can bring home.

Look out for seasonal fruits like the Yubari melon and light pink strawberries (which are supposed to be much sweeter but also way more expensive than the red ones).

Opening hours:  6AM – 2PM Map code:  86 072 374*58

Sightsee around Hakodate

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.

Former British Consulate of Hakodate.

Hakodate is insanely scenic! After making a quick shopping stop at the Kanemori Redbrick Warehouse  ( Map code:  86 040 324*11) , drive over to Motomachi Park ( Map code:  86 040 561*44) , take a walk around the Renaissance style Western buildings or drive through the Hachiman Zaka Slope  ( Map code:  86 040 324*11)  — all great for photos.

Drive From Hakodate to Otaru

With tolls: 4 hours Without tolls:  4 hours 40 minutes

Pit stop for Whiskey Lovers:  30 minutes before reaching Otaru is the town of Yoichi where you will find  Nikka Whiskey Distillery . There are tours around the distillery every 30 minutes but only in Japanese.

If you don’t understand Japanese, you can walk through the eight different sections of exhibits on your own and end off with a free set of three whiskeys to taste.

Map code:  164 635 844*63

Check-in at Hotel Sonia Otaru

There are only three to four accommodation options right across the famous Otaru Canal offering an unobstructed view of the scenic canal — Hotel Sonia Otaru is one of them.

The rooms are modern, newly renovated and spacious! Other than being just a street away from the Otaru Canal, the hotel is also conveniently located a 10-minute walk to the Sankaku Fish Market (小樽三角市場) and 10 minutes from the famous dessert street where you can find famous stores like LeTao and Kitakaro.

Cost:  From ~S$113/night Map code:  493 690 528*60

Dinner at Yabuhan Soba (Otaru)

One of the best places for soba in Otaru, Yabuhan (籔半) prides themselves on quality soba grown in Hokkaido, Rankoshi (2 hours south of Otaru). The queues can be quite long, but there are English menus available along with the history of how their soba came about.

Each item on the menu comes with two options, the “Jimono-ko” type, a Hokkaido specialty and the “Namiko” which is mixed with imported buckwheat flour. It depends on your taste but the former has a bit more bite to it and the Namiko noodles tend to be softer.

Cost: ~¥850 – ¥1,550 Opening hours: 11:30AM – 2:30PM, 5PM – 8PM, closed on Tues Map code:  164 719 268*25

Day 5: Otaru to Asahikawa via Furano and Biei

Breakfast at otaru fish market.

Kaisendon with ikura, hotate, salmon and tamago for ¥1,200.

Being a port town, no trip to Otaru is complete without having your fill of freshly caught seafood on rice ( kaisendon ). The best place for a fresh bowl is, of course, the morning markets. Rinyu Asaichi (鱗友朝市) opens the earliest at 4AM but there’s another one just across the Otaru Station called Sankaku Market (小樽三角市場) and only 10 minutes from Sonia Hotel where we’re at.

*Pro-tip:  If you find the kaisendon stores too crowded within the market, check out the shops right outside which are usually less crowded, slightly cheaper, and their fish are just as fresh!

Rinyu Morning Market Opening hours: 4AM – 2PM Map code: 493 720 672*10 Sankaku Market Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM Map code: 164 719 531*33

Drive from Otaru to Furano

With tolls:  2 hours 40 minutes Without tolls:  3 hours 15 minutes

Grab some cakes and cream puffs from LeTao and Kitakaro before hitting the road!

Stop for lunch in Furano

Squid Ink Cheese for Tasting.

The Furano Cheese Special Pizza .

Furano Cheese Factory is an almost mandatory stop for cheese and ice cream lovers. Not only do you get to taste a range of cheese including squid ink and wine-flavoured cheese, there’s also a pizza restaurant with pretty decent pizzas (from ¥1,200, feeds 2-3 pax) and more than decent ice cream!

Pumpkin, cheese and asparagus-flavoured ice cream

The ice cream here is made of seasonal fruits and vegetables, so depending on when you’re around, you might spot interesting flavours like asparagus or pumpkin (¥350). Definitely worth a try, but our favourite was the classic cheese-flavoured soft serve (¥400).

Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM Map code:  550 840 171*82

Farm Tomita

This impressive vast land located in Furano has various flowers blooming from mid-May through early October every year and is absolutely free to explore!

The most famous of all is their lavender fields which go into full bloom in July but were just as stunning when we saw them around May. The greenhouse also has lavenders that bloom all year round, even through winters! Don’t forget to stop by the cafe for lavender ice cream and lavender coffee.

Entrance fee: Free Map code:  349 276 804*00

Sightseeing in Biei

30 minutes from Furano will bring you to a small town in Biei — famous for the scenic landscapes that make all the long hours of driving in Hokkaido worth its run.

If you’re a Mac user, stop by the  Shirogane Blue Pond  to see your desktop wallpaper (Lion OSx) come to life. It may not be the same shade of blue depending on the amount of sunlight (and weather over the last three days) but still really pretty nonetheless.

Map code:  349 569 814*88

Just a 5-minute drive from the Blue Pond is an easily accessible but scenic waterfall:  Shirahige Waterfall . You can park pretty close by and the viewpoint is from the top of a bridge.

Map code:  796 182 575*30

Dinner at Asahikawa Ramen Village

Ramen lovers, Asaihikawa Ramen Village is the place to be! Here you’ll find eight famous ramen stores in Asahikawa clustered together. We popped by one of the only stores that was left open and ended up in Ittetsu-an (いってつ庵) which comes with a fairly English-friendly menu ranging from ¥700 – ¥1,100.

Each ramen has the option of shoyu , shio or miso broth but we recommend getting shoyu since it’s a specialty of Asahikawa! (Miso in Sapporo, Shio in Hakodate).

Cost: Ramen from ¥700 Opening Hours: 11AM – 8PM Map code:  79 410 454*44

Check in at Art Hotel Asahikawa

Comfort Twin Room.

Located just 12 minutes from the Asahikawa station and a 5-minute walk from Tokiwa Park, we loved  Art Hotel Asahikawa  for its cosy, Scandinavian design. If it’s available, try booking one of their six Japanese-style tatami rooms that fit up to four people. The hotel also has its own onsen and spa in the basement (at additional cost).

Cost: From ~S$68/night Map code:  79 373 382*55

Day 6: Drive towards Monbetsu

Accommodation:  Monbetsu Prince Hotel — includes free access to their public Onsen in the basement of the building.

Hokkaido Ice Pavilion

Wet towels freeze into a solid net at -20°C.

Located in the town of Kamikawa (1 hour from Asahikawa) is one of the coldest places in Hokkaido; regardless of season! The Hokkaido Ice Pavillion tries to recreate a -41°C experience which is apparently Japan’s lowest record ever.

Jackets are provided, although it’s not very warm so do come prepared with sufficient clothing if you’re not very resistant to the cold!

Entrance fee:  ¥1,080 Opening hours:  9AM – 5PM Map code:  623 630 207*11

Drive to Monbetsu

The drive is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes since there are no toll roads between these two places. We didn’t spot any interesting food stops, so we grabbed some from the convenience stores to eat on the go.

Hill of Pink Flowers at the Takinoue Park

Around mid May to end of June, this 100,000 square metres of vivid pink flowers on the hill of Takinoue Park is unmissable. Located between Asahikawa and Monbetsu, this is definitely worth a pit stop!

Entrance fee: ¥500 Map code:  570 699 407*11

Seal watching at the Okhotsk Tokkari Centre

More than just a zoo-like enclosure, the Okhotsk Tokkari centre serves as a conservation centre for treating earless seals (Tokkari in the Ainu language). Five times daily, there’s an interactive feeding show where you get to see them perform simple tricks and a photo opportunity with these playful furry seals.

In the winter months from January to March, there are ice breaker cruises that leave 7 times a day from sunrise to sunset. These ships are designed to drill through the ice caps.

Entrance fee:  ¥200 (enter by dropping ¥100 coins into the unmanned gantry. There’s also a machine that changes ¥1,000 notes into coins) Opening hours:  10AM – 4PM Daily shows:  10:30AM, 11:30AM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, 3PM Map code:  801 585 698*85

Dinner at Marutomi

For dinner, there are lots of small eateries around the Minatocho area, but we picked  Marutomi because it looked cosy and the menu was affordable. The food turned out better than expected!

Cost: Dinner sets from ¥950 – ¥1,600 Opening hours: 11:30AM – 2PM, 5PM – 9:30PM Map code:  401 358 844*41

Day 7: Drive to Lake Kussharo

Accommodation near Lake Kussharo: Yado Hanafurari   — a cosy lodge with Japanese-style tatami rooms and four adorable labrador retrievers!

Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park

Home to an extensive field of over 200 varieties of tulips, the Kamiyubetsu Park is only open from 1 May to early June. It’s pretty from just about any angle if you’re lucky to catch it in full bloom! To find out if the tulips have bloomed, check the official website for the live image replaced every day.

Entrance fee: ¥500 Opening hours:  8AM – 6PM

Lake Hop Around Kussharo and Mashu

Accommodation near Lake Shikaribetsu:  Primal Stage — basic cabin that fits up to 6 people

Lake Kussharo: Japan’s largest caldera, the best lookout point is at the  Bihoro Observatory Pass  ( Map code:  638 225 129*58 ). If you only have time for one lake lookout, this is it. There’s a flight of stairs that leads up to lookout points at two heights — the top is worth the climb!

On the other side, another interesting stop is Sunayu Beach ( Map code:   638 148 651*00).  Dip your feet for free in the natural hot spring foot bath or walk down to the lake and dig your own. Dig far enough into the sand and you’ll create your very own onsen .

Between Sunayu and Lake Mashu, take a quick stop at  Mount Iō ( Map code:  731 683 812*41)  to check out the steaming sulphurous valley. It does feel like a toned-down version of Noboribetsu’s Jigokudani but the melon ice cream here might still be worth the pitstop!

Lake Mashu:  There are three lookout points around this lake. We only made it to the  first observatory  ( Map code:   613 781 339*63) but it  can get quite crowded since tour buses tend to stop here. For lesser crowds, check out the third observatory instead ( Map code:  613 870 628*52).

Note that there’s a ¥500 parking for both the Lake Mashu observatory and Mount Iō but you only need to pay once as the ticket covers both spots.

Day 8: Lake Kussharo to New Chitose Airport

With toll: 4.5 hours Without toll: 6 hours

This day depends on the time of your flight. If you have an early morning flight, you might want to drive back to Sapporo for a night. If evening, here’s what you can check out along the way.

Lake Shikaribetsu

At 800m above sea level, Lake Shikaribetsu is the highest lake in Japan. From December to April, the lake is usually frozen over. But from January to March, you’ll find an igloo village which melts, and then gets rebuilt from scratch every year.

The water was really hot and took a while to get used to .

In summertime, this lake is also a worthy pit stop for its scenic views. Pack some lunch to have a picnic, or dip your feet into the free foot bath nearby before catching your flight home!

From Lake Shikaribetsu, it’s a 2.5-hour drive to the airport so make sure you keep track of time!

Accommodation in Hokkaido

Accommodation can easily take up a huge chunk of the budget when travelling. Although we spent most of our time outside our accommodation, it’s always nice to return to a clean cosy abode.

What we liked about the MYSTAYS Hotel Chain was that the chains are affordable yet don’t scrimp on quality and comfort. They were often in really convenient locations too. From being just a street from the scenic Otaru Canal, to being a 5-minute walk from the train station, many of our picks with MYSTAYS ended up ticking all our boxes for a good valued accommodation option.

Ready to plan your Hokkaido road trip this spring? Check flight prices now:

Anything that we missed in this Hokkaido itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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42 comments.

Hello, great article. Can I check when were the exact dates you went to Hokkaido? I am planning a family trip to Hokkaido in late Apr – early May next year. Not sure if I will be able to see tulips then? Thanks!

Hi JT! We were there in May!

Hello, Which part of May is that? I see that you actually see both the pink moss and the sakura! Will you mind sharing as I am planning a May trip this year! 🙂

Hello! This was around end April to mid May but the forecast changes slightly every year so be sure to check before your book your flights!

Hello! For the car rental with Klook, did you settle the Hokkaido Expressway Pass, ETC Card Rental and the Collision Damage at the rental company itself? Can’t seem to find an option on those on the booking site. Thank you so much! (:

Yup we got those on the spot with the car rental company. 🙂

Thank you for the reply! Did you get charged extra for collecting the car the night before? We intend to leave during sunrise after reading through you comprehensive itinerary (: ! Thanks for the help!

Hi Darren, the car hire is based on your duration of use so yes we were charged the night before.

Ok! Thanks for the info

GREETINGS FROM SUVENSA TRAVEL & TOURS

We are pleased to inform that we are a registered travel agent in Malaysia would like to request for honeymoon package . Date suggested: 2/12/2019 -9/12/2019 No. of days: 8 days 7 nights No. of pax :2

Hi Santi, we do not organise honeymoon packages but we believe our itinerary is a good guide for travellers to follow along! 🙂

Hi Cherie, great writeup! Was actually feeling lost in my preparation before I stumbled on your article. Can I ask a couple of questions if you do not mind. 1. Car rental – the klook car rental link seems broken, can you direct me? 2. Car pick up is near where you stay? Thanks to advice, as this is my first trip to hokkaido, as well as car renting overseas 🙁

Hey Brian, thanks for the heads up on the broken link. We’ve updated the link ( http://bit.ly/2Z8EwVE ) — it’s even cheaper than what we paid previously but pick-up is now only available at Chitose Airport.

Hi, regarding the Mystay hotel, there is a price difference if I input 4 adults vs 2 adults for the deluxe family room. May I know what’s the difference between the price? Are we booking the room or the bed in this case?

Hi Cass, unfortunately we’re not too sure about this as it may be the policy of the hotel. Are you able to contact them directly?

Hi! Regarding the HEP & the ETC card, do you book online alongside with the car rental or you purchase it from the car rental store physically?

Hey Rey, we purchased ours at the rental store! Unless there’s an online promo for getting it online in advance (let me know if you’ve found one!), it’s more convenient to just get it at the store. They’ll explain to you the options and how to use it on the road.

Hi! Was it easy to rent a car and is parking easy? Is there something like parking coupons if we park nearby the tourist attraction spots?

Parking is pretty easy in Hokkaido so we didn’t have any problems. Often we do not have to pay near tourist attractions or restaurants. In town, there are parking lots with a centralised meter. You can rent a car at the place we shared in the article!

Hi there, I am now in Hokkaido following this itinerary. Some real helpful tips especially the ETC card for tolls. I got my car rental from times rental, a local car rental company. Initially the lady who speaks no English told my Husband tt no need for card just pay cash. I insisted n showed them a screenshot of the HEP card for 6 days at ¥7200 n the older colleague immediately understood what we wanted. Only for tourists. The tolls r EXPENSIVE if u dun have this card n in the first day from Sapporo to Hakodate, I think we paid like ¥6000 in tolls so we’ll worth it cos it’s unlimited for 6 days at ¥7200. They have diff prices for diff duration. Parking in all mystays are chargeable between ¥800 to ¥1200 in Hakodate, Ohtaru n Asahikawa. Public car park charges around ¥200 to 500 for 60 mins or 3 hrs. However it looks to be free at some places like the Asahikawa Ramen Village. Prince hotel car Parks r free but on a first come first serve basis.

Yes please get the ETC like what Mims said! You won’t regret it. And yup in attractions outside of town, parking is usually free.

Hi, Have anyone of you check around for “one way” car rental, e.g. pick up the car at Chitose and return at Sapporo? This would save one way of public transport between Sapporo and Chitose. Tried Times Car Rental but they don’t seems to have such service. KK

Hi KK, unfortunately we are unaware of this as well!

Managed to book a “one way” rental directly with Toyota Rent-a-Car. Pick up the car near Chitose Airport and drop off near Sapporo Station. No extra charge as long as within Hokkaido (same prefecture).

Thank you The Travel Intern for your sharing, it is very helpful.

Hi, thank you for the great post! Did you guys stay at Noboribetsu? I am looking for recommendation for Noboribetsu hotel and thinking if its worth staying at that area for 1 night as the hotel in that area are pretty costly. Await for ypur reply. Thank you!

Hi Fran, on this trip we didn’t stay overnight but on a separate trip with my family, we booked a night in a spacious Airbnb in the town of Date. It’s much cheaper than the hotels in Noboribetsu and only 30 minutes away from both Lake Toya and Noboribetsu.

Hi I am so tempted to arrange a trip to Hokkaido after viewing your blog. My only concern is the airfare. Which airline did you travel on? I am not a budget airline person.

We took Scoot because it was the only airline that flew direct from Singapore. Alternatively, SQ has a direct (but not non-stop) flight that’s codeshared with ANA for a stopover in Narita before going to Chitose.

Hello! Read your post several times over to help me arrange our own trip in May 2020. We only have 7 days with the 1st and last day spent traveling. These are the places we want to explore: Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei, Monbetsu, Lake Toya or Lake Kussharo whichever is better, and Hell Valley or any sulphorous valley whichever is more convenient with our itinerary. We want to stay in as less number of hotels as possible. How do you suggest we plan the sequence of these trip and where shall we stay? Hoping for your response. Thank you!

yay! makes me so happy when people find this post useful 🙂 If you’re skipping Hakodate, there’s actually enough time to do everything else. But if you want to chill more at each place, here’s my 2 cents: – Between Lake Toya and Kussharo, I loved Kussharo a ton more! Lake Kussharo is seriously underrated. But it’s also REALLY far away from everything else and if you want to visit a sulphurous valley, Jigokudani is in Noboribetsu which is 30mins from Lake Toya. If you prefer a shorter drive, pick Lake Toya. In terms of accommodation, Lake Toya and Otaru can be visited on day trips from Sapporo, Furana and Biei are quite near so you can stay at either or Asahikawa (since it’s on the way to Monbetsu). Monbetsu is a little far away so you’ll want to book a night there. In total, 3 accommodations: Sapporo, Asahikawa and Monbetsu.

Thanks for your reply! We want to go back to Sapporo the night before we leave (day 6). On day 5, we plan to stay at Asahikawa for the night after touring Furano and Biei. From Asahikawa to Monbetsu, we plan to visit Takinoue Park, Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, and Daisesutzan Park (or skip this if time does not permit) then be back by 6-7 pm to Sapporo and return the car to the rental place. Is this possible? So, in summary: Day 5 Furano/Biei tour – Asahikawa overnight stay. Day 6: Asahikawa – Takinoue Park, – Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, and Daisesutzan Park (optional) – Sapporo.

Hi saw your post and amaze by how budget it can be. I always think that it cost at least 5k per person to go to hokkaido. are the road safe to drive as my son can only drive the others cant. and how easily access for car rental to be picked up.

Yes! It’s really possible 🙂 We were there in Spring so the roads were clear and easy to drive on with many pit stops for drivers to rest. The only long drive is between Sapporo/Lake Toyo to Hakodate so be sure to plan in more breaks! The car rental pick up process is quite straight forward too. Just remember to get sufficient insurance and the Highway Express Pass.

Are there lots of mountain roads during your trip? For the drive from Sapporo to Hakodate via Lake Toya/Noribetsu and from Hakodate to Otaru? I’m the only one driving in my group so I’m worried that it is not easy or safe to drive, especially if there are lots of mountainous roads.

Nope, both routes have clearly paved highways so it’s an easy drive on relatively straight roads. There’s also lots of rest stops and convenience stores in between so if you’re the only driver, just remember to stop by one so you don’t tire out — especially during the Sapporo to Hakodate drive which will take around 4 hours

Hi Cherie, very wonderful blog with so much details. As I do not drive, could you advise which cities my family of 4 could visit using public transport such as train, bus or private car hire? We intend to spend 10 days there.

Thanks Harry! Definitely visit Hakodate, Sapporo, Otaru and Furano! These are easy to get to by train!

I like your blog write-up. I will arrange one self drive trip in July 2023. Your info is very comprehensive and informative with map codes as well. Thanks a lot !

Hi, I like the write up and it is serving as the basis for my coming trip. I would like to know for accommodations, is it better to pre-book or were the occasions along the way where you guys had to book rooms on the go.

Hi Dave, we pre-booked everything before our trip! Generally the Japanese don’t like surprises! however if you need something last minute, I’m sure you can find something on one of the many OTAs too

Hello, Thank you very much for sharing your detailed itinerary with us. We are planning for our self-drive family holiday in early June for a full 11 days (excluding flight times). Where do you suggest for us to spend the additional 3 days? We prefer not to drive for more than 5 hours per day. Looking forward to receiving your advice with thanks. Best regards, Ethan

Hi Ethan! That really depends on what you would like to do! Our itinerary is quite packed so it’s possible to space it out. Alternatively you can consider some other ideas in the links here! https://thetravelintern.com/destinations/asia/japan-asia/hokkaido/

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Best of Hokkaido in Summer

Day 1 - Hakodate

Day 2 - Hakodate to Lake Toya

Day 3 - Lake Toya to Noboribetsu

Day 4 and 5 - Sapporo

Day 6 - Day trip to Otaru

Day 7 - Sapporo to Furano

Day 8 - Furano to Asahidake Onsen via Biei

Day 9 - Daisetsuzan National Park

Day 10 - Asahidake Onsen to Asahikawa

Day 11 - Asahikawa to Sounkyo

Day 12 and 14 - Shiretoko National Park

Day 15 - Shiretoko to Akan

Day 16 - Akan to Kushiro

The above itinerary is somewhat fast-paced. Tourists preferring a slow pace of travel should consider spending more time at some of the destinations along the way.

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Japan Travel Guide – Hokkaido | Tohoku | Tokyo | Kyoto

2-Week in Hokkaido Summer Itinerary

Packed with beautiful scenery, wildlife and food, Hokkaido is a place where you’ll find a lot of exciting things to do.

Here, winter is magical, spring is spectacular, summer is full of surprises, and autumn is striking with foliage . As a tourist you won’t have any shortage of activities that can be done throughout the four seasons on the island.

A lot of people ask me to recommend things to do in Hokkaido . I know how to help them, of course not just planning itineraries but also sharing my own travel experiences in the region and suggesting them to when to visit a place including access information.

If you only have two weeks to explore Hokkaido in summer , especially during the lavender season in July , then this 2-week Hokkaido summer itinerary will help ensuring you hit most of the highlights.

It covers the major must-see attractions from cities to mountains to flower fields to onsen, as well as cool activities you can add to make your trip extra memorable.

Day 1: New Chitose Airport to Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

Welcome to Hokkaido!

The first place to explore of this itinerary is Hoshino Resorts Tomamu . You can reach Tomamu Station from New Chitose Airport Station by 80-85 minutes by train. After you get off, you take the shuttle bus to the resorts, which will take about 5 minutes.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is known for its Unkai terrace in summer and it makes a perfect weekend gateway, offering a lot of outdoor activities and comfortable stay for tourists and locals alike.

Hotel to stay: Tomamu the Tower

Access info: How to reach Hoshino Resorts Tomamu?

Read this page to know where to rent a car at New Chitose Airport.

Day 2: A Day at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

Every place in Hokkaido has its own unique look and atmosphere. Be it the mountains, the flower fields, the lakes, the onsen towns, the resorts or the cities as a whole, Hokkaido has got it all that will make your holiday meaningful.

At Hoshino Resorts Tomamu guests can experience luxuries and comfortable stay with plenty of outdoor activities to experience.

Take the gondola in the early morning and witness breathtaking views of the sea of clouds from the observatories, located on the top of Mount Tomamu .

In the farm area of the resort, you can relax and spend the day on picnicking and playing with animals. If you are traveling with kids, they are going to love this place. It’s definitely a fun time for them.

Travelers of all ages can spend a day with full of happy moments and excitements at Tomamu doing plenty of outdoor activities, which include rafting, hot air balloon experience, horse riding, canoeing, outdoor cooking, trekking, and many more. Check out the list here .

Some of these activities need reservation, so plan accordingly.

Day 3: Hoshino Resorts Tomamu to Furano

The distance between Tomamu station and Furano station is not that far away, which can be easily reached by a car within one and a half hour. Be sure that a train ride takes much longer than a car as you will have to transfer from one train to another.

Located in central Hokkaido, Furano is an inspiring city that you should visit at least once in your lifetime, especially in summer. The eye-catching flower fields in the area are simply an art of Furano’s beautiful nature!

Having a car around Furano and Biei is very convenient as it is the easiest way to get around the different places including the flower fields that you don’t want to miss visiting.

Stay either at Furano Natulux Hotel or Hotel Hanafuji Inn . Both these hotels are situated within a short walking distance from JR Furano Station.

Today should not be a busy day for you. You will only visit some flower fields, which are located around Nakafurano Station.

Say for example, Saika no Sato, Choei Lavender Farm and Nakafurano Flower Park, and Farm Tomita . Stop for a lunch at Tomita Melon House , here you can find lots of delicious foods to try.

After seeing some picture-perfect flower fields around Nakafurano station , head over to Furano Marche , where you will find fresh local products. This is arguably the best place to call it a day!

Day 4: A Day trip to Kamifurano and Biei

There are some places you will visit today and one of the most significant flower fields in the area is Lavender East .

The lavender field, which is the largest of its kind in Japan, is blanketed by tons of purple lavender blossoms in July. It’s the perfect place to wander and get lost.

Hinode Park provides excellent views of Tokachidake Mountain Range in the distance.

Walk uphill and reach its observatory and then enjoy the beautiful surroundings! For couples, this flower farm is a top notch as weeding ceremonies are held every year in July.

You are supposed to spend rest of the day visiting Flower Land Kamifurano, Shirahige Waterfall, Blue Pond, Shikisai no Oka, Kanno Farm, and Shinei no Oka observatory Park . Along with lavender you see many different kinds of flowers at these farms.

On the other hand, located in Biei town, Shirahige waterfall, Blue pond, and Shinei no Oka observatory Park are also worth exploring.

You won’t see flowers there but something different that a nature lover would like to admire. Please note Shinei no Oka observatory Park is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset.

Day 5: Furano to Asahikawa

Asahikawa is one of the most visited cities in Hokkaido. Some travelers also prefer this place as a hub; I mean from the city they like to take a multiple day trips to Biei, Furano, Sounkyo, Asahidake and other parts of the famous Daisetsuzan National Park . Exploring this vast national park is a trip of a lifetime!

While Asahikawa is best known for its zoo and ramen, it also offers incredible winter festival in winter named Asahikawa Winter Festival (happens in February ever year), great foods, and culture.

On the way to Asahikawa, visit Zerubu-no-Oka & Atomu-no-Oka. If you decide to continue to explore in Asahikawa city, I recommend you paying a visit to Ueno Farm (in Asahikawa), a delightful garden with plenty of things to admire.

Later on the day, take a walk around JR Asahiakwa station and enjoy some dishes you find at the restaurants and do some shopping at AEON shopping mall.

Hotel to stay in Asahikawa: JR Inn Asahikawa .

Day 6: Asahikawa to Sapporo

Today you will visit only one place called Asahiyama Zoo. After coming back from there, hop on a train to Sapporo City or if you have been driving since the day you started your Hokkaido’s summer adventure, drive all the way to the capital city in the region.

A walk to Odori Park in the evening would be fun! And later you can visit Susukino’s Ramen Yokocho , where variety of ramen can be eaten!

Where to stay in Sapporo city? It depends on your budget and easy accessibility to sightseeing spots and JR Sapporo Station. There are many hotels all over the city including guest-houses and share-houses.

It’s always better to stay nearby Sapporo Station. So why don’t you stay a few nights in this hotel ?

Day 7: A Day in Sapporo

There are many wonderful places to travel around in Hokkaido that captivate and inspire travelers to embark on life-changing adventures.

Sapporo is that sort of place where visitors find comfortable stay, mouthwatering foods, shopping malls, night life, attractions, events, and a unique history and culture.

If you are not lazy enough (sometimes I am) and wish to explore as many as places you want then start the day with a visit to Former Hokkaido Government Office Building . This is a historic landmark with colorful flower gardens and a pond.

Your morning will be memorable here in Sapporo if you also visit the Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, Odori Park, and Hokkaido Beer Garden.

Visit Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park in the afternoon. And in the evening, you head to Mount Moiwa . This is one of the top attractions in Sapporo, which is worth a visit every time you come to explore the city.

At night, you can spend a little time at Odori Park by sitting on the benches and viewing the fountains. Sapporo TV Tower that is lit up at night you will remind you of the Tokyo Tower or Eiffel Tower. Who knows!

Day 8: A Day Trip to Otaru

Otaru is best explored either on foot or by public transportation. Once you get off the train at Otaru Station, you should visit the Tourist Information Center, located inside the station.

They will definitely answer your questions and give you information about sightseeing spots and transportation that you require to explore the town. Please note just outside the station is the bus station.

I like visiting Mount Tengu not only because I can see beautiful ocean views from its observatories but also hiking trail.

If hiking is in your blood, you can take a day hike and reach the top of the mountain, where ropeway’s upper station is located. Ishikari Bay looks fabulous from there! The trail map can be acquired from lower ropeway station.

If you don’t go to Mount Tengu, visit Otaru Aquarium instead. It’s worth a visit too!

Next destination for the day is Otaru Canal , the symbol of Otaru. You can take a walk along this picture-perfect canal and spend some times sitting on the benches.

Where to go for lunch in Otaru? Head towards Sakaimachi Street , not far from the canal and you will find plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes. You will be delighted to come across many souvenirs shops and street food here is quite popular.

Next up is a place you won’t want to miss. Otaru Music Box Museum , a crowded music box selling store including houses a number of antiques, can make your trip quite enjoyable. Sometimes it is hard to find the perfect souvenir as you will see a lot of varieties. It would seem like “why can’t I buy them all?”

At night, when you return from Otaru to Sapporo, I suggest all of you to experience another night view from JR tower observatory t38.

Day 9: Sapporo to Lake Toya

Do you know that Hokkaido has some of Japan’s most transparent lakes? Lake Toya is one of the best lakes to see in Hokkaido and the lake’s surface never freezes during the cold winter months!

You can feel the vast nature when you enjoy the cruise on the lake. This is a must-do activity here alongside overlooking the lake from the observatory of Mount Usu. Don’t worry you are not going to hike up the mountain; instead you will reach there by Usuzan ropeway .

Silo viewing platform/observatory is another place to overlook the lake, Nakajima Island, Toyakao town and Mount Usu and Show Shinzan in the distance. You will find flowers nearby the observatory in summer.

There are some very good hotels to stay that provide magnificent view of the lake. I recommend The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort ; you will witness a nice view of the lake from your balcony.

Day 10: Lake Toya, leave for Hakodate in the afternoon

What to do before leaving for Hakodate in the afternoon? Why don’t you cruise on Lake Toya? It’s possible! For more info click here .

Check into this hotel, located within an easy walking distance from JR Hakodate Station . Take some rest and if you want then visit Red Brick Warehouse at night.

Hotel to stay in Hakodate: Hakodate Kokusai Hotel .

Day 11: A Day in Hakodate

Hakodate is a charming city with beautiful ocean views and unique Western-influenced buildings. You shall begin the day at Hakodate morning market.

The visit to this market will not take a lot of time. Visiting the market for breakfast with fresh seafood is one of the must-do things in the city.

After exploring the market, head over to Fort Goryokaku , Japan’s first Western style fortress. This is a massive star shaped citadel build in the last years of the Edo Period. The attraction is a quite popular cherry blossom spot in Hokkaido. It will take a while exploring the fortress.

Goryokaku Tower was build to provide an excellent bird’s eye view of the fortress. Therefore, don’t forget to visit its observation deck. Hopefully you will enjoy a view like never before!

Later in the day, spend a while walking down the roads at Motomachi area , located at the foot of Mount Hakodate.

Among the old historical buildings you see there, the Russian Orthodox Church is a sight to behold. Take a stroll around and take some photographs of the iconic sloping streets in the area.

It is your last night in Hakodate so plan something you’ll enjoy and remember.

In the evening, you will spend a few hours on the top of Mount Hakodate. Take note Mount Hakodate is considered Japan’s three best night views.

The observatory can be reached by ropeway. The ropeway’s lower station in fact is located in Motomachi area. So, use your Google Maps to locate the spot when you take a walk in the area.

Next is your dine time! Why don’t you finish the day with some delicious sea urchin dishes? Are you interested? Head to Hakodate Station and take a walk about 5 minutes to reach Uni Murakami , a popular restaurant in Hakodate with different kinds of dishes made of Sea Urchin.

Day 12: Hakodate to Sapporo/Chitose

A train journey from Hakodate to Sapporo shall not be tiring. If you could not sleep nice last night, I reckon you would love to do it sitting on the train. You will see how the time will fly pretty quickly.

Want to buy something to take home? Japanese souvenirs are very cute (kawaii)! With plenty of shops and stalls nearby JR Sapporo Station, finding some souvenirs won’t be daunting at all. Do it if you thing that souvenir shopping is one of the true joys of traveling.

Hanamaru Sapporo Restaurant and Kani Honke are two restaurants you can pay a visit to. Out of these you have to choose one to satisfy your stomach as these are perfect for your last dinning in Sapporo city. Let me help you choosing one.

If you like eating sushi then go to Hanamaru. On the other hand, Kani Honke is one of the best crab restaurants in Hokkaido. Therefore, go there and enjoy a variety of crab dishes.

Due to early morning flight some visitors prefer staying the final night in a hotel, located nearby New Chitose Airport. So based on your flight schedule, you will have to decide where to spend the last night; it could be either in Sapporo or Chitose.

In Chitose, you can stay your last night at JR Inn Chitose .

Day 13: Sapporo to New Chitose Airport

It’s time to head home! Enjoy your flight and come back to Hokkaido someday.

Make a list of places to visit in Hokkaido again as I can imagine that most of you would like to return here as there are an infinite number of other places to see and visit.

Would it be in autumn or winter? Check out some of the amazing things to do in Hokkaido in winter .

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