hokkaido travel itinerary winter

Best of Hokkaido in Winter

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.

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Your Hokkaido Winter Adventure Starts Here

February 20, 2023 by Robert Schrader Leave a Comment

My first winter trip to Hokkaido  did not go as planned. I’d gotten bad advice from the tourist board, which saw me mostly squander the five days I had on the island (which would not have been enough, even if I’d had the perfect plan for how to use them).

Since then—2015—re-visiting Hokkaido during winter and doing the island justice has been one of my top travel priorities. Unfortunately, Japan’s covid-19 restrictions spoiled my plans to do this in 2021 and 2022, which meant that it took me until 2023—eight years—to make good on my promise.

Which makes this Hokkaido winter itinerary all the more interesting—and bulletproof. In travel as in life more broadly, correcting failure is often the quickest (and best) way to arrive at success.

Hokkaido is More Than Just Skiing

When most people think of Hokkaido in winter, they think of skiing at Niseko. I’m here to tell you, as someone who has only skied a handful of times in his adult life, that you can fully enjoy Hokkaido without setting foot anywhere near Niseko. In fact, while I’d like to visit Niseko one day in order to get some pictures, it’s always been the farthest thing from my mind as I explore Hokkaido.

On the other hand, if you do come to Hokkaido to enjoy Japan’s famous ja-pow , then all the rest of what I’m recommending will be even more enticing. Imagine exploring Hokkaido for a week, then rewarding yourself with the world’s best skiing? Or vice-versa. Whether or not you care about skiing, Hokkaido is a top winter destination for a reason.

My Favorite Hokkaido Winter Destinations and Experiences

Sapporo snow festival.

The bad news? If you want to take part in the Sapporo Snow Festival , you’re need to make sure your winter Hokkaido trip takes place between February 4-11 or thereabouts. The good news? Even if you can’t come at this time, there’s plenty to enjoy in Sapporo in winter, even if you simply enjoy views from Mt. Moiwa and Sapporo TV Tower by day, or drink and karaoke your way through Susukino at night.

Hokkaido Winter Cuisine

Food is one of the best reasons to visit Hokkaido in winter! This is especially true if you come during the snow festival, when all kinds of different options—crab soup, oden and Wagyu skewers, to name just a few—are on offer within one small area. Even if you don’t come at this time, you’ll have your fill of warming foods like ramen and Japanese curry most anywhere in Hokkaido you choose to travel.

Otaru Canal

I’ll be honest: Many unwitting travelers are stumped as to why they should make a point of visiting a canal during their trip. Even if you disregard how picturesque Otaru Canal is, particularly during winter and especially at night, the town built up around it is a great half-day trip from Sapporo. It’s home to many Western-style buildings and glass-blowing shops, to say nothing of all the cuisine.

Noboribetsu Onsen

As would be the case on Japan’s main island of Honshu, visiting an onsen is an essential part of any Hokkaido winter trip. In Noboribetsu , which is about 90 minutes from Sapporo by limited express train, swimming in hot springs is just the beginning. You can hike in Jigokudani (aka Hell Valley), where rising plumes of steam give you the impression of being in the underworld.

Asahikawa Penguin Parade

I’ll be honest: I’m not generally a fan of zoos in Japan, or anywhere in Asia. Standards for the treatment of animals just aren’t up to par with those in the west, as you’ll know if you read my article about Zao Fox Village . On the other hand, I do think a trip to Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa (Japan’s coldest city, and the hub of central Hokkaido) is worth it, if only for the iconic “penguin parade” that takes place every winter day at 11.

Kushiro and Abashiri: Hokkaido’s Wild East

One of my biggest regrets about my first Hokkaido winter itinerary is that I didn’t head very far east. As a result, I was intent on this trip having a few days in Kushiro and Abashiri (the two main cities of eastern Hokkaido) and the vast wilderness between them. Whether you see tancho red-crested cranes near the lakes north of Kushiro, or take an “ice breaker” tour in the Sea of Okhotsk off Abashiri, the long journey here is definitely not a wasted effort.

Mt. Hakodate’s Night View

For many years, Hakodate was my favorite city in Hokkaido on the whole—I still love it a lot. One of the many reasons for this is its geography: The city sits between two roughly symmetrical bays, and a mountain that rises at the tip of a peninsula. The best way to appreciate this is to ride the ropeway up Mt. Hakodate which, after night, allows you to take in what is often ranked as Japan’s best “night view.”

How Many Days Do You Need in Hokkaido in Winter?

Take it from me: You don’t want to come to Hokkaido in January or February without enough time to see and do everything. If you don’t plan to ski, I’d say the minimum you should plan to spend is a week. This will give you a few days in Sapporo to get yourself situated, plus the opportunity to head east, optionally all the way to Kushiro and Abashiri, if that’s in the cards for you.

For skiers, on the other hand, spending winter in Hokkaido is a slightly different discussion. Some will fly to New Chitose Airport, to a bus directly to Kutchan or Niseko, and get moving again only to head back to the airport. For others, however, I’d say you should plan at least a week to however long you plan to ski. I’d probably recommend exploring Hokkaido before you ski, although that’s somewhat down to preference.

Other FAQ About Hokkaido Winter Travel

Should i visit hokkaido in the winter.

Winter is when Hokkaido is most itself—you should absolutely visit Japan’s northernmost island at this time, if you can. Not a skier? Not a problem? From Otaru’s icicle-lined canal, to Asahikawa’s penguin parade, to the wild scenery of far eastern Hokkaido, there’s never a dull moment when you’re this far north.

How do you travel around Hokkaido in winter?

The best way to get around Hokkaido during the winter is public transportation, be that express trains from Sapporo to other cities, local trains in more rural parts of the island or buses in places where the rails don’t run. As a general rule, I don’t recommend driving in Hokkaido during winter.

Is it difficult to drive in Hokkaido in winter?

Hokkaido isn’t always a difficult place to drive during the winter. If the snow isn’t freshly-fallen, or hasn’t frozen over after it’s melted, you’re unlikely to face any difficulty at all. The challenge is when a blizzard hits—and they can hit at any time—or if ice is on the road. If you don’t have a lot of experience driving in wintry conditions, you shouldn’t rent a car in Hokkaido during the winter.

The Bottom Line

I hope my Hokkaido winter itinerary has informed and inspired you as you plan your own trip to Japan’s great, white north. As I know from personal experience, simply heading to Hokkaido during the coldest part of the year is not a guarantee of success. However, if you have a good grasp of all there is to do, and how much ground you can realistically cover with the amount of time you have, it’s difficult to fail. Planning to visit Hokkaido in summer? I’ve got a guide for that. Want personalized help putting your Hokkaido trip together, at any time of year? Consider hiring me to plan it for you!

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Winter Hokkaido Itinerary: 7 Days for Nature Lovers & 12 Best Things to Do

Planning a winter trip to Hokkaido to experience the winter wonderland? Here’s a fun 7-Day Hokkaido Winter Itinerary for you!

This itinerary is…

Perfect for nature lovers - It’s full of winter outdoor activities!

Public transportation-friendly - You don’t have to drive a car on snow.

No big cities - No Sapporo, Asahikawa, or Hakodate.

I will also share some 3-day winter itineraries and the top 12 things to do in winter Hokkaido that you shouldn’t miss!

Let’s dive in!

What We Cover

Can i drive in winter hokkaido, how is the weather in winter hokkaido, 7-day hokkaido winter itinerary for nature lovers, day 1 - head to abashiri, day 2 - drift icebreaker ship & museum hopping, day 3 - head to shiretoko, day 4 - winter activities in shiretoko, day 5 - explore kushiro, day 6 - enjoy onsen in lake akan, day 7 - head to the airport, 3-day winter travel itineraries.

• The 12 Best Things to Do in Hokkaido in Winter
• Drift Ice Walk
• Drift Icebreaker Ship
• Winter Festivals
• Hot springs - Onsen
• Jewelry Ice
• Snowshoeing
• Winter Views
• Winter Animals
• Winter Lakes
• Hokkaido-Style Lamb BBQ - Jingisukan

Useful Resources

✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner

✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner

✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice

This post contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission to enjoy a cup of coffee on my trip☕

This is one of the questions that I often get from people who reach out to me for trip planning advice . My simple answer is, I wouldn’t recommend driving in winter.

Why? Because it is for your safety . Of course, local people drive throughout the year to go about their lives, but they know how to drive on snow under different weather conditions, which roads to avoid, how to control speed at specific intersections, and so on. But you as a traveler don’t know all of these.

Unfortunately, there have been sad traffic accidents in Hokkaido caused by international travelers who were not used to driving on snow in recent years. Especially if you are from tropical countries and not familiar with snow, I would suggest traveling by public transportation (and yes, I will give you public transportation itineraries below).

🚆 Get JR Hokkaido Rail Pass to take unlimited rides across Hokkaido!

📍 Traveling just around Sapporo? Then Sapporo-Furano Area Pass or Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass are for you✨

💰 Save money by booking your pass online in advance - It's cheaper than buying in Japan!

In the end, it’s up to your driving skills and comfort level for driving on snowy, icy roads. If you decide to drive a car, be mindful of the following.

You will have to drive slower on snow than usual, so your travel takes much longer.

Note that you will need more focus driving on snow, which will make you more tired than on regular roads.

Avoid driving after sunset as much as possible (which is around 4.40 pm in February in Hokkaido, for example).

You might be stuck in one place in case of heavy snow. After severe snowfall, it will take time (eg. a whole day) for the local governments to shovel snow from the roads.

Winter in Hokkaido is quite long, almost lasting for half a year. The amount of snowfall varies in areas throughout Hokkaido. For example, Asahikawa, Furano, Otaru, Niseko have more snow, while cities in the South, such as Kushiro, Muroran and Hakodate, have less snowfall. Here’s a general idea of the winter weather in Hokkaido by month.

November - It starts to snow in most places by mid-November.

December - Snow starts to pile up and roads get icy.

January - The coldest month with the heaviest snowfalls in a year. Even the highest temperature in a day remains below the freezing point.

February - It continues to be cold and the snow depth will be biggest in February.

March - Snow starts to melt but big chunks still remain.

April - Most of the snow melts away by mid-April.

Note that it could still snow in April, although it will melt soon. Always be prepared for snowfall when traveling in Hokkaido in winter.

Eastern Hokkaido offers a variety of beautiful natural spots and winter activities. If you are looking for a getaway destination away from the crowds, this is the perfect region for you to spend a week in winter.

This Hokkaido winter itinerary starts from Memanbetsu Airport and could end at either Kushiro Airport or Memanbetsu Airport . For the 6 nights, you will be staying…

Two nights in Abashiri

Two nights in Shiretoko

One night in Kushiro

One night in Lake Akan

The best time to fully enjoy all the activities included in this winter itinerary is between early February to mid-March .

How to get there

This Hokkaido winter itinerary starts at Memanbetsu Airport . Once arriving at the airport, quickly go to the Tourist Information Center and get Abashiri Free Pass for 2 days (2,000 yen). This pass will save you a little bit of money if you were to follow this itinerary while you’re in Abashiri.

Then take a bus to Abashiri, which departs shortly after every arrival flight. The bus will take about 40 min and costs 1,050 yen to JR Abashiri Station. If you don’t have a Free Pass, make sure to have cash in hand. Buses in Hokkaido don’t accept credit cards.

Now check in at your hotel, and take a rest or explore the city!

Where to Stay in Abashiri

Luxury hotel - Hokuten no Oka Abashiriko Tsuruga Resort ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Buffet A relaxing onsen resort hotel featuring the Ainu art in its well-designed interior

Mid-range hotel - Kagariya ⭐3 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍴Local Food Dining An onsen ryokan with a lake view, offering seafood Kaiseki dinner and breakfast.

Budget-friendly hotel hotel - Dormy Inn Abashir i ⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring A budget business hotel with 7-eleven nearby.

Drift ice breaker ship

Embarking on a journey with the icebreaker vessel, " Aurora ," is an absolute must when you're in Abashiri during winter! The coastline of Abashiri is covered by drifting ice that originates from Russia's Amur River and travels through the Okhotsk Sea. What makes this ride thrilling? The Aurora gracefully cuts through the icy sea, presenting an extraordinary experience for all aboard.

The ship sets sail 4-5 times daily between late January to March. These schedules can change, so be sure to glance at their official website for the most updated timings. Each ride lasts approximately an hour.

JR Abashiri Station to the Aurora Terminal for 230 yen. If you have a Free Pass, you can get a free coffee at a store inside the ship. Just a 3-min walk away from the Aurora Terminal, check out this cute local glass craft shop , or join a workshop to make your own glass cup!

Museum hopping

Abashiri has interesting museums that can be easily reached by bus.

Abashiri Prison Museum

🚌 Aurora Terminal to Prison Museum (360 yen) 🎟 1,080 yen (with Free Pass: 970 yen)

Drift Ice Museum

🚌 Prison Museum to Drift Ice Museum (210 yen) 🎟 770 yen With Free Pass, you can get a 50 yen discount on their signature soft-served ice cream.

Northern Peoples Museum

🚌 Drift Ice Museum to Northern Peoples Museum (180 yen), or walk for 10-15 min) 🎟 550 yen (with Free Pass: 500 yen)

Back to JR Abashiri Station (480 yen)

Stay in Abashiri

Your WINTER trip planning made easy!

This 54-page guidebook will save you weeks of research and help you make a perfect winter trip to Hokkaido.

Instant download in digital format (PDF).

Let’s head to Utoro, which is a small port town on the Shiretoko Peninsula and the center of the Shiretoko tourism. Take a train from Abashiri to Shiretoko Shari Station (970 yen, 50 min) and then take a bus to Utoro (1,650 yen, one hour).

On the train from Abashiri, you will see drift ice filling up the coastal line between early February to mid-March. Once you arrive in Utoro, enjoy onsen (hot spring) at your hotel, just relax, and get ready for tomorrow’s activitiy!

Where to stay in Shiretoko

Luxury hotel - Kita Kobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View Located right in front of Utoro Port, offering deluxe room options with a private open-air hot spring.

Mid-range hotel - Shiretoko Dai Ichi Hotel ⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Buffet, ♨️Hot Spring Offering the massive 80-dish buffet featuring Japanese and international cuisine and the gorgeous public hot spring made with natural jade.

Budget-friendly hotel - Route Inn Grantia Shiretoko Shari Ekimae ⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Breakfast Buffet Available An affordable stay near JR Shari station with a natural hot spring and free breakfast.

Looking for a cozy hotel where you feel connected with a warm-hearted owner ? Then Sekka Shiretoko is a perfect place to stay for you. Check out the blog post below for a deeper look!

Stay at Sekka Shiretoko in Hokkaido - A cozy family-run hotel featuring a natural onsen and homemade local cuisine. Perfect for nature and outdoor enthusiasts!

Drift Ice walk

Can you imagine what it feels like to swim in a frozen sea? Join a drift ice walking tour to best experience drift ice in Utoro, Shiretoko! You will be provided with a very thick drysuit that prevents coldness and an experienced local guide. Make sure to book a tour with a local guide company , as it’s not allowed to enter on the drift ice without professional supervision.

🕒 From early February to mid-March 🎟 6,000 yen per person 📒 Book a tour with Gojiraiwa Kanko or Shinra

Enjoy snowshoeing in the winter wonderland! The Shiretoko National Park offers several snowshoeing paths, going through the untouched forest , viewing waterfalls and the coastal line filled with drift ice , and the beautiful Shiretoko Mountain Range covered by white snow.

🕒 From December to March 🎟 5,000 -12,000 yen depending on the route 📒 Book a tour with Shinra or other guides

Stay in Utoro, Shiretoko

Kushiro is a port town facing the Pacific Ocean in the southern part of Eastern Hokkaido. Take a bus from Utoro to Shiretoko Shari Station (1,650 yen, one hour) and a train to Kushiro (3,190 yen, 2.5 h).

If you have time before getting on a bus in Utoro, check out Shirietok for local products and souvenirs! It’s just 5 min walk from the bus station.

Things to do in Kushiro

Washo Seafood Market - A must-visit to experience a local fish market and make your own seafood rice bowl.

Fisherman’s Wharf Moo - A shopping center full of local souvenirs and restaurants. There are tourist information exhibitions as well.

Eat Robata - Robata is a local signature in Kushiro. It’s a Japanese-style seafood BBQ. It will make a nice winter dining experience to warm up yourself!

Where to stay in Kushiro

Mid-range hotel - ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kushiro ⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ✨Modern Design Conveniently located near JR Kushiro Station, offering great guest services and a breakfast buffet using fresh local ingredients.

Budget-friendly hotel - Comfort Hotel Kushiro ⭐3 stars, 🍴Free Breakfast, 🏢Excellent Location A modern city hotel just a 2-min walk away from JR Kushiro Station

Akan is a small, cozy onsen (hot spring) town sitting right next to Lake Akan. To get there, take a bus from Kushiro Station to Lake Akan (2,750 yen, one hour).

If you like birdwatching, get off the bus at Tancho no Sato and visit Akan International Crane Center to see wild red-crowned cranes that migrate to this area every winter.

Things to do in Akan

Between mid-January and late March, the frozen Lake Akan offers many fun winter activities as below for you to try. Get your warm jacket and go active! This is a perfect way to spend a day for outdoor lovers and families with kids.

Ice fishing (and tempura the fish at a nearby restaurant!)

Banana boat

Cross-country ski

Ice skating

Where to Stay in akan

Luxury hotel - Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza ⭐4.5 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍷Fine Dining All 25 rooms come with a private hot spring with a beautiful lake view. Dinner features fresh local and seasonal ingredients.

Mid-range hotel - Akan No Mori Tsuruga Resort Hana Yuuka ⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Buffet, ♨️Hot Spring A cozy lake-side onsen hotel offering delicious buffet meals with various options

Budget-friendly hotel - Hotel Gozensui ⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View A classic Japanese-style onsen hotel overlooking the lake

It’s time to wrap up your winter trip in Eastern Hokkaido! The closest airport to Akan is Kushiro Airport, but there is a way to go back to Memanbetsu Airport as well.

Lake Akan to Kushiro Airport - Take a bus to Kushiro Airport (1-1.5 hours, 2,190 yen)

Lake Akan to Memanbetsu Airport - Take a bus to Kitami (one hour, 2,100 yen, booking required at the bus stations in Kushiro or Akan) and change to another bus to Memanbetsu Airport (40 min, 1,200 yen)

YOUR TRIP PLANNING MADE EASY!

Here are some other shorter winter itineraries . Check out my travel itineraries for the best winter destinations in Eastern Hokkaido. A bonus point? These are also public transportation-friendly itineraries!

3-Day Winter Shiretoko Itinerary Without a Car

3-Day Winter Akan Itinerary Without a Car

3-Day Winter Abashiri Itinerary Without a Car

If you are looking into other parts of Hokkaido as well, definitely grab my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner . This is the ultimate winter guidebook - it is full of winter travel tips, the best ski resorts, local winter festivals, winter view spots, and hot springs, as well as area guides covering major 10 destinations and 7 itineraries that you can follow along.

The 12 Best Things to Do in Eastern Hokkaido in Winter

1. Drift Ice Walk

Drift Ice Walk in Shiretoko is unlike anything you've ever done before. Picture this: You’re not just walking on a frozen sea but actually swimming in it !

What exactly is drift ice? They are blocks of sea ice, journeying all the way from Russia's Amur River, converging along Hokkaido's Okhotsk Sea coast. That makes a winter wonderland that stretches as far as your eyes can see. The best time to catch this icy spectacle is from mid-February to early March.

For this experience, make sure to book a guided tour. The local tour operators set you up with these snazzy dry suits, so no worries about the freezing temperatures. After a quick safety brief, you're off, "walking" on the sea of ice for about 20 minutes. Take in the crunch of ice underfoot and the stark, beautiful scenery all around. Then comes the fun part — you dive into the cracks of ice and swim ! It's like floating in a slushy. The dry suits make it easy to float, so it's less difficult than you'd think.

If you're looking to amp up your Hokkaido winter experience, the Drift Ice Walk should be right at the top of your list. It's not just an activity; it's a lifetime memory!

2. Drift Icebreaker Ship

Embarking on a journey with the icebreaker vessel, "Aurora," is an absolute must when you're in Abashiri during winter! The coastline of Abashiri is covered by drifting ice that originates from Russia's Amur River and travels through the Okhotsk Sea. What makes this ride thrilling? The Aurora gracefully cuts through the icy sea, presenting an extraordinary experience for all aboard.

3. Winter Festivals

If you're planning a winter trip to Hokkaido, the local festivals are something you shouldn't overlook. These aren't just ordinary gatherings; they're remarkable events where the season's cold and snow are transformed into works of art. Think awe-inspiring ice sculptures and radiant light displays that fill the winter nights with an ethereal glow.

Also as you stroll through the festival grounds, you'll find the flavors of Hokkaido at various food stalls, offering local specialties, snacks, and something warm to keep you cozy.

Want to visit one of these winter festivals? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner , which gives you the best local festivals in Hokkaido, as well as other winter activities that you shouldn’t miss.

4. Hot springs - Onsen

Soaking in a steaming hot spring amid Hokkaido's snowy landscapes is a must-do winter experience. Hokkaido is home to some of the best hot springs in Japan , from bustling resort towns to secluded mountain hideaways. Wherever you visit in Hokkaido, chances are there is a nice onsen town nearby where you can stay over a night at a cozy onsen hotel or just have a drop-in dip. So make sure to include a hot spring or two in your winter trip itinerary.

Want to know more about onsen in Hokkaido? Check out these posts!

The ultimate guide to the top 10 onsen destinations in Hokkaido

8 Luxury Onsen Resort Hotels & Ryokan in Hokkaido

5. Jewelry Ice

In the coldest months of the year, Toyokoro near Obihiro presents a dazzling natural spectacle known as " Jewelry Ice ." These glittering ice formations are created when the freezing waters of the Tokachi River flow into the Pacific Ocean. Shaped by waves and eventually deposited on sandy shores, these transparent ice pieces resemble precious gemstones , especially when they catch the morning or evening sun.

For those looking for a unique, Instagrammable moment, Jewelry Ice offers a stunning visual treat that makes braving the Hokkaido cold absolutely worth it. For the best experience, visit there between mid-January and late February.

Known for its fluffy, light-as-air snow, Hokkaido is a skier's paradise. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, there's a slope here with your name on it. There are many ski resorts across Hokkaido, each offering a unique vibe and views. And let's not forget what comes after skiing — unwind in a steamy onsen!

Wondering where to visit for skiing in Hokkaido? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner , which gives you a dive into the best ski resorts as well as other winter activities that you should try.

7. Snowshoeing

Ready to take a walk on the winter wonderland side? Snowshoeing in Hokkaido is an adventure you won't want to miss. You don't need to be a snow pro to enjoy this; it's super accessible for all ages and skill levels . Imagine crunching through untouched snow, surrounded by Hokkaido's majestic forests and mountains.

Some of the nice snowshoeing locations are Furano, Shiretoko, Niseko, Rusutsu, and Lake Shikotsu . You can join a guided tour for a full experience deep into the nature, or get rental snowshoes and go at your own pace. A tourist information center in each destination would be able to give you detailed information about local snowshoeing trails for you.

8. Winter Views

Winter in Hokkaido transforms the region's natural landscapes into scenes of ethereal beauty . From frozen waterfalls and lakes to snow-covered mountain ranges, you never run out of beautiful winter view spots while traveling in Hokkaido. There are many places that are accessible by public transportation, so don’t give up chasing the breathtaking winter sceneries even if you’re not driving (and I recommend not driving in winter Hokkaido!).

Want some suggestions for the must-visit view spots? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner !

9. Winter Animals

Wildlife also adds to Hokkaido’s winter spectacle; imagine red-crowned cranes dancing in the snow or Japanese monkeys enjoying natural hot springs. At Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, you can see a pack of cute penguins take a stroll around the zoo in wintertime.

10. Winter Lakes

Winter in Hokkaido takes the natural beauty of its lakes to a whole new level. Imagine crystal-clear water transformed into icy wonderlands. If you are looking for amazing winter lake views, head to Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo , and Lake Toya . Lake Akan, Lake Shikotsu, Lake Nukabira , and Lake Shikaribetsu offer abundant winter activities, from ice-fishing and snowshoeing to simply taking in the breathtaking views that look like they're straight out of a winter fairy tale.

11. Oysters

If you think oysters are just a summer treat, wait until you try them in Hokkaido during winter! Known for their incredibly rich and creamy texture, winter oysters in Hokkaido are a true culinary gem. The colder months make the oysters plump and sweet, giving you a mouthful of oceanic goodness in every bite. You can enjoy them raw, steamed, grilled, or even in a hearty oyster hot pot, perfect for the chilly weather. Saroma and Akkeshi in Eastern Hokkaido are best known for their high-quality oysters!

12. Hokkaido-Style Lamb BBQ - Jingisukan

You can't visit Hokkaido and not try Jingisukan, the famous Hokkaido-style lamb BBQ . Named after Genghis Khan, this dish brings people together around a hot grill, perfect for warming up on a cold winter day. A dome-shaped metal skillet simulates the helmet warriors would've cooked their meat on. Lamb slices, vegetables, and sometimes seafood are cooked right at the table, making it a fun and interactive meal. The dish is often accompanied by a special dipping sauce that complements the meat's flavors beautifully. After a day of exploring Hokkaido's snowy landscapes, nothing hits the spot like Jingisukan!

NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?

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I’ve been helping international travelers plan their dream trips to Hokkaido for many years. I’d be happy to plan your itinerary with you for Eastern Hokkaido as well as other regions.

Check out what you can ask me & why you should plan with a local expert like me.

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Plan the Perfect Trip: A Comprehensive Hokkaido Winter Itinerary

Embrace the magic of Hokkaido this winter with an itinerary that is tailor-made for adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and ski aficionados alike. From the majestic ski resorts in Niseko to the traditional smelt fishing experience in Furano, let us guide you through an unforgettable winter journey in the heart of Japan.

Furano: The Heart of Hokkaido Skiing

Venture into the very heart of skiing in Japan at Furano. Renowned for the Furano ski area and resort, it's a winter paradise that skiers and snow enthusiasts swear by. The backcountry guided tours, leading to gems like "Sandanyama" and "Secret Mountain," are experiences not to be missed. Add to this the thrill of smelt fishing on Lake Kanayama, and you have the complete Hokkaido winter itinerary wrapped in Furano's embrace.

Lake Shikotsu & Lake Toya: Frozen Beauty

Discover the captivating frozen landscapes of Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu. Lake Toya, set against Hokkaido's snowy backdrop, offers breathtaking winter vistas. Dive deep into Lake Shikotsu's Moss Corridor with snowshoe tours, or marvel at the intricate ice art of Shichijo Otaki. These lakes exemplify the serene beauty that Hokkaido winter brings, creating unforgettable memories for every traveler.

Sapporo: The Winter Capital

Embrace the vibrant winter vibes of Sapporo, Hokkaido's bustling metropolis. Engage in night snowshoe hikes under Sapporo's shimmering city lights, especially at iconic spots like Mt. Misumi and Mt. Moiwa. Delight in traditional smelt fishing or trek through powder snow forests, revealing the city's quieter side. From modern attractions to nature's splendor, Sapporo encapsulates the best of Hokkaido things to do in the winter season.

Niseko: Japan's Skiing Mecca

Dive into Niseko, famed as one of the premier Japan ski resorts, offering pristine hokkaido snow perfect for skiing adventures. Here, backcountry tours beckon, revealing untouched terrains that are every skier's dream. Don't miss out on the snowshoe trekking half-day tour, as you journey under the starlit Niseko skies, making for a truly immersive winter experience.

Otaru & Otaki: Snowy Gems of Hokkaido

Otaru, with its historic canals, and Otaki, home to the majestic “Otaki Icefall Cave,” offer unparalleled Hokkaido experiences. Engage in snowshoe hiking at mesmerizing spots like Asari Tengudake or delve deep into Japan's largest icefall cave in Otaki. Combining history with nature's grandeur, these snowy gems paint a picture of Hokkaido's winter allure that's hard to resist.

Biei & Yufutsu: Nature's Hidden Retreats

Venture into Biei and Yufutsu, epitomizing Hokkaido's raw, natural charm. Biei's unexplored snowshoe tours lead you to the Shirogane Onsen, an untouched wonder. Meanwhile, Yufutsu showcases an authentic snowmobile experience tour, making for an adrenaline-packed visit. As you traverse these retreats, the perfect blend of tranquil beauty and thrilling adventures await, making your Hokkaido winter itinerary even more enchanting.

Hakodate & Kushiro: Coastal Winter Charms

Hakodate and Kushiro, coastal jewels of Hokkaido, bring a unique seaside twist to winter fun. In Hakodate, indulge in Wakasagi fishing on ice at the Onuma Quasi-National Park. Kushiro wetlands, on the other hand, offer enchanting snowshoe experiences, taking you deep into Hokkaido's snowy marshes. These coastal towns blend maritime beauty with winter festivities, ensuring an unforgettable coastal winter charm.

Hokkaido's Diverse Winter Landscape

Hokkaido's winter is not just about snow-covered mountains and icy lakes. From snow trekking in World Natural Heritage spots like Shiretoko to exhilarating snow sports in Furano, the diversity is astounding. Whether it's exploring the snowy forests of Arashiyama or sliding down on snow tubes, every corner offers a unique facet of Hokkaido's winter. Dive into this diverse landscape and uncover the countless ways to celebrate winter in Hokkaido.

Recommended For You

With countless activities awaiting you, from smelt fishing to snowshoeing and from snowmobile adventures to ski rental services at Japan's best ski resorts, Hokkaido in winter is a dream come true for every traveler. Make the best of this winter by exploring the heart of Japan. tapestry of experiences Japan has to offer!

Frequently asked questions

Q when is the best time to visit hokkaido for winter activities.

A The ideal time is between December to February when Hokkaido is blanketed in snow, making it perfect for skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter activities.

Q Is it easy to rent ski equipment in Hokkaido?

A Absolutely! Places like Niseko and Furano offer a variety of ski rental services, catering to beginners and experts alike.

Q Can I experience traditional Japanese winter activities in Hokkaido?

A Yes, activities such as smelt fishing on ice and snowshoe tours in traditional settings provide an authentic Japanese winter experience.

Q How accessible are the ski resorts from Sapporo?

A Many ski resorts, like the Niseko Hokkaido ski resort, are a few hours drive from Sapporo, with convenient transportation options available.

Q Are there any nighttime winter activities in Hokkaido?

A Certainly! Night snowshoe hikes in places like Mt. Misumi and Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo are popular, offering stunning views of the starry skies and city lights.

Q Do I need any prior experience for snowshoeing or snowmobile tours?

A No prior experience is needed. Many tours accommodate beginners, and guides ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Q Is Hokkaido suitable for family winter vacations?

A Absolutely. With a mix of adrenaline-packed adventures and serene winter landscapes, Hokkaido caters to both kids and adults, making it a top choice for family winter getaways.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued patronage.

At our company, in order for many customers to enjoy various activities all over Japan safely and with peace of mind, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's " Basic Policy for Countermeasures against Coronavirus Infectious Diseases " and " Let's Avoid the Three Cs "・ Based on the " new lifestyle ", we recommend the following infectious disease countermeasures to the operator.

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You can also check the following page for information on the efforts of activity companies in each region!

How to enjoy new activities in the after / with corona era

Even if you are a customer, when you continue to go out, in addition to avoiding so-called [three secrets], cough etiquette, thorough hand washing and alcohol disinfection, etc., on June 19, 2020 (Friday), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, sightseeing Please be aware of the [new travel etiquette ] announced by the Japan Tourism Agency, take actions to avoid the risk of infectious diseases, and enjoy activities and leisure activities safely.

Even now, there are tourist facilities and activity operators whose business hours and dates have changed. Please check the calendar status at the time of application and check the latest information with each operator even after the reservation is completed. Please check with each operator regarding whether or not there is a cancellation fee due to sudden closure of the facility, cancellation of the activity experience, etc.

In addition, Activity Japan also offers an "online experience" service where you can enjoy various activities!

[Online experience] New experience online anywhere

The "online experience" service is digital content that can be expected to create a new community by connecting customers with local and tourism businesses on a daily basis. Those who have difficulty going out due to circumstances, those who want to try but are uneasy about having a real experience suddenly, those who want to collect local information to plan future trips and stay plans, etc. Feel free to meet local instructors and guides online and enjoy a conversation while experiencing a simulated experience!

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Hokkaido Japan winter itinerary with JR pass ⛄ How I did 7 days with JR Hokkaido pass ⛄ Backpacking Japan travel blog

This is basically part 2 of my Japan winter itinerary. (Part 1 is winter in the Japanese Alps !)

I was in Hokkaido in March 2019, and there was plenty of snow to be seen in far northern Japan!

When you think of March, you may not think “winter” but overall, it was still a good time to get winter in Japan in Hokkaido. Although there was one activity in particular in which March was a little late. (A little more on that later.)

First, the quick list of the best places to visit for winter in Hokkaido.

Then, the quick list of the 7 day trip itinerary to go to these places in Japan.

Then, a little bit about getting around Hokkaido, including by using a JR Hokkaido pass or a regular JR pass.

And then, a bit more details about this Hokkaido trip plan… including photos!

5 best things to do in Hokkaido in winter

1. asahiyama zoo penguin walk.

2. Abashiri drift ice cruise

3. Lake Shikaribetsu ice village

4. Mount Moiwa winter hike with city views

5. Noboribetsu Onsen hot springs town

• Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage trail (temples and shrines through the mountains)
• Must-see sumo show
• Traditional yukatabune dinner cruise
• Fun ninja lesson
• Koyasan pilgrimage temple town

More below on how to make this into a Japan winter itinerary!

So how to make these things a part of your winter trip to Japan?!

Here is the quick list of the Hokkaido winter itinerary!

Hotel links below to partner website. Most hostels in Japan also have private rooms. They also tend to have nice common areas to chill in!

Day 1: Sapporo to Asahikawa / Asahikawa activity

• Sapporo to Asahikawa by train
• Asahikawa to Asahiyama zoo by bus
• Asahiyama zoo for penguin walk
• Overnight stay in Asahikawa

Day 2: Asahikawa to Abashiri / Abashiri activity

• Asahikawa to Abashiri by train
• Drift ice cruise
• Abashiri to Kushiro train (be alert for Japanese cranes when passing Kayanuma Station )
• Overnight stay in Kushiro

Day 3: Kushiro to Obihiro / Obihiro activity

• Kushiro to Obihiro by train
• Obihiro to Lake Shikaribetsu by bus
• Lake Shikaribetsu igloo village
• Overnight stay in Obihiro

Day 4: Obihiro to Sapporo / Sapporo activity

• Obihiro to Sapporo by train
• Ramen alley
• Overnight stay in Sapporo

Day 5: Sapporo activities

• STAY PUT in Sapporo!
• Mt Moiwa hike OR day trip to ski resort

Day 6: Day trip to Noboribetsu Onsen

• Sapporo to Noboribetsu by train
• Noboribetsu Station to Noboribetsu Onsen by bus
• Noboribetsu Onsen hot springs town
• Overnight stay in Sapporo (…or make it an overnight stay in Noboribetsu!)

Day 7: Sapporo to Hakodate / Hakodate activity

• Sapporo to Hakodate train
• Goryokaku Tower for city views
• Overnight stay in Hakodate

There’s a bit more about each day of this Hokkaido itinerary, but first…

A little bit about using a JR pass for Hokkaido trains

JR Hokkaido pass

For the above 7-day Hokkaido plan, getting a 7-day JR Hokkaido pass will be the most efficient.

There are trains running between the routes listed, and they are comfortable. Many of them are limited express trains, which means they are the faster trains which is what can make them among the most efficient ways to get around Hokkaido when you’re limited on time.

For the longer distances between the major cities, I got around exclusively by train.

On most of these routes, there are reserved and non-reserved seats available. I’ve traveled in both reserved and non-reserved, although I don’t think it was necessary for most of the route to reserve seats at the time I was traveling. Sometimes it felt like the non-reserved cars were more empty, actually!

When traveling with a JR pass, you can go to the “green window” office to request a reserved seat which exists at most train stations. There’s no extra charge. Otherwise, you can just go for a non-reserved seat.

Some train routes were limited express trains, and others were local trains.

Train timings in Hokkaido

Hokkaido as a whole is a little more “rural” than other tourist cities in Japan like Tokyo and Kyoto. This means that train timings aren’t as frequent, in particular when you’re traveling across Hokkaido outside of Sapporo.

This means that it’s important to check train timings.

So the first thing you’ll want to do when you get to your first train station in Hokkaido is to pick up the latest copy of the JR Hokkaido timetable .

I relied on this SO much when I was in Hokkaido, and it was GREAT! I would check google maps for route ideas, and then check the timetable booklet for timings.

You can probably ask for it at the JR office of all major train stations in Hokkaido. I got mine at the JR office at the Sapporo Chitose airport.

When looking for the JR office at any train station, you’ll look for signs for “midori no madoguchi” – the green window.

Regular JR pass vs JR Hokkaido pass

Depending on your travel in Japan before and after Hokkaido, you may also consider getting the regular JR pass.

As you can imagine, the JR Hokkaido pass is only good for travel on JR trains around Hokkaido. This means that a JR Hokkaido pass won’t be able to get you from Tokyo to Sapporo for example.

But if you have a regular JR pass, it can get you from Tokyo to Sapporo, and you will also be able to use it on the trains around Hokkaido too.

The JR pass is more expensive than the JR Hokkaido pass. It would make sense to get a 7-day regular JR pass over a JR Hokkaido pass is if you’re planning on arriving AND leaving Hokkaido by train to/from Tokyo, if you’ll be adapting this 7-day Hokkaido plan into a 5-day Hokkaido itinerary. It MIGHT make sense to buy it if you are only going one way to/from Tokyo, IF you do enough train travel around the main cities of Hokkaido within that 7 days. Here are tips to calculate whether it’ll be worth it.

Very generally speaking, a regular JR pass will be worth it if you do 2 long-distance shinkansen train rides, and Tokyo to Hokkaido or Hokkaido to Tokyo would each count as 1 ride. If you will be going from Kyoto to Tokyo by shinkansen bullet train, and then within 7 days go from Tokyo to Hokkaido by shinkansen, the JR pass will very likely be worth it. Likewise, if you’ll be going from Hokkaido to Tokyo by shinkansen, and then within 7 days go from Tokyo to Kyoto by shinkansen, it will also be worth it with these 2 train rides alone… likely! Again, this is how you can calculate it to be sure.

My JR Hokkaido pass cost me 24,000 yen (US$220). There are also 14-day and 21-day regular JR passes.

If you don’t want to move around as much so quickly as is listed in this itinerary, then you may also look into buying individual train tickets or bus tickets and skip the pass.

Where to buy the JR Hokkaido pass

You can buy the JR Hokkaido pass at train station once you get to Hokkaido, including at the JR office at the airport and Sapporo Station.

As for the regular JR pass, it’s possible that you can buy it in Japan (you haven’t always been able to, and it’s been called an “experiment” or “trial”) but it will most likely be more expensive compared to buying it before you arrive in Japan. (I bought a regular JR pass in Japan and it cost US$30-40 more.)

Arriving to Hokkaido

There are 2 main ways you can arrive to Sapporo to start this Hokkaido itinerary:

There’s an airport near Sapporo, and that’s the Sapporo Chitose airport.

If you’re traveling with a 14-day or 21-day JR pass, then arriving to Hokkaido by train might also be an option to consider. There’s a shinkansen bullet train that will get you from Tokyo to Hakodate, which is just south of Sapporo. From Hakodate, you can then take a limited express train to Sapporo.

Or, if you want to adapt this 7-day plan into a 5-day Hokkaido itinerary, then you might consider getting a 7-day regular JR pass and then arriving and leaving by train. For Tokyo to Sapporo and Sapporo to Tokyo, it’s best to give yourself the full day to travel. (As in, don’t plan extra activities on these days, or be flexible.)

Leaving Hokkaido

If you’re traveling with a JR Hokkaido pass, you can’t use it to take a shinkansen to Tokyo, and Hakodate will be the furthest south to go. From Hakodate, you can activate a regular JR pass if you’ll be further exploring Japan.

If you’re traveling with a regular JR pass, you can take the shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo from Hakodate.

It’s reasonable to go from Sapporo to Tokyo by train in one day, although it will require a train transfer. You’ll first go from Sapporo to Hakodate by train (not the shinkansen), and then you’ll go from Hakodate to Tokyo by train.

If you’ll be staying overnight in Hakodate, the shinkansen doesn’t leave from the train station in town (that’s called Hakodate Station). Instead, you’ll need to get a train from Hakodate Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, and then get the shinkansen to Tokyo. If you will be going straight from Sapporo to Tokyo, you can get a train from Sapporo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.

If this sounds complicated, consulting google maps will make it seem more simple!

If you’ll be flying out of Hokkaido, you might consider skipping Hakodate since the airport is near Sapporo.

Tokyo to Hokkaido shinkansen // Hokkaido to Tokyo shinkansen (Hayabusa)

This is one of the rare shinkansen bullet trains that DO require seat reservations. There’s the regular reserved seats, and also the green car reserved seats.There are no non-reserved cars. Most other shinkansen trains have a non-reserved compartments.

This train also has a beer cart that comes around.

If you won’t be getting a JR pass, you can buy individual shinkansen train tickets at any JR train ticket office, available at any JR train station.

This train passes through an underwater tunnel! There are reports that say this is the world’s longest underwater tunnel.

And now…

Here’s a bit more about getting around Hokkaido in winter!

I took a train from Sapporo to Asahikawa.

When I arrived at the Asahikawa train station, I put my luggage in a coin locker at the station. The tourist information center at the train station also offers luggage storage.

And then I got on a bus to the zoo. The bus stop is located right in front of the train station.

What makes the Asahiyama Zoo popular is the penguin walk.

The zookeepers say that the penguins that come out do so at their will, so number of penguins coming out can vary but it seems every walk gets lots of penguins. (And lots of tourists!) Once at the Asahikawa train station, the bus stop is right in front of the train station. This is a local bus. When I went, the penguin walk timings were at 11am and 2:30pm. Many people do a trip to the Asahiyama Zoo as a day trip from Sapporo.

After the trip to the zoo, I returned to the train station to get my luggage, and then went to check in to my hostel.

I stayed at this Asahikawa hostel which was a 15 minute or so walk from the train station.

• Abashiri to Kushiro train (be alert for Japanese cranes when passing Kayanuma Station )

When I arrived at the Abashiri train station, once again I put my luggage in a coin locker at the station.

Then, I walked to the port for the drift ice cruise for a nice winter walk, in part along the river. It was about 30 minutes.

If you don’t want to walk through the cold, there’s also a bus that’s a reasonable option. The bus stop is right in front of the train station. There’s a little tourist information booth at the train station, so stop there to pick up a map, and you can also ask about the bus too!

This is the Hokkaido winter activity I was a little late in the season for.

The thing to do in Abashiri is to take an ice breaker cruise so you can see drift ice… ice drifting around in the ocean! (Well, the sea. It’s the Sea of Okhotsk, with Russia on the other side.) It seems like you might even be able to see wildlife like seals on the ice too.

But by the time I got to Hokkaido, basically all the ice in the ocean had melted. So it turned into just a boat ride around the ocean.

I didn’t book ahead, but if you’ll be there when there actually will be drift ice, it could be good to book a cruise in advance  since it’ll be more popular if there’s ice.

I took the bus from the port back to the train station.

Then once I got back to the train station, I got my luggage to get on a train to the next destination. (No overnight in Abashiri.)

To get from Abashiri to Obihiro requires 2 trains, so Kushiro could be a good breakup point. If the timings work out, you may just try to get to Obihiro.

On the Abashiri to Kushiro train, follow along on google maps with GPS to know when you’re getting close to Kayanuma Station. There’s a chance you might see wild Japanese cranes in front of this train station! It’s known as the “ train station Japanese cranes come to “!

I stayed at this “business hotel” in Kushiro  located a few minutes walk from the train station. Since this is just a transit point, this can be one of the most convenient places to stay. I also found it to be among the cheapest options. Plus it has free breakfast.

Abashiri is on the northern coast of Hokkaido. Further to the west and north is Wakkanai. It’s said that on a clear day you might be able to see Russia from Wakkanai.

• Obihiro to Lake Shikaribetsu bus

The Obihiro bus station is where you’d get a bus to Lake Shikaribetsu.

Lake Shikaribetsu is where you’ll find a frozen lake. And it’s ON this lake that a temporary ice village or igloo village is built every winter season.

There’s an ice bar and cafe, there’s a hot springs footbath that you can soak your feet in (bring a towel to wipe your feet!), and you can just go for a nice long walk across the snow-packed lake to maybe find people ice fishing too.

You can also go snowmobiling across the lake.

There are coin lockers at Obihiro station if you want to check in to your hotel after you get back from the igloo village.

If the timings work out, you may just try to get to Sapporo instead of staying the night in Obihiro. Or you might consider just staying at the lakefront hotel that overlooks the ice village !

Another igloo village/ice village in Hokkaido I went to another time was the Tomamu ice village . This is an evening activity, and Sapporo to Tomamu is around 2 hours.

After so much travel in the previous days, you can make this an easy day!

Take your time in the morning, and then go from Obihiro to Sapporo by train!

Japanese ramen noodles can be found all over Japan, and there’s a specialty “Sapporo ramen” you can try in the “ramen alley” of Sapporo for an intro to Sapporo! There is a whole row of ramen shops in the alley.

Sapporo beer is also one of the famous beers across Japan. Have a Sapporo beer in Sapporo! Or buy one at a convenience store before you board the train, and then drink one one your way TO Sapporo! (Drinks on these trains no problem.)

There were 2 hostels I stayed at in Sapporo – this one and this one .

• Mt Moiwa hike

There are different things to do in Sapporo based on your interest, but we’ll keep a winter theme here, so a winter hike in the snow sounds perfect!

This is a pretty easy hike in the snow, and it’ll take you to the Mt Moiwa observatory that’ll get you sweeping views of the city.

If you don’t want to hike, there’s also the Mt Moiwa ropeway, and you can get a ride up to the top.

Near the start of the Mt Moiwa hiking trail are the Sapporo fushimi inari torii gates .

For more city views from above, you can make a visit to the JR Tower observatory and the Sapporo TV tower.

Or… don’t stay put in Sapporo! 😉

Day trip to ski resorts from Sapporo

If you are into skiing or snowboarding, you may consider making day trips from Sapporo to Niseko, Rusutsu, or Furano.  (Or spend a night or 2! I stayed at this hostel in Niseko .) These are among the popular ski resorts in Hokkaido. Beginner lessons are also available. If you want to start your trip out with skiing, there’s a bus from the airport to Niseko , as well as to the other ski resorts.

Noboribetsu Onsen is a hot springs town and this is a popular day trip from Sapporo.

You can take a train from Sapporo, and once at the Noboribetsu train station, you’ll take a bus from right in front of the train station to get to the Noboribetsu town area.

This is the “hell valley” of Hokkaido, and you’ll see “demon” statues all over town.

You can also visit the volcanic crater area to see steam vents and sulfur banks. In town, there’s a “geyser park” where you might be able to see natural steam coming out in the small area.

There’s a natural hot springs river foot bath you can soak your feet in. (Again, bring a towel to dry your feet!) Even in winter, the water is warm.

If you want an even greater hot springs experience, you can find them all over town. You might even consider spending a night or 2 here! There are many accommodation options , including with hot spring room options, or a public bath.

Stop by the Noboribetsu Onsen bus station so you can get a map of the town area.

There’s the Hakodate tram that goes through the city that makes it convenient to get around the tourist areas of the city.

While you can find things to do in Hakodate, this can also be more of a transit point on your way to Tokyo if you’ll be going by train. You can also skip Hakodate and then spend an extra night in Sapporo, then go straight from Sapporo to Tokyo. (Or Sapporo to the airport to fly out of Hokkaido.)

I stayed at this hostel  on a cobblestone road that’s a tram ride away from Hakodate Station. See my photos from the Small Town Hostel in Hakodate .

And there are some ideas for one week in Japan in winter!

Happy 7 days of winter in hokkaido japan.

How to spend winter in Japan

• 10 day winter itinerary with the Japan Alps
• 7 day winter itinerary in Hokkaido

If you're looking for a route for winter in Japan, here are some ideas!

• 10 day Japan winter itinerary
• Tokyo to Nagano bus
• 2 days in Nagano with snow monkey pass // Stay at  this Nagano hostel  (private rooms available)
• A few days in popular ski resort area Hakuba (go here for at least a day even if you don't ski for the winter landscape in the mountains!) // Stay at  this Hakuba hostel  (private rooms available)
• Hakuba to Takayama  ( Hakuba to Matsumoto train  / a few hours  in Matsumoto  /  Matsumoto to Takayama bus )
• A few days in Takayama with day trips: Shirakawago / Shinhotaka ropeway on a sunny day // Stay at  this Takayama hostel  (private rooms available) and  eat regional Takayama ramen
• Takayama back to Tokyo OR Takayama to Nagoya airport to fly to Hokkaido for more winter landscapes!

Hokkaido winter itinerary  (train to get around - there are JR Hokkaido passes available, and you can use a  regular JR pass  too)

• Sapporo to Asahikawa  (Asahikawa for penguin walk at zoo)
• Asahikawa to Abashiri (Abashiri for drift ice cruise)
• Abashiri to Obihiro (night in Obihiro and go to  Lake Shikaribetsu ice village  the next day)
• Obihiro to Sapporo
• Sapporo to Noboribetsu onsen hot spring town  (day trip)
• Sapporo to Hakodate  // Stay in  this Hakodate hostel
• Hakodate to Tokyo on shinkansen bullet train through the underwater tunnel! ( Regular JR pass  will be worth it if you take this train ride along with one more long distance train ride within 7 days)

Is a JR pass worth it?!

• Google maps can make it easy to figure out whether or not you should get a JR pass!
• In google maps, type in your departure and arrival city, and choose the transit icon. The route will come up, and so will the estimated cost at the bottom!
• Here is an example of a train route with cost on google maps.
• So do that for all of your long distance routes to figure out how much it might cost.
• Next, go here to see how much a JR pass costs from an official JR pass vendor (and partner of this website).
• And compare!
• Not all forms of public transportation are JR, but long distance shinkansen bullet trains are, and that's where the most cost savings will come.

Best of Kyoto (and Japan!)

• Best temples to visit in Kyoto
• Japanese gardens in Kyoto

Enjoy Snow and Drift Ice! 5-Day Eastern Hokkaido Winter Itinerary

Hokkaido is covered with pure white snow in winter , showcasing a completely different beauty from other regions in Japan. Eastern Hokkaido is a paradise of natural wonder with many moving sights seen only in winter , like the red-crowned cranes that descend on the great plains and the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. What’s more, our eastern Hokkaido 5-day winter itinerary is brought to you by a local writer!

Day 1: New Chitose Airport → Sapporo → Asahikawa → Sounkyo

Day 2: sounkyo → abashiri, day 3: abashiri → kushiro marsh → kushiro city, day 4: kushiro → ikeda town → obihiro → tokachigawa onsen, day 5: obihiro → tomamu → new chitose airport, hokkaido in winter is a dynamic experience.

Travel easier with the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass While renting a car in Hokkaido is handy, in winter , it can be hazardous for those not used to driving in snow. For this reason, we recommend using public transport in our southern Hokkaido winter itinerary. Conveniently, the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass offers unlimited travel on JR trains and buses at an excellent rate.

10:30 a.m.: From New Chitose Airport Station to Sapporo Station via the Rapid Airport train

First, take the Rapid “ Airport ” train from New Chitose Airport Station to Sapporo Station . There are 148 departures per day, and the trip takes about 40 minutes. Enjoy the scenery on your way to Sapporo !

11:10 a.m.: Recharge with some “station soba”

“Tachigui soba ” restaurants serve soba and udon to patrons who stand while eating their noodles. When found on station platforms, it’s called “station soba ” and originated in Edo period (1603-1868) food stands. There used to be station soba shops all over Japan, but their number is dwindling. Sapporo Station still has shops open near platforms 5 and 6 as well as platforms 7 and 8. Try some traditional Japanese fast food !

Noon: Trivia time - Japanese rails are narrower than others around the world

Limited Express “Kamui” or “Lilac” trains run from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station once an hour. Interestingly, around 70% of the world’s railways use 1,435 mm “standard gauge” rails, while Japan’s conventional lines are 1,067 mm “narrow gauge.”

1:30 p.m.: Warm up with some Asahikawa ramen

Asahikawa’s take on ramen is well-known and features a soy sauce-based “W soup” broth made with seafood , pork and chicken bones, and vegetables. In the harsh subzero mid- winter temperatures, the soup’s lard-induced oily surface prevents the broth from cooling too quickly. There are many ramen shops in and around Asahikawa Station, and the most popular shops have lines of eager customers waiting outside before opening, even on weekdays.

2:40 p.m.: Ride the local “Sekihoku Main Line”

Next, transfer to the local Sekihoku Main Line at Asahikawa Station to reach Kamikawa Station in about an hour. It’s a “main line” in name only, with only a few departures per day. The one- or two-car diesel trains roar out of the station, and as you pass through the city of Asahikawa , the number of houses gradually decreases, and you’re soon in nature ’s embrace. It’s quite a distance from Kamikawa Station to your first day’s destination at Sounkyo Onsen , so it’s best to arrange transportation to the inn in advance.

7:00 p.m.: The Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival beautifully colors cold nights

Sounkyo is located in Daisetsuzan National Park – a scenic area with cliffs that stretch for about 24km along the Ishikari River . Sounkyo Onsen is at the foot of Mt. Kurodake, which is lined with large hotels . The Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, is held nearby every year from late January to mid-March. The frozen Ryusei Falls and Ginga Falls, ice sculptures, and icy landscapes are beautifully lit up at night and serve as symbols of Sounkyo . There’s also ice climbing and an ice slide, but if you feel cold, you can always head back to your inn and warm up in the hot springs . For further details, please check the official website, available in both English and Chinese. Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands ・2022 Dates: January 29 - March 13 ・Hours: 5:00pm - 9:30pm ・Admission: 500 yen postcard as a cooperation fee, elementary school students and younger are free

• Address Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido, 078-1701 View Map
• Nearest Station Kamikawa Station （Sekihoku Main Line）
• Phone Number 01658-2-1811

9:50 a.m.: Head to the Sea of Okhotsk by bus

On Day 2, take a bus from Sounkyo Onsen to Abashiri and the Sea of Okhotsk. The trip takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes, and the mountains of the Daisetsu range, as seen from the bus, are spectacular. You’ll be able to experience the sheer size and natural beauty of Hokkaido with almost nothing artificial in sight.

2:00 p.m.: Enjoy Okhotsk Drift Ice Curry and a view of the drift ice floating in the Sea of Okhotsk

For a late lunch, the “Kinemakan” food court in the Ryuhyo-kaido Abashiri roadside station near the Abashiri Bus Terminal is recommended. Abashiri Prison has, on occasion, been the filming location for movies about prisoners like Abashiri Bangaichi and The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness . When choosing a dish made with local produce you should definitely try “Okhotsk Drift Ice Curry ” (1,350 yen including tax), which resembles drift ice floating in the Sea of Okhotsk. Despite its deep blue color, the taste is mild and delicious. The food court’s menu includes English notation, making it easy to order. Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands

• Address 5-1 Minami 3, Higashi 4, Abashiri, Hokkaido 093-0003
• Phone Number 0152-44-0688

・Hours: 11:00am - 4:30pm ・Admission: Free ・Closed: Open daily

3:00 p.m.: Depart from Abashiri Port on a sunset cruise

The “ Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing and Icebreaker Ship” departs from the dock next to the Ryuhyo-kaido Abashiri roadside station. The icebreaker began operation in 1991, and from January 20th to April 3rd, the “Aurora” and “Aurora II” sail daily. The last daily departure from mid-February to the end of March is called the “Sunset Cruise” and allows passengers to see the drift ice colored by the setting sun. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles or seals resting on the ice. Be sure to wear warm clothes and enjoy sights seen only in Okhotsk in winter . The official website is available in English and Chinese and provides additional details. * Please be sure to complete the boarding procedure 15 minutes before departure. * The cruise lasts about 1 hour. (Depending on drift ice conditions) * When there is no drift ice, the cruise will tour Cape Notori instead. * After March 15th, if the number of reservations on the previous day is 15 or fewer for each departure, departures may be canceled. * If there is no drift ice, the sunset cruise will be canceled. Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands

• Address Minami three Higashi 4-5-1, Abashiri-shi, Hokkaido, 093-0000 View Map
• Nearest Station Abashiri Station （Sekihoku Main Line / Senmo Main Line） 10 minutes by car
• Phone Number 0152-43-6000

5:00 p.m.: Stay at Farm Inn Anima no Sato, where travelers can enjoy good conversation

About 10 minutes by taxi from Ryuhyo-kaido Abashiri , “Farm Inn Anima no Sato” is a farm building that has been converted into an inn. There, guests can feel the warmth of being invited into a Japanese family. Lodgers range from families, training groups, and sports training camps to backpackers and solo travelers. It’s a great opportunity to spend time talking with all kinds of people over homemade dishes. The inn is surrounded by nature , with squirrels, red foxes, and sika deer making occasional appearances. The inn itself is smaller, but the ranch grounds are large, and you’re sure to have a pleasant stay. Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands

• Address Omagari 47-2, Abashiri, Hokkaido, 093-0045 View Map
• Nearest Station Abashiri Station （Sekihoku Main Line / Senmo Main Line） 49 minutes on foot

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• from 11,600JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.

From Abashiri Station, take the “Semmo Honsen” to Kushiro Station. The Semmo Main Line is a 166.2km long line connecting Abashiri and Kushiro that began service in 1931. Along the way, there are many iconic Hokkaido tourist spots like World Heritage Site , Shiretoko Shari Station, which is the gateway to the Shiretoko Peninsula, and Kawayu Onsen Station, which is the closest station to Lake Mashu , the world’s most transparent lake . It takes about 3 hours to get to Kushiro , so be sure to buy an ekiben lunchbox at Abashiri Station before boarding the train.

3:00 p.m.: See the red-crowned cranes descending into the Kushiro Wetland

Red-crowned cranes can be found around Kayanuma Station near the Kushiro Wetland. The red-crowned cranes lost their natural nesting site due to flood damage in 1964. At the time, the birds were cared for by the Kayanuma station staff, and even though it’s now an uncrewed station, residents still look out for the birds. If you don’t find any cranes at Kayanuma Station, you can see them at Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Nature Park in Tsuruoka, Kushiro City (about 30 minutes from Kushiro Station by taxi). The park was opened in 1958 when five Japanese cranes were released to protect the endangered species and allow their numbers to replenish. Currently, about 20 cranes live there throughout the year. There is no foreign language notation in the park , but for the simple purpose of bird watching, that won’t cause any inconvenience.

• Address 112, Tsuruoka, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido, 084-0926 View Map
• Nearest Station Kushiro Station （Nemuro Main Line / Hanasaki Line） 55 minutes by bus
• Phone Number 0154-56-2219

6:00 p.m.: Try Robatayaki and Zangi, foods that originated in Kushiro

Blessed with excellent fishing grounds, Kushiro is one of the best food cities in Hokkaido. Among the dishes said to have originated in Kushiro , “robatayaki” and “zangi” are recommended. Robatayaki is made by grilling fresh seafood over charcoal before serving it to diners on long wooden spatulas.

Zangi looks like fried chicken , although there is some debate about the difference between zangi and fried chicken. Originally served at a yakitori restaurant, it’s rumored that zangi was simply made by chopping a full broiler chicken into smaller pieces. Zangi is served with sweet, spicy sauce, and these days there are even variations made with fried octopus, shellfish, or other fish. Recommended accommodation in Kushiro City

• Address 3-7 Nishikicho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido, 085-0016 View Map
• Nearest Station Kushiro Station （Nemuro Main Line / Hanasaki Line） 15 minutes on foot
• Please enquire directly about rates. View Deal
• from 26,125JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

• Address 2-1 Kita Odori, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido, 085-0015 View Map
• Nearest Station Kushiro Station （Nemuro Main Line / Hanasaki Line） 14 minutes on foot
• from 12,360JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal
• from 9,348JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

9:00 a.m.: Create a unique “Katte Don” seafood bowl

Instead of having breakfast at your hotel in Kushiro , order some “Katte Don” at Kushiro Washo Ichiba market, a 5-minute walk from Kushiro Station. You can buy white rice at the market’s side dish section, buy the sashimi of your choice at the seafood restaurant, and create your own original seafood bowl. There is no foreign language notation, so if you’re interested in a particular item, just ask, “What is this?” Your day’s journey is just beginning, so after you’ve eaten your fill, take the 11:30 Limited Express “Ozora” from JR Kushiro Station and head west. Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands

• Address 13-25, Kuroganecho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido, 085-0018 View Map
• Nearest Station Kushiro Station （Nemuro Main Line / Hanasaki Line） 3 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 0154-22-3226

12:30 p.m.: Sample Tokachi wine at Ikeda Wine Castle

In recent years, Hokkaido has experienced an unprecedented Japanese wine boom , with about 50 wineries newly established. Tokachi Wine, first produced in Ikeda-cho in 1963, was one of the pioneers of Hokkaido wine production. A 10-minute walk from Ikeda Station, the Ikeda Town Wine and Wine Research Institute’s winery, which produces Tokachi Wine and has a wide variety of vintages, is also called the “Wine Castle ” because it resembles a European castle from the Middle Ages. Free winery mini-tours are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:00 to 11:30am and 2:00 to 2:30pm. Full-scale paid tastings are held on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only from 11:00am - 12:15pm and 2:00 - 3:15pm. The winery’s website is available in English, Korean, and Chinese. Winery tours may be canceled depending on various circumstances, so be sure to check the website for further details. Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands

• Address 83 Kiyomi, Ikeda-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido, 083-0002
• Phone Number 015-572-2467

・Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm ・Admission: Free ・Closed: New Year holidays

4:30 p.m.: Bet on the world’s only “Ban’ei Horse Racing” in Obihiro

It takes about 30 minutes by regular train from Ikeda Station to Obihiro Station. From the station’s south exit, it’s a 7-minute taxi ride to Ban’ei Tokachi, where you can watch Ban’ei Horse Racing, in which draft horses race while pulling 1-ton sleds. It used to be held throughout Hokkaido, but now Obihiro ’s Ban’ei Tokachi is the only race of its kind in the world. In times past, an event known as “Festival Banma” was held to test the strength of the workhorses so important during Hokkaido’s pioneering era and eventually developed into Ban’ei Horse Racing. Basic betting is the same as the Derby system. The sight of rising dust as the horses overcome two obstacles, large and small, is impressive. Held mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, Race 1 starts around 2:00pm, and Race 12 ends after 8:00pm. The official website is available in English, Korean, and Chinese, so be sure to check there for more details. Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands

• Address 9, Nishi-13-jominami, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido, 080-0023 View Map
• Nearest Station Obihiro Station （Nemuro Main Line） 7 minutes by car
• Phone Number 0155-34-0825

7:00 p.m.: Enjoy Tokachigawa Onsen, featuring a rare moor hot spring

After enjoying the horse racing, take a taxi for about 30 minutes to today’s accommodation, Tokachigawa Onsen . This was selected as a Hokkaido heritage site in 2004 and features a “moor hot spring ,” a rarity in the world. Moor springs are hot springs in which plants grew naturally in ancient times and accumulated to form a lignite (brown coal) layer, through which the spring now flows. Due to its beautifying benefits that grant smooth skin, it is also called “Bijin no Yu.”

Every year from late January to late February, “Sairinka” is held at the hot spring town’s Tokachigaoka Park . At this event, around 600 light bulbs and LEDs are used to create a frigid fantasy show of light and sound. Health & Safety Measures The scale of the event will be reduced in 2022, or it may be canceled depending on public health conditions at the time. Please refer to the official website for the most up-to-date information. At the entrance of the venue temperature measurement, hand disinfection, mandatory masks, and contact confirmation app registration are required.

• Address 14-1 Tokachigawa Onsen, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido 080-0262

・TEL: 0155-32-6633 (Otofuke Town Tokachigawa Onsen Tourism Association) ・Hours: 7:00pm - 9:00 pm ・Admission: Free ・Closed: Open daily

Recommended accommodations in Tokachigawa Onsen

• Address Tokachigawa Onsenminami 14-2, Otofuke, Hokkaido, 080-0263 View Map
• Nearest Station Satsunai Station （Nemuro Main Line）
• from 16,939JPY 1room, 2adults View Deal

11:00 a.m.: Enjoy winter activities at Hoshino Resort Tomamu

On the final day, ride a Limited Express train for about an hour from Obihiro to Tomamu, where you can enjoy winter activities to the fullest. Hoshino Resorts Tomamu has a ski slope that will satisfy both beginners and advanced skiers, as well as a variety of other winter activities. The new Muhyo Terrace observation deck was completed in the summer of 2021 and is open from December 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. It offers a spectacular view of the snowy mountains and the chance to see the “rime ice” phenomenon, which occurs when moisture and fog in the air freeze to tree branches when temperatures are about 2 to 10 degrees below freezing. Assistance in multiple languages is available so you can spend a relaxing last day in Hokkaido. To avoid missing your flight, keep in mind that it’s about 80 minutes by limited express train from Tomamu to New Chitose Airport . Health & Safety Measures Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests asked to wear masks, have temperature checked, and sanitize hands

• Address Nakatomamu, Shimukappu-mura, Yuufutsu-gun, Hokkaido, 079-2204 View Map
• Nearest Station Tomamu Station （Sekisho Line） 5 minutes by bus
• Phone Number 0167-58-1111

6:00 p.m.: Enjoyment right up to the time of your flight at New Chitose Airport

There are so many things to do at New Chitose Airport , you could mistake it for a mall. There are theme parks , movie theaters , and hot springs , so there’s no way you’ll get bored waiting for your flight.

• Address 987-22, Bibi, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0012 View Map
• Nearest Station New Chitose Airport Station （Chitose Line）
• Phone Number 0123-23-0111

As your plane takes off, the street lights below will shine through your window before disappearing into the jet-black night, but the memories of your trip will still be reflected in the window even when nothing else can be seen. Winters in Hokkaido are long and cold, but people and animals still thrive here, and you can create unforgettable memories in this vibrant northern land of winter . Text by: Masakazu *Information in this article is accurate as of January 2022. Please check official websites for the latest information. English translation by Gabriel Wilkinson

• Area Kushiro
• Category Winter
• How To: Sightseeing

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Adventure north with this one week Hokkaido winter itinerary

The island of Hokkaido sits at the top of the Japanese archipelago , a vast land sometimes referred to as Japan’s “nature island” or its “final frontier” . It’s stunning – wild and largely untamed , where brown bears roam in the woodlands, white-tailed eagles soar above national parks and sea otters swim off the coast. 

The geography is equally spellbinding with natural hot springs and smoldering volcanoes, dense forests and belching sulphur mountains, sacred lakes and drift ice floating along the jagged northern coastline. 

Having spent time in the big cities of Tokyo , Kyoto and Hiroshima, I was keen to explore more of Japan’s wilderness and so when the opportunity arose to explore Hokkaido , I jumped at the chance. The result is this Hokkaido winter itinerary , which is the perfect introduction to this special corner of Japan. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy for more details. I was a guest of JTB Travel for the purpose of producing this guide. 

7-day Hokkaido winter itinerary

Table of Contents

In the last 20 years or so Hokkaido has become synonymous with skiing . Home to 115 ski resorts , the island’s winter season has become popular with skiers and boarders eager to float along the region’s legendary light and fluffy powder. 

But while the skiing is incredible, there are so many other winter activities to enjoy here. Not to mention the myriad cultural activities from charming coastal villages and historical monuments to the fascinating – and not well known – history of the Ainu people . 

Hokkaido has been the native homeland of the indigenous Ainu people since around the 13th century; they called Hokkaido  “Ainu Moshiri”  (Land of the Ainu) and lived mainly along the warmer southern coastline. Their traditional ways of life included salmon fishing, bear and deer hunting, and foraging, and they would trade with people from mainland Japan. 

After the Meiji Restoration and Japanese colonisation of the northernmost island, however, mainlanders started emigrating to Hokkaido and discriminatory practices were put in place. The Ainu language – purely verbal and distinct from Japanese – was outlawed, their traditional ways of life were banned and their lands repossessed.  

Today, efforts are being made to preserve and promote this unique people and culture and the island is scattered with interesting initiatives aimed at keeping traditional Ainu culture alive. In 2020 the  Upopoy Museum  opened, dedicated to the Ainu people. It’s the first national museum in Japan to be focused on the county’s indigenous population. 

The best time to visit Hokkaido

If you are reading this Hokkaido winter itinerary then it’s highly likely that you are planning to visit Japan’s northernmost island during the winter time .

Winter arrives early in Hokkaido and it’s not uncommon for snow to start falling in September in the mountains.

November is when the real snow starts to fall and January and February are peak season , particularly for skiing. We visited in mid-January, when a big storm passed through shutting off roads in and around Sapporo. Road closures are not uncommon so be aware when planning your trip, or visit with a professional tour operator such as JTB who will take care of all your transport. 

The region’s most famous festival takes place during the winter months. The Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in early February and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors who come to see the fanciful ice sculptures created by sculptors from around the world. 

It’s highly likely that, like me, you will fall in love with Hokkaido during your visit and will want to return. In which case, consider visiting during the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom or even during the summer months . While the rest of Japan swelters in the heat and humidity, Hokkaido’s temperatures hover in the low 20Cs. 

Getting to and around Hokkaido

New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, is Hokkaido’s main airport with direct international flights across Asia . Regular daily flights run between New Chitose and Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo (1hr 35mins). There are also flights to Kansai International Airport for Osaka and Kyoto (2hr 20mins). 

The  shinkansen , Japan’s incredible bullet train, runs from Tokyo to Hakodate , located on Hokkaido’s southern tip. A planned shinkansen to Sapporo is scheduled to open in 2030. For now, an express train connects Hakodate with Sapporo. 

Local buses and trains crisscross the region making public transportation a reality if you are on a budget. Alternatively, you may choose to hire a car and driving in Hokkaido is very straightforward compared to driving in   Tokyo  for example!

However, if you are visiting in the middle of winter then snowfall can cause havoc on the roads. Remember that if you do want to hire a car in Japan you will need an international driving licence . 

An alternative would be go work with a travel agency such as JTB who can help organise your trip, including on-the-ground transfers and guides. 

Your Hokkaido Itinerary

This itinerary focuses on the southern area of Hokkaido. If you feel like adventuring further north, take a look at this post on exploring Lake Akan . 

This Itinerary focuses on the following destinations: 

• Biratori Town 
• Shiraoi Town 
• Noboribetsu 
• Jozankei Onsen 
• Sapporo 

Day 1: Sapporo to Biratori Town

It’s highly likely that you will start your journey arriving in New Chitose Airport. Save Sapporo for the end of your trip and hit the road straight away, heading for Biratori town . 

Located in southwestern Hokkaido , about an hour’s drive from the airport, Biratori sits cupped in the valley of the river valley of the Saru River , a sacred river for the indigenous Ainu people. Biratori still has the largest Ainu population in Hokkaido and is at the forefront of trying to revitalise the indigenous culture and heritage. 

The region is also famous for its racehorses and a patchwork of thoroughbred horse farms pepper the plains – you’ll spot them as you drive along. 

Once you arrive in town, stop for lunch at Ikoi (meaning ‘cosy’) a traditional Japanese restaurant that serves excellent yakisoba noodles as well as the wagyu beef, black pork and tomatoes for which the region is well known. If you arrive at midday you will hear a siren go off; this happens daily at both noon and 5pm to signal lunchtime and the end of the working day. 

Keep a look out for Birakky painted on walls when wandering around town. Otherwise known as “Be Lucky” , this cute tomato cow / pig hybrid is the symbol of the Biratori region and combines the three things for which the area is famous: its beef, its pork and its tomatoes! It also has a lily for a tail. 

Mascots – called yuru-kyara in Japanese – are everywhere in Japan. Regions, prefecture, companies all have their own mascots and many of them are incredibly  kawaii  (cute). 

Ainu culture in Biratori

There are various places in Biratori where you can experience Ainu culture including the Historical Museum of the Saru River , the Nibutani Kotan (where you can see replicas of traditional Ainu homes) and the Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum . 

We went instead to the Biratori Ainu Crafts and Heritage Centre Urespa . This cultural centre opened in autumn 2023 and is the best place to visit if you want to combine activities with learning about the traditional Ainu way of life . They offer a range of workshops including textile weaving, wood carving and embroidery. 

The Saru River

We met our guide Atsushi Monbetsu outside the centre. Dressed in a bright orange jacket with long hair and knives hanging from his belt, he looked like a true adventurer. Mr Monbetsu led us through an Ainu prayer traditionally carried out before entering the forest, that involved creating a fire from white birch bark , sake an a ceremonial bowl and ikupasuy (Prayer Stick). 

Shortly after, snowshoes on, we were led across the frozen Saru River towards the forest on the other side. At one end of the river is a Nibutani Dam , the controversial construction of which ended up being a major turning point in the Ainu people being officially recognised by the Japanese government.

Two Ainu landowners refused to sell their land to the government for the dam construction. When the government went ahead anyway, the elders sued and won. The Sapporo Supreme Court ruling was the start of the Japanese government acknowledging Ainu as indigenous people of Japan. 

Today the area around the Saru River has been designated as an “Important Cultural Landscape by the Agency for Cultural Affairs” and the centre is working hard to regenerate the forest , traditionally used by the Ainu people as hunting grounds .  One of the animals they are hoping to encourage to return is the Blakiston’s fish owl , the largest living species of owl and one of the highest gods in Ainu culture.

Learning to cook traditional Ainu food 

That evening we joined the cheerful Misaki Kimura in the kitchen of the cultural centre where she patiently taught us how to make traditional dumplings known as  shito . Made from millet flour, these dumplings are traditionally used for ceremonies. 

Once the dumplings were ready, we enjoyed them for dinner alongside a generous serving of other traditional Ainu foods including venison soup (known as oahu ), wild garlic served with kimchi, fresh salmon , millet rice and bear, which had been caught by Mr. Monbetsu. 

This really is a unique experience and a wonderful way to learn more about the traditional Ainu way of life. 

Overnight in Biratori Onsen Yukara

Our home for that evening was the Biratori Onsen Yukara , a characterful traditional Japanese  ryokan  (inn) with tatami flooring and futons in the rooms and an onsen open to the public. 

Onsens , for the uninitiated, are natural hot spring baths , heated naturally by underground volcanic activity. Onsens are separated by sexes – no clothing or bathing suits are allowed – and are often considered a social activity; you will see friends and mothers and daughters (or fathers and sons) going to onsens together. 

The onsen at this inn is delightful with a handful of pools of differing temperatures, including two outside overlooking the snowy gardens. There is also a cold pool and a sauna. 

All guests at the inn are given a  yukata   (cotton robe) to wear to the onsen with a  haori  (jacket) on top. Not only can you wear these to the onsen but to breakfast as well! Incidentally, the traditional Japanese breakfasts here are excellent. 

Day 2: Isabella Bird Footpath Walk & Upopoy Museum 

In 1878 the British explorer Isabella Bird visited the Biratori area of Hokkaido, the first Western woman to explore beyond Hakodate. She was also the first woman fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. 

Isabella Bird travelled on horseback , accompanied by an interpreter, and spent time in the homes of Ainu people. She documents her time in Japan, including her stint in Biratori, in her book  Unbeaten Tracks in Japan . 

The Isabella Bird Footpath

Today, a 15km trail , the Isabella Bird Footpath follows in her footsteps in the Biratori area, which you can explore solo or with one of the friendly and highly knowledgeable volunteer guides although you will need to be able to speak Japanese or have a translate with you. 

We met our guides Noriko and Tetsa and walked a small section of the snowy signposted trail , with the dappled sunlight through the trees. There’s a wonderful Japanese word,  komorebi , which means “sunlight leaking through the trees”. 

The path led to the Yoshitsune Shrine (Yoshitsune Ginja), a Shinto shrine dedicated to the famous samurai Yoghistsune who lived in the 12th century. He fled to Hokkaido to escape his brother who had ordered him to be sentenced to death. 

Although he’s known to have died on the mainland, countless legends about him abound, including one that he fled to Mongolia where he changed his n name to Genghis Khan . 

The Yoshitsune Shrine was one reason that Isabella Bird came to Biratori, and although a landslide meant that the shrine is no longer in the original position that it was during Bird’s time, the building remains the same. 

Today the shrine sits at the top of 88 steps , flanked by age-old chestnut trees . Outside is a sign detailing the unique steps, akin to a dance, that visitors need to follow for entering the shrine.

The Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park

It’s just over an hour from Biratori past snow covered fields and big red barns that resemble Fisher Price toys, to the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in the town of Shiraoi. We met our guide, Yoko, at the entrance next to the museum mascot, Tureppon (a turep is a giant lily bulb). If you do plan to visit the museum then I highly recommend getting a guide as you will get so much more out of your visit. 

The Upopoy Museum – its name is an Ainu word meaning “singing together in a large group” – is the first of its kind in Japan and the perfect place to learn more about the Ainu history, culture and its people . 

Opened in the summer of 2020 , the museum spreads out across a grassy space on the edge of Lake Poroto . When we visited, the frozen lake was dotted with green and orange tents belonging to ice fishermen . 

The museum is divided into three different areas and an electric bus runs between them. The Cultural Exchange Hall hosts six different performances daily, often by different Ainu groups. We enjoyed a medley of songs and dances performed by Ainu men and women wearing traditional Ainu dress. They told stories about bear hunting and nature and provided a fascinating insight into this age-old culture. 

At the other end of the park space, past the grassy Cikisani Square , is a small replica Ainu village known as a  kotan . Several traditional houses stand here, one with potatoes fermenting outside and salmon skin drying on tall wooden racks, just as they would have done in times gone by.

Outside another home stands a bear hut ; bears are believed to be sacred in Ainu culture. Traditionally, families would catch a bear as a cub and raise them as a member of the family . When it came time to sacrifice the bear, the Ainu believed that spirit of the animal would look after their community, having treated it well in life. 

In one house is a rack of traditional Ainu clothes that visitors are welcome to try these on. 

Nearby is a Crafts Studio where visitors can try activities like archery, embroidery and playing traditional musical instruments such as the  mukkuri , a mouth harp made of bamboo and string. 

At the heart of the space is the museum itself, a two-storey building home to a large Permanent Exhibition showcasing Ainu history from 30,000 years ago to present day . The displays are fascinating, covering everything from traditional dress and beliefs to hunting and trading, as well as the assimilation of the Ainu by the Japanese over the centuries. 

The museum collection is so large that they rotate the displays every two months . Some of my favourites when we visited were the intricately embroidered ceremonial gowns that differed according to region as well as the everyday clothes made from sealskin and the wonderful shoes made from salmon skin . 

Signs are in English and Japanese and there are some very good interactive exhibits too. On the ground floor is an excellent gift and souvenir shop. 

We did not have enough time here but you can easily spend half a day or longer (the Hinna Hinna kitchen at the museum entrance is a good place to have lunch). 

Overnight in Noboribetsu, Jigokudani (Hell Valley) 

It’s only 30 minutes to the town of Noboribetsu , is a resort town that is one of the most famous in Hokkaido for hot springs . North of the town is Jigokudani , a  hot spring resort home to a 24-acre geothermal crater filled with bubbling, belching sulphurous streams and steaming vents. Its otherworldly appearance has given it the nickname Hell Valley and it’s guarded by some fierce-looking Oni (demons).

It’s well worth taking a nighttime stroll along the boardwalk to see this fiendish landscape in the dark. 

Dai-ichi Takimotokan is the oldest hot spring inn in the area. It first opened 165 years ago after a young man, Kinzo Takimoto, brought his wife to the area. She was suffering from a skin disease and they quickly found that the natural spring waters , rich in minerals, cured her. Takimoto later established the first onsen inn and today it’s one of the most famous – and popular – in the area.

Takimotokan is a  big  resort-like hotel with an equally large onsen open 24 hours that is one of the most famous in Japan. It’s steamy and incredibly busy but if you can find a spot in the hot pool outdoors then you will be rewarded with a truly unique onsen experience. 

While I don’t traditionally choose large hotels, Takimotokan is a great option for this area for its history, its onsen and in particular for its buffet dinner which is outstanding. 

Day 3: Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

We did not have time to spend an entire day here but if your schedule is flexible then I would highly recommend an additional day in this area, exploring Hell Valley by daylight and making the most of the onsen – and the incredible tempura and sashimi at the restaurant buffer – at Takimotokan. 

Day 4:  Jozankei

The town of Jozankei sits on the outskirts of Sapporo, roughly a two hour drive from Noboribetsu assuming that the roads are clear. A large snow storm hit dropping 104cm of snow overnight when we were visiting. Consequently, the journey took at least an hour longer.

Nevertheless, this is a really magical corner of Hokkaido where you can experience some of the region’s best winter activities. It’s a regular getaway for Sapporo local for its onsen and is also popular during the autumn season for its vivid fall foliage . 

Wild Mustangs

Hokkaido and horses go hand in hand . Isabella bird travelled around Hokkaido by horseback, the Ainu are skilled horse people, horse farms scattered throughout the region and Hokkaido is also where the powerful Bamba work horse comes from. 

So it was inevitable that we would spend some time in the saddle during our trip.

Wild Mustangs offers horse riding sessions throughout the year and through the snow during the winter months. Our late arrival owing to the snowstorm meant that we couldn’t do our planned walk through the forest in search of the region’s cutest bird, the shima enaga .

Nevertheless, we did get a taster, mounting our horses and following our cheerful guide Ted on a short circular walk nearby. The Wild West themed stables are great fun and so authentic-looking that they have been used as a shooting location for Japanese films. 

Nono Terrace

Located within the town of Jozankei itself is Nono Terrace , where we stopped for lunch. This cafe and activity centre / adventure base opened four years ago and is run by a Tokyo native, Ume, who swapped the bright city lights for life in the mountains. 

During the winter months they offer everything from winter river rafting and guided ski touring to more gentle activities such as popcorn making over an open fire and crafting a wooden bird call. We opted for baumkuchen making , a kind of spit cake originating in Germany that is cooked over an open fire. 

The forecourt area, although largely covered in huge snow drifts when we were there, is home to a handful of tents with a central fire pit where we took turns making our baumkuchen and toasting ham and cheese sandwiches. 

Hoheikyo Onsen

My favourite onsen during our time in Hokkaido was definitely the one at Hoheikyo . This very traditional onsen is 150 years old and is absolutely charming. Indoors, a simple row of hand showers and stool sit alongside one wall. Opposite are several hot pools of varying temperatures.

The star of the show, however, is the large open-air hot spring outside , surrounded by a magical snow covered landscape akin to something you might find in the Moomin storybooks. 

Surprisingly, the onsen is also home to a curry house complete with a traditional tandoor oven but we did not have time to order a curry. 

Overnight in Sapporo

We stayed in the beautiful Onsen Ryokan Yuen Sapporo in the city center. Based on a traditional Japanese  ryokan , this modern hotel celebrates Japan’s past with all the contemporary comforts you might want.

Rooms are not huge but more than comfortable for a solo traveller or a couple and the breakfast was the best that we had during our time in Hokkaido.

The only slight hitch is the onsen ; it’s stunning, more akin to a fancy spa than a traditional Japanese onsen but it is not large and can get very busy at certain times of the day. Time your visit right, however, and you may have the place to yourself (we found that early mornings worked best). 

Day 5: Sapporo

The city of Sapporo is Japan’s fifth largest city and the capital of Hokkaido . It’s an exciting city – like Tokyo but on a smaller, more manageable, scale with buzzy restaurants, cool cafes, a unique parfait culture and lots of things to do. 

Historical Village of Hokkaido

We spent our first morning in Sapporo at the Historical Village of Hokkaido on the outskirts of the city. This open-air museum was one of my favourite  things to do in Sapporo . 

Home to 52 buildings from around the region that were dismantled and reassembled on the museum grounds, the Historical Village of Hokkaido is a glorious step back in time and a fascinating insight into the city’s young history. 

The buildings date from 1868 and the 1920s and include everything from an old inn and a sake brewery and bar to a high school for boys filled with education memorabilia and the home of a wealthy businessman who ran a herring factory . 

One of the best things about the Historical Village of Hokkaido was the chance to dress up ; all visitors are offered the chance to wear a either a  black wool cape and bowler hat , as the men of the 19th century would have worn, or a large burgundy shawl, as seen on women of the time. 

Have lunch at Toriton

​ Toriton is a popular chain of sushi restaurants in Sapporo where the sushi whirls around the restaurant on a conveyor belt and diners pick and choose what they would like to eat from their booth.

Only the difference being here from similar conveyor belt sushi restaurants in places like  London , pictures are placed on the conveyor belt rather than sushi itself and dishes are then made to order (you can also order from the menu, displayed on an iPad). As our guide, Ken, told us, sushi dries out quickly.  The food is excellent and the experience a lot of fun. 

Explore Sapporo

​ There are lots of things to do in Sapporo. Highlights include the Sapporo Beer Museum , Odori Park in the heart of the downtown Sapporo and the Sapporo TV Tower . The latter is a great place to get views of the city; a lift whisks visitors up to the observation deck that stands 90.38 metres high offering uninterrupted views over the capital. 

Have dinner in a traditional  izakaya

​ An izakaya is a Japanese bar and restaurant that typically serves drinks and small plates for diners to share. Try ToriHachi No UoYa , an izakaya that first opened in 1963.

Our dinner here was one of my favourite meals during our time in Hokkaido, a low-lit cosy restaurant that serves stupendous food. Sit at the bar and order from the menu – we had grilled cod , handmade tofu,  ankimo  (steamed monkfish liver), grilled spring onions, chicken  yakatori   and plenty more including the regional speciality ,  shirako , ​ cod sperm. 

​Experience Sapporo’s Parfait Culture

A good night out in Sapporo inevitably ends up in a Parfaiteria , a cross between a cosy cafe, cool ice cream store and late night drinking den. Unique to Sapporo, these parfaiteria serve fanciful and delicious parfaits , elaborate concoctions created using a medley of ingredients: ice cream, fresh fruit, meringues, jelly, jam, cocoa nibs, biscuits and so much more, and inevitably involved a theatrical element as well. 

Every parfaiteria has their own signature parfait – try Parfaiteria Mil whose signature parfait has been inspired by the Hokkaido “snow fairy”, the incredibly kawaii fluffy white bird, the Shima-enaga. 

Day 6: Sapporo

​ Today is a good day to tick off the Sapporo sights that you didn’t manage to get to yesterday. Depending on when you visit, you may catch the Sapporo Snow Festival , which typically takes place in early February. 

Today is also a good time to do some shopping : stores such as Don Quijote and Hands (formerly known as Tokyo Hands) are great places to stock up on souvenirs. Don Quijote in particular is the place to go for Japanese snacks as well  kawaii  gifts. One Don Quijote megastore is open 24hours. 

​ Studio Ghibli fans should head to Donguri in the PARCO shopping centre. This is the only official Ghibli shop in the city and stocks a good selection of merchandise themed around Hayao Miyazaki’s films. 

Day trip to Otaru 

​ Alternatively, you may want to take a day trip to Otaru . Trains depart regularly from Sapporo train station for the 45 minute journey to the historical fishing port on Hokkaido’s southwestern coast. 

​ Otaru Canal is the town’s main attraction, a pretty canal area originally built in 1923 to allow small ships to transport goods to the warehouses. It’s been carefully restored and today the old warehouses house museums, shops and restaurants. 

Sapporo’s Ramen Alley

No visit to Sapporo is complete without a trip to Ramen Alley, a narrow alleyway lined with buzzy ramen shops serving up delicious bowls of piping hot noodles.

Also known as  Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho , this popular alleyway dates to 1948 when eight ramen houses first opened. Today there are 17 to choose from , each with their own speciality.

One of the most famous is  Aji no Sanpei  where, in 1961, the first bowl of  miso ramen  was served. 

Hokkaido Ice Cream 

​ Hokkaido produces more than 50% of Japan’s milk and the region’s fresh-from-the-farm milk is the magic ingredient in its milky, rich and delicious soft serve ice cream . There are dozens of ice cream bars where you can order a cone (including at New Chitose Airport) but one of the best places in Sapporo is Milk Mura .

Sake Bar Kamada

End your evening at Sake Bar Kamada , a cosy bar owned by sake master   and sommelier Takashi Kamada . The bar stocks 120 different types of sake , and they all come from Hokkaido. My person favourite was the Kitano Katsu Sake , but Kamada-san speaks perfect English so he’ll be able to guide you through the different options. 

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Katja Gaskell

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ITINERARIES A Winter Trip to Hokkaido Celebrate Hokkaido's wintry landscape and discover the animals that call it home

Japan's northernmost island, hokkaido, is a mountainous region with an abundance of nature and ample snowfall., how to get there, from tokyo: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Direct flights leave from Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, and Osaka to Asahikawa Airport. The airport is about 15 kilometers southeast of the city.

In addition to the local animals, the Asahiyama Zoo is home to a host of animals from around the globe. Take your time and visit the exhibits like the Arctic Fox House, the Wolves' Forest and the Penguin House.

Next to the zoo is Asahiyama Snow Village, a snow park that's perfect for visitors of all ages. Here, you can enjoy activities like skiing and riding snowmobiles. The park has gentle slopes that make it the perfect place to try skiing.

1 hour 25 minutes

Take JR Lilac Line from Asahikawa Station to Sapporo Station.

Learn the history of the samurai at the Historical Village of Hokkaido. At the end of the Edo shogunate, many samurai retired to Hokkaido. Here at the village, you can explore 52 historic structures that show the townscape and lifestyle of the former warriors. Sleigh rides and other winter activities are available in winter.

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• A Winter Trip to Hokkaido

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Hokkaido 10 days itinerary winter | Free and Easy Itinerary Initial Planning

Like many Singaporean families, we aim to travel twice a year during the June and December school holidays. Sometimes, we go on short trips during the March and September term breaks too. Earlier this year, we went on a 7-day trip to Bangkok and 5-day trip to Clark. And our most anticipated trip this year is coming in 2 months’ time. That’s our 10-day Hokkaido winter vacation ! 😍

For our first winter vacation, we – or rather I, am busy doing itinerary planning now since V leaves it entirely to me. I toyed with the idea of visiting several towns and switching hotels (Noboribetsu, Lake Toya), but I eventually decided against it because of the hassles of moving. Logistically, it’s a nightmare and wastes a lot of time too. Moreover, I heard that rolling the luggage in snow is very difficult.

Thus, to make life easier for us, we will stay at Sapporo for 6 days and use it as a base to explore other towns. I also learnt that there are one-day bus tours to Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya. Since V and Edison are strongly against onsen (what a waste!) 😕, I’ve decided to skip Noboribetsu this time. We will spend the remaining 4 days in Hoshino Resorts Tomamu.

I booked our stay at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu since April (that was six months ago!). My friends told me that the resort is VERY popular and I must book way in advance to secure a room. Even so, I wasn’t able to book 4 nights in a Family Triple Room. They were fully booked unless I upgrade to a higher room type that would cost me at least 1K extra.

Their room rates almost doubled after mid-December. More attractions and activities are opened and available from mid-December onwards such as the popular Ice Village. Therefore, the rates are higher. So, we must spend our time wisely at the resort. Haha!

I booked our flight tickets in May. It costs us $3,000 for 3 pax via Korean Air (transit in Seoul). A quick check today revealed that the price went up to $4,800 for the same flight! That was the price of Singapore Airlines direct flight to Hokkaido half a year ago, which has now increased to $5,800. Wow, it’s amazing how much savings we can get if we book SUPER early. That’s where kiasuism really pays off, isn’t it? LOL 😆

All that said, I didn’t do much on itinerary planning until now. But we’ve spent quite a bit of time shopping for winter clothing lol. Three big bags from Decathlon and one from Universal Traveller containing ski jackets, down jackets, pants, thermal wears, socks, fleece sweaters, and gloves. Not getting a box of heat packs I got from TaoBao.

Everyone told me that Uniqlo HEATTECH is very good. So, I bought their Ultra Warm inner wear, leggings and fleece tops (eyeing at their latest winter collections too!). Yup, I’m a self-confessed Uniqlo fan so I’m very happy with my purchase. Now, we’re 95% done with our shopping – just left the snow boots and we’re good to go! 😃

And now, back to itinerary planning. V shared with me several YouTube videos on Hokkaido. Prior to this, I’m not into YouTube. But now, I’m totally into it! No wonder they say long-form blogging is dead – because once you’re into YouTube, you’ll probably won’t read a blog anymore. Who wants to read a wordy post when a Youtube video is far more interesting?! #mypoorblog Check-out these 2 travel vloggers for travel inspirations in Japan 👉  TokiYuyu and internationally Me .

Here goes my 10 days Hokkaido Free and Easy Itinerary (Winter):

Hokkaido Free and Easy Itinerary

Day 1: Singapore -> New Chitose Airport

Day 2: Sapporo – Shiroi Koibito Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Odori Park, German Christmas Market, Sapporo White Illumination

Day 3: Otaru – Otaru canal, Music Box Museum, Otaru Aquarium, Otaru Glassware, LeTao Cheese Cake

Food Recommendations:

Otaru Masazushi – most popular sushi restaurant in Otaru Naruto Honten – tastiest fried chicken in Otaru

Day 4: Sapporo – Sapporo Beer Museum,  Nijo Fish Market, Mitsui Premium Outlet, Rera Outlet Mall, Susukino ‘Ramen and Entertainment Street’ at night

Day 5: Day trip to Asahikawa Zoo

Day 6: Day trip to Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya

Day 7: Sapporo -> Tomamu

Day 8 – 9: At Hoshino Resorts Tomamu

Day 10: Tomamu -> Singapore

The detailed itinerary will be a real challenge since we’re relying on public transport and there’s so much to see and do in Hokkaido. More to come soon! Be sure to bookmark this page as I will be updating my itinerary from time to time.

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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!

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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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DIY Itinerary and Travel Guide: 10-Day Hokkaido Winter Trip

If there’s one reason why Filipinos travel to Japan or South Korea, it’s because of snow. The Philippines has no winter season making it a dream for everyone to experience the cold and freezing weather. With a flight booked to Japan during the first week of December, I decided to fly to Hokkaido. The 2-week Japan itinerary I posted previously featured Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka , Nara, Kobe, and Himeji on late spring. Meanwhile, this 10-day Hokkaido itinerary  on winter will cover Sapporo, Asahikawa, Hakodate, and day/short trips to Otaru, Niseko, Biei, and Noboribetsu.

DISCLAIMER : Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you think it will be more convenient for you to purchase these activities/passes before your trip to Hokkaido, Japan, kindly book them below. The commission I’ll get for every successful booking comes  at no extra cost to you .

THINGS BEFORE YOU GO

For Japan visa application for first timers, you can check my separate post for requirements and accredited agencies. On my second application, I added a letter of intent for a multiple-entry visa and a form from the agency. Multiple-entry visa holders can stay up to 30 days in Japan, versus the 15-day maximum stay for a single-entry visa.

Since you want to experience snow, check weather forecasts to ensure that there will be snowfall on your visit. I arrived November 29 in Sapporo and it already snowed heavily. Snow in Hokkaido might start as early as November with peaks during the month of February. With this, prepare to pack for layers of warm clothing.

Winter Clothes

Heat tech products were helpful for me; you can buy them here in the Philippines or get one when you arrive in Japan because it’s cheaper. For layers, I brought a hoodie and a The North Face jacket but they’re not really for the cold weather.

TRAVEL TIP: Winter clothes are sometimes cheaper in Japan. I bought a jacket for JPY1990 (~PHP995) and it already served my outerwear on my entire stay in Hokkaido. I survived -15C temperature with just that as my outerwear, no heat tech, and just my shirt as innerwear. Most of the establishments, trains, and buses are heated so it’s better to have just one outer layer. So if you have multiple layers, imagine the hassle of taking off and putting on all your layers.

Activities and Passes

When I had my first trip to Japan , there are several and cheaper alternatives in terms of transferring between cities. On this Hokkaido itinerary, buses are the cheapest way for inter-city travel. However, traveling from one city to another will have the bus fares pile up. With rigorous forum and blog readings, I decided to avail a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass . This helped me transfer between cities and for my checklist to be accommodated on my 10-day stay in Hokkaido.

If you’ll be availing a JR Pass from Klook, make sure to purchase at least seven days before your departure . Klook will send you the Exchange Voucher within 7 days after your confirmed booking. The one to be delivered is just the Exchange Voucher and you need to use the voucher to claim your JR Hokkaido Rail Pass on selected JR Hokkaido Train Stations. For this itinerary, a 7-day pass is enough to cover the destinations and cities on the itinerary.

How to get to Hokkaido, Japan from Manila

As of writing, only Philippine Airlines has a direct flight from Manila to Sapporo, Hokkaido. The airline flies directly to New Chitose Airport from Manila three times a week; Wednesday, Friday, and Monday.

Flying from international airports on central Japan to Hokkaido is not that cheap. In my case, I booked a flight to Narita from Manila and the return flight Narita to Sapporo cost me around PHP6000, excluding baggage fees. Local airlines like Vanilla Air and Jetstar Japan are strict when it comes to the 7-kg hand-carry. If you think you’re going beyond the limit, better purchase a baggage allowance.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE AIRPORT

For more convenient train and subway rides in Hokkaido, I purchased a Kitaca IC Card from Klook. The card worth JPY2000 is preloaded with JPY1500 and a deposit of JPY500. I also got a Japan sim for my open-line Huawei pocket Wi-Fi. Redemption booth for the  IC Card and the sim are located at the international arrival hall of New Chitose Airport.

HOW TO GET AROUND HOKKAIDO

Hokkaido is well connected by JR Hokkaido line operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company. With that, purchasing a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass will surely become handy and cost-saving. Visiting several destinations in Hokkaido that will require inter-city train travels will greatly maximize the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Sapporo has three subway lines; Namboku, Tozai, and Toho lines. Minimum fare is JPY200 and you can use the KITACA IC Card when riding the subway. A streetcar also connects downtown Sapporo and other districts.

For Hakodate, a tram connects Yunokawa-onsen and Hakodate Dock Mae. Hakodate Bus system is also reliable and efficient. The rest of the destinations listed here are serviced by local buses that sometimes departs less frequent compared to the bus schedules of major cities like Sapporo, Hakodate, and Asahikawa.

TRAVEL TIP: Always check the bus schedules every time you arrive at the stations or bus stops. You can use this information to maximize your visit to tourist attractions. You can also ensure that you will catch the last departing bus schedule of the day.

10-Day Hokkaido Itinerary

Day 1 – 2 sapporo.

After picking up all your essentials from Klook at New Chitose Airport, take the Rapid Airport train to Sapporo Station. Train fare is JPY1070 on a non-reserved car and travel time is 37 minutes.

Sapporo adapts a grid plan for its streets and avenues making it easy to navigate. But traffic lights installed every corner sometimes stressed me, especially when I’m trying to catch a train schedule. Here’s a list of Sapporo tourist attractions you can include on your itinerary:

• Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium of 1972 Winter Olympics
• Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
• Former Hokkaido Government
• Sapporo Clock Tower
• Sapporo TV Tower
• Maruyama Park
• Hokkaido Shrine
• Sapporo Beer Museum
• Hokkaido Historical Village (didn’t go)
• Mt Moiwa (didn’t go)

Most of the Sapporo attractions listed above are accessible via subway or streetcar. For Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill , it is recommended having the Sapporo Afternoon Bus Tour from Klook because these destinations are difficult to reach from downtown Sapporo.

Day 3 – Otaru Day Trip

Otaru is a perfect day trip from Sapporo. This port city is just a 45-minute train ride away from JR Sapporo Station for a JPY640 fare, one way. Otaru was one of the locations of the hit Kita Kita movie starring Alessandra De Rossi and Empoy Marquez. Tourists flock the quaint city for the Otaru Canal , where large vessels once unloaded by cargo ships to the warehouses near the canal.

Apart from the canal, recommended places to see in Otaru are  Sankaku Morning Fish Market , for fresh seafood such as snow and king crabs; Otaru Old Town for the the Former Temiya Line, The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum,  and Tanaka Sake Brewery ; and Marchen Square on one end of Sakaimachi Street and where you can find the Otaru Music Box Museum . For souvenir shopping, Sakaimachi Street is perfect as the main road is lined with tons of shophouses. You can find stalls selling different products from cakes, chocolates, crackers, and other souvenirs. Don’t miss the free taste in most stores!

Day 4 – Niseko Day Trip

Niseko is famous for its powdery snow and also praised as one of the prime ski resorts in Japan. But I visited Niseko because of Milk Kobo for its products and the view of Mount Yotei from its backyard. Start using your 7-day JR Hokkaido Rail Pass on this day because it will already cover the train fare worth JPY2160, per way. Be sure to hop on the earliest train leaving JR Sapporo Station at 7:14 AM.

If you have plans for skiing and tubing, then this guide doesn’t suit your goal because I didn’t intend to try these activities when I visited Niseko. Milk Kobo is known for their ice cream on quadrato cones, their cream-filled puffs, and yogurt drinks. Of course, don’t miss the dazing view of Mount Yotei from the dairy factory. Check Niseko Bus schedules and hop on one for visit ski villages such as the Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Annapuri, and Moiwa before heading back to a JR train station back to Sapporo.

Day 5 – 6 Asahikawa and Furano

Destinations on the northern part of Hokkaido such as Asahikawa and Furano are must-places to visit during spring because of its flower fields and rolling hills. Winter is not an exception to these cities. Hop on a JR train from Sapporo Station to cover the 85-minute travel to Asahikawa. The city is lesser busy compared to Sapporo or Hakodate making it perfect to walk around the major streets.

There are tons of places to see in Asahikawa but my recommendation would be Asahiyama Zoo for the penguin walk;  Tokiwa Park and Asahibashi Bridge ;  Otokoyama Sake Brewery;  and Asahikawa Ramen Village for several ramen shops offering luscious versions of ramen. If you have more hours to spare, take a train bound to Furano from Asahikawa station. Hop off at Kita-Biei Station and walk the winding road to Tree of Ken and Mary .

Day 7 – 9 Hakodate

From Asahikawa, avail the 5-hr train ride to Hakodate, with a change of train in Sapporo Station. One-way train ride on this route cost JPY13,090 on a reserved seat. A 7 AM departure from Asahikawa will cover the entire morning on the train ride. The route offers stunning mountain ranges and scenic view of Uchiura Bay. After checking in on your preferred accommodation, take a tram to downtown Hakodate. Marvel at the picturesque Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses housing several souvenir shops, beer halls, and restaurants.

Start your day with a visit to the Hakodate Morning Market to observe the trade of fresh seafood and to look for a bowl of kaisendon for just JPY500. Places of interest include Hakodate Foreign Cemetery ,  Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward , and Former British Consulate of Hakodate . Continue to the Motomachi district for the Hakodate Orthodox Church , Hakodate Catholic Church , and Hakodate’s Saint John’s Church .

In the afternoon, visit the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden to see the monkeys enjoying hot baths. You can continue to Trappistine Monastery before ending the day with a cable car ride to Mt Hakodate . The sight from Mt Hakodate is considered as one of the best night views in Japan. On my stay, the ropeway was closed due to extreme winds. I just decided to scale Goryokaku Tower to witness the cityscape of Hakodate.

On your last day, stop by Goryokaku, the only star fort in Hokkaido and the main fortress of the brief Republic of Ezo. Explore the fort before heading back to Hakodate Station for your train back to Sapporo.

Day 10 – Noboribetsu

With all the tiring city walks and inter-city transfers, end the Hokkaido trip with a visit to Noboribetsu. Noboribetsu is an onsen resort known for its natural hot baths and for Jigokudani (Hell Valley) volcanic crater. There are scenic paths in Jigokudani where you can get up-close with the sulfur vents. If the paths are cleared, you can continue to Oyunuma Pond and head to the Oyunuma River Natural Foot Bath .

There are dozens of hotels offering onsen baths for walk-in guests. I had a relaxing onsen experience for a JPY1000 admission fee. If it’s your first time to experience onsen, take note that these are public and naked baths. It was a bit awkward at first but you can enjoy the comforts of the hot pools. Instructions are on English and make sure to always observe onsen etiquette when entering the bathing areas.

If you have more time and yen to spare, visit Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura.  The theme park will let you experience the Edo Period for its traditional games, activities, and street and theater ninja performances. Since ninjas are a thing during the Edo Period, you can try and learn to throw ninja stars and arrows.

DAY 11 – Depart to New Chitose Airport

Hokkaido itinerary: where to stay.

Rates for hostels in Sapporo is similar to Tokyo. You can get a bed in an 8-bed dorm for USD18 at Social Hostel 365 , the cheapest I found. For other hostel option, The Stay Sapporo Hostel is an alternative though more expensive for USD28 per night. If you’re not into shared rooms, Ibis Styles Sapporo is a great option. Their superior rooms are USD135 good for 2 adults, with breakfast.

In Asahikawa, I found a newly-opened budget hotel about a 10-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station. RHotels Inn Hokkaido Asahikawa offers single rooms with own toilet and bath for USD28 per night, breakfast not included. For Hakodate, the cheapest I found is Tune Hakodate Hostel and MusicBal with dorm beds at USD18 per night. The only disadvantage for the hostel is its location which is a bit far from Hakodate center. Just get a bus and tram pass for you to save tons of fare to and fro the city center.

Hokkaido Itinerary:  WHAT TO EAT

Like any place in Japan, ramen is everywhere . While most ramen in central Japan are tonkotsu or pork bone broth, Hokkaido offers other versions. Sapporo is known for the miso-based (fermented soybean) ramen, Asahikawa for shoyu-based (soy sauce) broth, and Hakodate for its shio-based (salt) ramen. Recommended ramen places are Menya Yukikaze Susukino Honten (Sapporo), Ichikura Ramen (Asahikawa), and Hakodate Ramen Kamome (Hakodate).

As much as possible, I tried to look for cheaper options when during lunch or dinner time. Some of the stuff I’ve tried are the snow crab soup at Sankaku Morning Fish Market in Otaru, fish cakes at Kamaei Factory in Otaru, kaisendon in Hakodate Morning Market , and deep-fried Genghis Khan (grilled mutton). For desserts, everything that is being sold at Milk Kobo is good! When in Hakodate don’t ever skip the local food chain, Lucky Perriot , for burgers and fries served in a mug.

Sample Expenses: 10-day Hokkaido Itinerary

TRAVEL TIP: For flights, you can book for a Narita – Chitose roundtrip for PHP6000, excluding baggage allowance. This is on top of the Manila to Narita you grabbed from a seat sale. Another option is to book a non-stop flight from Manila to New Chitose Airport via Philippine Airlines for USD600 (roundtrip base fare) on Economy cabin class.

Hi. Question, since you only purchased the JR Hokkaido Pass, I’m just confirming that you only used it on your Day 1-2 trip, yes? I’m planning to purchase the whole JR Pass since I will also be travelling from Sapporo to Tokyo, would you know if that is included as well?

Thank you very much.

If you’re going to have the Sapporo to Tokyo train, you need to avail the JR National Pass. JR Hokkaido Pass doesn’t cover the Shinkansen from Hakodate. I used my JR Hokkaido Pass from Day 4-10.

For the Kitaca card, when do u use it? is it just for sapporo trams/ buses? can use for chuo bus? In your expenses, I saw that you still have transportation expenses. Meaning these transport fees cant use the hokkaido pass and kitaca card?

Haven’t tried using the Kitaca for Chou Bus. For the transportation part on my expenses, some of the city buses are not covered by the Hokkaido JR Pass while some of items indicated were transport expenses outside the coverage of the pass (I stayed 10 days in Hokkaido and pass I got only covers 7 days) so I had to plan the destinations on my itinerary properly to put the nearer cities (in terms of transfer costs) outside the JR Pass coverage and put all distant cities/attractions within the 7-day coverage to maximize the pass.

Hello! May I know how did you go to Milk Kobo? I cannot find the way on Google Maps 🙁 Which train should we hop on? Thanks!

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Misty Fujii is a Canadian who moved to Osaka, Japan, in 2019 and married her Japanese sweetheart. In 2022, they had a baby and moved to Fukui for the clean country air. She is a DJ who teaches English part-time and writes to share Japan with the world. She gets excited about collecting vintage vinyl records, food from all countries, travelling, and renovating her traditional Japanese house.

This post may contain some affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase we may receive some commission, at no extra cost to you.

Hokkaido may be best known for its snow, but there is so much more to discover in Japan’s northernmost region. Abundant in fresh produce, boasting a unique history, and home to the indigenous Ainu people, today, the island has embraced elements of modernity while still cherishing its roots and past.

Attracting many outdoor lovers, Hokkaido has pristine nature and uninhabited wilderness. There are notable landmarks like Mt. Yōtei, also known as the Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido, national parks , markets, and festivals . 

As far as weather goes, Hokkaido experiences all four seasons , including warm and sunny summers when you can see beautiful flowers and eat sumptuous seasonal fish. However, winter is one of the best times to experience this frigid prefecture, with many attractions luring both Japanese and foreign visitors. 

Not sure where to start? Here’s a five-day itinerary to set you off on a grand adventure inside and out. 

▼Check out the best tour in Hokkaido!

Sapporo Snow Festival

Eat miso ramen at ramen alley, sapporo beer museum, bar hopping at susukino, winter activities: dog sledding, hot air balloon, skiing, shopping at ningle terrace, enjoy seafood at sankaku market, otaru canal cruise, ski/snowboarding, nijo market, shiroikoibito park, japan wonder travel tours , other articles you might be interested in, day 1: sapporo.

We begin our adventure in Hokkaido’s capital and largest city, Sapporo . Experience some of the city’s most iconic elements, such as snow, ramen, and its namesake beer. 

Attracting 2 million tourists annually, the week-long Sapporo Snow Festival is a must-see! While celebrating everything snow and ice, the festival is a brilliant show of art, culture, sports, and food. It happens in February across three prominent locations; Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome. You will see hundreds of ice sculptures and attractions, such as snow slides and mazes, all while gorging on regional foods from all over Hokkaido. If you need a place to stay during the festival or just want to stay in this general area, have a look at our article below!

After enjoying the Sapporo Snow Festival in Susukino, trek down an alley close to the Susukino subway station. Here you’ll find the birthplace of miso ramen on a famous yokocho street where you can fill your belly with the rich, umami noodle soup. There are many restaurants to choose from, so follow your heart and nose until you find one that strikes your fancy. You can also head here after a night of drinking, which is the liveliest time to visit. 

Learn all about the history of beer in Japan at its birthplace. Originally a brewery, the Sapporo Beer Museum is where you can find out how they make beer, and you can even participate in beer tastings. Home to one of Japan’s signature beers, there’s the Sapporo Beer Garden next door. Take the Loop 88 Factory bus from Odori Station to the museum, browse it yourself, or pay a little extra for a guided tour. 

When the sun goes down, the pulse of Sapporo’s nightlife quickens in the Susukino area. Head south from Odori Park until you find yourself among the neon lights at the intersection of Susukino Crossing. Home to cafes, bars, and izakayas, you’ll have your choice of spots to imbibe. If alcohol isn’t for you, eateries dish up delicious desserts, and restaurants serve Sapporo’s soul food of fresh mutton and meat sauce. 

Day 2: Furano

A picturesque town in central Hokkaido, Furano boasts famous lavender fields in the summer and a snowy paradise in the winter. It’s icy, so bundle up and have some fun. 

The options for winter action seem never-ending. Snow sports like skiing and snowboarding are paradise on the well-developed ski area with fresh, powdery snow that makes for ideal conditions. You can rent everything you need to hit the 950 meters of slopes with hills for beginners to advanced athletes. 

If you want to experience something different, why not try dog sledding? You can take a lesson and hit a trail with dogs racing as fast as 14-20 kilometers per hour on various routes, from relaxing to thrilling. 

Reach new heights soaring up to 1000 meters above the Furano Basin, Mt. Tokachi, and Mt. Taisetsu in a hot air balloon. Free and tethered flights are available; both are safe and make for an unforgettable experience. Riding in a hot air balloon is ideal in Furano, with its vast open fields. 

In the forests of Furano, you’ll find wood cabins where you can buy or make artisanal handicrafts. When it gets dark, the area lights up to create a dreamy landscape. Take a moment to watch the artisans at work and admire the beauty of the cottages and trees. It’s an ideal way to cap off a busy day, strolling through nature while picking up one-of-a-kind souvenirs . 

Day 3: Otaru

Next, let’s head to the port town of Otaru. Located northwest of Sapporo and en route to Niseko, it makes a perfect stop to savor local seafood and sightsee the historic cityscape. 

It’s about time to take in some of the delicious seafood that Hokkaido, particularly Otaru, is famous for. Located near Otaru Station, the market offers many kinds of cuisine like crab, scallops, salmon, and mackerel. January and February are the best times to visit when you can also try mouthwatering herring. Open daily from 8:00-17:00, you’ll get to eat some of the freshest catches from the sea nearby. You can’t go wrong getting a donburi bowl so that you can try many kinds of succulent seafood all at once. 

Take a cruise through the original gateway to Hokkaido. The Otaru Canal is the most famous sightseeing spot here, and it’s easy to understand why. Running centrally through the city, you can see historical warehouses, many of which have been converted into museums, shops, cafes, and pubs. You can enjoy the cruise during the day or night, but doing it at night when the buildings light up gives an extra romantic vibe. Stroll along the canal before or after the cruise, and you can visit any of the open buildings. 

Day 4: Niseko

More powdery fresh snow awaits in the village of Niseko . Home to brilliant ski slopes, onsen , and restaurants, Niseko is also where you’ll find Mt. Yōtei, a smaller version of Mt. Fuji. 

Mount Niseko Annupuri is reputed to be the best ski mountain in Japan , and it’s easy to see why. With breathtaking views, impeccable snow, and a peak elevation of 1308 meters, everyone can ski or snowboard here regardless of their skill level. There are easier slopes for beginners and off-piste terrain amongst the wilderness for advanced skiers. For those into extreme sports, experience the thrill of skiing right at the crater of this active volcano . Rent equipment or bring your own and hit the trails. 

Day 5: Sapporo

There was far too much to do for one day in Sapporo, so return here to finish your Hokkaido holiday. After the exciting and athletic activities in Furano and Niseko, a trip to a market and a park make for a leisurely and delicious way to wind down. 

Hit the spot where locals and visitors shop for seafood and fresh local produce. Nicknamed “Sapporo’s public kitchen,” the market spans approximately one city block. Also, it has restaurants to enjoy fresh food right away. Check out the main dining area, “Noren Yokocho,” and start your day with a delicious donburi bowl breakfast to fuel you for shopping and exploring. Take in the sights and sounds of the vendors while sampling some of Hokkaido’s most famous and delicious goods. In addition to seafood, you’ll be able to buy fruits and vegetables like melon and corn, for which the region is well known. 

Shiroikoibito isn’t just any old park; it’s a chocolate entertainment park. Revel in a sugary fantasy land that is a marriage between British and Japanese cultures. Operated by the Japanese candy manufacturer that makes the white chocolate Shiroi Koibito cookies, this is a must-see for anyone with a sweet tooth. With a chocolate factory, shop and museum, you can see how chocolate is made, make cookies and buy souvenir sweets that are famous in Hokkaido. Different tours are available to learn about chocolate and taste your way around the park. There’s no better way to end a trip than with a full belly and a sugar high. 

Hokkaido has so many things to do and see that it’s impossible to fit everything into five days. That’s all the more reason why having an itinerary is a valuable way to narrow down your plans so you can get as much done as possible. If you have something else in mind, don’t hesitate to book a one-day tour of Sapporo that you can customize to your tastes with Japan Wonder Travel.

Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.  From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help you organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are visiting, our knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guides will happily take you to the best spots!  In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need some help! 

▶ Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo and try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake with one of our friendly and knowledgeable English speaking guides! 

▶ Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Private Walking Tour (8 Hours) There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.

▶ Mt. Fuji Day Trip Bus Tour from Tokyo Experience the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji by visiting the highlights of the area on our guided sightseeing bus tour! Departing from Shinjuku in central Tokyo, you can travel comfortably to all of the best spots in the area by bus.

▶ Kyoto Private Full Day Walking Tour On this full-day private tour of Kyoto, you will be able to see the highlights of Kyoto in just one day and at the same time develop a deeper understanding of both the culture of the area and Japan as a whole.

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Lifestyle & Travel Blog

6 Day Itinerary for Hokkaido Winter

By Nicole | Updated on 5 Mar 2024.

For people living in countries near the equator like Singapore, most of us will choose to spend our vacation in countries with winter season where you can experience snow. Well, Hokkaido, Japan is definitely one of the most popular destinations that Singaporeans want to visit to experience winter first hand. When winter drapes Hokkaido, Japan’s northern jewel, in a soft, snowy embrace, the island becomes an enchanting canvas for travelers seeking a winter wonderland. So we finally visited Hokkaido this year!! In this post, let me share our 6 day Hokkaido itinerary for winter and the things we do in Hokkaido . Hope you enjoy.

Noboribetsu Date Jidaimaru

Hell valley, lake tōya, mount hakodate, fort goyokaku, onuma quasi-national park, hakodate tropical botanic garden, hokkaido shrine, ishiya chocolate museum, fushimi inari shrine, daisetsuzan kurodake ropeway, asahiyama zoo, noboribetsu date jidaimura, daisetsuzan sounkyo kurodake, sapporo fushimi inari shrine, when’s the best time to experience hokkaido in its wintery glory for a 6-day trip, how can i reach hokkaido for my 6-day winter adventure, what are the absolute must-visit spots in hokkaido during winter, what kind of winter activities can i indulge in during my 6-day hokkaido getaway, what should i pack for my hokkaido winter journey, are there any special winter festivals or events in hokkaido, is it convenient to get around hokkaido during the winter months, what are some hokkaido delicacies i must savor on my trip, can i catch a glimpse of the northern lights in hokkaido during winter, do i need to book accommodations in advance for my winter hokkaido adventure, day 1: chitose > noboribetsu > tōyako.

When visiting Hokkaido, you most probably will start your trip arriving in Chitose airport. Your Hokkaido winter adventure begins as you step off the plane at Chitose Airport, greeted by a refreshing wintry breeze.

Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu is a city which is famous for natural hot spring. When you visit Hokkaido, you can’t definitely can’t leave the city without dipping yourself in onsen.

A theme park with a collection of Edo period style buildings and related interesting activities including but not limited to live performance about history/stories of Samurai, cosplay and Oiran dance. Wearing a kimono, visitors do feel like time traveled to the past.

Hell Valley is noted for its hot steam vents, sulphurous streams and other volcano activities. If you have enough time, enjoy the natural Onsen in one of the Onsen hotels.

The picturesque lake has a lot of Onsen hotels where you can enjoy the lake view while in the hot spring. The scenery is pretty much like Hangzhou West Lake . It has 8 well-known scenes so try find out them all!

Day 2: Hakodate – Niseko

Hakodate is one of the main cities on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.

After a 3 mins cable car ride, you will be amazed at the specular city view of Hakodate by which the left side is Japan sea and the right side is Pacific Ocean on the top of the Mount Hakodate. If you got time, we highly recommend you to stay until the night falls because the night view is among the world’s top 3 (the other two are Hong Kong and Italy) best night views.

This is Japan’s first western style stronghold. The star-shaped fort was built in 1864 for the defence of Hokkaido against invasion. Taking a photo is not easy as there are just too many tourists!

This national park is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking parks in Hokkaido. Each season it offers tourists a different view. In winter, it just turns into a pure white world. Do spend at least 2 hours here!

Although tropical plantation is not that attractive for people like us living in tropical areas, the park is more famous for the Japanese macaques which bathed in hot spring during winter just like human do. Just look at their satisfied faces, very adorable indeed!

For snow sports enthusiasts, spend your morning on the slopes of Niseko. With its powder-soft snow and well-maintained trails, Niseko offers some of the finest skiing and snowboarding in Japan. Beginners can take advantage of rentals and lessons. Niseko is one of the most popular skiing resorts in Asia. There are many good hotels where you can enjoy the hot spring also although the price is not cheap during winter time. Skiing is not cheap either and if your time is a bit tight, you can play other winter activities (e.g. snow mobile) like we did. It does not require too much skills and should be safe for most people.

Day 3: Niseko > Otaru > Sapporo

Otaru is a really beautiful town with lots of nostalgic streets. Otaru Canal, Music Box Museum and the Kitaichi Glass Shop are the most recommended places where you will feel like standing in the fairy tale itself. Do spend at least half day here! I bet you won’t regret.

Day 4: Sapporo

As the fifth biggest city in Japan, Sapporo is more recommended for shopping. There will be special festivals from mid-November to late December. A hotel near CBD are averaged around 150USD.

The traditional worship place for the Japanese ‘Shindo’ and the oldest shrine in Hokkaido.

You may know about the place by the name ‘While Lover Chocolate’ factory. There you can see how the white chocolate products are being produced in his European style building. There are many snack stores in the playground. BBQ marshmallow is my favourite.

This looks quite similar to the one in Kyoto and it is an ideal location for for photo taking. If you are wearing Kimono, this is one of the best place for photoshoot in Sapporo

Day 5: Sapporo > Sounkyo

Sounkyo might not be as well-known as the cities mentioned previously but it’s great fun as well. It’s most famous for its natural landscape.

With an altitude of 1,984m, the place is a Frozen World in reality. You can enjoy the great outdoors, such as alpine plants, foliage and alpine skiing. You should spend at least half day there!

Day 6: Sounkyo > Asahikawa

The zoo is municipal zoo opened in July 1967 in Asahikawa. It’s famous for the special way to treat the animals so that most of animals live very healthy life inside the zoo. During winter, there will be Penguin March dependent on the weather.

Catch our best moments in our Hokkaido trip following our 6D Hokkaido Itinerary Winter video

Recommended Photo Spots in Hokkaido

Website: https://www.hakodate.travel/en/top7/onuma-park

Transportation: 30 mins JR travel

Recommended play time: 2 hours

Why Visit Onuma Quasi-National Park?

• Grand quasi-national park surrounded by mountains, lakes and forests.
• Variety of activities – camping, boating and cycling
• Snow world during winter time
• Not many tourists – great to take photos without background crowds
• More activities when the lake is frozen!

Website: http://edo-trip.jp/en/

Transportation: 8-10 mins drive from Noboribetsu JR station

Recommended play time: 4 hours

Why Visit Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura?

• Very historical and exotic experience for travellers
• Variety of activities: shows, games, dress up etc.
• Variety of food
• Not many tourists
• A good place for cosplay fans

Website: https://www.snowjapan.com/japan-ski-resorts/hokkaido/kamikawa/daisetsuzan-sounkyo-kurodake

Transportation: 30 mins bus time from JR Kamikawa Station + 5 mins walk

Why Visit Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake

• Must-visit place in winter
• Turned into a frozen world like a fairy tale
• Perfect for skiing
• Great natural landscape

Website: https://good-hokkaido.info/en/sapporo-fushimi-inari-shrine/

Transportation: 15 mins taxi from CBD

Why Visit Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine?

• Easy access
• Very Japanese style
• The red torri is perfect for photo taking with  kimono
• Best when its snowing – but remember to keep warm!

FAQ for Planning Your 6 Day Hokkaido Itinerary Winter

You’ll want to plan your visit between December and February when Hokkaido is blanketed in snow, creating a magical winter wonderland.

Getting to Hokkaido is easy. Simply fly into New Chitose Airport, the region’s largest airport, and you’ll be well-connected to places like Sapporo.

Hokkaido offers a wealth of options, but you definitely shouldn’t miss Sapporo, Otaru, Niseko for skiing, and the picturesque Furano.

You’ll have a blast skiing or snowboarding in Niseko, taking in the mesmerizing snow festivals, ice skating, embarking on snowshoeing escapades, and even trying your hand at dog sledding.

Remember to pack your warmest gear, including cozy insulated jackets, waterproof boots, thermal layers, and, of course, gloves and hats.

Absolutely! The Sapporo Snow Festival is a highlight with its stunning snow sculptures. You can also revel in various local winter festivals sprinkled across Hokkaido.

Getting around Hokkaido is fairly straightforward. Trains, buses, and taxis are readily available. Just keep in mind that snowfall might cause occasional delays.

Foodies rejoice! Be sure to savor Hokkaido’s delectable seafood, such as fresh sushi and hearty seafood soups. Don’t forget to try their renowned dairy products like Hokkaido milk and cheese.

Yes, you can! Head to the less populated areas of Hokkaido for your best shot. Check the aurora forecast and pick a clear, dark night for the optimal experience.

It’s a smart move to secure your accommodations in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the busy winter season. The popular ski resorts and city hotels tend to fill up quickly.

Written by Nicole

I am Nicole, a Chinese girl living in Singapore. I was born in the 1990s and am passionate about ways to expand the dimensions of life. Traveling ✈️，photography📷 and food 🍢 are definitely of my most interest. Having traveled to 19 countries 🌐 , I have a lot of stories and thoughts that I want to share with those like-minded. Feel free to connect with me. Life is a journey. It will never end.

Japan Travel & Culture Guide

10-Day Hokkaido Winter Itinerary

Winter is about to come in the Hokkaido region as I feel the cold out there! Many of you probably have managed everything else for your upcoming winter trip to Hokkaido in 2023-2024 ; I mean travel plan (itinerary), hotel reservation, rail pass , flight booking, travel insurance , car rentals, buying suitable warm clothes to survive the cold weather and etc.

There are also other guys who have not planned completely yet though they are serious about taking a trip to Hokkaido. This post is written to guide those travelers who still don’t have a travel plan and have not made any hotel reservation.

Is February the month you intend to visit Hokkaido? This is without question the best time to spend a perfect winter holiday in Hokkaido, at the same time this is the coldest month of a winter season in the region.

So, if you are not accustomed to severe cold weather and don’t have decent ideas on how to stay comfy in the cold, you can read this useful post.

However, let’s get to the main point. Let me introduce a perfect itinerary for your trip. And hopefully the hotels I recommend for you here suit your travel budget.

Please note this suggested itinerary suits for ski lovers, foodies, and for those who are planning to visit Hokkaido in February to see snow festivals .

Day 1 – Chitose to Niseko

Welcome to Hokkaido! I don’t know your flight schedule but I assume you will land at New Chitose Airport before 13:00.

Please note the last bus that directly goes to Niseko from the airport is at 15:30. I want you to visit this page to see the complete timetable of the buses.

Among the five ski resorts in Niseko, Grand Hirafu is considered the most popular one. Indeed, it’s the first choice for the foreign travelers.

You can make a hotel reservation at this hotel for two night stay. If you don’t find any room there, please make reservation at Niseko Price Hotel Hirafutei .

If your budget does not suit there, search for other ones. Most of the hotels there are good and deliver you the best value for what you spend for a night or two. For night skiing Grand Hirafu ski resort is the best!

Enjoy night skiing and after this you can soak your body in an onsen.

Day 2 – Niseko

Just don’t explore Grand Hirafu, instead enjoy the atmosphere in other ski resorts such as Annupuri , Niseko Village, Hanzono , and Moiwa. You may encounter same sort of activities there but the areas are different so are the slopes.

A 2-night stay in Niseko lets you discover the other four ski resorts and provides you enough time to do a list of wonderful activities. Use the shuttle bus to get to the other ski resorts in Niseko.

In search of amazing taste of Ice cream and cookies stop at Niseko Milk Kobo . A perfect place to satisfy your stomach and this place has been rated best for your little ones.

If you are interested in skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and other snow sports, and that’s for why you are in Hokkaido now, stay two nights in Niseko. Though skiing is not the only outdoor activity you are going to experience there. Indeed, you have many options!

You can hop on the lift/gondola and enjoy the surrounding beautiful snowy secrecy as it takes you to the upper elevation.

Excessive snowfall in the area creates picture-perfect landscape to be photographed. Why are you waiting for? Start your photography expedition right away.

Day 3 – Niseko to Sapporo

After check out, you are heading toward Hokkaido’s capital city – Sapporo. Check into this hotel , located near JR Sapporo Station. Staying nearby train station is highly recommended as often walking in the snow may make some trouble.

And most importantly time is important. Sometimes you have got to reach station on time to catch the early train to somewhere you want to go as part of day trip.

Even after the check out process, most of the hotels in Niseko actually let you store your luggage until your time arrives to take the bus to Sapporo. So if you have time, you may go out and walk for a while before leaving for Sapporo .

When you arrive in Sapporo, don’t waste your time but check in immediately. You should have some rest or take a nap if you wish to.

In the evening you are going to see Japan’s most famous snow festival known as the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri in Odori Park area. Marvel at the giant snow sculptures; have fun watching the live music performances and so on.

The snow festival is one of the best things you can experience in Hokkaido in Winter.

Day 4 – Sapporo to Otaru

Indeed Otaru is one of the most popular wither holiday destination in Hokkaido, especially when the port town host its annual winter event called, Otaru Snow Light Path Festival .

Just take a leisurely walk along the Otaru Canal , and you its festive atmosphere. Everything is so appealing there from small snow illuminated sculptures to snow lanterns.

Please note the festival is held in February ever year and lasts for 10 days. 

If you want you can spend a half day in Sapporo, and then make your way to Otaru. I suggest you to spend the whole evening in the festival areas.

Get back to Sapporo by train. Sleep tight tonight because tomorrow you will have to get up early in the morning for heading toward east.

Day 5 – Sapporo to Abashiri

Catch the early morning train to Abashiri from JR Sapporo Station . Inform this to hotel front desk executive before you get to sleep on Day 4, so that he/she prepares your bill and arrange your check out.

The train is about 6 hours of journey, so enjoy the ride viewing the surrounding landscapes. When you reach JR Abashiri Station, head to this hotel . The hotel itself clean and staffs are friendly.

It’s time to head to the dock where to experience Abashiri Drift Ice by a sightseeing cruise boat. This official website has got everything you need to know from timetable to fare.

So, read that page carefully. After the trip, rest of the time you can spend taking a walk around the town.

Day 6 – Abashiri to Asahikawa

If this not a solo trip and you have kids on this journey, don’t make a mistake by not visiting Asahikawa.

Many people may think there is nothing to see in downtown area, that’s a wrong a view! Most of the restaurants of the city are perfect to taste Hokkaido’s finest local cuisines.

And accommodation here is cheaper than Sapporo. Many travelers who fail to manage hotel reservation in Sapporo actually choose Asahikawa for their overnight stays as there are plenty of accommodation options.

After check out from the hotel in Abashiri, I tell you to directly head to the station and hop on the train to Asahikawa. You are going to stay there, so don’t mind checking into this hotel , its location is perfect and adjacent to JR Asahikawa Station .

Rest of the time after checking into the hotel you can roam around the city, especially experience the Asahikawa Winter Festival and Asahiyama Zoo .

Day 7 – Asahikawa to Sapporo

Check in at JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sappro . You can just leave your luggage at the hotel before checking in, and they will take care of it. No one will steal your luggage, so don’t worry at all.

You can go shopping nearby or if you think you want to have your lunch in a cool restaurant, and then head to Sapporo Beer Garden.

After that you can get back to hotel, finish your check in procedure. Why don’t you take a nap? Take it if you need it.

In the evening, you may think of visiting Mount Moiwa . Use the ropeway to get to the top from where you witness amazing views over Sapporo city. This is a kind of experience you will never forget.

Day 8 – Sapporo to Noboribetsu

There is nothing like visiting a market in the morning where tourists can taste fresh seafood of different kinds. For a perfect breakfast, you are suggested to either visit Nijo market or Curb market in Sapporo.

A list of seafood such as salmon eggs, crabs, sea urchin, and other variety can found there. And don’t hesitate to prepare your own donburi . Add toppings as much as you want, who cares!

Don’t spend more than 2 hours there because after check out you are to take the train to Noboribetsu.

Noboribetsu is known for its hot spring waters as you find variety of minerals there, said to be the best hot spring resort in Hokkaido. It would be pity if you don’t visit this hot spring resort.

The distance between Sapporo and Noboribetsu is not that much far, it takes only 2 hours of bus ride. This hotel provides a direct shuttle bus service for its customers from JR Sapporo Station bus.

So, check into this hotel and use their shuttle bus . Although that’s not a free service, it is convince and reliable. In case you don’t make a reservation there, use the train.

Spend time walking along the designated trails to Jigokudani (the hell valley). This is the must-see attraction in Noboribetsu.

If you are going to visit Noboribetsu around February 3-4, then you have a big surprise there. Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Spring Festival is held at that time.

Half naked guys gather forming two teams and fight for the glory in a Hot Water Battle. The atmosphere of the festival indeed lively despite the cold weather!

Day 9 – Noboribetsu to Chitose

The reason I tell you to stay in Chitose before you fly to home is – it’s great to stay overnight in a hotel located nearest to the Airport.

And if you are traveling to Hokkaido between January 26 and February 18, then you will be happy to participate in the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival , held in Shikotsuko Onsen .

This post highlights Hokkaido’s greatest winter festivals, and there you will surly find useful information on Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival.

Spend your time there and don’t leave the place before the illumination takes place. Every snow structures are lit up and decorated stunningly in the evening.

Stay an overnight at Chitose Airport Hotel .

Day 10 – Chitose

Say goodbye to Hokkaido! I hope this suggest itinerary does not only tell you where to stay but also clearly explains the major attractions you ought to visit during your trip.

If you want to modify this itinerary, you can do that, no doubt. I actually had to skip one very important winter attraction of Hokkaido, Jozankei Onsen .

This little onsen town can be explored from Sapporo as a day trip. So, if you think you can manage one more day, you must visit Jozankei.

Besides, if shopping is what you like when you travel aboard, add one more day on the itinerary. Most of the shopping stores and malls are located in downtown Sapporo.

Well, if you have any question about visiting Hokkaido in winter, don’t hesitate to contact me. I will gladly try my best to solve your problem. Thank you so much.

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Hot spring bath with great views of Mt. Fuji!!!!