hokkaido free and easy tour

How to Plan Your Perfect Hokkaido Itinerary In 2024

• Last Updated: January 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Getting Around Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our 12 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Richard Barnes

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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

Love Travel?

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for the best travel tips, ideas and deals!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

READ MORE...

19 BEST Things to Do in Osaka, Japan [2024 Edition]

The Perfect 3 Days in Tokyo Itinerary

The Best Day Trips from Every City in Japan [2024]

Related Posts

Experiencing a traditional ryokan in murakami, japan, 25 awesome things to do in tokyo, japan, 18 amazing things to do in nara, japan (2024 edition), 19 cool things to do in nagoya, japan, 7 thoughts on “how to plan your perfect hokkaido itinerary in 2024”.

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. 🙂

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Hokkaido Road Trip: The Perfect 10 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: February 10, 2023

Categories Japan

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary: a 10 day Hokkaido road trip

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

Road trip Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

Our Hokkaido road trip itinerary: map

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

Click here for the interactive Hokkaido road map

Hokkaido trip itinerary

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

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

Our Hokkaido travel plan: facts and figures

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

Things to know about a Hokkaido road trip

Is it safe to drive in hokkaido.

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

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

Can I use the JR Pass to get around Hokkaido?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the best time to visit Hokkaido?

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

A Hokkaido road trip in spring

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

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in the summer

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

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in autumn

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in winter

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

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

Where to stay on Hokkaido

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

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

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

How to find accommodation during Golden Week

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 1: Lake Shikotsu

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

Pick up your rental car

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

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

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

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

Go hiking along the shores of Lake Shikotsu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: €12,80/$14.

Places to stay near Lake Shikotsu

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 2: Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Tōya

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

Noboribetsu Onsen

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

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

Visit Jigokudani (also known as Hell Valley)

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

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

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

Oyunuma Pond

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

Lake Kuttara

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: €7,20/$8.

Hokkaido itinerary day 3: driving South (to Hakodate)

Itinerary: Nakatoya Camping Ground – Hotel WBF Hakodate

The kindness of Japanese people

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

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

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

I was speechless… And very grateful .

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

Relax in an onsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to book hotel WBF Hakodate

Hokkaido itinerary day 4: Hakodate and around

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

Goryōkaku Castle

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

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

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

Hakodate Mountain walking trails

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

Hakodate historic village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: free!

Hokkaido itinerary day 5: Matsumae Castle and Onuma Park

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

Visit Matsumae Castle

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

Explore Onuma Quasi-National Park

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

Admire the Lake Toya Fireworks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 6: driving North

Itinerary: Toyako Parking Lot – Shin Furano Prince hotel

Admire the view

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

Eat the best Maze Soba Tempura in Furano

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

Relax in a spa (onsen)

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to book the Shin Furano Prince hotel

Hokkaido itinerary day 7: Furano and around

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

Visit the Furano cheese factory

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

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

Do a tasting at Furano wine factory

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

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

Visit Farm Tomita in Furano

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

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

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

Drive the Rollercoaster Road

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

The Blue Pond

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

Drive around Furano valley

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

Visit the Glass Forest

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

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

Enjoy the good life

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 8: Asahidake Onsen

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

Hiking in the snow at Asahidake Onsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Road through Daisetzusan National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 10: Lake Akan and around

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

Lake Akan nature walk

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

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

Visit the Akan Eco Museum

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

Hike around Lake Onetto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More things to do on Hokkaido

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

Sapporo Snow Festival

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

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

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

Check the official site for more information.

Shiretoko National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Road trip in Hokkaido: conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This post was updated in January 2023 .

Sunday 15th of September 2019

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

Friday 20th of September 2019

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

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

Have a great trip! Lotte

Friday 12th of July 2019

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

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

Saturday 20th of July 2019

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

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

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

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

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

Oodledoodles

Monday 18th of February 2019

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

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

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

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

Sunday 3rd of March 2019

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

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

Wednesday 30th of January 2019

Hello Lotte!

Thank you so much for this!

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

Thank you Yessi

Friday 1st of February 2019

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

Friday 7th of September 2018

Hi Lotte - what a great read!

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday 19th of September 2018

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

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.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Destinations
• Travel Tips
• Travel With Us
• Paid Travel Internship
• TTIFridays (Community Events)
• SG Travel Insider (Telegram Grp)

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

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

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

8D Budget Breakdown:

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

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

Check Flights to Hokkaido

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

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

Pre-trip Essentials

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

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

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

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

Day 1: Sapporo City

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

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

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

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

Lunch at Nemuro Hanamaru Sushi

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

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

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

Check in at HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park

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

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

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

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

Sapporo TV Tower

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

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

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

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

Suage Soup Curry for Dinner

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

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

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

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

Drinks at Susukino

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

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

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

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

Day 2: Sapporo

Brunch at ramen shingen.

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

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

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

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

Shiroi Koibito Park (White Lover Park)

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

Photo credit: Shiroi Koibito Park

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

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

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

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

Sapporo Beer Museum

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

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

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

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

Sapporo Bier Garten (Beer Garden)

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3: Hakodate via Lake Toya/Noribetsu

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

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

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

Jigokudani Hell Valley

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

Map code:  603 288 368*85

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lunch at Toya Marche

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

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

Drive from Lake Toya to Hakodate

With toll: 2.5 hours Without toll: 3 hours

Goryokaku Park

Photo credit: Prince Hotels

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

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

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

Dinner at Unagidokoro Takahashi (うなぎ処 高はし)

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

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

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

Daimon Yokocho

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

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

Check-in at Hakodate Kokusai Hotel

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

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

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

Day 4: Hakodate to Otaru

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

Hakodate Asaichi Morning Market

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

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

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

Sightsee around Hakodate

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.

Former British Consulate of Hakodate.

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

Drive From Hakodate to Otaru

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

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

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

Map code:  164 635 844*63

Check-in at Hotel Sonia Otaru

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

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

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

Dinner at Yabuhan Soba (Otaru)

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

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

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

Day 5: Otaru to Asahikawa via Furano and Biei

Breakfast at otaru fish market.

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

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

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

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

Drive from Otaru to Furano

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

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

Stop for lunch in Furano

Squid Ink Cheese for Tasting.

The Furano Cheese Special Pizza .

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

Pumpkin, cheese and asparagus-flavoured ice cream

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

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

Farm Tomita

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

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

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

Sightseeing in Biei

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

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

Map code:  349 569 814*88

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

Map code:  796 182 575*30

Dinner at Asahikawa Ramen Village

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

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

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

Check in at Art Hotel Asahikawa

Comfort Twin Room.

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

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

Day 6: Drive towards Monbetsu

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

Hokkaido Ice Pavilion

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

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

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

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

Drive to Monbetsu

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

Hill of Pink Flowers at the Takinoue Park

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

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

Seal watching at the Okhotsk Tokkari Centre

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

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

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

Dinner at Marutomi

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

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

Day 7: Drive to Lake Kussharo

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

Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park

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

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

Lake Hop Around Kussharo and Mashu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 8: Lake Kussharo to New Chitose Airport

With toll: 4.5 hours Without toll: 6 hours

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

Lake Shikaribetsu

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

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

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

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

Accommodation in Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

For more travel inspiration, follow us on Instagram , YouTube , Facebook and Telegram !

View this post on Instagram A post shared by thetravelintern.com 🇸🇬 (@thetravelintern)

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

9 Travel Hacks to Save Money on Your Next Trip to Japan

5 Underrated Day Trips Under 2hrs from Tokyo — Win First Class Round-Trip Tickets to Japan!

Top 11 Stunning Yet Budget-Friendly Tokyo Capsule Hotels (from ~S$40/night)

Tokyo Vs Osaka: Why Are These Two Popular Japanese Cities so Different — Cultures Explained

Hiroshima and San’in Guide — Going Beyond Tokyo/Osaka to Find Japan’s Best Hidden Gems

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea Guide (2024) — Maximise your Tokyo Disney Day with these 12 Tips and Tricks

42 comments.

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

Hi JT! We were there in May!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ok! Thanks for the info

GREETINGS FROM SUVENSA TRAVEL & TOURS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

9 Travel Hacks to Save Money on Your Next Trip to...

Central Thailand Guide for Explorers — 11 Things to Do in...

35 New Deals and Attractions in Singapore this June 2024

How to Score Cheap Flights — 11 Most Common Mistakes to...

5 Underrated Day Trips Under 2hrs from Tokyo — Win First...

• Terms Of Use
• Privacy Policy

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Destinations

• Plan Your Trip

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!

Plan Your Japan Trip

Subscribe to email updates!

Words, images and design ©2018-2024 Robert Schrader, All rights reserved. Read Privacy Policy or view sitemap .

Don't know which tour is suitable for you?

Let us help you. Please tell us more about your interests. We will send some suggestions based on your needs.

• Trip Finder
• Saved Tours

Charms of Hokkaido Tour

Fully Escorted

Local Cuisine

Guaranteed Departure

From US$3598.00

• Our California office it's now
• 18:16 PM(Mon) - We Are Close
• Tel: 1-909-988-8885 Toll free : 1-855-325-2726 (USA & CANADA)
• Whatsapp: Website Line : 1-909-818-5901

• Monday to Friday 8:30AM - 5:30PM (PST) Saturday 9:00AM - 3:00PM (PST)

Tour Highlights

• Attend four different incredible winter festivals, including the enchanting Sapporo Snow Festival.
• Sample the local fall foods of Hokkaido at the Sapporo Autumn Fest
• Walk beside fragrant fields of lavender in Furano and millions of bright sunflowers at Hokuryu Town.
• Attend the Cherry Blossom Festival at Aobagaoka Park, home to around a thousand cherry trees.
• Photograph the red-crowned crane at Kushiro, the whooper swan at Lake Kussharo, and Steller's Sea Eagle at Lake Furen.
• View the incredible fireworks spectacle over beautiful Lake Toya.
• Walk under the enchanting canopy of the Utasai Beech Forest, a forest of virgin beech trees in Kuromatsunai.
• Explore the history of the Ainu at the Upopoy National Ainu Museum at Shiraoi, and watch the Shiraoi Salmon Run in Autumn!

Central & Southern Hokkaido Tour (Shiraoi - Noboribetsu - Lake Toya - Hakodate - Otaru - Asahikawa - Biei - Furano - Sapporo) Central & Eastern Hokkaido Tour (Sapporo - Otaru - Furano - Biei - Asahikawa - Sounkyo - Abashiri - Shiretoko - Lake Akan - Kushiro)

8 Nights | From US$3598.00

Departure Months:

With so many seasonal attractions, natural marvels, and a unique local culture, any time can be the right time to experience the charms of hokkaido.

Hokkaido is one of Japan's most underrated tour destinations, next to exciting Tokyo or historic Kyoto. But Japan's northern island offers travelers a unique appeal all its own through its magnificent wonders of nature, indigenous history and culture, fantastic local festivals, and fresh seafood. Hokkaido boasts different beauties in each season, whether its bright lavender flowers in summer or a winter snow festival; whether you taste the delights of Sapporo's Autumn Fest or the last cherry... View More

Hokkaido is one of Japan's most underrated tour destinations, next to exciting Tokyo or historic Kyoto. But Japan's northern island offers travelers a unique appeal all its own through its magnificent wonders of nature, indigenous history and culture, fantastic local festivals, and fresh seafood. Hokkaido boasts different beauties in each season, whether its bright lavender flowers in summer or a winter snow festival; whether you taste the delights of Sapporo's Autumn Fest or the last cherry blossoms of springtime. We are confident you will find at least one itinerary among our selection with the charms of Hokkaido that appeal to you! Hokkaido is probably most synonymous with winter fun, and some of our itineraries are geared toward helping you make the most out of a winter vacation. All our tours start in Sapporo, and the Sapporo Snow Festival is arguably Japan's most famous winter festival, although the tour also includes the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Ashikawa Winter Festival, and Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival. Hokkaido has many amusements that take advantage of the season, including picture-perfect places to photograph the rare birds of the island, such as the enchanting red-crowned crane in Kushiro, Steller's Sea Eagle at Lake Furen, and the Whooper Swan at Lake Kussharo. Our engaging winter itineraries also include engaging winter activities like Smelt Fishing at Lake Akan, and visiting a Kitakitsune Fox Farm at Kitami. As the weather gets warmer, Hokkaido shows of a vibrant array of floral beauties, including fields of lavender flowers in Furano and Biei, tall sunflowers in Hokuryu Town, and of course, Japan's last cherry blossoms of spring, finally reaching Hokkaido in early May. Hokkaido has plenty of attractions to enjoy at this time of the year. Take a nature cruise in Shiretoko where bears and foxes roam free, or pick fresh seasonal fruit on a farm by Lake Toya, and much, much more. When autumn finally arrives, travelers can enjoy the seasonal taste of Hokkaido at the Sapporo Autumn Fest - Hokkaido's largest food festival. The early autumn season is also a good time to experience natural beauties of places like Noboribetsu, Onuma Quasi- National Park, and the Utasai Beech Forest at Kuromatsunai. Travelers can enjoy the changing autumn colors and the Salmon Run of Shiraoi in mid October. We include experiences that allow our guests to explore the locations and culture unique to Hokkaido. Our Charms of Hokkaido tours travel all over the island, to popular destinations as well as off-the-beaten-path locations. Learn about the indigenous Ainu people at the Upopoy National Ainu Museum at Shiraoi. Stroll the canals in Otaru, then explore the port city's glass-blowing industry. Take an icebreaker cruise off the coast of Abashiri. Taste fresh crab and sample the local brew on a tour of the Asahi Beer Brewery in Hokkaido's capital city - Sapporo, a vibrant city full of entertaining amusements. We carefully plan our tours based on seasonal attractions with must see sites in every tour. Click on the tours below to learn more about our Charms of Hokkaido Series tours featuring Cherry Blossoms, Winter Birding and Photography, Lavenders and Summer Flowers, Summer Flowers and Nature, Sapporo Autumn Fest, Autumn Leaves, and Hokkaido Winter Festivals..

7 trips through Japan

Charms of Hokkaido: Sapporo Autumn Fest

Shiraoi / Noboribetsu / Lake Toya / Nanae / Hakodate / Lake Onuma / Kuromatsunai / Niseko / Yoichi / Otaru / Sapporo

9 Days 8 Nights | from US $3698.00

Experience the vibrant Sapporo Autumn Fest, paired with the breathtaking nature and enchanting culture on a 9-day tour around the northern island.

Charms of Hokkaido: Autumn Leaves & Salmon Run

Chitose / Shiraoi / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Shiretoko / Lake Mashu / Lake Akan / Kushiro

Visit Hokkaido during the vibrant autumn season in time to see the annual Salmon Run, and experience the island's natural beauties as well as the native culture of the Ainu.

Charms of Hokkaido: Cherry Blossom Tour

Shiraoi / Noboribetsu / Lake Toya / Hakodate / Matsumae / Mori / Kuromatsunai / Niseko / Otaru / Asahikawa / Biei / Furano / Sapporo

9 Days 8 Nights | from US $3798.00

Explore Southern & Central Hokkaido in springtime while cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Charms of Hokkaido Tour: Hokkaido Winter Festivals

Shiraoi / Lake Shikotsu / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Lake Tofutsu / Lake Akan / Kushiro

See the Sapporo Snow Festival, as well as three other main Winter Festivals in Hokkaido.

Charms of Hokkaido: Lavenders & Summer Flowers

Lake Toya / Nanae / Hakodate / Lake Onuma / Noboribetsu / Shiraoi / Furano / Biei / Yoichi / Otaru / Sapporo

This delightful summer itinerary offers our guests the Charms of Hokkaido, featuring idyllic Furano and Biei, where the landscape is covered in a wavy sea of lavenders and other aromatic flowers.

Charms of Hokkaido: Summer Flowers & Nature

Sapporo / Otaru / Furano / Biei / Asahikawa / Hokuryu / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Shiretoko / Lake Mashu / Lake Akan / Kushiro

This delightful itinerary brings our guests through fields of cheerful summer flowers to explore the incredible nature of Furano, Biei, the Shiretoko Peninsula, and Kushiro on this relaxing Charms of Hokkaido summer tour.

Charms of Hokkaido: Birding & Wildlife Winter Photography Tour

Tsurui - Lake Kussharo - Mt. Iou - Notsuke Peninsula - Rausu - Aidomari - Nemuro - Lake Furen - Kiritappu Wetland

9 Days 8 Nights | from US $5898.00 (Limit to 10 guests)

Discover the incredible nature and rare wildlife of Hokkaido with a tour some of the island's most beautiful nature destinations, including Kushiro, Lake Kussharo, and the Shiretoko Peninsula. Capture memorable pictures of the red- crowned crane, Blakiston's Fish Owl, Steller's Sea Eagl

Why Travel on Our Group Tours

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.

Best Itinerary

Planned by experts, based on seasonal favorites and must-see sites.

Budget-friendly

Choose your style and split cost with other passengers

Hand-picked Accommodations

Chosen by our experienced staff

Fully Guided

Guide is available to you 24/7 and sleeps in the same hotel

Unique experiences

Learn to create your own Sushi, meet a geisha or maiko, and more

Meet locals and visit rural areas of Japan you might miss on other tours

Travel Styles

Deluxe-Plus

Spring Tours (Mar - May)

Summer Tours (Jun - Aug)

Autumn Tours (Sep - Nov)

Winter Tours (Dec - Feb)

Cherry Blossom Tours

Autumn Leaves Tours

Festival Tours

Special Interest Tours

Best Japan Tours

Tours for First Timers

Tours for Repeaters

Family Friendly Anime Tours

Anime Tours

Small Group Tours

Small Group Departures

Luxury Small Group Tours

Walking Tours

Seasonal Flowers Tours

Art & Architecture Tours

Photography Tours

Birding & Wildlife Tours

Garden Tours

Pottery Tours

Japanese Ancestry Tours

Pre & Post Cruise Tours

Starting City

Sapporo to Sapporo

Sapporo to Kushiro

Sapporo to Tokyo

Sapporo to Osaka

Sapporo to Fukuoka

Sapporo to Okinawa

Kushiro to Kushiro

Kushiro to Memanbetsu

Tokyo to Sapporo

Tokyo to Tokyo

Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo to Osaka

Tokyo to Hiroshima

Tokyo to Fukuoka

Tokyo to Okinawa

Tokyo to Seoul

Tokyo to Kushiro

Kyoto to Tokyo

Kyoto to Kyoto

Kyoto to Osaka

Osaka to Sapporo

Osaka to Tokyo

Osaka to Osaka

Osaka to Kotohira Onsen

Osaka to Fukuoka

Osaka to Okinawa

Fukuoka to Sapporo

Fukuoka to Tokyo

Fukuoka to Osaka

Fukuoka to Fukuoka

Fukuoka to Okinawa

Seoul to Tokyo

Taipei to Tokyo

Beijing to Tokyo

Hong Kong to Tokyo

5 Day Japan Tours

6 Day Japan Tours

7 Day Japan Tours

8 Day Japan Tours

9 Day Japan Tours

10 Day Japan Tours

11 Day Japan Tours

12 Day Japan Tours

13 Day Japan Tours

14 Day Japan Tours

15 Day Japan Tours

16 Day Japan Tours

17 Day Japan Tours

18 Day Japan Tours

19 Day Japan Tours

20 Day Japan Tours

21 Day Japan Tours

22 Day Japan Tours

Departure Month

Japan Tours in January

Japan Tours in February

Japan Tours in March

Japan Tours in April

Japan Tours in May

Japan Tours in June

Japan Tours in July

Japan Tours in August

Japan Tours in September

Japan Tours in October

Japan Tours in November

Japan Tours in December

Hokkaido Tours

Tohoku Tours

Kanto Tours

Chubu Tours

Kansai Tours

Shikoku Tours

Chugoku Tours

Kyushu Tours

Okinawa Tours

Must-See Cities

Kiso Valley

Sado Island

Akan National Park

Shirakawago

Kinosaki Onsen

Seasonal Attractions

Sanja Festival

Cherry Blossom Viewing at Yoshinoyama

Sendai Aoba Festival

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido

Cherry Blossoms in Tohoku

Cherry Blossom Festival at Matsumae Park

Cherry Blossom Festival at Ueno Park

Cherry Blossoms at Maruyama Park

Cherry Blossoms & Azaleas at Mifuneyama Rakuen

Shibazakura Festivals

Shibazakura Festivals of Hokkaido

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Great Wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park

Baby Blue Eyes Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park

Takayama Spring Festival

Kyoto Aoi Festival

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Miyako Odori

Tenjin Festival

Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Akita Kanto Festival

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Gion Summer Festival

Awa Odori Dance Festival

Lavenders in Hokkaido

Tanabata Fireworks

Karatsu Kunchi Festival

Jidai Festival

Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue

Lake Kawaguchi Momiji-Kairo

Autumn Leaves

Takayama Autumn Festival

Obara Shikizakura Festival

Japan Winter Festivals

Sapporo Snow Festival

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

Ice Breaker Cruise

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Things Not to Miss

Shiretoko Nature Cruise

Seikan Undersea Tunnel

The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Asakusa Sensoji Temple

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavillion)

Todaiji Temple

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Miho Museum

Koka Ninja Mansion

Ise Grand Shrine

Mikimoto Pearl Island

Himeji Castle

Izumo Grand Shrine

Naoshima Island

Gunkanjima Island

Mt Takasaki Monkey Park

Matsumoto Castle

Tokyo Tower

Kiyomizu Temple

Gion Geisha District

Kyoto Cuisine with Maiko

Green Tea Ceremony

Shikoku Pilgrimage Route

Takayama Festivals

Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction

Sushi-Making Experience

Tokyo SkyTree

Ghibli Museum

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Kenrokuen Garden

Hikone Castle

Zen Meditation (Zazen)

Calligraphy Lesson (Shodo)

Ikebana Lesson (Flower Arrangement)

Kimono Experience

Taiko Lesson

Dotonbori Street Food Tour

Nakasendo Hike

Snow Monkeys

Most Beautiful Places in Japan

Otaru Snow Light Path

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Kurashiki Canal Area

Miyajima Island

Shimanami Kaido

Takeda Castle

Motonosumi-Inari Shrine

Adachi Museum of Art

Takachiho Gorge

Oirase Stream

Tottori Sand Dunes

Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachi Fuji Gardens

What our customers say

  4.9 stars based on 515 REVIEWS

We gained great appreciation for the culture and history of Japan through the sites we visited. The transportation was comfortable and convenient, and our guide, Trend, was outstanding, knowledgeable and entertaining. The accommodations were terrific, and it was so convenient to have two meals included each day. We enjoyed every aspect of the tour and we'd highly recommend it to others!

This tour was amazing with everything so well organized. The transportation was comfortable, accommodation was great (pretty much got 4-star hotels) and all the important touristy places were covered. It'd be hard for anyone to do the same itinerary on their own for sure. My fav. aspect of the tour is that it was not rushed and had ample time at each of the spots making it more enjoyable. Most importantly, our guide TREND was brilliant. She did an excellent job in taking care of the group, keeping it entertaining and educative. She always ensured we were all comfortable everywhere and especially in the restaurants where the menu was hard to understand given I had dietary restrictions leaving few choices. I'd recommend this tour to anyone who is looking for the highlights of Japan.

We had a wonderful tour.

We had a trip of a lifetime! Our guide Joyce and driver, Yokomi-san were very professional and timely. We will miss them! They were very friendly and ensured our children (11 and 14) had an incredible experience! Joyce was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of information about the sites we were seeing, made sure we had our tickets and did not lose anyone. We had plenty of time at each attraction to walk around, get snacks and use facilities - we never felt rushed or that we were wasting time. Sadly, there was too many clouds at Hakone to see anything. We had spent a lot of time riding to get there and saw nothing, so we ate the black egg and took photos, which was still memorable. The onsen hotel is the most beautiful hotel ever! We enjoyed using the family onsen and the kaiseki dinner.

Well organized and days filled with interesting places visited with fantastic insights from our tour guide Joyce. Bravo to Joyce and AJT

Don't know which tour is best for you? Let us help you.

• share trip finder saved tours inquiry book now

Email Signup

5 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

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.

Follow us on  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  TikTok  for more travel inspiration. Or tag us to get featured!

Happy traveling!

Stay informed of the best travel tips to Japan, the most exciting things to do and see, and the top experiences to have with the Japan Wonder Travel Newsletter. Every week we will introduce you to our latest content.

• Popular destinations
• Hidden places in Japan
• Tours and workshop
• Food and drink in Japan
• Itinerary in Japan
• Places to visit in Tokyo
• Food and drink in Tokyo
• Seasonal events
• Tours & workshops
• Tokyo This Week
• Day trip from Tokyo
• Itinerary in Tokyo
• Places to visit in Kyoto
• Food and drink in Kyoto
• Itinerary in Kyoto
• Day trip from Kyoto
• Travel tips
• Accommodation
• Cultural tips
• Transportation
• Tokyo Tours
• Kyoto Tours
• Kimono Rental
• Fukushima Tours
• Mount Fuji Tours
• Tour Package
• Media Kit（English/日本語)

Japan Travel & Culture Guide

11 Days in Hokkaido Summer Itinerary – July

Hokkaido is a destination of untouched beauty and exciting outdoor adventures. Planning a trip to Hokkaido in summer , especially in mid-July is a perfect time to visit the island. Surely, you can experience many incredible natural wonders.

Summer is short in Hokkaido , but what it offers are unforgettable and stunning. To get the most out of your summer trip, you may follow this suggested itinerary or travel plan.

I will highlight some of the amazing things that you can experience here in Hokkaido in July . Let’s get started!

Day 1: Explore Sapporo City in the Evening

Welcome to Hokkaido!

Get to downtown Sapporo by JR rapid trains from New Chitose Airport . It takes about 35 minutes.

This hotel in Sapporo is located right next to Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Park . You can check in there and spend your nights comfortably.

Some of the notable sites to explore for the day are Odori Park, Mt. Moiwa , and Susukino. If you have read our previous Sapporo itineraries you already have some ideas on how to spend a day there. However, the above three places are very convenient to access to from your hotel.

Though, you have to take the streetcar to get to Mt. Moiwa ropeway station. It is super easy! You can hop on a streetcar from Susukino station and get off at Ropeway Iriguchi station .

You can see incredible night views of Sapporo city from Mt. Moiwa observatory. It is worth visiting and you will be pleased to see the surroundings.

When you are at Susukino, I highly recommend you to walk along the Tanukikoji Shopping Street , where you can find many restaurants and shops of different kinds. It is very bad not to spend your time for a place like this because it is considered Sapporo’s oldest shopping street.

Before you move towards your hotel, why don’t you spend some times sitting on the bench at Odori Park? The TV tower looks fabulous at night. So enjoy the night view of the tower from sitting areas in the park.

Day 2: Jozankei Onsen and Jozankei Farm

Said to be one of the most popular hot spring resort towns in Hokkaido, Jozankei onsen is not to be missed. On the other hand, not far from the onsen town is Jozankei Farm , where you can pick cherries in summer and see breathtaking flower gardens.

If fruit picking is in your ultimate things to do list for your Hokkaido trip, then a visit to the farm will make your whole journey enjoyable, with so much exciting things to do.

There are many fruit picking spots in Hokkaido. You may not visit them all, but as Jozaneki is easily accessible from Sapporo city by bus, you should consider fruit picking at Jozankei Farm. Check the bus timetable .

Cherry picking season here is from early July to early August . The farm offers “All-you-can-eat” package with no time limit. Satisfaction is guaranteed!

After spending a great time at the farm, head over to the hot spring resort town and relax your body at one of those hot springs provided by some hotels and ryokan. If you want to stay a night here, we recommend this hotel , with both indoor and outdoor baths.

If you don’t want to experience an onsen bath at Jozankei, you may take a walk to Hoheikyo dam , surrounded by the natural landscape of mountains.

Day 3: Sapporo to Toyako Onsen

You will stay two nights at Toyako Onsen . For your cozy stay, make a hotel reservation here at this lovely onsen with great view of Lake Toya , and Mountains from your room. Besides, the property offers restaurants with a variety of food options (vegan and vegetarian).

The hotel provides free shuttle bus service for its guests from JR Sapporo Station to their property. You can take a look at the bus timetable .

Please note you will get cheaper booking offers with free cancellation policy when you book via booking.com than making a reservation at their official website.

Today you should explore the onsen town by taking a leisurely walk. Doing so you will find a number of good spots to spend relax time and admire the beauty of the lake and surrounding landscapes.

Just take your time wandering around the onsen town and stumble upon a restaurant called Hydune , which offers delicious burgers with fresh ingredients – perhaps one of the best burgers you would ever have in Japan!

In summer, fireworks display in Lake Toya is an event not to be missed. Fireworks are launched every night over Lake Toya, blazing the night sky beautifully. Experience this event and get the taste of traditional summer matusri of Japan .

Day 4: Mt. Usu Ropeway and outdoor activities

Lake Toya area is considered one of the best weekend trip destinations from Sapporo. From beautiful onsen town to fruit farms and incredible scenic landscapes, there’s no shortage of unforgettable activities, which everyone would like to experience.

Start the day with a visit to Mt. Usu , part of UNESCO Global Geopark . Get a taxi from the onsen town and reach the ropeway station.

Take the Usuzan Ropeway and get to the top of Mt. Usu for a panoramic view over Lake Toya and mountains in the distance. In addition, you are advised to visit Usu Crater Basin Observation Deck .

What’s next? When your trip to Mt. Usu is over, I would like you to spend your time on horse riding .

To experience the rich nature of Lake Toya, you must consider a mountain horse trekking. This horse riding experience will take you on a journey to some of the amazing views that the area has to offer you. Check out the site .

If time permits or you are not going to try horse riding, the best alternative could be Lake Hill Farm , where you can enjoy delicious homemade gelato, gaze at beautiful grassy field and meet cows. In addition, this farm provides stunning views of Lake Toya and Mount Yotei .

Finally, if none of the above aforementioned activities are interesting to you, but you want to eat fresh fruits and experience fruit picking in the area, visit Takashina Fruit Farm .

Day 5: Toyako Onsen to Furano via Sapporo

Today you will leave Toyako Onsen for Furano city in central Hokkaido. Let me show you the route: JR Toyako Station -> Sapporo Station -> Takikawa Station/Asahikawa Station -> JR Furano Station .

To minimize your transportation cost, you should use Sapporo-Furano Area Pass from JR Station as of today. It is valid for 4 consecutive days (non-reserved seats).

You can use this pass for free ride on the Furano Biei Norokko Train , a train ride that will make your Furano trip quite memorable. From the train window, you will see incredible Japanese rural landscapes, including forest, farms, hills, flower fields, and mighty mountains in the distance on the way to the last stoppage.

If you are looking to plan a short trip in central Hokkaido, here is a great 4 days travel plan for you.

Leave Toyako Onsen early in the morning, so you can get enough time to ensure you cover the best places to visit in Furano in summer. Between mid-July and late July you will see plenty of lavender and colorful flower fields in this area.

Stay at this hotel as it is located adjacent to JR Furano station. There is no need to hire a taxi to reach the hotel from the station. Rooms are cozy and equipped with necessary things to make your stay comfortable.

In the evening, you may want to go out for a walk in the city and visit some shops to buy things you need. If you want to buy some nice handicrafts to take home as a reminder of Hokkaido, visit Ningle Terrace . A visit to this attraction is always recommended at night.

Day 6: Nakafurano

Today you will spend most of the day by viewing lavender fields and colorful flower gardens in Nakafurano area of Furano city. Get on a train to Nakafurano station from Furano station. It is a short ride.

Start the day at Choei Lavender Farm (Hokuseiyama Lavender Field) and Nakafurano Flower Park. They are located adjacent to each other.

Choei lavender farm is situated on a steep hill, which is used as a ski slope in the winter, but in summer it becomes a flower paradise with tons of lavender, marigold, sunflower, scarlet sage, and begonias.

Ride the single chair lift up the hill over lavender fields and gaze at the flowers and Tokachi Mountain range in the background. The flower beds that you find here offer nice photo backdrop. Take as many as photos you want to photograph.

Next destination is Farm Tomita. Instead of getting on a train, you should take a walk from here to Farm Tomita. It is not a long walk – less than a 15-mitues walk I assume!

Farm Tomita is another beautiful place in Nakafurano to enjoy colorful flower beds including lavender gardens. It is a crowded spot, especially during the lavender season. There are a number of flower fields you can explore here. Each flower fields will impress you with different kinds of flowers, trees and landscapes.

Try lavender soft-served ice cream at the café. It is truly delicious!

Your last destination for the day is Lavender East . This is the largest lavender field in Japan. Since you are not self-driving, the best option is to take a walk from Farm Tomita . Don’t worry – you will not get lost if you are connected to the internet and can use Google maps the right way.

Observe rows of wonderful lavender and Tokachi Mountains in the background from its observation platform. Please note the lavender bus here is a must ride. It makes your journey easy here and lets you enjoy the beautiful nature. 

Day 7: Hinode Park, Flowerland Kamifurano, Shikisai no Oka

One thing I must tell you that when you have a car, it is very easy to get to many incredible sites in central Hokkaido. So if you self-drive, you will have many options to choose from, I mean you get the opportunity of exploring more sites than those travelers relying on public transport.

Hinode Park in Kamifurano area is a popular flower viewing spot in central Hokkaido. You can easily reach the park from JR Kami-Furano Station on foot.

It features beautiful rolling hills with lavender and colorful flowers in summer. The observation deck of Hinode Park is surrounded by lavender and it is worth the visit as you will experience spectacular views from it.

The white monument Bell of Love is located just below the observation deck. It is an iconic photogenic spot to take picture of couples.

Your next stop is Flower land Kamifurano . Get ready to take a walk for an hour to reach there from Hinode Park. One of the best ways of exploring Furano’s hidden attractions is on foot or bicycle. I love to take a walk here, so if you don’t mind it is time for you to do the same as I do.

Flower viewing is not the only thing you will do here, instead you will enjoy sightseeing tractor bus ride, experience the taste of fresh melon, corns and have fun with hands-on activities using lavender at the farm.

Now head to JR Kamifurano Station and wait for a train to JR Bibaushi Station . This is the closest train station to Shikisai no Oka . From here you have to walk more than a 30-minute to reach Shikisai no Oka, depending on your stamina.

This is the most beautiful flower garden in rural town of Biei, highlighting rows of colorful blossoms from spring to autumn. Hills carpeted with varieties of flowers are a great sight to behold here – a perfect flower paradise!

Day 8: Mount Asahidake, Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Watefalls, Zerubo Hill

Mt. Asahidake is one of the best places to visit in Hokkaido year-round. Note that this is the tallest mountain (2290 meters) in Hokkaido and offers great hiking opportunity for hikers to see the rich wildlife in the area.

A lot of alpine flowers bloom in summer and you can spot them while walking along the circular trail around the ropeway’s upper station.

This interesting walking course is very easy and takes about 1 hour to complete. On the way, you will come across small ponds, different sorts of alpine plants, observation platforms, and volcanic steam vents.

Mt. Asahidake is a favorite day trip for many visitors. Since you have decided to stay in Furano, it is easy to get to Asahidake Ropeway by car from Biei and it’s time consuming than visiting the mountain from Sapporo city.

Call a taxi for a ride to Asahidake .

Contact them and ask them if they can also take you to Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Waterfalls and Zerubo Hill . It is quite possible to visit these three attractions alongside visiting Mt. Asahidake in a day by a car.

After visiting Zerubo Hill, it is time for you to get back to Furano city from Biei Station. Use the train-pass for the last time as it will be expired later today. Stay the night at the same hotel.

Day 9: Furano to Sapporo

Your central Hokkaido trip is over. Today you will leave for Sapporo. Check out from the hotel after breakfast time, and hop on a train to JR Sapporo Station.

Check into this hotel and get a shower before you go out for a shopping in Sapporo.

You can enjoy shopping at MEGA Don Quijote Sapporo Tanukikoji Honten or around JR Sapporo Station, such as at Sapporo ESTA building, Daimaru and etc. Take a walk around Susukino and eat delicious Hokkaido ramen at Ganso Ramen Yokocho .

You may also go to Sapporo Beer Museum if you are interested in it. Here you can learn the history of beer in Japan and beer testing is also available for a small fee. Besides, try Jingisukan at Sapporo Beer Garden, one of the must-try dishes of Hokkaido .

Before you call it a day, visit Kitakaro Sapporo Honten , a confectionery shop to try delicious Hokkaido sweets .

Day 10: Enjoy A Day trip to Otaru

Otaru is not only a winter destination for its magical snow light path festival; but you can visit this port city anytime of the year. I love this city for various reasons. The food, old buildings, shrines & temples and souvenir shops are one of those reasons why I love Otaru so much.

This article reveals the best things you can do and see in Otaru. Please read that page thoroughly and hopefully you will get some important travel guides about Otaru.

You can easily explore the area on a day trip from Sapporo using public transport.

If Otaru does not excite you, I recommend the Shakotan Peninsula , a perfect destination for mountain and ocean lovers.

Pack your bags before you sleep tonight!

Day 11: Goodbye Hokkaido

If your flight schedule is in the evening, you may spend some relaxing time by visiting Hokkaido Shrine in the morning. To reach the shrine, take the subway to Maruyama Station from Odori Station on the Tozai Line .

When you have got one more day to spend in Hokkaido, I would gladly share two wonderful places that you can visit in a day, they are – Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park and The Hill of the Buddha at Makomanai Takino Cemetery.

However, we do hope you will come back again in the future to see many other exciting things, including snow festivals in winter, beautiful sakura display in spring, and gorgeous autumn foliage in fall . Have a safe flight back home!

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Hello there, looking to plan your next Japan adventure? You’re in the right place! We’re your go-to source for all things travel-related, especially when it comes to exploring Hokkaido. We share Hokkaido travel tips and free itineraries to make your trip truly memorable. Read our guides and for further inquiries, feel free to contact us!

Follow us on Facebook

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

• Czech Republic
• Budapest, Hungary
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Complete Japan Travel Guide
• Kanto Region (Tokyo, Hakone)
• Kansai Region (Osaka, Kyoto)
• Kansai Wide (Wakayama)
• Chugoku Region (Hiroshima)
• Chubu Japan
• Hokkaido Japan
• Kyushu Japan
• Jeju Island, South Korea
• KLOOK Promo Code & Voucher (2024 June)
• Agoda Promo Code

Hokkaido Itinerary: A 10-Days Travel Blog

Last updated on May 29th, 2024

Planning to visit Hokkaido and would like to have suggestions and recommendations on your Hokkaido itinerary? See how we visit Hokkaido leisurely with public transport.

Hokkaido is beautiful almost every season. The best time to visit Hokkaido can be all year round, from spring, summer, autumn even until winter. Our visit to Hokkaido is during the end of spring or the beginning of summer. It is a great season that we can see the beauty of two seasons at the same time. We have summarized the places to go, what to eat, and things to do when you are getting around in Hokkaido. It depends on your budget. Many top attractions are awaiting you to discover. Most importantly, free entrance!

Hopefully, my Hokkaido travel blog with perfect 10 days itinerary can give you some idea of your coming trip. Learn from my mistakes, and you can save some time and money.

Table of Contents

Planning for Hokkaido Itinerary

It depends on the season and how many days for your Hokkaido trip. There is always no perfect and complete Hokkaido itinerary. Below is the suggested travel route for the 9 to 10 days Hokkaido itinerary. Mostly covered in the south to the central region. It is best to visit all year round, especially from Spring to Summer. Places visited include Hakodate, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Otaru, Shakotan, and Sapporo.

Here is the summary of My 10 Days Hokkaido Itinerary:

• Day 1 : Arrive in Hokkaido and head to Hakodate.
• Day 2 : Hakodate.
• Day 3 : Lake Toya.
• Day 4 and Day 5 : Noboribetsu and spend time in the onsen hotel.
• Day 6 : Otaru.
• Day 7 : [Seasonal Trip] Shimamui Coast and Cape Kamui.
• Day 8 and Day 9 : Sapporo City.
• Day 10 : Goodbye to Hokkaido.

For more detail on what to do and see in Hokkaido, check out our Hokkaido travel guide blog below!

Pre-Trip Essential

Generally, there are two best ways for getting around in Hokkaido; either by self-driving or relying on public transport (bus or railway). If you love to travel at your own pace or travel in a group, especially with kids and the elderly, consider self-driving in Hokkaido. The charming Hokkaido is best for having road adventures and plan for self-driving itinerary. But there are various rental car companies in Japan. Make sure to compare various rental cars to get the best deal from RentalCars.com .

We did not go for the self-driving option as we were traveling with two people only. So we opted to travel to Hokkaido by using public transport. If you are planning for a long travel journey like us, we highly recommended get the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass . Choose from consecutive 3-Days, 5-Days, 7-Days, or flexible 4-Days for traveling around Hokkaido. This pass can be purchased by foreign visitors ( Check out for detail ) and is required to exchange for an actual ticket at JR Station in Hokkaido. Remember to reserve your seat for free by using the JR Hokkaido Pass.

Save with JR Pass if you’re traveling from Tokyo to Hakodate by Shinkansen: 

• JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (Flexible 6 days within 14-Days).
• Whole Japan Rail Pass (7, 14, and 21 days option) for the whole Japan trip.

Day 1: Arrive Hokkaido – Hakodate

Landed at New Chitose Airport; getting to Hakodate.

International flights normally will land at Sapporo New Chitose Airport. Depending on your Hokkaido itinerary, you can choose to stay one night in Sapporo or directly proceed to the city as per plan.

For visitors who landed at Sapporo New Chitose Airport by flight, it is best to pick up your travel essentials at the airport:

• Wifi router or 4G Sim Card at the airport. It is important to stay connected to check on transportation, location, and travel information.
• Kitaca IC Card : Similar to SUICA or other Japan IC cards, Kitaca is the Hokkaido version of electronic cash cards. This card can be used at all railroads, buses, and IC electronics nationwide.

Once everything is ready, let’s kick-start your Hokkaido itinerary.

Day 2: Hakodate

Things To Do in Hakodate: Morning Market, Goryokaku Fort, Kanemori Redbrick Warehouse, Mt. Hakodate

Day trip in Hakodate is full of fun and excitement. Firstly, kick start your day with a bowl of seafood donburi at Hakodate Morning Market. It is the best place to taste the freshly caught seafood in Hokkaido. Next, purchase the one-day tram ticket at ¥600 and we are ready to explore this charming Hakodate city.

Visit the Goryokaku Fort and get to Goryokaku Tower Observatory for the entire perfect star-shaped Goryakaku Park from above. Next, proceed to Kanemori Redbrick Warehouse for a relaxing stroll along the bay. At night, make your way up to Mt Hakodate by the Hakodateyama Ropeway for the best night view in Hokkaido.

Goryokaku Fort is the most popular and best place for sakura viewing in Hokkaido. The star-shaped park will be full of pinky sakura and very beautiful. Normally the blossom peak season is early May.

What to eat in Hakodate : Lucky Pierrot Hamburger, Shio Ramen.

Where to stay in Hakodate : Four Point By Sheraton Hakodate and FAV Hotel Hakodate are strategically located close to JR Station. Many eateries nearby and Hakodate Morning Market is within walking distance.

Day 3: Lake Toya

Getting to Lake Toya from Hakodate. Things To Do in Lake Toya: Mt Usu, fireworks show, onsen bath

Hakodate to Lake Toya is about 2 hours. Get down at TOYA (JR-MURORAN station and take the connecting bus to Onsen town.

Spend your afternoon at Mt. Usu in Shikotsu-Toya National Park . Mt. Usu is a UNESCO Global Geopark and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You get to reach the summit by Usuzan ropeway for a stunning view from above. There is two observatory deck at the summit: Toyako Viewing Platform and Usu Crater Basin Observation Deck. A little hike is required if you want to get to Usu Crater Basin Observation Deck.

At night, the fantastic fireworks show will be alluring the entire Lake Toya at 20:40 for about 20 minutes every night. This summer event will start from the end of April to the end of October.

If you need information, check out our Lake Toya itinerary .

Where to Stay in Lake Toya : We highly recommended Toya Sun Palace Resort And Spa . The onsen was one of the best in Toyoko with an infinity pool that overlooked Lake Toya. An incredible way to enjoy your onsen bath during the evening firework.

Day 4 and Day 5: Noboribetsu

Day#4: Getting from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu; Day#5: from Noboribetsu to Otaru.

Things to do in Noboribetsu: Jigokudani, Oyunumand Okunoyu Pond, Oyunuma Natural Footbath, Demon’s Fireworks (Seasonal Festival).

Next, proceed for 2-Days 1-Night Stay in Noboribetsu , the best therapeutic onsen in Japan. The express train journey took about 40 minutes from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu. The local train will be double the traveling time but at a cheaper fare. Next, take the Donan bus to get to onsen town.

Headed to Jigokudani, aka Hell valley for the geothermal adventure. Have a closer look at Tessen Ike, geyser point at Jigokudani. Next, take a little hike to Oyunuma and Okunoyu Pond, the two crater lake created by volcano activities.

If you have more time, consider proceeding to Oyunuma River Natural Footbath with natural hot spring water in the forest. Lastly, spend the rest of your day at the traditional hot spring bath in your resort.

Don’t forget to join the Demon’s fireworks in Hell Valley at night if you are coming to Noboribetsu on Thursday or Friday. This event will start from early June to the end of July. We enjoyed our hot spring bath in Noboribetsu until check-out time on the second day. Next, we took the hotel shuttle back to Sapporo and then took the local train to Otaru.

Where to Stay in Noboribetsu : Dai-ichi Takimotokan is one of the best onsen resorts in Japan. This family-run resort has a total of 27 indoor and outdoor onsen baths for guests (15 for men and 12 for women) to enjoy the natural hot spring water. Definitely will fall in love when you’re soaking in the hot spring water.

Day 6: Otaru

Things To do in Otaru: Nikka Whisky Distiller, Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, and Mt. Tenguyama.

It’s always good to kick start your day with a marvelous seafood donburi at Sankaku market. Next, have a half-day trip to Nikka Whisky Distiller to know more about Japan’s best whiskey. Nikka Whisky Distiller is located nearby within 25 minutes by local train from Otaru.

Back to Otaru city and continue to explore this charming town. Take the scenic stroll at Otaru Canal and continue to Sakaimachi street. There are many pastry and dessert shops on Sakaimachi street, including the famous LeTao, Kitakaro. Lastly, proceed to Mt. Tenguyama to see the panoramic view of Otaru city, especially the night view.

Where to stay in Otaru : Smile Hotel Otaru is located within a 3-minute walk from Otaru JR station. It is a budget three-star accommodation in Otaru, providing western and Japanese style rooms for selection.

Hokkaido Travel Tips : Otaru is easily accessible from Sapporo within 30 to 45 minutes by train. You can also stay at Sapporo and plan for a day trip to Otaru.

Day 7: Shakotan Peninsula (Seasonal Trip)

Things to do in Shakotan Peninsula: Shimamui Coast, Cape Kamui

Seasonal Trip: Shakotan Peninsula is only open for a visit during summer. Chuo bus is the only way to get to the Shakotan Peninsula by public transport. From Otaru, board the bus to Shimamui Coast and Cape Kamui to get a closer look at Shakotan-Blue seawater

Don’t forget to taste the mouth-watering supreme uni-don when you are visiting Shakotan. Osokujidokoro Misaki and Oshokujidokoro Naramuraya served the best sea urchin in Shakotan. Dropped by the restaurant for freshness sea urchin, freshly caught from the sea.

Need more help on planning a day trip to Cape Kamui? Check out our one day itinerary to Cape Kamui from Otaru .

Day 8 – 9: Sapporo City

Things to do in Sapporo: Shiroi Koibito Park, Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Sapporo Beer Museum. Odori Park And Sapporo TV Tower, Tanukikoji Shopping street, Hokkaido Shrine

There are many things to do and see in Sapporo . Spend your day in Shiroi Koibito Park, the famous Shiroi Koibito cookie factory with a beautifully decorated garden. Have a look at the famous bronze statue of Dr. William S. Clark at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill. Next, have a beer tasting of the famous Sapporo beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum.

If you have more time, spend your time visiting Hokkaido Shrine in the city center. Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, and Sapporo TV Tower.

The Sapporo itinerary can be done within 1 fulfilling day. But we advise spacing some time for the delicious local delicacies. Fresh seafood (King crab, snow crab, hairy crab), soup curry, Genghis Khan, miso ramen, and more. Just visit the attraction that you would like to see in Sapporo.

Where and what to eat in Sapporo

• [Sapporo] Nemuro Hanamaru: Best Kaiten Belt Sushi Restaurant
• [Sapporo] Gotsubo Oyster Bar: Best Cheap Eat in Sapporo
• [Sapporo] Kani Honke Sapporo: Hokkaido Must Eat Crab Restaurant
• [Sapporo] The Best Soup Curry Garaku Food Review

Day 10: Goodbye Hokkaido

If you still have some time before leaving Hokkaido, head to Nijo Market for last minutes shopping for souvenirs and dried seafood back to the home country.

How To Plan For 10 Days Hokkaido Trip

Overall this Hokkaido travel blog for 10 days is more focused on the Southern and Central regions. For first-time visitors and limited time, this area is the best place to get a look at the beauty of Hokkaido. Day trip to Cape Kamui in Shakotan Peninsular is one of the seasonal travel trips in Summer. The remaining places can be traveled in Spring, Autumn, and even winter.

Below are some quick Hokkaido travel tips when you are planning on your itinerary.

Hokkaido is best to visit all year round, especially from Spring to Summer. Places visited include Hakodate, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Otaru, Shakotan, and Sapporo.

We recommended spending at least 7 days if you only have a short amount of time to play around in Hokkaido. You will need 5 days traveling around Hokkaido and 2 days covering Sapporo city.

Visitors can freely travel around Hokkaido by public transport and self-driving. Most of the attractions can be accessible by public transport, either by railway or bus. Self-driving is the best way to travel for those who love to travel at their own pace.

The buses go everywhere in Hokkaido (including small cities and towns) and it is also cheaper compare trains. But you need to be cautious about the bus schedule due to being less frequent.

Hopefully, our Hokkaido itinerary can give you some inspiration for your coming visit. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and we try our best to answer for you. Our advice for your Hokkaido trip? Just slow down your pace and enjoy the natural scene. Enjoy your trip to Hokkaido.

How To Plan Your Hokkaido Trip On Budget: Travel Guide, Itinerary & Money Saving Tips!

More detail Hokkaido travel blog:

• Hakodate, the historical city in Hokkaido
• Lake Toya Itinerary: Mt Usu, Onsen, Firework And More
• Noboribetsu itinerary: The Best Therapeutic Onsen in Japan
• Day trip to Otaru and Nikka Whisky Distillery
• [Summer] Day trip to Shakotan Peninsula: Cape Kamui
• Things to do in Sapporo by 2-Days

You Might Interested:

Hokkaido Must Eat: Sea Urchin From Shakotan

One of the Hokkaido must eat food is freshness sea urchin from Shakotan. The Osokujidokoro...

Soup Curry Garaku Sapporo: Food Review on Best Food in Hokkaido

Soup Curry is known as must try food in Hokkaido. We tasted the Soup Curry...

Where To Eat Best Asahikawa Ramen: Baikohken Honten

There are many ramen shop and claimed for the best ramen in Asahikawa. Read on...

Hokkaido Self Drive Itinerary: Asahikawa, Furano, Biei

In this Hokkaido self-drive itinerary travel guide blog, we are sharing with you what to...

Hokkaido Food Guide: Top 10 Must Eat Food In Hokkaido

Planning trip to Hokkaido? Remember to read on our Hokkaido food guide. The top 10...

Where To Stay in Noboribetsu: Best Onsen Ryokan Pick

Looking for best onsen ryokan for where to stay in Noboribetsu? This quick and easy...

Traveloka Accomodation

15 Sep 2023 - 8 min read

The Ultimate 7-Day Hokkaido Itinerary for Singaporeans

Hokkaido Itinerary 7 Days - Hokkaido is known for its beautiful woods, hills, flower fields, and lakes. The island's nature makes it an excellent place for hikes, skiing, snowboarding, and relaxing in hot springs outside.

Compared to the more populated regions of Japan, like Tokyo and Kyoto, Hokkaido is generally less crowded. This allows for a more relaxed and serene travel experience, allowing you to enjoy attractions without the crowds.

Each season in Hokkaido offers distinct attractions. In the summer, you can enjoy fields of lavender and other vibrant flowers. Autumn showcases breathtaking foliage, and winter transforms Hokkaido into a winter wonderland, perfect for skiing and enjoying winter festivals.

In this article, we would like to share the perfect 7-day itinerary for Singaporeans. Before that, you should check out flights to Hokkaido on Traveloka, before we spill out things to do in Hokkaido .

Day 1: Sapporo

1. Visit the Susukino District

As you arrive in Susukino, you'll immediately notice the vibrant atmosphere. The streets are illuminated with colorful neon signs, creating an energetic and exciting ambiance.

For shopaholics, Susukino is full of shops and restaurants that you can look around in. From trendy clothing stores to weird gift shops, you might find interesting things to take home.

Book your flight to Sapporo

Juneyao Airlines

Start from S$ 283.42

Singapore (SIN) to Sapporo (CTS)

Fri, 28 Jun 2024

Jetstar Japan

Start from S$ 291.80

Spring Airlines Japan

Start from S$ 293.87

2. See the Sapporo Beer Museum

The original Sapporo Brewery, built in 1876, is now home to the Sapporo Beer Museum. The museum tells about the history and growth of Sapporo beer, which makes it interesting for people interested in history.

One of the highlights of the Sapporo Beer Museum is the opportunity to participate in tasting sessions. The museum often features an on-site beer garden where you can enjoy freshly brewed Sapporo beer and a variety of local dishes.

It's a great chance to relax and soak in the ambiance while savoring the flavors of Sapporo's iconic beverage. Find more activities in Sapporo through Traveloka!

3. Hike up Mount Moiwa

Mount Moiwa is easily accessible from Sapporo. You can take a combination of subway and bus to reach the hike's starting point. Several hiking trails lead up Mount Moiwa.

The most popular trail is the "Moiwa Sancho Trail," which starts from the mountain's base and takes you to the summit. Greenery and lush forests will be all around you as you hike. The trail is wonderful during the changing seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.

Day 2: Otaru

1. Explore the Otaru Canal

Take a stroll along the picturesque canal. The walkway is lined with old stone warehouses converted into shops, cafes, and museums. The Otaru Canal is often illuminated in the evenings, creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere.

Consider taking a short canal cruise to view the canal from the water. The cruises offer a different perspective and often include commentary on the area's history.

2. Visit the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is a magical winter event in the charming city of Otaru, Hokkaido. It is a time when tens of thousands of lanterns and lights illuminate the city, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere.

The festival features multiple illuminated pathways throughout the city. These pathways are adorned with lanterns, snow sculptures, and beautiful light displays.

3. Go Skiing or Snowboarding at Niseko United

Niseko United comprises four interconnected ski resorts: Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, and Hanazono. Each lodge has its unique features and terrain. Niseko is famous for its consistent and abundant powder snow.

The region receives heavy snowfall, creating excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding. To make the most of your skiing or snowboarding trip to Niseko, it's recommended to book your accommodation well in advance through Traveloka, especially during peak winter months.

Day 3: Furano

1. See the Lavender Fields in Bloom

Most of the time, the lavender fields in Furano bloom from late June to early August, with July being the best month. But the exact time can change based on how the weather is.

There are several lavender farms in Furano where you can witness the stunning lavender fields in full bloom. Farm Tomita is one of the most famous and popular lavender farms. Many lavender farms in Furano also have gift shops to purchase various lavender-based products, including oils, soaps, candles, and more.

2. Visit the Biei Blue Pond

The Blue Pond gets its name from the intense blue color of its water. This unique hue is attributed to the natural minerals and particles in the water that reflect sunlight. The appearance of the Blue Pond can change with the seasons.

In summer, the blue color is most pronounced due to the sunlight, while in winter, the partially frozen surface creates an equally enchanting sight.

3. Go on a Hot Spring Tour

There are many different kinds of onsen in Furano, each with unique traits. Some onsen may have both indoor and outdoor baths, different types of minerals, and beautiful scenery.

You can choose between public onsen facilities or those attached to ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). Both options offer a soothing onsen experience. Before entering an onsen, it's essential to follow onsen etiquette.

This includes thoroughly washing and rinsing your body before entering the bath. Onsen facilities often provide towels, toiletries, and changing rooms. Some also have relaxation rooms where you can rest before or after your soak.

Day 4: Hakodate

1. Visit the Hakodate Morning Market

The market is known for its early opening hours, usually around 5:00 a.m. It's a great place to experience the lively atmosphere of a bustling morning market. One of the best things about the market is how much fresh fish it has.

Many kinds of fish, shrimp, crabs, squid, and other tasty sea creatures exist. If you're an early riser, consider starting your day with a seafood-centric breakfast at one of the market's eateries.

2. See the Hakodate Tower

Hakodate Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. It offers panoramic views of the city, the surrounding landscapes, and the sea. The main attraction of Hakodate Tower is its observation deck, which provides breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, Mount Hakodate, the bay, and the Tsugaru Strait.

One of the highlights of visiting Hakodate Tower is the opportunity to witness stunning sunsets and night views. The city lights create a mesmerizing scene, especially after dark.

3. Go Whale Watching

The best time for whale watching in Hakodate is generally from late April to early October. Different species might be more prevalent at certain times, so the timing can affect what you'll likely encounter.

Whale-watching tours are usually conducted by experienced guides knowledgeable about the local marine life. These tours often include informative commentary about the whales, their behaviors, and the marine environment.

Day 5: Shiretoko National Park

1. Go on a Bear-Viewing Tour

Shiretoko National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in northeastern Hokkaido, Japan. It's known for its pristine wilderness, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife.

Shiretoko is home to the Hokkaido brown bear, also known as the Ezo brown bear. These bears are a subspecies of brown bears and are known for their distinctive appearance.

2. Hike in the Wilderness

Shiretoko National Park has many different climbing trails for people of all skill levels and tastes. Courses can take you through many different types of land, such as woods, rivers, lakes, and the coast.

Trailheads can be accessed from various points within the park. Some trails start near the park's visitor centers, making it easy to gather information before your hike.

3. See the Shiretoko Five Lakes

The Shiretoko Five Lakes consist of five interconnected lakes surrounded by lush forests and towering mountains. The landscape is pristine and untouched, offering a true wilderness experience.

The area around the Shiretoko Five Lakes is known for its diverse wildlife, including deer, foxes, and various bird species. Keep an eye out for these creatures during your hike.

Day 6: Matsumae Island

1. Visit Matsumae Castle

Matsumae Castle was built in the early 17th century and served as the seat of power for the Matsumae clan, which ruled over the Matsumae Domain in northern Japan.

Matsumae Castle is particularly famous for its cherry blossom (sakura) season. The castle grounds and surrounding area are adorned with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.

2. Visit Matsumae Park

This park is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. During cherry blossom season, the garden is lovely with its blooming sakura trees.

3. Go on a Boat Tour of Matsumae Bay

Some coastal towns in Hokkaido offer fishing charters that allow you to experience fishing in the sea. This could be a great way to enjoy the waters of Matsumae Bay while engaging in a fun and potentially rewarding activity.

While not explicitly tailored to Matsumae Bay, you might find sightseeing cruises departing from nearby coastal towns that offer scenic coastline views and possibly distant views of the bay.

Day 7: Back to Sapporo

On your last day in Hokkaido, consider returning to Sapporo before returning to Singapore. Suppose you're interested in last-minute shopping options. In that case, there are several places in Sapporo, Hokkaido, where you can find a variety of goods, ranging from souvenirs and local products to fashion and electronics.

Sapporo has a network of underground shopping arcades, such as Tanuki Koji and Aurora Town, where you can find a range of shops selling fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and more. These arcades are conveniently located near Sapporo Station. The Odori Park area in central Sapporo has various shops and department stores.

The Tanukikoji Shopping Street is another famous pedestrian shopping street in this area. If you are looking for souvenirs for your loved ones, there are souvenir shops in popular tourist areas, including Sapporo Station and tourist attractions. They often offer a variety of local products and gifts.

Well, remember to have dinner farewell by enjoying Sapporo ramen. Sapporo is known for its delicious ramen. Try Sapporo miso ramen, a local specialty with rich miso-based broth, fresh noodles, and various toppings, before heading back to Singapore.

Tips to Know While Traveling to Hokkaido

Hokkaido's winter season offers a wide range of activities and experiences, whether you're a fan of winter sports, cultural festivals, or simply enjoying the serene snowy landscapes, from winter festivals to skiing.

Where to go in Hokkaido in winter is to go to Sapporo, Niseko, Otaru, and Furano, which are the best when you are visiting during the winter. Enjoy skiing, hot springs, and the winter festival that you can only get in Hokkaido.

Self-driving in Hokkaido can be an excellent way to explore the region at your own pace and access remote areas that might not be easily reached by public transportation. You can rent a car at major airports, cities, and even some smaller towns in Hokkaido.

Not only Articles about Hokkaido 7 Days Itinerary that Traveloka provides, but we also have a lot of best-recommended articles for you guys to read! Here is the list of the best Articles recommendation special for you :

Make reservations in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, and check out the Hokkaido self-drive itinerary . So, are you ready to explore Hokkaido? Book a flight to Sapporo from Singapore at Traveloka

Payment Partners

About Traveloka

• How to Book
• Help Center
• Download App

Follow us on

• Airport Transport
• ProductItems.cruises-search
• Traveloka Affiliate
• Privacy Notice
• Terms & Conditions
• Register Your Accommodation
• Register Your Experience Business
• Traveloka Press Room
• Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Download Traveloka App

• New Zealand
• Iceland + Norway
• Iceland + Scotland + Ireland
• Finland + Sweden

2016 Winter Holiday - 9D8N Hokkaido free and easy itinerary

• Tuesday, January 19, 2016
• 42 Comments

• # Itinerary
• # Itinerary JP

Share This Story

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Pin this Post

You Might Also Like

42 comments.

can i know how do you book the ryokan in otaru

Hi JP, I booked directly from ryokan website

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Hokkaido (first time), but there was a few airports. I'm confused which airport to arrive.Can you pls help me on this. Thanks.

Hi Joey, CTS new chitose airport in Sapporo is the international airport in Hokkaido, flights from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and other places flying into Hokkaido via this airport. However most flights still require transit at Tokyo or Osaka. In my itinerary, I choose to fly into Hokkaido via Sapporo and leave from Hakodate airport. I'm taking JAL and transit is required at Tokyo. The reason why I choose to leave Hokkaido from Hakodate is because I do not want to travel back to Sapporo the end of the trip, it's pretty time consuming and waste of money. You should first plan where you want to visit then fly out from the nearest airport from your last destinations in Hokkaido or the easiest way would be in and out from Sapporo. http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1101.html

Hi, I'm planning to visit Hokkaido next January, and may have some route with yours. maybe will skip Niseko since none of us are skiing. Did you buy JR Pass ? So my route could be like : Sapporo - Otaru - Noboribetsu - Hakodate. In and out from New Chitose Aiport. Which one you prefer? Is it worth to buy jr pass? I've checked hyperdia, but still need any suggest. Thanks!

Hi Jessica, JR pass (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html) is way too expensive. You should consider Hokkaido rail pass (http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/rail01.html) instead. I did not buy Hokkaido pass for my trip since I not going back to Sapporo, single trip ticket is cheaper than Hokkaido rail pass for my case.

Hello. Am planning to do for honeymoon in last week Dec/ 1st week January. Thanks for your itinerary! Save me some research! First timer there. Woah the ryokan with onsen is quite steep at 800/night. I guess it'll be worth it haha.

Hi, I hope it's worth it too! You better reserve your accommodation ASAP. Year end in Hokkaido can be busy and I know some hotels already fully booked. Enjoy ya holiday!

Thanks for the reply! May i know which room you got at Takinoya? a bit confused with the rooms, which one has in-room baths.

I booked type D from Japanican.com as it offers cheaper rate than booking direct and it's an English website also. Room type D (Japanese Western style 和洋室) & DW (Japanese style 和室) come with outdoor onsen bath (源泉掛け流し露天風呂付き) whereas room type CW, CY, AW, AY come with indoor bath (内風呂付き) but not onsen

thanks, i've booked type D too. =) I now have a day unplanned, not sure whether to go Furano or niseko or others ski place. My thinking is, i can visit ski in the day, do not have to stay over. I know traveling take time. I'm spending 5 days at sapporo until new year then go to otaru, UNPLANNED, nobo, lake toya, hakodate. Yes i know it is a long time to spend in sapporo/otaru, I'll explore the nearby town while being based in sapporo (cheaper hotel during new yr period, so far). Welcome any suggestion!

You don't have to travel to niseko if you want to ski, there are a few ski resort around Sapporo, http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/special/feature_article/ski_resorts/?lang=en Maybe you can consider a day trip to Asahikawa? Or day trip to Biei to see blue pond (likely would b frozen and covered by snow but you should be able to see blue river along the way)?

Hi Iva, I am planning a 7D/6N trip to Hokkaido/Chitose airport, end Nov. There will be 4 of us. 1st time to Hokkaido. Planning to visit Central Hokkaido. Appreciate if u can advise best/convenient area to stay where its central to most attractions. Is it easy to move around on our own w/o tour guide?

Hi Thuang, this itinerary is for my Hokkaido trip in this coming December. I have not been to Hokkaido yet but I believe it's pretty easy to visit there without tour, I did that a few times at other part of Japan. You can see the hotel which I had selected in my itinerary.

hi may I know which operator you choose for your ski lesson? is it an all in package or we have to book the lift ticket separately?

Hi I booked first timer adult pack from Go Snow https://www.gondolasnowsports.com/programs/adult-first-timer-pack Everything is included

Hi Iva, I am planning for a Hokkaido trip 16-23 Dec taking almost a similar loop as yours. Will you be able to share any idea in terms of travelling from Niseko to Lake Toya. I have been researching for train route between Kutchan and Lake Toya, but could not find anything. It appears Donan bus is the only option but there is no schedule available. Any help you could offer. Thanks Doris

Hi Doris, initially I plan to take train from Kutchan at 9:28am to JR Toya Muroran (reach at 12:24pm) with one transfer at Oshamambe, but now I couldn't find this route anymore. I will have to wake up very early in order to reach Lake Toya by noon time. From Kutchan 6:24am - Oshamambe 7:58am / Oshamambe 09:01am - Toya Muroran 09:27am From Kutchan 12:42pm - Oshamambe 14:19pm / Oshamambe 15:21pm - Toya Muroran 15:47pm http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/intervaltime.html?dep_node=KUTCHAN&arv_node=OSHAMAMBE&search_target=intervaltime&diagram=38586&year=2016&month=12&day=14&searchday=20161214 http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/deptime.html?dep_node=OSHAMAMBE&arv_node=TOYA(JR-MURORAN)&search_target=deptime&diagram=201613&year=2016&month=12&day=14&searchday=20161214 Donan bus schedule http://donanbus.co.jp/kougai/ route number 9 http://donanbus.co.jp/kougai/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/11/%E9%83%8A%E2%91%A8%E4%BC%8A%E9%81%94%EF%BD%9E%E6%B4%9E%E7%88%BA%E6%B9%96%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89%EF%BD%9E%E5%80%B6%E7%9F%A5%E5%AE%89%E9%A7%85%E5%89%8D.pdf bottom right table Luckily you asked me, else my plan will be screwed up. Thanks!

Hi Doris, Hyperdia time table might not be correct. You can check the time table on JR Hokkaido website. There should be other train timing available between 7am to 12pm from Kutchan to Oshamambe. http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/ Choose time table and the 4th route, currently time table is only available up to 30th September 2016. Let's wait for their update.

have a similar qns, but from otaru to noboribetsu. i have a day of accommodation not booked yet in btw otaru and nobo, not sure whether to stay 1 more day at nobo or to stay say somewhere in the middle for better traveling. maybe u can share ur travel routes in your blog! thanks

Hi Pandapan, I will be travelling from Sapporo (2 nights) - Otaru (1 night) - Niseko (2 nights) - Lake Toya (1 night) - Noboribetsu (1 night) - Hakodate (1 night) then leave Japan.

Hi Iva, just wanted to share with you that i have changed my itinerary around such that i go from Sapporo to Lake Toya first followed by Niseko. This allows for smoother transport arrangement. Just wanted to check with you if you have any insight on the company that offer skiing lessons via the link you provided in your blog. I wanted to try skiing and have zero experience and do not want to sign up with just any company. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Doris, I actually get to know GoSnow from Grand Hirafu website - http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/en/, seems to be their official englisg ski school. GoSnow tripadvisor rating looks pretty good.

Hi Iva I will be travelling to Hokkaido in December with the family. We will spend 17 to 23 (check out morning)in Niseko and travel around Hokkaido from 23 to 27 (flying out morning 28 Dec from Chitose). We have 5 full days 23 to 27 Dec. Could you suggest an itinerary for us? Thanks very much for your help.

Hi you can find suggested from http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1101.html. You can also download tour itinerary from Chan Brother, CTC etc for your reference.

Hi I like yr itinerary. Can you let me know the details of how you plan to travel from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu eg by train or bus or both. Thank you.

Many had asked about the transportation. I will try to share something over the weekend k?

Loves your Finland itinerary for my honeymoon last Dec. My wife enjoys the Santa Claus mood, husky-ride, snowmobile and the Northern Light, except me - I am freezing cold over there. Haha. Shall try out ur Hokkaido itinerary next!

Haha ... yeah it's very cold up there in Rovaniemi. Hokkaido gonna be very cold also in December. I will share my travel report once I come back from Hokkaido.

Hi We plan to go Hokkaido in last week of November 2017, are there things to see or day tour avaialable? Or day tour only available from December 2017 onwards? Any recommended places to visit by day tour in last week of November if day tours are availanle? Any recommnedation on hotels near Bus terminal or tour desks so that we can book and travel easily for about 5 night stay in Sapporo? Thank you Q

Google day tour from Sapporo, you will see many

Hi can you share how did you book for ski trip in niseko? Thanks.

Hi I booked online via Go Snow website, adult first timer pack full day

Have u uploaded the reports from other days for Hokkaido?

Hi will upload soon

hi would like to ask the date u went to hokkaido for this post?

Hi last year 9th - 17th

Hi Iva, May we know which month you went to Hokkaido? Thanks.

Hi I went there in December

Dear Iva, I read your article and decided to include Hakodate as part of the trip. I will land in Tokyo first, but I do not intend to take domestic flight from Tokyo as the random weather changes in Hokkaido tend to make things worse as I also read in other blogs. So I tend to travel all via JR Pass (7-days). I will take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hakodate station and then from there take Hakodate Main Line to my hotel in Mt. Hakodate area. The issue I am facing now is how to get from Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station to Goryokaku in February?

Hi sorry for the late reply. Shin Hakodate is not the main town. You probably need to continue your train journey to Hakodate station, from there take bus to Goryokaku. There are a few buses can bring you to Goryokaku, just ask the service staff there.

your itinerary is great. it fits similarly to the period i am travelling. your photos are nice too

Popular Posts

Upcoming trips' itinerary

• Itinerary Iceland & Scotland & Ireland

Accommodation reviews

• Accommodation

recent posts

Blog archive.

• ►  February (1)
• ►  September (3)
• ►  August (6)
• ►  April (2)
• ►  March (1)
• ►  February (2)
• ►  January (1)
• ►  October (1)
• ►  June (3)
• 2016 Winter Holiday - 9D8N Hokkaido free and easy ...
• Catch the aurora AGAIN - Day 3 in The Land of Fire...
• Catch the aurora AGAIN - Day 4 in The Land of Fire...
• ►  December (1)
• ►  November (3)
• ►  May (5)
• ►  April (5)
• ►  March (3)
• ►  January (2)
• ►  December (6)
• ►  October (2)
• ►  September (2)
• ►  July (1)
• ►  April (8)
• ►  March (5)
• ►  February (3)
• ►  December (3)
• ►  November (1)
• ►  May (3)

• Hokkaido Tourism
• Hokkaido Hotels
• Hokkaido Bed and Breakfast
• Hokkaido Holiday Rentals
• Flights to Hokkaido
• Hokkaido Restaurants
• Hokkaido Attractions
• Hokkaido Travel Forum
• Hokkaido Pictures
• All Hokkaido Hotels
• Hokkaido Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Hokkaido
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Is it easy to do free and easy in Hokkaido? - Hokkaido Forum

• Asia    
• Japan    
• Hokkaido    

Is it easy to do free and easy in Hokkaido?

• Singapore Forums
• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Holiday Rentals
• Japan forums
• Hokkaido forum

Hi everyone, I've been looking through this site for a few months now for my Hokkaido tour in mid Dec. Bad news is the travel agent called me and said the tour was canceled as they cannot get enough people for the group.

Questions I have:

1.) How to get from airport to hotel in Sapporo?

2.) How does the train system works in Hokkaido, just buy ticket and go?

3.) Can I reach all these places by train?

Noboribetsu

Jigokundani

4.) Please recommend me two hotels, one in Sapporo and one in Niseko

I understand it will be difficult to drive in Dec, so hopefully most places are reachable by train.

Just to answer some questions

2. Yes- pretty much. If you are planning on visiting some places like Otaru or Arashiyama zoo, check with the tourist information in Sapporo station as sometimes special tickets for these places (combined return tickets etc.), plus they have english speaking staff that can help you.

3. Otaru -yes (25mins)

Noboribetsu- yes (just over an hour, then 15mins by bus), if you are thinking about staying in an onsen there, there are buses from Sapporo to the hotels. Also there are day onsen buses from Sapporo (ask at the tourist information)

Jigokudani- is in Noboribetsu, so you can walk to it. There are maps and information available in english/chinese for noboribetsu

Lake Toya - is about 2 hrs by train from Sapporo, then you will have to take a bus, again if you are thinking about staying there then there many hotels have buses from sapporo and back. If you only visiting, I would concentrate on Noboribetsu as Toya would be a long day trip.

4. Hotels in Sapporo or Niseko - please check the hotel recomendations on trip advisor or could you try and book the same hotels as the tour was going to use? I would try and book these as soon as possible as there are 6/7 of you and the ski season in Niseko will be getting going. There are hotels to suit most budgets in Sapporo.

Hope this helps a little

Sapporolite

Hey! I was in the same situation as you just 2 days ago where the travel agent called to say that they cancelled the date (Dec 12) because a few people pulled out due to visa problem. Not sure if it's the same travel agent. I switched to JP International travel agency yesterday where it's 500 bucks cheaper. Only available date left is Dec 3, but not sure if there's anymore vacancies left. You can check. But it's just Hokkaido, no other places. I'm looking forward to the zoo which is included in the package.

I did my own itenery for a grp of 13 , 3families in total. Dome places we will travel by train and others I chartered skybus private transport.if u wld like to know my itenery can pm mr.

You will be fine. In Hokkaido, they must have many foreign tourists. There are many travel resources in English, Chinese, Korean and Russian;

Western Hokkaido

http://www.shiribeshi.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ss/srk/en/index.htm

Hokkaido Tourism Information

http://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/

JTB Hokkaido -- Tailor-Made Hokkaido Holiday / = BFH Tours

http://www.bfh.jp/tour/en/

Hokkaido-Experience -- for outdoor activities

http://h-takarajima.com/hokkaidoexperience/

Best from Hokkaido -- Hokkaido Portal Site

http://www.bfh.jp/en/index.html

Japanese booking site which has English webpage is JTB's JapniCan and Rakuten travel. You can find one in your budget.

By the way, JTB sent me a monthly magazine Tabi-monogatari 旅物語. Their Hokkaido tours or package prefer to stay in Hotel Sunroute Sapporo or Hotel Sapporo Garden Palace. For upgrading, they will stay in New Otani Sapporo or ANA. Also the tours stay in Teizankei Hotel instead of Sapporo for who want to soak in hot spring. For Lake Toya visit, they prefer to stay in Toya Park Hotel or Toya Kohantei. Both hotels in Toya has free shuttle from Sapporo station. I found Toya Kohantei looks nice and has English webpage. http://www.toya-kohantei.com/fl/english/index.html

There was no tour to stay Niseko in this magazine.

I have just booked my ANA ticket to Chitose and the ticket has just sky rocketed to an unbelievable price !

Anyway, I am planning my own Hokkaido free and easy. My intention is to stay in a nice cosy place in the snow. Is Niseko a better place for snow or Asahikawa? I don't intend to ski since I don't know how to.

http://www.grand-hirafu.jp/winter/en/hotels/index.html

Transport to and from Niseko is mainly by bus - from New Chitose (up to 3 hours) or Sapporo (over 1 hour).

You can take trains to Kutchan then a bus to Hirafu resort (15min) - note: do not get off at Niseko town rail station) .

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• Otaru itinerary yesterday
• Itinerary for Dec Hokkaido Trip (10 Days) 08 June 2024
• Itinerary for Dec Hokkaido Trip (10 Days) 07 June 2024
• Scenic Itinerary for Autumn 2024 07 June 2024
• Time required to clear immigration at CTS domestic airport? 06 June 2024
• Soba noodles in Sapporo 05 June 2024
• Hokkaido 7 day Ski Trip Itinerary 05 June 2024
• Driving in Hokkaido in Mid January 05 June 2024
• Hokkaido 1-week July Family Itinerary Input Please 03 June 2024
• is 3 hours suffient for transfer from tokyo to Sapporo? 02 June 2024
• Train from New Chitose Airport to Otaru 31 May 2024
• Furano taxi 30 May 2024
• Furano accommodation- in town or base of ski field? 30 May 2024
• Self drive itinerary for Hokkaido in March end 29 May 2024
• 6D5N Self Drive in Hokkaido (September/October) 10 replies
• Hokkaido in June or July 5 replies
• East Hokkaido Itinerary suggestions for Winter Dec 2012 5 replies
• Any "must-eat" local food in Hakodate? 10 replies
• Preparation for tour Dec 6 to 23 4 replies
• What to do in Hokkaido in December? 3 replies
• When is the best time to go? 13 replies
• Ishiya Chocolate Factory 20 replies
• Worth it to buy ski/snowboard equipment in Sapporo? 9 replies
• safe to visit hokkaido 23 replies

Hokkaido Hotels and Places to Stay

• Niseko to play with snow/first ski - day trip?
• DIY Niseko Beginner's Ski Guide
• Day trip by JR to Tomamu Ice Village?
• Barrier Free travel to Sapporo?
• JR East and South Hokkaido JR Pass?

about us buy etiqa insurance   buy aig insurance

business travel travel essentials brochures contact us   careers

• buy etiqa insurance
• buy aig insurance
• business travel

Location: Main Street 2020, City 3000

 (+65) 6958 8888

 [email protected]

 (+65) 9651 4759

•  CENTRAL
•  ARCTIC
•  EASTERN
•  NORTHERN
•  SOUTHERN
•  EXOTIC
• REST OF THE WORLD
•  AUSTRALIA
•  NEW ZEALAND
•  AMERICA
• Experiences in AUS/NZ
• Explore AUS & Fiji
• EUROPAMUNDO
• Our Tour Managers
• Testimonials
• Tour Albums
• Destinations
• Flexi Holidays

Home - Hokkaido Japan Tours

Hokkaido Japan Tours

Hokkaido tour package from singapore - a wholesome adventure all year round.

There are many reasons why Hokkaido is such a popular tourist destination. For starters, it is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Japan. The mountains, forests, and rivers of Hokkaido are truly breathtaking, and visitors from all over the world come to tour them every year.

Hokkaido is also home to many different kinds of animals, including some that are found nowhere else in the world. The forests of Hokkaido are full of deer, bears, and other wildlife, and visitors can often see them up close.

Finally, Hokkaido is a great place to sample some of the best food in Japan. The seafood here is fresh and delicious, and there are many different kinds of local specialties to try. No matter what your taste, you're sure to find something to your liking in Hokkaido.

If you're looking for a truly unforgettable travel experience, Hokkaido is the perfect place for you.

Experience the Seasons of Hokkaido

Like most parts of Japan, Hokkaido has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. In spring, beautiful flowers bloom in abundance; in summer, the trees grow tall and majestic; in autumn, the leaves change colours; and in winter, snow blankets the landscape.

In addition to seasonal changes, tourists in Hokkaido can also indulge in good food and beautiful scenery all year round.

Things to Do in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a beautiful island in Japan and taking a tour is one of the best ways to see everything it has to offer. There are many different packages available departing from Singapore, so be sure to find one that fits your interests and budget.

1. Gastronomic delights

With agriculture as one of its main economic drivers, Hokkaido delivers fresh produce which are exceptional and unique. In Sapporo, you can find a wide variety of delectable dishes such as jingisukan (grilled mutton) and soup curry. Thanks to the plankton-rich Sea of Japan, seafood is also abundant and high-quality. In fact, Hokkaido crabs are famous throughout the world for their refreshing sweetness and freshness.

If you’re visiting Hokkaido during winter , be sure to try out the ramen selections. With the popular soup bases miso, shoyu, shio and curry originating from Hokkaido itself, you’ll definitely get an authentic experience.

2. Cultural experiences

Home of the world-famous beer which shares the same name, Sapporo offers a wealth of cultural experiences for locals and tourists alike. Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum and explore the long-running history of this alcoholic beverage and the city. Just a short ride from Sapporo is Otaru, where you can find intricate glassware and even music boxes – perfect as souvenirs for family and friends.

Every year, the Sapporo Snow Festival also makes an appearance. Held every year in February, it features about 250 interesting snow and ice sculptures in three sites: Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino.

3. Nature appreciation

It’s no secret that Hokkaido houses some of the most amazing landscapes and natural scenery in Japan. Nature lovers will be spoiled for choice, with six national parks all boasting their breathtaking contents. At Farm Tanita in Furano, experience the beauty of the lavender fields, spread as far as the eyes can see. The best time to visit would be in July. Don’t forget to try the lavender soft serve ice cream as well. For something even bigger, take a trip to Shiretoko National Park. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2005, you’ll be able to find wildlife like Sika deer and brown bears alongside the numerous waterfalls and lakes in this protected area.

Hot springs are iconic in Japan, and Hokkaido is packed with them. Soak away your troubles at these natural sites. In fact, you may be able to spot monkeys frolicking in them during winter as well.

Enjoy the Breathtaking Scenery of Hokkaido

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Hokkaido's natural beauty, whether you're hiking up the Hokkaido Mountains, skiing in Niseko Village , or just taking in the views. And with a Hokkaido tour package from Singapore, you can easily explore all that this region has to offer.

So why not start planning your Hokkaido tour today? You won't be disappointed by what this beautiful part of Japan has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hokkaido Tour Package from Singapore

1. which month is the best month to visit hokkaido.

With seasonal activities all year round, you can visit Hokkaido at any month and have ample things to do and sights to see. For a first-time tourist to Hokkaido, however, autumn is a great time to visit. The fall foliage looks great from October to early November, and the weather is a nice change from the humid climate of Singapore. At EU Holidays , the Autumn Love in Hokkaido at Autumn Leaves is a tour package that will let you experience just that. Or opt for free and easy packages to explore Hokkaido at your own pace.

2. What is Hokkaido best known for?

Hokkaido is known around the world for a few things. Similar to Busan in South Korea , it is renowned for the quality and fresh seafood due to the optimal waters surrounding the prefecture. It is also the birthplace of Sapporo, a beer enjoyed internationally. Hokkaido is much more laid back than cities like Tokyo , and the lush nature and scenery makes it a great destination for photo-taking, hiking, skiing, and more.

3. How can I get more information on Hokkaido tour packages from Singapore ?

Whether you are interested in visiting Hokkaido, Tokyo, or other parts of Japan , our tour packages are there to meet your needs and requirements. If you wish to travel from Singapore, be sure to click into the individual packages to read the itinerary. This will provide useful information to help you plan for your trip. You can also check out our tour albums to view pictures of past tours, or contact us for assistance.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

*Mandatory Fields

By submitting this form, you are confirming you have read and agreed to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

ENQUIRY HOTLINE

Telephone: +65 6535 8535 Email: [email protected] --> Address: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center , 1 Raffles Boulevard Level 2 Crescent 2 (beside Link Bridge to Marina Square / Opposite Cool De Sac #02-379), Singapore 039593 Working Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am - 8:30pm. Sundays & Public Holidays 11am - 7pm

Sign up on our latest deals

• Media Release
• Request For Brochure
• Terms & Conditions
• Travel Essentials
• Privacy Policy

Copyright © EU Holidays Pte Ltd 2023. All Rights Reserved 

Information

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Frugal Traveler

Where to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

American travelers going abroad this summer will find their money buys more in some unexpected countries, including Japan and Australia.

By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

It’s the backpacker’s call to India, the sunseeker’s attraction to Mexico, and the digital nomad’s drive to get to Thailand: Go where the dollar buys more.

The evergreen budget travel strategy is getting a boost this summer: The dollar has surged against a number of foreign currencies, including the Japanese yen, thanks to high interest rates offered by the Federal Reserve — attracting foreign investment, which bolsters the dollar.

“A destination’s weaker currency spells greater value for U.S. tourists,” said Erina Pindar, the chief operating officer and managing partner at SmartFlyer , a global travel agency based in New York City.

“This economic advantage could make far-flung bucket list destinations in Asia, such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan, or in South America, like Peru, Argentina and Chile, more accessible than ever before,” she added.

Distant destinations are usually more expensive to fly to, which, along with the physical toll of jet lag, helps make the case for the country’s North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico , where the exchange rates have long favored the dollar’s buying power.

But this year there are some new contenders with attractive exchange rates to consider, including the following destinations.

Currently, the U.S. dollar is worth about 1.50 Australian dollars, up about 16 percent over the last three years.

The hurdle, of course, is the long flight, which can easily run over $1,000 round trip. But the travel search engine Kayak lists some attractive summer round-trip fares between the West Coast and Sydney starting at $770, with the best availability in August.

Getting around Australia by air isn’t cheap either, especially since the recent collapse of the low-cost carrier Bonza. Jetstar offers lower fares, including, recently, $50 one-way tickets between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Camper vans can be an affordable way to take an Australian road trip, with companies like Jucy , Britz and Apollo offering vehicles that include beds and cooking facilities. Jucy recently priced a two-person van rented for a week in July at about $53 a night.

The Northern Hemisphere summer is Australia’s winter. If you’re planning a ski vacation in the Australian Alps, Tourism Australia suggests avoiding mid-July when schools are on break and many families head to the slopes.

Australia does not have a culture of tipping, potentially saving travelers 20 percent on restaurant meals, according to Craig Bradbery, the chief operating officer of Baillie Lodges, which includes the newly rebuilt Southern Ocean Lodge , a luxury property on Kangaroo Island.

Bali, Indonesia

Many destinations in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, offer compelling exchange rates. In Indonesia, the rupiah is at a four-year low against the dollar.

“I would send clients to Bali, Indonesia,” said Rob Huie, the owner of Luxury Travel Services by Rob , based in Millsboro, Del., noting that the cost of living is low on the island. “The caveat is a higher upfront cost to fly there, but once you’re there you are able to stay at three- and four-star hotels at very affordable rates, have meals for $10 to $25 per day and massages for $10 to $30.”

Travelers with Marriott loyalty points can cash them in at the Four Points by Sheraton Bali, Kuta (rooms from $57 a night). IGH Reward members can spend or earn points at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach (from $138).

Tripadvisor’s list of the top budget hotels in the central highlands around Ubud includes options under $100.

Bali is a good place to look for a vacation rental, according to the home rental platform HomeToGo . Its data shows the median per-night price for a rental property on Bali this summer is $86, compared to the median price of a rental in the United States at $388.

“Despite the strength of the U.S. dollar on a global scale, prices across the states continue to rise, prompting travelers to look to international destinations where their dollar can stretch further,” said Eleanor Moody, a travel expert at HomeToGo, who added that searches for rentals in Indonesia have more than doubled in the past year.

South America — including Argentina where inflation has spiraled, and Peru where the sol has softened against the dollar — is another place to look for value.

“Stop going to Europe,” said Cecile Blot, the owner of the travel agency Boundless Travels in Washington, D.C., praising “destination dupes” in South America. “Many of the countries on the southern continent offer the entire package — history, culture, nature, culinary delights, world-class accommodation — at a fraction of the price.”

One of these is Colombia , where the dollar recently equaled about 3,935 pesos, a gain of roughly 20 percent over the past five years.

“Colombia has something for everyone,” said Stefanie Pichonnat, the owner of AAV Travel , based in Terre Haute, Ind., citing Cartagena on the Caribbean as a budget-friendly substitute for a European capital, and coastal Tayrona National Natural Park as a cheaper alternative to Costa Rica.

“Coffee aficionados can spend days touring the coffee fincas, passionate hikers can challenge themselves with a trek to the páramo desert and bird watchers will find an abundance of options to explore,” she added.

Air service is frequent and affordable. A recent search for round-trip fares from the New York area turned up summer departures starting from about $290 to the capital of Bogotá and $320 to coastal Cartagena.

From Bogotá, visitors can reach Chingaza National Natural Park in the eastern Andes or spend a few days in the laid-back colonial city of Villa de Leyva . But Colombia’s mountainous terrain and perilous roads often require travelers to fly domestically to see other areas.

Among tour operators that do the planning for you, Responsible Travel , based in England, offers a customizable 12-day trip to Colombia that visits Bogotá, Medellín and the central coffee country, including the lush Cocora Valley with its nearly 200-foot-tall wax palm trees (from $2,990 a person).

The U.S. dollar is currently worth about 156 Japanese yen, a gain of more than 11 percent over the past year.

Demand for Japan was already booming when the economic picture improved. BWH Hotels , which includes Best Western Hotels, said occupancy and rates have grown steadily for the past two years because of demand and a shortage of employees, especially in popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido.

But with careful planning, Americans can still exploit the exchange rate. IHG Hotels & Resorts , which operates hotel brands in the country from the design-focused Voco to the high-end InterContinental, suggested traveling by early July for the best rates (an overnight at the Voco Osaka Central starts at $135).

The Japanese-owned Hoshino Resorts tend to be upscale, but their OMO line offers more entry-level accommodations, from capsule hotels to full-service locations. The OMO5 Kyoto Gion , for example, offers rooms that sleep up to six people and include kitchens, starting at 24,000 yen, or about $153. Staff guides offer free tours to temples in the area.

While many temples, parks and shrines are free, travelers in the capital can get the Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass for 2,500 yen (about $16) that includes admission to more than 100 museums and attractions around town.

Among its tips for budget travelers, the tourism office of Japan recommends making lunch your big meal as many restaurants offer midday specials.

There are a number of cost-conscious ways to get around Japan, including trains (a Japan Rail Pass starts at 50,000 yen, or about $320, for seven days), low-cost airlines like Peach and Zipair and overnight buses .

Or consider walking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route that connects sacred shrines in the Kii Mountains. Walk Japan has a self-guided seven-day trip, including accommodations and most meals, starting at 224,000 yen.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

The Alaska Highway:  On an epic road trip, a family plots a course from Alaska to the Lower 48, passing through some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery .

Minorca:  Spend 36 hours on this slow-paced Spanish island , which offers a quieter and wilder retreat than its more touristy neighbors.

Japan:  A new high-speed train stop unlocks Kaga, a destination for hot springs, nourishing food and traditional crafts , as an easy-to-reach getaway from Tokyo.

London:  The Victoria and Albert Museum is a treasure trove of art and design. Here’s one besotted visitor’s plan for taking it all in .