sapporo road trip

Hokkaido Summer Road Trip: A 7-Day Itinerary for Nature Lovers

Planning a summer road trip in Hokkaido? Here’s my ultimate itinerary for you!

In this itinerary, we'll take you on a 7-day road trip through some of Hokkaido's most breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and unique cultural experiences.

A road trip in Hokkaido is the perfect way to explore all of these wonderful attractions on the island.

Let’s dive in!

7-Day Hokkaido Road Trip

Day 1 - furano, day 2 - biei & asahikawa, day 3 - abashiri, day 4 - shiretoko, day 5 - akan, day 6 - obihiro, day 7- sapporo, useful resources.

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido is a perfect summer road trip destination for those who love nature, outdoor activities, and delicious food.

This road trip itinerary features some of the best destinations in Hokkaido, including things to do and hotel recommendations. It is a “packed” itinerary for 7 days as Hokkaido is huge and has so many destinations we don’t want to miss. If you feel this itinerary is too busy, you can customize it by adding a few more days to some destinations and enjoy a more relaxing trip. It’s all up to you!

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Furano is a picturesque town that's known for its stunning natural scenery. Its lavender fields, which bloom in the summer, attract visitors from all over the world. But Furano is more than just lavender - it's also home to local wineries, a hot air balloon ride over flower fields, and beautiful forests .

Itinerary for Day 1

Rent a car at New Chitose Airport and hit the road for the 140-kilometer, 2.5-hour drive to Furano. Along the way, make a stop at Ice Cream Kacha for some tasty Hokkaido ice cream or enjoy a pizza lunch. You can also drop by Yubari Merode to grab some fresh and affordable Hokkaido melons in June and July.

Once you arrive in Furano, head straight to Tomita Farm , which is one of the town's most famous attractions. While the lavender fields are at their peak from mid-July to early August , you can enjoy a variety of colorful flowers at the farm from April to October!

For a relaxing evening stroll, head over to Ningle Terrace , a cozy log house village surrounded by a forest that's lit up with warm and cute lights. Here you can find locally-made crafts and accessories that make great souvenirs.

✨TRAVEL TIP

If you want a guided tour rather than self-driving, join Guided One-Day Tours from Sapporo . The popular destinations include Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and many more. You can visit many must-see places in one day while just relaxing in a car!

Where to stay

La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring ⭐4 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Breakfast Mountain view city hotel with hot spring

Shin Furano Prince Hotel ⭐4 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring, 👨‍👩‍👧For Family Prime location for Furano adventures

The Furano Natulux Hotel ⭐4 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ✨Modern Design, 👩‍❤️‍👨For Couple Cozy hotel near JR Furano Station, perfect for a relaxing stay

Day 2 is all about a scenic drive from Furano to Asahikawa, with a stop in Biei along the way! Biei is renowned for some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region, with vibrant flower fields that make it a photographer's paradise.

Asahikawa is the second-largest city in Hokkaido and is famous for its food scene, with plenty of delicious local dishes to try.

Itinerary for Day 2

Head to Asahikawa, which is a 1.5-hour drive from Furano. Take your time and enjoy the scenic drive, as there are several beautiful roads with vast fields and forests along the way.

Make a stop at Shikisai no Oka in Biei, a stunning flower garden with colorful stripes over a hill. There are several farm restaurants in the area that make for a perfect lunch break.

After lunch, visit the famous Blue Pond , which is a 20-minute drive away from Shikisai no Oka. Its stunning blue color is the result of natural minerals in the water, making for a unique and memorable experience.

In Asahikawa, one of the main attractions is Asahiyama Zoo , which is known for its unique way of presenting how animals live in nature. Be sure to secure at least 2 hours to explore the zoo and see the animals up close. For dinner, head to a local restaurant to try Asahikawa shoyu ramen , a popular local specialty.

HOTEL AMANEK Asahikawa ⭐4 stars, ✨Modern Design, 🏢Excellent Location A newly-built modern hotel located 5 min walk from JR Asahikawa offering a public bath with a view

Dormy Inn Asahikawa ⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Breakfast A city hotel located 10 min walk from JR Asahikawa, with a natural hot spring and great breakfast buffet

🚗Want to pick up a car at one location and drop it off at a different place? Then look for big names, such as Toyota Rental Car, Nissan Rental Car, Orix Rental Car, etc. They allow you to do that with an additional fee.

🛣️ Using tollway a lot? Look into Hokkaido Expressway Pass to enjoy unlimited highway access. The price starts at 3,700 yen for 2 days up to 11,500 yen for 14 days.

Milky Way Waterfall

Day 3 is a road trip from Asahikawa to Abashiri , so it's best to set off early in the morning as there are several must-see attractions along the way. You might even want to consider spending an extra night in Abashiri to explore the local museums and savor the fresh seafood.

Itinerary for Day 3

There are a few recommended stops on the way. Take the Sounkyo Ropeway to the top of Mount Kurodake, 1,300 meters above sea level, and enjoy breathtaking mountain views. In autumn, the valley is a beautiful display of autumn colors from September to October.

Just a five-minute drive from the ropeway station, Ginga no Taki (Milky Way Waterfall) is a viewpoint that offers a stunning view of two waterfalls that fall from a height of 120 meters.

If you're traveling between May and June , make a detour to the Shiba Sakura Park in Higashi Mokoto. You'll be amazed by the hills that are covered in pink with little Shiba Sakura flowers.

If you have the time, rent a bicycle from the Wakka Nature Center in Saroma and take a ride through the nature reserve. On a sunny day, you can enjoy a stunning sunset over Lake Saroma.

After a long day of driving, unwind and relax at an onsen hotel in Abashiri.

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

Kagariya ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Buffet An onsen ryokan with a lake view, offering seafood Kaiseki dinner and breakfast.

Dormy Inn Abashiri ⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring A budget business hotel with 7-eleven nearby

One more day in Abashiri?

If you want to spend a little more time in Abashiri, check out this Abashiri itinerary for things to do - museum hopping, a flower garden, a nature reserve, etc!

THE ULTIMATE HOKKAIDO TRAVEL PLANNERS

These e-guidebooks will save your weeks of research!

Overview of major destinations

Ready-made itineraries

Things to do, hotel reccomendations

Useful travel tips & many more

On Day 4, take a leisurely 1.5-hour drive from Abashiri to Utoro in Shiretoko along the beautiful Okhotsk Sea. As a designated World Nature Heritage site, Shiretoko offers unparalleled opportunities to experience the rich and untouched nature of Hokkaido.

Itinerary for Day 4

Start your day with a stop at Uminoba , a charming cafe with an ocean view located just a 10-minute drive from Abashiri's city center. Browse through their wide range of local souvenirs , including sweets, snacks, cooking ware, and T-shirts.

Next, head to Shari and visit the Road to Heaven , an iconic photo spot that can only be reached by car. Enjoy the scenic drive and take plenty of photos!

Once you arrive in Shiretoko, embark on a Nature Cruise to observe the local wildlife, including bears and dolphins. Alternatively, if you enjoy hiking, book a guided tour of the Shiretoko five-lake trail, which starts from the Shiretoko Nature Center . This hike offers stunning views of the beautiful mountain range in Shiretoko National Park.

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

Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🛁Private Onsen, 🍴 Great Meals A cozy family-run onsen hotel with an ocean view

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

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

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

Day 5 involves a 2.5-hour drive from Shiretoko to Akan, a charming onsen town situated on the shores of Lake Akan. Akan is known for its Ainu culture and offers opportunities to learn about the culture and history, and see traditional crafts.

Itinerary for Day 5

Take a quick stop at Oshinkoshin Waterfalls , a stunning waterfall located near Utoro. The viewpoint offers a great photo opportunity, and just 20 minutes is enough time to spend here.

On the way to Akan, visit Mount Io , an active volcano that lets you observe geothermal activity up close, and Lake Mashu , known for its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking views.

In Akan, stroll through Ainu Kotan to explore local Ainu crafts and culture. Visit a theater to see traditional Ainu performances . In the evening, enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the town's many hot springs and savor some delicious local cuisine at your hotel.

Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza ⭐4 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍷Fine Dining All 25 rooms come with a private hot spring with a beautiful lake view.

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

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

Day 6 involves a 2-hour drive from Akan to Obihiro . Obihiro is a lesser-known destination among international travelers, but it is a gourmet paradise that is worth a visit. Located in the fertile Tokachi Plain, it is known for its fresh, locally grown produce, including grilled pork rice bowl, delightful sweets, and local wines.

Itinerary for Day 6

Begin the day by visiting Lake Onneto , a hidden gem that is a 20-minute drive from Akan. This tranquil lake is surrounded by a forest and offers stunning views of the mountains and the water.

After that, drive for 1.5 hours to Naitai Farm , a scenic viewpoint that overlooks the Tokachi Plain. You can have lunch at the terrace restaurant there and try local dishes such as burgers, beef curry, and roast beef made with Tokachi beef.

Next, head to Obihiro, a food lover's paradise. Enjoy local specialties such as Butadon , a grilled pork rice bowl, and Hokkaido sweets from famous brands like Rokkatei and Ryugetsu . Don't miss the chance to explore the local food stall village and try some street food.

Sanyoan ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🧡Amazing Hospitality A luxury spa resort offering a relaxing stay and excellent services in Tokachigawa Onsen

Hotel Grand Terrace Obihiro ⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location,🍴Breakfast Buffet A convenient city hotel located near JR Obihiro Station

Hotel Nupka ⭐2 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ✨Modern Design A simple, budget hotel with complimentary breakfast, located near the station.

✨Planning a trip? Grab my Ultimate Travel Planner & Itineraries

✨Looking for places to stay? Check out my Hotel Recommendations

On Day 7, you have the option to either drive from Obihiro for 3 hours to Sapporo and spend a few days there if you like, or drive for 2.5 hours to New Chitose Airport to catch your flight back home.

Itinerary for Day 7

If you are an early riser, you can start your day with a 1.5-hour drive from Obihiro to Unkai Terrace . This scenic spot offers stunning views of a "sea of clouds" when the weather conditions are right. Even without the clouds, you can still enjoy the cafe, bar, and walks with amazing views.

Before reaching Sapporo or heading to the airport, you might want to make a quick stop at the Mitsui Outlet Park if you enjoy shopping. This outlet mall offers a wide variety of brands at discounted prices.

Sapporo TIP

✨ If you are tired of driving, join Guided One-Day Tours from Sapporo , including transporation. You can just relax and enjoy excursions to Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and many more!

JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo ⭐4 stars ♨️Hot spring 🏢Excellent Location Urban city hotel with a great location directly connected to JR Sapporo station

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo ⭐4 stars ♨️Hot spring 🍴Great Breakfast City hotel with beautiful urban views, newly opened in February 2021

Sapporo Grand Hotel ⭐4 stars 🧴Good Amenities 🏢Excellent Location Family-friendly Western-style hotel directly connected to JR Sapporo Station

NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?

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I’ve been helping international travelers plan their dream trips to Hokkaido for the past 3 years. I’d be happy to plan your itinerary with you for Eastern Hokkaido as well as other regions.

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Home » Asia » Japan » Sapporo

EPIC SAPPORO Itinerary! (2024)

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s gorgeous wild northern island! It’s the fifth-largest city in Japan and contains a vibrant urban center. Let’s get into your exciting Sapporo itinerary!

It’s filled with spectacular scenery, unique western architecture, incredible food, and very friendly locals. Additionally, it has mild summer weather and long, snowy winters which offers Sapporo tourists plenty of varying attractions and activities year-round!

With this Sapporo travel guide, you’ll discover the city’s top attractions as well as a few hidden gems! We’ve also made sure to include plenty of insider tips, food recommendations, and exciting day trips to nearby areas.

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Best Time to Visit Sapporo

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Sapporo!

The best time for Sapporo sightseeing is in summer (June – August). This is when the temperature is mild and pleasant, making for a refreshing climate for sightseeing!

Fall (September – November) is one of the best times to travel to Sapporo city. The rich autumn colors burst through the city and the temperatures remain comfortable from September to October, with the colder fall temperatures usually not arriving until mid/late November.

Although the winter months (December – February) are cold and chilly, Sapporo tourism really picks up during the annual Sapporo Snow Festival in February. If you’re a fan of winter sports, Sapporo has many world-class ski resorts, as well as picturesque winter scenery!

Spring (March-May) is another great time to visit Sapporo, Japan. The winter chill starts to wear off and warm temperatures begin to breath new life into the island!

Choosing the right accommodation that fits with your itinerary for Sapporo will only enhance your trip. There are lots of options in varying styles and budgets around Sapporo. Deciding where to stay depends on the vacation vibe you’re going for!

Susukino is the best place to stay in Sapporo to be close to all the action! This area is one of the largest entertainment districts in Japan. It’s Sapporo’s lively hub and offers a slew of hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and many popular Sapporo attractions.

For ramen lovers, Susukino is home to Ramen Yokocho, a narrow street that contains numerous ramen restaurants! This area is especially ideal for first-time visitors and tourists spending a quick weekend in Sapporo.

The Nakajima Koen district is a great option for travelers seeking a more relaxing vacation in Sapporo. This area offers a calm and peaceful setting and contains Nakajima Park, one of the most popular parks in the city.

Since this area isn’t as high in demand as Susukino, you’ll find more budget accommodation options. The Nakajima Koen district is well connected by public transportation, so traveling in and out of the city center will be a breeze!

If you’re eager for an unparalleled experience unlike any other, consider exploring the innovative world of capsule hotels in Sapporo .

Best Airbnb in Sapporo – Cute japanese studio

When visiting Japan, it’s always handy to live close to a public transport option. This Airbnb is just moments away from the tram and subway station. The apartment is bright, with a mixture between the western and Japanese style. The kitchen is fully equipped and ready for use. You can walk to Susukino or Odori park without a problem.

Best Budget Hotel in Sapporo  – Tmark City Hotel Sapporo

The Tmark City Hotel Sapporo is a great value-for-money! All rooms include a flat-screen TV and a fridge. The en suite bathroom comes with a bathtub, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is included in most hotel rates or can be purchased for an extra fee.

Best Luxury Hotel in Sapporo – Sapporo Grand Hotel

The Sapporo Grand Hotel is located in the heart of the city and is perfect for the luxurious traveler planning a trip to Sapporo! Guests will enjoy an on-site restaurant, spa center, fitness center, and more! All rooms feature a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, refrigerator, and a bidet!

Best Hostel in Sapporo – Time Piece Apartment

The Time Piece Apartment hostel is a small guest house in a central location. Public transportation is within walking distance and the hostel is just a quick 10-minute walk from downtown. Hostel perks include free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, security lockers, and luggage storage.

If you prefer to stay in hostels, check out more options in our Sapporo hostel guide.

Time Piece Apartment is one of our favourites in Sapporo but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Whether you’re spending two days in Sapporo or two weeks, you’re going to need to figure out how to get around. Luckily, the city is very compact and public transportation options make reaching all of your Sapporo points of interest easy and convenient!

For traveling within the city, the subway system is your easiest option and will take you wherever you need to go. Sapporo has three subway lines that travel throughout the city. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines outside the subway stations.

Sapporo was designed on a grid, which makes driving extremely easy for tourists to navigate! There are many car rental services throughout Japan and many companies also have English websites that allow you to reserve a car in advance.

Keep in mind that if you plan to drive in Japan, you must be at least 18 years old and have an international driver’s license. You’ll need to arrange for your international license before coming to Japan, as they don’t issue the international driver’s license to foreigners inside the country.

If you’re planning a Sapporo/Hokkaido itinerary, the train system in Sapporo is part of an extended network that spans all of Hokkaido.

Odori Park | Sapporo TV Tower | Sapporo Clock Tower | Tanukikoji Shopping Street | Sapporo Beer Museum

The first day of your itinerary for Sapporo will see you exploring the city’s historic sites before continuing on to a couple of unique cultural attractions!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – Odori Park

• Why it’s awesome: A calming park in the center of Sapporo that hosts many events throughout the year.
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Nijo Market is a historic fish market that sells fresh seafood as well as ready to eat snacks and drinks. It’s a great place to pick up some picnic provisions to take with you to the park.

Located in the heart of Sapporo, Odori Park is an oasis in the big city. The park was created in 1869 and spans nearly 1 mile, covering roughly 19 acres. There are many lush and colorful flower gardens that coat the park floor. It’s one of the city’s top tourist attractions and a great place to start your Sapporo itinerary!

There are many events held throughout the year that give guests a wide-ranging taste of Japanese culture and Hokkaido’s culture in particular. The most well-known events are the Sapporo Lilac Festival and the Sapporo Snow Festival.

The Sapporo Lilac Festival is held every spring for 10 days (usually in May). The park is home to about 400 lilac trees that are in full bloom during the festival and permeate the air with their sweet scent. It’s an exciting festival that marks the end of Winter and the start of the warmer months ahead. During the festival there are events and activities, as well as food and drink stalls.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held every February for 7 days. During this time, the park is filled with hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures. Since snowfall in Sapporo during winter is common there’s always the chance of snow during the festival.

If you’re touring Sapporo when these events are being held, we definitely recommend checking them out! 

The park is easily accessible and frequented by locals and travelers alike. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The park is clean and orderly and there are multiple food and drink stalls. There is also a beer garden set up during summer months where all the major Japanese breweries compete with each other for the best beer!

Insider Tip: Inside Odori Park, there’s a tourist information center, public toilets, and free park Wi-Fi!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – Sapporo TV Tower

• Why it’s awesome: Famous TV Tower where guests can enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of Sapporo.
• Cost: USD $7.00
• Food nearby: Otaru New Sanko is located inside the Sapporo TV Tower. This restaurant serves western dishes in a cozy setting with spectacular views!

The Sapporo TV Tower is located inside of Odori Park making it the perfect next stop on your Sapporo itinerary! The tower was built in 1957 and is a 482-feet high TV tower with an observation deck.

The tower is open to tourists who can enjoy the gorgeous views of Odori Park and the surrounding area of Sapporo.

It takes 60 seconds by elevator to reach the observatory deck, which is 297-feet up. There is a souvenir shop in the observation deck where you can pick up all your Sapporo souvenirs! You’ll also find telescopes and volunteer guides to provide visitors with facts and insight on the tower.

In the evening, the tower lights up with an illumination of dazzling lights that contrasts beautifully against the night sky. Many visitors prefer to visit the tower just before evening hours; the glare from the sun will be gone and the crowds tend to thin out.

The TV Tower is one of the most popular Sapporo landmarks and is open every day.

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Sapporo Clock Tower

• Why it’s awesome: The Sapporo Clock Tower is a symbol of Sapporo and a major landmark in the city center.
• Cost: USD $2.00
• Food nearby: Soup Curry Garaku is a Japanese curry restaurant with a casual atmosphere, phenomenal food, and cold beer.

The Sapporo Clock Tower was built in 1878 and is the oldest clock tower in Japan. The clock continues to run and keep time, and the chimes can be heard every hour. The small building is full of education and history and a great quick stop on your Sapporo itinerary.

Inside the clock tower, you’ll find a museum spread out over two floors. There are displays of the building’s history and the development of Sapporo. There are also English-speaking volunteers in the building to provide anecdotes beyond the exhibits themselves. They aid guests by answering any questions they may have and give further information on the displays.

Sapporo was developed with assistance from the American government and the Sapporo Clock Tower building is of American design. The Sapporo clock tower museum is quite small in size and you’ll probably only need to set aside approximately 30 minutes for this stop on your Sapporo itinerary.

Insider Tip: October 16th is the clock tower’s founding day. On the 16th of every month volunteer tours of the clock tower are given to the general public twice a day!

Day 1 / Stop 4 – Tanukikoji Shopping Street

• Why it’s awesome: Tanukikoji shopping street is an iconic Japanese-style shopping arcade with a variety of shops and eateries.
• Food nearby: Ramen Shingen is your classic cozy ramen restaurant that’s popular with both locals and tourists!

The famous Tanukikoji shopping arcade was established roughly 150 years ago! It’s located between Minami Nijo and Minami Sanjo and is one of the oldest and finest shopping areas in Sapporo, Hokkaido! The street stretches a little more than half a mile and is completely sheltered, meaning the area can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.

It contains around 200 shops, including restaurants, clothing stores, souvenir shops, and all kinds of other specialties and local shops! The street is sectioned off into seven different sections. You could spend hours walking through the different sections of the street and taking your own self-guided Sapporo walking tour! Stop for a bite to eat, browse for souvenirs, wander and window shop, or have a seat and people watch!

Don Quijote is a large 24-hour supermarket that sells almost anything you could think of! The supermarket is 5 stories high and offers everything from Japanese candies and snacks to cosmetics to costumes! It’s a great store to walk around and see Sapporo’s eclectic offering of souvenirs and products; this is definitely one of the coolest places to visit in Sapporo! This is a great stop if you’re backpacking Japan , and you need to revamp the items in your backpack.

Tanukikoji shopping street stays lively every day and is a hub of entertainment in Sapporo. Tall ceilings with bright lights and hanging decorations make this street totally Instagram worthy! This stop is fun for all ages and interests and is a must-see attraction on your Sapporo itinerary!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – Sapporo Beer Museum

• Why it’s awesome: The Sapporo Beer Museum provides historical information and insight into the history of beer production in Japan. 
• Cost: Free to enter (paid tours available).
• Food nearby: The Sapporo Beer Garden contains several restaurants that offer all-you-can-eat specials as well as single menu items.

The Sapporo Beer Museum is the only beer museum in Japan. The building that the museum sits in was erected originally as a factory of the Sapporo Sugar Company in 1890 and only opened as the Sapporo Beer Museum in 1987.

The history of the Sapporo Beer dates back to the Meiji period (1868 – 1912) and the museum is registered as a Hokkaido Heritage site (on the list of historic sites of Japan).

The museum has three floors and is free to enter! There are exhibitions throughout the museum where guests can learn more about the history of beer and its production in Japan.

There are also guided tours, called “premium tours” offered. However, these tours are only given in Japanese. Guests who don’t speak Japanese can read the translated (English) version of the descriptions on printed panels and exhibits found along the tour.

A beer tasting opportunity is also included in the guided tour where guests can sample beer not available for purchase and only offered through this tour option. Tours cost USD $5.00 and last approximately 50-minutes.

There is also a museum bar where visitors can purchase Sapporo Beer. Beer tastings are also available. The museum gift shop offers a variety of items, including key holders, the popular museum pilsner glass, classic beer jelly chocolate, and more!

The building also houses the Sapporo Beer Garden in the south wing, adjacent to the museum. It offers visitors the chance to enjoy all-you-can-drink Sapporo beer direct from the brewery as well as all-you-can-eat mutton BBQ.

The Sapporo Beer Museum is closed on Mondays, make sure to add this to your Sapporo itinerary Tuesday – Sunday only!

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Historical Village of Hokkaido | Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill | Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art | Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo | Shiroi Koibito Park

Your two-day itinerary in Sapporo will see you discovering more of the local culture and history! We’ve also included a few fun attractions that are totally unique to Sapporo! 

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Historical Village of Hokkaido

• Why it’s awesome: This outdoor museum features historical buildings that show Hokkaido as it was during the Meiji and Taisho eras.
• Food nearby: There is a restaurant located inside the Historical Village of Hokkaido that serves typical Japanese cuisine in a relaxed setting.

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum located on the outskirts of Sapporo. The village exhibits around 52 period-buildings from different areas of Hokkaido, dating from the Meiji to the Taisho eras periods (1868 to 1926). The village is spread out over an area of 133 acres and is recreated to reflect what pioneer life in Hokkaido would have been like.

There are four different sections: a town, fishing village, farm village, and a mountain village. All of the buildings in the village are set up to look exactly as they would have when they were in use, providing guests with a unique and historical experience.

The attention to detail is exceptional. The rooms are fully furnished with tools, books, pieces of equipment, and articles of clothing from the different time periods being showcased. English descriptions are presented throughout the village providing visitors with a chance to learn even more about the history and culture of the people living during the pioneering days of Hokkaido.

There are volunteers spread throughout the village that provide commentary and demonstration activities. During the summer months, visitors can also take a horse-drawn rail ride and tour the village with a leisurely carriage ride!

If you’re planning a Sapporo itinerary during winter, a horse-drawn sled is operated in the snow-covered village. Visitors will be able to wear old winter clothes, enjoy sledding, bamboo skiing, and other winter activities from the olden days!

Insider Tip: Before you visit the village, download the pocket curator app of the Historical Village of Hokkaido. This multilingual commentary app will guide you through the buildings and provide you with even more insight! The app is available in multiple languages, including English, Korean, and Chinese.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill

• Why it’s awesome: This famous observation hill offers a commanding view of the city down below.
• Cost: USD $5.00.
• Food nearby: Sushiro Toyohira Nishioka Shop is a conveyor belt sushi and ramen restaurant with affordable prices and a lively atmosphere.

The Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill offers panoramic views of Sapporo and lovely pastoral views of grazing sheep during the summer months.

It also offers great views of the Sapporo Dome, which is the city’s baseball and soccer stadium. It’s a beautiful place with calming scenery and a great area to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

The focal point of Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is the statue of Dr. William Smith Clark, the father of pioneers in Hokkaido. He is famous for the phrase, “Boys, be ambitious!” His right arm is raised as he points “toward the eternal truth which lies far in the distance.” The statue is one of Sapporo’s most photographed statues.

Various events are also held throughout the year, including events showcasing the seasonal tastes of Sapporo, lavender picking , and sheep shearing!

The Sapporo Snow Festival Museum is also located inside observation hill and introduces the history of the Snow Festival. It details the process of making snow sculptures, shows videos of the past snow festivals, as well as posters, photos, and model sized replica of the ice sculptures. 

The museum is free to enter (after you pay to enter the Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill).

Insider Tip: During winter, the observation hill turns into a snowy winter wonderland! The observation hill snow park offers plenty of winter attractions, including free sled rentals and adult-sized igloos!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art

• Why it’s awesome: The collections of art in the museum primarily focus on the works of art by Hokkaido-associated painters and sculptors.
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Toriton Sushi Maruyama is a popular place for sushi in Sapporo. Their menu offers a wide range of sushi and seafood options, many dishes are offered to guests on a sushi conveyor belt.

The Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art opened in 1977 in Sapporo, Japan. It showcases artwork spanning multiple generations of Japanese culture, including a permanent exhibition and seasonally changing temporary exhibitions.

There are approximately 4,800 pieces of art in the museum, including paintings, glasswork, and special exhibitions from local and international artists. The well-manicured lawns that surround the museum also contain a number of modern art sculptures.

It includes both the indigenous art of Hokkaido and worldwide artworks. The museum is a cultural center in Hokkaido and offers visitors to Sapporo a chance to learn about the region’s cultural development in a creative manner.

The temporary exhibit rooms are changed three to four times a year.  Many exhibits showcase the unique Japanese art form of Ukiyo-e , which translates to “pictures of the floating world.” This style flourished in Japan from the 17th – 19th centuries.

Day 2 / Stop 4 – Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo

• Why it’s awesome: The Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo is a small, nature-oriented zoo that offers visitors a chance to see animals up close.
• Cost: Adult admission is USD $6.00, children 15 years old and younger visit for free.
• Food nearby: Rokkatei Jingu Chaya is a dessert restaurant offering unique Japanese pastries and tea.

The Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo opened in 1951 and is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido! The zoo is currently home to 168 different species and 737 animals. The zoo works to recreate the animal’s natural habitats and surroundings to allow the animals to act according to their natural instincts.

The main attraction of the zoo is the polar bear enclosure. The polar bear is on the brink of extinction in the wild, and the Maruyama Zoo is a special place where you can get an up-close view to see these magnificent animals.

Some of the other highlights of the zoo include the African zone with lions, hippos, zebras, and giraffes, the tropical birdhouse, the marine mammal house, and the Ezo brown bear house.

If you’re trying to figure out what to do in Sapporo with kids, the zoo offers a petting zoo perfect for children. It contains mostly farm animals, including sheep, chickens, geese and small friendly animals. There are also several animal feedings throughout the day where kids will have a chance to see the animals eating.

The zoo is not too large and can be easily seen in 2-3 hours. It’s located close to public transportation and is very reasonably priced.

Insider Tip: The zoo is located inside Maruyama Park. If you have some extra time on your Sapporo itinerary, make sure to walk around the park and enjoy the stunning scenery and tranquil ambiance. 

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Shiroi Koibito Park

• Why it’s awesome: Shiroi Koibito Park is a museum and factory dedicated to chocolate and sweets!
• Cost: The park is free to enter, a factory tour is USD $6.00 and individual attractions have separate fees.
• Food nearby: The Cafe Restaurant Antoripo is located inside Shiroi Koibito Park and serves simple curry pots, sweets, and drinks.

Shiroi Koibito is one of Hokkaido’s most famous sweets; it’s a light sandwich cookie with a rich, white chocolate filling. The Shiroi Koibito Park is a spin-off of this famous Japanese sweet and dedicated to all things sweet!

The park is divided into two areas: the outdoor amusement facilities and the indoor factory tour facilities. There are also numerous restaurants and sweets shops spread through the park.

The Soft Cream House is a crowd favorite! This small ice cream stand serves melt in your mouth soft-serve ice cream, chocolate drinks, and coffee. The Chocolate Lounge also comes highly recommended and is a great place to sample the park’s delectable choices of chocolate, including chocolate fondue pots!

Guests can visit the Sweets Workshop Dream Kitchen and take part in a sweet themed activity! Book a cooking baking class or a cookie decorating class!

Tours of the factory are offered where guests can see how the Shiroi Koibito cookies are made. View the different areas of the factory and see the cookies being made right in front of your eyes! Of course, cookie samples are included in the tour.

If you’re planning a Sapporo trip itinerary with kids, make sure to check out Gullivertown Pocke. This children’s town is lined with small shops and houses, and the white lover railway offers rides on a mini train! There’s also an area where kids can change into fun costumes!   

This stop on your Sapporo itinerary is perfect for children and chocolate lovers!

Time Peace Apartment

The Time Piece Apartment hostel is a small guest house in a central location. Public transportation is within walking distance and the hostel is just a quick 10-minute walk from downtown. If you like this hostel, you’ll LOVE our guide to the best hostels in Japan.

• Free Breakfast

Sapporo City Central Wholesale Market | Former Hokkaido Government Office | Nakajima Park | The Hokkaido University Museum | Hoheikyo Hot Spring

If you’re planning a 3-day itinerary in Sapporo, you’re going to need a few more activities to fill your time. Here are 5 more fun attractions we recommend checking out!

Sapporo City Central Wholesale Market

• Nicknamed “Hokkaido’s Kitchen”.
• There are approximately 60 stores selling a variety of items!
• The market is open year-round.

Sapporo is blessed with an abundance of vegetables, fruit, and fresh seafood, and the Sapporo City Central Wholesale Market and the adjacent Outside Market showcases this variety wonderfully!

Every morning, fresh produce and fish are delivered to the market. The vendors serve these products either as is or made into tasty local dishes! The market is very reasonably priced and provides guests with a great chance to sample to local flavors of Sapporo!

Hokkaido is synonymous with raw seafood, and salmon roe is especially popular! These shiny and plump internal egg masses as a local favorite and the market is the best place to try out the freshest salmon roe in Sapporo! Or, if you’re not a fan of raw fish, Melcard Kitchen Maru offers tasty grilled fish dishes. The fish is cooked with the local flavors of Hokkaido and is another very popular local dish.

You’ll see an abundance of vendors with fresh and cooked crab. Keep an eye out for the large king crab and the exotic-looking hairy crab! In terms of produce, melon is one of the most popular items. You can buy it whole, or by the slice. Corn is another popular item, and it’s so sweet you can eat it raw!

In addition to seafood and produce, you’ll also find vendors selling unique Japanese desserts and souvenirs, including Sake made in Hokkaido. Most stalls at the market are open every day from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Former Hokkaido Government Office

• Admission is free! 
• Open Monday – Friday.
• The building includes a conference room, a museum shop, a tourist information desk, exhibition rooms, and a library.

The Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, also known as the Red Brick Government Building, is a great place to learn about the history of Sapporo. The museum contains materials and information on the history of Hokkaido and is completely free to visit!

The building was constructed in 1888 and is a great example of American neo-baroque architecture. Approximately 2.5 million bricks were used in the construction of the building and the sight of the rusty reds and orange bricks against Sapporo’s natural surroundings is a sight to behold!

The Former Hokkaido Government Office was used for 80 years until the new government office was built. The building and its exhibits on display are open to the public on weekdays and have a volunteer staff to assist guests and provide more insight and history about the building.

If you’re planning a 3-day itinerary in Sapporo and have the time in your sightseeing schedule, plan a stop at this museum and listening to the volunteers who will provide you with a more intimate look at the history of Sapporo and Hokkaido.

Nakajima Park

• Entrance is free!
• Spacious park with lots of attractions.
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Nakajima Park is located in the middle of downtown Sapporo next to the Susukino district. It’s a large public area with a number of interesting attractions and cultural facilities.

The Hoheikan is a historic guest house/hotel that was built in 1880. It was constructed to accommodate and impress visiting foreign dignitaries. It’s the oldest wooden building of its type in Japan.

The building’s interior has large spiral staircases, Corinthian columns, chandeliers, and original furnishings. It is open to the public and is free to visit! 

The Sapporo Astronomical Observatory is also located inside the park and is equipped with a telescope for observing astronomical objects. The Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara is an intimate concert hall in the park with amazing acoustics and a nice selection of performances throughout the week.

There’s also a traditional Japanese garden in the park that houses a traditional Japanese tea house.

Aside from its cultural facilities, it’s a lovely place to enjoy a nice break from the city. There are multiple streams as well as a large lake. It’s a great place to go for a jog, take a peaceful stroll, have a picnic, or just sit and enjoy the beauty of Sapporo’s natural scenery.

The Hokkaido University Museum

• Free admission!
• Open every day except for Mondays from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• The museum is well organized and thoughtfully laid out

The Hokkaido University Museum houses important scientific specimens and academic resources. The museum’s collection includes over three million documents and specimens, which the university has been collecting since it first opened over 140 years ago! Of particular focus is a huge skeleton of a Holstein bull and a life-sized mock-up of a woolly mammoth.

There is an interactive exhibit room where guests can touch specimens and at the museum laboratory, you can see research taking place.

Following a major renovation in 2016, the museum also now features new exhibits that highlight the latest research taking place at the 12 academic departments at Hokkaido University. There is also a cafe on-site that serves light meals and alcoholic beverages. If you’re planning more than a 2-day itinerary in Sapporo, this free museum is definitely worth checking out! 

Hoheikyo Hot Spring

• Entrance is USD $9.00 for adults and USD $5.00 for children.
• Features 3 hot spring baths.
• 100% pure, natural spring water.

The Hoheikyo Hot Spring is an outdoor hot spring bath surrounded by nature. It contains Japan’s largest open-air bath with a maximum bathing capacity of 200 people. If you’re backpacking through Asia, stop here to rest your weary bones.

The hot springs are not temperature-controlled and the water is poured directly from the ground into each bathtub, so it does not touch the air at all as it is being transferred. Since it is poured without oxidation, the water does not require chlorine. The quality of the spring remains constant and the healing properties of the water are high.

There are also two restaurants on the property that serve Indian and Japanese cuisine, each is highly rated! Visiting the Hoheikyo Hot Spring is the perfect relaxing vacation excursion in Sapporo!

Whether you’re spending one day in Sapporo or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a new city!

Overall, you should have nothing to worry about when you visit Sapporo! The city is considered extremely safe for tourists to visit and just like all the other areas of Japan, Sapporo has an extremely low crime rate.

However, you should always follow the rules of common sense when traveling. Avoid walking alone late at night, never leave your drinks unattended, and always keep an eye on your personal belongings.

Winters in Sapporo can be harsh due to the Arctic wind from the north. Blizzards and snowstorms are not uncommon. If you’re visiting Sapporo during this time make sure to pack adequate winter clothing to manage the icy climate.   

If you’re renting a car and traveling outside of the city, wildlife is still very abundant, which can lead to accidents between cars and wild animals. When you are driving in Hokkaido, you will frequently see signs reminding you to watch out for animals. 

The Ezo deer are probably the most common animals to run across the roads. Be sure to adhere to the speed limit, drive carefully, and pay close attention.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Sapporo

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Day trips from Sapporo are a great way to explore even more of Japan’s gorgeous landscape! They also offer travelers a chance to learn more about the culture. These trips highlight the areas outside the city and are a great option if you’re spending 3 days in Sapporo, or more! 

Day Trip to Furano, Biei, and Blue Pond

Enjoy a day trip from Sapporo to Hokkaido’s most scenic areas! Witness even more of this gorgeous island and enjoy a day of hassle-free sightseeing!

Travel to the Biei and Furano areas to admire stunning flower-carpeted fields, see native trees and foliage, and visit the famous Blue Pond! Lastly, you’ll stop by a farm garden to rest and enjoy a local curry lunch, (vegetarian option available upon request). This relaxing day trip is a great option if you’re spending 3 days in Sapporo, or even a few weeks!

Hokkaido’s Top Sightseeing of Farm Tomita, Shikisai no Oka in Biei, and Blue Pond

See the best spots in Hokkaido and admire the idyllic landscape. Start your day at Campana Rokkatei and take in the picturesque view of grapevines sprawling across the rolling hillsides. Visit the Furano Wine Factory with its vast lavender field and panorama views of Mt. Tokachi ranges. This is also where lunch will be served.

You can also travel to the Farm Tomita, the most historical tourist lavender farm in Japan and see the vast fields of flowers that bloom over the hills of Shikisai-no-Oka. Finish your day at the Shirogane Blue Pond before heading back to Sapporo.

Explorer Hokkaido! Lake Shikotsu, Toya, and Mt Usu Tour

Experience two famous lakes of Hokkaido! Start at Lake Shikotsu and admire the majestic beauty of water. There will be an option to take a “Lake Shikotsu Cruise” to admire the scenic beauty from a different perspective.

Next, why not head to Kinoko Okoku in Otaki to enjoy a bit of rest and have lunch and explore Toyako Manseikaku. Carry on to Lake Tya to see more gorgeous and unspoiled Japanese nature. Finish up at Usuzan Ropeway, where you’ll ride the ropeway and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes! This Hokkaido trip is perfect for nature lovers!

Lake Shikotsu Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo

Pay a visit to the scenic areas of Lake Shikotsu by mountain bike!

The best way to do this is on a moderate 5-hour course with an expert guide and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. Pedal past the Lake Shikotsu area, along with the calm clear waters of the Chitose River! Traverse the natural landscape and keep an eye out for the occasional wildlife!

Enjoy a relaxing break at the lake and lunch (own expense) from a lakeside restaurant. Included in your tour are a local guide, mountain bike, helmet and gloves, and round-trip transport from select locations. Tour groups are limited to just 10 participants to provide for a more intimate experience.

Explore Otaru & Yoichi

Another great trip is one from Sapporo to Otaru, Hokkaido’s gorgeous seaside city! Start your day at the Yoichi Distillery, where the famous Nikka Whiskey is produced! Learn about whiskey production and then try a sample for yourself!

Next, travel to Otaru city and enjoy some time to explore the canal area and Sakaimachi shopping street, followed by a tasty seafood lunch full of local fish and produce! Lastly, take the ropeway up Tengu Mountain and enjoying the scenic views of Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay. See several Otaru highlights in a day with this hassle-free tour option!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Find out what people want to know when planning their Sapporo itinerary.

How many days are enough for Sapporo?

Sapporo is a huge city, so you’ll need at least 3 days to fully explore it.

What should you include on a Sapporo winter itinerary?

Make sure to include these top snowy Sapporo highlights: – Sapporo Snow Festival (February) – Historical Village of Hokkaido – Sapporo Hitsujigakoa Observation Hill

What should you include on a Sapporo summer itinerary?

There are loads of great ways to enjoy Sapporo’s sunshine: – Picnic in Odori Park – Wander down the Tanukikoji Shopping Street – Spend a day at Nakajima Park

Where is the best place to stay in Sapporo?

Susukino offers heaps of accommodation and is the place to be if you’re looking to be close to everything. For a quieter alternative, check out Nakajima Koen.

Sapporo is a charming Japanese city that offers plenty of tourist attractions, including some amazing festivals and events! Even during the city’s colder months, you’ll find plenty of attractions. From historic sites to stunning parks to mouth-watering cuisine and fantastic beer culture, Sapporo’s got it all!

The city is the perfect place to mix education with entertainment, making it a great vacation spot for every type of traveler. Moreover, Sapporo is an extremely safe city to travel to and relatively inexpensive, making it perfect for families and solo travelers!

We hope you enjoyed our Sapporo itinerary and that you’re able to try it out for yourself! If you are ready to jetset off to Sapporo, 

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Hokkaido Road Trip: The Perfect 10 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: February 10, 2023

Categories Japan

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary: a 10 day Hokkaido road trip

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

Road trip Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

Our Hokkaido road trip itinerary: map

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

Click here for the interactive Hokkaido road map

Hokkaido trip itinerary

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

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

Our Hokkaido travel plan: facts and figures

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

Things to know about a Hokkaido road trip

Is it safe to drive in hokkaido.

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

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

Can I use the JR Pass to get around Hokkaido?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the best time to visit Hokkaido?

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

A Hokkaido road trip in spring

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

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in the summer

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

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in autumn

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in winter

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

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

Where to stay on Hokkaido

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

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

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

How to find accommodation during Golden Week

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 1: Lake Shikotsu

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

Pick up your rental car

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

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

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

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

Go hiking along the shores of Lake Shikotsu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: €12,80/$14.

Places to stay near Lake Shikotsu

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 2: Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Tōya

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

Noboribetsu Onsen

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

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

Visit Jigokudani (also known as Hell Valley)

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

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

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

Oyunuma Pond

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

Lake Kuttara

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: €7,20/$8.

Hokkaido itinerary day 3: driving South (to Hakodate)

Itinerary: Nakatoya Camping Ground – Hotel WBF Hakodate

The kindness of Japanese people

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

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

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

I was speechless… And very grateful .

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

Relax in an onsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to book hotel WBF Hakodate

Hokkaido itinerary day 4: Hakodate and around

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

Goryōkaku Castle

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

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

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

Hakodate Mountain walking trails

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

Hakodate historic village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: free!

Hokkaido itinerary day 5: Matsumae Castle and Onuma Park

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

Visit Matsumae Castle

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

Explore Onuma Quasi-National Park

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

Admire the Lake Toya Fireworks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 6: driving North

Itinerary: Toyako Parking Lot – Shin Furano Prince hotel

Admire the view

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

Eat the best Maze Soba Tempura in Furano

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

Relax in a spa (onsen)

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to book the Shin Furano Prince hotel

Hokkaido itinerary day 7: Furano and around

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

Visit the Furano cheese factory

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

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

Do a tasting at Furano wine factory

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

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

Visit Farm Tomita in Furano

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

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

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

Drive the Rollercoaster Road

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

The Blue Pond

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

Drive around Furano valley

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

Visit the Glass Forest

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

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

Enjoy the good life

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 8: Asahidake Onsen

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

Hiking in the snow at Asahidake Onsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Road through Daisetzusan National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 10: Lake Akan and around

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

Lake Akan nature walk

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

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

Visit the Akan Eco Museum

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

Hike around Lake Onetto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More things to do on Hokkaido

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

Sapporo Snow Festival

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

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

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

Check the official site for more information.

Shiretoko National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Road trip in Hokkaido: conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This post was updated in January 2023 .

Sunday 15th of September 2019

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

Friday 20th of September 2019

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

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

Have a great trip! Lotte

Friday 12th of July 2019

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

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

Saturday 20th of July 2019

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

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

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

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

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

Oodledoodles

Monday 18th of February 2019

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

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

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

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

Sunday 3rd of March 2019

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

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

Wednesday 30th of January 2019

Hello Lotte!

Thank you so much for this!

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

Thank you Yessi

Friday 1st of February 2019

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

Friday 7th of September 2018

Hi Lotte - what a great read!

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday 19th of September 2018

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

• Dec 7, 2023
• 13 min read

10-Day Hokkaido Road Trip Itinerary: Exploring Northern Japan

Prepping for your year end holidays to Japan's Northern Island? Can't wait to feast on all that sashimi and Japanese food and soak in beautiful onsens? Want to experience the freedom of driving yourself from place to place? We've got you!

Buckle up, fellow explorers! We're about to embark on a 10-day journey through enchanting landscapes!

Hokkaido is a traveller's dream. Think of soaking in the onsen in winter, experiencing skiing or snowboarding in powder snow... (take me there right now!)

How many days do I need to travel around Hokkaido?

It really depends which areas you'd want to cover and the season you'll be visiting. Typically if you're heading to Hokkaido in winter for the ski slopes, then you'd usually spend at least 3 days trying to learn how to ski or snowboard!

And then you'll need more days to explore the rest of the icy, wintery northern island.

But if you're just intending to visit Sapporo and the nearby cities like Otaru, check out our 5D4N Sapporo itinerary !

How do I get to Hokkaido, Japan?

Although there aren't as many direct flights into Sapporo New Chitose Airport as compared to popular Tokyo and Osaka , there are more flights during the winter ski/snowboard season. If you're in Singapore, Scoot flies directly from Singapore to Sapporo, and you can search for them on Skyscanner .

But if Hokkaido is on your list from Tokyo, you can always Shinkansen up north to the lovely city of Hakodate. Once you are in the island of Hokkaido, you can then rent a car for the road trip :)

What do I need for driving in Hokkaido, Japan?

We've covered quite extensively in this blog post about driving in Hokkaido, Japan . In summary, you'll need an International Driving Permit, purchase the ETC card, and consider getting the Hokkaido expressway pass (only for foreigners). Don't forget to ask for a GPS in English (or your preferred language) and to ensure you have 4G / 5G mobile data !

And I would also want to throw caution that driving in Winter in Hokkaido is not for the faint-hearted and beginner drivers. The roads can be really slippery in the smaller cities, and you'll need to ensure that you have a shovel and winter tires!

Hokkaido Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Chitose > Lake Shikotsu > Noboribetsu > Lake Toya

Day 2: Lake Toya > Lake Onuma > Hakodate

Day 3: hakodate city, day 4: hakodate > niseko, day 5: niseko > otaru, day 6: otaru > furano, day 7: furano > asahikawa, day 8: asahikawa, day 9: asahikawa > sapporo, day 10: sapporo > chitose, day 1: arrival in chitose airport > lake shikotsu > noboribetsu > lake toya.

Our Hokkaido adventure began in Chitose, where the crisp and chilly northern air greets us as we step out of the airport. We started our car rental directly from the airport, kicking start our journey towards Lake Toya where we'll spend a night. Picking up the car was easy. All we had to do is to head over to the car rental companies on the bottom floor of the airport. You'll see many car rental car counters which are unmanned. But not to worry, once you've reserved your car online, all you have to do is to head over and call them. They will then promptly send a driver to bring you to the actual car rental company located just slightly outside of the airport.

We got a Toyota Roomy (a very quintessential Hokkaido cute car) from Toyota Rent-a-car, which costs about 8000 yen per day. It fits 2 pax comfortably with lots of room for luggage.

Chitose Outlet Mall RERA

Our first stop? It was for lunch and we decided to head to Chitose Outlet Mall RERA . It was a short 10 minutes drive from Toyota Rent-a-car. We arrived there slightly before noon and there weren't anyone at the outlet store. This is also a much smaller shopping outlet so you can actually shop in peace!

Lake Shikotsu

We had a simple lunch at the food court and then started towards our journey to our second stop of the trip - Lake Shikotsu.

The approximately 50mins drive to Lake Shikotsu unveils a picturesque landscape of rolling hills and forests. Once we've arrived, we were mesmerised by the clarity of the Lake Shikotsu waters. We took a leisurely stroll along the lake's shores, breathing in the fresh air, and absorbing the tranquility that surrounds this natural wonder.

Unlike busy cities, there weren't as many tourists here, so it was a really tranquil and great second stop after arriving in Hokkaido! Before you leave, swing by the Shikotsuko Shrine and take a walk across the Yamasen Bridge Ruins. It's bright red so you won't miss it! For those who would like an aerial view, there's also a path up the hill after you've crossed the Yamasen Bridge.

There are several hotels at Lake Shikotsu like Shikotsu Daiichi Hotel Suizantei , featuring outdoor onsens. Some rooms even have private open-air baths so that you can unwind privately with your loved ones in the comfort of your rooms! What's really special here is that most travellers who travel via trains will stop and stay at Noboribetsu, so you can be assured of a relatively peaceful stay here!

Noboribetsu

For us, we're heading over to Noboribetsu! Nestled in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, Noboribetsu awaits with its captivating blend of natural hot springs and stunning landscapes. As soon as you arrive in this little town, you'll know for sure as the pungent Sulphur fills the air!

Begin your exploration by visiting Jigokudani , aptly named "Hell Valley" due to its volcanic terrain featuring steaming sulfur vents and dramatic landscapes reminiscent of an otherworldly realm. Take a leisurely stroll along the walking trails, marvel at the boiling hot springs, and witness the raw power of nature in this geothermal wonderland.

Unlike Lake Shikotsu, Noboribetsu is a popular day trip destination for travellers who are based in Sapporo. But what's great is that most of them leave before evening arrives so you'll get to explore the rest of the city without crowds if you arrive after 3pm.

For a serene contrast to the volcanic landscapes, you could go on a little trek to visit Oyunuma Pond . Oyunuma Pond offers a tranquil setting surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle bubbling of hot spring waters. The picturesque scenery invites you to relax and soak in the soothing atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a rejuvenating break after driving for several hours. Near the pond, you'll find the River Oyunuma Natural Footbath for a free onsen foot bath!

Don't forget to get onto the ropeway all the way to the Noboribetsu Bear Park - zoo with 70 unique Ezo brown bears! It is a must-visit because where else can you see a congregation of bears? As this is a popular attraction, grab your tickets in advance to skip the queues! The ticket includes the gondola or ropeway!

You can choose to spend the night at Noboribetsu ryokans and hotels if you would like to soak in onsens directly from the source!

For us, because we booked a night at Lake View Toya Nonokaze , we carried on our drive to Lake Toya. We arrived in the evening, just before dinner. I cannot recommend this modern ryokan enough.

Somehow we managed to snag an awesome full board (dinner + breakfast) deal for just 36,000 yen! We think it was because we were there during the off-peak season (in November, just before the winter season). After the long drive and sight-seeing, we decided to "wash up" at the onsen for about 30 mins before we went for dinner, thus concluding our day. Read more about our stay at Lake View Toya Nonokaze .

Today's the day for the long drive to Hakodate! Before that, there are plenty more things to do in the Lake Toya region like riding at Lake Toya Ranch, hiking up Nishiyama Crater Walking trail, or going on the Uzusan Ropeway. Some people may choose to stay another night here!

For us, we only visited the nearby parks along Lake Toya and went to an ice cream shop!

Shikotsu Toya National Park Silo Observation Deck

After seeing Hokkaido's Mount Fuji, Mount Yotei, from ground-level, it is now time to see it from atop! Standing tall atop the Shikotsu Toya National Park Silo Observation Deck feels like a moment suspended in awe.

As I reached the observation deck, the expanse of nature's grandeur unfolded before my eyes—a breathtaking tapestry of Lake Toya's cerulean waters and the majestic silhouette of Mount Yotei painting the horizon. The gentle breeze whispered tales of the surrounding landscape, while the sprawling views below ignited a sense of wonder and reverence. From this vantage point, the beauty of Hokkaido's untouched wilderness is laid bare, a spectacle that captivates the soul and leaves an indelible mark on one's appreciation for nature's sublime artistry!

Lake Hill Farm

Lake Hill Farm is a must-stop on your way in or out of the Lake Toya region. It is situated close to Hotel Cocoa Resort . This cosy cafe has two sides. A take-out ice cream shop on the left and a little cafe selling pastries, desserts and coffee on the right. As we needed coffee before our long drive, we decided to stop by the cafe. When the weather's warmer, you'll even get to see animals roaming around the farm!

Ukimido Park

Ukimido park is a must-see when you are in the Lake Toya region. This lakeside haven offers a peaceful retreat where travellers can immerse themselves in nature's splendor while admiring the iconic Ukimido Pavilion gracefully perched above the water. This place offers a great photospot without much tourists as you can only get here if you are on a self-drive trip!

Surrounded by lush greenery and the calming presence of Lake Toya's waters, the pavilion serves as a symbol of tranquility, inviting contemplation and moments of serene reflection. Visitors often find solace in the park's serene ambiance, strolling along the pathways, taking in panoramic views of the lake and mountains, and embracing the harmony between nature and architectural beauty that defines Ukimido Park.

Then it was the long drive till our next stop at Lake Onuma. Ah, as if we haven't had enough lakes, Lake Onuma is where nature paints its finest masterpiece. Picture this: the evening mist dancing atop the calm waters, the silhouette of Mount Komagatake gracing the horizon, and the gentle rustle of leaves as you stroll along the winding trails.

I remember my visit vividly—the air crisp with a hint of pine, the vibrant colors of autumn reflecting off the lake's surface. The serenity of the marshlands envelops you, inviting you to pause and absorb the beauty of this hidden gem. This was a refreshing stop after over 3 hours of driving.

If you have the time, and if the weather permits, you could rent a bike or rent a boat to explore the lake, allowing you to discover every nook and cranny of this serene landscape.

And that concludes our last stop of the day. We then went to our hotel in Hakodate and had Lucky Pierot!

Where to stay in Hakodate?

When considering where to stay in Hakodate , a wide array of accommodations caters to diverse budgets and preferences. Among the favored options lies the Hakodate Bay area, a highly recommended district. An excellent choice within this locale is La Vista Hakodate Bay , a mid-range hotel that boasts breathtaking vistas encompassing the harbor and the city skyline. Notably advantageous, its central location places guests amidst an exceptional culinary landscape, ensuring convenient access to an array of delectable dining options.

We actually stayed in an Airbnb which I won't be writing about because I don't recommend it. The thing about Airbnbs in Japan is... I don't really recommend it. They tend to be a bit older than the photographs so I would advise you to stick to hotels!

I won't go too much into this section because I wrote about all the things you could do in Hakodate, Hokkaido here . What I'd suggest is to wake up early for the morning market, and then have a little walk around this very walkable city. Your car isn't much of a help here as parking prices can chalk up fast!

Walk from the bay area where you'll find the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse to the historic Motomachi District , then head to the Hachi-man Zaki Slope .

The only place you'll need your car to get to will be the Goryokaku Fort and Goryokaku Tower .

Hakodate probably requires more days but if skiing is on your Hokkaido to-do list, then make your way to Niseko, the city of powdered snow.

Embarking on the road journey from Hakodate to Niseko unveils a captivating transition from coastal charm to mountainous allure. Exiting Hakodate, the drive unveils scenic coastal routes with panoramic vistas of the sea that gradually evolve into rolling hills and verdant landscapes.

As the road winds inland, you'll be greeted by the majestic peaks of the Niseko region, signalling the approach to this renowned mountain paradise. The approximately three-hour drive leads through picturesque countryside, offering glimpses of rural life and charming villages along the way, creating a scenic tapestry that transforms as you venture closer to Niseko.

Niseko, nestled in the heart of Hokkaido's mountainous terrain, is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and winter sports aficionados. Renowned globally for its pristine powder snow, Niseko is a haven for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, offering an unparalleled winter sports experience. Beyond winter, the area boasts a tranquil and picturesque setting, attracting visitors year-round with its stunning natural beauty. The quaint town exudes a relaxed vibe, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in its inviting atmosphere and explore its diverse offerings, from soothing onsens (hot springs) to hiking trails that showcase the region's scenic splendor.

I must add that even though we only had 1 day here - because we couldn't ski, most families and travellers would choose to base here for 2 - 3 days just to enjoy the winter sports. We highly recommend this as well!

In Niseko, accommodations cater to various preferences, from luxurious resorts to cozy ryokans, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay amidst the region's natural splendor. One prominent option is the Hilton Niseko Village , a deluxe resort offering ski-in/ski-out access and magnificent views of Mount Yotei. If not for the fact that when we were there, the snow wasn't thick enough for snowing, I would have written a glorious review of this resort.

For a more traditional experience, the Zaborin Ryokan stands as a serene oasis amidst the snow-covered landscape. This luxury ryokan offers a harmonious blend of Japanese aesthetics and contemporary comforts, featuring elegant rooms with private open-air hot spring baths (onsen) and exquisite kaiseki cuisine crafted from local seasonal ingredients. The tranquil setting and personalized hospitality at Zaborin Ryokan create an intimate and authentic retreat for guests seeking a cultural immersion in Niseko.

There's just something magical about Otaru that keeps us going back again and again even though honestly there's not that many attractions. I've already been there three times, and that probably says alot!

Otaru , a charming port city on Hokkaido's western coast, beckons visitors with its nostalgic atmosphere and picturesque canal-lined streets. Stepping into Otaru feels like stepping back in time; its beautifully preserved merchant buildings and stone warehouses evoke a bygone era when the city was a thriving trade hub.

Otaru can be completed as a day trip from Sapporo , but we really enjoy the peaceful and laid-back vibe of this city that we decided to stay here along the canal no less!

We stayed at Hotel Nord Otaru which overlooks the canal. Especially at night, it is a beautiful scene. Staying at Otaru will allow you to visit the attractions outside the city, like Cape Kamui and the Blue Caves .

Then we skipped Sapporo and headed to the little city of Furano. Beyond Lavender fields, there's still much more to do in Furano . We decided to base here for a night as it gets us closer to Asahikawa, where there's a lot more to do!

Shiroi Koibito Theme Park

Along the way, you may wish to stop by the Shiroi Koibito Theme Park. In winter, the park is really beautiful! Entrance to the outdoors park is free, but you'll need a ticket to enter the factory.

Enjoy Kodamaya Soba

We'd recommend making a pit stop at Kodamaya Soba for lunch. Kodamaya crafts their soba noodles with great care, resulting in a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Prices are also affordable, and even though we heard that this place gets crowded (evident from the many parking lots right outside the restaurant), we were fortunate to visit it at 3pm which gave us a peaceful late lunch.

Where to stay in Furano?

We stayed right opposite the Furano train station at Furano Natulux Hotel . With tastefully designed rooms, a hotel guests-only onsen, and exceptional service, you can look forward to enjoying a relaxing stay.

Other options we've considered included Shin Furano Prince Hotel . This would have been our top choice should the ski slopes opened. And if you want an authentic Japanese experience, then Ryokan Sansui is your go to.

This is the day you can visit Biei Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls near the city of Biei. Most people typically do it as a day trip from Asahikawa and we're doing it the opposite here. This was one of the highlights of the trip (okay, maybe I'm saying it too many times since so much of Hokkaido was so amazing!)

After these two attractions which require quite a bit of drive, you can then enjoy the rest of your day in Asahikawa. We've written quite a bit about exploring Asahikawa , so we won't go too much here.

There are numerous accommodations options in Asahikawa because it is the second-largest city in Hokkaido. We personally stayed in TKD House in Asahikawa and really enjoyed the space it offers. The entire apartment fits a family of four, includes a dining room, 2 toilets, 1 bathroom, and even has a sauna!

Of all the attractions within this city, we highly recommend heading to the zoo. Yes the zoo!

Asahiyama Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo stands as a premier attraction in Asahikawa, drawing animal enthusiasts with its exceptional exhibits. The zoo offers an extraordinary chance to get close to various animals, notably penguins, with the added treat of witnessing the captivating penguin parade during winter visits. Although open throughout the year, the zoo particularly dazzles in winter, boasting heightened animal activity against the snowy backdrop.

Our visit to Asahiyama Zoo was truly delightful; we relished the opportunity to observe the animals intimately. The zoo's spacious layout caters well to families, providing an enjoyable experience for both adults and children. With its manageable size, exploring all the exhibits can easily be accomplished within half a day—a convenient option, especially for families planning around their little ones' nap times.

And so we saved the best and largest city in Hokkaido for the last! There's plenty to do in Sapporo and this deserves 2 days.

We've also been to Sapporo multiple times such that we came up with a list of 22 and counting actually, things to do in Sapporo .

We've also experienced different hotels in Sapporo including APA Hotel Sapporo Susukino Ekimae which had an amazing location with an affordable price tag. If you would like to treat yourself, a notable choice is the Sapporo Grand Hotel . It is a luxurious landmark in the city center known for its elegant rooms, impeccable service, and proximity to attractions like Odori Park and Sapporo Clock Tower.

For those seeking modern comfort and convenience, ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo stands out with its contemporary amenities, stylish rooms, and easy access to the lively Susukino district and the Sapporo Beer Museum.

Additionally, for travelers seeking a more budget-friendly stay without compromising on quality, Hotel Mystays Sapporo Nakajima Park offers comfortable rooms, excellent facilities, and a tranquil setting near Nakajima Park, providing a relaxing retreat amidst the city's hustle and bustle.

These accommodations represent a snippet of the diverse lodging options available in Sapporo, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay in this vibrant city.

The journey from Sapporo to Chitose, while a travel route, also offers an array of attractions and experiences along the way, making it more than just a transit between destinations. En route, a stop at Jozankei Onsen presents a serene interlude, boasting natural hot springs set amidst stunning mountain landscapes. Visitors can indulge in a relaxing soak while soaking in the tranquility before continuing their journey. Another must-visit spot is the Chitose Salmon Aquarium , located near New Chitose Airport. Here, travelers can learn about the lifecycle of Hokkaido's iconic salmon, explore interactive exhibits, and witness the mesmerizing sight of salmon swimming upstream through an underwater viewing area.

Shopaholics should not miss Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo-Kitahiroshima for some factory outlet shopping!

Concluding the 10-day Hokkaido Road Trip

All good things come to an end, sadly. And 10 days is definitely not enough to cover the entire Hokkaido island as most of you will likely pick and choose some of these cities to stay longer in.

I hope that this blogpost at least give you a glimpse into what Hokkaido has to offer! And next up, I'll be sharing my Kyushu Island Road Trip! Subscribe and stay tuned!

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Hokkaido Road Trip Itinerary, Day 4: Sapporo

It was just barely day four of our self-drive Hokkaido road trip , and already we had covered some 200km – mostly along the island’s coast. Today, we’d be travelling inland to Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo, which also happens to be Japan’s fifth largest city.

But first, a sumptuous breakfast at Noboribetsu Grand Hotel , where we had spent the night .

One thing I realized is that hotels in Hokkaido are extremely generous when it comes to breakfast – and most offer it for free, or a nominal fee. Which works out for us, since Jan is an avid fan of having a hearty breakfast.

Off to Sapporo!

Maruyama Park

Not to be confused with the similarly named park in Kyoto, Maruyama Park in Sapporo is known as one of the best places in Hokkaido to view cherry blossoms.

Since we were approaching the city from the west, we decided to stop over at this park to enjoy the sights.

Despite it being the tail-end of the sakura season, we were pleasantly surprised by the abundance of flowers that were on display here. It was nice to see the locals having picnics and chilling amongst the greenery, too.

Time to check in at our hotel, the  Sapporo View Hotel Odori Park (formerly known as Tokyo Dome Hotel Sapporo), and check out the real city.

After putting our bags down, we decided to hit the shopping malls first. Our first stop:  Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade .

This unique stretch of roughly 200 shops extends for around 1km. However, apart from some decent food, we didn’t find the other shops very exciting.

Off to the underground shopping streets of Aurora Town and Pole Town . It was relatively more crowded here, which added to the buzz. Again, the shopping wasn’t fantastic, but we discovered an awesome cheese tart store and a number of quaint bakeries along the way.

In typical Singaporean fashion, we ended up spending more time at the local department store, Mitsukoshi , which had an impressive range of pastries and beverages – we simply couldn’t resist.

Shopping and eating done, we decided to take a stroll through Odori Park , which is quite literally the heart of the city – it cuts through the center of Sapporo, splitting it into north and south.

The park seemed like a very popular spot for hanging out and chilling. There are several food and beverage carts along the way as well, which makes it the perfect place for grabbing a bite and watching the world go by.

Speaking of grabbing a bite – with night falling, it was time for dinner. And tonight’s dinner would be something very special.

Sapporo Beer Garden

Sapporo is globally known as a beer brand, which makes the  Sapporo Beer Museum a hot spot for tourists.

Do note that the beer garden is comprised of 5 restaurants, each with its own unique style and menu. We wanted to get the complete “beer hall experience,” where the beer will arrive directly from the factories, so we reserved a couple of seats at the  Kessel Hall .

As expected, it was fully packed for hours, so we booked a slot that was later in the night, and went for the museum tour first.

It was certainly an eye-opener to witness the history of Sapporo beer from its earliest beginnings in 1876, to the massive brand it has evolved into today.

Then it was into the beer hall, and the plates of meat and mugs of beer. It was absolutely heavenly, although extremely oily and smoky. However, they do provide a bib, as well as a big plastic sheet to cover your belongings as well. Just don’t expect to emerge smelling like flowers and perfume, though!

I was especially impressed by the range of beverages that were available (beyond the classic Sapporo beer, of course). The service was also top-notch, with waiters coming to refill both beer and meat constantly. It was a very enjoyable experience, and I highly recommend coming here.

As is typical of buffets, our stomachs were stuffed to the max afterwards. Off to sleep – tomorrow, we would be making a day trip out to a nearby harbor city called Otaru.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering why we missed out all the other great places Sapporo has to offer – Shiroi Koibito Park, Mount Moiwa etc – we actually covered them the day after the excursion to Otaru. With so many highlights, it’s good to set aside at least 3-4 days to cover Sapporo and its neighboring cities.

Loved the pictures? Then you’ll probably this full-on, photos-only version of our Sapporo experience. Check it out!

Next up: Hokkaido Road Trip Itinerary, Day 5: Otaru

Daniel has a serious and dangerous case of wanderlust, which turns out to be pretty handy for travel writing. As cliche as it might sound, he aspires to take his content production studio onto the road and become a digital nomad one day.

A Day in Toyako & Noboribetsu (Photos)

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How to Plan Your Perfect Hokkaido Itinerary In 2024

• Last Updated: January 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Getting Around Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our 12 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Richard Barnes

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope you had a great trip. 🙂

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Hokkaidō road trip: exploring Japan's wild north

Jan 5, 2016 • 7 min read

With its wide-open spaces, national parks, active volcanoes, forests of silvery beech, forlorn coastlines and remote fishing towns, Hokkaidō is ideal for road trips.

Japan is famous for its efficient rail system and doesn't exactly scream road trip. But when most people think of Japan, they usually don't think of Hokkaidō . In contrast to Japan's densely populated main island of Honshū, Hokkaidō is home to just 5% of Japan's population on 20% of its land. There are trains here too, of course, but the network is limited. Even Hokkaidō's cities, laid out in neat grids of wide streets, are easy to navigate by car.

Explore Japan’s northernmost island with your own wheels and you’ll have the freedom to detour to sapphire-blue caldera lakes, stop to dip in seaside hot springs, and pull over wherever fresh seafood beckons. Another bonus: accommodation and food are both cheaper on unfussy Hokkaidō than on Honshū. Get your road trip started with our suggested itinerary.

Hakodate to Sapporo

Hakodate is Hokkaidō's southernmost port, where car ferries from Honshū disembark – and where you're now able to arrive via shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo and other points south through the Seikan Tunnel – making it a great road-trip starting point. Hakodate's two big attractions are its morning market and the night view from the top of Hakodate-yama . The market is a showcase for the rich bounty of Hokkaidō's seas, which you can sample in the form of kaisen-don , a dish of raw seafood on rice, at Kikuyo Shokudō ( hakodate-kikuyo.com ).

From Hakodate there are a couple of onsen (hot spring) options: the steaming hell pits of Hokkaidō's most famous onsen, Noboribetsu , or the casual seaside pools at Mizunashi Kaihin Onsen (or both). The latter is on the Kameda Peninsula east of Hakodate, and is regulated by the tides. Noboribetsu is north of the city, along the coastal highway heading towards Sapporo. You know you're getting close when you can smell the sulphur. Indeed you can follow your nose to a number of onsen in Hokkaidō.

Continue on to  Sapporo , the capital of Hokkaidō and the only place on the island that feels urban. The city is short on major sights but big on food and drink: it's the home of Sapporo beer and miso ramen. Outside the city, you can tour the Hokkaidō Brewery . You'll also be grateful for your wheels when you head out to Menya Saimi (5-3-12, 10-jō Misono, Toyohira-ku; 011-820-6511), arguably Sapporo's best ramen shop, located in an otherwise nondescript residential neighbourhood.

Both Hakodate and Sapporo have scores of good-value business hotels with double rooms for around ¥6000 (US$50). Noboribetsu is an onsen town with many places to stay, including sprawling Dai-ichi Takimoto-kan .

Sapporo to Daisetsuzan National Park & Akan National Park

You can think of Hokkaidō as having three distinct routes: the northern coast, the southern coast and the dead centre. The central route towards Akan National Park is far and away the most interesting, passing Daisetsuzan National Park. This is Hokkaidō's largest park, with several volcanic mountain ranges, alpine meadows and a good deal of wildlife. You can base yourself for a couple of days at one of the three onsen towns, Asahidake, Sōunkyō and Tokachi-dake , and hit the trails. Count yourself lucky if you can secure one of the six rooms at Lodge Nutapukaushipe , an eccentric log house with wood-burning stoves. En route to Daisetsuzan, it's worth taking a detour to Biei, where a network of country lanes winds through fields of wildflowers.

The other attractive option from Sapporo – especially for those with a fondness for stretches of desolate coastline – is to take the long northern route up to Wakkanai, a very windy former trading post from where ferries depart to remote Rebun-tō and Rishiri-tō. From Wakkanai, you can continue down Rte 238 along the Sea of Okhotsk. (You could also do this stretch on the way to Akan and visit Daisetsuzan on the way back to Sapporo.)

Whichever path you take, you'll want to see Akan National Park, home to several brilliantly blue caldera lakes. From the Bihoro Pass there's a spectacular view of Kussharo-ko , Japan's largest caldera lake, and its central island Naka-jima. There's also a somewhat touristy Ainu Village on the shores of Akan-ko and a fantastic lodge near Kussharo-ko, Marukibune , serving traditional Ainu dishes.

Akan to Rausu & Nemuro

From Akan National Park head north until you reach Rte 334 on the coast, then turn east towards the Shiretoko Peninsula. At the end of the road is the waterfall, Kamuiwakka-yu-no-taki . You can take a dip (in a swimsuit) in the fall's lower pool; the water is warm as the river above is fed from a hot spring. Beyond is Shiretoko National Park – true wilderness, as no cars are allowed in. If you want to pause your road trip, consider tackling the Shiretoko Traverse , a two-day hike that spans the park. Otherwise you can enjoy the scenery while driving through the Shiretoko Pass , which goes by mountain Rausu-dake and beech forests. On the other side of the peninsula, on the Nemuro Strait, Rte 87 runs up the coast nearly to the tip. Here there are a couple of teeny-tiny onsen, such as Seseki Onsen . In the evening, the harbours on the east coast are illuminated by the lights of squid boats night fishing.

Nemuro is the other little finger stretching out on Hokkaidō's east coast. At the tip, Nosappu-misaki marks the easternmost part of Japan – those islands you can see on the horizon are Russia. There's not much else to see here, but there is a good place to eat: Suzuki Shokudō (32 Nosappu, Nemuro; 0153-28-3198) draws visitors from afar for its sanma-don (raw Pacific saury on rice) and its signature way of doing miso soup with a whole crab in it. The diner also runs a small raid ā hausu (rider house), dirt-cheap dorm-style accommodation for motorcyclists and cyclists, of which Hokkaidō has many.

From Nemuro you can take Rte 44 down to Kushiro to visit the Japanese Crane Reserve . Kushiro also has an airport with flights back to Tokyo. Or continue down to Tomakomai, where you can catch the car ferry ( sunflower.co.jp ) that runs all the way to Oarai in Ibaraki (two hours north of Tokyo) in 17.5 hours. There is a public bath and a movie theatre on board!

Road-trip tips

• The best time of year to drive around Hokkaidō is mid-May through mid-October. Any later and snow threatens to cover mountain passes and ice can be a problem. Note that Daisetsuzan is the first place in Japan to see snow, usually in September. You might also want to give crowded July and August a miss.
• For a route heading from Hakodate to Kushiro, budget at least a week to allow for sightseeing, soaking and hiking time. In 10 days you could also go up to Wakkanai and visit the islands Rebun-tō and Rishiri-tō. But to get the most out of your time, take the one-way trip through the central Hokkaidō, return the car at the other end and fly out.
• Nippon Rent-a-Car Hokkaidō ( nrh.co.jp ) has offices at all airports in Hokkaidō and major train stations, such as Hakodate, Sapporo and Abashiri. It is possible to pick up and drop off the car at different locations. Some cars are equipped with English GPS systems.
• Navigating in Japan is easier than you might think: rental cars come standard with GPS devices that allow you to program the phone number of your destination (much easier than imputing complicated Japanese addresses).
• Hokkaidō's roads are well paved and well signposted in English. What you won't see noted in English is road closures, so if you're travelling around the shoulder periods (April, May, October and November), it's a good idea to run your route by someone before heading out. You'll also need to keep an eye on the speedometer (as the limits can be irrationally low) and look out for wildlife, such as deer.
• Most towns will have a petrol station and a convenience store, though it is wise to not let yourself get under half a tank. Many petrol stations close around 7pm or 8pm.
• Hokkaidō has dozens of campgrounds – you can search the full list at the official tourism website ( en.visit-hokkaido2.jp ). Those on two wheels can also take advantage of the region's network of rider houses, listed at Hatinosu ( hatinosu.net , in Japanese); these can fill up fast in the summer so it's smart to ring ahead.
• For more information on driving in Hokkaidō, see the tourism bureau's downloadable handbook ( hkd.mlit.go.jp ), in English.

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

Promo : Get 5% off your accommodations  in Hokkaido using < TTI5 > under coupon code!

When visiting Hokkaido, most people begin their journey in Sapporo, a modern city with enough attractions to keep you occupied for a couple of days. As part of our 8-day Hokkaido road trip , we thought Sapporo deserved a post on its own. Here’s our ultimate Sapporo city guide, so you never run out of things to do in the gateway to Hokkaido.

Pre-trip Essentials:

4G SIM Card:  Stay connected by pre-booking your SIM card and collecting it at Narita airport upon arrival. SIM Card packages range from 1GB to unlimited use, valid from 6 to 8 days with prices starting from ~S$12. Definitely cheaper than getting them direct from the airport counter.

Accommodation:  Being a city, you’ll want to have your accommodation relatively near a train station. We booked ourselves 2 nights at the  HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park   which is just 350m away from Horohirabashi subway station and 4 stops from the Sapporo station. More on this place later!

*Pro-tip:  Get 5% off your accommodation at  HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park   by using < TTI5 >   under coupon code or booking through the link here ! 🙂

Getting around Sapporo

JR Hokkaido IC card: Get around Sapporo with a JR Hokkaido IC card (¥2507) which makes travelling by public transport a breeze. The card can be used in other parts of Japan too — just look for IC marked rail and bus services. Pre-book and pick up your card from New Chitose airport or at Sapporo TV Tower.

Subway pass:  Planning to hit up multiple attractions in a day? Consider getting a one-day subway pass, which costs ¥830 on weekdays and ¥520 on weekends. Each subway ride costs at least ¥200, so a total of five rides (or 3 on weekends) with the subway pass would make your money’s worth.

Best things to do in Sapporo

1) go up sapporo tv tower.

Take the minute-long elevator ride to the observation deck of Sapporo TV Tower  for a 360-degree view of Sapporo. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Sea of Japan and ski resort Ishikari Heigen. We recommend visiting just before sunset to catch the city in both daylight and nightfall.

Cost: ¥720 (or ~S$8 via Klook) Opening Hours: 9AM – 10PM How to get there: 5-minute walk from Odori station

2) Explore Odori Park and its surrounding attractions

Sapporo TV Tower overlooks vibrant Odori Park, which makes for a relaxing stroll once you’ve returned to the ground. The 1.5km-long park cuts through the city, so you can pop in and out of malls, cafes and convenience stores for a snack.

Alternatively, take short detours to check out some of Sapporo’s other iconic sights, which are about 8-10 minutes away on foot. Built in 1878, the Sapporo Clock Tower (¥200) is a two-storey building that looks positively quaint among the city’s glass-and-steel facades. Cross the street for a sweet photo spot outside Tony Roma’s.

The Old Hokkaido Government Building nearby is more stately and impressive. It’s also known as Akarenga, or red brick building — in fact, 2.5 million red bricks were used in the construction of this neo-baroque structure. The surrounding lawn and gardens are well manicured, with blooming magnolias and cherry blossom trees in spring. Admission is free.

3) Sip on Sapporo’s most famous export

You can’t come to Sapporo and not have its beer — and what better place to sample the famous brew than at Sapporo Beer Museum , where you can learn about your favourite drink in an, ahem, educational setting.

Guides lead premium tours (¥500) which include samples of two beers, but we recommend a free, self-guided tour instead. Exhibits about the history and founders of Sapporo Beer are informative and come with English explanations. Finish off with a flight of three beers (¥600) and a BBQ and snow crab buffet meal at one of the adjoining restaurants.

Entrance Fee:  Free Opening Hours:  11AM – 8PM How to get there: 10-minute walk from Higashi-ku station

4) Jingu Shrine in Maruyama Park

Jingu Shrine is the largest Shinto shrine in Hokkaido, and isn’t just spiritual — it’s scenic too, with cherry blossoms lining the main walkway to the temple in May.

The shrine is located within Maruyama Park, a sprawling compound that also houses the Maruyama Zoo and Maruyama Baseball Stadium.

Entrance Fee:  Free Opening Hours:  Park is open 24hr; Jingu Shrine opens 9AM – 4PM (Last entry at 3:30PM) How to get there: 15-minute walk from Maruyama-Koen station

5) Shiroi Koibito Park (White Lover Park)

This theme park pays tribute to one of Japan’s best-loved souvenirs, the white chocolate sandwich cookie known as Shiroi Koibito. Snap a photo (or five) at the kitsch, cutesy outdoor area, then head into the Tudor-styled buildings to find out how the cookies are made.

The production line is closed to the public until May 2019, but on the upside, admission (usually ¥600) is free! Interactive exhibits depict the history of chocolates and explain how the cookies are made, and you can also sign up for a course (from ¥972) to decorate (and take home) your own creations.

Cost:  Free Opening Hours:  9AM – 7PM  How to get there: 10-minute walk from Miyanosawa station

Day trips from Sapporo

1) moerenuma park.

You can easily spend half a day at lush Moerenuma Park , which was once a waste disposal centre. Today there’s no sign of it’s trashy past in green lung located about 45 minutes from downtown Sapporo. Rent a bicycle to explore the 189-hectare park, a modern playground for both adults and children.

Highlights include dome-like Mt Moere which can be climbed from three different directions, a sleek Glass Pyramid and even a man-made beach paved with coral that’s only open in summer.

Cost:  Free; bicycle rental ¥100 per hour Opening Hours:  Park is open 24h; Bicycle rental 9AM – 4PM (Bikes must be returned by 5PM) How to get there: Take bus 69 or 79 from Kanjodori-Higashi subway station and alight at Moerunuma-koen Higshiguchi (East entrance). The ride takes about 25 minutes.

2) Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura)

History comes to life at the Hokkaido Historical Village, an outdoor museum of relocated and restored buildings that represent life in Hokkaido from 1868 to the 1920s. Peer into businesses such as an old soba shop, travellers inn and candy store, all recreated in great detail.

The village is spread out over 54-hectares — to cover it more quickly, hop on a horse and cart ride (¥250) down the village’s main thoroughfare.

Entrance Fee:  ¥800 Opening Hours: October to April, 9AM – 4:30PM (Last entry at 4PM). May to September, 9AM – 5PM (Last entry at 4:30PM) How to get there: Take the JR Hakodate line to Shinrinkoen station, then take bus  新２２(bus stop name:  開拓の村行)  to 開拓の村.

3) Noboribetsu Onsen

Need a break from the city? Retreat to peaceful Noboribetsu, an area known for its hot springs and onsens. Steam erupts from the earth at photogenic Jigokudani , where easy walking trails lead you amidst the craters and sulphuric plumes.

Afterwards, refresh tired feet with a refreshing soak in the pleasantly warm Oyunuma foot onsen .

How to get there: There are multiple ways to reach Noboribetsu , depending on your schedule and budget. Limited express trains between Sapporo and Noboribetsu take about an hour and cost ¥4000 (one way). Alternatively, a 100-minute bus ride operated by Donan Bus costs ¥1950 (one way). From Noboribetsu station, local buses connect to Jigokudani and Oyunuma foot onsen.

4) Otaru

At just 40 minutes from downtown Sapporo, the small port town of Otaru is an easy hop away, with more than enough to keep you occupied during a day trip. Explore the picturesque canal district by foot or boat, and check out multiple shops selling music boxes and glass trinkets which Otaru is known for.

How to get there: Multiple trains per hour run between Sapporo and Otaru along the the JR Hakodate Main Line. The one way trip costs ¥640 and takes 30 minutes by rapid train or 45 minutes by local train.

For more things to do in Noboribetsu, Otaru and the rest of Hokkaido, check out our 8d Road Trip Around Hokkaido .

Best things to eat (and drink) in Sapporo

1) affordable sushi at  nemuro hanamaru.

Tuck into cheap and tasty sushi at  Nemuro Hanamaru , where you can grab sushi off a conveyor belt or have it made to order. The tourist-friendly spot comes with an extensive English menu, including an etiquette guide on how to mix green tea from powder, and the correct way to season your sushi with soy and wasabi.

Everything on the conveyor belt glistens tantalisingly, but we recommend the minced fatty salmon belly with a raw, wobbly quail’s egg (¥140), aburi salmon belly (¥280) and scallop sushi that’s fresh, sweet and thickly sliced (¥453). Our generous meal for four sets us back at ¥1375 each (~S$17/pax).

Cost:  From ¥140 per serving; budget about ¥1400 per person for a hearty meal Opening Hours: 11AM – 11PM Address: Japan, 〒060-0005 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 5 Jōnishi, 2 Chome, ステラプレイス. Hanamaru Sushi is located within Sapporo Stellar Place, one of the many malls connected to Sapporo JR station.

*Pro-tip:  Hanamaru sushi is perennially crowded, so dine during off-peak hours for a shorter queue. We arrived at 3pm and waited 15 minutes for a table for four.

2) Kinotoya Bake cheese tarts

Pick up a one (or a few!) of these famous tarts, with mild, oozy cheese set in the centre of crumbly, fragrant pastry. For more variety, Kinotoya Cake shop is located just one floor below at the Daimaru basement food hall and sells a variety of cakes and pastries in addition to the original tart.

Cost:  ¥183 per tart or ¥1080 for six Opening Hours:  10AM – 8PM  Address: 3 Chome Minami 1 Jonishi, Chuo, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0061, Japan. Look for the East exit at JR Sapporo station.

3)  King crabs and lamb BBQ at Sapporo Bier Garten

If you only splurge on one meal in Sapporo, this is it. Get your hands dirty with a buffet featuring snow and king crabs and a traditional Genghis Khan hotplate featuring lamb, chicken and pork.

The menu also includes seafood such as scallops, salmon and squid, but we say save your stomach space for the crab. It’s chunky, sweet and well worth the indulgence.

Cost:  ¥5680 for a crab and BBQ buffet. For more price options including a drinks buffet, check out the Sapporo Bier Garten menu . Opening Hours:  11:30AM – 10PM Address: 9-2-10, Kita7Jo, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 065-0007

*Pro-tip:  The buffets fill up fast, so call 0120-150-550 at least a day in advance to   make reservations for your preferred time slot or make your booking online via Klook .

4) Miso Ramen at Ramen Shingen

Come early for this tiny ramen stall that draws long queues throughout the day. The no-frills 15-seater joint serves up hulking bowls of miso-based ramen — regular servings are easily double the size of what you might find elsewhere.

Small eaters can consider sizing down to a half-sized ramen, which is still a substantial portion.

Cost: ¥540 for a half-size ramen, ¥760 for a regular serving Opening Hours:  11:30AM – 1AM Address: ８丁目-8-2 Minami 6 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 064-0806, Japan

*Pro-tip:  Needless to say, come early. We arrived at 11:15AM and there were five people in the queue ahead of us.

5) Drinks with bartending performance at Flair Bar Es

Located in the heart of Susukino entertainment district, Flair Bar Es is part watering joint, part after dinner show. Bartenders juggle bottles, breathe fire and serve refreshing cocktails such as a fruity yet strong pineapple daiquiri (¥750) and a dainty floral lavender highball (¥550).

Performances run at 7:30PM and 10:30PM nightly, but if you arrive in between, ask nicely and the bartender may oblige with a mini performance when pouring your drink.

Cost: ¥550 to ¥750 for drinks (excl. ¥300 cover charge per pax) Opening Hours:  6PM – 2AM Address: 4 Chome-16 Minami 4 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 064-0804, Japan

*Pro-tip: Seats at the bar are the best for photos, while seats near the windows offer an impressive night view of Susukino street.

6) Japanese soup curry at Suage Curry Soup And Dining

Japanese soup curry gets an inventive spin at Suage Soup Curry and Dining , which offers a squid-ink rendition of the popular dish. Meals are highly customisable — choose from a variety of toppings including oysters, Hokkaido fried chicken and Furano pork. Then pick your amount of heat (we went for the spiciest level and found it both manageable and tasty), add veggies, and decide how much rice you need to go with your curry.

Cost: ¥980 to ¥1150 for mains Opening Hours:  11:30AM – 10:30PM Address: Japan, 〒064-0804 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, 南４西５ 都志松ビル

7) Singapore-style Kopitiam

We’ll be honest — we visited the Singapore-style Kopitiam out of sheer curiosity, rather than any desire to eat hawker food. Would Sapporo’s rendition of our well-loved cuisine be any good? And what would the locals make of our favourite foods?

The decor in this bar-cum-restaurant is on point, right down to waitresses in Tiger Beer tees and aprons, and coffee-shop cutlery on each table. The raucous all-Japanese crowd (on a weeknight, too) seemed to love it.

The food, however, can’t compare to what we get at home — chicken rice lacked a pandan aroma, and bak kut teh was a confusing mix of herbal and peppery. Come without expectations, enjoy the atmosphere, and you won’t leave disappointed.

Cost: ¥820 to ¥1500 for mains Opening Hours:  6PM – 2AM Address: Japan, 〒060-0063 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Minami 3 Jōnishi, 7 Chome−5 (狸小路7丁目)

8) Kaisendon from Sapporo central wholesale market (Jyogai Ichiba)

For glistening bowls of sashimi on rice, head to Sapporo outside market, located just next to Sapporo central wholesale market.

Shops sell produce such as ikura (salmon roe), mentaiko (salted pollock roe) and dried cuttlefish, and many offer samples to graze on as you browse. Most shops have a sit-down restaurant and a menu of raw and cooked dishes. Chirashi bowls start from about ¥1580, but if you’re on a budget, a mini bowl (diameter 10.5cm, pictured above) will only set you back ¥980.

Cost: ¥980 for a mini bowl, ¥1580 to ¥4000 for regular sized bowls Opening Hours:  7AM – 3PM Address: Japan, 〒060-0011 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 11 Jōnishi, ２２丁目4-1

9) Sapporo’s Best Gyoza Joint at Chao Chao Gyoza

Come in a group to sample the assortment of gyoza flavours available at ChaoChao Gyoza, including curry, mentaiko, egg and cheese and garlic.

We didn’t think fried chicken could get any better, but they even serve chicken wings stuffed with gyoza fillings! A total of 25 varieties are available — eat them plain or dipped in sauces such as vinegar soy and miso.

Cost: From   ¥300 for a serving of three gyozas Opening Hours:  11:30AM – 2PM, 5PM – 2AM Address: 2 Chome-38 Kita 2 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0002, Japan

Accommodation

Hotel mystays sapporo nakajima park.

There are multiple MYSTAYS branches located across Sapporo (and the rest of Japan), but we like HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park for its peaceful environment, expansive lobby and even a selection of coffee table books for browsing. It’s located just 350m away from Horohirabashi subway station and room rates begin at ¥5093 for a Standard Double.

Selected rooms overlook the park, such as our large Deluxe Family Room with wall-to-wall bay windows and a view of cherry blossom trees coming into bloom.

Other rooms are just as spacious. The Superior Twin comes with a large bathroom, couch and coffee table — perfect for late-night sake sessions.

Booking a MYSTAYS hotel also meant we barely had to unpack our suitcases. The hotel provides a set of pyjamas for each guests, and  a full range of toiletries including makeup remover, facial cleanser, toner and moisturiser. There was even a range of men’s facial products too. Guests help themselves from a chest in the lobby, so there’s no need to feel  paiseh about asking for extras. Just don’t  tapao all  the skincare home!

There are 86 MYSTAYS hotels in 19 cities across Japan, which you can use as a base to explore popular destinations such as scenic Hokkaido , or the underrated Chiba area . No matter where you go in Japan, a good night’s rest is never too far away.

Address:  1-20 Nishi 1-chome, Minami 14-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 064-0914 Japan

Booking a night or 2 at the   HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park ?   Key in < TTI5 > under coupon code to enjoy 5% off your stay 🙂

Flights to Sapporo

The nearest airport to Sapporo city is New Chitose Airport. Check flight prices for your dates of travel here:

Can’t see the widget above? Check out flight prices from Singapore to Sapporo here!

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10 Best Road Trips from Sapporo

What are the best drives from sapporo.

Venture out from Sapporo and you'll find some great road trips. Hokkaido is full of hidden charms. Taking a drive from Sapporo , you'll be able to experience the wide, straight roads that are unique to Hokkaido and which open up to reveal stunning vistas.

There's nothing like a Hokkaido road trip to explore the local towns, eat delicious food, experience history and culture, soak in hot springs, walk in the mountains and enjoy spectacular views of lakes and the great outdoors, so start your engines!

A special place just a 30-minute detour away from Sapporo

Otaru is a historic port town that you definitely don’t want to miss when sightseeing in Hokkaido, and the great thing is that you can easily visit Otaru on a day trip from Sapporo. Here you can enjoy quite different scenery, culture, and food from Sapporo. You’ll be able to experience hot springs, gastronomical adventures, and outdoor activities in an environment rich in nature with a peaceful atmosphere, a place where time stands still.

Above all, Otaru’s nostalgic canal scenery is uniquely magical. Historical Otaru Port has is deeply atmospheric, especially at night. For souvenirs, look out for locally produced music boxes and glasswork.

Location: Otaru City, Hokkaido 047-0265, Japan

Noboribetsu

Relax in hot springs in the middle of hokkaido's natural environment.

Famous for its hot spring resort, Noboribetsu has many sightseeing spots including a crater called Hell Valley (Jigokudani), which was formed by volcanic activity. Many tourists also visit Lake Kuttara, which is known for its crystal-clear water, Orofure Pass with a panoramic view of mountains and the lake from the observatory, and Shin-Noboribetsu Ohashi Bridge, which is popular for its autumn leaves.

Noboribetsu is perfect for drive to see some typical Hokkaido scenery. Let your body and soul be relaxed by forest bathing enveloped in the smell of sulphur.

Location: Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido 059-0000, Japan

10 Great Restaurants in Sapporo

10 Things to Do in Sapporo on a Small Budget

9 Best Markets in Sapporo

Sapporo's hot springs are more than worth the trip.

Only a 1-hour drive from central Sapporo is Jozankei, which is full of scenic spots and long-established hot springs. Check out the beautiful Jozankei Walking Path (Jozankei Sansakuro) and Hoheikyo Dam when the autumn leaves are on the trees. You’ll also find many hotels that offer day-use hot springs, but if you can stay longer and enjoy a meal, all the better.

Take a stroll around the hot spring resort area and you’ll make all kinds of discoveries, including free foot baths and artwork related to kappa (supernatural spirits in Japanese folklore).

Location: Minami-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido 005-0862, Japan

Historical Village of Hokkaido

The unknown history of hokkaido told through an open-air museum.

Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum featuring relocated and restored buildings from the days of the development of Hokkaido. The scene looks just like a pioneer village of the time. The village features a horse tramway in summer and horse-drawn sleighs in winter, so saddle up for a trip to remember.

You’ll also find a replica fishing village and mountain village where you can glimpse the Japanese lifestyle of the Meiji period. Classic traditional toys like juggling balls with beans, menko (a Japanese card game), and stilts add to the experience.

Location: 50-1 Atsubetsu-cho, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido 004-0006, Japan

Open: From 9 am to 5 pm (October—April until 4.30 pm, and closed on Mondays)

Phone: +81 (0)11-898-2692

Experience the life and culture of the Ainu people

Upopoy hosts exhibits and shares the culture and history of Ainu in a way that’s easy to understand. The Indigenous people of Hokkaido, the Ainu, have their own culture including their own language, worship of the Kamuy god, classical dance, and wood carving crafts.

Visit the National Ethnic Symbiosis Park, National Ainu Museum, and the memorial facility to experience the profound Ainu culture through traditional performing arts and crafts. There are also cafés and a restaurant where you can try traditional food, with rare and unique dishes on the menu.

Location: 2-3 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi, Shiraoi District, Hokkaido 059-0902, Japan

Open: From 9 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +81 (0)144-82-3914

Mount Moiwa

Take a ropeway to one of sapporo's finest night view spots.

Mount Moiwa overlooks pretty much the whole of Sapporo city. You can take a ropeway from Moiwasan Ropeway Sanroku Station all the way up to the summit observatory (parking is also available if you’re coming by car). The superb view of the Ishikari Plain goes as far as the eye can see. Sapporo seen at night, with its twinkling city lights, is so beautiful that it’s like you’re opening a jewellery box. In fact, it’s designated as one of the 3 new major night views in Japan, along with Nagasaki and Kitakyushu.

In winter, Mt. Moiwa turns into a ski resort with 10 slopes dedicated to skiing. Look up and you can also enjoy the night view while skiing.

Location: Moiwayama, Minami-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido 005-0041, Japan

Open: Daily from 10.30 am to 10 pm (from 11 am in winter)

Phone: +81 (0)11-561-8177

Shikotsu-Toya National Park

Head to the great outdoors of hokkaido for beautiful lakes and mountains.

At the heart of Shikotsu-Toya National Park is Lake Toya, whose popularity as a resort soared after the G8 Summit was held there in 2008. Lake Shikotsu, meanwhile, is the northernmost ice-free lake in Japan, with crystal-clear waters. Shikotsu-Toya National Park is home to both of these major caldera lakes as well as craters such as Mt. Usu, which shows some signs of volcanic activity. Here you can see majestic views of mountains including Mt. Yotei, enjoy hiking and cycling around the lakeside, and try water activities like canoeing.

There are also many hot spring resorts with spectacular lake and mountain views. And on top of all that, there are delicious meals unique to Hokkaido served at restaurants throughout the area.

Location: Minami-ku, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1541, Japan

Delicious food and a patchwork quilt of lavender fields

Furano is famous in Japan as the setting for the classic TV series "From the North Country" and it’s an excellent town for a road trip (even a day trip) from Sapporo. As well as the buildings and locations featured in the drama, the lavender fields in early summer are also famous. Here you can enjoy spectacular Hokkaido scenery and have your fill of delicious local foods like ice cream, fresh fruits and vegetables, and locally produced wine.

Furano is also popular as a ski resort in winter, when you could also visit its highly regarded hot springs.

Location: Nakagoryo, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0016, Japan

Shakotan Peninsula

Journey 2 hours from sapporo to reach the open blue sea.

If you carry on away from Sapporo via Otaru, you can take a road trip to Shakotan Peninsula. Offshore diving and snorkelling are popular in this beautiful sea, which is famous for its particular colour referred to as “Shakotan blue”. Head along the promenade to the tip of Cape Kamui for some incredible views, and don’t forget to check out Kamui Rock, which is home to the legend of Minamoto no Yoritomo.

The sea breeze will no doubt make you hungry, and there are some great options nearby... A bowl of rice topped with raw sea urchin is one of the most interesting local delicacies.

Location: Kamoenai Village, Furu District, Hokkaido 045-0301, Japan

Home of the world-famous Japanese whiskey

Located at the base of Shakotan Peninsula, Yoichi is where Nikka Whisky's predecessor (Dainipponkaju Co., Ltd.) was founded. Masataka Taketsuru, the Father of Japanese Whisky, whose life was featured in the “Massan” NHK morning TV series, made his dream come true here in Yoichi. Yoichi Distillery tells his story.

After visiting the distillery (and maybe trying a sample or two), the town itself also worth a look. Local attractions include places such as Fugoppe Cave and Cape Shiripa.

Location: Yoichi Town, Hokkaido 046-0000, Japan

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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A Spectacular Hokkaido Summer Itinerary

As I recently noted, it’s debatable whether summer is actually the best time to visit Hokkaido or not . If you’ve settled upon traveling to Hokkaido between June and September, however, and are ready to start planning your Hokkaido road trip, you are now in the right place.

This page is a Hokkaido self drive itinerary, but it’s also more than that. It’ll talk you through Hokkaido attractions from the obvious to the somewhat obscure, and also give you tips for Hokkaido rental cars and where to stay in Hokkaido during the summer. There’s a lot of ground to cover (here, and once you land in Hokkaido), so let’s get started.

Hokkaido Car Rentals

Car rental is Hokkaido is basically unavoidable, since the public transportation in Japan’s northernmost island leaves a great deal to be desired. Though this involves some inconveniences (you’ll need to obtain an International Driving Permit in your home country, for example), it makes your trip a lot easier, particularly if you don’t have very long, and you don’t plan to take a lavender farm tour from Sapporo .

Additionally, driving in Hokkaido is a pretty stress-free affair, particularly if you buy the “Expressway Pass” that affords you unlimited use of Hokkaido’s tollways, where you can (in practice, if not according to the law) drive as fast you want. Likewise, one benefit of the relatively high rental car prices in Hokkaido (plan to pay no less than ¥8,000 per day of your Hokkaido road trip summer) is that they include insurance.

Top Hokkaido Summer Attractions

Furano’s lavender farms.

If the Lavender Farms of Furano rank among Hokkaido points of interest you want to visit (and I don’t see why they wouldn’t), allow me to save you some trouble selecting dates: You should take your Hokkaido summer road trip during the last half of July, which is when the lavender is at peak bloom. Once you select these dates, book your rental car, flights and hotel (more on that in a second) as early as possible to avoid getting charged through the nose.

The blue pond of Biei

There are some potential downsides to visiting Hokkaido at peak lavender bloom, however, first among them that Hokkaido weather in July isn’t always as sunny as marketing photos would have you believe. This is also the busiest time of summer in Hokkaido . In addition to the calamitous crowds at Farm Tomita (at least the main part— Lavender East is pretty tranquil by comparison), other Hokkaido sightseeing like Biei’s iconic Shirogane Blue Pond will be bursting at the seams with tourists.

TIP: Although definitely worth visiting in summer as well, I prefer the Blue Pond during Hokkaido’s underrated autumn season .

Volcanic Lake Toya or Noboribetsu

If you’re looking for slightly more dramatic scenery during your Hokkaido self drive itinerary summer, rest assured: Japan’s northernmost island is as volcanic as the rest of the country. Whether you book a stay at one of the resorts along the shores of Lake Toya , or head to the popular hot springs town of Noboribetsu , there are plenty of amazing views and hot springs onsen baths to be had during the road trip Hokkaido takes you on.

Asahikawa Zoo and Numata fireflies

My Hokkaido self drive itinerary summer included all the places I mentioned above, but it also expanded upon them. For example, after traveling from Furano up to Biei (where I saw Shirahige Falls , which sits just two minutes by car from the Blue Pond), I spend a night and half a day in underrated Asahikawa , whose zoo is one of the most-visited in Japan, and which sits near Numata , Hokkaido’s premier spot for seeing fireflies.

Capes Kamui and Shakotan

To be sure, though Hokkaido is an island, many travelers skip the coast entirely—head to Capes Kamui and Shakotan . In addition to the beautiful views you can enjoy from atop the summit, the walk down to the wild beaches you find here is lush and gorgeous. If your Hokkaido self drive itinerary lasts longer than about 3-4 days, these are definitely places you should consider adding to it.

Sapporo and Otaru

Or, you could simply walk down to the oceanfront in the port city of Otaru . It’s just a short bus ride from one of the most obvious places to go in Hokkaido in summer: the prefectural capital of Sapporo . When it comes to where to put it in your Hokkaido summer road trip itinerary, I personally think this huge city makes a better last stop than a first one. (Especially since coming here last will allow you to enjoy Sapporo’s beer—and its beer museums—without the temptation to drive drunk!)

Visualizing a Summer Week in Hokkaido

The photos above should provide an enticing preview of the sort of imagery you can expect when you enjoy your Hokkaido road trip summer. Looking for a more tangible visualization? Check out the Hokkaido self drive map, which you can click (or you can click here ) to see the route I’ve described in this post mapped out in a relatively broad way.

Where to Stay in Hokkaido During the Summer

Prices on Hokkaido summer hotels tend to be high, even for simply ryokan and guest houses. As a result, you’ll want to book these as soon as possible after lining up flights, booking a rental car and finalizing your route around the island.

Some of my favorite places I stayed in Hokkaido during the summer were the simple (but homey) Mimatsuso Ryokan in Asahikawa and the stylish b hotel susukino in Sapporo. If I’m honest, rural Hokkaido accommodation (i.e. in Furano, Biei and Toya Onsen) left a lot to be desired.

BONUS: Want to see summer flowers close to Sapporo? Add the Makomanai Takino Cemetery to your itinerary! In addition to featuring a massive Buddha surrounded by a lavender-covered mound, it’s also home to bizarre replies of Stonehenge and the Easter Island Monoliths.

Other Hokkaido Road Trip FAQ

Is it difficult to drive in hokkaido.

Hokkaido is probably the easiest part of Japan to drive in, due to its low population density, high speed limits and spacious expressways. With this being said, driving in Hokkaido during its long, snowy winter is highly discouraged, given the sparse availability of emergency services.

What is the best way to travel around Hokkaido?

Hokkaido (with the exception of Hakodate) doesn’t have a Shinkansen , which means that trains are slow (albeit reliable) way of getting around the island. On the other hand, traveling by car isn’t always optimal either, given the large distances between some places. In practice you may need to combine various transport modes, including intra-island flights.

Do you need a car to explore Hokkaido?

You don’t need a car to explore Hokkaido, but it makes matters easier. This is particularly the case if you wish to visit the lavender fields of Furano, which would otherwise require you to take slow, circuitous train or bus routes to reach.

The Bottom Line

Even if you only use it as a starting point, this Hokkaido self drive itinerary will make planning your trip a lot easier. From tips about renting cars and where to stay, to an overview of Hokkaido attractions from the obvious (Furano’s lavender farms) to the slightly more obscure (Capes Kamui and Shakotan), Hokkaido is a lot of fun to visit during summer. Want to make sure your Hokkaido road trip is one for the record books? Commission a custom Japan itinerary , and let me sweat the details.

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Japan Travel Guide – Hokkaido | Tohoku | Tokyo | Kyoto

12 Best Day Trips from Sapporo

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido , the northernmost region of Japan. The city appeals to all types of travelers. Unlike Tokyo , Sapporo is less crowded, yet you can see a traditional Japanese city life, where shopping malls, markets, festivals & events, restaurants, parks, and historic landmarks are there to make your trip enjoyable.

Hokkaido always has something to offer you . Throughout a year, four seasons bring a lot of beautiful vistas and events. So whenever you think of escaping from the hustle and bustle of Sapporo city life, think of the places that we are going to highlight here.

Many of the best places to visit in Hokkaido are only a day trip away from Sapporo. For example, you can explore Otaru, Jozankei, Shitotsu Toya National Park, Noboribetsu and so on.

On a single day trip from Sapporo you can easily visit central Hokkaido. Is not that exciting? Many of you might have thought if it is possible to visit Furano and Biei on a single day from Sapporo. Yes, it is possible and you will know how to do it in this post.

If you want a pleasant day trip from Sapporo, Otaru is definitely a perfect destination. It is easy to reach there from Sapporo station as it takes less than 35 minutes along the JR Hakodate Main Line . Note that multiple trains bound for Otaru per hour from JR Sapporo Station.

Otaru is a historic port city of Hokkaido with its iconic well preserved canal area and old stone warehouses and buildings.

The city is one of the best places to enjoy local cuisine of Hokkaido, especially the sea food, and it is a great place to discover on foot. Indeed it is great to walk in the streets of Otaru and experience the life of locals.

Otaru Canal is the symbol of Otaru city, makes a pleasant walk both during the day and night. Once the canal was used to transport large vessels of goods by small ships, now it is a place to enjoy a stroll.

In winter, the city experiences one of Hokkaido’s best winter festivals. At that time, the canal is visited by many travelers for its Otaru Snow Path Light Festival in each February.

You can see many illuminated snow sculptures and hundreds of lanterns floating in the freezing canal.

Souvenir shops here will delight you with their collections, especially the glassware shops like Kitiachi Glass Building No. 3 .

Take a stroll along the Sakaimachi Street to buy local delicacies and varieties of gifts from the shops.

Every attraction you will see here offers something to make your day trip memorable. Check out our best things to do in Otaru article and you will see what you can do and see in Otaru.

2. Jozankei

Jozankei is the largest hot spring (Onsen) town in Hokkaido . Part of Shikotsu Toya National Park, Jozankei Onsen is one of Hokkaido’s most famous autumn foliage destinations and it makes a perfect day trip from Sapporo.

The onsen town without question is a four season destination. So, visiting it in winter, spring and summer will also impress you. In fact, throughout the year most travellers come here to enjoy the hot springs that can relax your mind and body.

Visitors have to walk around the onsen towns to see the highlights it offers during the autumn leaf season.  The wonderful vistas of autumn foliage are praised by many, so you will not see any point not to fall in love with this hot spring town.

The best time to see autumn leaves in Jozankei is between mid-October and early November . The town is ablaze in colour, and it is a great time to explore the outdoors.

In the town, you will find many ryokan, hotels, restaurants, shops, and of course free foot baths. You can spend a night in one of the ryokan and hotels if you want. In fact, it is recommended to stay overnight if you plan on visiting the sites around Jozankei.

You may stay one night in this ryokan in Jozankei, offering traditional Japanese-style rooms and host spring baths.

For those wanting to experience a long walk, may consider visiting the Hoheikyo Dam and Jozankei Dam. The perfect time for hiking here is in autumn, though summertime will still be enough to make your hiking expedition unforgettable.

In winter, many people come to hit the slopes of Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort , which is not far from Jozankei. After spending a day skiing, relax your body soaking in the hot springs!

There is no train or subway line that connects Jonzakei with Sapporo. Therefore, you have to reach there by a bus.

You can go to Sapporo Station Bus Terminal and buy a bus ticket (Jotetsu Bus number 7 or 8, 75 minutes) bound for Jozankei. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Makomanai Subway Station.

Note that many hotels in Jozankei offer a shuttle bus service from JR Sapporo Station.

3. Noboribetsu

If you’re looking for your next day trip or weekend getaway from Sapporo, my recommendations about Noboribetsu will help you find what to do and see there.

The famous hot spring resort in Hokkaido is Noboribetsu Onsen . It should be on your bucket list if you are looking to experience some unique and popular hot spring resort towns in Japan.

Similar to Jozankei, this is also part of the vast Shikotsu Toya National Park. From Sapporo by limited express train it takes about an hour ride (one way). Some also prefer the Doo Expressway when they decide to come by car/taxi (about 90-100 minutes).

Japan’s best and most effective thermal waters are found here, about 11 kinds. These high sulfur and iron minerals are said to have positive health benefit for skin and body pain. Dai-ichi Takimotokan is the best among other ryokan hotel in Noboribetsu boasting various hot spring baths for its guests.

Enjoy the hot springs there and don’t forget to try the local dishes, especially Jigoku Ramen/Hell Ramen.

Jigokudani or Hell Valley, the main source of Noboribetsu’s hot spring waters, is one of the best highlights you will explore here.

Take a stroll along the wooden walkway and then you will see hot steam, sulfuric odor, rocks, waters, and surrounding trees. The area looks impressive during autumn with fall colors.

Another interesting attraction is Oyunama Pond , a sulfurous pond. The surrounding area of the pond is known for gorgeous fall foliage.

A short 5 minute walk from Hell Valley will take you to the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath . Spend your time enjoying the footbath and gaze at the forest that shines throughout the year.

If you happen to visit Noboribetsu on the last Saturday and Sunday of August, you can experience the Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri . This is a summer festival celebrated by locals in which you will witness iconic demon floats, taiko drum performance, fireworks, dances, and costume parade by participants wearing colorful dresses.

If you want to see marine creatures in Noboribetsu, be sure to visit Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE , where dolphins, sea lions, penguins, goldfishes and other good collection of aquatic animals can be seen.

In addition, visit the Bear Park, Date Jidaimura, and Lake Kuttara , one of Japan’s clearest lake.

4. Shakotan Peninsula

Hokkaido offers countless mind-blowing views of scenic landmarks. Shakotan Peninsula is one of those beautiful places in Hokkaido where you can experience breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan.

Located about 100 kilometers from Sapporo, it is famous for its incredible coastline, and its crystal clear blue waters. The best time to visit the Shakotan Peninsula is in summer and autumn.

The Shakotan Peninsula is an easy day trip by car from Sapporo, Niseko, or Otaru. You can explore the area from Sapporo by day tour bus operated by Hokkaido Chuo Bus . This is the most efficient way to reach the area and enjoy all the highlights.

Alternatively, enjoy a scenic road trip from Sapporo to Shakotan by a car!

Shakotan town is rich in fishing industry. Visitors coming to explore the area must try the seafood found here; especially sea urchin served in two popular restaurants in the area called Osyokujidokoro Misaki and Osyokujidokoro Naramuraya. You can also try donburi at Hamazushi , a popular sushi restaurant in Yobetsu area.

To be honest, along the coastline of Shakotan, you can see unique rock formations with the blue Sea of Japan. Candle rock for example is a unique rock. It is about 46 meters high standing on the sea like a big candle.

In the area, the Cape Kamui , Cape Ogon, and Shimamui Coast are considered the most scenic spots. The views you will experience while exploring these coastal sites will make your journey an epic adventure.

Among these places Cape Kamui is arguably the most popular attraction on the peninsula, with a panoramic view of the blue colored waters of the Sea of Japan. The cape offers a stunning trail for the visitors. You can take a walk along the trail and enjoy the surrounding scenic views from the cliff.

Cape Kamui is a great place to enjoy the sunset. Here, you will also be able to see Kamui Rock . One the other hand, the Shimamui Coast is one of Japan’s 100 Most Beautiful Beaches.

Adjacent to Bikuni Port, Cape Ogon provides impressive view of the sea, cliffs, an island, street, and the fishing port from its observatory.

In search of spectacular Hokkaido scenery, you must visit the Shakotan Peninsula. Your day trip from Sapporo to the peninsula will always be enjoyable.

In addition, you can enjoy fruit picking in any of the fruit orchards located in the town of Yoichi .

5. Asahidake Ropeway in Higashikawa

One of the best attractions that you can explore from Sapporo on a day trip is arguably Mt. Asahidake . This is the highest mountain of Hokkaido and an active volcano. It stands at a height of 2290 meters above sea level.

The mountain is located in the Daisetsuzan National Park , the largest national park in the Hokkaido region of Japan.

Summer is a good time to hit the trails here and autumn is even better! In autumn, you can see the earliest fall foliage in Japan on its ground. Is not that interesting?

Take the ropeway to get to the Sugatami Station and begin your hiking journey along the designated trails with various viewpoints.

This hiking course is about 1.7 kilometers long. Approximately 1 hour is needed to complete the course. Get a good pair of hiking shoes for a safe and comfortable walk. You can rent hiking shoes from the shop located at the lower station.

Whether you go there in spring, summer, autumn or winter, impressive alpine nature and landscapes will always appeal to you. In fact, a lot of alpine plants bloom during summer, making the place a wonderful site to behold.

For those wanting to reach the summit of the mountain and explore nearby trails should stay overnight in Higashikawa tow n.

Check out the weather before heading towards the ropeway station. On a sunny day, the view of the Mt. Asahidake is truly stunning.

If you want to stay close to the ropeway station for a hiking expedition, stay overnight here .

You can reach the ropeway by tour bus from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal, lunch and cable car fare included!

6. Sounkyo in Kamikawa

Take a break for a day and head out of Sapporo to Sounkyo, a popular hot spring resort town with many hiking options, gorges, and a ropeway access to Mt. Kurodake .

Rising at 1,984 meters above sea level, Kurodake is another beautiful mountain in the Daisetsuzan National Park. You can reach the 5 th station by the ropeway and then take the chair lift to climb up to the 7 th station.

Enjoy the impressive vistas of fall foliage along the way up to the 7 th station on Kurodake in autumn. In Hokkaido, Sounkyo is one of the famous autumn leaves viewing spots. Therefore, if you happen to travel to Sapporo in mid-October, you must pay a visit to this onsen town.

Don’t leave the onsen town without visiting two beautiful waterfalls Ginga no Taki and Ryusei no Taki . They are located about three kilometers east of the town center. It is an easy drive by car.

Sounkyo hosts a winter festival from late January to late March known as Sounkyo Ice Water Festival . Snow and ice sculptures are the main highlights of the festival and they are all illuminated at night, making the atmosphere picture-perfect and lively.

Thinking of staying overnight here? Stay in this hotel , and then enjoy some other outdoor activities, such as cycling, skiing in winter, climbing Kurodake summit and other areas of the Diasetsu Mountain Range.

It is impossible to explore the above mentioned places within a day unless you visit Sounkyo by a sightseeing day tour bus or rental car. Click here to make a reservation in advance and pay online when your reservation is confirmed.

7. Furano and Nakafurano

Furano is a city; on the other hand, Nakafurano is a small town, both boast wonderful Japanese rural landscapes. They are located next to each other in Kamikawa subprefecture in central Hokkaido.

These two areas are famous for viewing various kinds of summer flowers including lavender. The lavender season is a magnificent sight and one of the best moments to visit.

Visitors usually explore most of the attractions here by car. So if you are with a group of traveler, then rent a car in Sapporo and drive to Furano using the expressway. One way ride will take about 2 hours.

Chuo bus also offers one day sightseeing bus tour from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal. This kind of one day bus tour will take you to a number of places only and it is impossible for them to cover most of the attractions in the area in an itinerary.

Upon arrival of summer, the tour bus company provides in details information on their website about their sightseeing bus tours. You have to choose the one that takes you to Farm Tomita .

Farm Tomita is located in Nakafurano area, where you will see different kinds of flower fields and gardens that bloom from spring to autumn. The lavender fields of Farm Tomita are the main attraction in summer. Best time to visit the farm for lavender is in mid-July.

Check out this link to see other popular flower farms in Furano.

Furano ski resort is visited by many tourists in winter. Without doubt Furano boasts a world class ski resort, perfect for skiing and enjoying incredible views of Daisetsuzan Mountain Range in the distance. Please note some of the mountains in Furano are best for backcountry skiing.

Skiing in Furano is less expensive than skiing in Niseko.

If you want to stay overnight here, prefer Furano Highland as it provides magnificent nature through four seasons. And we recommend a night stay in Furano if you want to hike, cycle, and do other outdoor activities.

8. Biei & Kamifurano

Biei is a small town located in the middle between Furano and Asahikawa. And the small town of Kamifurano is sandwiched by Nakafurano and Biei. These two towns together have got a lot of interesting attractions which you must explore in central Hokkaido.

Biei offers a wide range of adventurous ways to explore the area, a perfect destination for nature fanatics that love to take amazing landscape photograph.

From Shikisai no Oka and Shirogane Blue Pond to Shirahige Waterfalls , Biei has an abundance of things I like to visit. Many tourists visit Shikisai no Oka, a panoramic flower garden on a hill carpeted with seasonal flowers from April to October.

The blue pond in the area is another masterpiece of what the nature here can offer you. In winter, it looks even magical with snow covered the entire pond. Illumination takes place every evening during winter.

For magnificent panoramic views of the Mt. Tokachi range, visit Mt. Tokachi Observatory , only 35 minutes drive from Biei Station. This viewpoint is famous for viewing fall foliage and closest point for hiking to majestic Mt. Tokachi and Mt. Biei.

When it comes to Kamifurano, one interesting fact about the town is that Kamifurano is said to be the birthplace of lavender in Japan. To see lavender in the area you have to visit Hinode Park , 1.4 km from JR Kamifurano Station displays not only lavender but also other seasonal flowers in summer.

At the top of the hill, there is an observatory, which was build to enjoy the panoramic views of the flower garden, rural landscape and mountain range in the background.

One of the best highlights of Kamifurano is obviously the Roller Cosater Road. This 2.5-km-long straight road climbs and descends that passes by the beautiful hills, trees and paddy fields along the way.

There are many interesting places to discover in central Hokkaido. The last attraction that I am going to share here in this post is called Tokachidake Onsen , a popular place to see the earliest autumn foliage.

At an elevation of 1280 meters above sea level, the onsen has four hot spring ryokan. Among them Tokachidake onsen’s Ryounkaku offers hot spring baths for even non-staying guests.

Here, while enjoying the open-air bath you can experience spectacular view of the Tokachi-dake Mountains .

If you intend to make a daytrip out of Sapporo to Biei or Kamifurano, then renting car is the way to go.

There are many wonderful sceneries that can be fully enjoyed in Biei. If you are looking forward to explore some of the sites and not going that much far from Biei Station then a bicycle is recommended.

Alternatively, Chuo bus offers sightseeing one day bus tour from Sapporo. They will take you to the sites like the blue pond, Shikisai no oka, and asahidake ropeway.

9. Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa

Asahiyama zoo is one of the best zoological gardens in Japan that houses about 150 kinds of animals including arctic creatures, such as polar bears, penguins, seals, and wolves.

Located in Asahikawa city , Asahiyama zoo makes a great family destination. During the weekend, a great number of visitors come to see the animals with their little ones.

Being one of the must-see destinations in the city, Asahiyama focuses on “behavior display” as a result you can see the natural ecology and behavior of animals from a closer distance. For example, you can observe polar bears diving into a huge pool at the Polar Bear Pavilion and same goes for the Hippopotamus House.

The enclosures for the animals kept here are designed properly, so visitors can observe them from various angles. This kind of behavior display also lets you observe the animals eating their regular meals.

Moreover, you will observe native wildlife from Hokkaido, such as deer, cranes, eagles, foxes, tanuki, owls and etc.

The penguin walk at the zoo becomes a daily routine in winter when the ground is covered in snow. It happens twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. Cute penguin parade is a great sight you can enjoy standing by the walking route.

You can enjoy a fun & great day with your family at the zoo. How to reach the zoo? Click here to confirm your 1-day sightseeing bus tour to Asahiyama zoo from Sapporo Station Bus Terminal.

10. Historical Village of Hokkaido

You have come to Hokkaido to see its beautiful attractions, try the food, and participate in cultural activities, but have you thought of exploring what the life was in Hokkaido from the Meiji and Taisho Periods (1868 to 1926)?

That was the time when a large scale of development took place in Hokkaido. Today’s Hokkaido that you see was the contribution of that time, which is still flourishing in the region.

Opened in 1983, the Historical Village of Hokkaido was built to preserve important cultural properties for future generations. This open-air museum in Sapporo showcases 52 historical buildings that were relocated for restoration or were reconstructed that represent the history of Hokkaido from 1868 to 1926s.

The whole compound is divided into four sections, a Town, Fishing Village, Farm Village, and Mountain Village. Each building displays lifestyles, cultures and industries of the Meiji and Taisho Periods.

This historical landmark can be enjoyed year round, though the horse-drawn sled in the winter for a ride maybe one of the reasons you want to go there.

The Historic village of Hokkaido is located in the Nopporo Forest Park . It is easy to get there from Shin-Sapporo Station by local bus. So, take the No.22 bus to Kaitaku-no-mura, the last bus stop.

To get to Shin-Sapporo Station, you can either take the train from JR Sapporo Station or the subway on the Tozai subway line.

11. Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya

You can explore Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya on a day trip from Sapporo by a sightseeing bus tour . Both these beautiful caldera lakes are part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park .

It is important to note that the nature surrounding the lake provide habitat for many fauna and flora. The views they offer are impressive and you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings by a number of outdoor activities. And camping there is a common thing that visitors love to do.

If your itinerary allows you to explore some amazing lakes in Hokkaido for scenic views, be sure to explore these two on a single day trip. It is a very rewarding trip with full of surprises. These two lakes also are perfect places to enjoy the fall colors in autumn.

Lake Shikotsu is surrounded by beautiful mountains. In winter, Lake Shikotsu hosts of Hokakido’s best winter festival called the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival annually from late-January to mid-February, featuring sculptures both small and big. In the evening they are illuminated.

Lake Toya has some amazing observatories from where visitors can gaze at the lake and the mountains in the background. One of the observation decks is Silo Observatory . Enjoy a 180 degree panoramic view of the lake, Mt Usu and other mountains in the distance.

View of the lake while soaking your body in one of those open-air hot spring baths provided by the hotels nestled along the shore of Toyako onsen is truly relaxing and incredible experience. I highly recommend you stay overnight there to explore more highlights in the area.

Cycling around Lake Toya is a perfect way to enjoy the scenery. Ride a bike in spring there and you will see delicate cherry blossoms .

Take the Usuzan Ropeway and reach close to the summit of Mount Usu . At the upper station, two interesting sites to visit, Lake Toya Observation Deck and Usu Crater Basin Observation Deck.

12. Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

Hokkaido is a ski destination. It has a number of great ski resorts in the region. To hit the slopes, you don’t need to go far from Sapporo.

Sapporo Teine itself is a popular ski resort in Sapporo , so why don’t you visit the ski resort in winter? The city has some good ski resorts and Sapporo Teine is arguably the most popular.

Connected by lifts and trails, the ski resort comprises two zones, Olympia and Highland. Try both ski zones and spend a memorable day skiing on the slopes.

The ski resort provides excellent ski facilities ranging from ski rental shops to restaurants and café. You will also see changing rooms and coin lockers.

When you go there, expect to see spectacular winter views of Sapporo City , Ishikari Bay, Mashike Mountains, and Daisetsuzan from the summit of Mt. Teineyama .

It takes approximately 40 minutes drive from Sapporo city center. You can visit this page to see other alternative options to reach the ski resort from Sapporo downtown.

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Stroll Through Sapporo in Our Perfect 1-Day Sapporo Itinerary!

The number of foreign tourists visiting the city of Sapporo is increasing. In addition to various events held throughout the year, such as the Snow Festival and the YOSAKOI Soran Festival, the city has many other tourist attractions. Here, one of our local writers introduces sightseeing spots in the Sapporo city area that you can visit in a single day!

10:00 - Visit the Sapporo Clock Tower

11:00 - stroll around odori park, 12:00 - visit sapporo tv tower, 13:00 - gourmet seafood lunch at nijo market, convenient tickets for traveling around the city, 14:30 - go to the shiroi koibito park, a good place for instagram photos, 16:30 - tea time at the popular cafe fabulous in soseigawa east, 18:30 - take in the night view from mt. moiwa, 20:00 - enjoy hokkaido delicacies & local sake in susukino, you need more than a day to see all the sights of sapporo.

• 1 10:00 - Visit the Sapporo Clock Tower
• 2 11:00 - Stroll around Odori Park
• 3 12:00 - Visit Sapporo TV Tower
• 4 13:00 - Gourmet seafood lunch at Nijo Market
• 5 14:30 - Go to the Shiroi Koibito Park, a good place for Instagram photos
• 6 16:30 - Tea time at the popular cafe FAbULOUS in Soseigawa East
• 7 18:30 - Take in the night view from Mt. Moiwa
• 8 20:00 - Enjoy Hokkaido delicacies & local sake in Susukino

The Clock Tower, a proud historical Sapporo landmark , was built in 1878 as a demonstration hall of Sapporo Agricultural School, which was the predecessor of Hokkaido University. Three years after its construction, the clock was added for signaling the start and end of lessons. In the exhibition room on the first floor, materials on clock towers around the world, and materials on cultural properties and buildings in Sapporo and Hokkaido are displayed. On the second floor, which can be rented, events such as concerts are held. Within walking distance of Sapporo Station and Odori Station, it is always lively with tourists.

• Address Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido north 1 west 2, 060-0001 View Map
• Nearest Station Odori Station （Namboku Line / Tozai Line / Toho Line）
• Phone Number 011-231-0838

Odori Park is just a 5-minute walk away from the Clock Tower. Extending about 1.5 km east and west, it has lawns, flower beds, fountains, and sculptures dispersed throughout its 7.8 ha.

The air is filled with the aroma of corn from that being sold in wagons in various corners of the park . Around June each year, a switch is made from frozen corn to fresh corn being sold. These wagon vendors are open from spring to autumn and may be open for a limited time during winter , such as during the White Illumination period.

Odori Park hosts big events throughout the year. A typical example is the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held every year from early to mid-February. At that time the entire Odori Park is lined with more than 200 snow sculptures. At night, it becomes an illuminated fantasy land, and in recent years, shows using projection mapping have been held.

The “YOSAKOI Soran Festival”, held in June every year, is a new local performing art created by mixing the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi Prefecture with the Soran Bushi of Hokkaido folk songs. About 280 teams, dressed in colorful costumes, participated in the event in 2019.

White Illumination is an event that lights up Sapporo from late autumn to early winter . Lighting is usually from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m., but during the Christmas period (December 23 to 25) it is extended to midnight.

• Address Odorinishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 1-12 chome, 060-0042 View Map
• Nearest Station Nishi hatchome Station （Sapporo Streetcar Yamahana Line）
• Phone Number 011-251-0438

The Sapporo TV Tower, majestically situated at Odori 1-chome, was completed in 1956 and has been watching over the city's development for more than half a century. From its 90-meter height, you can see the entire Odori Park . In addition, there are events such as climbing the stairs from the first floor to the observatory, and bungee jumps are sometimes performed. There are 109 steps going up from the 1st to the 3rd floor, which is equivalent to 6 stories in a normal office building.

• Address 1, Odorinishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-0042 View Map
• Phone Number 011-241-1131

It is about an 8-minute walk from the TV Tower to Nijo Market. The eastern side of Odori Park , beyond the Soseigawa River , is called "Soseigawa East", and is attracting attention as a deep area noted for its convergence of the new in an old-fashioned atmosphere.

It is said that the Nijo Market got its start at the beginning of the Meiji Era when fishermen from Ishikarihama began selling fresh fish there. Today it hosts many shops selling fresh seafood , fruit, and vegetables. Some of the shops there sell sushi and seafood bowls. The air is filled with the inviting rich aroma of grilled oysters and scallops.

• Address Minami three Higashi 1-2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-0053 View Map
• Nearest Station Odori Station （Namboku Line / Tozai Line / Toho Line） 8 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 011-222-5308

In the afternoon, leave the city center and explore the suburbs. Municipal transportation is convenient for getting around. There are several great deals available, such as the One-Day Subway Ticket (830 yen for adults) and the Donichika Kip (520 yen for adults) which allows unlimited use of the subway for one day only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and during the year-end and New Year holidays. With the one-day Dosanko Pass (370 yen) you can ride streetcars as often as you like. In addition, the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau provides information on how to enjoy riding the streetcars running throughout the city on its website. Be sure to check it out. http://www.city.sapporo.jp/st/english/modelcourse.html

Take the Tozai subway line from Odori Station and get off at Miyanosawa Station, the last stop. From there it is about an 8-minute walk to Shiroi Koibito Park . In addition to being able to observe the production line of the classic Hokkaido souvenir Shiroi Koibito, you can also try your hand at making sweets in the confectionery workshop. There is also an exhibition showing the history of chocolate and an antique collection. A doll show is held every hour in the garden , which is filled with beautiful flowers, and it is a popular spot for Instagram photos. At Sapporo 's tourist facilities, dedicated spaces for Muslim worship services have been introduced for the first time and have staff who can speak foreign languages.

• Address 2-2-11-36 Miyanosawa, Nishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 063-0052 View Map
• Nearest Station Miyanosawa Station （Tozai Line）
• Phone Number 011-666-1481

FAbULOUS is a popular cafe located in Soseigawa East. It is open for breakfast, lunch, cafe time, and dinner. At cafe time you can enjoy not only aromatic coffee but also original sweets such as parfaits and cakes . There is also a drinks menu offering Otaru Beer and other alcoholic beverages. Inside there are also shops where you can buy good-quality daily wear and interior goods from around the world. To get there, ride the Tozai subway line from Miyanosawa Station, which takes about 17 minutes, and get off at the Bus Center-mae Station. From there it is about a 1-minute walk.

• Address NKC Bld.1F, 2-3-1, Minami1-johigashi, Sapporo Shi Chuo Ku, Hokkaido 〒060-0051
• Phone Number 011-271-0310

Hours: Breakfast 8:00 a.m. ~ 10:30 a.m. (L.O.); Lunch 11:30 a.m. ~ 2:30 p.m. (L.O.); Cafe 2:30 p.m. ~ 5:30 p.m. (L.O.) Dinner: 6:00 p.m. ~ 11:00 p.m. (L.O. For food 10:00 p.m.; for drinks 10:30 p.m.) Closed: not scheduled

Sapporo , along with Kobe and Nagasaki , is noted for being one of the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan", and the night view of this city of 1.9 million people from Mt. Moiwa is spectacular. Leave FAbULOUS and take a tram from Nishi 4-chome Station. After about 20 minutes you will arrive at the Ropeway Entrance Station; from here a dedicated shuttle bus will take you to the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway Sanroku Station. Mt. Moiwa is also designated as a "sacred place for lovers", and many couples ring the Bell of Happiness swearing eternal love for each other. "Love Padlocks" are also on sale for couples who want to lock their love for eternity.

• Address 5-3-7, Fushimi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 064-0942 View Map
• Nearest Station Nishi juhatchome Station （Tozai Line）
• Phone Number 011-561-8177

At the end of the day, visit Susukino, the downtown area of Sapporo , and enjoy Hokkaido gourmet dishes and local sake. It takes about 30 minutes from the ropeway entrance station by tram; get off at the Susukino Station tram stop. It is a 2-minute walk to the Umizoranoharu izakaya .

This izakaya is known for its delicious dishes made with ingredients from Hokkaido and local sake brands from around the country. In the Ainu language, haru means "food blessed by nature ". As the name suggests, this pub has been offering Ainu cuisine from two years ago. This is a pub where you can savor the culture and flavors of Hokkaido in one place, such as Kaimuitonoto, a drink that the Ainu drank during celebrations.

• Address J-BOX Bld.5F, 4tyoume, Minami3-jonishi, Sapporo Shi Chuo Ku, Hokkaido 〒100-6701
• Phone Number 011-231-6868

Hours: 5:00 p.m. ~ 11:30 p.m. Regular holidays: 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month, Sundays (open on Sunday when the following Monday is a national holiday and then closed on Monday)

Check out the video below for what else you can see in Sapporo !

On this day we visited Sapporo 's representative tourist spots, but other attractions awaiting visitors are a visit to the Hokkaido Government Office Building where you can feel the pioneering spirit and history of the prefecture as well as visits to the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium and Miyanomori Ski Jump Stadium, not to mention great places for food and drink. Check out the video below for ideas on what else you can see in Sapporo ! Text by: Minna no Kotobasha

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

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Hokkaido Road Trip 7 Days Itinerary Winter

In my first year in Hokkaido, my husband organised a Hokkaido road trip with his friend’s kid in the winter. He made a comfortable Hokkaido 7 days itinerary in the winter that we all enjoyed throughout the whole journey.

Table of Contents

Our 7 Days Itinerary in Winter Hokkaido

This time my friend Dan flew to Tokyo with his daughter, and we caught up there. We went from Tokyo to Hokkaido together and had a fantastic road trip in Hokkaido, including ski at Niseko. In the end, they flew back to Los Angeles, U.S., and we back home by train.

There is public transportation to travel around Hokkaido. The reason we decided to make a 7 days road trip is flexibility. Especially with Dan’s little one, the journey of this Hokkaido 7 days itinerary winter is its flexibility. Therefore, we can adjust to suit our feeling slightly while travelling.

Hokkaido Winter 7 Days Itinerary: Prepare

At that moment, we had just moved to Hokkaido from Australia. Since the seasons are opposite between the two hemispheres, I still struggle with the snowy weather, and it’s summer for Australia. Therefore, I was particularly interested in preparing some clothes for the snow season.

Hokkaido Road Trip Planner>>

How Cold is Hokkaido in Winter?

It depends on the area in Hokkaido you will visit, and the temperature will be different from region to region. General speaking, the average temperature is around 2°C to -6°C. 

Hokkaido Weather and Temperature>>

What to Wear in Winter Hokkaido

You got to wear clothes wisely in Hokkaido. It’s not wise to wear thick clothes in Hokkaido winter in my state of experience. The outdoor temperature may freeze, but you will get toasty warm indoor. Here are some tips for wearing in Hokkaido comfortably, not too cold or toast. 

Clothes to Wear in Hokkaido Winter>>

Packing Tips

It wasn’t my first time travelling with kids. My husband and I love kids so much. So we always accompanied friends’ kids or my niece and nephew on trips. (We’re child-king, lol) The very first time experience of travelling with kids was horrible. We learned by our mistake and shared with you our printable packing list for a ski trip with kids.

Ultimate Family Ski Trip Packing List>>

International Driver’s License

As we decide to road trip, we will need to rent a car and prepare our driver licenses.

To drive in Japan, you must hold either: a valid Japanese licence; or a valid International Driver’s Permit and a current Australian state driver’s licence. Tokyo Metropolitan Government

My husband and I have Japanese driver’s licenses. 

Dan could not drive in Japan with his U.S. drivers license, and he needed to get International Driving Permits (IDPs). It’s pretty easy.

• Fill out an IDP Form:  the U.S>> ;  Australia>>
• Original passport pictures*2
• Your driver’s license
• Pay a USD 20 permit fee; or AU $42 (plus postage) in Australia, and you’re ready to go!

Our ute in Hokkaido hasn’t got enough seats for three adults and one kid. 

We rented a car–prius4 from  Tabirai Car Rental . It compared prices from different providers, and we found the best budget price shortly. We spent ¥39000 (About USD 353, AUD 487) in total for seven days with a kid car seat, pick-up at Hakodate Airport, and drop-off at New Chitose Airport. Perfect for our Hokkaido 7 days itinerary winter.

We found out it’s cheaper if you rent the car from Tabirai Japanese website. Likewise, renting vehicles from the  Tabirai English website  will be more expensive. My husband is Japanese, so he did the work for us. However, if you can’t understand Japanese, friends who know Japanese or Google Translate can help. Otherwise, you can just rent from their English website with a bit higher fee.

• Tabirai Japanese Website>>
• Tabirai English Website>>
• Snow Driving Tips>>

Winter Vibe Music List

I personal high recommend you prepare a good music list for this Hokkaido 7 days itinerary winter.

In Australia, I controlled speed at 100 km/hr on the highway. In Japan, speed is limited to 60 km/hr on the highway, sometimes 40 or 30 km/hr.

The distance between city to city, town to town are not far at all, and however, the speed limit will make it like forever. Therefore, you won’t regret preparing a music list for road trips in Hokkaido.

Road Trip with Kids

When it comes to road trips with kids, it is not just hopping into the car, driving for hours, arrive a destination. Kids won’t sleep in the car and awake when they come spot. There are many aspects of road trips that are much easier when we get to prepare. 

Here are our tips and hacks to road trip with kids>>

Day 1: From Tokyo to Hakodate

We caught up with Dan and his little daughter, Connie, at Narita Airport. These iconic Hokkaido limited snacks made Dan and Connie can’t wait to see snow. During the two hour waiting period, we stay at the  kid’s playground in Narita Airport . 

We arrived at Hakodate Airport and picked up our car at the rental car counter at 1F. On the way to  the Banso hotel , Connie was excited and kept saying, ‘Daddy, snow. Daddy, that!’ How adorable! 

Local’s Secret Ramen

We quickly checked in at Banso and went to eat our first meal in Hakodate. We went to locals secret ramen shop– ABURI Ramen (ラーメン 炙 ABURI) . I ordered soy sauce ramen (炙醤油ラーメン), my husband went with special miso ramen (炙特濃味噌ラーメン), and Dan chose Samurai ramen (武士ラーメン). The roasted pork is tender and delicious. The broth of Samurai ramen is quite thick and fishly. If you’re looking for miso ramen, I would recommend the special miso ramen.

• Access ABURI Ramen>>
• How to Eat Ramen>>

Things to Do in Hakodate

We made a list of Things to Do in Hakodate and visited places depending on our mood.

Things to Do in Hakodate>>

After the good meals, we took a walk at  Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (金森赤レンガ倉庫) . And Dan rented a baby stroller for free! All you need is to fill the form and show your passport at the reception. After Dan got some customised Japanese chopsticks for his wife, we drank  Hakodate limited craft beers  at Hakodate Brewery, Bay area. Dan and my husband enjoy the good beers and the unique beer name. I was the driver, couldn’t drink. However, I went to the brewery couple of times with my husband. I like the 社長のよく飲むビール (Shyachou No Yoku Nomu Bi-ru) . It’s an ale with 10% ABV, characterised rich and deep taste. 

• Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Intro>>
• Hakodate Craft Beers>>

Then I drove through the famous slope– the Hachiman Zaka slope  and made a short stop at the top of the hill so that Dan and Connie could take some lovely photos. Hachmanzaka slope is beautiful not only day but night. The lighting from the street post and the view of the harbour right in front and at the end road was serene. As Dan wasn’t interested in strolling around, we went straight to Mt. Hakodate. 

I was thinking of driving a car to the top, but my husband told me that the road might close because of snow. Also, Connie was excited to take the ropeway.

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway>>

We access Mt. Hakodate ropeway at nighttime, not much crowded. The panoramic view of Hakodate is impressive. Luckily, we wore our down jackets with the freezing temperature up at Mt. Hakodate. 

Where We Stay in Hakodate

Back to our hotel ( the Banso hotel ), it provides Yukata (Japanese cotton kimono)in our room. The size suited for my husband and Dan, but too big for me, and Connie wore the kid size was just fine. Therefore, my husband asked reception for a smaller one. And they gave me new Yukata in about 5 minutes, excellent service!

The onsen (hot spring) was fantastic! Onsen, Japanese bath and saunas, socking in the hot spring with the snowy view, took me into a tranquillity peace. However, it may bit boring for kids, and Connie was getting bored after trying all the bath facilities.

• Hotel Banso Official Website>>
• Access to Hotel Banso>>

Day 2: Hakodate through Lake Onuma and Lake Toya to Niseko

The hotel Banso provided a great breakfast buffet of Japanese and western food, such as sashimi, sushi, Katte Don, ramen, miso soups, fresh-baked bread, soups, fruits, etc. You can dress in Yukata and enjoy it.

Following route 338 (道道338号), we drove around Lake Onuma and took a short break at Onuma Quasi-National Park.

We stopped by Hakuchodai Sebatto (白鳥台セバッ) to see the picturesque view of whooper swans and ducks resting their wings on the icy lake. Hakuchodai Sebatto is a good place for birdwatching, the joy of observing swans, eagles, ducks, and smews.

Hakuchodai Sebatto>>

Famous dessert at Lake Onuma

For sure, we won’t miss the famous Onuma mochi (Onuma Dango, 大沼のだんご). Nowadays, there’re two Onuma mochi shops, Numa No Ya (沼の家) and Taniguchi Sweet Dumpling Shop (谷口菓子舗). My granny in law said she always bought two packs from Numa No Ya when she was young and around. Therefore, we always visit Numa No Ya. Each package comes with two flavours, soy sauce and bean paste; or soy sauce and sesame. Granny told us there were sell Onuma mochi at Onuma train station. However, now you only can find Onuma mochi at the two shops. 

Granny and I like the sesame taste, and Connie likes the bean paste. She wanted to get one for mom. Unforturnly the mochi was freshly made every day and expired on the same day.

• Numa No Ya>>
• Taniguchi Sweet Dumpling Shop>>

Hakodate Limited Burger

Grab a couple of burgers from  Lucky Pierrot Mori-Chō Akaigawa Shop  as snacks on our long drive later. Lucky Pierrot only open in Hakodate, and their handmade burgers taste as well. 

Locals Secret Ramen Shop

Had lunch at locals secret ramen shop–Drive in Mizushima (ドライブイン 水嶋), a lovely old couple runs it. The restaurant with vintage looks and old photos on the wall brought us back to the Showa Era. The food looks not fancy but tasty. High recommend Tanmen(たんめん, sticky noodle soup) and Kanikuriーmukorokke Teishoku (かにくりーむころっけ定食, creamy crab croquette set).

Access:  Drive in Mizushima>>

Horse Riding at Lake Toya

We discovered Lake Toya by horse riding, such good fun. Riding horses on winter trails through the snowy Lake Toya, accompanied solely by peace and quiet, was a dream-like experience.

L ake Toya Ranch (レイクトーヤランチ)  is the one and only horse trekking in Toya, the trails were covered in powdery snow rather than ice; the horses were well-conditioned for the weather and had the well-prepared gear for the trek. Besides, you can rent riding boots from them. The coach taught us how to move forward, stop, turn right and leave at the ranch. We head to the trail after practice. Through fluffy snowdrops on my face, horseback, and Lake Toya, the picturesque view of Whiteland, Lake Toya, and mountains unfold before me. We enjoyed the unique bond between humans, animals and nature, fantastic experience with Lake Toya Ranch. They provide such a good service, would highly recommend people to try.

• Horse Riding in Hokkaido>>
• Lake Toya Ranch Official Website (Japanese only)>>
• How to Access Lake Toya Ranch>>

Niseko Affordable Hotel

Tonight we stayed at  Yumoto Niseko Prince Hotel Hirafutei (湯元ニセコプリンスホテル ひらふ亭) . It’s near Niseko, and the price is budget-friendly. Consider we might remain outside for the whole next day, we weren’t very picky on the accommodation.

We booked a room for three adults and one kid. However, the child toiletries were missing, and Dan had to get them from reception. The good thing is the staff can speak some English. And the view was great at the outdoor onsen.

I’m aware they were swamped during the snow season. The food tasted like frozen food, don’t get your hopes up. 

• Yumoto Niseko Prince Hotel Hirafutei Official Website>>
• How to Access>>

Day 3: Niseko to Otaru

It was skiing all day in our plan. We had a simple lunch at the vendor and checked out early because we would head to Otaru at night after skiing.

Ski Equipment

My husband and I got our ski equipment. We’re not professional skiers, but it’s always nice to have your own if you frequently use them. However, rent or buy was a difficult question for Dan, who first time skied. After he sorted it out, renting would be the better option in his case.

Compare Renting and Buying Ski Equipment>>

We took Dand and Connie to get their rental ski equipment at  Amuse Sport . They rent complete equipment sets, including skis, helmets, ski boots, ski jackets, and ski pants. Their service was excellent, and the staff was friendly and found suitable sizes for you. 

Amuse Sport>>

Lift Tickets

We decided to ski at Hirafu because Dan and Connie were skiing for the first time, and Hirafu was less crowded than Niseko, which is excellent for Dan and Connie to practice skills.

Connie was free to get in as she was only three years old. And we bought three adult tickets for 8 hours.

Lift Ticket Prices>>

As Connie’s unprofessional coach, I taught Connie some basic knowledge before we hit the slope. And my husband carried on Dan.

• First Time Skiing Tips>>
• Or, you may get prepared before you leave home– Ski with Kids Survival Guide>>

It ended up proving I was a good teacher. Although my husband said ‘self proud doesn’t count.’ Lol

What We Eat at Niseko

We were planning to eat ramen, but endless lines changed our minds. We were exhausted and didn’t mention Connie was hungry and getting grumpy at the moment. 

After my husband and his friend’s recommendation, I’ve taken a fancy to the Katsu Don from  Seicomart . Therefore, I recommended it to Dan, and we bought the Katsu Don (Deep-Fried Pork Cutlet Bowl, カツ丼) from  Seicomart . Moreover, never forget the Niseko craft beers!

Niseko craft beers>>

Stay next to Otaru Canal

After my super care drove to Otaru, everyone got a good short nap in the car. Tonight we stay at Otaru Furukawa (運河の宿 おたるふる川), which recommended by our friend who lives in Otaru.

We were given our own parking space, which was helpful for our stay. The hotel is cosy, small, clean, and its amenities made us dive into Japanese culture. The Japanese style dinner was terrific, and the onsen was delightful. We were too tired to stroll around and see the   Otaru Snow Light Path (小樽雪あかりの路) . We enjoyed  Otaru craft beers  with nighttime illumination of the Otaru canal from the room. 

• Hotel Official Website>>
• Otaru Snow Light Path Official Website>>
• Otaru Craft Beers>>

Day 4: Otaru to Asahikawa and Biei

Our friend recommended the local’s favourite restaurant– Uomasa (魚真, うおまさ) . It’s open from 12:00 PM, and we won’t be there by that time. Therefore, we had breakfast at the hotel. Nothing I could say, the meal was so good. The main shopping street is only a mere 10minute walk from the hotel, which was so convenient. We strolled around then headed to Asahikawa.

Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa

The most northern zoo in Japan–Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園), we pulled up to the zoo and parked, then began the trek to the ticket office. We only buy three adult tickets, and kids under 13 are FREE! 

We started on the right side of the zoo. After watching the cute and funny penguins walk, we got to see the graceful seals catch fish, climb and dive in this dynamic display. Then headed to see polar bears roll in the snow to clean their fur. There is a spot you can observe the Polar bear land from the chilly water. However, we waited over one hour in line. Followed  Asahiyama Zoo’s Map  to stroll around. Overall, the zoo is clean, well maintained, and the staff are kind and helpful.

A kind and funny thing is a sign warning people to keep their distance from the hippo’s button. Hippos take feces powerfully.

• Asahiyama Zoo>>
• Access to Asahiyama Zoo>>
• Map>>

Craft Beer and Jingisukan in Asahikawa

Taisetsu Beer House (大雪地ビール館)  is only 25 minutes drive from Asahiyama Zoo. We tasted the  Asahikawa craft beers  with Hokkaido BBQ–Jingisukan (ジンギスカン, lamb BBQ). High recommend it, absolutely delicious!

• Taisetsu Beer House Official Website (Japanese)>>
• Asahikawa Craft Beer>>

Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei

Shirogane Blue Pond (白金青い池) froze and snowfall in the winter. It illuminated Shirogane Blue Pond with blue light. 

Shirogane Blue Pond Official Website (Japanese Only)>>

Accommodation in Biei

Near to blue pond,  Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel (湯元白金温泉ホテル)  is famous for its natural hot spring. The outside onsen overlooking the gorge is impressive. You can hear Shirahige Waterfalls (白ひげの滝) while soaking in the outdoor bath.

The downside is the staff couldn’t speak English. Luckily my husband could talk to them in Japanese.

• Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel Official Website (Japanese Only)>>

Day 5: Biei to Sapporo and Jozankei

In the morning, we had a different daytime view of Shirogane Blue Pond, and it took us about 15-20 minutes by walk.

Aluminium that has seeped into the water scatters the sunlight, causing the pond to look blue. You can see the mirror-like lake surface with the crystal blue colour, different from the nighttime view.

Shiroi Koibito Park (白い恋人パーク)

It’s like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory world, but the Japanese edition. Magic scenery both adults and kids have fun, keep eyes for surprise detail in every corner. Especially the most popular spot for kids–Gulliver Town POKKE, Connie couldn’t help herself. 

Moreover, a mini playground, lots of fun toys and a few fun virtual games for kids charged ¥200 for 30 minutes for each kid and companion adult. It makes kids a remarkable memory.

• Shiroi Koibito Park Official Website>>
• Access>>

Hokkaido-Jingu Shrine

Hokkaido-Jingu Shrine (北海道神宮)  is glamorous and the snow added to the winter wonderland atmosphere. Most definitely worth a visit in the snowy winter.

• Hokkaido-Jingu Shrine>>

Stay a Night at Jozankei

We visited Snow candle way (Jozankei Onsen Yukitouro, 定山渓神社雪灯路) on the way to the hotel. These lanterns made by snow light up all way to the Jozankei Shrine, and it is mystical, like all your wishes will come true.

• Snow candle way Official Website>>
• Location>>

Our neighbour recommended we stay at  Jozankei View Hotel . 

He took kids to  Jozankei View Hotel  every year. Children and adults can have impressive aquatic fun in an indoor heated pool at the Water Kingdom Lagoon. Also, you can enjoy the view of falling snow while soaking in the therapeutic water at the outdoor onsen.

A buffet at the restaurant with a vast dining hall offering food is tasty. Furthermore, you can have Hokkaido ramen or pub foods at After-Bath Cafe Gosentei.

• Jozankei View Hotel Official Webstie>>
• Jozankei View Hotel Location>>

Day 6: Sapporo Day Tour

We had too much fun last night that almost late to check out. Therefore, we just stuffed our stuff into suitcases without organising and left.

As it was a bit early to check-in at  HOTEL RELIEF Sapporo Susukino , we parked our car nearby and took a train to have lunch.

Local’s Favourite Soup Curry

My husband’s best friend, who lives in Sapporo, recommended us  Soup Curry King セントラル店 . The soup was extremely flavourful and had a good amount of spices. Highly recommend it to everyone!

• Soup Curry King Official Website (Japanese Only)>>
• Directions>>

Stay at Central Sapporo

Check-in at  Hotel Relief Sapporo Susukino (ホテルリリーフ札幌すすきの) . The hotel is small but cheap and in a great location, easily accessible to the most popular places in Sapporo. 

• Hotel Relief Official Website>>
• Hotel Relief Access>>

While Connie had a nap, we repacked our luggage. The room was small, so only can open a suitcase at one time. However, it didn’t bore us much. 

Sapporo Odori Park

We Visited  Sapporo Odori Park (大通り公園)  not on the time of Sapporo Snow Festival (雪まつり) but still beautiful on its own and great to stroll around.

Sapporo Odori Park Access>>

Sapporo Clock Tower

The Clock Tower, with a small museum inside, is of great value as a historic site of Sapporo Agricultural College. However, we walked through Sapporo Clock Tower (札幌時計台) at nighttime, the museum already closed. So we took some lovely photos with the illumination. 

Sapporo Clock Tower Location>>

Sapporo Factory

Shop some excellent outdoor gear at Sapporo Factory (札幌ファクトリー), some with unique patterns made by Japanese designers.

Sapporo Factory Official Website>>

Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer brewery

Finally, we all could have some good craft beer today! Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer brewery is at the same place as Sapporo Factory but next building, easy access. But Connie got bored, and we drank a few  Sapporo craft beers  and grabbed some back to the hotel.

Sapporo Craft Beers>>

Day 7: Chitose Airport

To Start to last morning in Hokkaido for Dan and Connie, we had a long breakfast at the cafe in Hotel Relief. The pancake was soft and tasty, and the coffee was average.

After we returned the car at Chitose Airport, Dan shop some gifts at the airport, you can basically find most of the famous Hokkaido limited gifts and souvenirs here.

We said goodbye to Dan and Connie, reeled all the joyful memories in Hokkaido. I hope to see them soon somewhere or in Hokkaido again!

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40 Best Stops Between Tokyo and Sapporo

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

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How long is the drive from Tokyo to Sapporo?

The direct drive from Tokyo to Sapporo is 673 mi (1,083 km) , and should have a drive time of 13 hrs 25 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Tokyo to Sapporo, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Hakodate , Nikko , Otaru , Sendai , Narita , Aomori , Noboribetsu , Saitama , Nasu-machi , and Hirosaki , as well as top places to visit like Naritasan Shinsho-ji and Ushiku Daibutsu, or the ever-popular Narita omotesando.

Top cities between Tokyo and Sapporo

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

Noboribetsu

Best stops along tokyo to sapporo drive, narita omotesando.

Naritasan Shinsho-ji

Ushiku Daibutsu

Mount tsukuba.

Hitachi Seaside Park

Oya history museum - subterranean cave, fukuroda falls, minamigaoka dairy, tsuruga castle, goshikinuma ponds, rissyakuji temple (yamadera), sendai castle (aoba castle ruins).

Breeze Bay Seaside Resort Matsushima

Don’t forget to pack anything

Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Chūsonji Temple

Hirosaki castle, oirase field museum, nebuta museum wa rasse, mount hakodate, hakodate ekimae station, goryōkaku tower, onuma quasi-national park, usuzan ropeway, jigokudani (hell valley).

All travel reservations in 1 place

Never dig through your emails again — access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place.

Rusutsu Ski Resort

Niseko tokyu grand hirafu, lake shikotsu, nikka whisky yoichi distillery, hotel torifito otaru canal, top searches in sapporo, other popular road trips from tokyo, explore nearby places.

• Kitahiroshima
• Tobetsu-cho
• Nanporo-cho
• Naganuma-cho
• Shinshinotsu-mura
• Kuriyama-cho
• Tsukigata-cho
• Akaigawa-mura
• Kyogoku-cho
• Kimobetsu-cho
• Shikotsu-Toya National Park
• Kutchan-cho
• Shiraoi-cho
• Rusutsu-mura
• Makkari-mura

All related maps of Sapporo

• Map of Sapporo
• Map of Ebetsu
• Map of Kitahiroshima
• Map of Ishikari
• Map of Tobetsu-cho
• Map of Nanporo-cho
• Map of Eniwa
• Map of Naganuma-cho
• Map of Shinshinotsu-mura
• Map of Otaru
• Map of Kuriyama-cho
• Map of Yuni-cho
• Map of Iwamizawa
• Map of Chitose
• Map of Tsukigata-cho
• Map of Akaigawa-mura
• Map of Kyogoku-cho
• Map of Kimobetsu-cho
• Map of Abira-cho
• Map of Mikasa
• Map of Yoichi-cho
• Map of Niki-cho
• Map of Bibai
• Map of Yubari
• Map of Tomakomai
• Map of Shikotsu-Toya National Park
• Map of Kutchan-cho
• Map of Shiraoi-cho
• Map of Rusutsu-mura
• Map of Urausu-cho
• Map of Makkari-mura

Sapporo throughout the year

• Sapporo in January
• Sapporo in February
• Sapporo in March
• Sapporo in April
• Sapporo in May
• Sapporo in June
• Sapporo in July
• Sapporo in August
• Sapporo in September
• Sapporo in October
• Sapporo in November
• Sapporo in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Sapporo?

Get inspired for your trip to Sapporo with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Sapporo Itinerary
• 2-Day Sapporo Itinerary
• 3-Day Sapporo Itinerary
• 4-Day Sapporo Itinerary
• 5-Day Sapporo Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i drive from tokyo to sapporo.

Yes! You can drive from Tokyo to Sapporo.

How far is Sapporo from Tokyo by car?

The drive from Tokyo to Sapporo is 673 miles (1,083 km).

How long does it take to drive from Tokyo to Sapporo?

Driving from Tokyo to Sapporo should take you 13 hrs 25 mins in normal traffic.

How much would gas cost from Tokyo to Sapporo?

Gas from Tokyo to Sapporo would cost around $59 to $138 , depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Where should I stop on the way from Tokyo to Sapporo?

You could check out Naritasan Shinsho-ji and Ushiku Daibutsu, or the always popular Narita omotesando!

What are the best cities to visit between Tokyo and Sapporo?

People love visiting Hakodate, Nikko, and Otaru, among others.

What's the weather like in Tokyo?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Tokyo in January
• Weather in Tokyo in February
• Weather in Tokyo in March
• Weather in Tokyo in April
• Weather in Tokyo in May
• Weather in Tokyo in June
• Weather in Tokyo in July
• Weather in Tokyo in August
• Weather in Tokyo in September
• Weather in Tokyo in October
• Weather in Tokyo in November
• Weather in Tokyo in December

What are some other road trips from Tokyo?

There are plenty! Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Tokyo.

• Tokyo to Kyoto drive
• Tokyo to Osaka drive
• Tokyo to Nikko drive
• Tokyo to Seoul drive
• Tokyo to Nagoya drive
• Tokyo to Kanazawa drive
• Tokyo to Fujikawaguchiko-machi drive
• Tokyo to Matsumoto drive
• Tokyo to Hiroshima drive
• Tokyo to Sapporo drive
• Tokyo to Karuizawa-machi drive
• Tokyo to Takayama drive
• Tokyo to Ito drive
• Tokyo to Shizuoka drive
• Tokyo to Sendai drive
• Tokyo to Hakodate drive
• Tokyo to Nagano drive
• Tokyo to Hamamatsu drive
• Tokyo to Fukuoka drive
• Tokyo to Busan drive
• Tokyo to Ise drive
• Tokyo to Nasu-machi drive
• Tokyo to Nagasaki drive
• Tokyo to Hokuto drive
• Tokyo to Himeji drive
• Tokyo to Kobe drive
• Tokyo to Niigata drive
• Tokyo to Mito drive
• Tokyo to Toyama drive
• Tokyo to Chichibu drive

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

• 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 April)
• Agoda Promo Code

Hokkaido Self Drive Itinerary: Asahikawa, Furano, Biei

Last updated on April 5th, 2024

In this Hokkaido self-drive itinerary travel guide blog, we are sharing with you what to do and see at Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Farm Tomita, and many attractions by traveling on a rental car in summer.

We visited Hokkaido in Summer, through the trip was tiring due to long-distance travel by self-driving. But it was truly a memorable experience for our family. While this is my second visit to Hokkaido and it might seem like repeating some of the places. So I am not going to share the complete Hokkaido self-driving itinerary and only focus on my visit to Asahikawa, Furano, and Biei which I am not covering on my previous Hokkaido trip.

The amazing flower field Furano is our main highlight for this Hokkaido self-driving itinerary in summer. Additionally, I will also share how to rent a car and tips for driving in Hokkaido in another post. Continue to read on our Hokkaido self-drive travel blog here!

Table of Contents

Pre-Trip Essentials

Hokkaido is located in Northernmost Japan’s prefecture and it is very easy to get to Hokkaido by air and railway. Frequent domestic and international landed in New Chitose Airport, the largest airport in Hokkaido. If you are flying to Hokkaido directly, it is most likely that you will land at Sapporo New Chitose Airport, it’s probably the most accessible airport to visit Hokkaido.

Wifi Connectivity : Nowadays, it is important to stay connected to check on navigations, location, and travel information. You can get a 4G Sim Card once you reach New Chitose Airport. We recommended getting a Wifi router if you are traveling in a group as it is more value for money. You can connect up to 6 devices to the router at once.

Kitaca IC Card : When traveling in Japan, it is recommended to get a rechargeable IC card that can be used in transportation, convenience stores, and even vending machines. The Kitaca IC Card is similar to IC Card from other regions, like Tokyo (SUICA), and Osaka (ICOCA) which can be used in Hokkaido too. Alternatively, you can purchase the Kitaca IC Card which is preloaded ¥1500 in advance, and get it at the station.

Planning on Hokkaido Self Drive Itinerary

Due to the vast landscape and less populated, the best way to explore the beauty and attractions of Hokkaido by self-driving. The forest, mountain, lake, and natural beauty make it the most photogenic place in Japan. The simplest way to get around in Hokkaido is by car. I had been to Hokkaido using public transport and self-driving. In my opinion, I really recommended renting a car to drive yourself, especially for those traveling with family and kids. The attractions are not close to each other and required a good planning itinerary. Added, some of the attractions are hard to reach by public transport.

Moreover, traveling in Hokkaido is not cheap. So please prepare a reasonable budget for your trip. Driving in Hokkaido for a group of four travelers can help to save on some of the transportation fees and be more flexible. But, Japanese car rental sites can be a bit confusing. You can check your rental car and prebook it via RentalCars.com . It is easy to use and compare various types of rental cars with different coverage include. Most importantly, high customer reputation and review.

If you need more help, feel free to read through our Driving in Hokkaido: Tips For Renting a Car in Hokkaido .

Where To Stay

During our Hokkaido summer visit, we planned to visit Furano and Biei to see the famous flower fields and scenery.  The journey from Sapporo to Furano or Biei takes approximately 2 hours. A day trip from Sapporo to Furano and Biei is doable but it can be very tiring, especially for the elderly. After consideration, we decided to stay somewhere near the attractions to easily get around.

The accommodations in Furano and Biei are limited and not cheap. The budget accommodations are almost fully booked in the peak season of Summer! There is another alternative solution was to stay at Asahikawa about 30 to 60 minutes away from Furano. Asahikawa is the second-largest city in Hokkaido, very well connected with public transport, and easy to drive from Sapporo to explore Furano and Biei. Besides, there is also a lot of famous food that you can try out during your stay, making it a perfect base if you wish to live in the city area for yummy Japanese food yet want to stay closer to the Furano and Biei.

So we made Asahikawa our base for traveling to Biei and Furano due to its convenience and price.

Accommodation Tips : We stayed in JR Inn Asahikawa which is located right beside the JR Asahikawa station. It is very convenient as there are a lot of eateries and a big AEON Mall within walking distance. Most importantly, the room rate is much cheaper compare with the hotel in Furano and Biei. Besides, it is also one of the best hotels in Asahikawa if you are traveling by train.

If you want something out of town and traditional, you can drive up to Asahidake and stay in one of the onsen hotels.

Day 1: From Sapporo To Furano

We spend our night in Sapporo and picked up the rental car the day before start-up our Hokkaido self-drive itinerary. Take note that some of the rental shops only open at 8 or 9 am. So if you plan to leave early, you might need to consider picking up your car one day earlier. Just key in the Map Code or phone number that is found on google maps into your GPS, and you are ready for your Hokkaido self-driving trip!

Our first destination for our Hokkaido road trip was the flower-filled rural town of Furano. It is about a two-hour drive from Sapporo city but you might take a longer time due to the journey being packed with incredible scenery. We visited the Farm Tomita for a beautiful flowery spectacle.

Farm Tomita

Located in Nakafurano, Farm Tomita (ファーム富田) is one of the popular attractions and a must-visit during summer. It is where you can witness an abundance of vivid colors with an impressive vast land of a flower blooming from June to early October every year. However, Farm Tomita gain its popularity by its vast land of stunning lavender fields. One destination I would recommend not to miss if you are in Hokkaido in Lavender season.

Our visit to Farm Tomita is not the popular Lavender season and we miss the chance to mesmerize lavender to full bloom. But still, there is still plenty of full bloom of flowers for us to take breathtaking photos. Several flower fields such as Japanese Poppies, Salvia, Begonias, and Bugle give a very colorful show.

Walking along the paths and enjoying sunshine and breeze makes us feel so refreshed and joyful. We were greeted by the rainbow flower field and we can even smell the flower in the air. We wandered around in the spectacular flower field and take endless photos with colorful flowers as a backdrop.

Next, we spend time touring the souvenir shops that keep us entertained during our visit. A variety of lavender souvenirs can get here such as lavender oil, lavender soap, dried lavender, and more. Don’t forget to try the lavender soft-serve ice cream which is so refreshing on a hot Summer day!

There is also a Tomita Melon House located next door to Tomita Farm. The refreshing melon was so delicious and sweet! Fresh fruit for a light meal. All in all, visiting Farm Tomita can easily take up half a day to enjoy the natural beauty.

Farm Tomita Travel Tips : Farm Tomita is easy to access by self-driving with ample parking available.

Entrance Fee: Free Map Code: 349 276 804*00

Saika no Santo

Next, we proceed to Saika no Santo from Farm Tomite. Compare with Farm Tomita, Saika no Sato is smaller and less crowded. It is located on the hill and surrounded by lush forest trees, overlooking the Furano landscape. The brightly colored flowers grown by the paths up the hill make a magnificent view. We even walk up to the hilltop to enjoy the beautiful valley view and the mountain beyond. The flower field in Saika no Santo is so gorgeous with a backdrop of mountains.

The Saiko no Santo is peaceful and serene. We spend about 1 hour here before proceeding to the next destination.

Getting to Saiko no Santo : 5 minutes drive from Farm Tomita.

Ningle Terrace

Our next destination is Ningle Terrace, a picturesque timber cottages village with many woodshops selling local produce and handmade souvenirs. It is located beside the Shin Furano Prince Hotel , a popular ski resort with a playground for snow activity in the winter.

Once we arrived, we will off to the romantic and cozy wooden huts. Each of the cottages housed skilled craftsmen working on specialty arts and souvenirs. The area, walkway, and cottages transform the Ningle Tringle into a fairy tale scene. The natural surroundings such as Pine trees, and waterfalls give off a dreamy vibe. Can’t imagine the magical scene on a winter night when the lights lit up with snowy cap white snow. 

We enjoyed our lovely walk in the romantic scene and hanging around to watch the craftsmen at work. It is an enchanting little area to visit even during the day.  Personally, I have enjoyed the peace of the area surrounded by trees and little wooden cottages. Too bad it was too crowded with tourists and the price is slightly expensive. We ended our visit to Ningle Terrace with a cup of coffee at one of the cabin cafes right in the middle of the woods. It was an enjoyable time to enjoy the serenity of the entire place. Worth to spend some time visiting.

Hokkaido Self Driving Tips : Recommended visiting during the evening time when fluorescent bulbs lit up and fewer people. However, take note that the road leading to Ningle Terrace can be quite dark and deserted. It is about 10 minutes by car from Furano Station.

Asahikawa Ramen Village

We end our day 1 Hokkaido self-drive itinerary with a satisfying bowl of ramen at Asahikawa Ramen Village . We actually planned to visit Furano Cheese Factory and Furano Wine Factory in our initial Hokkaido self-drive itinerary but ended skipped it to slow down our pace. You may include it if you have more time to spend.

Asahikawa Ramen Village houses of eight popular best ramen shops in Asahikawa. It is the best place to try a variety of famous Asahikawa Ramen in one easy location. Each shop with a menu located outside of the shop. But no worry, you wouldn’t go wrong with any one of them.

Our bowl of Asahikawa ramen in Asahikawa Ramen Village. It was not the first time we tasted the Asahikawa ramen. Asahikawa is known for its shoyu (soya sauce) based broth with thin hard noodles. The price is reasonable, about 800 yen. Ramen lover, don’t miss the chance!

After the flavorful ramen, we ended our first day Hokkaido Self-Drive itinerary and back to the hotel for good rest. But still, we spend some time at the AEON mall next to our hotel for some Japanese snacks and drinks. 

Getting to Asahikawa Ramen Village : 10 minutes drive from our hotel JR Inn Asahikawa .

Asahikawa Ramen Village Opening Hours: From 11:00 to 20:00 Map Code: 79 410 454*44

Day 2: Asahikawa, Biei

Next, our second day of the Hokkaido road trip itinerary is Biei, a majestic rural area with an hour’s drive from Asahikawa. Again, the driving journey is full of incredible scenery and we took longer than we planned.

We visited Shikisai no Oka, Shirogane Blue Pond, and the Shirahige waterfall and spend the time mesmerizing the beautiful hilly scenery at Patchwork Road and Panorama Road.

Shikisai no Oka

The Shikisai no Oka (四季彩の丘) is an amazing flower garden, stretching across seven hectares of land on Oka no machi Biei. The “rainbow field” is definitely our favorite attraction for our Hokkaido self-drive itinerary. We had a marvelous tour of the colorful, striped fields which is truly amazing. The hilly flower field can be tough for the elderly, so we decided to ride the tractor-pulled buggy which cost us 500 yen.

We had a great time taking photos of the colorful flower fields. The layered strips of color against the backdrop of the magnificent mountain range were all worth it. A feast for our eyes and an experience that we never forget.

This is why so many people flocked to Hokkaido every summer! Such a beautiful sight!

There’s an Alpaca farm on-site to keep the kids and adults entertained. The entrance fee is 500yen per pax and we also paid an additional 100 yen for a small basket to feed and touch the alpaca.

Shikisai no Oka Travel Tips : No entrance fee to enter the Shikisai no Oka but you may do a 200 yen donation to maintain the flower field. We were happy to donate as the workers worked hard to maintain the magnificent flower field. Besides, the parking fare will be waived if you are spending in the restaurant on the second floor.

Shirogane Blue Pond

Next, we drove along the scenic journey to Shirogane Blue Pond (青い池) . For Mac users, the Shirogane Blue Pond is where you see your desktop wallpaper come to life. The color of the blue pond will be different depending on the amount of sunlight.

I visited Shirogane Blue Pond by public bus during my last visit to Hokkaido. The time spent here was limited and rushed in order to catch the bus schedule. So this round we can spend more time mesmerized by the colorful Blue Pond freely. Just follow the one-way footpath to walk around the pond. A calm and picturesque attraction in Biei.

Entrance Fee : Free Map Code : 349 569 814*88

Shirahige waterfall

Just a 5-minute drive from the Blue Pond is an easily accessible but scenic waterfall: Shirahige waterfall . So it is worth coupling together if you’re visiting Shirogane Blue Pond.

There is plenty of car park available nearby. We parked pretty close by and the waterfall can be viewed from the bridge with few steps away. The deep turquoise blues and mineral-rich blue waters made the sight. Besides, this is the blue water from the river that flows into the Shirogane Blue Pond. Simply beautifully. We spend about 30 minutes at the viewpoint.

Entrance Fee : Free Map Code : 796 182 575*30

Patchwork Road and Panorama Road

Time to make your way to the beautiful landscape of Biei to Patchwork Road and Panorama Road. In fact, Biei is surrounded by vast expanses of the hill with Patchwork Road located in the northwest while Panorama Road is in the south of town. The never-ending rolling hill, wonderful scene, and picturesque farm make it an enjoyable driving journey.

There are a few popular spots to take a photo along the driving journey. Some of the spots are even filmed in the TV commercial such as Ken & Marry trees, Seven Star Trees, Mild Seven Hill, and more.

In fact, I visited those amazing scenery by cycling during the summer a few years back. Read more if you are planning on a physically demanding itinerary like me!

Related Article : Furano Biei Cycling Trip to Patchwork Road and Panorama Road

Dinner with Genghis Khan

At the end of the day, we drove back to Asahikawa city and enjoy the Genghis Khan grill lamb, a must-eat when visiting Hokkaido. Jingisukan Daikokuya (成吉思汗大黒屋) probably serve the best Jingisukan in Hokkaido. We know this place three years ago and we’re still happy to go there again. It is a local restaurant with awesome local food.

We waited for about 30 minutes during our visit on weekdays to get into the restaurant. But the wait was worth it! The restaurant is full of a smoky smell but it makes me feel like entering an authentic local restaurant.

We ordered several servings of the Genghis Khan and of the marinated lamb and the vegetables. The taste was still amazing like what we had before. Truly a delicious meal.

We enjoyed dinner and will visit again if we are in Asahikawa again!

Hokkaido Self Driving Itinerary

All in all, hopefully, you can get an idea of how to plan your Hokkaido self-drive itinerary to Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa for 2-3 days. Bear in mind, don’t visit Hokkaido in a rush. Make sure you have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. These areas are truly one of the most beautiful places we have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Our recommended Hokkaido self-drive itinerary is only focused on Furano, Biei, and Asahikawa. But, make no mistake with it. Hokkaido is truly huge and we are only spending 2 days in these places for the flower field itinerary which is hardly accessible by public transport. If you are interested, you may read on our travel blog about other attractive places in Hokkaido.

• Best Hokkaido itinerary in Summer
• Things to do in Sapporo by 2-Days
• Where To Stay in Sapporo: Best Accommodation Guide
• Day trip to Otaru and Nikka Whisky Distillery

Travel Blog to Hakodate, Lake Toya, and Noboribetsu

• Hakodate, the historical city in Hokkaido
• Lake Toya Itinerary: Mt Usu, Onsen, Firework And More
• Noboribetsu itinerary: The Best Therapeutic Onsen in Japan
• Where To Stay in Noboribetsu: Best Onsen Ryokan Pick

Best Onsen Hotel in Noboribetsu: Daiichi Takimotokan Review

Hokkaido Transportation Guide:

• How to visit Hokkaido by flight, train, bus, car
• How to travel and save with JR Hokkaido Rail Pass

Now, it’s time to experience the magical place for yourself, friends, and family members.

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