hokkaido tourist map

UU Hokkaido Tourist Map

Marumaru HOKKAIDO = Hokkaido MAP for 2024 has been completed.

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

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

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Hokkaido (�k�C��, Hokkaidō) is the second largest, northernmost and least developed of Japan's four main islands. Its weather is harsh in winter with lots of snowfall , below zero temperatures and frozen seas , while in summer it does not get as hot and humid as in the other parts of the country .

With its unspoiled nature , many national parks and rural landscapes, Hokkaido attracts many outdoor lovers, including skiers and snowboarders in the colder seasons and hikers , cyclists and campers from June to September.

Top destinations in Hokkaido

Niseko •

Furano •

Sapporo •

Noboribetsu •

Hakodate •

Otaru •

Jozankei Onsen

Kiroro Ski Resort

Shiretoko ••

Rishiri and Rebun ••

Daisetsuzan ••

Onuma Park •

Akan Mashu National Park •

Lake Toya •

Lake Shikotsu •

Kushiro Marshlands

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Hokkaido government, northern road navi.

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Hokkaido Hokkaido Explore Japan's northernmost prefecture

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

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

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

How to Get There

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

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

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

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Cherry Blossoms

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Explore Hokkaido by Area

Trending Attractions in Hokkaido

Local Specialties

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

Hakodate Ramen

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

Obihiro Butadon

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

Hokkaido Seafood

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

Ishikari Nabe

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

Muroran Yakitori

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

Bibai Yakitori

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

Sapporo Ramen

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

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

Kushiro Kattedon

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

Okhotsk Atka Mackerel

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

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

Yubari Melon

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

Asahikawa Ramen

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

Traditional Ainu Crafts

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

Nibutani Trays

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

Nibutani Tree-Bark Textiles

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

Yakumo Wood-Carved Bears

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

Bolta Figurines

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

Seasonal Highlights

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

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

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

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

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Your Trip to Hokkaido: The Complete Guide

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

Planning Your Trip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Things to Do

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

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

What to Eat and Drink

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay

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

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

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

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

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

Getting There

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

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

Culture and Customs

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

Money Saving Tips

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

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

Hokkaido Tourism Organization. " About Hokkaido ."

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

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

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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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Vast wildnerness and a winter wonderland

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In 2014, Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaidō ) defended its number 1 position on the annual Prefectural Attractiveness Ranking (conducted by the Brand Research Institute) for the 6th year running, virtually making it a must-visit if you have time. First inhabited by the Ainu people, Hokkaido has its own very unique culture.

Some of the most delicious food in Japan can be found in Hokkaido, including seafood, miso ramen, agricultural products, and meat (especially mutton and lamb).

In terms of places to visit, Hokkaido isn’t just the winter resort many believe it to be, although the slopes in the Niseko area are among the best ski resorts in the world. Escape the heat and enjoy the beautiful lavender fields in Furano in the summer, while the fun Asahiyama Zoo and stunning Shiretoko Peninsula are just two of the many popular tourist destinations of Hokkaido.

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

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

Understand [ edit ]

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

History [ edit ]

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

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

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

Climate [ edit ]

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

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

Tourist Information Site [ edit ]

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

Regions [ edit ]

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

Cities [ edit ]

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

Other destinations [ edit ]

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

National parks [ edit ]

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

Talk [ edit ]

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

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

Get in [ edit ]

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

By plane [ edit ]

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

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

By train [ edit ]

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

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

There are car rental facilities just outside the station.

Seishun 18 Ticket [ edit ]

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

By ferry [ edit ]

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

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

Get around [ edit ]

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

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

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

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

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

By bus [ edit ]

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

By car [ edit ]

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

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

By bike [ edit ]

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

By thumb [ edit ]

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

See also: Hitchhiking in Japan

See [ edit ]

Castles [ edit ]

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

Gardens [ edit ]

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

Nature [ edit ]

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

Do [ edit ]

Hiking [ edit ].

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

Skiing [ edit ]

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

Hot springs [ edit ]

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

Eat [ edit ]

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

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

Other Hokkaido classics include:

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

Drink [ edit ]

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

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

Sleep [ edit ]

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

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

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

Stay safe [ edit ]

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

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

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

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

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

Respect [ edit ]

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

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

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Hokkaidō (北海道) is the Japan of wide-open spaces, with 20% of the country's land area but only 5% of its population. There are large swathes of wilderness here, with primeval forests, tropical-blue caldera lakes, fields of alpine wildflowers and bubbling, in-the-rough hot springs. In the summer, all this (plus the cooler, drier weather) draws hikers, cyclists and strollers.

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Otaru Canal

Historic Otaru canal is lined with warehouses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries when this port city served as the financial centre of Hokkaidō…

Considered by many to be Japan's most beautiful lake, Mashū-ko once held the world record for water clarity. The island in the middle was known by the…

Hakodate-yama

Mention you've been to Hakodate and every Japanese person you know will ask if you took in the night view from atop Hakodate-yama (334m) – it's that…

Sapporo Beer Museum

This legendary Sapporo attraction is in the original Sapporo Beer brewery, a pretty, ivy-covered brick building. There's no need to sign up for the tour;…

This haven in the heart of the city is fully 13 blocks (1.5km) long, with the TV Tower at its eastern end. Among the green lawns and flower gardens are…

This collection of shops and households is actually the largest Ainu village in Hokkaidō. Residents make a living promoting their culture: dancing on the…

Hakodate Morning Market

With crabs grilling over hot coals, freshly caught squid packed tightly in ice-stuffed styrofoam and the sing-song call of vendors, Hakodate Morning…

Kussharo-ko

Japan's largest caldera lake is a rich blue on sunny days. A small volcano peeks out from the centre, creating the island Naka-jima – best viewed from the…

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Hokkaidō and beyond

Hokkaido Road Trip: The Perfect 10 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: February 10, 2023

Categories Japan

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary: a 10 day Hokkaido road trip

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

Road trip Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

Our Hokkaido road trip itinerary: map

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

Click here for the interactive Hokkaido road map

Hokkaido trip itinerary

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

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

Our Hokkaido travel plan: facts and figures

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

Things to know about a Hokkaido road trip

Is it safe to drive in hokkaido.

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

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

Can I use the JR Pass to get around Hokkaido?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the best time to visit Hokkaido?

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

A Hokkaido road trip in spring

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

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in the summer

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

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in autumn

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

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

A Hokkaido road trip in winter

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

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

Where to stay on Hokkaido

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

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

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

How to find accommodation during Golden Week

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 1: Lake Shikotsu

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

Pick up your rental car

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

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

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

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

Go hiking along the shores of Lake Shikotsu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: €12,80/$14.

Places to stay near Lake Shikotsu

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 2: Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Tōya

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

Noboribetsu Onsen

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

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

Visit Jigokudani (also known as Hell Valley)

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

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

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

Oyunuma Pond

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

Lake Kuttara

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: €7,20/$8.

Hokkaido itinerary day 3: driving South (to Hakodate)

Itinerary: Nakatoya Camping Ground – Hotel WBF Hakodate

The kindness of Japanese people

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

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

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

I was speechless… And very grateful .

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

Relax in an onsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to book hotel WBF Hakodate

Hokkaido itinerary day 4: Hakodate and around

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

Goryōkaku Castle

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

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

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

Hakodate Mountain walking trails

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

Hakodate historic village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Price per night: free!

Hokkaido itinerary day 5: Matsumae Castle and Onuma Park

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

Visit Matsumae Castle

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

Explore Onuma Quasi-National Park

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

Admire the Lake Toya Fireworks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 6: driving North

Itinerary: Toyako Parking Lot – Shin Furano Prince hotel

Admire the view

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

Eat the best Maze Soba Tempura in Furano

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

Relax in a spa (onsen)

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to book the Shin Furano Prince hotel

Hokkaido itinerary day 7: Furano and around

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

Visit the Furano cheese factory

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

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

Do a tasting at Furano wine factory

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

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

Visit Farm Tomita in Furano

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

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

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

Drive the Rollercoaster Road

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

The Blue Pond

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

Drive around Furano valley

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

Visit the Glass Forest

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

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

Enjoy the good life

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 8: Asahidake Onsen

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

Hiking in the snow at Asahidake Onsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Road through Daisetzusan National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hokkaido itinerary day 10: Lake Akan and around

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

Lake Akan nature walk

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

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

Visit the Akan Eco Museum

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

Hike around Lake Onetto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More things to do on Hokkaido

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

Sapporo Snow Festival

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

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

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

Check the official site for more information.

Shiretoko National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Road trip in Hokkaido: conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This post was updated in January 2023 .

Sunday 15th of September 2019

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

Friday 20th of September 2019

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

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

Have a great trip! Lotte

Friday 12th of July 2019

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

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

Saturday 20th of July 2019

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

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

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

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

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

Oodledoodles

Monday 18th of February 2019

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

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

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

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

Sunday 3rd of March 2019

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

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

Wednesday 30th of January 2019

Hello Lotte!

Thank you so much for this!

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

Thank you Yessi

Friday 1st of February 2019

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

Friday 7th of September 2018

Hi Lotte - what a great read!

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday 19th of September 2018

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

Hokkaido Tourism Information to be shared around the world

Enjoy Slow Travel in Hokkaido!

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

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

photo：Souya-Highland White Road

2024 Tax Free and Souvenirs in Hokkaido

Souvenir stores and supermarkets are the best places to buy souvenirs in Hokkaido. Why don’t you look for souvenirs to commemorate your trip?

Hokkaido Town Walks and Short Trips

Introducing hokkaido's town walks, recommended courses, and themes perfect for a short trip., photo：yafurai tenmangu, introduction to hokkaido towns.

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

#Sapporo 　 #Otaru 　　 #Asahikawa 　 #Kamikawa 　 #Nakafurano 　 #Hakodate 　 #Hokuto 　 #Kikonai 　 #Esashi 　 #Shikabe 　 #Nanae 　 #Mori 　 #Obihiro 　 #Kushiro-Akan 　 #Nemuro 　 #Kitami 　 #Abashiri 　 #Tsubetsu 　 #Teshikaga 　 #Shiretoko

Explore Hokkaido in Depth

This section features hokkaido's unique seasonal scenery, cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, wineries, animals, and other must-visit spots. why not find your favorite.

#Nature parks 　 #Hokkaido’s four seasons 　 #Hokkaido flowers 　 #Autumn leaf spots 　 #Ainu culture 　 #Beef from Hokkaido 　 #Wineries 　 #Jomon ruins 　 #Hokkaido ships

Transportation in Hokkaido

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

#Special Ride Tickets and Rides 　 #Intercity bus 　 #JR Hokkaido 　 #Ferry 　 #Expressway 　 #Sightseeing bus 　 #Akan Chauffeur Tours 　 #Discount tickets 　 #Bus lines connecting Hokkaido

Delicious gourmet food in the towns

We have carefully selected Hokkaido menus and featured restaurants that offer menus that can be ordered by pointing in foreign languages and hope that you will visit them. These are all famous restaurants that are attracting attention locally.

Onsen Heaven in Hokkaido

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

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

Sightseeing spots in hokkaido, introduces 1,500 sightseeing spots in hokkaido by area., photo：mt. asahidake.

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

#digital map Gnome 　 #UU Hokkaido (multilingual) Map

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The 24 Best Places to Visit in Hokkaido, Japan

Hokkaido is a region in the northern part of Japan where nature flourishes and is one of the most-visited places by tourists and locals. Hokkaido has snow-covered mountains, hot springs, lush valleys, and coastal towns.

In Hokkaido, you can experience marshlands, mountains, and developed cities with history and culture like Sapporo in one trip. The popular tourist Places to Visit in Hokkaido include national parks, lake Tōya , skiing spots, and art galleries.

You can enjoy many activities in Hokkaido, including skiing, snowshoeing, watching festivals, shopping in the markets, and gaming in the arcades.

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE?

Places to visit in Hokkaido Japan.

1. exploring lake tōya.

Lake Tōya is one of the foremost tourist attractions in Hokkaido and a must-visit place that is blessed with flora and fauna. The lake is a part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, and it’s a caldera lake that formed from volcanic activity.

The natural surroundings of the lake are so beautiful that it has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Great Views. As the lake is formed from volcanic activity, you will also find an active volcano near Lake Tōya. And the volcano is known as Mount Usu, which last erupted in the year 2000.

Here you will also find a hot spring resort, Toyoko Onsen, where you can relax and enjoy the views of the lake. If you wish to watch the night view of the lake, you can stay overnight at the resort.

Address: 29, Toya-ko Onsen, Toya-ko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido

2. Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is one of the most beautiful sights in Japan, but it’s located on the Shiretoko Peninsula, which is Hokkaido’s farthest northeastern cape, so the park is a comparatively less travelled national park. At the same time, it’s one of Japan’s most pristine national parks and has matchless beauty.

Shiretoko National Park encompasses 390 square kilometres of land and approximately 220 square kilometres of the seashore. So the park covers the ocean, river, and forest as well, and the views of it change dramatically according to the seasons.

And the park is home to wildlife, including brown bears, deer, Blakiston’s fish, owls, foxes, and orcas. You can only get access to the peninsula’s northern tip by boat ride or a multi-day trekking tour.

The summer offers hiking and cycling activities through meadows and mountain roads in the Shiretoko National Park. During the Winter, you will find ice floating in the Sea of Okhotsk, and you can walk on drifting ice or snowshoe through frozen forests.

Address: Onnebetsumura, Shari, Shari District, Hokkaido

3. Daisetsuzan National Park

Daisetsuzan National Park is famous for being the largest national park in Japan, with an area of 2,268 square kilometres. At the same time, the park houses the two most important mountains of Hokkaido.

The first one is Mount Asahi-dake (2,291 meters), which is the highest mountain in Hokkaido, and Mount Kurodake (1,984 meters), one of the most easily accessible mountain peaks. Both are significant and give a mesmerizing view of the park.

Hiking and climbing are the must-do activities at Daisetsuzan National Park. Beginners can start their hiking from Mount Kurodake, which has a ropeway and chair lift. And adventure seekers can opt for Mount Asahi-Dake.

After hiking, you can also heal your fatigue at one of the several hot springs that are placed around the mountain range. Apart from this, you will also find a wide variety of flora and fauna at this park, and some of them are rare species like brown bears, pikas, the Ezo red fox, etc.

Address: Sounkyo, Kamikawa, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 078-1701

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 05:30 pm (closed on Monday)

4. Shirogane Blue Pond: A Bustling Adventure Paradise

Hardly anyone hasn’t seen the photograph of this mystical blue pond, as it was used by Apple for their OS X Mountain Lion. Shirogane Blue Pond is located in Biei, which is also famous for being a member of The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.

The Blue Pond is undoubtedly a natural wonder, but it’s an artificial lake that was created from a dam in 1988 to prevent mudflow from the Bieigawa River . The unreal blue colour of the lake is the result of aluminium hydroxide, which changes depending on the weather and seasons.

It progresses from a light milky blue to a deep green turquoise. But colour is not the only thing that gives the pond a mystical look. The pond houses Japanese larch and silver birch trees that have grown all around the pond.

But the uniqueness of these trees is that they’re dead and haven’t shaded any leaves in the middle of the pond, which creates a dark fantasy look.

Address: Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235

Opening hours: always open

5. Otaru Aquarium

Otaru is a beautiful small harbour city in Hokkaido that offers several attractions to its visitors, and Otaru Aquarium is one of the best and must-visit attractions in the city. It’s the largest aquarium in Hokkaido and welcomes nearly 350,000 visitors annually.

This aquarium is also one of the world’s oldest; it was originally built in 1959 and housed nearly 5,000 cold and warm sea creatures of 250 different species. Though some parts of this aquarium are backdated, you will still find numerous unique aspects here to entertain you.

The highlights of Otaru Aquarium are the amazing shows that are arranged throughout the entire aquarium. You’ll get to watch events like the penguin walk, the dolphin show, the sea lion show, the seal show, and the walrus feeding. These shows are arranged three times a day. So it’s okay if you miss one show, you can always catch another one.

Address: 3 Chome-303 Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0047

Opening hours: Daily 09:00 am to 05:00 pm

 6. Mount Hakodate

Hakodate is another beautiful city in Hokkaido, and the city’s highlight is Mount Hakodate, which is situated at the height of 334 metres above sea level. The mountaintop will give you a panoramic view of the city.

You can reach the top of the mountain tower either by taking an aerial gondola or a bus up to the mountaintop. The night view is more enchanting when the city decorates itself with incredible lights and colours.

If you visit Mount Hakodate in the Winter , you can go for a snow walk along the trail and see a beautiful winter scene. It can be one of the most unforgettable experiences for you.

Address: Hakodateyama, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0000

Fees: Adults ¥660 & Children ¥330 (this fee is required if you use the ropeway to get up the mountain).

7. Hokkaido Shrine

Hokkaido Shrine is a popular spring attraction in Hokkaido. If you’re in Hokkaido from early to mid-May, you must not miss the Hanami or flower viewing festival, celebrated by the locals at this temple. Because 1,500 cherry blossom trees surround the temple, all of these trees are in full bloom during the spring season. So, nothing can be more romantic than watching this natural splendour.

Apart from Hanami , Japanese New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are two of the biggest festivals celebrated at Hokkaido Shrine. During the New Year festival, people come to the temple with their families to get blessings for the upcoming days.

Hokkaido Shrine was mainly constructed in 1871 to enshrine three deities, Ōkunitama, Okuninushi, and Sukunahikona, under the order of Emperor Meiji. It is also said that the temple holds the soul of Emperor Meiji.

You can walk freely all around the shrine and take pictures of its beauty. And if you’re lucky enough, you’ll also get to see traditional Japanese weddings.

Address: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-8505

Opening hours: Daily 06:00 am to 04:00 pm

 8. Mount Moiwa

One of the best places to have an excellent night view of the city of Sapporo is Mount Moiwa . The mountain is located in the heart of Sapporo and has a height of 531 meters, providing visitors with a panoramic view of the entire city.

From the mountain top, you can get a 360-degree view of the city and the views of Ishikari Plain and Ishikari Bay. The Viewing Point of Mt. Moiwa is ideal for romantic dates. Even the place is also known as the “holy ground for lovers,” and there is a belief that if a couple locks up a padlock on the surrounding handrail, they will be together forever.

During your climb to the mountain, you will also get acquainted with several exotic animals like the titmouse, the Hokkaido squirrel, the Ezo red fox, and the Ezo owl.

Address: Moiwayama, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0041

9. Sapporo Beer Museum

The birthplace of beer in Japan is Hokkaido, and the oldest beer brand in this country is Sapporo Beer . So naturally, no place can tell the history of beer in Japan more accurately than Sapporo Beer Museum .

The museum was opened in 1987 to introduce visitors to the history of beer in Japan and the process of beer making. It was a brewery during the Meiji period, and after the 1980s, it became a beer museum.

Sapporo Beer Museum offers a free tour and a premium tour; you can choose any of them. After the exhibitions of a free tour, you can taste some authentic beer at a small charge.

And if you wish to have more beer, there is the Sapporo Beer Garden, just next to the museum, where you’ll get several beer halls to satisfy your beer thirst.

Address: 9 Chome-1-1 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Hokkaido 065-8633

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 06:00 pm (closed on Monday)

10. Asahiyama Zoo

You might think that a zoo is boring to watch animals, but it’s also a safe place to watch wildlife. Moreover, Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido offers a magnificently well-designed enclosure that allows visitors to watch these animals from a closer distance than usual.

Asahiyama Zoo has the reputation of being one of the best and most popular zoos in Japan because of its rare collection of animals, such as polar bears, wolves, penguins, and foxes. A family tour or half-day trip can be a great way to explore this wildlife.

If you visit the zoo in Winter, you can enjoy the famous “penguin walk”, which is the biggest highlight of this zoo. The king penguins go on a parade during these days, and the rest of the penguins follow them. Depending on their health, they walk twice a day.

Address: Kuranuma Higashiasahikawacho, Asahikawa, Hokkaido

Opening hours: Daily 09:30 am to 05:15 pm

Fees: Adults¥820

11. Sapporo Snow Festival

If you wish to watch Hokkaido with a unique view, you should certainly not miss Sapporo Snow Festival . Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, hosts this festival for a week every year in February. It’s a traditional show festival that started in 1950 and has become one of Japan’s most famous winter events.

Every year two million visitors gather here, not only from Japan but from abroad as well. The main highlight of this festival is the gigantic show and ice sculptures. It showcases nearly 200 snow and ice sculptures. From temples to cartoon characters, everything has been depicted through these sculptures.

The event has spread across three sites in the city, including Odori Park, Tsudome, and Susukino. The main venue of this festival is Odori Park, from where you will get the best view of the event. Apart from the sculptures, you will get to enjoy several concerts as well as other events here.

Address: Odori Park, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido

12. Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

Jigokudani means Hell Valley in English. It’s a natural hot spring that is located right next to Noboribetsu Onsen . The surrounding air is hot like hell, which you can feel on your skin, and that’s why the place is traditionally known as a gateway to hell.

Jigokudani is surrounded by primaeval forest, creating a spectacular fall view because of its foliage. Though the environment is unusual and filled with sulphur gasses, you can still have a great trip to witness this natural phenomenon.

Moreover, the surrounding mountains are also easy to access, so you’ll find no difficulty during the hike. And if you want to have the best shots at Jigokudani (Hell Valley), follow the photo areas that are marked on your trail maps.

Address: 無番地 Noboribetsuonsencho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

Opening hours: Daily 08:00 am to 06:00 pm

13. Farm Tomita

Farm Tomita is the place where I can spend the rest of my life. It’s so beautiful that it has become one of the leading tourist spots in Hokkaido, and over 1 million people visit the farm from all over Japan and the world.

The highlight of Farm Tomita is the 15-hectare lavender field and the flowers. But to watch this breathtaking purple carpet, you have to make your visit from late June to early August when lavender blooms. The wonderful view and the scent of lavender attract numerous visitors to this farm, and it’s the most popular lavender viewing point in the Furano area.

Apart from enjoying the spectacular view of purple lavenders, you can also taste some lavender-flavoured ice cream and pastries here. These delicacies are available at nearby shops.

Address: １５号 Kisenkita, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido

14. Rusutsu Amusement Park

Are you searching for an entertainment centre in Hokkaido? Then look no further. Rusutsu Amusement Park is one of the best family entertainment parks here. This amusement park offers so many wonders and attractions that you will need more than a day to explore it.

The park houses roller coasters, thrill rides, a kart & train, kid’s land, a safari, a Ferris wheel, a mountain road, and indoor and outdoor facilities. Not only that, here you’ll get to explore three mountains as well, namely Mount Isola, East Mountain, and West Mountain. The park will provide trail maps and necessary elements for your hiking.

Rusutsu in summer and Rusutsu in Winter have different looks, and both are super entertaining. In the summer season, you can visit the natural beauty of this park, do many water activities and play golf. On the other hand,  in the Winter, Rusutsu Amusement Park offers many dynamic hospitalities to its visitors.

15. Noboribetsu Onsen

Natural Spring water comes down to Hell Valley. And Nooribetsu Onsen/ Noboribetsu Hotspring is Japan’s most famous hot spring resort town. The hospitality of most of the places is unforgettable. To travel, you must get to the Noboribetsu station on the JR Muroran line.

Noboribetsu Onsen resort town has a lot of resorts/ ryokans that open their baths to non-staying guests as well during the daytime. The experience of the bath is rejuvenating. Some of the well-known resorts in Noboribetsu are Daiichi Takimotokan, Noboribetsu Grand Hotel, Noboribetsu Sekisuitei, Saigiriyu Public Bath etc.

The cost of the baths generally ranges between ¥700 to¥1000. Enjoying the indoor or private outdoor open-air bath is a must for tourists. Most of the time, you will get small towels, food and hospitality services in the bathhouse.

Opening Hours:   Varies from hotel to hotel (

Fees: ¥700to ¥2000

16. Shiroi koibito park

A must-visit place in Hokkaido is the one-of-a-kind shiroi koibito park . The park is in Sapporo. It is a chocolate-themed park where young and adult audiences enjoy different chocolate flavours produced by the famous chocolate brand in Japan, Shiroi Koibito. Shiroi Koibito park is made in English architecture.

Visitors can enjoy the chocolate-making shows, chocotopia factory tours, and tasting samples. Also, there are ample activities. Tourists take part in courses like cookie making & chocolate making courses. Shiroi Koibito park has a chocolate lounge where tourists can enjoy drinks and food.

Kids can have a lot of fun in the miniature Gulliver town. Shiroi Koibito park has a Cacao Pod learning centre and Chocolate Cup Shop where visitors can have an immersive experience of their mouth-melting chocolate along with fun activities.

Shiroi Koibito park also offers birthday rewards. You will have free entry upon showing your birth certificate at the ticket centre.

Address: 11-36 Miyanosawa 2-jo 2-chome, Nishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Entry Fees: ¥300 to ¥800  ( Varies for local and outside tourists)

17. Lake Mashu

Lake Mashu is a beautiful Caldera Lake in Akan Mashu national park. Lake Mashu is located in the Teshikiga towns and is just a 15–20-minute drive from the Teshikiga town to the reserved National Park. Lake Mashu is often referred to as the clearest lake on this planet, being a picturesque crater lake with a mountain backdrop.

Lake Mashu is created in the caldera of a potentially active volcano. Lake Mashu sits 351m above the lake and has a 21km shoreline. The water is so clear and gets folded within the folds of fog in the morning and reveals its mysterious beauty suddenly. There is no way down to the lake, but the sky above Lake Mashu is generally filled with stars, and the stargazing tour is quite popular among visitors of Lake Mashu.

Address: Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido

18. The Hokkaido University Museum

The Hokkaido University Museum is a museum located on the Hokkaido University campus. Hokkaido University museum houses more than four million materials that were collected in the hundred fifty year of its establishment.

Hokkaido University Museum is just a 10-minute walk away from the north of Sapporo station. Hokkaido University Museum has a great collection of 4 million specimens of 13000 species and academic resources. The Hokkaido University Museum collection can be broken up into:

• Land plants1,50,000
• Fungi 1,70,000
• Marine Algae: 1,40,000
• Extinct plants & animals: 20,000
• 30,000 Archeological Specimen
• 71,350 Rocks/Minerals specimen
• 12,883 type specimens

The Hokkaido university has a history of Hokkaido University & museum laboratory on the first floor. On the second floor, they have an interactive zone and head unit. On the third floor, the museum’s tore unit is located.

Address: 8 Chome Kita 10 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Entry Fee: Free

19. Ningle Terrace

The Ningle Terrace is a picturesque cottage where each cottage sets up stalls to sell items to tourists. The picturesque, clean village set up in the woods is a splendid experience for tourists. Ningle Terrace is created using natural materials with timber buildings, and the beautiful waterfall makes the village more charming; the half-day chauffeur tour to the boutique houses and farm tomita is a must.

The village in the woods looks like a fairy village where you can see workshops showing traditional crafts and the owners showcasing the process.

Experience an immersive experience of day and night when the lights are up in the white snow. The best places to visit during the hike to the village are the blue pond, Ashaiyama zoo, Aoiike, and Farm Tomita. Enjoy watching handmade items and a soothing, relaxing experience in the cafe.

The cafe ” Coffee Mori No Tokei” gives a great variety of hot and cold drinks, cheese platter, and a whole range of ice creams. The cafe’s name literally translates to the forest cloak, as a thin layer of snow covers the cafe.

Address: Nakagoryo, Furano, Hokkaido 076-851

20. Shikisai-no-Oka

Shikisai-no-oka literally translates to four seasons hill. It’s a panoramic flower garden on a hill stretched across 15 acres. Shikisai-no-oka is carpeted with colourful flowers in almost a rainbow pattern. Shikisai-no-oka flower garden is in full bloom from April to October.

Shikisai-no-oka is easily accessible by train on the JR Furano Line. You will have to go to Bibaushi station and walk around 25-minutes from there.

Shikisai-no-oka flower hill is one of the best attractions of Hokkaido. Walk through the patterned rows of the flower garden. You will also see a lot of small stalls, including food stalls. This place is definitely an Instagram-worthy place.

Address: 〒071-0473 Hokkaido, Kamikawa District, Biei

21. Sapporo Art Park

Sapporo Art Park is a form of art and culture. The Sapporo Art Park is divided into two main parts that are Sapporo Museum & Sapporo sculpture garden. Sapporo Art Park exhibits the art and craft of Sapporo City. The Sapporo Art Park rents out places for art events. Sapporo Art Park focuses on pottery, dyeing, weaving, and woodwork educational projects. You will see a lot of masterpieces in the Sculpture garden.

The Sapporo Art Park also has Sapporo Art Centre, craft halls, and a sculpture studio. The art park exhibits permanent sculptures from artists from Japan and abroad. The art park also has a cafeteria and restaurant for chil. You should also visit their art museum shop, “Polaire”, and craft hall shop “, Vest Pocket”. The park has facilities for group visits, a free shuttle, a children-friendly environment, and handicap-friendly facilities.

Address: Geijutsunomori, 2 Chome

Opening Hours: 9:45 am to 5:00 pm

22. Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Tanukikoji Shopping Street is in the heart of Hokkaido. The long stretch of the street is filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, stores, and eateries. Go on a shopping spree on Tanukikoji street, where you can find shoe stores, art stores, boutiques, and arcades.

You will find the best merchandise and food in Hokkaido on Tanukikoji street . Spend some time looking for items for yourself, friends, and family. You can visit the gaming arcades, and there is a beer garden at the end of the streets. You will also find a lot of tax-free shops for tourists on the street.

23. Historical Village of Hokkaido

The historical village of Hokkaido is one of the greatest sightseeing places. The open-air museum in the suburbs of Sapporo was opened in 1983. The historical village includes 52 historic structures. The main attractions of the historical village of Hokkaido are Otaru Canal Museum & Information Centre, Tokai Lavendar field, Urahoro Shrine, Onnennai Visitor’s Centre, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, Marsh Observatory, Obihiro Shrine, and Kushiro City Museum.

The historical village opened in 1983, and the historical structures were made during the Meiji Period and Showa Period. The village is divided into a fishing area, a farm village, a mountain village and more.

You will find the list of admission fees in the area for tickets age-wise. After passing the entrance, you will see the main building, which is the Sapporo Station Building. Revisit the history and go back in time as you walk around the village.

In Summer, you will see a horse-drawn trolley and a sleigh along the main street in Winter. Events like farm work and handicraft workshops are held periodically. You will see the old architecture of inns in Japan, traditional craftsmanship, and lifestyle as you roam around the village.

Address:   Konopporo-50-1 Atsubetsucho, Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 004-0006

Entry Fee: Free for  seniors (over 65) and children (under 14) , ￥800 – Adults (15-64), ￥700 – Adults groups (10 people or more)￥600 – College & High school students,￥500 – College groups (10 people or more), Free  for  seniors (over 65) and children (under 14)

Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm/6:00 pm

24. Furano ski resort

The Furano Ski Resort is the northernmost ski resort owned and managed by Prince Hotels. Furano Ski Resort has two zones for visitors. They are Furano and Kitanomine. The Furano zone is open for skiing from 20th November to 8th May, and the Kitanomine zone is open for skiing from mid-December to March. Furano ski resort is spread across 174 acres with 28 trails. The maximum run the length of the skiing area is 4,000m.

You can reach the skiing area by the 101 Furano ropeway. On the ropeway, the visitors will get a splendid view of the Dasietsuzan range. The ski resort has programs for all levels, including beginner, intermediate, and professional.

Along with enjoying skiing, Furano ski resort also has shops and hot springs to have a dip and enjoy a good time. Just beside skiing, the city of Furano is well known for sightseeing. The lavender fields, poppy, and Lillie fields are mesmerizing during Spring.

Entry Fee: Tickets here cost as per the duration of skiing. A full day of skiing in the regular season costs ￥6500, and in the early season ( Nov-Dec, March-May), ￥5000. For a 3-hour duration, the cost is ￥3000; for a 5-hour duration, it costs ￥ 5700. For skiing during sunset, the fee is ￥5500, and for night skiing, the fee is ￥2500. The round trip of the Gandola ride cost ￥2500.

Address: Nakagoryo, Furano, Hokkaido 076-8511

Best time to visit Hokkaido

Visitors visit Hokkaido during both Summer and Winter.

Summertime activities: During the Summer, Hokkaido has pleasant weather and flower-filled fields. The month of June to August is a time of sunshine and colourful natural sites. During this time, nature is not too hot or humid and full of greenery. In early Spring and Summer, you can enjoy

• Snowshoeing
• Sapporo Yosakoi festival
• Trekking in Rishiri and Rebun Islands
• Visit local winery and cheese factory
• Visit Shirahige waterfall

Winter activities: Also, one of the other visitor seasons is December to January to enjoy the powdery snow, skiing and enjoy snow-covered mountains, and visiting cafes and ice festivals. Here are the top activities in Hokkaido in Winter that you can enjoy:

• Skiing the snow of Furano & Niseko
• Snowshoe touring
• Visit Sounkyo Ice Festival
• Enjoy the Sapporo Snow Festival in February

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) What is popular in Hokkaido?

Hokkaido is popular for its lush green Summers and blissful and rustic autumn, and snowy winters. The northern islands of Hokkaido are mostly known for fresh foods. The high mountains of the red light district and beautiful valleys that get flushed with flowers in Spring make Hokkaido a paradise for nature lovers.

Q) How many days in Hokkaido is enough?

To visit at least the main attractions of Hokkaido, including lake Toya, Hakodate, Shakotan, and Sapporo, at least 7 days will be required. Different corners of Hokkaido have different attractions. To enjoy Hokkaido’s most tempting attractions, 2 days will be spent in Sapporo, and the rest is visiting the mountains and islands.

Q) How far is Sapporo from Hokkaido?

If you are travelling by land, Sapporo is 12km by road from Hokkaido. Sapporo is a city located in Hokkaido itself.

Q) Is Hokkaido English friendly?

As in other regions of Japan, there will be a language barrier for English speakers in Hokkaido as well. In Hokkaido, people speak little to no English and prefer speaking Japanese. But, with a translation app on your phone and a map or guide, you will have no problems getting around.

Q) Does Hokkaido snow all year?

Hokkaido generally experiences snow during its coldest months which are January and February. Urban areas like Sapporo and Ashikawa also experience snow during that time. The mountains and higher altitude regions can experience snow till May.

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Hokkaido Guide

– all hokkaido, japan tourist information.

Otaru Canal Museum & Information Center

Tokai Lavender Fields

Urahoro Shrine

Onnenai Visitor Center

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

Kushiro Marsh Observatory

Obihiro Shrine

Kushiro City Museum

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

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

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

Travel Information

Sightseeing train guide.

SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train

The SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train runs through the white Kushiro Wetland. The red-crowned cranes and the Ezo deer can be seen from the train window if you are lucky!! There is a nature guide on board and you also can purchase the commemorative goods of SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train at the counter on the train.

Ryuhyo Monogatari Train

The Ryuhyo Monogatari Train connects between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari. You can see the Shiretoko Mountain Range in the distance and the Sea of Okhotsk covered with the drift ice. Enjoy the dynamic nature that cannot be seen anywhere else.

Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train

The Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train runs leisurely between Kushiro and Toro. You can enjoy the view of the Kushiro Wetland which is the biggest wetland in Japan from the place you cannot reach by car. Also, the wild animals can be seen from the train window. Fully enjoy the magnificent view of Hokkaido!

Furano Biei Norokko Train

The Furano Biei Norokko Train connects between Asahikawa and Furano. You can see the lavender fields in summer, and also the superb view of hills in Biei from the train window. Feel the Hokkaido's comfortable breeze from the big window!

Accommodation

• Tourist Attractions

Helpful Advice

• Around Sapporo Station
• Around Odori
• Around Susukino
• Around Nakajima Park
• Shiroishi-ku
• Atsubetsu-ku
• Toyohira-ku
• Ainu Culture
• Large Events
• Western Restaurant
• Seafood Izakaya
• Soba / Udon
• Yakinuku (Korean BBQ)
• Useful for traveling
• Basic information about Sapporo to help plan your visit

Hokkaido-Sapporo Tourist Information Center

At HOKKAIDO-SAPPORO “FOOD & TOURISM” INFORMATION CENTER in the west concourse of JR Sapporo Station, staff who speak Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean are standing by with a wealth of information for every time of year, from seasonal flowers to skiing, as well as a host of other services to help you make the most of your trip, such as Wi-Fi rental, currency exchange and a charging station. It’s the perfect place to get you started off in Sapporo on the right foot!

• Transportation in Hokkaido
• Transportation in Sapporo City

As a part of measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus,opening hours will be changed

At HOKKAIDO-SAPPORO “FOOD & TOURISM” INFORMATION CENTER in the west concourse of JR Sapporo Station, staff who speak Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean are standing by with a wealth of information for every time of year, from seasonal flowers to skiing, as well as a host of other services to help you make the most of your trip, such as Wi-Fi rental, currency exchange and a charging station. It’s the perfect place to get you started off in Sapporo on the right foot!

Facility Overview

Address: JR Sapporo West Concourse North Exit, Kita 6-jo Nishi 4-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo Hours: 8:30 am – 8:00 pm (excluding New Year’s holidays) Closed: None Languages supported: Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean

Facility Information

①Tourist Information Counter 　Staff speak Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean 　Transportation, dining, package tours, etc. information 　Same-day hotel availability 　Discount ticket and other tickets sales 　 Mobal SIM Card Pick Up ②Tourism Pamphlets ③Currency Exchange Machine ④Overseas Card-Compatible ATM ⑤Sightseeing Volunteers ⑥Hokkaido Universal Tourism Center, Sapporo 　Wheelchair and stroller rental ⑦JR Information Desk 　Hokkaido Rail Passes, JR tickets and other train services for overseas tourists ⑧Charging Station ⑨Mobile Battery Share Service (ChargeSPOT)　

Table of Contents

• Tourist Information Counter: Sightseeing and Event Information
• Tourism Pamphlets: Find Your Sightseeing Destination

Sightseeing Ticket and Package Sales: Travel on a Budget

Information on convenient services.

• Sightseeing Volunteers: Information on the Station and the Surrounding Area
• Hokkaido Universal Tourism Center, Sapporo: Wheelchair and Stroller Rental
• JR Information Desk

①Tourist Information Counter: Sightseeing and Event Information

The Sapporo locals working here know their city like no one else. You’ll find the information you need for every season, from spring cherry blossoms to winter ski facility hours.

Languages supported

②Tourism Pamphlets: Find Your Sightseeing Destination

Besides the information you’ll find at the counter, this area is stocked with 1000 pamphlets containing information on all 179 of Hokkaido’s municipalities as well as destinations, dining, hotels and other reliable recommendations from the Sapporo Tourist Association. You’ll also find discount coupons, so don’t forget to stop by and pick up a pamphlet before you head out! This is also where we post information on individual localities, events and other sightseeing opportunities, so if you happen to see something you’d like help incorporating into your travel plans, be sure to inquire about it at the counter!

• Regular sightseeing tour bus reservations (Hokkaido Chuo Bus)
• Jozankei hot spring day trip package (Jotetsu Bus) sales Adults: ¥2,200, Children ¥1,100
• Sapporo Select (sightseeing tour tickets) sales
• Photography book and postcard sales
• Snow festival merchandise and event ticket sales

③Currency Exchange Machine

Machines available to exchange international currencies into Japanese yen. Currencies from 12 countries supported: US dollar, Euro, UK pound, Chinese Renminbi, South Korean won, Taiwan dollar, Thai baht, Singapore dollar, Australian dollar, Malaysian ringgit, Indonesian rupiah

The ATM here supports withdrawal of yen using cards issued overseas. Cards supported: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, Ginren Card, etc.

⑤Sightseeing Volunteers: Information on the Station and the Surrounding Area

• Get information from Sapporo volunteers
• Accompanied guidance within and around JR Sapporo Station

⑥Hokkaido Universal Tourism Center, Sapporo: Wheelchair and Stroller Rental

Information on barrier-free sightseeing facility access

Wheelchair and stroller rentals 1 day: ¥500, 2 days: ¥1,500, 3 days: ¥2,500, 4 days: ¥3,500 *¥1,000 per additional day after 5 days. official　website

⑦JR Information Desk

• Hokkaido Rail Passes, JR tickets and other train services for overseas tourists

• #Sapporo Lilac Festival
• #Hot Spring
• #Conveyor belt sushi
• #Cherry Blossoms
• #Soup Curry
• #Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
• #Sapporo TV Tower
• #Sapporo Clock Tower
• #Jingisukan

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