travel itinerary hokkaido

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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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...

The Ultimate Hokkaido Itinerary: 7 Days Of Adventure

Table of Contents

Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is a destination that attracts outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers from all over the world. From skiing and snowboarding in the winter to hiking and exploring national parks in the summer, there is no shortage of adventure experiences to be had in Hokkaido.

With its stunning natural scenery, rich culture, and unique cuisine, Hokkaido is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable travel experience.

For those with limited time, planning a trip to Hokkaido can be overwhelming. With so many attractions and activities to choose from, it can be challenging to decide where to go and what to do.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive itinerary for a seven-day adventure in Hokkaido, highlighting some of the island’s most popular and must-see destinations.

From exploring the vibrant city of Sapporo to witnessing the natural wonder of the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk, this itinerary offers a diverse range of experiences that will leave visitors with a deep appreciation for Hokkaido’s beauty and culture.

Key Takeaways

• Hokkaido offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and culinary delights, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts alike.
• The itinerary includes popular destinations such as Sapporo, Otaru, Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the Blue Pond, and hot springs, each offering unique attractions and experiences.
• Visitors can witness Hokkaido’s natural wonders, including panoramic mountain views, clear night skies for stargazing, and the unforgettable drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk.
• Hokkaido’s cuisine is influenced by its fresh seafood, dairy products, and agricultural produce, and visitors can sample local dishes such as soup curry, Hokkaido-style hotpot, and soft serve ice cream.

Day 1: Explore Sapporo

The first day of the itinerary involves exploring the city of Sapporo, providing an opportunity to discover the historical and cultural significance of the region.

Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido and is known for its winter sports, beer, and food. The city was built in the late 19th century and has several historical landmarks, including the Clock Tower, which was built in 1878, and the Sapporo TV Tower, which was built in 1957.

Visitors can also explore the Odori Park, which spans over a kilometer and is known for its beautiful flowers and sculptures. The park also hosts several events throughout the year, including the famous Sapporo Snow Festival in February.

In addition, visitors can sample the local cuisine, which includes seafood, ramen, and the famous Sapporo beer. Overall, the first day in Sapporo offers a glimpse into the unique culture and history of Hokkaido.

Day 2: Discover Otaru

One of the recommended destinations to visit during your trip to Hokkaido is the city of Otaru, which offers a unique mix of history, culture, and scenic views. Located less than an hour away from Sapporo by train, Otaru is a port city that has preserved its historic buildings and streets. The city has many attractions worth visiting, such as the Otaru Canal, Music Box Museum, and Sakaimachi Street, which is lined with shops and cafes.

One of the must-visit spots in Otaru is the Otaru Aquarium, which showcases various marine life found in the Sea of Japan. The aquarium also has a unique feature called the Ring of Fire, a circular tank that houses jellyfish illuminated by LED lights, creating a mesmerizing display. To fully experience the city’s charm, visitors can also participate in a sushi-making workshop at one of the local restaurants. Not only will they learn about the art of sushi-making, but they can also taste their creations while enjoying the local seafood. Overall, a day trip to Otaru is a great addition to any Hokkaido itinerary.

Day 3: Hike in Shikotsu-Toya National Park

The Shikotsu-Toya National Park offers a myriad of activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking, hot springs, and local cuisine.

The park boasts breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, and forests, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.

After a long day of exploring, visitors can relax in one of the many hot springs that are scattered throughout the park and indulge in the local cuisine.

Enjoy the Hot Springs

Immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance of natural hot springs tucked away in the scenic mountains of Hokkaido, where the therapeutic mineral-rich waters offer a relaxing respite to weary travelers.

Hokkaido is known for its abundant hot springs, or ‘onsen,’which are revered by the Japanese for their healing properties. The water’s minerals, such as sulfur and sodium, are believed to alleviate various ailments, including muscle pain and joint stiffness.

Visiting an onsen is not just about soaking in the hot water, it’s also a cultural experience that allows you to connect with nature and Japanese traditions.

Here are three of the best hot springs to visit in Hokkaido:

1) Noboribetsu Onsen, which is known for its diverse range of hot springs, including a mud bath and a healing foot-bath.

2) Jozankei Onsen, which is situated in a picturesque valley and offers outdoor hot springs with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

3) Shirogane Onsen, which is located in the Shirogane Hot Springs area and is known for its milky white waters and serene forest surroundings.

So, whether you’re looking for a serene escape or an adventure, Hokkaido’s hot springs are a must-visit destination.

Take in the Breathtaking Views

Taking in the breathtaking views of Hokkaido’s scenic mountains is an unforgettable experience that allows travelers to connect with the natural beauty of the region.

Hokkaido is a unique area for its mountainous terrain which is a haven for adventure seekers.

The region is home to several mountain ranges that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

From the top of Mt. Yotei, for example, visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the stunning Lake Toya and its surrounding forests.

Additionally, the Daisetsuzan National Park, located in central Hokkaido, boasts a vast expanse of alpine scenery, including the iconic Asahidake, the highest peak in Hokkaido.

The breathtaking views of Hokkaido’s mountains are not limited to the daytime.

Visitors can also enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the region at night.

The night skies of Hokkaido are renowned for their clarity, making it an ideal destination for stargazing.

The Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one such location that offers a unique stargazing experience.

The peninsula is located far from any major cities, which means that there is minimal light pollution, making it an ideal spot for observing the stars.

Overall, taking in the breathtaking views of Hokkaido’s scenic mountains is a must-do for any traveler to the region.

Try Local Cuisine

Exploring the local cuisine of Hokkaido offers a unique opportunity to discover the region’s cultural heritage through its culinary traditions. Hokkaido is known for its fresh seafood, dairy products, and agricultural produce, which are used to create a variety of dishes that are both delicious and visually appealing. The region’s cuisine is also influenced by the harsh climate, which has led to the development of hearty and warming dishes that are perfect for the colder months.

One of the most popular dishes in Hokkaido is soup curry, which is a spicy and flavorful soup made with chicken or pork, vegetables, and curry spices. Another must-try dish is the Hokkaido-style hotpot, known as nabe, which is made with fresh seafood, vegetables, and tofu, and is cooked at the table in a hotpot. Hokkaido is also famous for its dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and ice cream, which are used in many desserts and baked goods. Visitors should not miss the opportunity to try soft serve ice cream, which is a local specialty and can be found in many roadside stalls and cafes throughout the region.

To provide further information about the region’s cuisine, the following table lists some of the most popular dishes and their main ingredients:

With its unique blend of traditional and modern influences, Hokkaido’s cuisine is a highlight of any visit to the region, and offers visitors a chance to experience the rich cultural heritage of this beautiful part of Japan.

Day 4: Visit the Iconic Blue Pond

Day 4 of the Hokkaido itinerary takes us to the iconic Blue Pond, located in the town of Biei.

This stunning body of water is known for its vibrant blue color and unique formation, caused by minerals in the surrounding mountains.

Visitors can learn about the pond’s formation, take stunning photos, and explore the surrounding area, which includes walking trails and observation decks.

Learn About Its Formation

The formation of Hokkaido, Japan’s second-largest island, is a result of volcanic activity and tectonic movements over millions of years.

The Blue Pond, located in the town of Biei, Hokkaido, is a natural pond that was formed as a result of a man-made dam built to protect the town from volcanic mudflows.

The pond is known for its striking blue color, which is caused by the presence of aluminum hydroxide in the water.

The Blue Pond is surrounded by trees that have been bleached white due to the volcanic activity in the area.

The contrast between the blue water and the white trees creates a surreal and otherworldly landscape that is a popular spot for photography and sightseeing.

The pond is also home to various species of fish, including rainbow trout and carp.

Visitors can learn more about the formation of the pond and the history of the area at the nearby Blue Pond Museum, which offers exhibits and educational displays.

Take Stunning Photos

Photographers can capture stunning images of the surreal and otherworldly landscape surrounding the Blue Pond, with its striking blue water and bleached white trees. Located in the town of Biei, the Blue Pond was created as a part of an erosion control project for a nearby hydroelectric power plant. The pond’s unique blue color is due to the natural minerals in the water, while the trees were bleached white due to the cold weather and strong winds in the area. Visitors can take a stroll around the pond and witness the beautiful colors and reflections changing with the weather and time of day.

To make the most of a photography trip to the Blue Pond, it is essential to plan ahead and bring the right gear. A tripod is a must-have to capture the perfect shot, especially during sunrise or sunset when lighting conditions can be challenging. Additionally, bringing a polarizing filter can help to reduce the glare from the water and enhance the color of the sky and foliage. Finally, photographers should be mindful of their surroundings and be respectful of the natural environment when taking photos. With the right preparation and technique, capturing stunning images of the Blue Pond and its surroundings can be an unforgettable experience for any photography enthusiast.

Explore the Surrounding Area

Exploring the surrounding area of the Blue Pond is a great way to fully immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the region. The pond is located in Shirogane, a small town in the Biei region of Hokkaido. The town is known for its rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, making it a popular destination for tourists.

Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the nearby walking trails, which offer stunning views of the pond and the surrounding forest. The area is also home to a number of other natural attractions, including the Shirogane Waterfall and the Hill of the Buddha.

For those who are more adventurous, the area is also popular for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and skiing. The nearby Daisetsuzan National Park offers a range of hiking trails that cater to all levels of experience. The park is also home to the Sounkyo Hot Springs, which are a popular destination for those looking to relax after a day of exploring.

Additionally, the region is known for its winter sports, with many visitors flocking to the area for skiing and snowboarding during the colder months.

Overall, exploring the surrounding area of the Blue Pond is a must-do for those looking to experience the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Hokkaido has to offer.

Day 5: Witness the Drift Ice in the Sea of Okhotsk

Witnessing the surreal drift ice formations in the Sea of Okhotsk offers a captivating experience that leaves visitors in awe of nature’s wondrous beauty. The Sea of Okhotsk is located north of Hokkaido and is known for its extreme cold temperatures, which create an ideal environment for the formation of drift ice. The drift ice is created by the freezing of seawater, which then forms into large, flat, and surreal ice sheets that can reach up to 1 meter thick. The ice sheets are carried by ocean currents and can be seen from mid-January to early April, making it a popular winter attraction.

To witness the beauty of the drift ice, visitors can take a cruise from Abashiri, a city located on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. The cruise takes visitors into the Sea of Okhotsk, where they can see the ice formations up close and even walk on the ice if conditions allow. The cruise also offers the opportunity to see wildlife such as seals, sea birds, and even whales. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a hot spring bath on the ship while taking in the scenic views of the sea and ice.

The table below provides a summary of what visitors can expect when witnessing the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk:

Witnessing the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk is a unique and unforgettable experience that offers a glimpse into the wonders of nature. It is a must-see attraction for those visiting Hokkaido during the winter months.

Day 6: Ski or Snowboard in Niseko

After witnessing the stunning beauty of the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk, it’s time to hit the slopes in Niseko.

Known as one of the best ski resorts in the world, Niseko offers an unforgettable experience for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.

With its perfect powder snow and diverse terrain, Niseko is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for an adrenaline-filled adventure.

Niseko consists of four interconnected ski resorts, each with its unique features and attractions.

Skiers and snowboarders of all levels can enjoy the wide-open runs, steep drops, and off-piste areas.

Besides skiing, visitors can participate in various winter activities, such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and hot-air ballooning, to name a few.

After a day on the slopes, relax in one of the many hot springs in the area, which are believed to have therapeutic properties.

With its unparalleled beauty and endless winter activities, Niseko is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Hokkaido.

Day 7: Visit the Ainu Village

One unique cultural experience to have while in Hokkaido is visiting the Ainu Village, where visitors can learn about the indigenous Ainu people and their way of life. The Ainu are the original inhabitants of Hokkaido, and have a rich cultural heritage that is still visible in their daily lives.

The village showcases various aspects of their culture, including traditional clothing, music, dance, and handicrafts. Visitors can also sample Ainu cuisine, which features a variety of wild plants and animals found in the forests of Hokkaido.

The Ainu Village offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a unique and fascinating culture. Here are three reasons to visit the village:

Gain insight into the Ainu way of life: The village provides a glimpse into the daily lives of the Ainu people, highlighting their customs, beliefs, and traditions.

Witness traditional Ainu performances: Visitors can watch traditional Ainu performances, including dance, music, and storytelling.

Sample Ainu cuisine: The village offers a variety of Ainu dishes, which are made from locally sourced ingredients and reflect the Ainu’s connection to the land.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit hokkaido for outdoor activities.

The best time of year to visit Hokkaido for outdoor activities largely depends on the specific activities one plans to engage in. Hokkaido experiences four distinct seasons, with winter lasting from December to February, spring from March to May, summer from June to August, and autumn from September to November.

For winter sports enthusiasts, December to March is the ideal time to visit Hokkaido, as the island is blanketed with snow and offers excellent skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter sports.

Spring, from March to May, is ideal for those interested in viewing stunning cherry blossoms and other spring flowers, while summer, from June to August, is perfect for hiking, rafting, and other outdoor activities in the mild weather.

Autumn, from September to November, is the best time to visit Hokkaido for viewing fall foliage and engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling in the crisp autumn air. Ultimately, the best time to visit Hokkaido for outdoor activities depends on one’s individual interests and preferences.

Are there any traditional Japanese onsen (hot springs) in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park area?

Yes, there are several traditional Japanese onsen (hot springs) located in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park area. This area is known for its geothermal activity, which has resulted in the formation of numerous hot springs.

Some of the most popular onsen in the area include the Shikotsuko Onsen, which offers stunning views of Lake Shikotsu, and the Toyako Onsen, which is located near Lake Toya and offers a variety of outdoor activities in addition to its hot springs.

Many of these onsen are known for their therapeutic properties and are visited by both locals and tourists alike. Visitors to the area can enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs while taking in the beautiful natural scenery that surrounds them.

What are some recommended local dishes to try in Sapporo and Otaru?

Sapporo and Otaru are two cities in Hokkaido that are famous for their local cuisine. In Sapporo, one of the must-try dishes is the soup curry, which is a spicy curry-based soup that is loaded with vegetables and meat.

Another popular dish is the jingisukan, which is a grilled lamb dish that is cooked on a convex metal skillet. Sapporo is also known for its seafood, and one of the best ways to try it is by having a kaisen don, which is a bowl of rice topped with a variety of fresh seafood.

In Otaru, one of the most famous dishes is the sushi, which is made with freshly caught fish from the Sea of Japan. Another must-try dish is the Otaru beer, which is a locally brewed beer that is made with natural spring water from the Otaru canal.

Overall, both Sapporo and Otaru have a wide range of delicious and unique dishes that are worth trying during a visit to Hokkaido.

Is it possible to see the Northern Lights during a visit to Hokkaido?

Yes, it is possible to see the northern lights during a visit to Hokkaido.

Hokkaido is one of the best places in Japan to view the aurora borealis due to its location in the far north and minimal light pollution.

The best time to see the northern lights in Hokkaido is from late September to early April, with peak viewing season being in February and March.

Some popular locations for aurora viewing include Lake Toya, Abashiri, and Shiretoko National Park.

It is important to check the weather forecast and aurora activity before planning a trip for northern lights viewing, as clear skies and high aurora activity are necessary for the best viewing experience.

Are there any additional outdoor activities or excursions available in the Niseko area besides skiing and snowboarding?

There are several outdoor activities and excursions available in the Niseko area besides skiing and snowboarding.

Visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding, as well as ice fishing, hot springs, and winter festivals.

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the area’s natural beauty, with guided tours available for beginners.

Snowmobiling provides a thrilling adventure through snowy landscapes, while dog sledding offers a unique and immersive experience with friendly canine companions.

Ice fishing is a popular pastime in the area, with equipment and guidance available for those interested.

Hot springs, or onsens, are a relaxing way to unwind after a day of activities, and there are several nearby to choose from.

Finally, the Niseko Winter Festival is a must-see event, with fireworks, performances, and food stalls offering a taste of local culture.

Overall, there are plenty of outdoor activities and excursions available in the Niseko area to suit all preferences and interests.

In conclusion, the Hokkaido itinerary offers an exciting and adventurous way to explore the northernmost island of Japan. The journey covers a range of activities, from exploring the bustling city of Sapporo to hiking in the serene and beautiful Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The itinerary also gives visitors the opportunity to witness the iconic Blue Pond and drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk, as well as enjoying the winter wonderland of Niseko.

The Hokkaido itinerary is perfect for those seeking a mix of culture, nature, and adventure. From visiting the Ainu Village to skiing in Niseko, the itinerary offers something for everyone. The unique experiences and breathtaking natural beauty of Hokkaido make it a destination that is not to be missed. The beauty of the island is truly remarkable and will leave visitors in awe of its natural wonders.

Overall, the Hokkaido itinerary is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the best of what Japan has to offer.

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Hokkaido, with its central city of Sapporo, is famous for its skiing resorts, snow crab and beer. This 7-day Hokkaido self-sufficient traveling itinerary is documented from our summer trip. However, no matter what season of the year, you also can see the rich nature of this island in the North Pole of Japan. So, how many days in Hokkaido is enough? Let’s check out our suggested Hokkaido travel itinerary for 7 days (Hokkaido recommended itinerary 7 days, Hokkaido trip itinerary 7 days) on how to spend 7 days in Hokkaido perfectly with JR Pass to find out the answer!

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When making the your self-sufficiency journey to Hokkaido on your way, you should choose Sapporo as a base to easily move to many other locations around the island. To getting to Hokkaido, the train is still the most popular means of transportation, because the train station is mostly located in the central areas. A JR Airport Express train from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station only takes about 37 minutes at a price of about $9.72.

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• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Hokkaido itinerary 7 days — Day 1: Sapporo – Hakodate (Overnight in Hakodate)

Now, let’s start your self-sufficient Hokkaido trip immediately. First, heading to the south to getting to Hakodate. You should take the train at 6am to getting to Hakodate and spend some time to take a nap on the train. The journey is quite long, taking 217 minutes by train from Sapporo Station to Hakodate Station via Ltd Exp Train.

When departing in the early morning, you will arrive just in time for late breakfast at Lucky Pierrot, the famous burger chain in Hakodate. Soon after, you can visit the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, home to many unique-strange-charming shops and cafes with a variety of themes.

Another option for Living Nomads Team

If you want to relax after a long flight, you can spend the very first day to explore Sapporo’s attractions. During the day, you can go to Sapporo TV Tower to see the whole city and the northern sea of ​​Japan. When night falls, heading to Moiwa Mountain to see one of Japan’s best night views. Simple but also very poetic.

Book your Sapporo TV Tower Ticket here.

7 days in Hokkaido — Day 2: Hakodate – Lake Toya (Overnight at Lake Toya)

Having visited Hokkaido, you should not miss to visit the early morning market in Hakodate. One of the most beloved activities at this market is hunting for fresh seafood, from shrimp, squid, octopus to king crab. These are delicious ingredients for your lunch, right?

After full of eating and drinking, get on the train to go to Lake Toya. The journey from Hakodate station to Toya station via Ltd Exp Train line takes approximately 112 minutes/way. After that, you can spend the night in a Ryokan-style inn. Ryokan is a traditional Japanese guesthouse with tatami-mated rooms. You will sleep on a blanket spread right on the tatami mats like a native and enjoy a very attractive traditional kaiseki style dinner.

Hokkaido recommended itinerary — Day 3: Lake Toya – Noboribetsu – Sapporo

Ryokan-style inns often offer rental services of yukata – a traditional Japanese costume that is less sophisticated than Kimono. If you like to take photos, you definitely have to rent a set to take a leisurely stroll around and blend in with the romantic natural scenery. Quite a lot of foreigners, when traveling to Hokkaido on their own, also love to pedal duck boating or sailing to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the lake.

After sailing around Lake Toya with satisfaction, the next destination is Noboribetsu. It takes about 38 minutes by train via the Ltd Exp Train route to get here. Entering Jigokudani (or “Noboribetsu Hell Valley”), visitors will feel like walking into the kitchen of the gods. Every step you take comes across hot springs of hazy smoke and a strong sulfur smell. Walking along the trails between rugged rocks or soak your foot in the hot springs are all activities to relieve stress and fatigue.

When you feel strong and re-energized from the hot springs, please leaving and back to Sapporo, about 70 minutes via Ltd Exp Train.

Hokkaido trip itinerary 7 days: Day 4: Sapporo – Furano (Overnight In Furano)

The Tomita Farm in Furano is a dream location for nature lovers. Everything here revolves around lavender. You can relax, dropping your soul in front of the impressive colorful scene of the endless fields of lavender and rainbow flowers connected together, enjoy tea or exotic lavender biscuits. A warning is that lavender cream in this place is very “addictive”. If you want to see the Tomita farm at the “peak time”, you should come here in the flowering season in July. To get to Furano, take the Ltd Exp Train from Sapporo Station to Furano Station for about 119 minutes.

Hokkaido travel itinerary — Day 5: Furano – Biei – Sapporo

Next to the Shikisai hill are flower beds stretching with alternating colors like a giant rainbow on the ground. “Flower town” of Biei is also known for its green pastures and vibrant sunflower fields. To get to Biei Station from Furano Station, it takes about 40 minutes by train. Every hour there will be a train to Biei. Many visitors love to experience a rickshaw ride around flower farms or wandering to the Shirogane Blue Pond artificial garden.

Shirogane Blue Pond is located about 20 minutes from Biei Station by bus and the cost for this journey is 540 yen (about $4.87). Please note that this bus route is not in the JR Pass cover list. You should stay one night in Furano and take the train to Biei in the morning. If you want to go to both Furano and Biei in a day is too rushed, you will not have much time to take pictures and enjoy the peaceful pace of life in this town. To return to Saporo from Biei, it takes about 135 minutes by train via Ltd Exp Train.

Hokkaido itinerary 7 days — Day 6: Sapporo – Asahikawa – Sapporo

We visit Asahikawa for the main purpose of visiting Asahiyama Zoo, a zoo known worldwide as it allows visitors to get closer to the animals. You will be amazed at the glass dome tunnels in the penguin pool as well as the polar bear farming area and the Arctic fox. But if you come in the summer, the penguin parade will not take place, you will not witness the waddling step of the short-legged birds right next to you.

Most tourists come to Asahikawa because they want to visit Asahiyama, one of the world’s most famous zoos for bridging the gap between visitors and animals. Younger visitors will surely enjoy the glass-dome tunnel in the penguin pool or the polar bear farm and the Arctic fox. Note that if you travel to Hokkaido on your own in the summer, you will not be able to admire the super adorable parade of penguins. Ltd Exp Train goes from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station in about 85 minutes.

7 days in Hokkaido — Day 7: Sapporo – Otaru – Sapporo

Most of Otaru’s attractions are only a 30-minute walk from the train station. Therefore, visiting this place in the day from Sapporo is easy. Getting to Otaru from Saporo can be reached by Ltd Exp Train, which takes about 32 minutes. Upon arrival, the first thing you need to do is stop at Sankaku Morning Market to enjoy a delicious breakfast with fresh shasimi rice.

As a port city, Otaru possesses a different attraction from the usual tourist “hotspots”. In Otaru, visitors feel relaxed and peaceful, while walking along Otaru Canal – the symbol of the city – and many shops along the beautiful Sakaimachi Street. Be sure to stop by the ice cream parlor “Kita-no-aisukurimu Yasan” to sample a multitude of “exotic” ice cream flavors such as beer, sea urchin and squid. This restaurant also serves melon for those who like traditional ice cream flavor. Alternatively, you can hop on a rickshaw ride to explore Otaru streets too.

Klook Hokkaido Otaru Rickshaw Tour now.

With the suggestion of the 7-day Hokkaido self-sufficient travel itinerary, you surely have found the super exciting plan, right? In addition, there are many self-sufficient Japanese travel experiences shared on the our blog here , so be sure to check out to prepare for your upcoming trip to Hokkaido.

Again, [SALE] 7-Day Whole Japan Rail Pass and FREE Japan 4G SIM Card

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Sapporo & Hokkaido you can refer to

• Hokkaido Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Shirogane Blue Pond, and More
• Sapporo Highland Sightseeing Bus Tour with Meals
• Sapporo Private Day Tour with Local Licensed Guide
• Hokkaido Enjoy Pass
• Furano and Tomita Farm Day Tour from Sapporo
• Sapporo Afternoon Bus Tour
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan

Are you looking for more Sapporo travel guide and top things to do in Sapporo: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Sapporo travel blog — The fullest Sapporo city guide for a great trip on a budget for the first-timers .

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5 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

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

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

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

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

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

▼Check out the best tour in Hokkaido!

Sapporo Snow Festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2: Furano

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3: Otaru

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

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

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

Day 4: Niseko

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

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

Day 5: Sapporo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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5-Day Hokkaido Itinerary: Memorable Journey in Japan's North

When we were mid-way through our largely unplanned one month Japan trip, all the signs were pointing for us to go to Hokkaido, Japan's Northernmost main island. We had received several recommendations from friends and when I hopped onto Skyscanner and found flights from Tokyo for a mere 34 euro each, I knew it was bound to happen. I booked them, and we were on our way for a 5-day adventure in Hokkaido.

Check out our similar 1-Week Itinerary in Kyushu post or 2-Week Itinerary in Central Honshu , as well to discover our other favorite parts of Japan.

I was a bit apprehensive about being able to cover the ground that we wanted in Hokkaido in 5 days, but we made it happen and more.

So here is our itinerary on how to spend 5 days in Hokkaido along, through our lens, along with some alternatives suggestions as well, so you can make Hokkaido as memorable as we did. Before we begin, let's talk about some logistics:

Best Time To Visit Hokkaido

For us, it was the end of April, or Hokkaido Spring, which I would say is probably the least likely time other tourists visit Hokkaido. During Hokkaido Winter, the main attractions are skiing and other winter sports, while during Hokkaido Summer there is trekking and endless lavender fields.

But April had its perks. With the rest of the country already losing its cherry blossoms, we found the Hokkaido cherry blossoms to be in full bloom. The temperature was a bit chilly yet comfortable. Best of all, we got to experience Hokkaido without any swaths of tourists, so for us, Spring was the best time to visit Hokkaido.

How many days to spend in Hokkaido?

This itinerary is a 5-day route through west and central Hokkaido, but it definitely wasn't enough. I reckon pretty much unlimited time can be spent here without experiencing the urge to leave 🤣, but it can be done with a minimum of just five days.

Where We Stayed 🏡

Sapporo: plat hostel keikyu sapporo sky

Furano: La Vista Furano

Biei: Hotel Lavenir

Mt. Asahidake: K' House Hokkaido

Chitose (specifically Abira): Vacilando

Getting there: How-To and Airports in Hokkaido

Our choice: flying to new chitose airport 🛫.

We booked our flights from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose Airport , just 45–50 minutes from Sapporo, the 5th largest city in Japan, and Hokkaido's main hub.

Even with just booking a few days in advanced, the prices on Spring Airlines Japan were a mere 34 euros, one way. Other budget airlines offer comparable prices, notably JetStar, giving you several options per day.

New Chitose Airport is relatively well-connected to other major Japanese airports and also have flights to some foreign cities, like Seoul-Incheon, South Korea 🇰🇷 (where we flew to after Hokkaido)

Alternative Airport in Hokkaido: Asahikawa Airport

If you happen to follow this itinerary and want to skip Sapporo for the nature or maybe have a shorter time in Hokkaido to spare, there are also flights to some other regional airports from Tokyo including Asahikawa Airport , which had flights for as low as 78 euros, one way, when I last checked.

Alternative Way to Get to Hokkaido: JR Pass 🚄

For those on the JR Pass, you can definitely get up to Hokkaido using that. We didn't choose this mode as our JR Pass had expired. However, if you aren't on the JR Pass, the train trip up here is definitely not as cost savvy as flying.

Getting around Hokkaido

Driving a car in hokkaido.

"Driving is the only way to get around Hokkaido" several people warned us. But when I went to go check the requirements of car rental agencies, I almost considered cancelling the trip. We needed an international driving license (which neither of us have) and a credit card (both of us use debit cards like good debt-free Europeans). If you are better at planning and prepping for trips than us, this is certainly the best option, and I recommend booking with a company like Discover before heading to Hokkaido, but after surviving and thriving without a car in Hokkaido, we are living proof that it can be done and just as many adventures can be had as if you had a car.

Public transportation in Hokkaido

"Public transportation isn't reliable in Hokkaido" the naysayers went on to say, but we are talking about Japan here. Perhaps it isn't as reliable as the rest of the country, where we never once experienced a late departure on any mode of transportation, but I would put the public transportation in Hokkaido well above the reliability of Germany and puts public transportation in the largest American cities like New York and Chicago to absolute shame.

After we knew a car wasn't a possibility, we decided that maybe a regional JR Pass would be best. If you do not have the country-wide JR Pass, Hokkaido offers three different regional passes , allowing you to check out various parts of the island. However, when we got to the ticket counter past 7 at New Chitose Airport, the counter had already closed.

After a bit more deliberation on our train ride into Sapporo, we decided we would just buy tickets as we go, as we likely were just going to go to a few places in the 5 days we would be going around Hokkaido, and we wanted to do some bike-riding between places.

The moral is, Hokkaido public transportation never failed us. For those who claim you need a car, don't listen. There are alternatives.

You will find many cute, tiny trains in Hokkaido

So now with the basic logistics out of the way, how to spend 5 days in Hokkaido? Well, follow along, my adventurous friend.

Night 1/Day 1: Sapporo by 🚞

We arrived to Sapporo Station around 8:30pm and were immediately struck by the chill vibes and pace of the city compared to Tokyo. Our hotel plat hostel keikyu sapporo sky was located just two stops away on the subway in Susukino . The area, which I am now just discovering is the red-light district of Sapporo, is also a foodie-haven and over the course of the next hours, we hopped around to four different places, trying local Ramen ( RAMEN ICHI ), devouring steamy pork buns ( 茶寮すすきの店 ), and ending the night with fried chicken and sake. We avoided any red-light situations and finally went back to rest.

Sapporo beer is all over Japan, but apparently this is Hokkaido-only Sapporo beer

The following morning, we got up and went out into the Spring sunshine for a walk down by the Toyohira River, a place where you can see the locals doing their thing, including plenty of old people playing a type of golf with a large ball, called Ground Golf . In desperate need of coffee and something sugary to jolt us awake, we stopped by Smooch Café and were transported to Santa Cruz, complete with delicious, strong drip coffees and cookies. The café sits right next to Nakajima Park, and with the cherry blossoms in full-force, we were basically forced to take a walk through. Once again, the park was mainly locals doing their thing and while we strolled through and eventually back to Sapporo Station to catch a bus, we knew that Sapporo and Hokkaido was the vibe we were looking for.

Day 1/Night 2: Furano by 🚌

We hopped on the direct bus to Furano, in central Hokkaido, with a bag of 7/11 treats in hand and were soon (and, mind the naysayers, on time) flying down the express-way. In 2.5 hours and with many scenic views had along the way, we made it to Furano. The first thing that made our jaw drop was the view of the Daisetsu Mountain Range in the distance and the second was the hotel we just checked into, La Vista Furano , which had a well-equipped onsen at the top floor, free ramen after 10pm, and the world's coziest beds.

For the rest of the afternoon, we decided to stay on foot to get some exercise in and walked a few kilometers out of the town and into the hills to Furano Winery , definitely a place to check out considering I didn't expect to ever find a winery in Japan. A few glasses of free and paid wine tasting down (all done from an automated machine, of course, as it is Japan), we wandered around the hills and had to keep pinching ourselves to remind us that the surrounding nature was real.

As the sun began to set, we headed back into town and through the ghostly alleyways to find some dinner. We kept saying that the town of Furano could have been a town in Alaska or the Midwest, United States, minus the guns and meth addictions 🤣. We risked stumbling into a place that could have been a restaurant, but equally someone's house, but fortunately found it to be a cozy little Izkaya, with a wooden stove burning in the middle and a kind owner who explained the menu to us, notably about the Furano specialties ( Robata ). In minutes, he brought out cold beer, an asparagus dish that was in season, a delicious leek and egg stir-fry, along with a giant roasted, oil-dripping mackerel split down the middle. Filled to the seam with Japanese food and light small talk with the owner, we made our way back to the hotel to enjoy the amenities it had to offer.

We got our fill of the largely empty onsen, including 30 minutes in a private onsen, massage chairs, free ice cream, and ultimately free ramen. This hotel knew how to pamper us, almost as though it anticipated the strenuous journey we were about to embark on the following day.

Day 2/Night 3: Furano 👉 Shirogane Pond 👉 Biei by 🚴‍♀️

We had the grand idea to ditch public transportation and make a bike ride out of the day, but when we got to the little bike-rental shop (just right of Furano Station when looking at it) the most hardcore bikes were merely beach cruisers with 3 gears, clearly suited for a little stroll around the town. Regardless, we were committed to the idea and rented them for a total of three days for 1500 yen + a 500 yen overnight fee each, not telling the woman where we were going in case she changed her mind.

And on our beach cruisers we went, stopping by sights along the way such as Farm Tomita , which although was sporting lavender fields not yet in season, had delicious Hokkaido lavender ice cream to make up for it. When we stopped by the town of Kamifurano for a late lunch, we randomly happened upon Dai Ichi Shokudo . As soon as we walked in, the owner's kindness and humor was infectious. As we were biking, she encouraged us to get the big portion (for an extra 100 yen) and in return two massive trays of food came out. It was the first time on my trip where I struggled to finish my food thanks to the size, but alas, we had a strenuous journey ahead of us. As we were about to leave, she even gave us parting gifts, including lavender and a small hand-sewn coaster her mom had made 🥹. We mentioned to her that we were headed to Biei on bike, and she was shocked, as though we were cycling to the other side of the planet. Little did she know, we also had an additional detour that would add quite a few hours to the already long trip.

Filled to the brim with pork and rice, we battled the hills (mainly by walking up them with our bikes), fears of bears, and light rainfall and in the late afternoon, we made it to Shrogane Blue Pond, which is exactly what it sounds like. The brilliant blue water was the result of an accident to prevent mudslides, in which aluminum seeped into the water and thus scatters the sunlight. Was it worth it to visit Shirogane Blue Pond, absolutely. I can imagine there can be a lot of tourists there, but when we were there we encountered very few.

Much to our good fortune, the ride to Biei was the easiest of the legs so far, as there was a paved, flat, clearly-marked bike path that went for 17 kilometers from Shirogane Blue Pond to Biei. We encountered not a single person on the ride and bathed in the freedom of the open roads.

45 minutes later, we strolled into Biei, another Hokkaido town with seemingly few people and checked into our much more basic than the night before, albeit nice hotel, Hotel Lavenir , and hit the town with sore legs and 🍑. We tried a total of five different restaurants and were oddly turned away from each of them, a first we had experienced in Japan. It began to feel a little like getting turned away at Berghain in Berlin , complete with soul-killing rejection, but I suppose it was understandable on a Friday night. The lesson is: if you happen to come to Biei on a Friday night, make sure to book something in advance. Defeated, we ended up walking into a gem of a place called Snack Ringu (nearby the 7/11), what seemed like the town's only bar. Coated in red velvet from floor to ceiling, the woman of the bar invited us in with open arms, giving us a beer and a few snacks. Three beers later, we were still there, singing karaoke allegedly with the mayor of Biei and speaking with the bar-ladies, Naomi, Yumi, and Mama as good as we could. Even though we spoke very little of one another's language, we could feel the warmth of the hosts and took pictures together at the end. A little drunk, we stumbled out and finally settled on 7/11 for dinner, resulting in us over-microwaving a bag of fried chicken.

Naomi, come back to me!

Day 3/Night 4: Biei to Mt. Asahidake (Hokkaido's tallest mountain) by 🚴‍♀️🚌⛷

We made it down to the hotel's breakfast buffet just in time. While I am not particularly a fan of a buffet, this was actually fabulous, with tons of healthy western and Japanese options to fuel us for whatever was to come that day.

We had a loose plan for the day, but knew we wanted to make it up to Mt. Asahidake, so we headed to the train station in hopes to catch a train that was headed to Asahikawa airport, where we would then take a bus to Mt. Asahidake. The ticket agent looked at my Google Maps of the train suggestion and told me it wasn't leaving at the time on my phone but much later than anticipated, which would cause us to miss our connecting bus (okay, so public transportation in Hokkaido may not be 100% reliable).

Thinking cap on, I looked up the bike directions to Asahikawa Airport, which was only 45 minutes away. So rather than abandon our bikes in Biei for the night, we hopped back on them, against our bodies' will, and journeyed to the airport. Despite some additional hill-age, we made it to the bus with 15 minutes to spare and were soon climbing altitudes to the snowy base of Mt. Asahidake. The bus conveniently dropped us off right in front of our home for the night, K' House Hokkaido (just 45 euros for a private room), and after dropping our things off we made our way straight for Asahidake Ropeway just a kilometer up the road. We had gone from Spring to late Winter in the course of an hour, with snow coverage everywhere.

As not so well-versed with winter sports, we headed to the visitor's center next to the rope way for some advice. Soon after, for a mere 800 yen and the price of a one-way ticket up the rope way (a little over 1,000 yen), we were trying snow-shoeing for the first time. We first made our way to smoky caldera and then walked down ski course B and C. Just 2–3 hours later, and covered with blisters on our feet, yet totally satisfied, we were back at the rope way base just in time before the only restaurant in the area closed. We scarfed down edamame, Asahidake beer, and ramen and the exhaustion of all the biking and snow-shoeing set in.

Back at K's House down the road, we lounged in the massive lounge, which even had a tent and hammocks set up and hacked together a meal with a few ingredients from the in-house grocery store (there are no grocery stores in this area, so bring your own). It also turns out onsens are popular in this region, and our hotel had another one. The best part was sitting outside and watching a peaceful scene of white-bark trees in the deep snow as the stars came up in the sky.

We were exhausted, but all that we felt was pure bliss.

Day 4/Night 5: Mt. Asahidake 👉 Biei 👉 Furano by 🚌🚴

We had some brewed coffee and two slices of thick bread with jam before getting on the 9:34 bus back to Asahikawa Airport, where our worn-out bikes stood all alone, probably not ready to be ridden all the way back to Furano in a single day. Fabio searched on Google Maps for some must-see places along the way, and then we were off. It started with a Zerubu Hill , where we rode some ATVs around the complex, back through Biei, for lunch at the super chill and seriously delicious BeACafe , and over the river to the bizarre Ikoigamori Park . By afternoon, we were still only about halfway to Furano as we couldn't stop taking pit stops, partially because of the unexpected hills and partially because everything was just so gorgeous. Even if it wasn't the full bloom of summer complete with lavender, there were rolling green fields for ages.

Our last stops before the long rocky road back were Shikisai-no-oka which had an Alpaca farm filled with shaved alpacas (it is hysterical) and back through Kamifurano which was looking particularly like a ghost town that day, at the start of the Golden Week holidays.

Just before the 6pm close of the bike-shop, we rolled on in, totally destroyed, having biked on beach cruisers for nearly 8 hours that day.

We stopped by Furano Bar for the closest thing to a Campari Spritz we could find in all of East Asia and somehow mustered up the energy to head to a nearby karaoke, to get rid of any remaining energy we may have had over the course of 2 hours.

Back in La Vista for the night, we repeated our regimen from a few days prior (onsen, ice cream, free ramen), completely elated by the last few days of pure adventure.

Day 5: Furano to "Chitose" by 🚌🚞

We had one day left on holiday, so we decided to make the most of it and wake up early despite the inviting beds and walked a few kilometers to Asahigaoka Park, where we could see the cherry blossoms from our hotel window calling to us. It was a peaceful place, like most places in Hokkaido and as we walked by the cherry blossoms, we felt only gratitude for having come to Hokkaido. It may have not been the easiest place to get around, but the people and nature made the experience incredibly heart-warming and satisfying.

Soon after we were back on the same bus to Chitose/Sapporo ready to start remote working again.

So if you are coming to Japan, you must factor Hokkaido into your adventure. After seeing much of Japan, Hokkaido has been the absolute highlight and its beauty cannot be left unseen.

Sayonara, for now.

To read more about Japan, check out:

• Ultimate Guide to Japan on a Budget: Saving Money on Accommodations, Transportation, Food and More
• Nagasaki, What a Blast!: From Hashima Island (Gunkanjima Island) to the Atomic Bomb Area
• Kyushu Itinerary

• Dec 7, 2023
• 13 min read

10-Day Hokkaido Road Trip Itinerary: Exploring Northern Japan

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

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

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

How many days do I need to travel around Hokkaido?

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

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

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

How do I get to Hokkaido, Japan?

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

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

What do I need for driving in Hokkaido, Japan?

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

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

Hokkaido Road Trip Itinerary

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

Day 2: Lake Toya > Lake Onuma > Hakodate

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

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

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

Chitose Outlet Mall RERA

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

Lake Shikotsu

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

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

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

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

Noboribetsu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shikotsu Toya National Park Silo Observation Deck

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

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

Lake Hill Farm

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

Ukimido Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to stay in Hakodate?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shiroi Koibito Theme Park

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

Enjoy Kodamaya Soba

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

Where to stay in Furano?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asahiyama Zoo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concluding the 10-day Hokkaido Road Trip

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

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

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Fun 5-Day Hokkaido Itinerary: Unveiling the Charms of Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu, and Lake Toya

Get ready to delve into the heart of Hokkaido with our carefully crafted itinerary. This five-day journey will take you to all the must-visit destinations in Japan's untamed northern region. We kickstart our Hokkaido exploration in the vibrant city of Sapporo , the island's crown jewel. From there, we'll venture into the captivating outskirts, including the rejuvenating Noboribetsu Onsen and the picturesque Lake Toya . And that's not all – our adventure will take us even further, to the enchanting flower-filled landscapes of the Furano area and the renowned Blue Pond in Biei , a true icon of Hokkaido. Alongside our itinerary, we'll also provide insider tips on delectable local cuisines and exciting side trips, ensuring you savor every moment of your unforgettable journey through Japan's breathtaking northern wilderness.

Day 1: Where to go and what to eat in Sapporo

Day 2: sapporo to otaru - shopping and walking around otaru canal, day 3: otaru to furano and biei, day 4: soak up some hokkaido hot springs: plan a or b, day 5: to new chitose airport from your accommodation, 5-day hokkaido itinerary: wrapping up, explore japan at your pace - rent an rv.

Day 1: Morning New Chitose Airport → Sapporo City (car: approximately 50km, train: 37 minutes, bus: around 1 hour 20 minutes) Advice: Once you arrive at New Chitose Airport , head to JR Sapporo Station, the center of Sapporo . A convenient way to get to JR Sapporo Station is by taking the Rapid Airport train from the airport . During the day, there is a train every 15 minutes, and it is the fastest way to get to Sapporo . If you have time to spare, you could take the airport shuttle bus. There are many bus stops in nearby cities such as Susukino and Odori Park .

Day 1: Hokkaido-style lunch is a must!

Sapporo Miso Ramen / Soup Curry / Kaisendon

Advice: The three major iconic dishes in Hokkaido are Sapporo miso ramen , soup curry , and kaisendon (rice bowls topped with delicious fresh fish). There are ramen shops all over the city. However, if you plan to stop by while you are sightseeing, we recommend the Odori Park to Tanukikoji area. There are soup curry specialty shops that have long lines to little known spots throughout the city. If you want to eat kaisendon, we recommend heading to the Sapporo Jyogai Market (Jyogai Ichiba). This is a seven-minute walk from the Tozai subway line Nijuyon-ken Station or going to Nijo Market (Nijo Ichiba), which is located within walking distance of Odori Park . Many kaisendon specialty shops close in the afternoon. If you plan on having a bite, make sure to stop by between breakfast and lunch hour.

Day 1: Evening

Route example: Odori Park → Sapporo TV Tower|a=apot:lj0007692@> → Sapporo Clock Tower → Former Hokkaido Government Office Building

Advice: For the first day of Sapporo sightseeing, we recommend walking through Odori Park , which spans through the city from east to west, then heading to the three major sightseeing spots in Sapporo . You can walk to each spot, and it will take about 4 hours at a leisurely pace. You can get a panoramic view of the city from Sapporo TV Tower’s observation deck; we also recommend the night view from here.

Day 1 Hokkaido itinerary: Options if you have the time

Sightseeing: Hokkaido University / Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill / Shiroi Koibito Park / Moerenuma Park / Mt. Moiwa Observation Deck

Tip: Visitors can casually walk around the campus of Hokkaido University located on the northern side of JR Sapporo Station. The poplar tree-lined street and museum is a place you can’t miss. If you want to take your time, it will take 2 to 3 hours; however, at a brisk pace, you can go around the place area in about an hour. To go to Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Shiroi Koibito Park , Moerenuma Park , and Mt. Moiwa Observation Deck, taking public transportation (subway, train, or bus) or taxi is convenient. In total, budgeting 3 to 4 hours for this excursion will be necessary.

Sweets : Kitakaro Sapporo Main Building / Rokkatei Sapporo Main Store / Snow Brand Parlor Sapporo / BISSE Sweets / Ishiya Café

Advice: Many cafés operated by sweets brands that represent Hokkaido are located around Odori Park . Many stores offer light meals and can be an excellent place to stop by for lunch. Kitakaro and Rokkatei have spacious shops to look for gifts. Most gifts can be purchased at shops in New Chitose Airport ; however, certain exclusive items can only be bought in Sapporo that is worth checking.

Day 1: Must-Haves for Dinner

Kaisen Izakaya / Sushi / Jingisukan / Kaisen Robatayaki

Advice: Seasonal ingredients from all over Hokkaido is are gathered in Sapporo . Especially the seafood in Hokkaido has a wide variety and taste. Sushi , sashimi , and grilled fish are are especially must-tries for all times you do Hokkaido travel. In the entertainment district of Susukino, there are many high-class sushi restaurants. Also, there are many casual places to enjoy seafood such as Kaisen Izakaya ( seafood pubs ) and robatayaki restaurants, where the food is slowly grilled with over charcoal fire. For something other than seafood , we recommend jingisukan , a dish where lamb or mutton is cooked in a unique pot. Most Hokkaido jingisukan restaurants open at night, and some places offer all-you-can-eat courses.

Recommended accommodations in Sapporo :

• Address 3-7 Minami 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 064-0805 View Map
• Nearest Station Hosui Susukino Station （Toho Line） 3 minutes on foot

Hokkaido Itinerary Day 2: Morning Sapporo → Otaru (Car: approximately 39km, train: 35 minutes, bus: 1 hour 10 minutes) Route example: Wall Street of the North → Otaru Canal → Otaru Canal Cruise Advice: A convenient way to getting to Otaru from Sapporo is taking the JR Rapid Airport train from JR Sapporo Station. If you plan to visit the outskirts area of Otaru , such as the Shakotan Peninsula and Yoichi, we recommend renting a car in Sapporo for efficiency. You can go sightseeing around Otaru City on foot. There is a bus from Sapporo to Otaru ; however, it takes longer than the train.

Advice: The first thing to do after arriving at JR Otaru Station is head towards Otaru Canal. It is about a 15-minute walk from the station. On the way, you will go by a street with old bank buildings called the Wall Street of the North, while strolling through the area head towards the canal. The view of the channel can be enjoyed while walking alongside it. However, we also recommend taking a ride on the Otaru Canal Cruise. If there is an opening on the day, you can hop on, but it is better to make reservations in advance, especially during the holiday seasons .

Day 2: Must-Haves for Lunch

Kaisendon / Wakadori Hanshinage / Ankake Yakisoba

Advice: Port city Otaru is famous for its fresh seafood . From Otaru Canal to Sakaimachi Street, there are many kaisendon ( seafood rice bowl) specialty shops, and some have English menus. Known as Otaru ’s local delicacy, wakadori hanshinage (half a chicken, deep-fried) and ankake yakisoba (stir-fried noodles covered in a thick sauce) shops are located near the station. If you plan to stop by for lunch, make sure you consider the time it takes to get there.

Day 2: Evening

Route: Sakaimachi Street → Kitaichi Glass San-gokan → Sweets on the go → Otaru Music Box Museum

Advice: Otaru 's leading shopping street is Sakaimachi Street with many famous Otaru gift shops such as glass crafts, music boxes, and candles. From Otaru Canal Terminal to Otaru Music Box Museum , located at the end of Sakaimachi Street, is 1km and takes about 10 minutes on foot. On the way, you'll see many sweets shops that represent Otaru , such as LeTAO's Café, Kitakaro, and Rokkatei. It might be a good idea to stop by and rest your feet. Many shops near Sakai Street closes around 18:00 to 19:00, so we recommend going shopping early.

Day 2: If you have the time

Sightseeing: Tenguyama Observation Deck / Otaru Aquarium / visiting retro cafés

Advice: Tenguyama Observation Deck offers a panoramic view of Otaru City to Otaru Ferry Terminal and Otaru Aquarium , with its penguin and dolphin shows , are all popular tourist sites in the outskirts of Otaru . You will want to take a bus from JR Otaru Station, and it will take about 3 hours round trip. Also, there are many old buildings and warehouses along Otaru Canal that were renovated into retro-style cafes and restaurants; make sure to stop by for a break while you are strolling along the canal.

Day 2: Must-Haves for Dinner

Sushi / Seafood caught in Otaru

Advice: It is said that there are over 100 sushi shops in Otaru , and many shops can be found along “ Sushi Street” (Sushiya Dori). It is better to make reservations for popular restaurants , but if you avoid the busy hours, you might be able to get in. Your budget may vary depending on the shop, but it typically costs around 3,000 yen to 10,000 per person. Uni (sea urchin) and shako (mantis shrimp) caught near Otaru region are are very popular. The best season for shako is spring to autumn , and uni is June to August. Fresh seafood dishes prepared with ingredients caught near Otaru is are also delicious. There are also western restaurants with dishes like cotriade and bouillabaisse.

Recommended hotels in Otaru :

• Address 1-2-15, Ironai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido, 047-0031 View Map
• Nearest Station Otaru Station （Hakodate Main Line） 10 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 0134-29-2345

The hills in Hokkaido's Furano and Biei areas are colored purple with lavender fields where a variety of flower gardens can be seen. This exquisite scenery is a source of local pride. Aoiike - Hokkaido's Blue Pond - is located near Shirogane Onsen in Biei Town. The blueish white surface and withered white birch forest —this natural breathtakingly majestic sight is now a popular tourism site. There is parking space at the Blue Pond, however, bear in mind that the site itself is in the middle of a natural setting without shops, restaurants, or restrooms. The links below will expand on getting to this area and on what kind of side trips are suggested.

Recommended hotels in Furano :

• Address Nakagoryo, Furano-shi, Hokkaido, 076-8511 View Map
• Nearest Station Furano Station （Nemuro Main Line / Furano Line）

■Day 4: Plan A, scenic spots and hot spring hopping in the historical hot spring town Noboribetsu ! ■Day 4: Morning Sapporo → Noboribetsu Onsen (car: approximately 107km, train: 1 hour 10 minutes, bus: 1 hour 40 minutes)

Advice: Travel to Noboribetsu Onsen from JR Sapporo Station by train or rental car. There is an intercity bus Kosoku Onsen -go from the station; however, there is only one bus per day. If you take the public bus, you will need to change routes, and it could take over two and a half hours to get there. You could get to popular locations in Noboribetsu Onsen by bus or taxi; however, we recommend renting a car for smooth traveling.

Day 4: Local lunch is a must

Jigoku Ramen / Enma Yakisoba Advice: Famous local dishes of Noboribetsu Onsen are Jigoku ramen (hell ramen ), and Enma yakisoba (Enma is the god that judges your fate in the underworld). These dishes are named after the famous local site Jigokudani (Hell Valley). Jigoku ramen is a popular dish at the ramen shop Aji no Daio, and it is renowned for the spicy red soup that looks something the devil would serve up! Noboribetsu Enma yakisoba is served in various restaurants in the hot spring area, and each shop offers a different variation of these spicy stir-fried noodles. Many restaurants are located along Gokuraku Dori, starting from the Noboribetsu Onsen bus terminal.

Day 4: Afternoon

Route example: Jigokudani → Oyunuma → Oyunuma Natural Foot bath → Sengen Park

Advice: If you are not using a rental car, you could use a bus or taxi to reach sightseeing locations. You can walk to the areas, but it takes quite a bit of time. There are pathways around <@Jigokudani|a=article:a1000026> and Oyunuma, and you can stroll through the area. It’s a long path trail, so we recommend walking shoes and comfortable clothing. It will take about 3 to 4 hours. Every day, foot lamps along the pathway are illuminated from sundown to 9:30 p.m., you can enjoy the stroll in a magical atmosphere.

Day 4: If you have the time in your Hokkaido itinerary

Noboribetsu Bear Park / Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura / Public Baths

Advice: If you have spare time, check out the Noboribetsu Bear Park by ropeway and Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, a theme park with Edo Period historical building replicas. Either facility closes around 4 to 5 p.m., so it might be better to stop by here then heading over to the illuminated pathway in the Jigokudani area. Also, some hot spring hotels offer public baths that you can stop by while sightseeing.

Day 4: We recommend a relaxing dinner at the hotel

Advice: Near the Noboribetsu Onsen area many hotels have dining facilities, so few restaurants offer dinner in the area. If you decide to spend the night in Noboribetsu Onsen , you should make sure to order the inclusive dinner plan. There are various meal plans depending on the facility, such as buffets using seasonal local produce, full course meals filled with food gathered from the mountain and sea, and local cuisine called ozen-ryori.

Recommended hotels in Noboribetsu :

• Address 154 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0592 View Map
• Nearest Station Noboribetsu Station （Muroran Main Line）

■Hokkaido Trip Day 4: Plan B, one night at Lake Toya Hot Spring and lake resort in the outskirts of Sapporo ■Day 4: Morning Sapporo → Lake Toya (car: approximately 153km, train: about 1 hour 50 minutes, bus: 2 hours 45 minutes)

Advice: Lake Toya Hot Spring is the center point for sightseeing in the area. There are four buses per day to Lake Toya Hot Spring from JR Sapporo Station; reservation by phone is required (Donan bus). When taking the train, take the Super Hokuto from JR Sapporo Station to JR Toya Station, from there take the bus to Lake Toya Hot Spring . It is possible to use the bus to go sightseeing in the Lake Toya area; however, using a rental car is more efficient.

Day 4: Lunch is a must

Scallop Cuisine

Advice: Around Lake Toya , there are few restaurants and cafés that offer a panoramic view of the lake . There aren’t a lot of famous local dishes; however, there are few options using scallops from Funka Bay located in the outskirts of Lake Toya . Dishes such as Hotatedon (scallop rice bowl), scallop okowa (sticky rice), deep-fried scallops and scallop ramen can be enjoyed at restaurants, train stations and service stations in the Lake Toya area.

Route example: Toyakokisen → Usuzan Ropeway

Advice: The highlight of Lake Toya sightseeing is the lake cruise. The boat operates every 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the season ), and you can buy boarding tickets that day. There is a summertime-only fireworks viewing cruise that is also quite exciting. To get to Usuzan Ropeway, use the local bus. There are only a few buses, so make sure to keep track of bus departure times when planning.

Day 4: If you have the time

Cuisine: Okadaya / Waksaimo Honpo Lake Toya Honten

Advice: The two major sweets of Lake Toya are Okadaya’s shiroi oshiruko and Waksaimo Honpo’s wakasaimo . Okadaya’s shiroi oshiruko is made from sweet daifuku beans harvested in the area. Wakasaimo Honopo’s wakasaimo is a white bean paste with kombu (edible kelp) mixed in shaped like yaki-imo (roasted sweet potato). Both shops have cafés that offer sweets and a regular food menu; it is a convenient place to have lunch.

Day 4: Must-Haves for Dinner

Dinner at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa

Advice: The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa is Lake Toya ’s luxurious resort hotel . There are restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido, such as Michel Bras Toya Japon. It is possible to get seats at the restaurants if reservations get canceled. If there is a restaurant that you want to go to, we recommend making reservations ahead of time. You can also stay at other hotels and have dinner here.

Recommended hotels near Lake Toya :

• Address 33 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 049-5721 View Map
• Nearest Station Toya Station （Muroran Main Line）

A: Noboribetsu to the Airport (car: approximately 73km, bus: 1 hour 15 minutes) Advice: There are only 2 Express Airport buses per day in the morning. If you are heading to JR Sapporo Station, there is the Kosoku Onsen -go bus once per day, or you can use the train.

B: Lake Toya Onsen to the Airport (car: approximately 100km, train: 1 hour 30 minutes ~) Advice: From JR Toya Station head to JR Minami- Chitose Station and transfer to the train heading to the airport . Depending on the transfer at Minami- Chitose Station, your travel time may vary, so make sure to check the departure schedule beforehand. The bus from Noboribetsu Onsen to JR Sapporo Station takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Then you will transfer to the airport shuttle and head to the airport . *Times and distances are a reference guide

In this 5-day Hokkaido itinerary, we covered the significant sights and areas people visit in Japan's northern island. One of the critical factors in planning your dream trip to Hokkaido will be the season . While spring and summer are often considered the best time to visit Hokkaido , have a look at the links below to help you decide what time of year is best for you according to what you'd like to do and see.

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In winter, enjoy skiing & snowboarding too!

You can enjoy a variety of fun snow activities in this area in winter , including skiing and snowboarding . To save money and hassle, we recommend booking lift tickets in advance. Enjoy the unique winter landscapes and outstanding sense of openness that snow resorts afford, while also avoiding the crowds.

• Area Sapporo / Chitose
• Category Other Townscapes Sushi Gift Shops
• How To: Sightseeing

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7 Day Hokkaido Itinerary | Japan

As Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido is known as the  top destination for adventure and outdoor lovers  in Japan. The island is famous for its  volcanoes, expansive national parks, natural hot springs (otherwise known as onsen), and world-class   winter ski resorts.

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While it is a very popular destination to visit in the winter, Hokkaido offers  great adventures during the time of year. 

You’ll find vast areas of wilderness filled with forests, blue caldera lakes, amazing wildlife and wildflowers, and bubbling natural hot springs. Hikers, cyclists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts will be completely at home here. 

Whether exploring the islands’ national parks or visiting a  traditional Ainu village to discover the deeply rooted culture of the Indigenous people, there are plenty of things to do in Hokkaido.

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We spent  3 weeks exploring Hokkaido  on our recent visit to Japan. We drove all around the island, exploring its famous attractions, national parks and lesser-known destinations. 

It quickly became one of our favourite experiences in the country. After finding the best places and must-see attractions, we decided to put together this 7-day Hokkaido itinerary to help other intrepid travellers make the most of their time in this region. 

How to Get to Hokkaido 

Before we get into the itinerary, let’s cover some logistics on how to visit Hokkaido.

Hokkaido’s main entry point is the  New Chitose International Airport   (CTS),  located about an hour’s drive from downtown Sapporo city. Most flights coming into the airport are domestic, so you’ll likely connect in Tokyo if coming from another international destination.

An incredibly scenic option for visiting Hokkaido is to take the train from Tokyo. The rail journey takes about  7-8 hours to reach Sapporo Station from Tokyo.  

The  Hokkaido Shinkansen (bullet train)  links Aomori on Japan’s main island of Honshu with Hakodate on Hokkaido  via the Seikan Tunnel. Hakodate is the southernmost city on the island, and the journey via limited express train will take only about 4 hours.

In Hakodate, transfer to a local train to Sapporo or continue to other destinations within Hokkaido. If you plan to travel extensively within Japan, consider purchasing a  Japan Rail Pass  (JR Pass) before your trip. This pass can be purchased for 7, 14 and 21 days and allows unlimited travel on JR trains, including the Shinkansen.

How to Get Around Hokkaido 

The incredibly wild and vast island of Hokkaido is best explored at your own pace. While it’s possible to use public transport, it’s not as well-connected as other regions of Japan.

Getting around by car is the  best way to explore Hokkaido. Renting a car gives you the flexibility to move at your own pace and visit more remote areas. 

You prebook your car rental  HERE  and pick up your car at one of the many rental agencies at the airport. Daily rates range from $50-100 per day, depending on the season and the type fo vehicle. 

IMPORTANT:  Keep in mind that in order to rent a car in Japan,  you will need an international driver’s license.  Not just a photo of one or an expired one, but a valid license that you can physically present at registration. If you don’t have an international license, be sure to get one from your local AAA or CAA office before departing for Japan. 

By Public Transport

Most of the popular tourist destinations in Hokkaido can be reached by train. The  JR Hokkaido Rail Pass  services Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Kushiro, and a few other destinations around the island. You can purchase 5,7, and 10-day passes to make hop on and off easier.

Our Suggested 7 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

While Hokkaido is a popular winter destination due to its world-class skiing and beautiful snowfields,  this itinerary is primarily designed for the warmer months.  

Here’s how to spend 7 days in Hokkaido

Day 1- CTS (New Chitose Airport) to Lake Akan

Distance:  270 km (167.8 miles) Driving Time:  4.5 hours

Arrive at the airport, pick up your hire car, and make your way to Lake Akan. Located in Akan National Park, it is  one of three crater lakes  dating back over 150,000 years. The area is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, outdoor activities, and indigenous Ainu culture. 

Stop at Unkai Terrace

On the way, stop at  Unkai Terrace . Located about 2 hours from Sapporo, this is a famous  observation spot  from which you can view an  incredible sea of clouds  as they settle over the mountains and lakes. Located at over 1,000 meters (3,280 ft), the platform is easy to get to with a quick 13-minute gondola ride up from  Hoshino Resorts Tomamu.  

Tip:  Don’t forget to carry some layers with you as the cool mountain air at the top is freezing, even in summer.

Explore Lake Akan town (aka Akanko Onsen)

The onsen town of Lake Akan is a great base for exploring Akan-Mashu National Park. The town is small, with a handful of hotels and traditional inns on the shore of the caldera lake. Most lodgings offer on-site onsens where you can soak after a long day of exploration. There are a couple of restaurants in town, but many hotels also offer dinner service.

Visit Ainu Kotan

Ainu Kotan is the  largest Ainu community on the island  and is worth a visit. Walk around the streets, meet the artisans inside their workshops, and check out the local handicrafts for sale.

Eat Ainu Food at Poronno

Grab  lunch at Poronno , a coffee shop serving traditional Ainu cuisine. Try their lunch set, and don’t miss the most delicious sweet potato pancakes  for dessert. 

Take a Boat Trip to See Marimo 

In the afternoon or the following morning, take a  boat trip to the lake  to see the famous Marimo, a  rare algae species  in the shape of green spheres. The best way to get close to the algae is to join a lake cruise that visits the  Marimo Exhibition and Observation Centre  on Churui Island. The exhibition centre offers exhibits and displays with information about Marimo and some an opportunity to see these algae up close. 

Stay at Forest of Akan Tsuruga Resort HANAYUUKA

This  beautiful onsen hotel ,  surrounded by the natural forest on the southern shore of Lake Akan, is a great spot to stay in town. The public onsen (hot spring) bath water is piped directly from a natural hot spring source, making for a very special onsen experience. 

The buffet restaurant also serves delicious local specialties made from produce sourced nearby. They offer a wide range of rooms, from standard double to Japanese-style superior rooms with lake views.

Day 2: Lake Akan to Shiretoko Peninsula

Distance:  80 km (50 miles) Driving time:  1.5 hours

Today, you’ll head to Shiretoko Peninsula on the easternmost part of Hokkaido. It’s home to one of Japan’s most beautiful and untouched national parks. 

Allow extra time  to explore the other Akan-Mashu National Park crater lakes en route. 

Considered one of the world’s clearest lakes, Lake Mashu is worth a stop. You can check out the lake from any of the three observation points on the rim of the caldera. On clear days, you’ll get i ncredible views of the lake.  However, this area is known for a thick fog that settles on the water’s surface – it certainly did when we were visiting.

Lake Kussharo

As  Japan’s largest caldera lake,  Lake Kussharo is a must-visit. If you have time, it’s a popular spot for water sports like kayaking and canoeing. Otherwise, take a walk along the 2.5 km nature trail, which crosses a sandbar and follows the shore of the peninsula.

Located between Mount Mashu and Mount Kussharo, Mount Io is the  area’s most active stratovolcano.  It is known for its frequent activity, where steam and volcanic gases are released from vents on the mountain. 

Mount Io’s summit is not accessible due to potential hazards; we suggest following one of the well-marked hiking trails around the base of the mountain. These walks provide  excellent views of the volcanic landscape,  where you can observe steam vents and bubbling mud pools. 

Stay at Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko

Make  Hotel Kifu Club  in Utorohigashi on the Shiretoko Peninsula your home for a few nights. This family-run hotel is a perfect spot to stay while exploring Shiretoko. Located along the main street, the hotel offers a variety of accommodation options ranging from Japanese-style rooms to Western-style cabins. 

There are private hot spring baths on-site and a beautiful outdoor deck area to soak up sunset views.

The onsite restaurant offers an amazing kaiseki tempura dinner, with Japanese dishes featuring locally caught seafood and fresh ingredients. 

Day 3: Visit Rausu

Take a day trip over to Rausu, on the other side of the Shiretoko Peninsula. The large town is famous for its  fishing industry  and incredible  wildlife sightings off the coast.  For a 1 day trip, here’s how we recommend you spend your time: 

Drive Down Shiretoko Pass

Follow the steep and windy drive from Utoro to Rausu via  Shiretoko Pass.  This is one of the  best viewpoints on the peninsula,  offering spectacular views of nearby Mount Rausu, Shiretoko’s highest mountain, as well as Kunashiri Island. It’s also a great spot to see fall foliage around October, but be mindful that the pass is closed in winter. 

Join a Whale Watching Tour

Outside of the cold winter months, the waters surrounding the Shiretoko Peninsula are home to dolphins, minke and sperm whales, orcas and migratory sea birds.  Whale tours  depart from Rausu and run along the Nemuro Strait, known to have one of the  highest populations of orcas  in the world. Summer is the best time of year to enjoy whale-watching tours, but sightings are possible any time of the year.

Eat Fresh Seafood 

Rausu plays a leading role in Japan’s fishing industry, so fresh seafood is abundant in this small town. It’s most well-known for Pacific cod, but also crab, scallops, and salmon . 

Take the opportunity to sample the freshest catch for lunch. Head to a local restaurant on the coast, such as  Junnobanya  for traditional delicacies or  Isami Sushi  for fresh sushi.

Go on a Hike from Rausu Visitor Centre

If you still have time in the afternoon, head to the  Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center,  located near the base of Mount Rausu. It provides information on the eastern half of the Shiretoko National Park. 

You can also  access various hiking trails  from there, including a  trailhead to Mount Rausu  (the Rausu Onsen Route),  Lake Raus u and  Kumagoe-no-Taki Falls . If you’re short on time, check out the geyser, which is located a short distance from the visitor center. It blasts every hour and can be fun to see. 

Day 4: Explore Shiretoko National Park

Today, spend a full day exploring the  western part of Shiretoko National Park . 

Visit Five Lakes Boardwalk

Just 20 minutes northeast of the hotel, you’ll find the  Shiretoko Five Lake Area , a set of five small lakes formed by the ancient eruption of nearby Mount Io and fed by underground springs.

The best way to explore the stunning area is by walking on the  Shiretoko Five Lakes trail , which provides views of the surrounding landscapes and wildlife. You can follow the raised boardwalk trail, which leads from the parking lot to the first lake (it is suitable for the whole family and is wheelchair accessible) or opt for a longer hike through the forest. 

In Summer and Fall, this area is known for  frequent brown bear encounters.  Depending on the season, hiring a guide to accompany you on the trail is mandatory. 

Take Bear Watching Cruise 

Shiretoko’s claim to fame is its wildlife, particularly brown bears. No Hokkaido trip is complete without joining a bear-watching cruise for a chance to  spot bears in their native habitat. 

Bear-watching tours operate  from late April through until the end of October  by the  Shiretoko Sightseeing Ship,  MS Aurora . They offer three routes starting from Utoro, ranging from 1 to 3 hours.

The longest route is the  Secret Ground Shiretoko Route.  This cruise goes all the way to the tip of the peninsula, offering a chance to see bears, seals and dramatic waterfalls. Bring binoculars, as the ship travels far from the coastline, making it harder to spot wildlife on shore. 

Hike to Cape Puyuni and See Furepe Falls

A relatively easy way to get spectacular views and a chance for some wildlife spotting is to head to Shiretoko Nature Center. From here, follow a well-defined  2km nature trail to Furepe-no-Taki Falls . A wonderful observation deck at the end of the trail offers incredible views of the falls and a chance to spot wild deer and other animals.

For a sunset photo op, stop at the  Cape Puyuni lookout point  on your way back to Utoro. It’s the perfect spot to see the sun dip below the horizon and enjoy views of the coastline. 

Day 5: Shiretoko to Daisetsuzan National Park

Distance:  290 km (180 miles) Driving time:  5 hours

It’s a long drive from the Shiretoko area to the central part of the island. However, there is a lot to see along the way to break up the drive. 

Stop at Mt. Kurodake Ropeway 

Located outside Asahikawa, the Kurodake Ropeway offers a  scenic ride up to Kurodake Mountain  in Daisetsuzan National Park. The Kurodake Ropeway connects Sounkyo Onsen with an upper station halfway up to the summit.

The upper station offers an  observation deck with views into the gorge below. It’s also the starting point for some hikes, with access to trails leading to Kurodake’s summit and nearby peaks.

Stay at Stay In Biei

Located outside of Asahikawa, Biei is a picturesque town surrounded by rolling hills and vast fields. As a  nice base to explore Daisetsuzan ,  Stay In Biei  offers a self-catering apartment. Located right in the heart of town, this apartment has a living area, kitchen, and a large bedroom – perfect for a couple!

Day 6: Daisetsuzan National Park & Furano and Biei Area

Biei is ideally located  at the heart of Hokkaido’s best landscapes,  including Daisetsuzan, Japan’s largest national park, home to  Mt. Asahidake , the tallest mountain in Hokkaido, and the Furano-Biei area is famous for  flower fields. 

Take the Asahidake Ropeway and Hike to the Summit 

The  Asahidake Ropeway  offers cable car trips from Asahidake Onsen up to Sugatami Station, from which you can  hike the rest of the way to the summit.

The ropeway’s upper station sits at 1600 meters (5,250 ft) above sea level, amongst an alpine landscape filled with wildflowers in summer. If you have time, you can continue for 2 hours to the  summit of Asahidake . Asahidake is the first place in Japan to see snow each year, and its summit provides fantastic views over the area. 

The area is beautiful and worth a visit any time of the year!

Visit a Flower Farm 

Head south of Biei to  Furano , which is most  famous for its flower fields  filled with lavender, poppies, sunflowers, and tulips, which bloom during the summer months.

From early May to early October, visit the  Shikisai-no-oka Panoramic Flower Gardens  or one of the many flower farms featuring sweeping fields of flowers in bloom. Be prepared for a  large crowd in peak summer,  when the flowers are at their best. 

Visit Shirogane Blue Pond

Located in Biei town,  Shirogane Blue Pond  is another popular attraction in the area. This picturesque  Instagram-famous lake is known for its bluish-white colour  and attracts busloads of visitors to its shores on a daily basis. If you want those Insta-perfect shots, get to the Blue Pond early to beat the crowds. 

Day 7: Visit Sapporo

Distance:  165 km (102.5 miles) Driving time:  2.5 hours

Your Hokkaido itinerary finishes in Sapporo, the capital of the region. As the prefecture’s capital, Sapporo is the economic hub and cultural center and is the perfect spot to end your 7 day itinerary. 

Downtown Sapporo

Explore the downtown area of Sapporo, which is filled with art galleries, restaurants, and breweries. Sapporo is best known for its namesake beer, and along with a world-class culinary scene. It’s a top foodie destination with lots of great restaurants to explore. 

Visit Odori Park

Located in the heart of the city and just across from the Sapporo Clock Tower, the iconic Odori Park stretches for 12 blocks. It’s easily the  most famous attraction in the city,  and is home to  Japan’s largest snow festival,  as well as the  Sapporo TV Tower.

Sapporo TV Tower

This famous TV tower was built in 1957 and stands 147 meters (482 ft) high in the heart of Odari Park. However, its biggest draw card for visitors is the observation deck offering panoramic views of the city. 

General admission  is around 1000 yen. It’s a popular nighttime activity so you can see the city covered in twinkling lights.

Sapporo Beer Museum

To uncover the story behind the city’s famous beer, head to the Beer Museum in central Sapporo.  Admission is free  for the exhibitions in the former factory detailing the history of Sapporo Beer. Beer tastings have an extra charge.

Next door, you’ll find the Sapporo Beer Garden , which serves up draft beers and all-you-can-eat barbecues inside a beautiful contemporary space.

Have more time? 

The truth is that 7 days in Hokkaido is not enough to explore all the beautiful destinations and attractions in this region. So, plan to stay for longer  and add a visit to any of these areas. 

Kushiro National Park

Located in eastern Hokkaido, this is  Japan’s largest wetland habitat  and home to the last endangered Japanese Cranes. Approximately 1,000 Japanese cranes can be found in the marshes around Kushiro.

Lake Toya and Mt Usu

Part of the  Shikotsu-Toya National Park,  Lake Toya is a stunning caldera lake filled with islands and natural hot baths. 

The region is also home to the  active volcano Mount Usu.  The  Usuzan Ropeway  offers a cable car ride to the summit of Mount Usu, where there is an observation deck and path around the volcano rim. 

There is also a popular rim trail at Mount Usu, known as the Usu-zan Ropeway Rim Trail, which provides stunning panoramic views of the volcanic landscape.

Kuromatsunai

Located in southern Hokkaido, Kuromatsunai is one of the  most charming towns on the island  and is surrounded by a  beech forest  known as the  Utasai Forest Park . Rent a bike to explore the beech forest, local farms, and the town in a day.

Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park

On the northwestern tip of Hokkaido,  Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park  is a spectacular collection of volcanic mountains, islands, and alpine wildflowers. Hiking is the best way to explore the park, with several trails through fields and wildflowers, plus a more strenuous option to the summit of  Mount Rishiri.

Visit Niseko

While this might be a famous winter destination, in summer, you can enjoy mountain biking and hiking. You can hike Mt. Annupuri, go river rafting, kayaking, or canyoning.

READ NEXT: Top Things to do in Hokkaido

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11 Days in Hokkaido Summer Itinerary – July

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

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

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

Day 1: Explore Sapporo City in the Evening

Welcome to Hokkaido!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2: Jozankei Onsen and Jozankei Farm

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3: Sapporo to Toyako Onsen

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 4: Mt. Usu Ropeway and outdoor activities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 5: Toyako Onsen to Furano via Sapporo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 6: Nakafurano

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Call a taxi for a ride to Asahidake .

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

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

Day 9: Furano to Sapporo

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

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

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

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

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

Day 10: Enjoy A Day trip to Otaru

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

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

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

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

Pack your bags before you sleep tonight!

Day 11: Goodbye Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

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

Going Awesome Places

Detailed itineraries + travel guides

9 Day Far East Hokkaido Itinerary – Adventure, Wildlife, and the Ainu

Last Updated July 17, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » 9 Day Far East Hokkaido Itinerary – Adventure, Wildlife, and the Ainu

There’s an entire side to Japan that you haven’t seen and very few get to experience it. The far east region of Hokkaido shines brightly with its unspoilt nature. If swaths of wilderness, primeval forests, volcanic mountains, and caldera-filled lakes sound like your cup of tea, you need to come here.

In this 9 day Far East Hokkaido itinerary, you’ll get to truly appreciate the island’s treasures by seeing its vast range of ecosystems, feeling the healing power of its many hot springs, tasting its range of fresh and delectable seafood, getting close to awe-inspiring wildlife, and more.

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Where to book your hotels when going to Japan

• After considerable testing between Booking.com , Expedia , and Agoda , we learned that Agoda has not only an advantage in terms of having more inventory of hotels in Japan, but it is almost always cheaper as well.

In This Article

How to use this Hokkaido itinerary

Where is the far east of hokkaido, why did we visit far east hokkaido, day 1 – kushiro to kiritappu, day 2 – wetland exploration, day 3 – whale watching adventure, day 4 – bear watching surprise, day 5 – shiretoko five lakes, day 6 – from volcanoes to rivers, day 7 – the ainu, day 8 – kushiro-shitsugen national park, day 9 – farewell to the far east, map of far east hokkaido itinerary, our experience traveling with adventure hokkaido, 1 – dietary restrictions, 2 – how to onsen, 3 – zoom lens and binoculars, 4 – bring cash, 5 – prepare for changes in weather, how much did this trip cost, closing thoughts on 9 days in far east hokkaido, frequently asked questions, travel resources for your next trip, 9 day hokkaido itinerary in the far east.

Hokkaido is globally known as a winter ski and snowboard destination but it’s so much more. Its allure also comes from how you get to visit places that most travelers don’t get to see and have cultural encounters that are at its utmost raw and authentic .

From land to sea, there’s an incredible diversity of scenery, wildlife, and culture that is truly deserving of the moniker of Japan’s wild frontier .

A question we’ve gotten a lot is, “isn’t this similar to Canada?”. To that, we say that we have a greater appreciation for this type of landscape because of some of its similarity but more importantly, everything you can experience here in 9 days just wouldn’t be possible in Canada (or New Zealand which we draw a lot of parallels to). The defining difference is how Far East Hokkaido’s outdoors perfectly dovetails with Japanese culture, meaning you get to have delicious seafood, soak in an onsen practically everyday, and feel that warmth and hospitality of locals which is unmatched in any other part of the world.

We created this itinerary with you, our readers, in mind. How you use it is up to you.

For the independent traveler, you can use this is an exact blueprint of what you want to do in Far East Hokkaido or as a starting point that you tweak to your own.

If you would rather join a group, this itinerary also closely mirrors Adventure Hokkaido’s own 9 day itinerary so you can easily sign up with them. Make sure to scroll to the bottom on my thoughts about them.

In this guide, you’ll find day-by-day breakdowns, boxes labelled “What you need to know” which has the critical details you need for main activities with restaurant and accommodation recommendations.

Make sure to get to the end as well where we have the extremely useful trip map for those that are visual planners.

At Going Awesome Places, we are obsessed about building travel itineraries because that’s how we do our trip planning and it’s the kind of detail that is hard to find these days. You’ll see a lot of similarities with other ones we’ve created such as the 6 day Banff in the winter itinerary , 9 day Easter Island itinerary , 10 days in Patagonia , and 10 day Egypt itinerary .

While Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest island covering 20% of the country’s land area, it is only 5% of its population. This speaks to how much open space there is compared to other parts of Japan which are often tightly compacted.

The lack of urbanization and pollution combined with conservation efforts leads to a place that has been allowed to thrive in its commodity of natural treasures, a key draw to most visitors that decide to go to Hokkaido.

As you start moving to Eastern Hokkaido (Okhotsk, Tokachi, and Kushiro), the landscape becomes a mix of volcanic mountain ranges, hills, wide open plains, wetlands, and coastlands that stretch out to the sea.

While not officially a geographic term, Far East Hokkaido refers to cover furthest eastern reaches of the island where you’ll find a really magnificent cluster of pristine scenery and wildlife habitats. In addition, you’ll find 3 national parks here – Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park, Akan–Mashu National Park, and Shiretoko National Park.

This itinerary of the far east of Hokkaido is a prime example that this vast and secluded corner of Japan is the best place for those that want to experience the outdoors in a way that is uniquely Japanese.

This trip was part of a much larger trip throughout Japan that started in September and just one part of what we managed to do in Hokkaido. For this particular segment, I was travelling on my own.

Within Hokkaido, I wanted to split our time time by doing your typical tourist route but I also wanted to go off-the-beaten-path that could fit my itch to do something a bit more adventurous and would allow me to delve into the incredible outdoors that the island is known for.

While the standard Hokkaido trip to Sapporo, Furano, Biei, Otaru, and Noboribetsu was easier to plan, I immediately felt out of my depths with Eastern Hokkaido when I realized that 1) there isn’t a lot of English-based information online, and 2) I needed serious local expertise if I wanted to book things.

That’s when I discovered companies like Hokkaido Treasure Island and Adventure Hokkaido . Both were extremely helpful but we ended up landing on the 9 Day Japan’s Far East Wildlife Adventure Tour that was already guaranteed to run and fit our timeline.

Logistically, I ended up starting our Hokkaido trip with the far east and then connected it with a week in Sapporo ( coming soon ), followed other popular parts of the island.

Your first day in Far East Hokkaido is primarily a transit day. For some, this’ll mean coming directly from your home country and for others, you may be connecting from another part of Japan or Asia.

The largest city in this region is Kushiro so it makes sense to start your journey by flying into Tancho Kushiro Airport (airport code KUH).

TIP: If you’re coming straight from outside of Japan, your easiest connection will be from Haneda (HND) in Tokyo which is serviced by ANA, JAL, and Air Do, giving you plenty of non-stop options. This means that you don’t need to make an unnecessary hop in Sapporo if you don’t need to.

From here, join your tour group or pick up your car rental.

Alternatively, you can also take the train to Kushiro if you’re already in Sapporo or if you’ve decided to take the longer scenic way all the way from Tokyo.

Car Rentals from Kushiro

On-site car rental companies: The following are the companies that have booths set up at Kushiro airport.

• Times Car Rental
• Orix Rent-A-Car
• Toyota Rent-A-Car
• Nippon Rent-A-Car
• Nissan Rent-A-Car (their website is quite buggy and requires multiple refreshes)
• JR Rent-A-Car
• You need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent cars in Japan. Make sure you get one from your home country before you come here. In Canada, that means dropping by a CAA and in the United States, AAA .
• In Japan, you drive on the left side of the road so keep that in mind. This might take some time to get used to at first but the good news is that there aren’t many cars in Hokkaido and Japanese drivers in general are not aggressive.
• There may be an option to rent an ETC card with your vehicle. This is an IC card that’ll allow you to use the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) lane on expressways that have tolls. For this itinerary, you will not need one since there aren’t any tolled highways on this side of Hokkaido.
• Expect the check-in process to be extremely thorough and slow. From a timing perspective, this means accounting for at least 40 minutes to get from arriving at the counter to leaving with your rental car.
• Booking through third-party platforms is perfectly safe and reliable. In fact, you can often find discounted rates through something like Klook .
• We tested RentalCars and DiscoverCars and they unfortunately don’t show Japanese car rental agencies. This is why Klook is your best bet.

How to save money:

• Car rental coupon codes are not commonplace in Japan and since the big companies such as Avis, Hertz, National, and Enterprise can’t be found in this part of Hokkaido, you won’t be able to use them.
• It’s worth checking out the Times Car deals page which is the only company that does offer seasonal deals.
• Anecdotally, I found the best prices when searching through Klook or booking direct with Nippon, Times, and Toyota with car rentals all over Japan.

Drive 1.5 hours from Kushiro to the Kiritappu Peninsula which juts out into the Pacific Ocean. The eastern side of the peninsula is a famous cape that’s officially named Cape Tofutsu but is more commonly called Cape Kiritappu (Cape Tokkari in the Ainu language)

This is a table-shaped point that sprawls out into the ocean and is highlighted by a lighthouse, campgrounds, and plenty of wildlife. A well-laid path allows you to walk all the way out to close to the edge of the cape, which has a great view of the bird colonies on the small islands in front.

Recently, sea otters have made this cape their home in 2018 and so this area has become a popular viewpoint to spot these adorable otters floating on their backs.

Your resting spot for the night is Kurimoto . Settle into this traditional Japanese ryokan and freshen up by having your first onsen experience of this trip.

For dinner, you’ll walk over to the local neighbourhood sushi restaurant, Sushi Hirano , where you’ll have a sampling of some of the freshest seafood in Japan.

Day 1 Summary

What you’ll do:

• Cape Kiritappu

Where you’ll eat:

• Dinner – Sushi Hirano – A traditional sushi restaurant that’s walking distance from your hotel.

Where you’ll stay:

• Kurimoto – A small inn that has both Western and Japanese-style rooms that are unfortunately a little outdated but that’s a bit of the norm in these rural parts of Hokkaido. The good news is that they do have an onsen.

For your first day on this 9 day journey through Far East Hokkaido, you’ll be jumping, or rather paddling right into the heart of the marsh that is home to a vast variety of wildlife. Afterwards, as you follow the coast, you’ll also get to see another highly diverse are with seashores, tidal flats, grasslands, marshes, and forests.

But first…breakfast!

It’ll feel overwhelming at first but you’ll learn throughout the trip that this is how Japanese breakfasts at are done. Unlike Western breakfasts, its combination of textures, umami flavors, and nutrition that starts your mornings off right.

Kurimoto’s selection is packed with omega-rich proteins, grains, vegetables, and pickles.

Since marsh areas are by its nature difficult to traverse on foot, the best way to get an intimate view of the Kiritappu Wetland is by grabbing a canoe and paddling right in.

With the local paddle guides, you’ll float on your Canadian canoes through the narrow river channels of Biwase River which then opens up, giving you a real sense of how expansive the wetland is.

This classic out-and-back route is also awesome for birdwatching so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for eagles and red-crowned cranes. If you’re lucky, you might also see deer and bears in the distance.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Duration – The paddle is roughly 2 hours
• Departures – 9AM and 1PM
• Season – Starts in June and ends when it reaches freezing temperatures
• Adults – ¥9,000
• Junior High School Students – ¥5,000
• Children – ¥2,000
• Solo – ¥12,000

Parking: There’s free parking at the boat launch area by the intersection of the bridge and Biwase River.

Booking: The easiest way to book is through their reservations/inquiry page .

Language: Most guides do not speak English or have some limited knowledge. It helps to travel a company like Adventure Hokkaido so that you have an English-speaking guide accompanying the group.

Website: LandEdge

• Do you need to have prior paddling skills? No, this is a very beginner-friendly excursion. They assign one guide to be at the rear of each canoe. They are responsible for most of the paddling and steering.
• Is food provided on the tour? Yes, there is a snack break in the middle where the canoes will be brought onshore and you’ll have your choice of coffee or tea and a LandEdge cookie.
• Do you have to bring any equipment? No, LandEdge will provide all canoeing equipment including the Canadian canoes, paddles, and life jackets.
• What happens if it rains? Tours will run even if there is rain. LandEdge can provide Wellington-style boots if the weather requires it.
• Are there any chances of flipping? There’s always a chance but it is quite small because you’ll have a guide with you on the canoe and the current is quite slow.
• Are reservations mandatory? Yes, reservations are required.
• How early do you need to book in advance? We recommend booking at least 2-3 months in advance. They recommend that groups of 5 make reservations as soon as possible.
• There are lots of opportunities to see birds on this canoe trip so it’s a good idea to bring your binoculars and zoom lens.
• If you are bringing a camera or anything that you’re worried might get wet, make sure to bring your own dry bag. For this Hokkaido itinerary, a 5L dry bag is the perfect size.
• Being a wetland area, mosquitoes can be quite heavy at the parking lot, and the early parts of the paddle where you river is quite narrow.

For lunch, you’ll make a visit to the Kiritappu Wetland Center , an extensive interpretive center that does a great job at explaining and showing through models and diagrams the geology and wildlife. Set at a higher elevation, they also have a great view of the wetland area itself and is known to be a great spot to see red-crowned cranes.

On the upper floor is the Kiritappu Cafe which serves hearty dishes made with local ingredients. We recommend you get their Japanese curry which is absolutely fantastic.

In the afternoon, you’ll head drive up along the eastern coast of Hokkaido towards the Nemuro Peninsula . At the base of the peninsula is Shunkunitai , an 8km long and 1.3km wide sandbar that effectively divides the Nemuro Bay with Lake Furen .

On your visit, you’ll see a ecosystem that is a unique combination of forests, marshlands, grasslands, and tidal flats that is best seen from the elevated wooden boardwalk that you’ll walk through.

This a birdwatcher paradise, where you’ll have opportunities to see cranes, sea eagles, small birds of the forest and grassland, and a variety of migratory birds. There’s also a good chance that you’ll see deer here as well.

Settle into Hotel Nemuro Kaiyoutei for the night where you’ll have ample time to enjoy the onsen before your dinner at Osakana Shokudo .

Day 2 Summary

• Canoeing on Biwase River in Kiritappu Wetland
• Kiritappu Wetland Center
• Hiking and wildlife viewing at Shunkunitai and Lake Furen
• Breakfast – Kurimoto – You’ll have a lovely traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.
• Lunch – Kiritappu Cafe – On the upper floor of the Kiritappu Wetland Center is a small cafe where you’ll be able to order from a menu of items ahead of time from your guide. After lunch, make sure to try their ice cream!
• Dinner – Osakana Shokudo – Walking distance from your hotel that is a seafood lover’s paradise but also has other options such as tsukemen ramen and Japanese curry.
• Hotel Nemuro Kaiyoutei ( Agoda ) – Located in the heart of the fishing town of Nemuro is this family-friendly ryokan hotel that has a mix of Japanese and Western-style rooms. This is definitely one of the larger properties you’ll stay at but is also representative of what most accommodations in this region are like – typically a bit older but well-kept. This hotel also has its own onsen.

Apps You Need To Download for Japan

Before you go to Japan, make sure you have these apps on your phone.

Whale watching is easily one of the top highlights of this itinerary so you’re in for a treat today as whales and porpoises await!

To get a head start to the day, you’ll have an early breakfast at the hotel and then hit the road, driving north towards the town of Rausu.

The perfect stop along the way to stretch your legs is the Pogawa Historic Grassland , an expansive outdoor museum where culture, history, and nature meet.

Not only is this a great walk but as you head deeper into the wetland woodland area, you’ll get to see numerous pit dwellings that were built by the people that inhabited this area before the Indigenous Ainu. You’ll need to use a bit of your imagination but they were built near this plateau to be right next to the seashore in ancient times.

By the visitor center, you’ll also see a fascinating reconstruction of what an ancient village used to look like.

• Duration – Roughly 2 to 2.5 hours to see most points of interest
• Departures – 9AM and 5PM (last entry at 4:30PM)
• Season – April 29 to November 23 (exact dates change year to year and it’s open every day)

Price: The visitor center is free but there is an admission fee if you’re going into the pioneer village and ruins.

• Adults – ¥330
• University and junior high school students – ¥110
• Junior high school students and younger – free

Parking: There’s free parking on-site (40 spots).

Language: You won’t find too much in English here so it’s helpful to be traveling with someone like Adventure Hokkaido so someone is able to explain the historical significance of this area.

Website: Hokkaido Shibetsu Town

• Are reservations required? No, you can go at any time.
• The park is a habitat for brown bears so make sure to check the board for the latest sightings and also to practice smart bear practices.
• If you don’t have a bear bell, you can borrow one for free at the visitor center (¥500 deposit required).

Continue driving up to the fishing town of Rausu on the eastern coast of Shiretoko Peninsula . This is the perfect time to have lunch where it only makes sense to have generous portions of seafood for lunch at Shiretoko Shokudo .

You’ve made it all the way up here because of the special characteristics of Nemuro Strait . Sandwiched between the peninsula and Kunashiri Island is a deep trench that is filled with nutrients that make it an ideal home for marine wildlife.

Pushing back from the Rausu port, your whale watching cruise heads out into the strait where the captain and naturalists scan the waters for marine mammals.

Stay patient as there’s a bit of a gradual build-up to the experience. It usually starts with a few sightings of jumping tuna, followed by porpoises smoothly popping in and out of the water. Your elation crescendos when you see that sudden burst of mist from one whale, which then quickly dominoes into several more. The grand finale of course is always the raising of the tail fin before the whale goes for a long and deep dive.

While it isn’t a guarantee, there’s a good chance of sightings because there are typical several boats in the water and they use hydrophones to try to triangulate their location.

• Duration – Roughly 2.5 hours
• Season – April 27 – October 14 (exact dates will change year to year)
• Adults – ¥8,800
• Elementary School Students – ¥4,400
• Pre-School Kids – Free

Parking: There’s free parking near the port area.

Booking: The easiest way to book is through their online reservations page which is in English.

Language: The naturalists and boat guides only speak Japanese. That said, when the naturalists give their presentation about the aquatic wildlife, their information cards have English on them.

Website: Shiretoko Nature Cruise

• Is this a private whale watching cruise? No, this is a public cruise which means that you’ll be on the boat with other travelers.
• Can you get sea sick on the boat? This is a smaller vessel and being in the open water means that it will pitch and roll with the waves, especially when stopped to view the whales. If you’re prone to sea sickness, make sure to prepare motion sickness medicine as they don’t have any onboard.
• What are the chances of seeing whales? They don’t guarantee sightings but as they are out on the water every day and there are several companies out there looking for whales, and with the help of hydrophones, there chances are good.
• Do you need to book in advance? Yes as you won’t want to take the chance of this cruise selling out. We recommend that you book this 4-5 months in advance.
• Does the boat have a bathroom? Yes, all of their ships have bathrooms.
• Is there an age limit for passengers? No, all ages are allowed on the cruise.
• Is the cruise wheelchair accessible? Unfortunately, their ships can’t accommodate wheelchairs.
• Are life jackets available? Yes, every passenger will receive a lifejacket when boarding and it is essentially mandatory to wear while onboard.
• Is there an inside cabin on the ship? Yes, there is a sheltered part of the ship that you can enter if you need to warm up or would like to sit down indoors.
• Does the ship go to the Russian occupied island of Kunashiri? No, for safety, the ship does not cross the median line between Japan and Russia.
• Is food allowed onboard? Yes, you’re allowed to bring your own food as there isn’t a concession stand on the ship. Remember to take the trash away with you.
• If you are staying at Shiretoko Serai, they offer a coupon for Shiretoko Nature Cruise so make sure to ask when you check-in. Of course, this only works if you end up deciding to book your cruise when you arrive.
• Shiretoko Nature Cruise does a meticulous job of keeping track of sightings so check out their Wild Animals Seen to get an idea of what your chances are.
• They have a limited number of binoculars so if you’d like to use one, make sure to ask them when you board.
• Rausu in general is much cooler than the Utoro area that you’ll be headed to afterwards. Even in the summer, the temperatures are under 20°C (68°F). When you’re on the sea, it’ll feel even colder so you’ll want to make sure to have long sleeves and warm layers. While they recommend winter jackets, it isn’t necessarily that cold on the water as it can still get warm under the sun. We recommend that you wear a good shell jacket with an active fleece layer underneath, and long pants. In extreme cases, you might need you waterproof layers, a beanie, and gloves.
• If you’re interested in souvenirs, don’t miss out on their cho-e-maru gift shop which is also meant to be a cafe and lounge before boarding.
• For photographers, the upper deck of the boat has a better top-down vantage point. That said, it is also much more crowded there so you’ll often be struggling to find space to shoot amongst the passengers that are entrenched. The lower deck has fewer people because there aren’t many seats, giving you a bit more freedom to move around.
• There isn’t a better side to sit on the boat as the whales can appear from any direction. We also found that they do a good job at trying to give both sides fair chance at watching the whales.

To get an even better sense of your bearings, after your cruise, you’ll make your way to the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center . Just like the Kiritappu Wetland Center, these are an underrated part of the experience in Hokkaido where these are built to be like mini natural history museums.

You’ll often find deer roaming around this area and if there’s time, you can also walk to the Rausu Geyser which is just behind. You’ll find the exact eruption times posted in the visitor center.

After an action-packed day, you’ll be checking into the sea-side hotel, Shiretoko Serai . Enjoy their proximity to the water, walking distance to town if you have time, and dinner at their fusion restaurant.

Day 3 Summary

• Pogawa Historical Grassland
• Whale Watching Cruise
• Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center
• Rausu Geyser
• Breakfast – Hotel Nemuro Kaiyoutei – Buffet-style breakfast where you’ll be able to make your own katte don (sashimi on rice).
• Lunch – Shiretoko Shokudo – Located on the second floor of the Rausu roadside station, this is a seafood restaurant that is known for its generous portions and fresh fish.
• Dinner – Shiretoko Serai – A unique upscale fusion-style dinner that will surprise you.
• Shiretoko Serai – This is a relatively new property in the town of Rausu that has a the feel of being modern and simple, like it came out of a MUJI catalog. Aside from great rooms, free parking, and included meals, it also has killer views of the Nemuro Strait. A heads up that this is the only property on the itinerary that doesn’t have an onsen.

From whales, we go to bears as our focus for your fourth day in the far east of Hokkaido before cutting across the peninsula to reach the western side of Shiretoko.

After breakfast, you’ll pack up, load the car or bus, and take the road north as far as you can from Rausu. It’s at this end of the road that you’ll find Aidomari Fishing Port .

For this bear watching cruise , you’ll take to the sea in a local fishing boat and make your way up to the tip of Cape Shiretoko.

This is a thrilling experience as the speedy craft allows you to see the grandeur of its cliffs, the flora and fauna, bird colonies, soaring eagles, deer, foxes, and of course, Ussuri brown bears. You might also taste a bit of salt water too from the splashes that come your way.

Like the whale watching cruise, every excursion is different and there’s no telling where the bears might be but since the fisherman is typically out on the water a few times a day, he or she has a pretty good idea of where to focus on.

In some cases, a bear will appear one moment, and in the next, run away. In other cases, you might get lucky and a bear will decide to plop down on a rock to take a nap.

• Duration – Roughly 2.5 hours (1.5 hour to Cape Shiretoko and 1 hour back)
• Departures – 9AM, 2PM (1PM from September 16 – October 15)
• Special departure – 5AM (September 1 – 30)
• Season – April 15 – October 15 (from September onwards, cruises may be cancelled due to water conditions)
• Adults – ¥11,000
• Under 11 years old – ¥5,500
• Special departure – Group of 3 (¥13,000), Group of 8+ (¥12,000)

Parking: There’s free parking near the fisherman’s office and Aidomari Fishing Port.

Booking: Brown Bear Boat Cruise page

Language: The boat captain only speaks Japanese. That said, your guide from Adventure Hokkaido will point out the birds you’ll encounter on the coast and will be another pair of eyes for brown bear spotting.

Website: Lincle Shiretoko Rausu

• Can you get sea sick on the boat? This is a small fishing boat and and being in the open water means that it will pitch and roll with the waves, especially when stopped to view the whales. If you’re prone to sea sickness, make sure to prepare motion sickness medicine as they don’t have any onboard.
• Is there a minimum number of passengers required? For standard departures, 2 are required. For the special departure, 3 are required.
• What are the chances of seeing brown bears? There is no guarantee of seeing bears on this cruise. From our experience, the sense is that it’s harder to spot bears compared to the whale watching cruise. That said, the captain is very experienced and knows where they will likely be found.
• Do you need to book in advance? We recommend booking in advance. Similar to the whale watching cruise, you don’t want to be put in a position where you show up and they
• Are departures guaranteed?
• Does the boat have a bathroom? There is no bathroom on the ship so make sure to use the porta-potty at the office/meeting point.
• Is there an age limit for passengers? It is recommended to be the age elementary school students or above as the boat will bounce quite a bit. Anyone younger may be refused boarding.
• Is the cruise wheelchair accessible? No, it is not wheelchair accessible.
• Are life jackets available? Yes, every passenger will receive a lifejacket and it will be mandatory to keep it on.
• Is there an inside cabin on the ship? No, the fishing boat has neither roof or indoor cabin.
• Compared to whale watching, expect the temperatures to be much colder on this experience because you’re fully exposed to the wind and spray. The fishing boat is also significantly faster. Even midsummer, temperatures can reach down to the single digits (i.e. 7°C/44.6°F). Even more than the whale watching cruise, you’ll want to make sure you are dressed cold weather.
• We recommend you wear a hat or beanie, waterproof jacket , fleece , waterproof pants , hiking shoes (avoid sandals), and if you get cold easily, gloves as well. The sea spray more than just a little so make sure you’re prepared.
• If you don’t have winter clothing, you can rent a winer jacket for ¥500.
• Make sure to apply sunscreen before boarding.
• If you’re carrying a lot of gear, a backpack is allowed onboard as there’s quite a bit of legroom on the fishing boat. If you’re worried about items getting wet, you can pack everything into a dry bag .
• To set expectations properly, the fishing boat will not be able to get close to shore even when there is a bear sighting to reduce human interference.
• Remember to pack your binoculars. If you don’t own one, this Celestron is our favorite.
• For photographers, the lighting in the afternoon can be challenging to photography because the coastline is cast in shadow and the sky will be quite overblown.
• If you’re shooting with a big zoom lens ( OM System 150-400mm ) as I was, you’ll find that you’ll need maximum reach (800mm-1000mm full frame equivalent) to get as close as you see in the photos. At that reach, your will be bobbing up and down like crazy because of the waves so good image stabilization, animal tracking (available with the OM-1 body ), and patience will be required.
• The coastline will be on your left when going up the peninsula and of course on the right when coming down. As a result, I’d recommend sitting on the left side as most sightings will be as you make your way up. That said, since the fishing boat isn’t overcrowded, you won’t have the issue of people in your way.

Before departing Rausu, you’ll have lunch at Jun No Banya , a local eatery that looks like a fisherman’s shack outside, is decorated like one inside, and delivers on all of its seafood bowls and set meals.

Right before you cross over to the Western side of Shiretoko Peninsula, you’ll have an opportunity to do either a hike to Kumagoe Waterfall , the public Kumanoyu onsen , or both.

At roughly the midway point of the peninsula is Shiretoko Pass . On a clear day, you’ll have spectacular views of Mount Rausu and Nemuro Strait where you just came from.

Next up is the Shiretoko Nature Center , which has information and exhibits about Shiretoko National Park , a restaurant, and souvenir shop.

From just behind the nature center is the trailhead to a short 40 minute round trip hike to Furepe Waterfall .

The hike starts in the forest and then opens out to grassland that leads to a wooden observation deck. From this elevated viewpoint, you’ll be able to see the waterfall that’s fed by groundwater, a lighthouse in the distance, and the crashing of waves below.

Utoro is the major town on the western coast of Shiretoko, and you’ll be glad to hear that you’ll be spending 2 nights in one location.

Not only will you be able to stay in one place for longer, you’ll also experience one of the most well-rounded properties of the itinerary.

Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko will easily be your favourite because of its both public and private onsens, modern and spacious rooms, and luxurious dining experience.

For one of your two nights here, you’ll have the most remarkable Kaiseki-style meal that has you dipping a variety of vegetables, cheese, and seafood in batter and cooking your own tempura. I just thought this was the coolest thing.

Day 4 Summary

• Bear Watching Cruise
• Kumagoe Waterfall
• Kumanoyu Onsen
• Shiretoko Pass Viewpoint
• Furepe Falls
• Breakfast – Shiretoko Serai – A buffet-style breakfast with a nice mix of Western and Japanese of choices. Make sure to have their selection of homemade breads.
• Lunch – Jun No Banya – From the outside, it looks like a fisherman’s shack but inside, you’ll be able to order the most delectable seafood bowls and bento sets.
• Dinner – Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko – A one-of-a-kind dining experience where not only will you have a personal selection of mini dishes, sashimi, and grilled fish, but you’ll also be able to make your own tempura from a plate that consists of potato, egg, zucchini, scallop, mushroom, cheese, salmon, eggplant, and pumpkin.
• Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko – Easily the best property on this Far East Hokkaido itinerary thanks to comfortable rooms, craft beer served in the lobby, mix of public and private onsens, and superb dining experience.
• It’s worth noting that Shiretoko Pass closes in the winter. Every year is slightly different but it is usually the last week of October.

Japan Trip Planning Essentials and Discounts

If you’re in the middle of booking your trip to Japan, here are the most important places you need to go to book:

• JR Pass – The two most reliable places we always check are JRailPass and JRPass . If you are taking long distance Shinkansen across multiple region, get the full JR Pass . If you’re focusing on one specific area, you only need a JR regional pass .
• Shinkansen – The JR Pass prices have gone up and for many of you, it’ll make more sense to book tickets individually. The secret is that when you buy your Shinkansen tickets through Klook offers special vouchers for Don Quijote and BIC when booking. Their tickets are super easy to redeem as well. Right now, use code SKS10OFF to save $10 USD off.
• Hotels/Ryokans – In Japan, the best website for accommodations, hands down is Agoda . When we’ve compared them against Booking , Agoda consistently came out cheaper.
• Tours – While Viator and GetYourGuide are our go-to’s, Klook and KKDay are much popular in Asia so it’s always worth comparing across all of them to make sure you get the best price.
• Pocket Wifi – While we do love eSIMs, having a pocket wifi is great for sharing data with a large group. The most popular is NinjaWifi which is easy to pick up at the airport. Use code AWESOME15 to save 15% (automatically applied). Alternatives are offered by JRPass and JRailPass but they aren’t as cheap. For a more global solution, consider Solis and PokeFi .
• eSIM – The best one is Airalo . Save money by getting the Japan region eSIM and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. From now to Feb 29, the 10GB package is half price as well! Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
• Car Rental – Big companies like Budget , Avis , and Enterprise operate in Japan but they’re usually the most expensive. The best companies are the local Japanese ones such as Toyota Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar, Orix Rentacar, Nissan Rentacar, and Times Car Rental. To make things easier, use Rentalcars and Klook to compare prices all in one place. Don’t forget, you need an IDP to drive in Japan so get one before you leave your home country.
• Learn Japanese – It helps to know even a bit of the language before you go. Start your learning with Rosetta Stone Japanese .
• Cash or credit – Cash is still very important to have in Japan but when you use credit cards, make sure you’re not getting charged those extra exchange rate fees. The best card right now is the Wise Multi-Currency Card which is actually a debit card where you can convert at favorable rates beforehand. This cuts out any sneaky transaction fees.
• Travel Insurance – Make sure you’re covered in case something happens. Get quotes from Insured Nomads and if you’re from Canada, get quotes from RATESDOTCA .
• Shopping – Discovering Don Quijote is a quintessential part of the Japan experience. The secret for tax-free shopping is that they have a coupon that can help you save 10% off + additional 5% off if you spend ¥10,000 or more.

You won’t be saying goodbye to the Ussuri brown bears or Shiretoko Peninsula just yet. For your 5th day, you’ll be spending time in the most famous park in the region, followed by a change of pace with free time in Utoro.

Brown bear watch is always on when you’re driving through the road that connects Utoro with Rausu. Everyone should be watching out for bears as you drive to your first destination of the day.

With a bit of luck on your side, you might encounter a bear along the way. The only thing is that if you do, you aren’t allowed out of the vehicle and technically, you can’t stop on the side of the road. There are park rangers that patrol this area and will enforce this in order to keep everyone safe.

In our case, we were incredibly lucky because we just happened to see this one bear by the river below while crossing a bridge. From the bus, I was able to snap an amazing sequence of photos as the bear moved along the lake and then stay perfectly still on a rock, seemingly posing for us.

The most accessible way to go deeper into Shiretoko Peninsula is at Shiretoko Goko Lakes (fully translates to Shiretoko Five Lakes ) where there are 5 lakes nestled in the primeval forest and backed up against the the Shiretoko Mountain Range and the Okhotsk Sea.

It’s here that you’ll be able to traverse on foot and see the abundance of nature and wildlife with the rustling of deer skittishly jumping away, brown bear scratches, and holes in the trees from hardworking woodpeckers.

As this is a prime area for brown bears, Shiretoko National Park takes safety very seriously. In addition to filling out an application form, you’ll also need to attend a 10 minute lecture to learn about recent bear sightings and more importantly, what you need to do if you see a bear. During mating season, you’ll also need a mandatory guide.

To see all 5 lakes, take the full long loop of the ground pathway. There’s also a short loop if you don’t want to do as much walking.

For our trip here, we got to experience first-hand what happens when bears are spotted near the trail. Within the first 5 minutes of the walk on the long loop, we saw people turning back in what is supposed to be a one-way trail. We immediately knew that there were bears up ahead, unceremoniously cutting our hike short.

Luckily, there is the elevated wooden path that was built for the purposes of conservation but also to keep visitors safe from bears thanks to its electric barrier.

This wooden boardwalk uniquely undulates and swirls with the topography of the land, providing you numerous vantage points and perspectives of the wild nature that surrounds you.

Shiretoko Five Lakes (also known as Shiretoko Goko Lakes) is a unique ecological landscape within the World Heritage Site of Shiretoko Peninsula that allows you to walk through a primeval forest and around five different lakes.

Address: Use “Shiretoko-Goko Lakes Field House” on Google Maps when navigating here.

How the Ground Pathways works:

• The park is extremely strict around the ground pathways because bears are common in this area and they need to ensure that visitors know what to do if bears are sighted.
• There are two different loops available – one short and one long. Both of these tracks run one-way and feed through a uni-directional gate into the Elevated Pathways, closing the loop.
• If any bears are discovered on the trail, the entire Ground Pathways area is evacuated so this is one place where you don’t want to encounter any bears. To keep track of recent sightings the Shiretoko Goko Lakes homepage has a calendar for sightings. Use this to plan whether you’ll attempt the Ground Pathways or if you’ll just do the Elevated Pathways instead.
• A maximum of 50 people are admitted at a time and spread across 10 minute intervals.
• During the Bear Active Season, registered guides are required which is detailed below.

How the Elevated Pathways works:

• This is an elevated wooden boardwalk built to protect the fragile ecosystem and is safe way for visitors to enjoy the area without all the rules of the Ground Pathways since it has an electric fence.
• The boardwalk is wheelchair friendly.
• For those that are exclusively during the Elevated Pathways, this is an out and back trail (800m each way)
• It is free to walk the Elevated Pathways.
• Ground Pathways Short Loop – 1.6km (1 mi), 1.5 hours
• Ground Pathways Long Loop – 3km (1.86mi), 3 hours
• Elevated Pathways – 1.6km (1 mi), 1.5 hours
• Season – Mid April to early November (exact date will change year to year)

Eco Preservation Awareness Season: From opening day to May 9 and August 1 to closing date

• Admission can be purchased from the vending machine at Shiretoko Goko Lakes Field House – Adults (12+) ¥250 and children (0-11) ¥100.
• In order to enter, you’ll need to fill out a form and attend a 10 minute lecture. After you finish the lecture, you’ll receive a Certificate of Entry.
• The Long Loop might be closed from April to May depending on snowfall.

Bear Active Season: May 10 to July 31

• During this season when bears are most active, a registered guide is mandatory.
• You are not allowed to walk on the trail without a guide. Through their guide booking page , where you can book freelance guides. There isn’t a fixed fee which is why there is a range in their rates. They roughly cost ¥5,000 per adult for the Long Loop and ¥3,500 for the Short Loop, and the maximum group size is 10. When using this page, make sure to filter by those that speak English.
• The guide fee includes admission.
• You will still need to attend a 10 minute lecture and you’ll receive a Certificate of Entry.
• As additional precaution, pregnant women, preschoolers, and toddlers are not allowed on the Short Loop. They are allowed on the Long Loop if you give them a heads up.

Parking: There is paid parking available for 100 cars. The price is ¥500 for cars, ¥200 for motorcycles, ¥1,000 for microbuses, and ¥2,000 for large buses. A heads up, in August, parking is very limited and shuttle busses are recommended.

Shuttle: During peak travel periods in August (different dates announced each year), they run a shuttle from the Utoro side of Shiretoko peninsula. Major stops include:

• Shari Bus Terminal
• Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal
• Shiretoko Nature Center (this is the best option for those with cars and it should be possible to buy tickets from here as well to speed things up)

Website: Shiretoko Goko Lakes

• When does the Shiretoko Five Lakes open? Every year, the season opens according to when they open up the road to the Shiretoko park line. The opening season is in accordance with the opening period of the Hokkaido prefectural road of the Shiretoko park line which is typically in mid-April.
• Are there bathrooms along the trail? There are no bathrooms on the Ground Pathways and Elevated Wooden Path. There are full facilities at the Shiretoko Park Service Center.
• What should you do if you encounter a bear on the trail? Your lecture will teach you to move away calmly and slowly. At this point, move to the closest exit.
• Are bear bells and whistles mandatory? No, they are not required.
• Is there any information in English at the park? Yes, they are good about writing procedures and updates in several foreign languages. They also have English staff members at the Shiretoko Goko Lakes Field House.
• Are drones allowed? Since this is part of Shiretoko National Park, you aren’t allowed to fly drones here.
• Make sure to check the sightings calendar 1-2 days before you go just to see what the chances are that Ground Pathways will be open or, in our case, needing to turn around after a short distance.
• You can rent rubber boots at Shiretoko Nature Center if it has been raining and the Ground Pathways trail is reported to be very muddy.
• If you’re curious about the type of animal sightings you might have, take a look at the Goko Five Lakes wildlife calendar .

After your morning at Shiretoko Five Lakes, you’ll take the road back down into town and you’ll get dropped off in the town of Utoro . As a nice change of pace halfway through your trip, you’ll have free time to do as you will.

For lunch, our recommendation is to head to Kumanoya which is right by the roadside station and has a nice selection of ramen, seafood bowls, grilled fish, and more.

For the rest of the afternoon, you can choose between heading over to the Shiretoko World Heritage Center to learn more about the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, hiking up Oronko Rock next to the harbor for superb views of the town and coast, strolling around the town and soak in the small fishing village vibes, or heading back to the hotel for more time in the onsen, sipping craft brews, nap, or catch up on your emails.

With your last night at Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko , absolutely take advantage of the private onsen and their special dining experience.

Day 5 Summary

• Shiretoko Five Lakes
• Free time to explore Utoro
• Shiretoko World Heritage Centre
• Oronko Rock
• Breakfast – Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko – Superb Japanese-style breakfast with a balanced mix of fish, vegetables, rice, yogurt, and soup.
• Lunch – Kumanoya – On your free time in Utoro, you’ll be able to eat anywhere but this restaurant is a great choice for those that are looking for ramen or seafood.
• Dinner – Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko – With how incredible the dinner is, you won’t mind eating here for another night. Instead of the DIY tempura, it’ll likely be replaced with a shabu-shabu with vegetables.
• Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko

Special Promotion with Adventure Hokkaido

If you book an Adventure Hokkaido, mention us and you’ll get an awesome buff or t-shirt.

How? Use the code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES when you fill out the form to put in an inquiry under the “Additional Information” field.

You don’t get all of the incredible onsens and untamed landscapes in Hokkaido without volcanoes. Start your day seeing it first hand from the steaming Mt. Io and cool off on the calm waterways of Kushiro River.

Departing Utoro, you’ll be exiting Shiretoko National Park and entering a new one, Akan-Mashu National Park – a land of forests, lakes, and volcanoes that span a massive 91,413 hectares in size.

The most dramatic evidence of this volcanic activity is at Mt. Io which is also named Atosanupuri in the Ainu language. In Japanese, this literally translates to sulphur mountain and was once extensively mined in the 19th century. In Ainu, it translates to “Naked Mountain”.

It is quite the dramatic scene when you arrive with its plumes of steam from afar and neon bright yellow fumaroles up-close. You’ll have time to walk around the otherworldly and barren landscape at the base of Mt. Io, allowing you to hear, smell, and see the active volcano.

From here, you’ll directly connect with the Tsutsujigahara Nature Trail . This is a 2.5km walk where you’ll see the environment change in front of your eyes.

At the beginning of the trail, you’ll only see burnt branches and the hardiest of plants that can survive in the acidity of the soil such as Japanese stone pine and Labrador tea tree. Gradually, this gives way to azaleas and larger conifers such as Sakhalin spruce. The path eventually winds into a mossy broad-leaf forest where the ground becomes magically bouncy.

The trail ends at the Kawayu Visitor Center (formerly Kawayu Eco Museum Center ) which is worth a visit to see the scope and scale of where you are compared to the Akan Caldera.

One of the best ways to experience the story of Mt. Io is to start from the footsteps of the active volcano and then combine it with the Tsutsujigahara Nature Trail which goes all the way to the Kawayu Eco Museum Center.

• Duration – 1.5 hours (the trail can be done in 1 hour but you’ll spend at least 30 minutes getting up sulphurous steam vents close to the mountain.)
• Distance – 2.5km (1.55mi)

Parking: There is a large parking lot next to the Visitor Center and costs ¥500 per vehicle and ¥200 for motorcycles. By paying this fee, it’ll also cover the parking at Lake Mashu Observatory No. 1.

Website: Teshikaga Navi

• How challenging is the Tsutsujigahara Nature Trail hike? It is an easy hike as it is quite flat and a clearly aid out path.
• Is this hike a loop? The hike from Mt. Io to the Kawayu Visitor Center is one way. This means that it only works in a tour group where the bus driver can pick you up on the other side. Otherwise, you’ll need to hike back the same way you came, doubling the distance and time.
• Is it possible to hike Mt. Io? Yes, it is possible to hike up the mountain but only with a certified guide. This is called the Atosanupuri Trekking Tour and is only offered in Japanese. It runs from May to November and costs ¥13,000 per person.
• Is there a best time to go? The volcano and trail is beautiful all year round but one season to keep in mind is when the Labrador tea tree blooms in June and July.
• Is there a way to take a bus to Mt. Io? Yes, it’s certainly possible but will be tricky to integrate because it only runs 2 times a day and during a very limited window in the summer (July 29 to September 3, 2023). The ticket you need is called the Teshikaga Eco Passport that allows you to take a bus that starts from either JR Mashu Station or Kawayu Onsen Station.
• Are drones allowed? Since this is part of Akan-Mashu National Park, you aren’t allowed to fly drones here. We were able to fly here because of special permissions.
• There isn’t a lot of cover for the first 3/4 of the hike so make sure to put on sunscreen.
• It goes without saying that you need to be careful around the fumaroles. This is an active volcano and the temperatures of the steam can get up to an excess of 100°C (212°F).
• Make sure to include Kawayu Onsen Foot Bath in your itinerary. It’s easy to miss but a great way to end off your hike.

What better way to relax those tired feet than to take a dip into the soothing waters of the Kawayu Onsen Foot Bath . This public and free natural hot springs is just a short distance away from the museum.

This onsen measures at pH 1.5, which makes sense since it is so close to Mt. Io. The benefits of acidic water is that it has natural sterilizing properties and is good for the skin.

Kushiro River is one of Japan’s famous rivers that starts from the Lake Kussharo in the north, winding its way through numerous towns and the Kushiro Wetland, before emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

With a negligible elevation difference across its length, the current is gentle, making it the perfect location for an easy canoe excursion.

Starting from Lake Kussharo, you’ll be able to paddle on your Canadian canoe downriver one-way to Biruwa Bridge. Along the way, you’ll see what the river is renowned for – pristine waters and an abundance of rare wildlife such as Blakiston’s fish owls, deer, red-crowned cranes, and mink.

• Duration – The paddle is roughly 2.5 hours
• Departures – 5:30AM, 9AM and 1PM
• Season – April to early November
• Elementary School Students – ¥8,000
• Children – ¥5,500
• Solo – ¥13,500

Parking: There’s free parking at Somokuya’s office and the boat launch area by the Chouko Bridge.

Booking: You can make your reservation online (scroll to the form at the very bottom).

Language: Most guides do not speak or only have limited knowledge of English. If you’re traveling with Adventure Hokkaido , their guide will accompany you so that you have an interpreter.

Website: Somokuya

• Is food provided on the tour? Yes, there is a snack break in the middle of the paddling where you’ll have your choice of coffee or tea and a baked good. Children will be provided a separate drink.
• Do you have to bring any equipment? No, Somokuya will provide all canoeing equipment including the Canadian canoes, paddles, and life jackets.
• What happens if it rains? Tours will run even if there is rain. Somokuya also has free rain gear for rent.
• Do you need to have prior paddling skills? No, this is a very gentle and relaxing canoe trip. They assign one guide to be at the rear of each canoe and they will be doing most of the paddling and steering.
• Are reservations mandatory? Yes, reservations are mandatory for this paddle tour.
• How early do you need to book in advance? Their popular tours book out quite quickly in the summer season so it’s advisable to book 2-3 months in advance.
• Is it possible to paddle your own canoe? Yes, you can request paddle your own canoe.
• Are drones allowed? This area is still within the Kushiroshitsugen National Park so drones are not allowed without special permissions.
• Is round-trip transportation provided? Since this is a one-way paddle, Somokuya will pick you up at the take-out point and drive you back to their office.
• Unlike the paddling you’ve done already on the Biwase River in the Kiritappu Wetlands, Kushiro River is a much more intimate, narrow, and more shallow, so pay attention to the river banks for mink, crayfish in the water, and birds.
• There are lots of opportunities to see birds on this canoe trip so it’s a good idea to bring binoculars and zoom lens.
• If you are bringing a camera or anything that you’re worried might get wet, make sure to bring your own dry bag. For this 9 day itinerary, a 5L dry bag is the perfect size.
• Compared to the Kiritappu Wetlands, mosquitoes are less of an issue but it’s still a good idea to be prepared with repellent if they are heavy.

For tonight, you’ll be staying at Gasthof Papilio , a cozy woodland retreat. It’s not your typical hotel or ryokan but you’ll quickly feel the charm from its quirky decor, friendly innkeepers, and delicious Western-inspired food.

The hotel is equipped with a natural onsen indoors and also a private outdoor onsen made from a giant wooden barrel.

Day 6 Summary

• Kawayu Visitor Center
• Kawayu Onsen Foot Bath
• Canoeing on Kushiro River
• Breakfast – Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko – Similar Japanese-style breakfast.
• Lunch – Cafe Noble – Located near the Kawayu Onsen Foot Bath and museum, this is a cozy cafe with mountain lodge vibes. They serve a mix of Western and Japanese cuisine, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
• Dinner – Gasthof Papilio – You truly feel like you’re a guest of someone’s home when you stay here. In their cozy dining area, you’ll have a stream of plates that include salad, sashimi, grilled veggies, tempura, and pork.
• Gasthof Papilio – This is a guesthouse in its purest form. Tucked in the forest is a German-style house that feels like you’re staying at your favorite grandfather’s cottage. Yes, it’s a bit old fashioned and it’s a bit quirky with all the various things they’ve collected from their travels, but it has an atmosphere that allows you to feel at home, especially with their onsen (indoor and separate outdoor tub) and the serene nature that surrounds the house.

Spending time in Tokyo?

With over 100,000 restaurants in the city to choose from, how do you pick where to eat? Our Tokyo restaurant guide makes it easy by picking the best places to eat.

Day 7 is dedicated to the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Hokkaido that inhabited this land long before the Japanese. By spending time in the Lake Akan area, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about their history, culture, and way of life.

Before you go, with Gasthof Papilio being right across the road from Lake Kussharo , start your morning with a rejuvenating walk along its shores.

Within Akan Mashu National Park is the beautiful Lake Akan. It’s here that you’ll find Lake Akan Ainu Kotan , an Ainu settlement of 120 people in 36 residences, focused on preserving and promoting its culture through arts and crafts.

Better than walking through a museum, you’ll appreciate a nature walk with a local Ainu guide through the forest where you will learn about how the Ainu lived in harmony with the surrounding nature and wildlife.

The walk starts off by entering sacred grounds of the Ainu and participating in a ritual called kamuy-nomi before entering the forest. Along the way, you’ll see examples of how they made shelter, the plants they gathered for food and medicine, wood and bark used for carvings and clothing, and finally you’ll learn to play the mukkuri (Jew’s harp).

The specific tour we joined is called “Forest Time (Forest Walk Short Course)”.

• Duration – 1.5 hours
• Departures – 10:30AM and 1:30PM
• Season – June to March (not available from April to May)

Price: ¥9,000 for anyone 7 and up. There is also an additional fee for an English guide. Payment is made in-person and is cash only.

Parking: There’s parking by the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor or in the Lake Akan Ainu Kotan area

Booking: There is a booking form from the Forest Time experience page .

Language: If you’re booking through the English page, you’ll receive an English-speaking guide who will most likely be Kengo-san, the Ainu guide we had.

Website: Anytime, Ainutime!

• Are children under 7 allowed on the tour? No, only visitors 7 and up are permitted.
• How far in advance do you need to book? At a minimum, you need to book 10 days in advance but it’s a good idea to book 1-2 months in advance especially if you need an English guide.
• How challenging is the walk? The walk can be categorized as easy. While the walk is through the unpaved forest, it is relatively flat.
• Is there a minimum or maximum group size? Tours require a minimum of 2 people and the largest size is 10 people.
• Is this a private tour? No, it isn’t explicitly a private tour but if you’re lucky, you might be the only ones booking that particular time slot.
• It’s worth reading a bit more about the Ainu whether it’s on Wikipedia or this BBC article , before your trip so you’ll be able to ask more questions on the tour.
• The starting location of the tour is at the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor.

After your guided nature walk, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the various handicraft shops that line the main strip of Lake Akan Ainu Kotan .

On the same street is a restaurant called Poronno , where you’ll be able to try traditional Ainu dishes for lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll be able to see more examples of volcanic activity in the region by taking a walk behind the Akankohan Eco-museum Center to something called a bokke .

This is the remains of a small crater near the lake where volcanic gases are gently released, creating bubbles in the mud. They’re not as active as what you’ll find in the north island of New Zealand but an interesting feature nonetheless.

You’ll settle in at Hotel Akankoso right along the lake, where you’ll have time to enjoy the sunset and the onsen.

After dinner at the hotel, you’ll head back to the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor to watch a show transformative performance called Lost Kamuy that tells the story of the Ezo wolf, also revered as the Ainu god (kamuy) of hunting, that was driven to extinction. It’s a touching reminder of the importance of living in nature with harmony.

Duration: 40 minutes

• May to June: 9:15PM and 3PM (weekends and national holidays only)
• July to October – 3PM and 9:15PM
• November to January – 9:15PM and 3PM (weekends and national holidays only)

Price: ¥2,200 for adults and ¥700 for children 6-12. Children 5 and under are free.

Parking: There are plenty of parking spaces by the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor.

Booking: You can book the tickets online .

Language: The show is in Japanese but it’s relatively easy to interpret based on the visuals and performance.

Website: Lost Kamuy

• Is photography allowed? No, you are not allowed to take photos or videos.
• How far in advance do you need to buy tickets? You can purchase tickets online through Klook but it’s usually quite easy to purchase tickets on the day of, at the theatre.

Day 7 Summary

• Nature walk with Ainu guide
• Lake Akan Ainu Kotan
• Bokke Mud Volcano
• Ainu Theater – Lost Kamuy
• Breakfast – Gasthof Papilio – Matching the theme of the guesthouse, you’ll have Western-style breakfast which includes freshly-baked bread, a quiche, salad, and sausage.
• Lunch – Poronno – A locally owned restaurant that serves authentic Ainu dishes.
• Dinner – Hotel Akankoso  – This is the restaurant in the hotel and offers a full Japanese kaiseki course.
• Hotel Akankoso ( Agoda ) – When you read the reviews , you’ll see that this property is a classic Japanese hotel with both Japanese and Western-style rooms with great Lake Akan views, a beautiful onsen, delicious dinner, and is so convenient, being right by the boat pier.

Special Deal with Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel

Are you looking for someone to help plan your entire journey through Hokkaido? Make sure to reach out to Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc. to have them to build you a custom private tour.

As a bonus, we’ve also partnered with them so that you’ll get a bottle of regional sake if mention us when you book a multi-day custom tour.

How? Select “Going Awesome Places” under “How did you hear about us?” in Step 5 of inquiry form.

Today is a deep dive into the third national park that you’ll get to see on this 9 day Far East Hokkaido itinerary, Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park . As Japan’s largest marshland, it can be tricky to see on land but you’ll get to visit two locations that will show you what makes this area so special.

A common way to see the national park is to go to the Kushiro Marsh Observatory. It provides a great panoramic view but it is often quite packed with people.

We think that the better way is to enter the wetland’s inner sanctum by hiking to Cape Kirakotan . This a highly protected zone that very few get to see and requires special permission to enter (something Adventure Hokkaido has). By entering on foot, you’ll be able to connect with the natural rhythms of the landscape.

From here, you’ll be able to get a deep look at the meandering capillary wetland rivers that weave through the national park. You’ll also learn about the many remnants of human activity that have been found in this area and how this was the first place that the red-crowned crane was discovered again after they were thought to have gone extinct.

Time: This is a 4km round trip hike that takes 3.5 hours to complete.

Price: As part of Adventure Hokkaido’s 9 day itinerary , this would be included. There are also Japanese companies that offer guided tours for ¥7,000 – ¥8,000 per adult. This runs from April 27 to November 30 (exact dates may change year to year).

• Are there bathrooms? There is a washroom right at the entrance of the trail but you won’t find any past this point.
• Can you do the Cape Kirakotan hike on your own? This area isn’t open to the general public. The only way to do this hike is through special permissions from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
• How can you obtain permission to visit Cape Kirakotan? The only way to obtain permission is by contacting the Kushiro Village Board of Education (TEL 0154-64-2050 ).
• When is the best time to do this hike? The best time is in the spring season when the flowers are blooming and in the autumn with the changing of the leaves.
• Brown bears inhabit this area which is another reason why you’ll be glad to have a guide with you.
• As a marshland, be prepared for muddy conditions and mosquitoes.

After your off-the-beaten-path hike, get picked up and head to your lunch spot, Heart’n Tree Farm Cottage . Using local ingredients, produce from their own farm and incorporating their freshly-baked goods and homemade cheeses, you’re in for a treat.

In the afternoon, you’ll find a different way to access the national park. This time, you’ll be entering in from Onnenai Visitor Center . This will give you an excellent overview of wetland and the wildlife that inhabit it.

From here, you’ll set walk the boardwalk loop that takes you into the wetland itself.

At first, a boardwalk doesn’t sound too impressive. After all, you’ve walked many wooden walkways so far. However, when you reach the point in the walk where you get to push a pole as far as you can below the boardwalk, you realize how deep the marsh goes and the work that was put into creating this path.

Time: The boardwalk itself doesn’t have specific hours and can be visited at any time.

• Visitor Center Hours: April to October 9AM – 5PM, November to March 9AM – 4PM (closed Tuesdays and 12/29-1/3)
• Duration – Roughly 1 hour to do the full loop around the boardwalk.

Price: Free

Parking: There is a large (free) parking lot along Prefectural Route 53.

Language: Most signage in the visitor center and around the boardwalk area are in both Japanese and English.

Website: Onnenai Visitor Center

• What can you see from the boardwalk? Depending on the season, you’ll see a variety of flowers such as Japanese honeysuckle, cottontail, rhododendron, and tokisou. Wildlife-wise, you’ll see wild birds and woodland birds such as the red-headed woodpecker. In the wetlands, your bincoluars might be able to spot red-crowned cranes and deer in the distance. From July to August, you can see Heike fireflies.
• Is the walk wheel-chair accessible? The boardwalk is barrier-free and fully accessible. That said, there are steps going from the parking lot to the visitor center so they recommend that you contact them in advance to allow you to drive right to the visitor center. They also rent wheelchairs free of charge.
• For those that aren’t able to do Cape Kirakotan, this is your best way to see the Kushiro Wetland on foot.
• The wetland area is vast so you’ll find wildlife spotting to be quite challenging with the naked eye. Make sure to bring your binoculars or zoom lenses for this walk.
• They have QR codes set up around the boardwalk but if you want to get a head start, you can download the English version of the field guide .

For your final night, you’ll be staying at Hotel Taito located in Tsurui in Far East Hokkaido. This is a popular hotel and often a home base for those wanting to see red-crowned cranes in the winter.

While Hotel Taito’s dinner and breakfast are both excellent, what you’ll really love is their onsen. The best part are the outdoor pools for men and women.

Day 8 Summary

• Cape Kirakotan
• Onnenai Visitor Center and Boardwalk
• Breakfast – Hotel Akankoso – This is a typical Japanese breakfast buffet with a wide selection of food.
• Lunch – Heart’n Tree Farm Cottage – Accommodations that also has quite the charming Western-style restaurant that specializes in using their home-grown ingredients, freshly-baked goods, and homemade cheeses.
• Dinner – Hotel Taito – In the lobby of the hotel is their main restaurant where they serve an amazing spread of food that for us included sashimi, tempura, Japanese hot pot, pork, soba, and soft serve using fresh milk from the town the hotel is in.
• Hotel Taito – A relatively large hotel that has a bit of the German/Swiss design that has surprisingly spacious rooms (some with a loft second level accessed by ladder). Make sure to visit their outdoor onsen, which is absolutely wonderful.

Interested in more off-the-beaten-path Japan?

Another destination you want to look at is the island of Shikoku. We have a full 12 day itinerary of road trip around the island that you don’t want to miss.

As you count all of the wildlife sightings, marvellous vistas, great hikes, new friends, and new connection with Ainu and Japanese culture, you’ll realize that you’ve had quite the epic 9 days in Far East Hokkaido.

Packing up your things, and having your last breakfast at Hotel Taito, before making your way to either the Kushiro train station or the Kushiro airport.

Say your goodbyes and you’ll be on to the next part of your trip through Japan, your next country, or making your way home.

Day 9 Summary

• Transit to your next destination

The below is an interactive Google Map that’ll help you visualize exactly where you get to go to in this Far East Hokkaido itinerary. We always create these maps for our readers because it helps with trip planning and also when you’re actually there, you can use it to help navigate as well.

HOW TO USE THE MAP: You can use the map as is but if you’d like to do more with it, expand the map and create a copy in your logged-in Google account. With this copy, you’ll be able to access it in your Google Maps app under the Saved tab. Scroll to the bottom and look for the “Maps” circle.

As much as I would’ve loved to have done this fully independently, in retrospect, I am so glad that I was able to travel through Far East Hokkaido with Adventure Hokkaido.

Overall, I had an amazing time with Adventure Hokkaido who were incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and just fun to be with. The 9 day Far East Hokkaido itinerary is an awesome blend of outdoor activity, wildlife viewing, and cultural experiences.

It’s worth mentioning that we had two guides on our trip – Kazu and Yuka. This is the case when the group is closer to the maximum of 8 people. For smaller groups, it’s usually just 1. That said, having seen both of them work, I was very happy with both of their guiding skills.

Here are the big reasons why I loved traveling with Adventure Hokkaido :

• This region of Japan is challenging to book – While there are bits and pieces of it that can be booked online on your own, there are a significant number of accommodations, activities, and restaurants that can’t be booked unless you’re able to call and speak Japanese. As an example, many hotels aren’t on the major booking platforms such as Booking or Agoda . Many of the activities on this itinerary basically can’t be booked by someone that’s non-Japanese speaking and the same can be said for restaurants as well.
• Handling the unexpected – We encountered a mix of surprise scenarios such as heavy rain, poor weather cancelling cruises, and bears blocking hiking paths. Adventure Hokkaido’s guides were able to handle all of them by adapting the schedule and finding alternatives that the group was happy with. Knowing how this required making phone calls on-the-fly, this would have been impossible if we did this trip independently.
• Lost in translation – While there’s certainly something to be said for sometimes stumbling through Japan without speaking the language, it was also quite nice to have most of that taken off of our plate by being with a group tour.
• Your very own naturalists – With an itinerary that is so wildlife focused, it makes a difference to guided by people that can tell you about the animals that you’re seeing, the plant life that you’re walking by, and the ecosystem that surrounds you. They are also really good at spotting animals.
• Guides makes a difference – Beyond being English-speaking and knowledgable naturalists, the Adventure Hokkaido guides bring another layer to the experience as kind and friendly people, always willing to help and constantly seeking at ways to make the experience better. Plus, they can help take your photos too!
• Daily briefings – Every evening before or after dinner, the guides would walk through the next day’s plans and this was always helpful to help us pack for the next day.
• A comfortable pace – You’ll appreciate that this isn’t the kind of bus tour that has you rushing from one place to another. There’s a nice flow to the day, giving you time to move at comfortable pace, time to reflect and recharge (literally and figuratively), and most importantly, time to go to the onsen before dinner.
• Bear safety – When in the Shiretoko Peninsula, bear safety is a serious thing. While most of it comes down to a few basics, there’s additional layer of comfort when you’re with guides that have been professionally trained and are also equipped with bear spray.

Now for those that are thinking about joining Adventure Hokkaido , here are a few tips that I think that would be helpful to know:

• The mini buses they use are quite comfortable and conveniently have a USB-A port on the seat in front of you which will allow you to charge your devices as you go. However, for smaller groups, we’ve been told that they use smaller 10-seater vans which are not equipped with USB chargers.
• As mentioned earlier, these are small group tours with a maximum of 8. For larger groups, they usually have two guides but for smaller groups, it’s just one.
• The onsens you will encounter in Far East Hokkaido are all traditional which means that they are separated by gender. In two cases, they have private onsens where you’ll be able to sign up for time slots (free) – Gasthof Papilio and Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko.
• For most of this itinerary, you’ll be changing hotels every night. It will make your life easier if you have a good organization system in your suitcase so you can quickly find what you need and you can pack up without any effort. That’s why we recommend packing cubes such as the ones from Peak Design .
• On the topic of packing, you’ll also want a good system of how you shift things between your day pack that you’ll with you on the bus and what goes into your suitcase which will be in the back of the bus. Every night, you’ll want to think about the type of things you need for the next day (i.e. binoculars, waterproof layers, etc.). If you don’t want to carry everything in your backpack every time you head off of the bus, a hack we have is to bring a packable tote by your seat or carabinered to the handle in front.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Adventure Hokkaido for anyone looking for a tour operator in Hokkaido.

As a heads up, it’s worth noting that the Japan’s Far East 9 Day Wildlife & Adventure Tour itinerary from Adventure Hokkaido is subject to change due to seasonality, weather, and group preferences. If you watch our YouTube Far East Hokkaido video , you’ll notice some differences in what we covered and that’s because we were on a slightly different version of the tour.

If you’re looking for something more custom, Hokkaido Treasure Island is another company we recommend that you check out. They specialize in creating highly curated itineraries for private groups and are known to have access to areas, activities, and individuals that other companies don’t have in Hokkaido.

5 Travel Tips for Far East Hokkaido

While we’ve covered many of the specific tips and tricks for different parts of the 9 day itinerary, there are a number of additional insights that’ll help you be better prepared.

From our group trip with Adventure Hokkaido, we noticed that it wasn’t always the easiest to accommodate dietary restrictions for guests. Restaurants will try their best but the truth is that they’re not equipped to handle special requests, especially in rural areas.

The advantage of travelling with a local guide company is that they can help figure out alternatives for you ahead of time instead of stumbling through restaurants. We’ll admit, the alternatives aren’t always the greatest in Japan but they’ll try their best.

Your guide will walk you through the proper steps for using the onsen but it’s worth reading this guide on how to take an onsen bath .

You’ll quickly fall into a comfortable rhythm with onsens as it’ll basically be part of your daily bathing routine where you can either go to the onsen right before dinner or in the morning before breakfast.

Most ryokans you’ll be staying at also provide a yukata (Japanese bathrobe) and it’s perfectly acceptable to wear this to the breakfast and dinner.

Wildlife viewing is a large part of this itinerary so make sure you pack a zoom lens for the camera you’re bringing or a good pair of binoculars.

In most cases, the bears, whales, deer, and birds won’t be close to you so you’ll want the reach of a good lens or binoculars to see them.

If you’re travelling with Adventure Hokkaido, the guides will have a pair that you’ll be able to use but they won’t have one for everyone so we recommend bringing your own if you want to see.

What do we recommend? If you shoot with OM System like we do (make sure to read why micro four thirds is the perfect travel camera system ), the 40-150mm or 150-400mm lenses are excellent. For other systems, the 70-200mm full-frame equivalent range is what you’re looking for. For binoculars, we’re a big fan of Celestron TrailSeeker 8×42 Binoculars because they’re a good balance of quality, magnification, and price point.

As much as people will tell you that you can get by with simply credit cards in Japan, they’re lying. Whether it’s a big city like Tokyo or the small towns you’ll be visiting in Eastern Hokkaido with this itinerary, there are plenty of shops that are still cash-only.

Also, it’s worth noting that we discovered that many point of sales systems in Japan aren’t compatible with credit card contactless payment (both physical and digital wallet). Don’t expect to be able to tap with your credit card everywhere you go.

Hokkaido in the non-winter season can be quite fickle where you can encounter a wide range of weather. and you don’t want to be caught off-guard.

• Spring (March to May) – Things start warming up but expect it to be chilly when out of the sun. Layering is key.
• Summer (June – August) – With lack of humidity, summers are quite pleasant and can be enjoyed with t-shirts and shorts. That said, once the sun goes down, it can get a bit chilly so a light jacket is always a good idea.
• Fall (September – November) – September is the wettest month of the year and earlier in the season, you’ll definitely want extra layers in case the cold sweeps in. From October onwards, you’ll definitely want to think about more winter-oriented clothing.

In addition to overall Hokkaido weather, remember a few distinct things from this itinerary:

• You’ll be out on the open water for the bear and whale watching cruises so it will be windy and can get cold.
• You’ll also be doing 2 separate paddling trips. While the chances of you getting wet will be low, if it’s mosquito season, you’ll want to stay covered up and you’ll want to use good repellent . You’ll also want to keep your things dry so a good 5L dry bag should be in your suitcase.
• Similarly, you’ll be walking through wetland areas that could get buggy.
• Even outside of September, rain could hit at anytime so we suggest having waterproof layers in case. For us, we always travel with an Arc’teryx shell and light waterproof pants .

To give you an idea of how much you’ll spend on these 9 days, here’s a table of my expenses from the trip.

You’ll notice that most of the money was put into the tour itself which was inclusive of all meals, accommodations, activities, and transportation. The additional costs came from more discretionary spending for things like snacks and gifts.

Using exchange rates from the date of publishing, this comes out to $3,879 USD and a daily spend of $431 USD/day.

Tips aren’t expected in Japan but since Kazu and Yuka were so great, our group decided to pitch in together for a gift.

As a point of comparison, per person, our 1 month in Chile averaged out to $308 USD/day, 3 weeks in New Zealand was $353 USD/day, and 10 days in Egypt was $204 USD/day. This means that this is certainly more expensive than other trips we’ve done.

The one thought that kept repeating over and over on this trip was “Wow, I never expected Japan to look like this.” Japan isn’t all skyscrapers, 4-way pedestrian crossings, shrines, and Shinkansens. This quiet corner of Hokkaido is truly nature at its finest.

If you were to ask us what was the best part of seeing this region on Hokkaido, we’d pick out these 3 experiences.

Close wildlife encounters – Wildlife is rarely at the top of the list when planning a trip to Japan so you can imagine our surprise when you’d have brown bears one day, sperm whales another, and then the near-extinct red-crowned cranes serendipitously on the side of the road.

Understanding onsen culture – Nearly every single accommodation we stayed at had an onsen and since we had the guidance of our guides from Adventure Hokkaido, we quickly caught on that onsen culture is really engrained in Japanese culture, effectively replacing showering in your room before you have dinner.

Dynamic landscape – There was such a diversity in ecosystems that we got to explore. From the wetlands to dramatic coastline, sandspits, and barren moon-lake volcanoes, you realize that the Far East of Hokkaido has a little bit of everything – not at all what you expect when you think about Japan.

Through this adventure in the Far East of Hokkaido, we got to see how truly special this corner of Japan is. If you’re an outdoor and wildlife lover, you NEED to come here.

The best times to go to Far East Hokkaido are in the spring and autumn for the reason that this is when you’ll be able to see flowers bloom or the fiery fall colors. Also, since the whale watching cruise season ends mid-October and Shiretoko Pass closes at the end of October, we wouldn’t recommend doing this itinerary during the winter season.

The appeal of Far East Hokkaido comes in the fact that it is a wild frontier of nature, wildlife, and the Ainu culture. Travellers come here because they want to be able to see a different side to Japan and go to a place that allows you to enjoy the outdoors uninterrupted.

Other than driving on the left side, the roads are very easy to navigate in Eastern Hokkaido simply because there aren’t that many people in the region.

Alternatively called The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, this was signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971 and is an international agreement promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Visiting two wetlands in Hokkaido, this is why the Ramsar Convention is brought up numerous times.

When compared to the rest of Japan, this part of Hokkaido isn’t necessarily more expensive. The food is reasonably priced, accommodations are affordable, and activities are often cheaper than they are in other countries. Most of your spend will go to the the guided tour. Expect to spend roughly $400 USD/day per person.

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If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100% .

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About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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6D Hokkaido Itinerary for Under S$1k — Must-Eat, See and Dos in Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa and Biei

Explore familiar favourites and uncover hidden gems — all in this Hokkaido itinerary. Read till the end for year-end travel deals on flights, hotels and activities! Warning: lots of drool-worthy food recommendations coming up!

We visited Hokkaido previously on an eight-day road trip covering 10 different areas. This time, we wanted to slow down and enjoy each place a little better.

We got to revisit familiar favourites like the Otaru Canal, but also discover new hidden gems and (many) food spots we didn’t see the last time.

With slightly under a week, here’s our 2022 Hokkaido itinerary covering non-seasonal experiences you can enjoy any time of the year in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido Itinerary and Budget Breakdown

Click on each city to jump to the relevant section :

Day 1-2: Sapporo Day 3: Day trip to Otaru Day 4: Asahikawa Day 5: Day trip to Biei Day 6: Sapporo

Budget Breakdown

Accommodation:  S$263.67 Transport:  S$285.21 (does not incl. flights) Activities:  S$23.68 Food:  S$330 Misc: S$71.49 Total:  S$974.04

Detailed breakdown for one pax here (prices are accurate at the time of writing). Flights aren’t included as prices fluctuate.

* Pro-tip: Save more on trip expenses with Citi Credit Card travel deals .

Day 1-2: Sapporo 

Sapporo is Hokkaido’s vibrant capital city known for good food and beautiful cityscapes.

Soup Curry Garaku

Originating from Sapporo, soup curry is a must-try when in Hokkaido. There’s no flour in it, so it’s a lot lighter than tonkatsu  (pork cutlet) curry. We visited the popular Soup Curry Garaku which was walking distance from our hotel.

Their best seller is pork soup curry, but it was sold out by 2PM so we got chicken (¥1,250) and pork shabu (¥1,390) instead. The soup is light, with lots of veggies like broccoli, mushrooms and lotus root — the perfect dish to enjoy after a long day.

There’s three rice portion sizes; we opted for the small but would recommend medium if you want a full meal. For spice, there’s level one to 40! Regular is a level three, which is what I got.

*Pro-tip: Get a queue number from the machine when you arrive. If you have LINE, you can check the queue status on your phone and walk around while you wait!

Cost: From ¥1,250/main (~S$12.20) Opening hours: 11:30AM – 3PM, 5PM – 8:30PM Address: Japan, 〒060-0063 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 2 Jonishi, 2 Chome−６−1

Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade

For retail therapy, head to Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade , a 1km-long stretch of shops and restaurants in the heart of Sapporo. There’s all the Japanese favourites (like ABC Mart and Matsumoto Kiyoshi), plus a few cool thrift shops.

There’s also a massive underground shopping complex that connects most of the malls and train stations along the main street. If you’re visiting Sapporo during winter months, take the underpass to avoid the cold.

Opening hours: 24 hours — shops generally close at 8PM Address: Japan, 〒060-0062 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, 南2・3条西1～7丁目

*Pro-tip: Spend on your Citi PremierMiles Card to earn 2 miles with every S$1 overseas spend — if you don’t have one yet, apply now and get up to 30,000 bonus Citi Miles .

Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Park

We weren’t intending to head up to the Sapporo TV Tower but the weather that day was so good that we got tickets on the spot via Klook to catch the sunset from the observation deck.

From 90m high, you’ve got great views of the cityscape and Odori Park! Each night, the tower lights up.

Entrance fee: ~S$7.89 via Klook Opening hours: 9AM – 9:50PM Address: 1 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan

Gotsubo Oyster Bar

We found several reviews online raving about the oysters at Gotsubo Oyster Bar . As seafood lovers, we had to try it for ourselves.

Located in a quiet side alley in the nightlife district of Susukino, it wasn’t crowded when we visited at around 6PM on a weekend.

It costs just ~¥150/oyster (minimum of five). We ordered six and the chef threw in two more for free~!

We also had baked scallops (¥490 for one) and soy sauce baked giant surf clams (¥690), which were palm-sized and juicy. The highlight of the meal was definitely the oysters — they were huge and fresh, and had us returning once more before leaving Hokkaido.

This place is small and only seats about 15 at a time, so come early.

Cost: ~S$18/pax (Cash only) Opening hours: 5PM – 2AM Address: Japan, 〒064-0806 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 6 Jonishi, 3 Chome−6-8 ＢＡＳＥ－０１

BONUS If you have extra cash to spare and will like to experience authentic izakayas that you’re unlikely to find without a native Japanese speaker, consider going on a Sapporo bar hopping food tour by MagicalTrip around Susukino!

Ramen Yokocho

Ramen is a huge part of Hokkaido’s culinary scene, and each city has its own specialty. Sapporo’s ramen is miso-based, and a great place to try it is Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho . This ramen alley in the Susukino district features 17 ramen shops!

We had miso noodles (¥800) and fried gyoza (¥500), which made for a very hearty meal.

Cost: From ¥800/bowl (~S$7.90) Opening hours: Varies Address: N Grande Building 1F, Minami 5-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

Read also: Hokkaido Food Guide — 9 Must-Eats on Your Next Japan Itinerary

Shiroi Koibito Park

The name Shiroi Koibito might not immediately ring a bell. But you’ve probably seen their white chocolate biscuits — it’s one of Japan’s most famous snacks! Shiroi Koibito Park is a chocolate theme park built in 1976 dedicated to these treats.

The outdoor garden is my favourite part of the park, which takes inspiration from British architecture. There are mini houses scattered all over and gives the feel of a fairytale village. Each hour, the Mechanical Clock Tower opens up to reveal automated animals!

Enjoy a soft serve ice cream (¥550) while you’re there — there’s a small snack stand outdoors.

Inside, visitors can sign up for cookie decorating classes at Sweets Workshop Dream Kitchen or learn about the history of the Shiroi Koibito biscuits — and even watch them being made!

Before leaving, have lunch at one of the on-site restaurants , or stock up on snacks at the Piccadilly shop.

Entrance fee: ¥800 (~S$7.90) — the outdoor garden, restaurants and Piccadilly shop is free entry Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM Address: Miyanosawa 2-2-11-36, Nishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 063-0052

Crab is something Hokkaido is known for. So we couldn’t exclude Sapporo’s most famous crab restaurant, Kani Honke, in our Hokkaido itinerary! The restaurant isn’t hard to find — it occupies an entire seven-storey building that’s noticeable the moment you step out of Sapporo station.

There’s an extensive menu , from course meals and hot pot sets to a la carte dishes.

We ordered a kanisuki (hotpot style) course for ¥9,637 (~S$94) which includes eight dishes to share. The main course was the snow crab hot pot and sashimi ! It was my first time trying raw crab, and the meat was really creamy and smooth.

One set wasn’t filling enough for two people, so we added one portion of fried crab meat (¥1,650) and snow crab sushi (¥2,000). Both were really good!

*Pro-tip: Make a reservation online at least 10 days in advance — they close online bookings after that. Alternatively, go at off-peak hours. We went around 5:30PM and got a seat without reservation.

Cost: ~S$60/pax Opening hours: 11:30AM – 10PM (Last order 9:30PM) Address: 2-1-18 Kitasanjo-Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

K.L.I.M Dessert Cafe

It isn’t a trip to Hokkaido if we didn’t include Hokkaido soft serve! For dessert, we headed to K.L.I.M which newly opened in 2021. We had milk soft serve with  dango  (¥1,100) and their signature black sesame and coconut soft serve with pearls (¥900). Both were really good!

Cost: From ¥400 (~S$3.90) Opening hours: 7PM – 3:30AM Address: 5 Chome Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806, Japan (They have another outlet that opens from 11AM – 5PM)

Where to stay in Sapporo (3 nights): The Knot Sapporo ( from ~S$93/night for a twin room). It’s 1.4km from Sapporo station, and right beside Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade and several other restaurants.

Day 3: Day Trip to Otaru

Getting from Sapporo to Otaru : 35min via train

Otaru is a charming coastal town that can easily be covered as a day trip. This is one train journey you don’t want to nap on — the route is extremely scenic. It snakes along the coast and we even spotted several surfers catching waves!

Hiyoriyama Lighthouse

First stop of the day — Hiyoriyama Lighthouse . It’s a 30-minute bus ride from Otaru Station (¥240); get off at Otaru Aquarium. From there, it’s a short eight-minute walk to the lighthouse.

The area surrounding the lighthouse is really scenic. It’s the perfect vantage point to take in Otaru’s coast and the Sea of Japan — a highlight of this Hokkaido itinerary!

Beside the lighthouse is Nishin Goten, or Herring Mansion — a tribute to Otaru’s past where herring fishing played a major role in the city’s development. Drop by (¥300 entry) to catch a glimpse of life as a fisherman in the olden days!

Nearby, there’s also the Otaru Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck and a few nature trails for those who’d like to spend more time exploring the coast.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 3 Chome-240 Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0047, Japan

Sankaku Market

Next stop, breakfast at Sankaku Market . From the outside, it doesn’t look like much.

Step inside and you’ll find several eateries all selling one thing: kaisendon . Kaisendons are Japanese rice bowls with fresh seafood — my absolute favourite. 🤤 What better place to try it than a fish market that supplies seafood?

There are several combinations to choose from, and you can even DIY your own bowl! We went with the four-seafood bowl (¥2,200 for a small portion and ¥2,700 for a large) — I chose scallop, salmon, shrimp and ikura . The seafood was seriously fresh and I was desperately savouring each bite to prolong the whole experience.

Our advice? Don’t bother ordering the small.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM Address: 3 Chome-10-16 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0032, Japan

Former Temiya Railway

Walking distance from Sapporo station, the Former Temiya Railway was once used to transport coal to Otaru. It’s a nice place to take photos, especially in autumn when the leaves are multi-coloured!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 1 Chome-15-14 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031, Japan

Otaru Canal

Otaru Canal is the city’s most recognisable attraction. Built in 1923 for small boats to transport goods to warehouses, the canal was restored in the 1980s and became a popular tourist spot. The warehouses now house restaurants and souvenir shops!

Visitors can enjoy a 40-minute sightseeing cruise (¥1,500) along the canal or just walk along the pedestrian street beside it. Boats depart hourly between 11AM and 6PM.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 5 Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0007, Japan

Sakaimachi Dori Shopping Street

Hokkaido has shopping streets in every city, but few offer the same charm as Otaru’s Sakaimachi Dori Shopping Street . It’s a short walk from Otaru Canal and is home to many restaurants, souvenir shops and dessert stands.

Otaru is known for glassware, so you’ll find everything from glass jewellery to ornaments. I couldn’t resist buying a couple of tiny glass sculptures (¥550 each) to bring home!

Mochi with fruits for ¥350 each.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours — shops generally close by 7PM Address: 4-4 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan

Soba Restaurant

Before heading back to Sapporo, enjoy authentic soba at this quaint little restaurant . There’s no English name or menu and there’s only six tables, but this turned out to be one of our most enjoyable meals.

They serve both cold and warm soba ; we went with the classic cold soba with giant tempura shrimp.

The noodles were springy; the dipping sauce refreshing and a nice balance of sweet and salty. The tempura shrimp was the biggest surprise — literally. It was huge and had a nice crunch to it.

After finishing, we were given hot water to add to the soba sauce. The water reduced the sweetness and made it into a nice soup, which was a nice end to the meal.

*Pro-tip: This soba restaurant is located opposite Minami-Otaru station. Take the train back to Sapporo from here instead of walking back to Otaru station.

Cost: ~¥1,000/pax (~S$9.90) Opening hours: 11:30AM – 3PM Address: 9-10 Sumiyoshicho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0015, Japan

Day 4: Asahikawa

Getting from Sapporo to Asahikawa: 1hr 25min via train

Located north of Sapporo, Asahikawa is Hokkaido’s second largest city. It’s surrounded by mountains and is a great base to explore surrounding nature spots like Daisetsuzan National Park and Biei!

Asahikawa Ramen Village 

For lunch, we headed to Asahikawa Ramen Village . There are eight ramen shops here — a great place to try Asahikawa’s soy-based ramen. I had soy ramen with minced pork (¥900) while Brendan tried it with intestines (¥900).

The ramen here is oilier than Sapporo ramen and the noodles are chewier.

*Pro-tip: A few of the same ramen shops can be found in downtown Asahikawa, so feel free to skip the trip here if you’d like to save time as the trains here can be infrequent.

Cost: From ¥900/bowl (~S$8.90) Opening hours: 11AM – 8PM Address: 4 Chome-119-48 Nagayama 11 Jo, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 079-8421, Japan

Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine

The Hokkaido Gokoku Shrine is a little out of the city centre, but that’s what makes it a hidden gem. Built in 1902, there are three giant torii gates — the photographers in us were really excited about this.

We visited on a weekday and there was only one other family around, which meant we had the place to ourselves to enjoy the architecture.

Do drop by the garden before leaving. It’s another great photo spot!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 1 Chome-2282-2 Hanasakicho, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 070-0901, Japan

Mutton BBQ Daikokuya Main Store

For dinner, we went to Mutton BBQ Daikokuya Main Store for another Hokkaido favourite —  jingisukan (mutton bbq). One set of meat (¥2,400) includes a portion of rump, shoulder loin and tenderloin. We also ordered sides like horseradish cucumber and kimchi (¥350 each), egg rice (¥300) and sausages (¥550 for two).

The meat surprisingly wasn’t gamey! My favourite part was the tenderloin, which we ended up ordering more of.

For dessert, we had sheep pudding (¥450) which was creamy and paired well with caramel sauce.

Cost: ~S$30/pax Opening hours: 5PM – 10PM (Mon – Fri), 4PM – 10PM (Sat – Sun) Address: Japan, 〒070-0034 Hokkaido, Asahikawa, 4 Jodori, 5 Chome−1425番地 3・4 仲通

Heiwa Shopping Street

Heiwa Shopping Street is Asahikawa’s main shopping hub, with plenty of restaurants too. It’s located right opposite Asahikawa station and was walking distance from our hotel.

We enjoyed exploring the little thrift shops which sell secondhand clothes, shoes and bags!

Opening hours: 24 hours — Shops generally close at 8PM Address: 8 Chome-41-28 8 Jodori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 070-0038, Japan

Where to stay in Asahikawa: Hotel Route Inn Grand Asahikawa Ekimae ( from ~S$88/night for a Twin Room). It’s located beside Asahikawa station.

Day 5: Day Trip to Biei

The next day, we rented a car to explore the nearby town of Biei .

Car rental: From ~S$59.99/day via Klook . The car rental place was right beside our hotel in Asahikawa (Route Inn Grand Asahikawa Ekimae). Bring your international driving permit (IDP) and a credit card during pickup.

Shirogane Blue Pond

Asahikawa to Shirogane Blue Pond: 49min drive

The Shirogane Blue Pond is arguably what put Biei on the map. The bright turquoise colour reflected in the water is actually due to aluminium particles from the nearby Shirogane Onsen.

There’s also a small dessert stand at the entrance — we got a soft serve and macaron before leaving!

Entrance fee: Free (¥500 parking fee) Opening hours: 24 hours Address: Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan

Shirahige Waterfall

Shirogane Blue Pond to Shirahige Waterfall: 4min drive

Shirahige Waterfall means “white beard waterfall” — a fitting name for the streams of water cascading down a cliff slide.

Walk along the bridge beside it to get a good view of the falls. It was snowing while we were there in the first week of November which only added to the charm of the place.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan

Tokachidake Observatory

Shirahige Waterfall to Tokachidake Observatory : 7min drive

Located 950m above sea level, Tokachidake Observatory is a fantastic spot to take in the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. It’s the starting point for a few hiking trails , but we were just there to check out the views and have lunch.

There are no restaurants here — we packed convenience store food before driving out of Asahikawa. The indoor seating area was a great spot to enjoy our food!

Shikisai no Oka

Tokachidake Observatory to Shikisai no Oka : 27min drive

Shikisai no Oka is known for its beautiful flower gardens that can be enjoyed from spring to fall. But there’s still a reason to visit during off-season — the alpaca farm that’s open all year round.

There were around 16 adorable alpacas in the feeding pen, with a bunch more resting inside. Purchase veggies to feed them (¥100/basket). Just make sure to watch out for their spit!

Entrance fee: ¥500 (~S$4.90) Opening hours: Varies depending on season Address: Shinsei, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0473, Japan

After stopping by the town of Biei for a coffee break, we headed back to Asahikawa to return the car.

We’d planned to also check out Asahidake Ropeway but the poor weather changed our plans. If the weather is in your favour, check out the scenic 1.7km round trip hike at the top of the ropeway!

Tenkin Izakaya

Tenkin Izakaya is one of Asahikawa’s oldest izakayas and was probably the best (or second best) meal of this Hokkaido itinerary! The interior is that of a traditional Japanese restaurant, where diners are seated on tatami mats on the floor.

I had a sashimi set (¥3,850) while Brendan ordered a tempura and sashimi bento (¥33,000). Mine had a good selection of fresh seafood ( ikura, scallop, prawn, tuna and more) as well as tempura and chawanmushi .

We also ordered Japanese black wagyu steak (¥3,245). The meat was delicious — really tender and juicy!

Cost: ~¥4,500/pax (~S$44.20) Opening hours: 3PM – 11PM Address: 7 Chome 3 Jodori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 070-0033, Japan

Day 6: Sapporo and Heading Home

Getting from Asahikawa to Sapporo : 1hr 25min via train

Streets of Sapporo

Our last day was spent wandering the city centre and doing last-minute souvenir shopping. Sapporo Kita 3-jo Plaza , the Hokkaidō Government Office and Botanic Garden Hokkaidō University are some scenic areas worth checking out if you have the time.

Katsuissen Conveyor Belt Restaurant

We couldn’t leave Hokkaido without eating at a sushi belt restaurant. The previous team ate at the popular Nemuro Hanamaru , so we wanted to try a different place. Katsuissen is located near Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade and is another highly-rated spot!

There’s all the classics — giant red shrimp, ikura, tuna, salmon. It was the perfect end to our Hokkaido trip.

*Pro-tip: Conveyor belt restaurants are really popular among locals. We shortlisted a few restaurants, but were turned away from two. Despite them closing at 10PM, they cut off their queues around 8PM to ensure all customers get seated. Make a reservation or arrive early to avoid disappointment!

Cost: ~S$30/pax Opening hours: 11AM – 3PM, 4:30PM – 11PM (Mon – Fri), 12PM – 11PM (Sat – Sun) Address: Japan, 〒060-0063 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Jonishi, 5 Chome−1

Tips for Planning Your Next Hokkaido Itinerary

We absolutely loved Hokkaido — the food, weather, views, shopping… one week was hardly enough.

If you’re planning a trip to Hokkaido, here are some tips:

1) Trains in Japan are very timely, so you have to be as well.

Since there were only two of us on this trip, we chose to travel via train most of the way so we could rest more on longer journeys.

We got the 7-day Hokkaido JR Pass ( ~S$239.95 ) and used the Japan Travel app (available on iPhone / Android ) to plan our routes. It shows bus and train timings too while on the go too!

*Pro-tip: The Hokkaido Rail Pass entitles you to free seat reservations on the reserved carriage! Just head down to the JR information desk at the train station and let the staff know which train timing you’ll like to reserve seats for.

2) Bring your passport for tax refunds!

Many shops offer tax refunds for tourists on the spot when you spend at least ¥5,000 (~S$48). You just have to show your passport to claim it!

3) Get discounts on flights, accommodation, and activities

Be sure to look out for travel deals so you can save on your travel essentials! For example, we made use of these Citi Credit Card Travel Deals for our trip:

– Traveloka: Up to S$100 off hotels, flights or experiences – Agoda: 25% off hotel bookings with a Citi Mastercard Credit Card – Klook: Up to S$50 off bookings (incl. transport passes, car rental and WiFi); 20% off experiences

Citi Credit Cardmembers also earn 2 miles with every S$1 overseas spend with the Citi PremierMiles Card . Good news — Citi Miles never expire, so you can rake them in to redeem for your next adventure!

If you don’t own a Citi PremierMiles Card yet, apply now and get up to 30,000 bonus Citi Miles when you spend S$800 in the first 2 months *T&Cs apply. Welcome offer is valid till 31 July 2024.

4) Fill up this online registration form a few days before your flight to Hokkaido.

After completion, you’ll receive a QR code to show upon arrival at New Chitose Airport. Complete this at least a few days before your flight!

5) Pre-order your SIM Card before arrival  

We got the 14-day eSIM with unlimited data for ~S$37.89 . A QR code and set-up instructions were delivered via email so there was no need to source for SIM cards at the airport when we arrived (or even change the SIM cards).

Have questions about our Hokkaido itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

This post was brought to you by  Citi Credit Cards .

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hi may i know which month did you go?

Hi, the team went in November last year 🙂

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

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

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

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

Let’s dive in!

7-Day Hokkaido Road Trip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🚗Looking for a car rental?

Rentalcars.com compares prices of many well-known international & Japanese companies. If you want to rent from a company that is familiar with international travelers and offers comprehensive support services, take a look!

Klook covers big international names as well as Japanese local companies. Sometimes you will find cheaper prices from the local ones, so make sure to check it out.

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

Itinerary for Day 1

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

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

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

✨TRAVEL TIP

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

Where to stay

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

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

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

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

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

Itinerary for Day 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milky Way Waterfall

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

Itinerary for Day 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One more day in Abashiri?

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

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

Itinerary for Day 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Itinerary for Day 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Itinerary for Day 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Itinerary for Day 7

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

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

Sapporo TIP

🍶Want to enjoy the night like a local? Check out this guide to Sapporo's most popular izakaya areas .

Also join Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip! The friendly and outgoing local guides provides you a small group tour to make your experience much more personal and authentic.

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

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

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

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

NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?

I’M HERE TO HELP YOU!

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

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

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Hokkaido Itinerary: A 10-Days Travel Blog

Last updated on May 29th, 2024

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Planning for Hokkaido Itinerary

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

Here is the summary of My 10 Days Hokkaido Itinerary:

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

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

Pre-Trip Essential

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

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

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

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

Day 1: Arrive Hokkaido – Hakodate

Landed at New Chitose Airport; getting to Hakodate.

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

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

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

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

Day 2: Hakodate

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3: Lake Toya

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 4 and Day 5: Noboribetsu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 6: Otaru

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

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

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

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

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

Day 7: Shakotan Peninsula (Seasonal Trip)

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

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

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

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

Day 8 – 9: Sapporo City

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

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

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

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

Where and what to eat in Sapporo

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

Day 10: Goodbye Hokkaido

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

How To Plan For 10 Days Hokkaido Trip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More detail Hokkaido travel blog:

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

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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

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Hokkaido government, northern road navi.

SAMPLE ITINERARIES

• RECOMMENDED
• PERSONAL GUIDES

Take a Look at Our Sample Itineraries and be inspired for Your Next Hokkaido Trip

The coldest month of the year. True Winter.

The month of Snow Festivals and Drift Ice.

Sunny and warm Winter but still enough snow.

Spring in the Valleys but Winter in the Mountains. Wild Rivers Invite to Whitewater Rafting.

This is Hokkaido's Spring. Cherry Blossoms, Pink Moss, Everything Starts to Bloom.

Beginning of Summer, Yosakoi Soran Festival, Hokkaido Shrine Festival, Festivals everywhere.

The Summer of Hokkaido. Lavenders, Sun Flowes, Beer Festivals.

Warmest Month of the year. Swim at the beach, Hike Mountains, Watch Whales in the East.

Beginning of Autumn. Autumn Foliage Starting in the Mountains.

Nature Paiting the World in Autumn Colors.

2 Seasons in 1 Month. Winter and Autumn at the Same Time.

White Christmas. Winter Comes to the Valleys.

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South Hokkaido Private Autumn Tour: Fall Colors and Seasonal Rural Activities

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South Hokkaido Private Winter Tour: Niseko Powder Snow and Hokkaido Classics

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Taste the Sweetest Corn in the Rich Land of Tokachi!

from 360,000 JPY

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Eastern Hokkaido Private Summer Tour: Wildlife and Mysterious Landscapes

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Fresh and organic: Adventure into the rural side of Hokkaido

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The Best DMC (Destination Management Company) in Hokkaido, Japan.

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7 Best things to do in Japan in 2024

A s a travel enthusiast starts planning a 2024 travel itinerary, Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, ticks all the boxes. It is the ultimate travel destination thanks to its historic streets of Kyoto, savoring delicious street food in Osaka, exploring the religious shrines, or staying at the ryokans . From the age-old cherry fields to the peaceful country roads, this place is a feast for the senses.

Springtime being this place's truly magical venture, Japan comes alive with color and energy, and visitors are feasted on a lot of enjoyable destinations to explore. Its rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty offers an array of adventures for every travel enthusiast.

Disclaimer: This is purely the writer's opinion, and might have missed some favorite destinations.

The top activities to experience in Japan in 2024

Whether the avid traveler is a history buff, a food enthusiast, or a nature lover, Japan is the perfect place for their visit in 2024.

Ahead, Team Sportskeeda has thoughtfully created a list of the seven best things to do in Japan in 2024 and make the most of their visit.

• Explore Kinkaku-ji at Kyoto
• Enjoy Hanami in Tokyo
• Feed the deer at Nara
• Learn about the city's history at Hiroshima
• River cruise at Osaka
• Ski at Hokkaido
• Sun-bask on the shorelines of Okinawa

1) Explore Kinkaku-ji at Kyoto

Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan , is a must-visit spring destination for avid travelers. Considering that the best time to travel is in late March to early April, this holiday and sightseeing place is well-known for its cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Sight-seers should not miss the spectacular Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and the traditional Gion District. For lodging, one should consider staying at a classic ryokan to experience the hospitality at its best. Kansai International Airport, the nearest airport, can be easily commuted to thanks to local transportation.

Once in Kyoto, one should also make sure to try out the local cuisines, like kaiseki (a multicourse feast) and various matcha confectionaries. Noted diners like Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley also rule the culinary delight list.

2) Enjoy Hanami in Tokyo

Be it the onset of autumn or spring, the metropolis of Tokyo, Japan, is always bustling with a unique blend of modernity and ritual. Including Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Shrine, this metropolis' main attractions are decorated with cherry blossoms, catering to a panoramic view.

Once in Tokyo, tourists can enjoy activities like hanami (flower viewing) picnics in Ueno Park and boat or yacht cruises along the Sumida River. For an unforgettable stay, visitors can select a hotel in the vibrant Shibuya or Shinjuku districts and indulge in a wide variety of delectable local cuisines, like sushi tempura and ramen at Tsukiji Outer Market, and the food stalls at Ameyoko Market.

Read more: 6 Best European countries to visit in Summer 2024

3) Feed the deer at Nara

Nara, well-known for its friendly deer and ancient religious shrines, it is always the perfect time for any travel enthusiast to visit this charming destination.

Visitors can engage in activities like feeding deer and exploring the picturesque Isuien Garden at Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple, the main attractions they shouldn't miss. Once here, a holiday enthusiast can stay at cozy homestays or ryokans for an authentic lodging experience. There are also sample local delicacies, like Kakinoha sushi and persimmon leaf sushi, at the best diners in the Nara-machi district.

4) Learn about the city's history at Hiroshima

Hiroshima, a Japan metropolis with a resilient spirit and a profound history, is best visited in early April. From the local Hiroshima Airport, courtesy of its travel-friendly communication, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Shukkeien Garden are the main places of interest that offer serene beauty. Here, tourists can engage in activities like visiting the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to learn about the city's history.

One can also plan their stay at comfortable hotels and savor local cuisines like okonomiyaki and oysters from the best diners like Okonomimura and Mitaki-en.

5) River cruise at Osaka

Considered one of the most vibrant cities, Osaka is famed for its lively environment and mouthwatering delicacies. The best time to visit is late March or early April. Once landing at the Kansai International Airport, a vacationer can enjoy their holiday by visiting the main attractions, like Osaka Castle and Dotonbori.

Thanks to its panoramic view, travelers can enjoy local activities like exploring the bustling Kuromon Ichiba Market and river cruising along the Okawa River. Planning a 2 to 3-day trip to Osaka, a vacationer can book their stay at downtown's trendy hotels and indulge in local cuisines like takoyaki , okonomiyaki , and kushikatsu at street food stalls, and best-eating joints like Mizuno and Kani Doraku.

Read more: 6 Best treks in the world

6) Ski at Hokkaido

Hokkaido, the northernmost island, is a must-see spring holiday destination in Japan, courtesy of its spectacular natural attractions. When hiring local transportation or pre-paid cabs from New Chitose Airport, the best time to visit is late April or early May. During this time, tourists can enjoy the main attractions, such as the vast fields of Shikisai-no-Oka and the majestic beauty of Shikisai Hill.

They can engage in activities like exploring Biei's charming beauty, skiing, Onsen (hot springs), enjoying a relaxing soak in the famous Noboribetsu hot springs, or staying at comfortable ryokans or motels with stunning mountain views. They can also savor these gastronomical delights in local delicacies like fresh seafood , spicy ramen, and tasty dairy products at the best diners like Ramen Yokocho and Nijo Market.

7) Sun-bask on the shorelines of Okinawa

Off-boarding at the Naha airport, Okinawa's gorgeous shorelines and rich history welcome avid travelers, making it an excellent destination year-round for all travel enthusiasts visiting Japan. Once here, travelers can explore the lively marine life at the Churaumi Aquarium and the Ryukyu culture of historical Shuri Castle.

They can rest and recoup at beachfront resorts like the Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, or Halekulani, Okinawa, to experience the true essence of Okinawa, Japan. Visitors can also spoil their tastebuds with the local flavors of sample Okinawan soba, agu pork , goya champuru, and rafute pork.

Read more: 6 best Spring destinations in the world to take a family vacation

These are the seven best things to do in Japan in 2024 that promise an array of unforgettable experiences for travel enthusiasts. So, avid travelers can start backpacking to enjoy their adventure-packed holiday.

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• Section 5 - Influenza
• Section 5 - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome / MERS

Japanese Encephalitis

Cdc yellow book 2024.

Author(s): Susan Hills, Nicole Lindsey, Marc Fischer

Infectious Agent

Transmission, epidemiology, clinical presentation.

INFECTIOUS AGENT: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus

Asia and parts of the western Pacific

TRAVELER CATEGORIES AT GREATEST RISK FOR EXPOSURE & INFECTION

PREVENTION METHODS

Avoid insect bites

Japanese encephalitis is a vaccine-preventable disease

DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus Flavivirus and is closely related to dengue, West Nile, and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses.

JE virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, primarily Culex species. The virus is maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and amplifying vertebrate hosts, primarily wading birds and pigs. Humans are incidental or dead-end hosts because they usually do not develop a level or duration of viremia sufficient to infect mosquitoes.

JE virus is the most common vaccine-preventable cause of encephalitis in Asia, occurring throughout most of Asia and parts of the western Pacific. Transmission principally occurs in rural agricultural areas, often associated with rice cultivation and flood irrigation. In some areas of Asia, these ecologic conditions can occur near, or occasionally within, urban centers. In temperate areas of Asia, transmission is seasonal, and human disease usually peaks in summer and fall. In the subtropics and tropics, seasonal transmission varies with monsoon rains and irrigation practices and might be prolonged or even occur year round.

In endemic countries, where adults have acquired immunity through natural infection, JE is primarily a disease of children. Travel-associated JE can occur among people of any age, however. For most travelers to Asia, the risk for JE is extremely low but varies based on destination, accommodations, activities, and duration and season of travel.

Before 1973, >300 cases of JE were reported among soldiers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Russia. During 1973–2020, 88 JE cases among travelers or expatriates from nonendemic countries were published or reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since 1993, when a JE vaccine became available in the United States, only 13 JE cases among US travelers have been reported to CDC (1993–2020).

The overall incidence of JE among people from nonendemic countries traveling to Asia is estimated to be <1 case per 1 million travelers. However, expatriates and travelers who stay for prolonged periods in rural areas with active JE virus transmission might be at similar risk as the susceptible, pediatric resident population, which is 6–11 cases per 100,000 children per year. Travelers, even on brief trips, might be at increased risk if they have extensive outdoor or nighttime exposure in rural areas during periods of active transmission. Shorter-term (e.g., <1 month) travelers whose visits are restricted to major urban areas are at minimal risk for JE. In some endemic areas, few human cases occur among residents because of natural immunity among older people or vaccination, but JE virus is still maintained locally in an enzootic cycle between animals and mosquitoes. Therefore, susceptible visitors could be at risk for infection.

Most human infections with JE virus are asymptomatic; <1% of people infected with JE virus develop neurologic disease. Acute encephalitis is the most recognized clinical manifestation of JE virus infection. Milder forms of disease (e.g., aseptic meningitis, undifferentiated febrile illness) also can occur. The incubation period is 5–15 days. Illness usually begins with sudden onset of fever, headache, and vomiting. Mental status changes, focal neurologic deficits, generalized weakness, and movement disorders might develop over the next few days. The classical description of JE includes a parkinsonian syndrome with mask-like facies, tremor, cogwheel rigidity, and choreoathetoid movements. Acute flaccid paralysis, with clinical and pathological features like those of poliomyelitis, also has been associated with JE virus infection. Seizures are common, especially among children. The case-fatality rate is ≈20%–30%. Among survivors, 30%–50% have serious neurologic, cognitive, or psychiatric sequelae.

Common clinical laboratory findings include mild anemia, moderate leukocytosis, and hyponatremia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) typically has a mild to moderate pleocytosis with a lymphocytic predominance, slightly elevated protein, and normal ratio of CSF to plasma glucose.

Suspect JE in a patient with evidence of a neurologic infection (e.g., encephalitis, meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis) who recently traveled to or resided in an endemic country in Asia or the western Pacific. Laboratory diagnosis of JE virus infection should be performed using a JE virus–specific IgM-capture ELISA on CSF or serum. JE virus–specific IgM can be measured in the CSF of most patients ≥4 days after symptom onset and in serum ≥7 days after symptom onset.

Plaque reduction neutralization tests can be performed to confirm the presence of JE virus–specific neutralizing antibodies and to discriminate between cross-reacting antibodies from closely related flaviviruses (e.g., dengue virus, West Nile virus). A ≥4-fold rise in JE virus–specific neutralizing antibodies between acute- and convalescent-phase serum specimens can be used to confirm recent infection. When interpreting laboratory results, clinicians must consider vaccination history, date of symptom onset, and information regarding other flaviviruses known to circulate in the geographic area that might cross-react in serologic assays.

Humans have low levels of transient viremia and usually have neutralizing antibodies by the time distinctive clinical symptoms are recognized. Virus isolation and nucleic acid amplification tests are insensitive in detecting JE virus or viral RNA in blood or CSF and should not be used for ruling out a diagnosis of JE. Contact the state or local health department or CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (970-221-6400) for assistance with diagnostic testing. See instructions for submitting CSF and serum specimens to CDC for testing.

No specific antiviral treatment for JE is available; therapy consists of supportive care and management of complications.

Personal Protective Measures

Travelers can best prevent mosquito-borne diseases, including JE, by avoiding mosquito bites (see Sec. 4, Ch. 6, Mosquitoes, Ticks & Other Arthropods ).

One JE vaccine is licensed and available in the United States, an inactivated Vero cell culture–derived vaccine, IXIARO, manufactured by Valneva Austria GmbH. IXIARO was approved in March 2009 for use in people aged ≥17 years, and in May 2013 for use in children aged 2 months through 16 years. Other inactivated and live attenuated JE vaccines are manufactured and used in other countries but are not licensed for use in the United States.

Indications for Travelers

Based on each traveler’s planned itinerary, assess the risks for mosquito exposure and JE virus infection and discuss ways to reduce these risks. Advise all travelers going to JE-endemic countries of the importance of personal protective measures to reduce the risk for mosquito bites. The decision whether to vaccinate should be individualized and include consideration of the risks related to the specific travel itinerary, likelihood of future travel to JE-endemic countries, the high rate of death and disability when JE occurs, availability of an effective vaccine, the possibility but low probability, of serious adverse events after immunization, and the traveler’s personal perception and tolerance of risk.

Travel location, duration, activities, accommodations, and seasonal patterns of disease in the areas to be visited each influence risk for exposure. Interpret the data in Table 5-14 cautiously, because JE virus transmission activity varies within countries and from year to year, and surveillance data are often incomplete. Additional information on factors that increase risk is provided in Japanese encephalitis vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices .

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends JE vaccine for people moving to a JE-endemic country, longer-term (e.g., ≥1 month) travelers to JE-endemic areas, and frequent travelers to JE-endemic areas. Consider JE vaccine for shorter-term (e.g., <1 month) travelers with an increased risk for JE based on planned travel duration, season, location, activities, and accommodations. In addition, consider vaccination for travelers going to JE-endemic areas but who are uncertain of specific destinations, activities, or duration of travel.

ACIP does not recommend JE vaccine for travelers with very low risk itineraries (e.g., shorter-term travel limited to urban areas, travel that occurs outside a well-defined JE virus transmission season).

Table 5-14 Risk areas & transmission season for Japanese encephalitis (JE), by destination 1,2,3

1 When making decisions on vaccination, consider destination and transmission season information in association with travel duration and activities.

2 Data are based on published and unpublished reports. Perform risk assessments cautiously; risk can vary within areas and from year to year, and surveillance data regarding human cases and JE virus transmission are often incomplete. In some endemic areas, human cases among residents are limited because of vaccination or natural immunity among older people. Because JE virus is maintained in an enzootic cycle between animals and mosquitoes, susceptible visitors to these areas still might be at risk for infection.

3 Outbreaks previously occurred in the Western Pacific Islands of Guam (1947–1948) and Saipan (1990), but these are no longer considered risk areas and are not included in the table.

Efficacy & Immunogenicity

No efficacy data are available for IXIARO. The vaccine was licensed in the United States based on its ability to induce JE virus–specific neutralizing antibodies as a surrogate for protection. In pivotal immunogenicity studies, 96% of adults and 100% of children developed protective neutralizing antibodies 28 days after receiving a primary immunization series of 2 doses administered 28 days apart. In a trial among adults aged ≥65 years, 65% were seroprotected at 42 days after the 2-dose primary series. An accelerated primary series of 2 doses administered 7 days apart was studied among adults aged 18–65 years and was noninferior to the conventional dosing schedule.

In a study where a booster dose was administered to adults at 15 months, 96% of subjects were still seroprotected ≈6 years later. In a study conducted among 150 children in a JE-endemic country who received a booster dose at 11 months, 100% were seroprotected at 24 months after the booster dose.

Administration

The primary vaccination dose and schedule for IXIARO varies by age ( Table 5-15 ). To administer a 0.25-mL dose, expel and discard half of the volume from the 0.5-mL prefilled syringe by pushing the plunger stopper up to the edge of the red line on the syringe barrel before injection. For all age groups, the 2-dose series should be completed ≥1 week before travel.

Table 5-15 Administration information for the inactivated Vero cell culture–derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Ixiaro

Abbreviations: IM, intramuscular; mL, milliliter

1 Administer a booster when potential for Japanese encephalitis virus exposure continues (e.g., repeated travel to endemic areas).

Booster Doses

A booster dose (third dose) should be given at ≥1 year after completion of the primary IXIARO series if ongoing exposure or reexposure to JE virus is expected.

Limited data are available on the use of IXIARO as a booster dose after a primary series with the mouse brain–derived inactivated JE vaccine. Three studies have been conducted, 2 in US military personnel and the other at 2 travel clinics in Europe. Results showed that among adults who had previously received at least a primary series of mouse brain–derived inactivated JE vaccine, a single dose of IXIARO provided good protection through 12–23 months.

Safety & Adverse Reactions

IXIARO was licensed in the United States based on safety evaluations in almost 5,000 adults. Since licensure, >1 million doses of IXIARO have been distributed in the United States without any identified safety concerns. Local symptoms of pain and tenderness were the most reported symptoms in a safety study among 1,993 adult participants who received 2 doses of IXIARO. Fatigue, headache, and myalgia were each reported at a rate of >10%. In children, fever was the most reported systemic reaction in studies. Serious adverse events are reported only rarely.

Precautions & Contraindications

A severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of IXIARO or any other JE vaccine, or to any component of IXIARO, is a contraindication to administration of IXIARO. IXIARO contains protamine sulfate, a compound known to cause hypersensitivity reactions in some people.

No studies of IXIARO in pregnant people have been conducted. Pregnancy is a precaution against the use of IXIARO, however, and in most instances, clinicians should defer vaccinating pregnant people. Further discussion (including the possibility of delaying travel) is merited before recommending vaccination to the pregnant person who must travel to areas where the risk for JE infection outweighs the theoretical risk from immunization.

CDC website: Japanese Encephalitis

The following authors contributed to the previous version of this chapter: Susan L. Hills, Nicole P. Lindsey, Marc Fischer

Bibliography

Deshpande BR, Rao SR, Jentes ES, Hills SL, Fischer M, Gershman MD, et al. Use of Japanese encephalitis vaccine in U.S. travel medicine practices in Global TravEpiNet. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014;91(4):694–8.

Dubischar KL, Kadlecek V, Sablan JB, Borja-Tabora CF, Gatchalian S, Eder-Lingelbach S, et al. Immunogenicity of the inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine Ixiaro in children from a Japanese encephalitis virus-endemic region. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2017;36(9):898–904.

Dubischar KL, Kadlecek V, Sablan B Jr, Borja-Tabora CF, Gatchalian S, Eder-Lingelbach S, et al. Safety of the inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine Ixiaro in children: an open-label, randomized, active-controlled, phase 3 study. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2017;36(9):889–97.

Hills SL, Fischer M, Biggerstaff BJ. Perceptions among the U.S. population of value of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination for travel to JE-endemic countries. Vaccine. 2020;38(9):2117–21.

Hills SL, Walter EB, Atmar RL, Fischer M. Japanese encephalitis vaccine: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019;68:1–33.

Jelinek T, Burchard GD, Dieckmann S, Buhler S, Paulke-Korinek M, Nothdurft HD, et al. Short-term immunogenicity and safety of an accelerated preexposure prophylaxis regimen with Japanese encephalitis vaccine in combination with a rabies vaccine: a phase III, multicenter, observer-blind study. J Travel Med. 2015;22(4):225–31.

Jelinek T, Cromer MA, Cramer JP, Mills DJ, Lessans K, Gherardin AW, et al. Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated Vero cell–derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine (Ixiaro, Jespect) in a pediatric population in JE non-endemic countries: an uncontrolled, open-label phase 3 study. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2018;22:18–24.

Paulke-Korinek M, Kollaritsch H, Kundi M, Zwazl I, Seidl-Friedrich C, Jelinek T. Persistence of antibodies six years after booster vaccination with inactivated vaccine against Japanese encephalitis. Vaccine. 2015;33(30):3600–4.

Rabe IB, Miller ER, Fischer M, Hills SL. Adverse events following vaccination with an inactivated, Vero cell culture-derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the United States, 2009–2012. Vaccine. 2015;33(5):708–12.

Ratnam I, Leder K, Black J, Biggs BA, Matchett E, Padiglione A, et al. Low risk of Japanese encephalitis in short-term Australian travelers to Asia. J Travel Med. 2013;20(3):206–8.

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