hokkaido travel cost

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Hokkaido Starts Here

For many travelers, the question “is Hokkaido worth visiting?” is clear-cut. Whether that means coming in winter (whether or not you ski at Niseko—most travelers do) or road-tripping amid the lavender fields of Furano , people who decide to head to Japan’s northernmost island tend to do so with a single goal in mind.

I can tell you from personal experience that being so binary isn’t the best idea. And not just because, in travel as in the rest of life, I prefer not to put all my eggs in one basket.

Rather, it’s that in spite of Hokkaido’s vast size (or maybe because of it), appreciating the island requires experiencing its richness and diversity—over many trips, and a number of years, if possible. Continue reading my Hokkaido travel guide— or check out my inspiring pictures of the island —to plan an adventure that magnifies the island’s magic instead of obscuring it.

When Should You Visit Hokkaido?

On one hand, many of the things to do in Hokkaido I’m about to list are highly seasonal. For example, you can’t enjoy the colorful flowers of Furano outside the hottest part of summer; you can ski the slopes of Niseko in January, but not (unless climate change catastrophically accelerates) in July. To put it another way, Hokkaido is a 365-day destination—there’s always something to enjoy. This is particularly true if you’re an expat in Japan and can easily travel from Tokyo to Hokkaido, or live relatively close to Japan within Asia.

On the other hand, even destinations that are at their best during one season offer charm and enjoyment during the other three. Otaru’s culinary prowess shines even after its icicles have melted; Hakodate’s Goryokaku Fort looks as magical overflowing with autumn leaves and snow as it does when cherry blossoms are pouring out of it. Which month is the best month to visit Hokkaido? Whichever one is convenient for you to make the journey.

What to Do in Hokkaido

See what all the fuss about sapporo is.

I’ll be honest: It’s taken me a lot of time to harbor the love I know have for Sapporo . The neon-lit streets of Susukino left me cold during my first mid-winter trip; when I came several summers later, in-between excursions to wilder destinations in Hokkaido, strolls through lush Odori Park served mostly as a means of recharging. I only truly saw Sapporo for the amazing city it is when I ended my 2021 cherry blossom trip here, which is ironic given the city’s general lack of sakura trees. Returning for a second winter swing in 2023 was also a revelation, whether I was slurping crab soup at Sapporo Snow Festival , or watching the skyline twinkle from Mt. Moiwa . Indeed, when someone asks me the question “is Sapporo worth visiting?” these days, my answer is a quick “yes”!

Enjoy Hakodate’s cherry blossoms and night view

Indeed, much of what makes Hokkaido worth visiting is actually in Hakodate , a city so far south it’s practically in Honshu. Unlike was the case with Sapporo, Hakodate was love at first sight for me. This has multiplied every time I’ve returned, whether I was enjoy the famous “night view” from atop Mt. Hakodate , eating controversial ika odori don at Hadakote Morning Market , looking down on the hundreds of cherry blossom trees planted within star-shaped Goryokaku Fort or appreciating the old town’s eclectic architecture, which includes Russian Orthodox churches.

Get out of town, maybe a long way

I’ve started this round-up of things to do in Hokkaido with the island’s two largest cities, but the reality is that most things to do in Hokkaido—the best ones, certainly—are far outside its urban cores. Well, some (such as Otaru , famous for its icicle-lined canal and dramatic sea views) are not so far. However, you’ll definitely need some time to enjoy Asahikawa (Japan’s coldest city and the hub of central Hokkaido), especially if you come in winter to see the famous “Penguin Parade.” Likewise, while you can get a feel for the hot springs and hiking on offer at Lake Toya and in Noboribetsu on a day trip from Sapporo , it’s really best to spend the night if you can.

Savor summer (or fall) in Furano

Things to do in Hokkaido, Japan, as I’ve stated several times in this article, are all about its four seasons. In recent years, summer has taken center stage, particularly amid the rolling lavender fields of Furano in central Hokkaido. Particularly, but not exclusively: The nearby Shirogane Blue Pond is astonishing during the warm season, which is also the best time to visit waterfalls in the area, as well as to taste lush, orange melons and the Hokkaido milk soft cream often served inside of them. However, I find it to be the most visually stunning during Hokkaido’s underrated autumn season .

Go off the beaten path in Hokkaido’s “Wild East”

Hokkaido is huge, a fact compounded by the lack of any Shinkansen past Hakodate (at least until 2030—and even then, it’ll only go until Sapporo). Far eastern Hokkaido , however, is definitely worth several hours on a normal express train. Head to Kushiro , which is a charming city in its own right, but is also the perfect base for exploring the Ainu culture and visiting the red-crested tancho cranes of Lakes Akan and Mashu . Or choose Abashiri —in the summer, it’s the gateway to the Shiretoko Peninsula , while in winter, you can take an exciting “icebreaker” cruise.

Is Hokkaido Worth Visiting?

Hokkaido is worth visiting, as long as you’re clear about what you expect. For instance, if you travel to Niseko to ski for a few days, or fly to Sapporo long enough only to complete a summer road trip circuit to Asahikawa and back, you shouldn’t expect to be able to appreciate the vastness of the island. Likewise, your first trip to Hokkaido is unlikely to reveal the full ranges of colors and charms of the island, given how well-defined and utterly different its seasons are from one another.

Indeed, my favorite among all the things to do in Hokkaido is probably returning. My understand of the island deepens every time I go back; along with it, so does my love. Conversely, when I first traveled to Hokkaido in early 2015 , I spent such little time there, and cast my proverbial net so woefully small that I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. I hadn’t cut my own path through Hokkaido’s brush, or even followed the proverbial tourist trail very far—I’d simply left a few footsteps. Hokkaido takes time—only those prepared to give it will really see the island for what it is.

Other FAQ About Visiting Hokkaido

What is hokkaido famous for.

Hokkaido is most famous, among foreign travelers, for the ski fields of Niseko. Other attractions, experiences and products people might know include the Hakodate night view, Asahiyama Zoo, lavender fields of Furano, Sapporo Beer and the culture of the indigenous Ainu people. However, Hokkaido travel is as boundless as the island is huge, so please: Don’t feel boxed in by these suggestions.

How many days in Hokkaido is enough?

The longer you can spend in Hokkaido, the better. The island is massive; because the Hokkaido Shinkansen won’t start operations until 2030 (and even when it does, its scope will be limited), it takes a long time to cover ground here. You should plan on spending at least a week in Hokkaido at a time—and returning several times, at least once for each of the island’s four seasons. (Obviously, this is easier if you live in Japan—it’s cheaper and quicker to travel from Kyoto to Hokkaido than to do so from Kentucky or even Kuala Lumpur!)

Is it worth going to Hokkaido?

It’s worth going to Hokkaido if you can devote the time and energy to the island that it deserves, and if you have a clear objective of why you’re visiting, such as to ski in Niseko, to eat your way through Hakodate Morning Market or to see the beautiful cranes of Kushiro. As a general rule, the most abstract your idea of Hokkaido before traveling, the less satisfied you will be after you depart.

The Bottom Line

I hope you’ve found my Hokkaido travel guide helpful. More than that, however, I hope you’ve had—in a good way—a reality check. Hokkaido’s four seasons, rugged landscape and vast size means that it can be one of the wildest and most fulfilling destinations in Japan to explore. On the other hand, if you don’t devote the requisite time to this task, or have a clear idea of your travel objectives before your trip, you might find yourself disappointed, as I was after my ill-fated first visit to the island. One way to make sure your time in Hokkaido lives up to all your expectations for it? Hire me to create a Japan itinerary for you!

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• Travel Planning Guide

How much does a trip to Hokkaido Cost?

How much money should you budget for your trip to Hokkaido?

How much does a weekend trip to hokkaido cost.

• How much does a five-day trip to Hokkaido cost?
• How much does a one-week trip to Hokkaido cost?
• Hostel Prices
• Hotel Prices

The Cost of a Trip to Hokkaido

When it comes to exploring Hokkaido, travelers typically find themselves budgeting between $0 and $0 per day for solo adventures and $0 to $0 if you're traveling as a couple. Now, that's a broad range, but the typical trip, on average, is $0 (¥0) per person per day. This average cost covers sightseeing, accommodation, meals, and transportation, all from our large repository of travel expenses from previous visitors. Keep in mind, though, your personal spending might vary a bit based on your own level of luxury, travel style, and chosen activities. However, if you're visiting the highlights with some savvy planning, chances are your spending will vibe right around this average cost. For more details, check out the breakdown of expenses by category, plus the breakdown on accommodation and activity prices below.

If you're planning an Independent trip to Hokkaido, budget travelers should plan to spend around $0 (¥0) per day for their trip. This average includes hostels and budget hotels, affordable meal options, local transportation, and activities. If you're on a mid-range budget, plan for around $0 (¥0) a day which covers the cost of typical hotels, normal restaurants, and a variety of popular attractions. Luxury travelers should allow for $0 (¥0) a day, which would cover higher-end hotels, nicer restaurants, and more private tour options. All of these price ranges are based on our extensive travel cost data for Hokkaido from other travelers, along with hotel and tour data from travel companies.

On average, travelers spend around $0 per person during a three-day trip to Hokkaido. This average includes expenses for sightseeing, hotels, food, and local transportation. To align with this average price range, consider opting for mid-range hotels and dining at mid-level restaurants, while also allocating funds for entry tickets to popular attractions. For those seeking a more budget-friendly approach, it is possible to find lower-cost accommodations, dine at less expensive restaurants, and explore free activities. Also, many visitors choose to spend a higher travel budget, as Hokkaido offers a range of high-end hotels and restaurants for those seeking a more luxurious experience.

How much does a five day trip to Hokkaido cost?

With five days in Hokkaido, you can expect to spend about $0 total, not including transportation to and from the city. It's possible to stay close to this daily average by booking mid-range hotels, eating at normal restaurants, and paying for some entry tickets to popular attractions. It's possible to find lower-cost accommodations, eat at less expenive restaurants, and find more free activities if you want to spent less money.

How much does a one week trip to Hokkaido cost?

Most visitors spend between $0 and $0 for a one week trip to Hokkaido, with the average being $0 . This includes sightseeing, local transportation, food, and hotels. One week is enough time to have a more in-depth experience in Hokkaido. Also, one week allows you to be more flexible with your time and money, so you can potentially save money on some aspects of your trip while spending more on others.

Hotel Prices in Hokkaido

Based on our calculations from available hotels in the Hokkaido, the average price for a hotel room is $0 per night. To save money, or if you're planning a more luxurious trip, it's important to look at hotel prices based on the overall star-rating as well as guest reviews. Also, prices can vary by amenities and location. Check out more details from our analysis of hotel prices in Hokkaido here , and below is a breakdown of hotel prices by star-rating.

Should you do a tour in Hokkaido?

Many visitors enjoy the convenience of booking tours and activities while they visit, and Hokkaido has a wide array of things to do. These activities often include knowledgable guides and unique experiences. Tours range in price from $11 for the Goryokaku Tower Ticket in Hokkaido to $76 for the Hokkaido Furano Tomita Farm Tour With Melon Buffet Option .

• Full Day Private Skiing / Snowboarding Tour in Sapporo Viator $ 57
• Full Day Private Skiing / Snowboarding Tour in Sapporo: $57
• Time Slip Experience in Hakodate with Custom Dress: $63
• Hakodate Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $121
• Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $57
• Half Day Hakodate Tour with Government Licensed English guide: $224
• Sapporo Custom Full Day Tour: $251
• Sapporo Night Tour: $44
• Private Wheel Pottery Experience with One Drink: $46

More for Hokkaido

If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido, Japan, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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A first-time guide to Hokkaidō, Japan

Oct 3, 2023 • 8 min read

Plan your perfect trip to Hokkaidō with this guide for first-time visitors © Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty Images

Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaidō , is best known globally as a ski and snowboard destination – thanks to its legendary powder snow.

Outdoor adventure is the main reason to visit this naturally stunning region; beyond winter sports, the green season brings opportunities for epic hikes, cycling and camping trips, or simply slowing down and appreciating the photogenic landscapes.

Travel in Hokkaidō is different than elsewhere in Japan : it’s more nature than people, and points of interest can be far apart. This makes it the best place in Japan for a road trip ; otherwise, you’ll probably want to stick to one area – so as to not spend most of the trip in transit. Plan the perfect trip to Hokkaidō with this guide to things that all first-time visitors need to know.

When should I go to Hokkaidō?

The best time to visit depends on what you plan to do and where you plan to go. For skiing and snowboarding, January and February are considered peak season (though most resorts stay open well into spring). Sapporo Snow Festival – Hokkaidō’s most famous festival – is also held in February, and during these months you’ll need to plan ahead, booking accommodations as early as possible.

While winter is the most popular time of year for international travelers, summer is peak season for Japanese visitors. July, August and September are the months for hiking, camping and cycling in and around the island’s spectacular national parks. Hokkaidō summers are mild compared to the rest of the hot and humid country, and typhoons don’t usually reach this far north (though they can mess up your flights from elsewhere in Japan).

Note that autumn, and then winter, comes early to Hokkaido. Snow can fall as early as September in the mountains, signaling the end of green season: trails and seasonal lodgings close, as do many roads. By November, snow could be falling in Sapporo , which means it is also getting cold, and will stay cold until sometime in April. Higher elevations start to thaw around May, though mountain peaks may retain snow into early summer.

How long do you need in Hokkaidō?

Hokkaidō, being vast, rewards long stays. If you’re coming to ski or snowboard, the answer is probably as long as you can afford. With only a few days, you’ll want to stick to one resort; with a week, however, you could visit two resorts, for different experiences, or spend a couple of days exploring Hokkaidō’s capital city, Sapporo .

It’s hard to imagine coming to Hokkaidō for less than three days, unless you stick to Sapporo or Hakodate, at the southern reach of the island. With three or four days, you could visit some combination of Hakodate, Sapporo and Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, the easiest of Hokkaidō’s six national parks to reach. Alternatively, you could use one of the island’s regional airports to get out to one of the more remote parks, like rugged and wild Shiretoko National Park , and go off-grid for a few days.

With more like seven or eight days to work with, your itinerary could include several highlights; you could cover some distance, or explore one region in depth. With two weeks, you can really get to know the island, its fascinating topography and complicated history, and visit some truly off-the-beaten-track spots – like the islands that make up Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park in Hokkaidō’s far north.

Is it easy to get to and around Hokkaidō?

Hokkaidō is easy to reach thanks to New Chitose Airport, which has international connections to cities across Asia; frequent daily flights to Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto ); and other connections to regional airports around Japan. Direct trains connect the airport to Sapporo, the main transport hub for the island, in under 45 minutes.

It’s also possible to take the shinkansen – Japan’s iconic bullet train – from Tokyo to Hakodate; the journey, which travels through the oft-overlooked Tōhoku region, takes four hours. The shinkansen doesn’t go any further north than Hakodate (yet), but you can continue to Sapporo via limited express train, the next fastest train class. Sapporo itself is easy to get around; it’s compact and has subway and bus networks.

Limited express trains connect most of Hokkaidō’s major cities, and with a combination of these and local trains or buses it is possible to get to most places you’d want to go – including campgrounds, trailheads and snow resorts – entirely by public transportation. Rail passes, like the Japan Rail Pass and the Hokkaido Rail Pass, can make travel around the island more economical.

A car, of course, gives you more flexibility; rentals can be booked online to pick up at New Chitose Airport (with the right paperwork).

Top things to do in Hokkaidō

Niseko United is the resort that put Hokkaidō on the map as a ski and snowboard destination. It’s the biggest (actually four resorts in one); has the most amenities, including a cosmopolitan après scene; and consistently superlative powder. More recently, travelers have begun seeking out less well-known resorts, like Rurutsu and Furano, or back-country tours up peaks inside Daisetsuzan National Park. For the shortest of trips, you can’t beat Sapporo Teine, a popular local resort within 30 minutes of the city.

The peaks of Daisetsuzan, which means "playground of the gods" in the language of the Ainu, the Indigenous peoples of Hokkaidō, can also be explored on foot in summer. Along with Shiretoko, it’s among the best national parks for multi-day treks. Aforementioned Shikotsu-Tōya National Park is home to caldera lakes and hot spring resorts; the new National Ainu Museum is in nearby Shiraoi.

While for many the whole point of Hokkaidō is to get away from city life, it should be noted that Sapporo – Japan’s fifth largest city – is an excellent place to spend some time, with dining and shopping opportunities, as well as some interesting sights, like a park designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Historic port city Hakodate has some unique charms, including a morning market to rival Tsukiji in Tokyo.

My favorite thing to do in Hokkaidō

This is going to sound extremely American of me, but my favorite thing to do in Hokkaidō is drive. Driving in Tokyo, and really almost anywhere else in Japan, stresses me out; Hokkaidō, with its wide roads through vast country landscapes, feels just about the only place in the country where I can attempt an American-style road trip – windows down, stereo up and all that. Many motorcyclists from around Japan come to Hokkaidō for this reason, too.

I’ve also been fortunate to eat really, really well in Hokkaidō – mostly thanks to my work on Lonely Planet’s From the Source , and the team that helped put that together. I still think about the meals (and the people!) from that research trip; I don’t want to single any place out, but Menya Saimi and Daruma Honten in Sapporo and Kikuya Shokudō in Hakodate – in the morning market, actually – are probably the easiest to seek out.

How much money do I need for Hokkaidō?

On one hand, Hokkaidō can be the ultimate Japan budget destination : in summer, there are campgrounds, including free ones. Some people really do cycle around parts of Hokkaidō, and travelers on two wheels (cyclists and motorcyclists) can stay in bargain crash pads called "rider houses," where a futon in a shared room usually costs no more than ¥1000. Washing, meanwhile, can be done in one of the island’s many public hot springs.

Peak snow season is another story: resort areas like Niseko have mostly upmarket lodgings, where rooms cost what they would at any other international resort. Cheaper options exist, but you have to look for them, and book months in advance. Lift tickets, however, are generally considered a good deal; a one-day all-mountain pass for Niseko United for the upcoming season costs ¥9500 – much cheaper than passes at resorts in North America, for example.

Otherwise, prices are fairly similar to elsewhere in the country.

Capsule hotel: ¥8000

Basic room for two: ¥25,000

Self-catering chalet: ¥40,000

Train fare to Sapporo from the airport: ¥1150

Bus fare to Niseko from the airport: ¥3000

Coffee: ¥500

Ramen in town: ¥1000

Ramen on the slopes: ¥1600

How do I stay safe while traveling in Hokkaidō?

Winters in Hokkaidō are no joke. In January and February, temperatures rarely reach above freezing, while cold winds from Siberia bring dumps of pillowy snow. This makes for excellent skiing and snowboarding but also treacherous roads and off-piste conditions; take caution and consider joining a tour or using a guide if you have ambitious plans. Even in peak summer, temperatures can drop in the mountains, so take care to pack appropriately.

You’ll also want to read up on bears. Though not frequent, higuma (brown bear) attacks do occur in Hokkaidō and hikers typically attach bells to their packs to ward them off. Information centers at the national parks are a good resource — be sure to stop in before setting out on a hike.

What shall I pack for Hokkaidō?

Major snow resorts all offer competitively priced gear rental packages, so you don’t have to have your own equipment to ski or snowboard in Hokkaidō. You can even rent a whole snow outfit, though there will be size restrictions. Some campgrounds offer gear rental, including tents, sleeping bags and camp stoves or grill sets, but this is more likely to require Japanese language skills to sort out. You can find shops selling outdoor equipment and clothing in Sapporo and Niseko. Montbell is a popular Japanese outdoor brand.

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Your Trip to Hokkaido: The Complete Guide

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• Best Hotels
• Top Things to Do in Hokkaido
• Top Things to Do in Sapporo
• Best Hikes in Hokkaido
• Amazing National Parks
• Best Ski Resorts
• Day Trips From Sapporo
• Food to Try
• Best Restaurants

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

Planning Your Trip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Things to Do

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

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

What to Eat and Drink

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay

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

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

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

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

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

Getting There

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

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

Culture and Customs

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

Money Saving Tips

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

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

Hokkaido Tourism Organization. " About Hokkaido ."

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

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

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How to Plan Your Perfect Hokkaido Itinerary In 2024

• Last Updated: January 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Getting Around Hokkaido

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our 12 Day Hokkaido Itinerary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Richard Barnes

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope you had a great trip. 🙂

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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.

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Hokkaido On Budget: Travel Guide & Money Saving Tips

Last updated on September 14th, 2024

Planning your trip to Hokkaido on budget? Read on our useful travel guide including suggested itinerary, the best way of getting around, and money-saving tips.

Hokkaido is one of the best travel destinations in Japan. Don’t miss the chance to experience the wilderness of National Park with beautiful mountain, lake and volcano crater. Have mouth-watering seafood freshly catch from the sea like crabs, sea urchins, scallops, and more. Looking into the Hokkaido itinerary, many people will think that it might be not cheap for traveling to Hokkaido. However, a budget trip to Hokkaido is doable by a well-planning itinerary with some money-saving tips.

Most importantly, keep an eye on the best budget hotel stay and a money-saving tip. Experience the beauty of Hokkaido without breaking your bank yet enjoy till most!

Table of Contents

Where is Hokkaido?

First of all, Hokkaido is located at Japan’s northernmost main island. It is the largest prefecture with 83,456.58km2. It also consisting of 22% of the total land area of Japan.

Generally, Hokkaido can be separate into four regions. There are Northern (Douhoku), Eastern (Doutou), Southern (Dounan) and Central (Douou). Each region has its different characteristics, offering various scenery, activities, and food.

For the first time traveler to Hokkaido , please consider focusing on southern and central regions. It is also advisable for travelers with limited time such as 7 to 10 days. No worry, for sure you will come back and visit Hokkaido for the second time!

Best Time To Visit Hokkaido

Hokkaido offers many things to do and best to visit Hokkaido throughout the year. It is an all year round holiday destination in Japan.

Spring in Hokkaido (April until early June):

• It’s still cold but the weather starts to become warmer.
• Early May is the best time to see the cherry blossom (sakura) in Hokkaido. Follow by pink moss phlox (shibazakura) in late May.

Summer in Hokkaido (Mid of June until August):

• The most wonderful time to visit Hokkaido.
• Flower start blossom from mid of June and hit the peak season at August. Visitors come to Hokkaido in summer for breathtaking flower fields and lavender.

Autumn in Hokkaido (September to November):

• Colorful fall foliage painted the landscape, especially in the national parks.

Winter in Hokkaido (December to February):

• Surprisingly most people rated winter is the best time to visit Hokkaido.
• The best season to visit the popular ski resorts and hot springs in Hokkaido. Sapporo Snow Festival held in early February attract millions of visitors to Hokkaido.

Getting To Hokkaido

Getting to Hokkaido by flight : There are few airports in Hokkaido located in Hakodate, Sapporo, Kushiro, and Asahikawa. The Sapporo New Chitose Airport is the busiest airport in Hokkaido and most international flights will be landed here.

Getting to Hokkaido by Shinkansen from Tokyo : Hokkaido is accessible with shinkansen. From Tokyo to Hakodate, the most southern city in Hokkaido is only 4 hours.

• Smart traveler, please consider getting the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (Flexible 6 days within 14-Days). It will save a lot of money on transportation if you are getting this transportation pass.
• If Hokkaido is part of your whole Japan itinerary, please remember to get your Japan Rail Pass for unlimited train and shinkansen ride.

How To Travel Hokkaido On Budget

We listed down all the travel guides and suggested itinerary on how to plan your Hokkaido on budget . All the money-saving tips will guide you for visiting Hokkaido on budget.

• Monitor your flight ticket to get the cheap flight ticket.
• Always stay connected with wifi when getting around in Hokkaido. Group traveler just get the wifi router.
• Travel smart with transportation pass. Do your smart calculation especially for long hours train journey ride.
• Public bus is efficient and best transportation for inner-city connection.
• Utilized the 1-day city pass for unlimited subway or bus ride within the city. For example at Sapporo, Otaru, and Hakodate.
• Stay smart at affordable accommodation. Consider staying nearby station if you are getting around in Hokkaido by public transport. For self-driving, make sure your hotel provides free parking for those who choose plans for Hokkaido road trip.
• Plenty of amazing but free attraction in Hokkaido. We recommended Noboribetsu and Lake Toya for best places to visit in Hokkaido on budget. Get the Hokkaido Enjoy Pass if you are planning to access many attractions.
• Try the delicious yet best cheap eat in Hokkaido such as ramen, soup curry, and many more local Japanese specialty.

No worry, our travel guide will still guide you to enjoy the best sights and delicious food more smartly. Making your Hokkaido trip is affordable yet enjoyable. Continue read on to know more on top 8 Hokkaido budget guide with money-saving tips.

1. Monitor For Cheap Flight To Hokkaido

Do keep an eye for the best flight deals to Hokkaido. A quick check on Skyscanner to continuously monitor for the cheapest flight to Hokkaido. The easiest way to compare flight tickets from various airline companies. You may end up saving a lot of money by getting the best deal from one of them!

2. Stay Connected With Wifi

Connect to the internet is very important when traveling in Japan. It is important to check on the train schedule, looking for direction and location. Well, getting connected in Japan is not cheap. So, if you are traveling in a group, just share the Wifi router with as low as ¥500 per day.

In our opinion, it is always good to pick up Wifi sim card and router at Japan airport directly. We can make sure the wifi connection is working on the spot.

Check for the latest deal from Klook for wifi connection. Pick up at New Chitose Airport directly. Very high demand, please book early!

• Unlimited 4G Wifi for 8-Days : Check price here
• Wifi router with 7GB data package : Check price here

3. Travel Smart With Transportation Pass

The best way of traveling in Hokkaido is always by self-driving. It is the best way to explore Hokkaido at your own pace plus driving in Hokkaido is relatively easy. Added, it is much cheaper if you are traveling with a group of friends and family. (Check car rental price: RentalCars.com )

However, sometimes driving can be very tiring especially for long journey drive. So, if driving is not your choice, please remember to check on below transportation pass. It will save your money especially you are planning for a long journey travel.

Don’t be scare of various types of transportation pass in Hokkaido. Whole Japan JR Pass is only good for visitor traveling the whole of Japan. Check out below transportation pass which is best to travel Hokkaido only. Valid for foreign visitors only.

JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass : From Tokyo to Hakodate with Shinkansen , and unlimited JR train ride within southern Hokkaido. Must buy transportation pass if you are getting to Hokkaido from Tokyo. Flexible 6 days within 14-Days.

  JR Tofoku-South Hokkaido Pass : Similar pass as JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass but depart from Tofoku area with shinkansen. It is the must-buy pass if you are getting to Hokkaido from the Sendai area. Flexible 5 days within 14-Days.

JR Hokkaido Rail Pass : Unlimited use for all JR Hokkaido trains within Hokkaido. Save if you are planning for a long journey train ride . For instance, remember to get this pass for a round trip journey within Sapporo-Hakodate. Choose from consecutive 3-Days, 5-Days, 7-Days or flexible 4-Days.

Seasonal Ticket: From Sapporo To Asahikawa, Furano, Biei

Seasonal Pass: Furano-Biei Rail Ticket: Round trip between Sapporo-Asahikawa with express train (one time). Unlimited ride of local and rapid train in Furano, Biei, Asahikawa and Takikawa area. Seasonal ticket and only available from the end of April until October . Worth the money even only plan to traveling within Sapporo-Asahikawa by train. Valid for both locals and visitors: 4-Days, consecutive.

Meanwhile, check out our Hokkaido Transportation Guide . It has more detail on how to travel Hokkaido on budget with a transportation pass.

4. Travel With Public Bus

Due to the vast landscape of Hokkaido, some of the attractions may not reachable by train directly. So you may still need to rely on the bus for getting around. It is the cheapest transportation and efficient way to help you visiting Hokkaido on budget. Different region have their own bus company such as Donan Bus, Dohoku Bus, Chuo Bus, Jotetsu Bus on more.

Below are our sample itinerary on how to visit Hokkaido’s attraction by bus:

• From Asahikawa to Shibazakura Takinoue Park by public bus
• Getting to Blue Pond from Biei Station with Dohoku bus
• Day trip to Shimamui coast, Shakotan Peninsula, Cape Kamui by bus

5. City Transportation Pass

Likewise, most of the cities in Hokkaido offer 1-day transportation pass. Travelers can utilized the pass for unlimited ride on bus or subway. Great option if you require frequent traveling with public transport in the city.

Sapporo : Subway 1-Day Card (¥830) and Donichika Ticket, only weekend (¥520). One way of subway ride is about ¥200. Get the pass if you are using a subway ride more than 3 times.

Hakodate : Unlimited 1-Day tram pass at ¥600. Get this only if you are planning for more than three tram ride. Alternatively, the 1-Day/2-Days will cost you ¥1000/¥1700 for unlimited ride for both tram and buses.

6. Stay Smart In Affordable Accommodation

That is to say, Hokkaido offers plenty of accommodation options. Ranging from luxury resort, economy mid-range hotel to budget hostel. Choose your best hotel in Hokkaido based on your budget. It depends on how you getting around in Hokkaido. Sometimes cheaper price does not mean for best hotel that suitable for your Hokkaido itinerary.

For travelers getting around with public transport, we highly recommended you choose your accommodation closer to the train or subway station. It will save you a lot of traveling time and energy.

For travelers getting around with rental cars, please check your hotel do provide free parking. Take note, parking fee is not cheap in Japan!

Below are our recommendation the best budget stay in major cities within Hokkaido:

• Sapporo : Grids Sapporo Hotel&Hostel is perfect and exactly located in the Tanukikoji shopping street. Choose from dormitory bed, single, double, triple and family room depending on your budget.
• Hakodate : Budget stay in Hotel Sharoum Inn 2 . Walk to JR Hakodate with 5-minutes.
• Asahikawa: Court Hotel Asahikawa is located just a 2-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station. An Economy budget stay in Asahikawa.

7. Free Things To Do in Hokkaido on Budget

Unlike some countries, most of the attractions in Hokkaido are free or with a very minimal fee. What you need to do? Plan your Hokkaido itinerary, transportation arrangement, and accommodation stay. Here are a few highlights during my Hokkaido trip in end of May:

Lake Toya Itinerary (best for scenic lover) : Mt Usu, fireworks show, onsen bath. The Usuzan ropeway cost about ¥1,600 to the summit

Noboribetsu itinerary (best with 2 Days 1 Night stay) : Jigokudani, Oyunumand Okunoyu Pond, Oyunuma Natural Footbath, hot spring bath

[Seasonal Trip] Free entrance to Hokkaido Flower Field: 

• Takikawa Canola Flower Festival
• Shibazakura: Vibrant pink moss phlox covered whole hillside. 

8. Delicious Best Cheap Food in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is renowned for its delicious food. From Hokkaido local specialty such as soup curry, Gengis Khan, freshly caught seafood to fine dining Japanese cuisine. You can find all sorts of food in Hokkaido.

In short, here is our recommendation if you are looking for the best cheap food in Hokkaido:

• A bowl of hot ramen normally cost less than ¥1,000. The three big cities in Hokkaido have their own specialty on ramen. Asahikawa for shoyu ramen, Hakodate for shio ramen and Sapporo for miso ramen.
• Soup curry will cost you around ¥1,000-¥2,000. Hirihiri, Garaku, Samurai, Suage+, PICANTE are popular soup curry restaurants in Sapporo.

• Gotsubo Sapporo serves freshly caught oysters with a surprisingly reasonable price at around ¥105 each. Only in Hokkaido.
• Nemuro Hanamaru : Popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Sapporo, famous for fresh seafood sushi in reasonable price!
• Money Saving Tips: Crab lover but on budget, consider the  lunch menu in Kani Honke Sapporo with cheaper price.

But, there is no way to get to Hokkaido without having food feast on the fresh Hokkaido crab and Gengis Khan (Grilled lamb). You can consider to check out this good deal for Unlimited Crab and Lamb BBQ Buffet at Sapporo Beer Garden . Reservation will be made for you upon booking.

A Few Bonus Tips on How To Plan Your Hokkaido Itinerary

Overall, Hokkaido is easy to plan for a self-exploring DIY itinerary, either by rental car or by public transport. Both are great option for visiting Hokkaido leisurely.

During my visit to Hokkaido, we were focusing on Southern (Dounan) and Central (Douou) region Hokkaido. As always, make the necessary adjustments to match your Hokkaido itinerary planning and preferences. Keep in mind that Hokkaido is huge and traveling time required between attractions and cities.

My Completed Hokkaido Itinerary

To sum up, here’s our Hokkaido itinerary covered spring and summer. We visited Hokkaido from the end of May until June. So glad that we can enjoy Hokkaido’s attraction and festival for both spring and summer season.

Hokkaido Food Guide

Last but not least, there is so many good food in Hokkaido. Some of the restaurants and food are listed in our MUST-EAT Food in Hokkaido . We tasted the marvelous seafood rice bowl, fresh Hokkaido crab, sushi, local specialty ramen, soup curry and many more. We specially listed out a few restaurant highly recommended for you to try out.

Hokkaido Food Guide :  Top 10 Must Eat Food in Hokkaido

• Sapporo Food Guide: 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
• [Asahikawa] Hokkaido Best Genghis Khan At Jingisukan Daikokuya
• [Asahikawa] The Best Asahikawa Ramen in Baikohken Honten
• [Otaru] Seafood Donburi at Sankaku Market
• [Shakotan] Hokkaido Must Eat: Freshness Sea Urchin From Shakotan

Hokkaido On A Budget

All in all, if you want to plan your Hokkaido on budget, remember to check on our money saving tips below. So, have you got any other tips on how to travel Hokkaido on budget? Share with us in the comments.

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20 Money-Saving Tips for a Budget Hokkaido Trip

Are you planning a trip to Hokkaido but want to make sure you stay within your budget ?

Look no further! Here we will go through 20 money-saving tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip to Hokkaido without breaking the bank.

From booking cheap flights and accommodations to finding affordable and free things to do , this guide has you covered. Explore all that Hokkaido has to offer and make the most of your budget!

20 Money-Saving Tips for Hokkaido

5 tips for booking cheaper flights, 3 tips for affordable accommodation, 3 tips for budget-friendly transportation, 3 tips for affordable food & dining, 3 free things to do in hokkaido, 3 cheap things to do in hokkaido - less than 1,000 yen ($8), useful resources.

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

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

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

1. Book as early as possible

Book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best price. JAL, ANA, and AirDo offer discounts for advanced booking, with the cheapest tickets available 75 days in advance. However, there are downsides to this such as limited seat availability, non-changeable tickets, and expensive cancellation fees.

Other airlines like Peach and EasyJet also use a dynamic pricing system where prices change based on the number of remaining seats and time until departure. Avoid last-minute planning and research early for the best prices!

2. Watch out for big sales of low-cost airlines

Check out deals from low-cost airlines like Peach and JetStar. Peach has random sales, often around major seasonal events, while JetStar has sales about 2 months before low seasons.

3. Avoid high seasons & Japanese holidays

Airfare prices in Hokkaido tend to be higher during the summer season, especially from late June to late August . This is also the peak season for hotels. Avoid these times if you're on a budget. Other high-demand times include Japanese holidays and events such as New Year, Sapporo Snow Festival in early February, Golden Week in early March, and Summer holidays in mid-August.

To save money, consider traveling during off-peak times such as mid-January to mid-March, mid-April, mid-May to mid-June, and October to mid-December. Also, try to travel on weekdays for cheaper prices.

4. Bring Only Carry-On with Low-Cost Airlines

Low-cost airlines like Peach often charge extra fees for check-in luggage , especially in the cheapest fare category. Peach charges 1,950 yen for one additional check-in luggage online and the price increases to 2,490 yen after booking and 3,050 yen at the airport counter. Be mindful of weight limits, as Peach charges an extra 1,850 yen for check-in luggage over 20 kg and carry-ons over 7 kg. Pack light to avoid extra charges.

5. Check Last-Minute Tickets

JAL, ANA, and AirDo sell last-minute tickets 1, 3, and 7 days prior to departure at a 30% discount. Keep this in mind for last-minute trip planning!

1. Hostels & Minshuku

Staying at hostels and minshuku allows you to save a lot on accommodation. Minshuku is a family-run inn that typically provides breakfast and bed. It’s a more traditional form of accommodation compared to hotels. Often small in size and involving occasional interactions with owners, Minshuku offers a chance to experience traditional Japanese stay and hospitality .

Rooms and amenities are very simple at hostels and minshuku. You might have to use shared bathrooms in some places. They are a good option if you are traveling on a budget and don’t mind minimal comforts. The average prices in Hokkaido range around 3,000 - 6,000 yen ($23-46) .

2. Business hotels

Business hotels are great for travelers who are looking to save money while still having easy access to transportation and restaurants . They are usually located near train stations or in city centers.

Rooms are smaller than regular hotels, but have necessary amenities like a toothbrush, hairdryer, Wi-Fi. Coin laundry and vending machines are usually available as well. Some places offer free breakfast. The price is around 4,000 - 8,000 yen ($31-62) depending on the season.

3. Resort hotels without meals

Want to experience a nice hotel experience and save at the same time? In that case, consider opting out of meals at resort hotels and ryokan. They usually include dinner and breakfast in a stay; however, some places provide an option without meals. You can eat out for a cheaper price instead and save some money (But ryokan food is delicious… you might not want to miss out on it!).

1. Hokkaido Rail Pass

Traveling across Hokkaido by train? Then make sure to check JR Hokkaido Rail Pass ! There are different types of tickets you can choose from, for example, Hokkaido Rail Pass covering all lines in Hokkaido (19,000 yen, $147 for 5 days, 25,000 yen, $193 for 7 days), Sapporo-Furano Area Pass (9,000 yen, $70 for 4 days), and Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass (8,000 yen, $62 for 4days).

These prices are for sales outside Japan and set cheaper than within Japan. Make sure to book yours online or with a travel agency in your country before your trip!

2. Bus Free Pass

If you are exploring one region of Hokkaido and taking multiple bus rides during your trip, search if there’s any bus free pass available there.

For example, in Eastern Hokkaido, East Hokkaido Network Free Pass allows you to take over 20 local bus lines. The prices are 7,800 yen ($60) for 3 days, 9,800 yen ($75) for 4 days, and 11,800 yen ($90) for 5 days. If you are planning to visit multiple destinations in Eastern Hokkaido, this ticket could save you a lot . Note that online purchase is required 10 days in advance. and seat reservations 3 days in advance.

Some local bus companies provide free passes within their own network as well, such as Abashiri Free Pass (2,000 yen, $15 for 2 days).

3. If renting a car…

Renting a car could be a little pricy, but it gives you the best mobility to travel in Hokkaido. Some tips to rent are the following:

Avoid high seasons

Compare different companies

Book a package with flights

Pick up and return at the same location (avoid a drop fee if you can)

1. Kaiten Sushi

“Kaiten Sushi” is a type of sushi restaurant that provides sushi on a belt conveyor. The prices are more affordable than in traditional sushi restaurants and clearly written on the menu or indicated by plate colors. That gives you full control of your spending to stay within your budget.

People often associate Kaiten Sushi with cheap prices and so-so quality — but in Hokkaido, you can get very fresh, tasty sushi even in Kaiten Sushi. Toriton and Hanamaru are famous local sushi chains. Make sure to try them out!

2. Supermarkets

Bento boxes and deli food at local supermarkets are budget-friendly options to keep your costs down. There is a variety of food at an affordable price, including rice bowls, noodles, salad, tempura, and sushi. You can easily have one meal of one main and one side dish for under 1,000 yen ($8).

It’s also fun to explore local food. In supermarkets in Hokkaido, you’ll find unique food, such as imo mochi (sticky potato pancake), buta don (grilled pork rice bowl), and ramen salad.

3. Local restaurants

If you avoid very touristy areas, you’ll be able to find affordable local restaurants . A quick Google Map search can help you spot some popular places in the area. The average meal, such as a lunch set, ramen and a side dish, one main dish, costs around 1,000-2,000 yen ($8 - $16) .

1. Public information & educational center

There are many public information and educational facilities for free entrance . You can learn a lot about nature and the history of your destinations.

For example, in Eastern Hokkaido , Shiretoko Nature Center provides informative exhibitions of the wildlife in the Shiretoko National Park, as well as safety briefs for nearby hiking trails. In Akan, you can learn about forests, lakes, and mountains in the Akan Mashu National Park at Akan Eco Museum Center . Lake Tofustu Waterfowl Center in Abashiri tells you everything about wild birds around the lake. You can observe wild swans here between October and April!

2. Nature view spots

Hokkaido is blessed with endless breathtaking landscapes across the region. Lakes, waterfalls, forest paths - many view spots are open for the public for free!

In Eastern Hokkaido , you can access many view spots for free, including Lake Mashu Observatories, Bihoro Pass overlooking Lake Kussharo, and Oshinkoshin Waterfall in Shiretoko.

3. Flower fields

Hokkaido is also renowned for its beautiful flower fields , taking advantage of the vast landscapes. While many of them charge an entrance fee to keep the fields running, there are some flower fields you can visit for free.

In Eastern Hokkaido , Abashiri and its nearby areas offer several nice spots, such as a colorful flower field run by local communities, Hanatento (June to October), wild white skunk cabbage fields (April-May), red glasswort field in Lake Notoro (August to September), and a sunflower field near Memanbetsu Airport.

1. Museums and aquariums

If you're looking to save some dough on your trip, check out some museums and aquariums. Many of them are run by municipalities or other public entities, which means they're quite affordable to visit. Perfect for a family trip , these spots are filled with fun and educational activities that kids will love.

Eastern Hokkaido has a number of kid-friendly museums and aquariums, such as Drift Ice Museum in Abashiri (770 yen), Kitano Daichi Aquarium in Onneyu (670 yen), Seal Protection Center in Mombetsu (200 yen).

2. Hot springs

Did you know that hot springs (onsen) are not only in those fancy, luxurious resort hotels? There are many stand-alone onsen places where you can just drop in and take a bath for 500-800 yen ($4-7) . Local people like going there on weekends with family and friends.

Body soap, shampoo, and conditioner are often provided. Many places rent towels for a few bucks - don’t forget to bring yours if you have one!

3. Flower parks

Flower parks in Hokkaido are quite affordable to get in. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore colorful fields without spending a dime!

For example, Eastern Hokkaido is home to Shiba Sakura Park in Higashi Mokoto (500 yen, May to June), Lily Park in Koshimizu (600 yen, July to August), and Cosmos Park in Engaru (400 yen, August to October).

THAT’S ALL!

Hope you enjoyed this article. I’d love to hear from you, whether it’s feedback or questions - Reach out to me on my Facebook page or Instagram .

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 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 7 days — the hokkaido travel itinerary on how to spend 7 days in hokkaido perfectly with jr pass.

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!

• Hokkaido autumn travel blog — 15+ top things to do & best places to visit in Hokkaido during autumn
• Hokkaido autumn itinerary blog — What to do & suggested Hokkaido 9 days itinerary autumn
• Top ski resorts in Hokkaido — Top 5 places & best ski resorts in Hokkaido
• Hokkaido travel blog — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Hokkaido, Japan
• Japan fall foliage forecast 2024 — The timeframe & 41+ places to visit in Japan during autumn

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.

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

• 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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HOKKAIDO MULTI-CITY TOUR: Budget Travel Guide & Itineraries

There’s a weird reason why I associate Hokkaido with my childhood. Back when I was a kid, if you were to ask me what Hokkaido is, I’ll probably give the same answer any other oblivious Pinoy child would’ve thought of first: canned mackerel.

Let me explain. Back in the day, canned seafood in the Philippines were dominated by Japanese-sounding brands. Any well-stocked sari-sari store can teach a lesson or two on Japanese syllabication. But for some reason, Hokkaido stuck with me. Maybe because the other brands are for canned sardines, which are common fare. But Hokkaido, now, Hokkaido is a leading brand for mackerel. It’s an unconventional delicacy, reserved only for the cool, slightly drunk uncles. Served as pulutan, it’s a special dish for special occasions, like a Pacquiao fight or the PBA Finals.

As I matured (superficially, at least), I eventually came to know that Hokkaido represents an entire region in Japan, and an important region at that, known for its natural beauty, its winter destinations, and of course, its seafood industry. Little did I know that Hokkaido will be the place I’ll experience winter firsthand, a dream for every Filipino kid. Young me would’ve picked his jaw off the floor.

It’s a little surprising, really, that Hokkaido is rarely in the conversation when Pinoys talk about winter holidays. For one, if you’re out to experience snow, you won’t find any as fine as what’s found in this region. Secondly, Japan is probably the most accessible country for Filipinos to enjoy winter. The cost of traveling to Japan has significantly gone down: it’s fairly easy to secure a visa, and budget flights and hotels are becoming more common. In addition, the Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO), along with low-cost carriers like JetStar Airways , are making a push in promoting Hokkaido as a major destination for Filipino travelers.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING HOKKAIDO

You can say Hokkaido represents Japan’s frontier. It is the country’s largest and northernmost prefecture, second only to Honshu in size, and comparable to our own island of Mindanao. The name Hokkaido literally means “Northern Sea Circuit”: it’s so far up north that it’s nearer to Russia than Tokyo. Hokkaido is also Japan’s coldest region, with January temperatures averaging −6 °C. Three major bodies of water surround the island: The Sea of Japan in the west, the Sea of Okhotsk in the northeast, and the Pacific Ocean in the southeast.

The island was known historically as Ezo or Yesso, and has been largely unsettled by the Japanese until the 19th Century. The Ainu, Japan’s indigenous people, has been on the island longer; Hokkaido is their traditional homeland, and there are still parts of the island where Ainu culture is prevalent. In the late 1940’s, when the island became a full-fledged prefecture, the name Hokkaido was chosen to represent its entire government unit. Because of its size (it makes up 22% of Japan’s total landmass), Hokkaido is further divided into 14 sub-prefectures, with Sapporo as the capital.

Among the prefectures, Hokkaido is Japan’s least developed, and most of the island remains untouched by urbanization. There are currently six natural parks in the island recognized and protected by the Japanese government.

Here are the major cities and towns.

• Otaru is a city located at the western coast, facing the Sea of Japan. It played an important factor in the region’s fishing and maritime industry, and is still a major port city in the region. Many of the city’s old establishments, especially around the Otaru Canal, are still intact, and visiting these make for a nice day stroll. Popular attractions include the Music Box Museum and the Otaru Art Base, a complex of art museums and studios. Also, your visit won’t be complete if you don’t partake in the Otaru Canal Cruise.
• Hakodate is a city in Hokkaido’s southern coast and one of the region’s main gateways by sea. Located in Hokkaido’s southern coast, Hakodate was one of the first Japanese cities to open to international trade, and many old structures with western architecture still dot the city. Mount Hakodate, Onuma Park, and Fort Goryukaku, a western-style fortress, are key attractions in the city.
• Asahikawa is located in central Hokkaido and currently owns the record as the coldest city in Japan. It holds its own popular winter festival that rival Sapporo’s.
• Niseko is a resort town where some of Japan’s finest powder snow can be found. Located at the foot of Mt. Annupuri (“the Mt. Fuji of the North”), the town has a total of six world-class ski areas, connected by a broad transit system.
• Furano , Hokkaido’s “belly button”, is a picturesque city smack-dab in the center of the island, well-known for its lavender fields and panoramic rolling hills. Biei, a nearby town, contains The Blue Pond, Shiragane Falls, and the Daisetsuzan Natural Park. Because of the area’s natural beauty, many Japanese movies, commercials and dramas have used Furano as the setting for their stories.

Here’s additional practical info about the region:

• Language : Japanese (Nihongo). English is not widely used, if at all. Signs on streets, businesses, and tourist spots may include English translations, but not all.
• Currency : Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). JPY 1000 is roughly USD 9.3, EUR 7.6, PHP 484 (as of Feb 2018).
• Modes of payment : Cash is preferred.
• Electricity Info : 100V, Type A sockets. Plugs have two flat pins.

BEST TIME TO VISIT HOKKAIDO

Hokkaido has long, cold winters and short, mild summers. For four months every year, the average temperature is in the negatives, and even in August, during the height of summer, the temperature rarely goes north of 20°C.

Hokkaido is both a major winter and summer destination. During January and February, several cities simultaneously celebrate their own winter festivals, which draw millions of domestic and foreign tourists. In the summer, travelers are enticed by the natural beauty of Hokkaido’s heartland, with its rolling hills, flower farms and scenic waterways. Festivals occur year-round, and the cities often has a holiday to celebrate for all four seasons.

• Sapporo Snow Festival – The Snow Festival in Hokkaido’s capital is one of the most popular winter events in Japan, usually happening during the first two weeks of February. During the festival, the streets are illuminated by lanterns and electric lights, while hundreds of ice sculptures decorate key places like Odori Park, Susukino District, and the Sapporo Community Dome (Tsu Dome). The festival also hosts a yearly ice sculpting competition, with participants from all over the world.
• Asahikawa Winter Festival – Asahikawa’s own winter festival occurs almost the same time as Sapporo’s. While smaller in scope, Asahikawa’s festival is no lesser in grandeur. Gigantic ice sculptures, fortresses, and play parks (boasting some of the longest snow slides in the country) are common fare in an event that lasts two weeks.
• Otaru Snow Light Path Festival – During this ten-day festival, major streets and structures in Otaru are decorated with lanterns and miniature snow statues. The highlight of the festival occurs at the Otaru Canal, where hundreds of floating lanterns are set adrift on the canal at nighttime, creating a vivid, romantic winter atmosphere.
• Cherry Blossom Season – Spring in Hokkaido arrives much later than the rest of Japan. This means that every year, Hokkaido is one of the last places to experience the cherry blossom season. If you’re eager to witness the blooming of sakura in Hokkaido, be sure to visit the region in early- to mid-May.
• Lavender Season – Furano and Biei’s rolling farm fields are a sight to behold, and even more so in the summer. During this time, the fields are rife with color, as lavender and other flowers are in full bloom. To catch the best view, visit Furano and Biei between mid-July to mid-August.
• Yosakoi Soran Festival – Yosakoi is a dance festival celebrated throughout Japan. In Hokkaido, various cities take part in the festivities, the biggest of which happens in Sapporo. Up to 30,000 performers from across Japan and abroad participate in this region-wide parade of color and choreography.
• Hakodate Port Festival – Usually occurring during the first week of August, this summer festival is Hakodate’s most popular, with fireworks displays, parades, and dances celebrating the city’s status as a port city and gateway to Hokkaido.
• Belly Button Festival – This lighthearted festival is a summer event in Furano, around the same time when the lavender fields are in full bloom. For comedic effect, participants paint their bellies with colorful, comical faces, so that the parade resembles an army of large heads trooping and dancing to the beat.

When traveling to Hokkaido, do take note of the following periods:

• Winter Festival Season: Late January to early February
• Cherry Blossom Season/Golden Week: Mid-April to early May
• Furano/Biei Lavender Season: Mid-July to mid-August
• Fall Foliage peak (When foliage is at its most colorful): Early- to mid-October

During these times, tourist spots and attractions will be at their peak capacity, which mean longer queues, slower traffic, and noisier crowds. It will also be harder to secure hotel or resort reservations. This can affect not just your budget, but also your schedule, your mood, and overall experience, so plan your holiday well in advance.

HOW TO GET A JAPAN VISA

As long as you have the required documents, it’s now fairly easy to secure a Japan visa. Also, if you’ve been to Japan several times already, your chances of getting a multi-entry visa is higher, though you need to formally request for one. We’ve prepared more detailed guides – and an FAQs – on how to secure a Japan visa in separate articles:

• How to Apply for a SINGLE Entry Japan Visa
• How to Apply for a MULTIPLE Entry Japan Visa
• Japan Visa Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO GET TO HOKKAIDO

The most efficient method of travel is via plane, and the New Chitose Airport, located near Sapporo, is Hokkaido’s largest and busiest. All international flights to Hokkaido land here. If you’re traveling to Hokkaido for a holiday, most likely you’ll start your itinerary here. The New Chitose Airport is a modern, well-designed hub, complete with shops, a hotel, and cinemas. It even has its own seafood market and hot spring baths! For convenient transits, the airport also has a JR train station and bus terminals within the vicinity, to quickly take you to Otaru, Asahikawa, and other cities.

Jetstar Airways offers the only low cost option for air travel to Sapporo. From Manila, Jetstar travels to Sapporo via Tokyo or Osaka, up to seven times daily. A regular round-trip, four-flight ticket from Manila to Sapporo (via Tokyo) can be as low as JPY 32,000 (PHP 17,000). You can also get even cheaper tickets during Jetstar’s regular promo sales.

Take note that when you arrive in your first stop, you’ll need to go through Customs and Immigration first, then proceed to the designated terminal for your Sapporo flight. This may involve retrieving your luggage, then checking it in again for the domestic flight.

WHERE TO STAY IN HOKKAIDO

As a major tourist destination, Hokkaido is not lacking in comfortable, affordable hotels and hostels. If you’re point of entry is the New Chitose Airport, most likely your main base of operations will be Sapporo. For a multi-city tour, you’ll probably also going to spend a night or two in Otaru or Asahikawa. For nature or winter sports buffs, Furano or Niseko are ideal places to stay as well, though room rates might be slightly higher in these resort cities.

Here are the top-rated budget hotels and hostels in major destinations in Hokkaido as scored by online users.

The STAY Sapporo Hostel 1008-10 Minami 5 Nishi 9, Chuo-ku, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, Japan, 064-0805

✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY

Our Sapporo Travel Guide provides additional information when staying in Hokkaido’s capital.

Hotel Nord Otaru 1-4-16 Ironai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido, Japan, 047-0031

Smile Hotel Otaru 3-5-14 Inaho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido, Japan, 047-0032

Court Hotel Asahikawa 9-50-1 Ichijo-dori, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido, Japan, 070-0031

Premier Hotel CABIN Asahikawa 1 Jodori-7 Chome, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido, Japan, 070-0031

Furano Natulux Hotel 1-35 Asahi-cho, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido, Japan, 076-0026

Hotel Naturwald Furano 14-46 Kitanomine-cho, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido, Japan, 076-0034

POCKET WIFI RENTAL IN HOKKAIDO

Like the rest of Japan, Hokkaido has FREE public Wi-Fi hotspots, and FREE private ones in places like coffee shops or malls. However, if you prefer to get connected regardless of place and time, or you depend on a more secure connection, you can either rent a pocket Wi-Fi or get a 4G sim. Better if you make the reservation online before the trip, so you can pick up your sim or pocket Wi-Fi once you arrive at the airport.

Here’s where you can book pocket 4G wifi:

Pocket Wifi with 7GB Data: Reserve Here

Pocket wifi with unlimited data: reserve here, how to get from new chitose airport to hokkaido cities.

New Chitose Airport to Sapporo

There is a direct train service from the airport to Sapporo. At NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT Station, board either the Rapid Airport or JR Chitose line bound for SAPPORO (JR) or TEINE. The JR Chitose line stops at more stations, and is only available from 6 to 8 AM. The Rapid Airport line is open from 8 AM to 10 PM, with fewer stops. Disembark at SAPPORO Station. Depending on the line, the trip usually takes 40 minutes to one hour. Cost : JPY 1,070; optional fees for Reserved Seats

New Chitose Airport to Otaru

There is also a direct service from the airport to Otaru. From the NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT Station, board a Rapid Airport train bound for OTARU Station. The trip will take 83 minutes. Disembark at OTARU. Cost : JPY 1,780; optional fees for Reserved Seats

New Chitose Airport to Asahikawa

There is no direct train service and you need to transfer trains. From the NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT Station, board either the Rapid Airport or JR Chitose line bound for SAPPORO or TEINE. Upon arrival at SAPPORO Station, get off the train and transfer to either the Kamui or Lilac Limited Express trains. These trains will stop at ASAHIKAWA Station. The trip will take around 130 minutes. Cost : JPY 5,180; optional fees for Reserved or Green Seats

New Chitose Airport to Hakodate

You need to transfer once in this trip. From the NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT Station, board the Rapid Airport line bound for OTARU. At MINAMI-CHITOSE Station, get off the train and transfer to the Super Hokuto Limited Express line. This line will stop at HAKODATE Station. Travel time is at 203 minutes. Cost : JPY 7, 590; optional fees for Reserved or Green Seats

New Chitose Airport to Niseko

Two transfers are needed for this trip. At NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT Station, board a Rapid Airport train heading for OTARU. Disembark in OTARU, then board the JR Hakodate line bound for KUTCHAN. Once in KUTCHAN, get off the train once more, and board the JR Hakodate line bound for OSHAMAMBE. This line will make a stop at NISEKO Station. Travel time is at 200 minutes. Cost : JPY 3,470; optional fees for Reserved Seats

New Chitose Airport to Furano

Two transfers are needed for this trip. Starting at NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT Station, board a Rapid Airport train bound for SAPPORO. Step off once you arrive at Sapporo, then take the Lilac or Kamui Limited Express to ASAHIKAWA. Disembark at ASAHIKAWA Station and transfer to the JR Furano line, the last stop of which is FURANO Station. Travel time is 206 minutes. Cost : JPY 6,260; optional fees for Reserved or Green Seats

New Chitose Airport to Biei

No direct service is available, and you need to transfer twice. From the NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT Station, board a Rapid Airport train bound for SAPPORO (JR) Station. Disembark once you arrive in SAPPORO, then take the Lilac or Kamui Limited Express train heading for ASAHIKAWA. Once you’re at ASAHIKAWA Station, get off the train once more and transfer to the JR Furano line. This train will stop at BIEI Station. Travel time: at least 172 minutes. Cost : JPY 5,610; optional fees for Reserved or Green Seats

HOW TO GET AROUND HOKKAIDO

The Hokkaido Railway Company, better known as JR Hokkaido, is the primary railway operator in the island. JR Hokkaido’s network is not as extensive as those in the mainland, but it is adequate enough to connect major cities and towns in the region.

If you feel you’ll be using JR trains significantly, you may consider getting a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass. It allows you to conveniently ride all JR trains in the region. Ride-all-you-can, if you will. However, at JPY 16,500 for the basic 3-day pass, you may want to determine first if the expense is worth it for your trip. Also, the pass doesn’t cover certain rides, like subways and the Shinkansen, for example.

The following provides a quick guide on how to travel to key Hokkaido cities by train, if your starting point is the New Chitose Airport. Take note that the New Chitose Airport JR Station can be found below the airport’s main terminal building.

Buses solve the problems trains can’t. They often go to places where trains can’t reach, including scenic spots and hotels. They are also comparatively cheaper than trains. New Chitose Airport has an adjacent bus station, with shuttles that will take you directly to key locations in Sapporo and other cities.

One drawback is that Hokkaido has so many bus networks and operators, and enumerating them all in one travel guide would be one Herculean task. One way to deal with confusing schedules is to get an Inter City Bus Pass. Like the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, the Inter City Bus Pass allows you to use the bus transport system to get to 20 cities and over 100 attractions with just one pass. It costs JPY 8000 for 5 days of unlimited use. You need to apply online, and when you retrieve it, you need to present your passport and booking confirmation.

If a Bus Pass is a little too expensive for you, I recommend a couple of tools to make navigating bus and train schedules much easier: Hyperdia.com and Google Maps. It’s as easy as typing your starting point and destination, and watching as these two work their magic. I often use the two concurrently: Hyperdia provides more accurate prices and stops, while Google Maps allow me to check my exact location along the way. For a more comprehensive guide on how to navigate Hyperdia, you can check out our article below.

READ : How to Use Hyperdia

Taxis are ever-reliable choices to get you where you need to go, especially if you’re pressed for time, or if you only have an address to show. Japan taxis are renowned for their efficiency, and Hokkaido taxis are no different. They are quite expensive, though, and I only personally use them as a last resort.

By Streetcar

Sapporo and Hakodate were designed like a grid, with wide and long streets, perfect for streetcars. While I’ll probably ride a streetcar just for the novelty of it, it can still be viable way to get from point A to B, especially in cities as large as Sapporo.

If the roads above are heavy with traffic, why not opt for the underground? Sapporo has a subway system as extensive as the rails above it, and is a fine addition to your arsenal of transport choices in this chilly city. Note the JR Hokkaido does not operate the subway system, so you can’t use your unlimited Rail Pass here.

SAMPLE HOKKAIDO ITINERARIES

A Hokkaido holiday has admittedly more nuances than the usual Japan trip, and with each additional step there’s going to be expenses involved. A well-planned itinerary can help reduce unwanted expenses, while amplifying the experience for each attraction. Here’s a couple of sample itineraries, both a summer and a winter holiday. Note that this is designed for two persons, so some of the expenses can be divided between two.

Let me tell you this early — just to manage your expectations — that a multi-city tour across Hokkaido will still end up relatively expensive FOR A SIGHTSEEING TOURIST even after using whatever travel hack you have in the bag. The mere idea of hopping from one city to another will entail costs. And in Japan, transportation can cost more than what you’re probably used to.

Sample Hokkaido Summer Itinerary

Day 0: ARRIVAL AT SAPPORO 5pm – Arrive at New Chitose Airport, travel to hotel (JPY 1070 + 200) 6pm – Check in at hotel, Dinner 8pm – Rest

Day 1: ODORI PARK & SAPPORO BEER MUSEUM 8am – Breakfast at hotel 9am – Odori Park 11:30am – Lunch 1pm – Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and Hokkaido Government Building 4pm -Sapporo Beer Museum (JPY 500 for beer samples) 6:00pm – Dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden (JPY 2900 for all-you-can-eat) 9pm – Return to hotel

Day 2: SHIROI KOIBITO PARK & SUSUKINO 8am – Breakfast at hotel 9am – Shiroi Koibito Park & Ishiya Chocolate Factory 12pm – Lunch 3pm – Susukino Entertainment District 6pm – Dinner at Ganso Sapporo Ramen Street (JPY 800) 8pm – Return to hotel

Day 3: FURANO 7am – Breakfast at the hotel, checkout 8am – Travel to Furano 11am – Check in at hotel, rest 12pm – Lunch 1pm – Farm Tomita, Tomita Melon House, Choei Lavender Farm, and Saika no Sato 6pm – Dinner and return to hotel

Day 4: BIEI 6am – Breakfast at hotel, Checkout, Leave luggage 7am – Travel to Biei Station 8am – Arrive at Biei Station, reserve seats for Biei View Bus* (JPY 2000) 9:45am – Biei View Bus Tour (Blue Pond, Shiragane Falls, Panorama Road) 12:30pm – End of tour, Travel back to Furano 1: 30pm – Lunch and shopping at Furano Marche, retrieve luggage from hotel 3:45 – Travel to Otaru Station 7pm – Arrive at Otaru, check in at hotel, Dinner

*The Biei View Bus is only available in the summer, between mid-June to late-October (the yearly schedule varies). You need to make a reservation in any JR Hokkaido station 2 days in advance, or at Biei Station the day of the tour.

Day 5: OTARU 7am – Breakfast at hotel 9am – Shopping at Don Quijote 12pm – Lunch 2pm – Otaru Canal Cruise 3pm – City walking tour 4pm – Sakaimichi Shopping Street 5pm – Otaru Music Box Museum 7pm – Dinner and return to hotel

Day 6: RETURN 6am – Breakfast, checkout at hotel 8:30am – Travel from Otaru to New Chitose Airport

Sample Hokkaido Winter Itinerary

Day 0: ARRIVAL AT SAPPORO 5pm – Arrive at New Chitose Airport, travel to hotel 6pm – Check in at hotel, Dinner 7pm – Susukino District (Susukino Ice World) 8pm – Return to hotel

Day 1: SAPPORO BEER MUSEUM & ODORI PARK 8am – Breakfast at hotel 9am – Shiroi Koibito Park & Ishiya Chocolate Factory 11am – Lunch 2pm – Sapporo Beer Museum 5pm – Early Dinner at Sapporo Beer Garden 6pm – Odori Park 9pm – Return to hotel

Day 2: TSUDOME & SHIROI KOIBITO PARK 8am – Breakfast at hotel 9am – Tsu Dome Community site – Snow Festival Celebrations 12pm – Lunch at Tsudome 1pm – Shiroi Koibito Park & Ishiya Chocolate Factory 6pm – Dinner 8pm – Return to hotel

Day 3: NISEKO 7am – Breakfast at hotel, checkout 9am – Travel to Niseko 2160 1pm – Check in at hotel, lunch 12000 1:30pm – Lunch 2pm – Skiing and other snow activities 5pm – Onsen 7pm – Return to hotel, dinner

Day 4: NISEKO-OTARU 7am – Breakfast 8am – Snow Activities/Onsen 11am – Early lunch, checkout 12pm – Travel to Otaru (JPY 1450) 2pm – Check in at Hotel (JPY 7000 for 2 pax) 3pm – Otaru Canal Cruise (JPY 1500) 4pm – City walking tour 5pm – Early dinner 6pm – Otaru Snow Light Path Festival Activities 9pm – Return to hotel

Day 5: OTARU 8am – Breakfast 10am – Shopping at Don Quijote Otaru 12pm – Lunch 1pm – Sakaimichi Shopping Street 3pm – Otaru Music Box Museum 6pm – Dinner 7pm – Return to hotel

Breakdown of Expenses

Please note of the following:

• The total cost estimates are per person.
• The estimates do not include airfare.
• The estimates assume you are a group of 2, splitting a cost.
• Make the necessary adjustments depending on the season and other factors.

Summer Trip

Total travel expenses (excluding airfare): JPY 13,960 Total hotel expenses: JPY 40,500 Food 6 days x 1000: JPY 6000 Sapporo TV Tower: JPY 700 Biei View Bus: JPY 2000 Otaru Canal Cruise: JPY 1500 Sapporo Beer Museum samples: JPY 500 Sapporo Beer Garden All-You-Can-Eat: JPY 2900 Shiroi Koibito Park: JPY 600 Ganso Ramen Street: JPY 800 Allowance for souvenirs and snacks: JPY 2000

TOTAL: JPY 71, 460 or PHP 34,915 or USD 669

Winter Trip

Total travel expenses (excluding airfare): JPY 10,840 Total hotel expenses: JPY 54,840 Food 6 days x 1000: JPY 6000 Otaru Canal Cruise: JPY 1500 Sapporo Beer Museum samples: JPY 500 Sapporo Beer Garden All-You-Can-Eat: JPY 2900 Shiroi Koibito Park: JPY 600 Allowance for souvenirs and snacks: JPY 2000

TOTAL: JPY 79,180 or PHP 38,692 or USD 741

If you want to further reduce the total cost, you may skip Niseko and go straight to Otaru. This will place the total cost at around JPY 62,000 or PHP 30,200 or USD 578.

That said, it’s always best to add plenty of allowance to cover incidental expenses, prices that may have changed, and costs we might have missed.

More Tips for the Poor Traveler

• Get the lowest fares by signing up to mail or mobile notifications . Because low-fare promos can get congested fast, mail notifications help me personally to get ahead of the pack. Jetstar, for example, has Jetmail that lets you receive first-hand news when the latest sales and promos are launched.
• You’ll probably spend your first and last days traveling . Currently there are no direct flights to Sapporo from Manila, so traveling time can take up to ten hours between two flights. This include stopping over either Osaka or Tokyo, going through immigration and customs, and transferring between international and domestic terminals.
• Tourists Information Centers will make your life easier . There’s almost always a tourist information center in any major train station. Whether you need maps, passes for local tours or recommendations on where to eat, these little oases of information will make the nuances of budget traveling much more bearable.
• Wear appropriate clothing . It’s no joke how cold Hokkaido can get, and the amount of snowfall can escalate to blizzard levels with little or no warning, so overdressing for this occasion is actually better. A multi-layered shell of thermal underwear, sweaters, a jacket, and a parka will keep your tender bits snug and warm even if its below zero outside.

• Beware of slippery snow . Shiny and dark surfaces, especially on concrete, scream of an accident waiting to happen. To prevent a literal pain in the butt, best to keep an eye on slippery areas on the walkway. Use sturdy, heavy-duty shoes with excellent grip, and when walking, make sure that your steps are flat and your weight evenly spread out on your foot.
• Wear glasses, sunscreen, and lip balm . Too much snow can reflect large quantities of sunlight, which might induce snow blindness. Wearing polarized lenses like shades and ski goggles helps prevent this condition. Skin dryness and chapped lips can also be a problem; counter these by applying sunscreen and lip balm with moisturizing qualities.
• Bring a Japanese phrasebook . It won’t hurt to know a few Japanese phrases to ease communications with locals, particularly if you need help looking for directions or buying something. If you don’t feel like carrying a phrasebook everywhere, several free apps are available for download online.
• Don’t tip . You may feel generous after a good meal, but tipping someone for their service may actually trigger the opposite of what you’re expecting. It’s a no-no.
• Vending machines serve hot drinks as well . This may prove beneficial when you find yourself stuck in the cold while in a long queue or waiting for the bus to arrive.

Special thanks to Jetstar Japan for making this trip possible. As the largest domestic low-cost carrier in Japan, Jetstar flies to other destinations like Miyazaki, Fukuoka and Kumamoto, in addition to Sapporo. 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ • 2️⃣ • 2️⃣8️⃣

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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Where did yo stay at Niseko?

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How to Travel From Tokyo to Hokkaido: Best, Easiest, Cheapest Ways to Get to Sapporo Compared

• Written by: Minna no Kotoba Sha

Discover the easiest, cheapest routes from Tokyo to Hokkaido. Sapporo , Hokkaido Prefecture's capital city, is where many tourists make their base. Home to the Sapporo Snow Festival , many other seasonal events and sightseeing spots , and with great access to the rest of Japan's northernmost island, it's a perfect place to visit. So, what is the best way to get from Tokyo to Hokkaido? Though the two areas are around 820km apart, Tokyo and Sapporo are actually well connected to each other. Whether you favor speed, budget, the route and its sights, or even a specific vehicle, we've got you covered. (Main image: PIXTA)

1. Fast & Convenient: Tokyo to Hokkaido (Sapporo) by Air

2. ride the hokkaido shinkansen: tokyo to hakodate via bullet train using your japan rail pass, 3. tokyo to sapporo ferry: crossing to hokkaido, 4. driving to hokkaido: tokyo rental car options, do your research, and enjoy your hokkaido trip.

When it comes to speed and convenience, flying from Tokyo to Hokkaido is the optimal choice. Over 80 daily flights connect Haneda and Narita airports to New Chitose Airport , completing the journey in just 1.5 hours. Tickets typically range from 20,000 to 30,000 yen, but early bookings or flexible travel days/times may offer more budget-friendly options.

Conveniently get from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo by bus

You won’t need to leave the airport to access the JR train network, which has convenient rail access. The Airport Express is a train that arrives at Sapporo Station in 33 minutes, departing at a frequency of 5/hour during the day, so you won’t need to wait long. Since many commuters use it, if you want to secure a seat, you can wait for one of the following trains, or reserve ahead (for an additional fee).

The bus, instead, takes about 50 minutes from the airport to central Sapporo . It can store large suitcases, and every passenger has a seat. If you are staying in the areas of Odori or Susukino, or places not far from the city's center, the bus will probably conveniently stop nearby.

Embark on a remarkable journey from Tokyo to Hakodate via the renowned Hokkaido Shinkansen. This high-speed bullet train offers a comfortable ride through Japan's scenic countryside. If you use the Hokkaido Shinkansen, which opened in 2016, you will arrive at Sapporo Station in about four and a half hours, when traveling from Tokyo Station to Shin- Hakodate Hokuto Station. From Hakodate , Sapporo is a further three and a half hours by express train. Or you can easily connect to other parts of Hokkaido, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to explore beyond Sapporo . The price ranges around 15,000 yen, not including seat reservation, but your Japan Rail Pass may cover it. In total, it will take around 8 hours from Tokyo Station to Sapporo Station.

From the Shinkansen windows, you can enjoy the scenery changing from the heavily metropolitan Tokyo to the nature -rich ones of Tohoku. One of the most distinctive areas you will pass through is the Seikan Tunnel between Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaido, which extends to the bottom of the Tsugaru Strait. Although you won’t be able to see anything in the dark, it’s exciting to picture that you are actually traveling on the seabed. From Shin- Hakodate -Hokuto Station, transfer to the express train and enjoy the sights of Hokkaido’s most scenic spots, like the landscapes in Onuma, Mount Komagatake, and Funka Bay, and take in the nature and streets of Hokkaido until you arrive in Sapporo . If you have a lot of time, you can take advantage of discounted tour tickets and stop in various towns in Hokkaido and Tohoku. The JR homepage supports multiple languages, and it’s easy to navigate so that you can plan the perfect railway trip for you.

For a more leisurely and picturesque journey, consider taking the ferry from Tokyo to Sapporo . This delightful maritime experience allows you to soak in the beauty of the sea as you sail towards Hokkaido. There are two cruises a day from Oarai Port in Ibaraki Prefecture (two hours driving from Haneda and Narita Airports) to Tomakomai Port in Hokkaido. Travel time by boat is approximately 18 hours. The price varies depending on your room, but if you want to watch your budget, it’s about 10,000 yen for a shared room and 12,000 yen for a cabin. There are also hotel -like rooms equipped with a bath, toilet, and refrigerator, where you can spend your time with your family and friends. There are also facilities like public baths, where you can bathe while gazing at the ocean, restaurants where you can taste elaborate dishes, and a vast bridge, which all guarantee you won’t be bored during your cruise. You can also find nice towels and origami that will be perfect as souvenirs.

There is a convenient direct bus from Tokyo Station to the Oarai Ferry Terminal, but you can also drive there, so if you were thinking about renting a car and enjoying the sights on the way, this would be a good option for you (especially if you are traveling with children). You can arrive from Tomakomai Port to Sapporo city center in just over an hour, and you can sightsee around the city easily if you have a car. When booking online you can find round-trip discounts and other deals. The website supports English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

• Phone: 0120-489850 (From a mobile phone/PHS/IP phone, call 029-267-4133 (Oarai Ship Reservation Center), or 0144-34-3121 (Tomakomai Ship Reservation Center))
• Open: 9 AM-9 PM (Saturday until noon)
• Closed Sunday and national holidays
• Website: https://www.sunflower.co.jp/

If you crave the freedom of the open road, driving from Tokyo to Hokkaido in a rental car is the perfect adventure. Embark on a road trip that allows you to set your own pace, making stops at picturesque towns and breathtaking viewpoints along the way. While the journey requires more time compared to flying or taking the Shinkansen, the flexibility and scenic routes offer an unforgettable experience. There are three major routes: The Pacific side, the Sea of Japan side, and the inland, all of which run for roughly 1,000 km, but the landscapes are different and unique, making them irresistible to people who love to drive. Since you will have to cross the Tsugaru Strait, don’t drive for too long hours, and give yourself a couple of days. You can also rent a car via a system called “drop-off,” which allows you to rent a car from Narita or Haneda Airport , and return it at New Chitose Airport . There are several companies that offer multi-lingual service, and convenient options, and discounts, so do some research beforehand to find what best suits you.

The way you travel will change your trip. Before you leave, do your research, study the various options, and choose the best method for you. Also, make sure to look into discount tickets and other offers, and have fun!

Minna no Kotoba Sha is a production company founded by an editor with extensive experience in editing local magazines in Sapporo. For over 20 years, our team has conducted research and written articles across Hokkaido, with Sapporo as our primary hub. Our diverse portfolio includes the production of various books such as travel guides, informational magazines, and collections showcasing the picturesque landscapes of Hokkaido. Comprised entirely of women, the team at Minna no Kotoba Sha boasts diverse interests, including a passion for travel, culinary delights, and alcoholic beverages. The scope of our communication efforts spans a wide range, covering everything from introducing notable restaurants to providing coverage of local events and sharing stories of leisure experiences.

• Area Sapporo / Chitose
• Category Other Sightseeing
• How To: Transportation

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Charms of Hokkaido Tour

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From US$3598.00

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• Tel: 1-909-988-8885 Toll free : 1-855-325-2726 (USA & CANADA)
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• Monday to Friday 8:30AM - 5:30PM (PST) Saturday 9:00AM - 3:00PM (PST)

Tour Highlights

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

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

8 Nights | From US$3598.00

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

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

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

7 trips through Japan

Charms of Hokkaido: Sapporo Autumn Fest

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

9 Days 8 Nights | from US $3698.00

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

Charms of Hokkaido: Autumn Leaves & Salmon Run

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

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

Charms of Hokkaido: Cherry Blossom Tour

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

9 Days 8 Nights | from US $3798.00

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

Charms of Hokkaido Tour: Hokkaido Winter Festivals

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

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

Charms of Hokkaido: Lavenders & Summer Flowers

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

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

Charms of Hokkaido: Summer Flowers & Nature

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

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

Charms of Hokkaido: Birding & Wildlife Winter Photography Tour

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

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

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

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Cherry Blossom Festival at Matsumae Park

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Cherry Blossoms & Azaleas at Mifuneyama Rakuen

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Shibazakura Festivals of Hokkaido

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Great Wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park

Baby Blue Eyes Flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park

Takayama Spring Festival

Kyoto Aoi Festival

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Miyako Odori

Tenjin Festival

Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Akita Kanto Festival

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Gion Summer Festival

Awa Odori Dance Festival

Lavenders in Hokkaido

Tanabata Fireworks

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Jidai Festival

Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue

Lake Kawaguchi Momiji-Kairo

Autumn Leaves

Takayama Autumn Festival

Obara Shikizakura Festival

Japan Winter Festivals

Sapporo Snow Festival

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

Ice Breaker Cruise

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Things Not to Miss

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Gion Geisha District

Kyoto Cuisine with Maiko

Green Tea Ceremony

Shikoku Pilgrimage Route

Takayama Festivals

Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction

Sushi-Making Experience

Tokyo SkyTree

Ghibli Museum

Kiyomizu Temple

Kenrokuen Garden

Hikone Castle

Zen Meditation (Zazen)

Calligraphy Lesson (Shodo)

Ikebana Lesson (Flower Arrangement)

Kimono Experience

Taiko Lesson

Dotonbori Street Food Tour

Nakasendo Hike

Ise Grand Shrine

Shiretoko Nature Cruise

Seikan Undersea Tunnel

The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum

Asakusa Sensoji Temple

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavillion)

Todaiji Temple

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Miho Museum

Koka Ninja Mansion

Mikimoto Pearl Island

Himeji Castle

Izumo Grand Shrine

Naoshima Island

Gunkanjima Island

Mt Takasaki Monkey Park

Matsumoto Castle

Tokyo Tower

Snow Monkeys

Most Beautiful Places in Japan

Otaru Snow Light Path

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Kurashiki Canal Area

Miyajima Island

Shimanami Kaido

Takeda Castle

Motonosumi-Inari Shrine

Adachi Museum of Art

Takachiho Gorge

Oirase Stream

Tottori Sand Dunes

Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachi Fuji Gardens

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Choose your style and split cost with other passengers

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

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

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

What our customers say

  4.9 stars based on 555 REVIEWS

Billy, our guide was wonderful and very informative. Our driver was super and the van was just the right size. The 2 other guests were the best.

The tours was very interesting as it allows me to have a very good idea about Japan. I was able to visit many places such as temple, shrines, castle, Japanese gardens as well as historical places. Additionally, the tour allowed me to have nice experience from Japan such as the good food, Tea ceremony, the rapid train and typical Japanese Hotel. Furthermore, I have discovered through the tour the lovely nature of Japan and learned a lot of information about its history and its tradition.

Absolute;ly loved the tour! Billy was a fantastic guide and very informative about the culture and entertaining.

This was a fantastic way to see Japan. We saw so many sites and we had the opportunity to experience so many things. Learning how to make sushi was not only fun, but it was also a tasty lunch. Billy was a knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide. Kamata San is definitely a highly skilled bus driver. Learning about the varying cuisines in the different regions of Japan was a delicious lesson to learn.

Great variety of places, unique experiences and entertaining, informative Guide. AJT staff very helpful - good to have personal service.

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Independent Travel to Hokkaido

Mar 28, 2024 , by Zac

Independent travel in Hokkaido doesn’t need to be intimidating! While a little more planning and flexibility is needed, Adventure Hokkaido Guide Zac is here to guide you through everything you need to know and to show you that travelling alone in Hokkaido is an unforgettable experience.

While Japan as a whole has gained an image of being a country fit for solo travellers, Hokkaido’s image isn’t quite there yet. Cities like Otaru, Hakodate and Sapporo are well-known, easily accessible tourist destinations, but Hokkaido’s more remote islands, trails and countryside are far off the beaten path for most.

The lack of foreign language information, combined with the amount of places to see spread out across Japan’s northernmost island makes solo travelling here a bit different to travelling on the mainland. Even as a Japanese speaker, planning my first trip around Hokkaido in 2019 proved to be a challenge, the likes of which I hadn’t faced when travelling to any other regions of Japan. For those who do decide to make their way up here, you’ll find that Hokkaido is one of the most rewarding and memorable locations in Japan. In today’s article, I will help you decide if travelling to Hokkaido solo is right for you and share advice from things to know before you book your ticket all the way to what to do after landing in Hokkaido.

Before You Travel

Going solo opens you up to many opportunities that travelling in a large group, or even travelling with close friends doesn’t. That being said, it certainly isn’t for everybody. If you find yourself struggling to make realistic travel plans, or are worried about the ‘what-ifs’ of travelling, particularly in a country where you don’t speak the language, you should take a step back and consider joining a small group tour. 

Joining a group tour allows you to let the guides handle getting from A to B, problem solving, and even deciding where to eat. It also allows you to make friends for life, especially in small groups with like-minded people. By the end of your time in Hokkaido, you may have a new best friend in Singapore and a hiking buddy in Australia! Another big benefit to joining a group is the ability to ask why . Having knowledgeable, passionate guides who can answer questions and provide the background knowledge to help you walk away a bit more knowledgeable of the scenery you came all the way to Hokkaido to see.

For travellers who are dead-set on exploring Hokkaido by themselves but want to be able to fall back on a “safety net”, self-guided tours are a fantastic option as well. Self-guided tours allow you to travel between hotels and hikes on your own with carefully-crafted itineraries. You’re provided with the documents, from hotel vouchers to make the check-in process at your accommodation seamless, map data for your hikes, and information including recommended train times and restaurant recommendations. In the event of any trouble or an emergency, we have staff on call to support you.

When you do choose to visit Hokkaido, whether it’s on a self-guided tour or a locally operated small-group tour, we recommend holding off on making any flight ticket purchases until everything has been confirmed by your tour provider. Many tour operators, including us at Adventure Hokkaido, require a minimum number of guests for a tour to run. In hotels in popular areas of Hokkaido - particularly rural areas where accommodation options are limited - it may not be possible to book a room for single occupancy. This is because hotels in Japan are charged not on a per-room basis, but a per-person basis, so setting aside rooms for one person when the same room could quite easily hold two or even three people isn’t in the hotel’s best interest. It’s not all bad news for single travellers though, as travelling solo means it’s easier to make alternate arrangements, such as moving to a tour that has a guaranteed departure . While the excitement for an upcoming trip and desire to book your flights as soon as possible is understandable, it’s always a good idea to wait until you get the ok from your tour provider before locking in inflexible flight deals.

It also pays (no pun intended) to think about money-saving tips before your trip. One way to bring down the cost of a group tour is to see if the option to share a room with another solo traveller is available. If you are willing to share a room with another solo traveller, many travel operators (ourselves included) are often happy to waive the single supplement applied to independent travellers in Japan. Sharing a room may also make it easier for the tour company to secure rooms! If travelling on your own, either on a self-guided tour or not, consider using public transportation as opposed to a car. Rental cars are expensive in Japan, and with destinations being so spread out in Hokkaido, you’ll likely be stopping by a petrol station once, if not twice, a day! It also goes without saying that driving long distances alone, particularly after a long day of hiking, isn’t the safest option either! Consider sacrificing some of the freedom of a car for the freedom to take a nap in the seat of a cosy express train or highway bus and wake up at your destination. Japan has no shortage of passes and discounts for foreign travellers, including the Japan Rail Pass and JAL Explorer Pass , which can potentially make travelling by public transport in Japan an even more appealing option. Check out our FAQ and determine for yourself whether the Japan Rail Pass will be a good option for you.

During Travel

The best advice we can give to any independent travellers on adventure holidays not just in Hokkaido, but anywhere in the world, is to make friends! Whether you're on a guided tour or travelling on your own, we recommend taking the time to chat with people at restaurants, in the hotel lobby and especially on the trail. Of course, meeting people is one of the joys of travel, but the hidden benefit as an independent traveller is getting the inside scoop on good restaurants, hidden gems and important information such as trail closures or train delays. Once you get that key information, we encourage you to pass it on to other travellers as well! Remember, everyone on earth knows something you don’t! Even if you don’t end up striking up a conversation with anyone, there’s a good chance a friendly local will strike up a conversation with you. Japanese people are known for their hospitality, so don’t be taken aback when someone asks you to join their meal at a restaurant, or asks if you would like to tag along on a hike or a bike ride. While the reality is that it is most likely an innocent invitation, it goes without saying that you should trust your gut, especially female travellers exploring Japan alone.

While we encourage meeting people, even in Japan you will have to use your better judgement and remember that not everyone has your best interests at heart. Of course, as a solo traveller you won’t just need to be more vigilant with people, but places as well. With no-one travelling alongside you, be sure to let someone know where you’re heading. Your accommodation staff are the best option for this, but you can also give rental car employees a heads up as to where you're going or letting other travellers know your plans. If travelling on a self-guided tour arranged by a local operator, you can travel with at ease knowing that at least your operator has knowledge of your day-to-day plans and lodging.

If you’re visiting Hokkaido, chances are you’re coming for the nature, but on the nights when you find yourself in the cities of Hokkaido, particularly the Susukino district of Sapporo or parts of Asahikawa, you may be approached by touts trying to get you into their Izakaya or bar. In my experience, Hokkaido’s touts are less persistent than big cities on the mainland, such as Tokyo or Osaka, but they are still a hassle nonetheless. These touts tend to pull a bait and switch, or take you into a restaurant that upcharges heavily for food and drinks. While back-alley bars and dives in Japan may be home to some hidden gems, there are an equal amount of dodgy bars and places that should be avoided amongst them. Trust your gut, and when you don’t know what your gut is trying to tell you - a quick look at Google Reviews can help! 

Remember that the risk of hiking solo is greater than the risk of hiking in a group. Of course, carrying a first aid kit (and knowing how to use it!) is a great first step, but being able to avoid needing a first-aid kit is a skill in-and-of itself! Don’t take any unnecessary risks and avoid unmarked hiking trails.

Before you start hiking, be sure to fill out the hiking register at the trailhead of each hike. These hiking registers will ask your name, how many people are in your group and what trail you are using going up and coming down (if there are multiple trails). You may also be asked to write the time that you began the hike, so that if you have not returned to the trailhead by curfew or nightfall, rangers can raise the alarm and start a search.

Finally, once you're on the trail, be sure to make ample noise as you hike to avoid a sudden encounter with wildlife- brown bears in particular! When you’ve finished this blog, check out our full article on hiking safely in Hokkaido here .

Helpful Phrases

______Ittekimasu!   “I’m going to ______!”  Good for letting hotel staff know where you’re heading!

Sumimasen, chotto ii desu ka?  “Excuse me, could I borrow you for a moment?” A nice, polite way of letting someone know you need some help.

Maigo desu.  “I’m lost.” A useful phrase for cities and trails alike!

Kekko desu!   “That’s enough!” A firm but polite way to let pesky touts know you’re not interested.

Other Useful Tips from the AH Team!

If travelling independently or on a self-guided tour, we highly recommend having something to help with translating, whether it’s the ‘USEFUL PHRASES’ section of a guidebook or your smart-phone. Pointing at pictures on menus and hoping that you find an English speaker nearby will get you surprisingly far, but for when it doesn’t, having a means to communicate can sometimes quite literally be a life-saver!  If you’ve read our A Local’s Guide to Eating out in Hokkaido article, you’ll know that travelling around Japan with dietary restrictions comes with its challenges, so having a means to help communicate your dietary needs clearly is a must! For those of you who have already booked your trip to Hokkaido, be sure to check out our guide for setting up your phone for Japan to make sure you can use your phone for translation from the moment you arrive.

If you’re visiting Japan alone for the first time, we also recommend taking the opportunity to get used to the hot springs, or onsen ! Many visitors tend to be a bit shy about being naked around strangers, and even more shy about stripping off in front of their friends. Unfortunately that shyness can lead to a missed opportunity to enjoy one of the most relaxing things about Japan. When you’re on your own, however, there’s nobody travelling with you to feel embarrassed by, so you’re spared of that shyness! To help get yourself acquainted with Onsen etiquette, we have a blog for that too !

Lastly, we also encourage you to record your time in Hokkaido with a blog or a video of your own solo trip. By creating a blog, you aren’t just documenting your travels for yourself, you’re helping inform others about your experiences as an independent traveller in Hokkaido, and information about which trails you found difficult and what food you found mouth-watering is a great way to help future single travellers!

A Rewarding Challenge

To wrap it all up, journeying to Hokkaido presents some unique challenges for solo travellers, but with careful planning and the right mindset, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether opting for a group tour for added comfort and the freedom to sit back and relax or heading off on a self-guided adventure for the freedom to travel in a way that works for you, taking time to connect with people and learning to exercise caution both on and off the trail, will help make your trip to Hokkaido safer and more memorable.

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PRIVATE TOURS WITH A PERSONAL DRIVER IN HOKKAIDO, NORTH JAPAN

Get the most out of your visit to Hokkaido, Japan with our customized private tours. We offer multi-day private guided tours with a car and personal driver all for your use. There will be an English-speaking licensed tour guide supporting you during the whole trip, making it possible to head right into the heart of Northern Japan, and enjoy a cultural adventure without masses of tourists. Realize your dreams, immerse yourself into a different culture and get off the well-worn tourist trails with our unique travel plans!

• Completely private tours tailored just for you
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• Luxury cars & minibuses with a personal driver
• Experienced, English speaking licensed tour guides
• No stress. Pick-up/drop off at your hotel. Leave everything to us

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Hokkaido private tour sample itineraries

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Family trip spent in Hokkaido in summer

Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel planned a wonderful one-week trip!!

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Engaging in the beautiful country side and relaxing at the onsens was also wonderful.

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We are Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc (HTIT), an award-winning team of creators of unique, perfectly tailored Hokkaido travel experiences. Hokkaido is a 'Treasure Island' to us, and therefore, we named our company after it. Our product team collaborates with locals in each town and village all over Hokkaido to develop unique content. Our sales team creates a personalized, tailored experience for our FIT clients. As well, work with agents to create small group tours for 10 to 12 people, including Winter Bird Photography Tours (Japan Winter Birding Tours) and Multicultural Activities (Japanese Cultural Experiences).

Through our original content and stories, you will learn more about Hokkaido's uniqueness. For the past 15 years, we have built up a relationship with expert licensed guides. We are constantly opening new doors and making local destinations previously inaccessible for travelers available all over Hokkaido. Our mission is to create for you a journey of a lifetime, every time you travel with us.

What sets us apart from the competition is our very strong ties with local business and the people here in Hokkaido. No other travel agency is as rooted—both broadly and deeply—in the local communities of Hokkaido as we are.

Hokkaido Shinkansen: Stations, Travel Times And Ticket Costs To Go North

• Hokkaido , Shinkansens

The Hokkaido Shinkansen is a high-speed railway line in Japan that connects the island of Hokkaido to the main island of Honshu. The line opened in March 2016, and it has since become one of the most popular ways to travel between the two islands. The line runs from Shin-Aomori Station in Aomori Prefecture to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido, with a travel time of about four hours.

The Hokkaido Shinkansen is operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) and is part of the Shinkansen network that spans across Japan. The line features a variety of train services, including the Hayabusa, Hayate, and Yamabiko trains, which offer different levels of comfort and amenities. The trains are known for their punctuality, speed, and comfort, making them a popular choice among both locals and tourists.

The Hokkaido Shinkansen has had a significant impact on the economy and tourism industry of Hokkaido. The line has made it easier and more convenient for people to travel to and from the island, which has led to an increase in tourism and business activity. Additionally, the line has helped to revitalize the economy of the region by providing faster and more efficient transportation options. Overall, the Hokkaido Shinkansen has become an essential part of the transportation infrastructure of Japan, and it continues to play a significant role in the country’s economic and social development.

Hokkaido Shinkansen Route & Travel Times

The Hokkaido Shinkansen is a high-speed railway line that connects the northern island of Hokkaido with the main island of Honshu in Japan. The line starts from Shin-Aomori Station in Aomori Prefecture on Honshu and ends at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido. The total length of the line is 148.9 km.

approximate travel times between Tokyo and Hokkaido for the Hokkaido Shinkansen line specifically:

Please note that this table provides approximate travel times for the Hokkaido Shinkansen, specifically the Hayabusa service. Actual travel times may vary depending on the specific train service, time of day, and other factors. For accurate and up-to-date information, consult the JR East website or use a service like Hyperdia to plan your journey.

The line has 17 stations, including Shin-Aomori, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, and Sapporo. The journey from Tokyo to Sapporo takes approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes, with the Shinkansen Hayabusa going all the way to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. From there, travelers can transfer to the Hakodate Liner, which connects Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station and Hakodate Station in as little as 15 minutes, linking the Shinkansen with all train lines with.

The Hokkaido Shinkansen is a convenient way to travel between Honshu and Hokkaido, and it offers stunning views of the Japanese countryside along the way. The line passes through the Seikan Tunnel, which is the longest undersea tunnel in the world, stretching 53.85 km between Honshu and Hokkaido. The tunnel allows trains to travel at high speeds while avoiding the rough waters of the Tsugaru Strait.

Travel Time To Hokkaido Locations From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (last shinkansen stop)

From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, you can access various destinations around Hokkaido by transferring to the Hokuto Limited Express or other train lines. Here are some approximate travel times from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to major places in Hokkaido:

These travel times are approximate and may vary depending on the specific train service, time of day, and other factors. For accurate and up-to-date information, consult the JR Hokkaido website or use a service like Hyperdia to plan your journey

Shinkansen Travel Costs Between Tokyo and Sapporo

Here is a table outlining the approximate travel costs between Tokyo and Sapporo for each major station along the Hokkaido Shinkansen and Hokuto Limited Express route. The fares listed below are for one-way travel in an ordinary-class car:

These fares may vary depending on the specific train service, time of day, and other factors. Additionally, there are discounts available for round-trip tickets, and the cost may be different for Green Car (first-class) seats.

Note that a JR Rail Pass will save you a LOT of money if you are planning to travel to Hokkaido and back from Tokyo.

Trains and Services

The Hokkaido Shinkansen offers two train services: the limited-stop Hayabusa services and the semi-fast Hayate services. The Hayabusa services are the fastest and most popular option for traveling between Tokyo or Sendai and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, with a travel time of approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. The Hayate services, on the other hand, make a few more stops along the way and take slightly longer to reach their destinations.

Both the Hayabusa and Hayate services are operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and are equipped with the latest technology, including the E5 and H5 series trains. These trains offer comfortable seating, ample legroom, and a variety of amenities, such as power outlets, Wi-Fi, and onboard food and beverage service.

Passengers traveling on the Hokkaido Shinkansen can choose between reserved and non-reserved seating. Reserved seating is recommended during peak travel periods, as trains can get crowded and seats can fill up quickly. Non-reserved seating is a good option for travelers on a budget or those who prefer more flexibility in their travel plans.

It’s worth noting that most trains along the Hokkaido Shinkansen provide through-service with the Tohoku Shinkansen, which means they operate all the way between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. This makes it easy for travelers to connect between the two regions and explore all that northern Japan has to offer.

History Of The Hokkaido Shinkansen

The Hokkaido Shinkansen is a high-speed railway line that connects Aomori on Japan’s main island of Honshu with Hakodate on the southern tip of Hokkaido. The line was first proposed in the 1970s, but construction did not begin until 2005. The first section of the line, between Shin-Aomori Station and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, opened in March 2016.

Construction of the Hokkaido Shinkansen was a massive engineering project that involved building 211 kilometers of new track and 25 tunnels. The line was built to withstand the harsh winter conditions of Hokkaido, including heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. The trains that run on the line are equipped with special snowplows and de-icing equipment to ensure that they can operate safely even in the most severe weather conditions.

The Hokkaido Shinkansen is part of the larger Shinkansen network, which is colloquially known in English as the bullet train. The first Shinkansen line, between Tokyo and Osaka, opened in 1964 and was a revolutionary development in the history of rail transport. The Shinkansen trains are known for their speed, safety, and punctuality, and have become an iconic symbol of modern Japan.

Today, the Hokkaido Shinkansen is an important transportation link between Honshu and Hokkaido, and has helped to boost tourism and economic development in the region. The line has also helped to reduce travel times between major cities in northern Japan, making it easier for people to commute and do business across the region.

Construction and Future Plans

Construction of the Hokkaido Shinkansen began in 2005, and the first section of the line, between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, opened in 2016. The second phase of the project, which will extend the line from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo, is currently under construction.

According to JRTT , the Hokkaido Shinkansen is expected to be completed by 2030. The extension of the line to Sapporo will reduce travel time from Tokyo to Sapporo from around 10 hours to approximately 5 hours. The total construction cost of the Hokkaido Shinkansen between Shin-Hakodate Hokuto and Sapporo is estimated to be 1,670 billion yen, according to the City of Sapporo .

With the extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo , the capital city of Hokkaido, construction is gradually underway at Sapporo Station, according to Japan Rail Times . JR Hokkaido is also planning to extend the line from Sapporo to Asahikawa , which is the second-largest city in Hokkaido, by 2035.

The Hokkaido Shinkansen has had a significant impact on the economy and society of Hokkaido. Here are some of the benefits:

• Increased tourism: The Hokkaido Shinkansen has made it easier for tourists to travel to Hokkaido from other parts of Japan. This has led to an increase in tourism revenue for the region.
• Higher passenger revenue: The passenger revenue of Hokkaido Railway Company’s high-speed trains has increased since the launch of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.
• Improved transportation: The Hokkaido Shinkansen has made it easier and faster for people to travel between cities in Hokkaido. This has improved transportation and made it more convenient for residents.
• Increased job opportunities: The construction of the Hokkaido Shinkansen created job opportunities for people in the region. Additionally, the increase in tourism has led to job growth in the hospitality industry.

While the Hokkaido Shinkansen has had many benefits, it has also faced some challenges:

• Low occupancy rates: The occupancy rates of the rail line have been impacted by the winter season, with recorded occupancy reaching a low of 19% in the months of January and February.
• Local protests: The construction of the Hokkaido Shinkansen was met with some local protests. Plans for a shinkansen line to link Tokyo and Narita Airport were abandoned due to local protests about the construction.

Despite these challenges, the Hokkaido Shinkansen has had a positive impact on the region and has improved transportation and job opportunities.

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