A typical Japan itinerary mostly includes popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Hokkaido rarely makes it to the list. However, this Japanese island deserves a fair chance. Its untouched natural beauty, fresh dairy products, delicious miso ramen, warm soup curry, seafood delicacies, mesmerising hiking trails, and natural hot springs make it worth the journey. Now that we’ve caught your interest, are you ready to explore Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost and second-largest island with an appeal not found on the mainland? Let’s help you plan the perfect Hokkaido itinerary.
Best time to visit Hokkaido
When planning your Hokkaido itinerary, keep the season and weather in mind. Once you’ve settled on a season, you can plan your activity list around it. Also, check out our detailed guide to the best time to visit Japan, with the yen at an all-time low.
Winter (December-March): It will be snowing, making it the perfect time to go skiing, dog sledging, snowboarding, smelt ice fishing, winter canoeing, and snowmobiling.
Spring (April-June): The weather is delightful and cool, perfect for enjoying cherry blossoms away from the crowds.
Summer (July-August): Those who enjoy outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, bird watching, cycling, camping, and exploring national parks would enjoy summer in Hokkaido, Japan.
Autumn (mid-September to late October): It is one of the best places in Japan to see autumn foliage, go trekking, eat seasonal food and relax in the natural Hokkaido hot springs.
Reaching Hokkaido, Japan
Depending on your budget and starting point, you can travel to Hokkaido by flight, bullet train (shinkansen), car, or ferry. Airplanes are the fastest and most convenient way to reach Hokkaido. Whether travelling directly to Hokkaido internationally or domestically, your flight will land at either New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport or Asahikawa Airport.
Planning your perfect Hokkaido itinerary
Days 1-2: Exploring Hakodate
We recommend Hokodate as the starting point of your Hokkaido itinerary, dedicating two days to exploring the city that offers plenty of events and places to visit.
Start day 1 at the Hakodate Morning Market, open from 6 am to 2 pm on all days. It’s the best place to sample fresh seafood like crabs, sea urchins, squids, and other fish. You can also find local fruits, vegetables and souvenirs on sale here. Spend your afternoon at Goryokaku Park and Tower, a star-shaped fort that looks phenomenal during the cherry blossom and winter season. Hike, drive, or use the ropeway to Mount Hakodate, and end the day by catching the beautiful night view of the city from the top.
Also read | Move Over Niseko—Powder Meets Playtime at This New Family Ski Resort in Hokkaido
On day 2 of your Hokkaido Itinerary, make your way to the Red Brick Warehouse, a commercial complex considered a paradise for foodies, shoppers, and architecture lovers. If you’re more inclined towards stores with Japanese and Western influences, you will enjoy Motomachi District, home to the Russian and Hakodate Orthodox Churches.
Where to stay in Hakodate: Hakodate Kokusai Hotel, La’gent Stay Hakodate Ekimae and Century Marina Hakodate.
Book your stay at Hakodate Kokusai Hotel via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hakodate Kokusai Hotel via Agoda.com
Hokkaido itinerary days 3-4: Travel to Sapporo
On day 3, take the Super Hakuto Limited Express from Hakodate to reach Sapporo in roughly 5 hours. Hokkaido’s capital city is famed for its urban culture and natural beauty. Cover Odori Park, the Historical Village of Hokkaido, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Beer Museum, Hokkaido Jingu, and Moerenuma Park as part of your Hokkaido itinerary over the two days in Sapporo.
Where to stay in Sapporo: Sapporo Grand Hotel, Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino and Onsen Ryokan Yuen Sapporo.
Book your stay at Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino via Booking.com
Book your stay at Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino via Agoda.com
Day 5: Take a day trip to Otaru
On day 5 of your Hokkaido itinerary, take a train or car to reach this charming seaside town, only an hour from Sapporo. Spend the day exploring the Otaru Canal, the Otaru Music Box Museum and the Otaru Steam Clock. Sakaimachi Street is a great place for souvenir shopping – pick up glasswork items, sake, music boxes, and sweets. There are plenty of restaurants in Otaru to try specialities like the seafood rice bowl (kaisendon), deep-fried chicken (Hanmiage) and sushi. After an eventful day, head back to Sapporo.
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Hokkaido itinerary days 6-7: To Furano and Biei
Whether you travel by train or drive from Sapporo to Furano, it will take you roughly 2 hours to reach. It takes another hour from Furano to Biei. Both towns are known for their natural beauty and picturesque rural landscapes. If visiting in July, spend the day exploring the Furano flower fields because it’s lavender season. In winter, the place turns into a popular ski resort. Apart from the flower field, the Furano Cheese Factory and winery are worth a visit.
Also read | The Most Budget-Friendly Cities In Japan, Ranked!
Where to stay in Furano: Furano Natulux Hotel, Dormy Inn Premium La Vista Furano Hills and New Furano Prince Hotel.
Book your stay at Furano Natulux Hotel via Booking.com
Book your stay at Furano Natulux Hotel via Agoda.com
On day 7, drive to Biei, another quaint town surrounded by hilly landscapes and Instagram-worthy spots like Shikisai Hill, Shirogane Blue Pond, Farm Tomita, Patchwork Road, Panoramic Flower Gardens and the Shirahige Waterfalls.
Where to stay in Biei: Hotel Lavenir Biei, Biei Shirogane Onsen Hotel Park Hills and Vantean House.
Book your stay at Biei Shirogane Onsen Hotel Park Hills via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel Park Hills via Agoda.com
Days 8-9: Drive to Asahikawa
A 40-minute drive from Biei is Asahikawa, the second-largest city in Hokkaido known for its urban appeal. Asahikawa offers plenty of things to do, so you might want to split your activity list into two days. On day 8, visit Asahiyama Zoo (where you can see penguins and polar bears) and tour the Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum. If you’re craving a hot bowl of ramen noodles, Asahikawa Ramen Village is the best in the city!
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On day 9 in your Hokkaido itinerary, stroll around Ueno Farm and admire rare and seasonal flowers in bloom. In the second half of your day, shop for souvenirs like handicrafts, food items and sweets at Asahikawa Heiwadori Retail Park.
Where to stay in Asahikawa: Kuretake Inn Asahikawa, Hotel Liberte Asahikawa and Hotel WBF Grande Asahikawa.
Book your stay at Hotel Liberte Asahikawa via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel Liberte Asahikawa via Hotel Liberte Asahikawa via Agoda.com
Hokkaido itinerary day 10: Exploring Japan’s Daisetsuzan National Park
An hour’s drive from Asahikawa is Daisetsuzan National Park. The best time to visit this place is from late August to early September. This national park, home to Mount Asahidake (travellers can reach the summit by riding the Asahidake Ropeway), also promises spectacular views of volcanic mountain ranges, diverse wildlife, natural hot springs and scenic landscapes.
Where to stay near Daisetuzan National Park: Hotel La Vista Daisetsuzan.
Book your stay at La Vista Daisetsuzan via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel La Vista Daisetsuzan via Agoda.com
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(Feature image credit: Chi King, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Related | Save Yourself The Embarrassment – 20 Things You Should Not Do In Japan
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
3-7 days are enough time to explore key destinations like Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Niseko, and Asahikawa in Hokkaido.
If you are in Sapporo, you can take a day trip to Otaru, Furano, and Noboribetsu by train. If it's Asahikawa, then Biei and Shirogane Blue Pond are nearby destinations by train. From Hakodate, Cape Kiritappu and Onuma Quasi National Park can be easily accessed by train.
When packing for your trip to Hokkaido, keep the season in mind. Carry comfortable clothing, sneakers, hand warmers, socks, moisturiser, light gloves, passports, travel insurance, personal medication, and battery packs.
Car rentals, local buses, express buses, trains, taxis, domestic flights, bicycle renting and ferries are a few ways to get around Hokkaido.
If you have a visa to visit/live/work in Japan, you do not need one to visit Hokkaido (as the island is part of Japan).
Adventure activities in Hokkaido are skiing, snowboarding, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, fishing and canoeing.
While there are several restaurants in Hokkaido, make sure to try the island's local delicacies like miso ramen, soup curry, dairy products like milk, ice cream, cheese, Japanese grilled mutton dish (Jingisukan), seafood rice bowl (Kaisen don) and Hokkaido beer.
Apart from sightseeing, popular activities in Hokkaido include snowshoeing, farm tours, whitewater rafting, paragliding and ice climbing.
Dairy products like cheese and milk, Rokkatei Butter Sando Cookies, Yubari Melon Products, Hokkaido wine, soup curry spice mix, Hokkaido herbal tea and Sapporo beer are souvenirs to buy in Hokkaido.
There are plenty of hotels to stay in Hokkaido. The ones that stand out are JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo in Sapporo, La Vista Hakodate Bay in Hakodate, The Vale Niseko in Niseko and the New Furano Prince Hotel in Furano.
If you like crab, dine at Sapporo Kani Honke in Sapporo. Maruyama Gelato in Sapporo also serves high-quality milk gelato. Treat yourself to uni dishes at Uni Murakami in Hakodate and ramen dishes at Asahikawa Ramen Village.
Written By
Sharon Alphonso
Sharon is from Mumbai and currently lives in Tokyo with her Japanese husband. Before moving to Japan, ..Read More
