Hokkaido Road Trips: 13 Best Day Trips from Sapporo, Japan Under 3 Hours
Hailed as the ‘Tokyo of the North’, Sapporo is the dynamic capital city of Hokkaido. It can be easily reached via domestic flight or, if you’re up for an adventure, via overnight train from Tokyo.
Sapporo itself entices travellers with plenty of things to see and do, but more so for its ideal proximity to many of Hokkaido’s best spots! For your next trip to Japan, why not base yourself in Sapporo, and take multiple day trips out to the surrounding area?
Driving in Japan
Before you jump into planning your ultimate Japan road trip itinerary, here are some tips to take note of. Do also make sure to have all the necessary documents that’ll allow you to drive in Japan!
International Driving Permit
To be able to rent and drive a car in Japan, you need to:
- Be 18 years old and above
- Have a driving license
- Have an International Driving Permit (IDP) - make sure to obtain your driving permit before your arrival in Japan
Other supporting documents that you may need include your passport so make sure to have it with you always! You may be asked to provide your passport information and to present your passport when getting your rental car. Other information you may be asked to provide when pre-booking your car rental is your flight number and to indicate your pick up & drop off location.
Sapporo car rental
Rent your car from Klook, and use the search engine to easily sift through the type of car you want, and any additional add-ons you might need. Choose from top car companies like Hertz and Europcar, and even cancel for free should your travel plans take a turn. P.S. Don’t forget to get your International Driving Permit before your trip!
NOTE: If you are travelling with children, please note that according to Japanese law, children under age 6 must be equipped with a child seat when travelling in the vehicle. Do indicate the quantity and the age of your child(ren) when booking your car on Klook.
GPS for Rental Cars
Typically, rental cars in Japan come equipped with a GPS navigation system built into the dashboard. Sometimes they the map and direction are set to Japanese but can be switched to another language.
Check with the staff when getting your rental car if there is GPS navigation available in English (or your preferred language) and ask for their help to change the settings.
Basic Traffic Rules in Japan
In Japan, the driver’s seat is on the right and vehicles drive on the left side of the road. Do familiarise yourself with the traffic regulations, the various traffic signs and what they mean, and more with this guide for foreign drivers in Japan.
1. Otaru
Distance: 38.3 kilometres
Drive duration: 43 minutes
Travel back in time at Otaru, a historic port city. Take a stroll along the charming canal, which is lined by warehouses that have been transformed into restaurants, cafés, bars, and museums. Take a nostalgic rickshaw tour of the area, check out the Otaru Steam Clock (which chimes on the hour!), hunt down souvenirs at Sakaimachi Street, and dig into some of the freshest seafood at Sankaku Market.
#KlookTip: Snag great savings with this Museum Pass, which will grant you access to the Nitori Museum of Art, Stained Glass Museum, Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch, and House of Western Art.
2. Noboribetsu
Distance: 119 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 34 minutes
Journey to another dimension at Noboribetsu, home to the Jigokudani (Hell Valley). It’s said that around eleven varieties of thermal waters can be found in the area, which manifest in a cluster of vibrantly-coloured bubbling and steaming pools. Whilst you’re there, take a short five-minute detour to the Oyunama River’s natural footbath.
#KlookTip: According to local legend, Noboribetsu used to be inhabited by demons. See if you can spot the eleven demon statues that are scattered around the area!
Other things to do at Noboribetsu include the Bear Park; Marine Park NIXE; and the Date Jidaimura Cultural Park, which is a recreation of life during the Edo period. If you’re visiting during winter, the San Lavia Ski Resort is a mere 15-minute drive away.
3. Furano and Nakafurano
Distance: 113 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 59 minutes
The city of Furano and the town of Nakafurano are just next to each other, and are known to be fabulous flower paradises. Head to Farm Tomita during summer to marvel at its rolling lavender fields, and sample lavender ice cream.
There’s plenty to do at Furano: go cherry picking from July to September, experience the magical Ningle Terrace, and visit Furano Cheese Factory. In winter, many travellers flock to Furano Ski Resort for backcountry skiing.
4. Biei
Distance: 164 kilometres
Drive duration: 2 hours 26 minutes
Located near Furano, Biei offers a postcard-worthy snapshot of Japan’s rural countryside. Drive along the scenic patchwork road to Shikisai no Oka, a rainbow flower field that’s best viewed from end June to end August. The area is also home to the surreal Blue Pond and Shirahage Waterfall; and Mount Tokachi Observatory, which offers great autumn views.
#KlookTip: A 40-minute drive will bring you to Tokachidake Onsen, a ryokan that allows the public to enjoy its onsen — which has a great view of Tokachi-dake Mountains to boot.
5. Asahikawa
Distance: 138 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 51 minutes
Asahikawa is reputed for the Asahiyama Zoo, which focuses on allowing visitors to observe ‘behaviour display’ by sticking your head up into a glass dome that protrudes into the polar bear enclosure, and watching seals swimming through a glass pipe. In winter, the Penguin Parade is a definite highlight.
After getting your fill of the animals, refuel at the Ramen Village; and shop at Heiwa-dori, Japan’s first pedestrianised shopping street.
6. Shakotan Peninsula
Distance: 119 kilometres
Drive duration: 2 hours 31 minutes
The Shakotan Peninsula is a real treat for the eyes, boasting a coastline with marvellous views of the Sea of Japan. Witness the famous Shakotan Blue (the colour of the waters), catch the sunset at Cape Kamui, see the unique Candle Rock, visit Cape Ogon’s observatory, swim in the Blue Cave, go night snorkelling, and go fruit picking at Yoichi Orchard.
#KlookTip: The peninsula is especially known for its sea urchin; try the local delicacy at the Misaki or Naramuraya restaurants.
7. Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Distance: 43.2 kilometres to Lake Shikotsu; 90.4 kilometres to Lake Toya
Drive duration: 1 hour 5 minutes to Lake Shikotsu; and another 1 hour 43 minutes to Lake Toya
The stars of Shikotsu-Toya National Park are Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya. Lake Shikotsu looks straight out of a storybook, framed by a spectacular mountain landscape and lush forests. In winter, the area plays host to the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, which has a wide variety of ice sculptures on display.
Lake Toya is an idyllic caldera lake, which has nightly fireworks displays from end April to end October. Hop on a pleasure boat cruise, paddle a swan boat, enjoy panoramic views from Silo Observatory, and take the Mount Usuzan Ropeway to the top of Mount Usu.
8. Sapporo Art Park
Photo credit: Welcome to Sapporo on Facebook
Distance: 14.8 kilometres
Drive duration: 25 minutes
Established in 1986, Sapporo Art Park aimed to create an area where nature, arts, and culture could all harmoniously co-exist. See over 70 artworks created by 64 artists, and try crafts like pottery or weaving. The Makomanai Takino Cemetery is a short five-minute drive away, where you can see the famous Hill of the Buddha shrine, as well as replicas of Stonehenge and Moai statues.
9. Hakone Farm
Photo credit: Japan Travel by Navitime
Distance: 63.7 kilometres
Drive duration: 59 minutes
Entertain the whole family at Hakone Farm, an eco-friendly cattle, dairy, potato, and corn farm all-in-one. Try milking a cow, make fresh cream cheese, go horseback riding, and learn all about Hokkaido’s farming industry. Don’t leave without savouring the soft-serve ice cream, which is made with fresh milk from the farm.
10. Mount Asahi
Photo credit: Good day Hokkaido on Facebook
Distance: 191 kilometres
Drive duration: 2 hours 52 minutes
Mount Asahi is not only Hokkaido’s highest mountain standing at 2,290 metres above sea level, it’s also an active volcano! Nestled in Daisetsuzan National Park, the mountain packs a punch with breathtaking alpine landscapes. Get started by taking the ropeway up to Sugatami station, where you’ll find an easy 1.7-kilometre hiking trail. If you’re visiting during winter, bookmark this snowshoeing tour that’s led by an English-speaking guide.
11. Historical Village of Hokkaido
Distance: 14.9 kilometres
Drive duration: 31 minutes
Delve into the history of Hokkaido at the Historical Village, where you can experience life as it was during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Established in 1983, the open-air museum has a total of 52 historical buildings that are split into four areas: a fishing village, a farm village, a mountain village, and a town.
12. Jozankei Onsen
Photo credit: Visit MY Japan on Facebook
Distance: 27.1 kilometres
Drive duration: 39 minutes
Set aside an entire day for pure relaxation at Jozankei Onsen, Hokkaido’s largest onsen town. There are 56 hot springs here; enjoy them at one of the ryokans if you intend to stay the night, or at Jozan Gensen Park’s free footbath. A fun activity would be to purchase eggs from the souvenir shop, and cook them in the hot spring water.
#KlookTip: The best time to visit Jozankei Onsen is during October and November, when the town comes alive with vivid autumn colours.
13. Nibutani Ainu Museum
Distance: 89.9 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 42 minutes
Gain insight into the culture of the Ainu people — who are indigenous to Northern Japan — at the Nibutani Ainu Museum. Learn about their way of life by wandering through a recreation of a traditional Ainu village, and more. That’s not all: you can even join a workshop to try your hand at woodworking or making a mukkuri mouth harp.
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