One Week in Hokkaido - Road Trip Itinerary From Sapporo, Japan
Japan isn’t all about the bustling metropolitan cities: on your next trip, why not take a quick domestic flight to Sapporo, which is the gateway to Hokkaido’s unabashed wilderness? With lesser crowds, and easy-to-drive roads, Hokkaido is often a dream road trip destination for many. The best part? The drives are all under three hours, making them extremely do-able for both novice and advanced drivers.
Rent your car from Klook
Afraid of the language barrier whenever you travel to Japan? Easily rent your car via Klook before you fly, and save yourself the hassle of trying to communicate your preferences to the local staff! Choose your preferred car from top-notch car companies, and seamlessly add on items like a car seat, or even an English GPS (trust us, this is a total lifesaver!). Don’t forget your International Driver’s Permit too!
#KlookTip: The tolls along the expressways can add up to quite a bit, and they can add up fast. Save lots of money with the Hokkaido Expressway Pass, which gives unlimited use of the expressways for a fixed sum.
Day 1: Sapporo
The dynamic capital city of Hokkaido, Sapporo is famous for hosting the Sapporo Snow Festival — the largest in all of Japan! — in February each year.
Must-do at Sapporo
Enter a chocolate haven at Shiroi Koibito Park
Shiroi Koibito is one of Japan’s most popular snacks. Go behind the scenes at Shiroi Koibito Park’s Chocotopia Factory, go hands-on during a cookie-making class, plus load up on baskets of souvenirs.
#KlookTip: Don’t miss out on going to the Photo Shop MEMENTO, where you can add your picture to a customised Shiroi Koibito tin box.
Other Sapporo highlights
Sapporo TV Tower
- Enjoy panoramic views at Mt. Moiwa, the TV Tower, Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, and JR Tower Observation Deck T38
- Attend a festival at Odori Park
- Have a beer tasting at Sapporo Beer Museum
- Try miso ramen at Ganso Ramen Yokocho
- Go on a tour of Nijo Market
- Discover the vibrant Susukino district
- Spend an afternoon shopping at Sapporo Factory
- Check out the 140-year-old clock tower
- Rent a kimono for some great photos
Stay at: Sapporo
Day 2: Asahikawa
Distance: 138 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
Known as the ‘roof of Hokkaido’, Asahikawa is a nature lovers’ paradise.
Must-do at Asahikawa
Check out the famous Asahiyama Zoo
Photo credit: 旭川市旭山動物園（Asahiyama Zoo) on Facebook
Get up close to animals at Asahiyama Zoo, which focuses on ‘behaviour display’. This encourages visitors to observe the wildlife in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats. Saunter through a glass tunnel below swimming penguins, peer through glass domes in the wolf and polar bear enclosures and visit during winter to witness the adorable Penguin Parade.
Other Asahikawa highlights
Photo credit: Asahidake Ropeway
- Shop at Heiwa-dori, Japan’s first pedestrianised street
- Try shoyu-based ramen at the Ramen Village
- Enjoy a free tasting at Otokoyama Sake Brewery
- Dine with the locals at 5-7 Alley Furarito
- Take the Asahidake Ropeway at Daisetsuzan National Park
- Go on a surreal snowshoeing tour
- Get some respite at Ueno Farm
Stay at: Asahikawa
Day 3: Biei + Furano
Distance: 25.2 kilometres
Drive duration: 38 minutes
Biei
Visit the postcard-perfect region of Biei, where you’ll drive through incredibly scenic roads framed by rolling hills.
Must-do at Biei
Marvel at Shisikai no Oka
Plan to visit in July and August to enjoy spectacular views of a rainbow flower field, and ride on the scenic tractor bus. In winter, the flower garden transforms into a Snowland, where you can go on exhilarating snowmobile rides.
Other Biei highlights
Shirogane Blue Pond
- Drive along the Panorama Road and Patchwork Road
- Visit the Takushinkan gallery
- Make a pitstop at Sanai no Oka Park
- Take lots of photos at the Shirogane Blue Pond
- Go to Shirahige Waterfall
- Check out the Mount Tokachi Observatory
- Relax at Tokachidake Onsen
Furano
Distance: 33.8 kilometres
Drive duration: 45 minutes
Say hello to a gorgeous flower paradise at Furano in summer. In winter, the area transforms into a snowy wonderland.
Must-do at Furano
Try all things lavender at Farm Tomita
Head to Farm Tomita in July and August during lavender season to set eyes on a sprawling sea of purple. Sip on a cup of lavender tea, have a lavender-flavoured pastry, and taste lavender ice cream — all with an amazing view to boot.
Other Furano highlights
Ningle Terrace | Photo credit: Furano Tourism Association
- Go backcountry skiing at Furano Ski Resort
- Enter a magical world at Ningle Terrace
- Visit the Furano Cheese Factory
- Buy exquisite glassware from the Glass Forest
- Pick cherries (from July to September)
- Attend the unique Hokkai Heso festival in July
Stay at: Furano
Day 4: Noboribetsu
Distance: 209 kilometres
Drive duration: 2 hours 54 minutes
Previously believed to have been inhabited by demons, Noboribetsu is an onsen town that’s reputed for its thermal waters.
Break up the long drive from Furano by stopping at Yubari Merodo, a roadside station selling lots of sweet Yubari melons and melon-related products; and Ice Cream Kacha, for some delicious homemade ice cream.
Must-do at Noboribetsu
Experience the Jigokudani Hell Valley
The thermal waters (eleven kinds in total!) of Noboribetsu flow down from Jigokudani Hell Valley, which is an otherworldly landscape full of bubbling pools, steam vents, and more. Walk along the boardwalk through the valley, head to the two observation points, or walk the one-hour Noboribetsu Jigokudani Loop.
Other Noboribetsu highlights
Oyunuma Natural Footbath | Photo credit: Hokkaido Tourism
- Soak your feet in the Oyunuma Natural Footbath
- Hit the slopes at San Laiva Ski Resort in winter
- Check out the Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri in August
- Have a picnic at Lake Kuttara
- Visit the Noboribetsu Marine Park and Noboribetsu Bear Park
- Find the eleven demon statues scattered around the town
- Travel back to the Edo period at Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Cultural Park
Stay at: Noboribetsu (try a ryokan stay!)
Day 5: Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Distance: 53.6 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour
Shikotsu-Toya National Park is home to two pristine lakes — Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu. Stop at Showa-Shinzan, a volcano that can be viewed by taking the Usuzan Ropeway, on the way to Lake Toya.
Must-do at Lake Toya
Embark on a pleasure boat cruise
Lake Toya is a tranquil volcanic caldera lake that’s best explored onboard a pleasure boat cruise. The cruise lasts for around 50 minutes — and will travel around Nakajima, a cluster of four inhabited islands. Add 30 minutes if you wish to get off at Oshima Island, which is the only island of the four that’s open to the public.
Other Lake Toya highlights
Lake Toya Silo Observation Deck | Photo credit: Hokkaido Tourism
- Paddle around in a swan boat
- Take photos at the Toyako Gurutto Chokoku Koen Sculpture Park
- Enjoy a free footbath by the waterfront promenade
- Take a helicopter tour at Silo Observatory
- Drop by the Wakasaimo Confectionary Shop
After Lake Toya, drop by Lake Hill Farm, where you can dig into various ice cream flavours made with fresh milk, before continuing to Lake Shikotsu.
Must-do at Lake Shikotsu
Attend the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Photo credit: Visit Japan International on Facebook
If you’re visiting Lake Shikotsu in winter, you’re in luck! From late January to mid-February, the area comes alive with the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, which boasts a varied line-up of ice sculptures that are created using the lake’s waters. When night falls, the sculptures are illuminated, creating an absolutely enchanting sight.
Other Lake Shikotsu highlights
Shikotsu-Toya National Park | Photo credit: Visit Japan International on Facebook
- Get onboard a glass-bottom cruise ship
- Try the local speciality of chips, a freshwater prawn fish
- Go on the classic walking course around the lake
- Take a canoeing or kayaking tour
- Witness the famed “Shikotsu blue” (colour of the lake)
- Hike through the moss corridor
- See the emerald green Lake Okotanpe
Stay at: Sapporo
Distance: 43 kilometres
Drive duration: 1 hour 6 minutes
Day 6: Otaru
Distance: 38.3 kilometres
Drive duration: 48 minutes
A historic port city, Otaru charms travellers with its idyllic canal, nostalgic red brick warehouses, vintage street lamps, and cobblestone pavements.
Must-do at Otaru
Take a stroll along the canal
The Otaru canal is the centrepiece of the city, and is charming both in the day and night. In winter, the canal hosts the Otaru Snow Path Light Festival, where the canal will be filled with floating lanterns — alongside illuminated snow sculptures that line the banks.
Other Otaru highlights
- Watch the Otaru Steam Clock chime on the hour
- Take a rickshaw tour
- Have some retail therapy at Sakaimachi Street
- Have a seafood feast at Sankaku Market
- Go museum hopping (save with this Museum Pass!)
- Visit the Otaru Beer Hall
Day 7: Shakotan Peninsula
Distance: 82.5 kilometres
Drive duration: 2 hours
Sporting unparalleled views of the Sea of Japan, the road through Shakotan Peninsula is scenic beyond belief. Foodies will also love the uni (sea urchin here), which is said to be the best in Japan!
Must-do at Shakotan Peninsula
Savour a 360-degree panoramic view at Cape Kamui
Photo credit: 663highland on Wikimedia Commons
Cape Kamui juts out into the sea, offering travellers a magnificent 360-degree view of the area. Embark on a 20-minute hike along the Charenka route to reach this viewpoint, as well as the Kamui-wa Ledge.
Other Shakotan Peninsula highlights
- Visit Candle Rock
- Have magnificent views from Cape Ogon’s Observatory
- Try night snorkelling
- Pick fruits at Yoichi Orchard
- Swim in the Blue Cave
- Try the local sea urchin at the Misaki or Naramuraya restaurants
End the day by driving back to Sapporo, where you can return your rental car. Or, you can always see more of Hokkaido by going on any of these Sapporo day trips!
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