Hokkaido: Latest 2025 Travel Guide
🏔 Introduction to Hokkaido
Hokkaido is Japan's largest administrative region, with distinct seasons:
- Spring : Cherry blossoms and tulips are in full bloom.
- Summer : Lavender fields and cool escape from the heat.
- Autumn : The season of maple leaves and bountiful harvest delicacies.
- Winter : Skiing in the Snow Country and the Fantasy Snow Festival.
The capital, Sapporo , is a transportation hub, as well as a food and shopping center; popular destinations such as Otaru, Furano, Biei, Noboribetsu, and Niseko are all nearby.
📍 Must-see attractions in Hokkaido
1.Sapporo City
- Odori Park : The main venue of the Sapporo Snow Festival, with flowers and activities throughout the four seasons.
- Sapporo Clock Tower : a city landmark, a fusion of Japanese and Western styles.
- Susukino (すすきの) : Nightlife and ramen paradise.
- Editor’s Tip : The winter snow festival is super beautiful, but be sure to keep warm.
2.Otaru
- Otaru Canal : Romantic warehouse street and gas lamp night view.
- Kitaichi Glass & Music Box Museum : Glass craft and music box experience.
- My personal recommendation : The falling snow in winter and the lights on the canal look like a movie scene.
3.Furano & Biei
- Furano Flower Fields : Lavender blooms in July (a must-see at Farm Tomita).
- Biei Blue Pond : The dreamy blue water changes to different shades in each season.
- Editor's Tips : It is recommended to drive yourself or join a one-day tour as the distances between attractions are quite far.
4. Noboribetsu Hot Spring
- Hell Valley : Spectacular scenery with volcanic terrain and sulfur fumes.
- Hot Springs Tour : Relaxing in hot springs is especially therapeutic in winter.
5. Niseko
- Highlights : A world-class powder snow ski resort, also loved by European and American tourists.
- Editor's Tip : Accommodation during the ski season (December-March) should be booked six months in advance.
6. Hakodate
- Hakodate Mountain Night View : One of the three best night views in the world.
- Morning Market : Fresh seafood donburi, live squid.
- Goryokaku Park : A star-shaped castle with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.
🍜Must-eat food in Hokkaido
-
Soup Curry
- Rich in spices, paired with vegetables and chicken, it is a must-try to warm your stomach.
- Recommendation: GARAKU in Sapporo.
-
Genghis Khan Roast Lamb
- Hokkaido grilled lamb, super cool with beer.
- Recommended: Sapporo Beer Garden.
-
Seafood Donburi & Sushi
- Hokkaido's seafood is incredibly fresh, and king crab, sea urchin, and salmon roe are must-try.
- Recommended: Hakodate Morning Market, Otaru Sankaku Market.
-
Sapporo Miso Ramen
- The soup is rich and tasty, and a bowl of it is a real treat in winter.
- Recommended: Susukino Ramen Yokocho "すみれ".
-
dessert
- Rokkatei strawberry sandwich, White Lover, LeTAO double cheesecake.
🚆 Hokkaido Transportation Guide
City transportation
- Sapporo City : Subway, bus, and tram are all convenient.
- Otaru, Hakodate and other urban areas : mainly rely on buses and walking.
Moving within the road
- JR Hokkaido : Suitable for major cities such as Sapporo ↔ Otaru, Asahikawa, and Hakodate.
- Long-distance bus : Cheaper but longer journey time.
- Self-driving : Suitable for remote attractions such as Furano, Biei, and Shiretoko.
- JR Pass recommendation : Hokkaido Rail Pass (3/5/7 days).
Traveling from major cities
- Tokyo → Sapporo: Approximately 1.5 hours by plane (New Chitose Airport).
- Osaka → Sapporo: Approximately 2 hours by plane.
- Tokyo → Hakodate: Shinkansen: Approximately 4 hours.
💡Editor 's warm reminder
- Hokkaido is vast, so don't plan your itinerary too tightly. It is recommended to arrange it by region.
- Driving in the snow in winter requires experience in snow and attention to the weather.
- Accommodation must be booked in advance during the summer flower field season (June to August) and the winter ski season (December to February).
🗓 Hokkaido 7 Days 6 Nights Itinerary
Day 1｜Arrival in Sapporo
Morning/Noon
- Arrival at New Chitose Airport
- If you are taking an early flight, it is recommended to go directly to Sapporo city.
- Airport → Sapporo: JR Rapid Airport (approximately 40 minutes).
afternoon
- Odori Park : A landmark of Sapporo and the venue for the winter snow festival.
- Sapporo Clock Tower & Former Hokkaido Main Building : Take classic check-in photos.
dinner
- Sapporo miso ramen (recommended: すみれ, けやき).
stay
- Central Sapporo (Odori or around Sapporo Station for easy access).
Day 2｜Otaru Day Trip
morning
- Sapporo → Otaru: About 35 minutes by JR Rapid.
- Otaru Canal : The romantic canal scenery is even more dreamy in winter when it snows.
- Kitaichi Glass Museum & Music Box Museum : Experience glass crafts and music boxes.
Lunch
- Otaru Seafood Donburi (Recommended: Multiple stores in Sanjiao Market).
afternoon
- Strolling along Sakaimachi Street : Buying LeTAO cheesecake and Rokkatei desserts.
- If you have enough time, you can go to the Otaru Aquarium .
dinner
- After returning to Sapporo, you can try Genghis Khan grilled lamb (Sapporo Beer Garden).
stay
- Central Sapporo.
Day 3｜Furano & Biei (Summer Flower Fields/Autumn Leaves)
morning
- Sapporo → Asahikawa (JR approximately 1.5 hours) → Furano (bus/rental car).
- Farm Tomita : Lavender fields (best in July), colorful flower fields in other seasons.
Lunch
- Furano local restaurant (recommended: Furano curry).
afternoon
- Biei Blue Pond : Dreamy blue lake water.
- Patchwork Route/Panoramic Route : Beautiful views of countryside and hills.
dinner
- Return to Sapporo or stay in Asahikawa (you can go to the zoo the next day).
stay
- Sapporo/Asahikawa (see itinerary).
Day 4｜Asahiyama Zoo & Noboribetsu Hot Springs
morning
- Asahiyama Zoo : Penguin walk (winter only), various interactive animal displays.
Noon/Afternoon
- Asahikawa → Noboribetsu (approximately 4 hours by JR, or 2.5 hours by car).
- Hell Valley : volcanic terrain with sulfur fumes.
dinner
- Hotel banquet cuisine + hot spring.
stay
- Noboribetsu hot spring hotel.
Day 5｜Hakodate Travel & Night View
morning
- Noboribetsu → Hakodate (approximately 3.5 hours by JR, approximately 3.5 hours by car).
afternoon
- Goryokaku Park & Goryokaku Tower : Overlooking the star-shaped castle.
dinner
- Hakodate Seafood Donburi (Recommended: Restaurants near Hakodate Morning Market).
night
- Night view of Mount Hakodate : One of the three most beautiful night views in the world, taking the cable car up the mountain is super romantic.
stay
- Hakodate city area.
Day 6｜Hakodate City & Return to Sapporo
morning
- Hakodate Morning Market : Live squid sashimi, king crab.
- Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse : Shopping and Cafe Tour
afternoon
- Return to Sapporo by JR or flight (JR approximately 3.5 hours, flight approximately 40 minutes).
dinner
- On our last night in Sapporo, we had soup curry (GARAKU, Suage+).
stay
- Central Sapporo.
Day 7｜Shopping in Sapporo & Return
morning
- Shiroi Koibito Park : Sweets Factory Tour + Souvenirs
- Last minute shopping at department stores around Sapporo Station (Daimaru, ESTA, Bic Camera).
afternoon
- Go to New Chitose Airport and return home.
🚆 Traffic Key Points
- It is recommended to purchase the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (7 days) to save on long-distance travel costs.
- It is recommended to drive yourself or join a one-day tour to Furano and Biei, as the attractions are scattered.
- When driving in winter, pay attention to driving safety in the snow.
🍽 A summary of must-try delicacies
- Sapporo Miso Ramen
- Genghis Khan Roast Lamb
- Soup Curry
- Seafood Donburi (Hakodate, Otaru)
- King crab, sea urchin, salmon roe
- Hokkaido milk desserts (Shiroi Koibito, Rokkatei, LeTAO)
💡Editor 's Tips
- The winter snow festival (early February) and the summer flower fields (July) are both popular peak seasons, so be sure to book your flights and accommodation 3 to 6 months in advance.
- The weather in Hokkaido changes rapidly, and it can be cold in the mornings and evenings in the summer. Be sure to prepare windproof and cold-proof equipment in the winter.
- For long-distance travel, it is recommended to depart in the morning to avoid catching the bus at night.
