Best Hokkaido Tours & Trips

Best Month to Visit Hokkaido

The best month to visit Hokkaido depends on what you want to experience most.

Winter: From December to February, is usually the most popular season for Hokkaido tours. The average temperature is -12 to 1 °C (10 to 30 °F). Winter is the peak season for Hokkaido ski trips, especially since Hokkaido has fluffy powder snow. The Sapporo Snow Festival in February features huge snow sculptures and is also one of the highlights of winter travel.

Summer: June to August, has average temperatures ranging from 12 to 26°C (54-79°F). This season is cool and ideal for outdoor sightseeing. The lavender fields in Furano and Biei bloom in July and August, making it a great time to see the purple sea of flowers.

Spring: March to May. The average temperature during this season ranges from -3 to 17°C (27 to 63°F). This season is considered the off-season for tourism in Hokkaido, with fewer crowds, but cherry blossoms bloom in early May.

Autumn: September to November, with average temperatures ranging from -1 to 22°C (30 to 72°F). Here you will see the earliest fall foliage in Japan, and it is also the best time for hiking. At the same time, it is the best season to enjoy seafood such as salmon and oysters.

How Many Days in Hokkaido is Enough?

It usually takes 5-7 days. Hokkaido is a large island with many cities, so the number of days you spend sightseeing will depend on which cities you want to visit.

3-5 days: This is enough time to focus on one major city, such as visiting Sapporo and taking a day trip to the port city of Otaru.

7-9 days: A week will allow you to explore two or three cities in more depth. In addition to Sapporo and Otaru, you can also visit the southern city of Hakodate or Furano and Biei.

More than 10 days: With more time available, you can visit more remote locations such as Shiretoko National Park and Nemuro.

Hokkaido's Cities and Highlights

Each city in Hokkaido has its own unique characteristics, and visitors can explore them according to their interests.

Sapporo: This is the capital and largest city of Hokkaido, known for its specialty beers and the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Otaru: A historic port city with canals and delicious fresh seafood. It is often visited in combination with Sapporo.

Hakodate: This city is located in southern Hokkaido and boasts beautiful views of Mt. Hakodate and representative Western-style architecture.

Furano and Biei: These two areas are famous for their picturesque flower fields, especially the lavender in summer, and are popular destinations for road trips in Hokkaido.

How to Get Around Hokkaido

Trains: JR (Japan Railways) operates an extensive network. The Hokkaido Rail Pass is an excellent choice for international visitors, allowing unlimited travel on JR lines within a specified period. A 5-day rail pass costs 22,000 yen.

Bus: Local buses connect different cities and attractions in Hokkaido. For example, it takes 4 hours and 40 minutes to travel from Sapporo to Hakodate by bus, and less than two hours from Sapporo to Asahikawa.

Flights: Domestic flights are also an option for travel. The shortest flight time from Sapporo to Hakodate is only 35 minutes.

Car: Renting a car locally and driving around Hokkaido is also a good option, especially if you want to visit more remote attractions.

Top Attractions in Hokkaido

When it comes to famous things in Hokkaido, the following are definitely worth visiting.

Sapporo Beer Museum: This is the birthplace of Sapporo Beer, founded in 1890. Today, it is a museum where you can also taste beer.

Odori Park: A large green space located in the center of Sapporo. It is also the venue for the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Maruyama Park: Located in Sapporo, the park features a 15-meter-long waterfall, and in spring, visitors can enjoy the sight of countless cherry blossoms.

Otaru Canal: Located in the city of Otaru, it opened in 1923. Visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the city and canal from the canal side.

Mount Hakodate: Located at the southernmost tip of Hakodate City, here you can enjoy world-class night views.

Farm Tomita: This is one of the most famous lavender fields in Furano, attracting many visitors during the summer.

Shirogane Blue Pond: This is a turquoise pond located in Biei that gives visitors a sense of tranquility.

Niseko & Furano: If you are a snow sports enthusiast, these two areas have the best ski resorts in Hokkaido.

Classic Hokkaido Trip Itinerary

Since there are multiple cities, we have compiled a classic 7-day Hokkaido itinerary to provide inspiration for your Hokkaido trip.

Day 1: Arrive in Sapporo and visit Odori Park and the Sapporo Clock Tower. Try Sapporo's unique ramen and soup curry.

Day 2: Take a day trip to Otaru, take photos in front of the canal, and visit the Otaru Music Box Museum.

Day 3: Visit Furano to enjoy the rural scenery. If you visit in summer, you can see the lavender fields.

Day 4: Head to Lake Tōya, where you can take a boat tour or visit the crater. In summer, there is a fireworks festival, and in winter, you can enjoy the hot springs.

Day 5 and Day 6: Arrive in Hakodate and climb Mt. Hakodate in the evening to enjoy the night view of the city. You can also visit the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden to see monkeys bathing in hot springs.

Day 7: Return to Sapporo and purchase souvenirs at Tanukikoji Shopping Street before departing.

Must-Try Foods in Hokkaido

Hokkaido's cuisine mainly consists of fresh seafood and specialty ramen noodles.

Ramen: Hokkaido is famous for its three main styles of ramen: Sapporo's hearty miso ramen, Hakodate's light salt-based ramen, and Asahikawa's oily soy sauce ramen.

Jingisukan: A local barbecue dish of grilled mutton or lamb, often cooked with vegetables.

Seafood: Salmon, king crab, snow crab, sea urchin, and salmon roe are all freshly caught in Hokkaido.

Soup curry: This dish is a specialty of Sapporo City, made with curry-flavored meat broth and vegetables.

Dairy products: Hokkaido has vast pastures, so the milk, cheese, and ice cream produced there are among the most popular in Japan.