Hokkaido travel guide
Sapporo, powder snow, lavender fields, hot springs and seafood. How to plan a trip to Japan's wild northern island.
Quick answer
- Region: Hokkaido
- Main airport: New Chitose (CTS)
- Ideal stay: 5 to 8 days
- Best for: Skiing, nature, seafood
Hokkaido is Japan's second-largest island and its least crowded. It feels different from the rest of the country, with wide open landscapes, national parks, cool summers and snowy winters.
Distances are large, so it pays to focus on one or two areas per trip. Sapporo makes an easy starting point, with Otaru, Niseko and the hot spring town of Noboribetsu all within reach.
Top things to do in Hokkaido
- See the Sapporo Snow Festival. Held each February, with giant snow and ice sculptures across Odori Park and the city centre.
- Ski the powder in Niseko. World-famous for light, dry powder snow and long ski seasons. Furano and Rusutsu are other excellent resorts.
- Walk the Otaru canal. A charming harbour town with a lamp-lit canal, glass workshops, music box shops and great sushi.
- Admire Furano's flower fields. Rolling hills of lavender bloom in July, with patchwork fields of colour in nearby Biei.
- Take in Hakodate's night view. Ride the ropeway up Mount Hakodate for one of Japan's most famous night views, then visit the morning market for seafood bowls.
- Soak at Noboribetsu Onsen. A classic hot spring town next to Jigokudani, the steaming Hell Valley.
- Explore Shiretoko. A remote UNESCO World Heritage peninsula of forests, waterfalls and wildlife, including brown bears and deer.
- See the drift ice. In late winter, sea ice drifts down to the Okhotsk coast near Abashiri and Monbetsu. Sightseeing icebreaker cruises sail through it.
Areas to know
| Area | Why stay or visit |
|---|---|
| Sapporo | Hokkaido's capital and best base for first-timers, with great food and transport. |
| Niseko | International ski resort area with plenty of lodges in winter. |
| Furano and Biei | Flower fields in summer and quieter ski slopes in winter. |
| Hakodate | Historic port city in the south, linked to Honshu by shinkansen. |
When to go
Winter (December to March) is the time for skiing, snow festivals and drift ice. Summer (June to August) is cool and pleasant, with flowers in full bloom. Autumn colours arrive earlier here than in the rest of Japan.
Getting there and around
Most visitors fly into New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, which has domestic and international connections. The Hokkaido Shinkansen links Tokyo with Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. JR trains connect the main cities, but renting a car is the best way to explore the countryside, especially outside winter.
Where to stay
Base yourself in Sapporo for city life and day trips, in Niseko or Furano for skiing, and at a ryokan in Noboribetsu or Jozankei for hot springs.
What to eat
- Sapporo miso ramen
- Soup curry, a local Sapporo favourite
- Jingisukan, grilled lamb cooked at the table
- Kaisendon seafood bowls with crab, sea urchin and salmon roe
- Rich Hokkaido dairy, from soft serve to cheesecake
Day trips and next stops
From Sapporo, Otaru is under an hour by train, and Jozankei hot springs and Noboribetsu are easy trips. In winter, many travellers base themselves in Sapporo and day-trip to ski areas.
Opening hours, prices and transport details change. Check the official sources before you travel: Visit Hokkaido, official tourism site.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Hokkaido?
Winter for skiing, the Sapporo Snow Festival and drift ice, and summer for cool weather, hiking and flower fields.
Do you need a car in Hokkaido?
Trains connect the main cities, but a rental car is the best way to explore the countryside, especially outside winter.
How do you get to Hokkaido?
Most visitors fly into New Chitose Airport near Sapporo. The Hokkaido Shinkansen also links Tokyo with Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.
