Hokkaido

Japan's northernmost main island has wild countryside and easygoing cities. Sapporo has miso ramen, soup curry and the Snow Festival each February; Otaru keeps its canal-side warehouses, and Hakodate has its hilltop night view. Winter brings powder snow to Niseko. In summer, lavender fields and farmland cover the hills of Furano and Biei, best explored by rental car. Local food includes king crab and Genghis Khan grills.

Top places

Odori Park

Sapporo TV Tower

Nijo Market

Former Hokkaido Government Office Building

Hokkaido Jingu

Otaru Canal

Otaru Music Box Museum

Sakaimachi Street

Mt. Hakodate Observatory

Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward

Hotels

Premier Hotel Nakajima Park Sapporo

5-Star

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo by IHG

5-Star

Sapporo Tokyu Rei Hotel

4-Star

Susukino Granbell Hotel

4-Star

Hotel Relief Sapporo Susukino

3-Star

The Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park

4-Star

La'gent Stay Sapporo Odori

4-Star

Hotel Vista Sapporo Odori

3-Star

Koko Hotel Sapporo Odori

3-Star

Tmark City Hotel Sapporo Odori

3-Star

Restaurants

Sushi Miyakawa

Tabelog Award 2026 Silver

PARCO FIERA

Tabelog Award 2026 Silver

Shimoyamitenae Izuru

Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze

Suyama

Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze

Molière Montagne

Tabelog Hyakumeiten 2025 · French

maison FUJIYA Hakodate

Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze

AKI NAGAO

Tabelog Award 2026 Silver

Isezushi

Tabelog Hyakumeiten 2025 · Sushi

Menya Saimi

Tabelog Hyakumeiten 2025 · Ramen

Asahikawa Ramen Aoba (Main Branch)

Tabelog Hyakumeiten 2025 · Ramen

Things to do

Niseko Private Ski & Snowboard Lesson

Winter private ski or snowboard lesson in Niseko, 3 or 6 hours, in Chinese or English.

Sapporo TV Tower Ticket

Observation deck 90 m up, next to Odori Park, with 360-degree views of Sapporo.

Asahiyama Zoo, Biei & Furano Day Tour

Day tour from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo, Shikisai-no-oka, Biei and Ningle Terrace.

Biei & Furano Day Tour

Day tour from Sapporo: Biei and Furano flower fields in summer, Asahiyama Zoo in winter.

Have Fun in Hokkaido Pass

Pick 3 attractions, transport or food coupons, e.g. Asahiyama Zoo; 7 days from first use.

Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Ticket

Edo-period theme village with ninja and samurai shows.

Noboribetsu Bear Park Ticket

Ropeway ride up to a hilltop park of Hokkaido brown bears.

Mt. Tengu Ropeway Ticket

Round-trip ropeway up Mt. Tengu for Ishikari Bay views, plus a 10% dining or shop coupon.

Sapporo Snowmobile Land Experience

Winter snowmobiling with an instructor; 4 hours incl. transfers from set Sapporo hotels.

Goryokaku Tower Ticket

Observation deck over the star-shaped Goryokaku fort, with views to Mt. Hakodate.

Getting there

JR Hokkaido Rail Pass

Unlimited JR Hokkaido trains for 5, 7 or 10 consecutive days, excluding Shinkansen.

JR Sapporo-Furano Area Pass

4-day rail pass covering Sapporo, Otaru, Furano and Biei by train.

JR Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass

4-day JR rail pass linking Sapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu Station.

Tomamu Resort Shuttle Bus

Shuttle bus linking New Chitose Airport and Sapporo with Hoshino Resorts Tomamu.

Private Transfer to Hokkaido Ski Resorts

Private car between central Sapporo and Niseko, Rusutsu, Kiroro, Furano or Tomamu resorts.

Niseko Ski Resort Shuttle Bus

Shuttle bus linking New Chitose Airport and Sapporo to Niseko.

Hokkaido Private Charter Car Service

Customizable private car charter across Hokkaido's sightseeing spots.

JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass

Rail pass for 6 consecutive days across Tohoku, Hakodate and Sapporo, Shinkansen included.