Hokkaido feels like a different country.
It’s Japan, but quieter. Wilder. Fresher.
Picture yourself soaking in a hot spring surrounded by volcanic steam. Tasting seafood caught that morning. Walking through flower fields that look like oil paintings.
This 7-day Hokkaido itinerary blends iconic spots with local secrets to give you the full experience without rushing or overspending.
Include these experiences as part of your 7-Day Hokkaido itinerary:
Essential Planning
When to Visit: Summer (June to September) brings warm weather and flower blooms.
Winter (December to March) has snow and great skiing.
Transportation: Buy a 7-day JR Hokkaido Rail Pass online before arriving for ¥29,650.
This covers all JR trains including express services.
It does not cover subways or buses in Sapporo.
The pass pays for itself after two long journeys.
Budget: Accommodation costs ¥8,000–20,000 per night.
Ryokan (traditional inns) with hot springs and meals cost more but include dinner and breakfast.
Bring cash as many places don’t take cards outside cities.
Day 1: Arrive in Sapporo
Fly into New Chitose Airport and take the Airport Express train to Sapporo Station (37 minutes, covered by your rail pass).
Stay near Sapporo Station for easy access to trains or in Susukino for nightlife.
Insider tip: Exit Sapporo Station from the South Exit to avoid the crowds.
The tourist info desk speaks English.
They also provide free city maps with restaurant suggestions.
Start at Sapporo Clock Tower, then walk 5 minutes to Odori Park.
This long green space runs through the city centre.
In summer, you’ll see flower displays.
In winter, there are snow sculptures.
For lunch, go to Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Alley) near Susukino.
Try miso ramen, which originated in Sapporo.
A good bowl costs around ¥800 and the thick soup warms you up perfectly.
Insider tip: Skip the tourist-packed Beer Garden.
Instead, visit Sapporo Jingisukan Daruma for the best grilled lamb in the city.
The original location on Susukino’s main street has been serving locals since 1954.
Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum to learn about Japan’s oldest beer company.
The self-guided tour is free. Tastings are available for a fee.
The museum is in a beautiful red brick building from 1890.
Evening strategy: Susukino has over 4,000 bars and restaurants.
Stick to the main streets for safety.
Try Soup Curry Garaku for Sapporo’s famous soup curry.
This local dish doesn’t exist anywhere else in Japan.
Day 2: Sapporo to Otaru
Take the 32-minute train to Otaru, a charming port town with preserved Victorian architecture.
Start at Otaru Canal where old stone warehouses line the water.
The canal looks best in late afternoon when the gas lamps reflect on the water.
Money-saving tip: Skip the expensive canal-side restaurants.
Walk 5 minutes to Sankaku Market instead.
Get a kaisendon (seafood bowl) with salmon and crab for ¥1,500.
The same dish costs ¥3,000 near the canal.
Visit the Otaru Music Box Museum on Sakaimachi Street.
The building is a restored rice warehouse from 1912.
The shop has over 25,000 music boxes, including ones that play Japanese folk songs.
Prices start at ¥1,000 for simple designs.
Insider tip: Take the ropeway up Tengu-yama (¥1,400 return) just before sunset.
Most tourists go during the day, but evening gives you city lights reflecting on the water.
The views are spectacular and perfect for photos.
Check seasonal hours in advance.
Stop at LeTAO Main Store for their famous double fromage cheesecake (¥1,600).
This Otaru company started in 1998 and now has shops across Japan.
The original store has a cafe upstairs with harbour views.
Transport hack: The last train back to Sapporo leaves at 11:30 PM.
Most tourists rush back for dinner, but staying late means fewer crowds and better photos of the illuminated canal.
Day 3: Sapporo to Noboribetsu
Take the 70-minute express train to Noboribetsu Station.
Then, catch a 15-minute bus to Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido’s top hot spring resort.
The town sits in a volcanic valley where sulphur springs bubble up from underground.
Booking strategy: Reserve a ryokan with dinner included.
Takimoto Inn (¥15,000 per person) offers excellent value with private onsen rooms and kaiseki dinner.
Book 2 weeks ahead during summer.
Visit Jigokudani (Hell Valley), a short walk from the onsen area.
This active volcano crater has bubbling mud pools and steam vents reaching 100°C.
The 1.5 km walking trail is free and takes 45 minutes.
Come early morning (7 AM) to avoid tour groups.
Onsen etiquette: Wash thoroughly before entering the bath.
Don’t put your towel in the water. Stay quiet and relax.
Most onsens have different pools with different temperatures and minerals.
Start with cooler pools and work up to hotter ones.
Try the famous Dai-ichi Takimotokan if your hotel doesn’t have good onsen facilities.
Day passes cost ¥2,000 and include access to 31 different baths.
The outdoor rotenburo lets you soak while looking at volcanic landscapes.
Note: Some websites mention wild onsen pools behind the resort, but these are not officially open to the public and can be dangerous.
Use only designated onsen areas.
Day 4: Noboribetsu to Lake Toya
Take the 45-minute bus to Lake Toya (¥340 with IC card).
This circular lake formed from a massive volcanic eruption 110,000 years ago.
The lake is so deep it never freezes, even in Hokkaido’s harsh winters.
Accommodation tip: Windsor Hotel Toya has amazing lake views but costs ¥35,000 per night.
Instead, try Toya Kanko Hotel (¥12,000) with the same views and decent onsen facilities.
Take the sightseeing boat to Nakajima Islands in the lake centre (¥1,420 for 50 minutes).
The islands formed from later volcanic eruptions.
Guides explain the geology while you spot wild deer and rare birds.
Photo opportunity: Showa Shinzan mountain grew 407 metres between 1943–1945.
A local postmaster documented its entire formation, creating unique scientific records.
The mountain still smokes and you can feel heat from the rocks.
Ride the ropeway up Mount Usu (¥1,500 return) for 360-degree views.
The volcanic crater is still active with steam vents.
The observation deck has signs explaining the area’s explosive history.
Evening fun: Lake Toya has fireworks every night from late April to October at 8:45 PM, if the weather is good.
Boats launch fireworks over the lake creating perfect reflections.
Watch from the lakeshore for free or pay ¥1,600 for a boat cruise during the show.
Try Toya beef at a local restaurant.
It’s a lesser-known local wagyu that costs around ¥8,000 for a good steak and offers a unique flavour thanks to the volcanic soil.
Day 5: Lake Toya to Hakodate
Take the express train to Hakodate (2.5 hours, covered by your rail pass).
This historic port city was Japan’s first to open to foreign trade in 1854.
The international influence shows in the architecture and food.
- Strategic location:
- Stay near Hakodate Station for easy transport links.
- Choose the Motomachi district for a historic vibe.
Both are walkable to major attractions.
Take the ropeway up Mount Hakodate for sunset (¥1,500 return).
This viewpoint shows Japan’s “million dollar night view” with the city’s unique shape between two bays.
Timing is crucial: Get there 30 minutes before sunset to see the transition from day to night.
Photographer’s secret: The observation deck gets crowded.
Walk to the hiking trail entrance for similar views with fewer people.
The trail is well-marked and takes 30 minutes to walk up if you skip the ropeway.
Check out Motomachi’s Western buildings.
Visit the Old Public Hall for ¥300.
Don’t miss the Russian Orthodox Church, which costs ¥200.
These survived the 1934 fire that destroyed much of old Hakodate.
Early bird advantage: Hakodate Morning Market opens at 5 AM with incredibly fresh seafood.
Try the kaisendon at Donburi Chaya Market (¥2,500) where you choose your own seafood.
The uni here is sweeter than anywhere else in Japan.
Local specialty: Lucky Pierrot burgers are a quirky local favourite.
The Chinese Chicken Burger (¥420) is the most popular.
Expect a unique flavour, not a fast-food taste.
Visit Goryokaku Park with its star-shaped fort from 1864.
The observation tower (¥900) shows the unique geometric design from above.
Cherry blossoms typically bloom in late April.
Day 6: Hakodate to Furano and Biei
This is your longest travel day (4 hours with connections) but takes you to Hokkaido’s most beautiful countryside.
The train journey shows rural Japan at its best with rice fields, forests, and mountains.
Route strategy: Take the 7:30 AM Super Hokuto to Sapporo, then transfer to the limited express to Furano.
Book window seats on the right side for mountain views.
Allow buffer time in case of delays.
Stay in Furano town or nearby Biei.
Farm stays offer authentic experiences but book months ahead.
Business hotels like Furano Hops Hotel (¥8,000) provide good value with local restaurant recommendations.
Visit Farm Tomita, Hokkaido’s most famous lavender farm.
Entry is free but parking costs ¥500.
The lavender peaks in mid-July but the farm has flowers from May to September.
Their lavender ice cream (¥300) is surprisingly delicious.
Insider tip: Skip crowded Farm Tomita in the afternoon. Visit Kanno Farm instead.
It has smaller crowds, better photos, and you can pick your own lavender for ¥500 per bunch.
Explore Biei’s patchwork hills where different crops create natural geometric patterns.
Rent an electric bicycle (¥2,000 per day) to cover more ground.
Hidden gem: Shikisai no Oka flower park is donation-based, not fixed-price.
It has rainbow-coloured flower strips that change with the seasons.
The observation deck gives panoramic views of the Tokachi mountain range.
Visit a working dairy farm like Furano Delice (free entry).
Watch cows being milked, try fresh cheese, and learn about Hokkaido’s dairy industry.
Their cheese tarts (¥400) use milk from cows you just saw.
Farm-to-table dining: Restaurant Mikuni Sapporo serves ingredients grown within 10 km.
The chef creates seasonal menus showcasing local vegetables, Furano beef, and dairy products.
Dinner costs ¥6,000 but represents the best of Hokkaido cuisine.
Day 7: Return to Sapporo and Departure
Take the morning express back to Sapporo (2 hours).
Use your final hours for last-minute shopping and experiences you might have missed.
Souvenir strategy: New Chitose Airport has better prices than city shops for many items.
Royce chocolate (¥1,000), LeTAO cheesecake (¥2,000), and Hokkaido butter cookies (¥800) are airport specialties.
If you have time, visit Sapporo Central Market for breakfast.
While not a tourist attraction like Tokyo’s former Tsukiji, it offers great seafood bowls with fewer crowds. Try fresh sashimi bowls for ¥1,500.
Last-minute sightseeing: Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine are 15 minutes from the station.
The shrine looks stunning during cherry blossoms in late April and autumn colors in mid-October.
Airport timing: New Chitose is 37 minutes from Sapporo Station by express train (¥1,070).
The airport has extensive shopping, Royce chocolate factory, and onsen facilities if you arrive early.
Departure gift: Buy Hokkaido milk bread from LeTAO airport shop.
This soft, slightly sweet bread uses local dairy and stays fresh for your flight home.
This itinerary balances must-see attractions with authentic local experiences.
Each destination shows different aspects of Hokkaido while keeping travel times reasonable.
The mix of cities, nature, culture, and incredible food creates memories that last long after you return home.
