Hokkaido Tourism: 100 Frequently Asked Questions（FAQ)

It depends on your purpose. The standard months are June through August for flower gardens and driving, late September through October for autumn foliage, and December through February for snowy scenery and skiing.

It is cooler and less humid than Honshu, but inland there are hot days with temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F). Morning and evening temperatures and coastal areas are relatively comfortable.

Sightseeing is available. Snow festivals, drift ice, hot springs, skiing, and other winter attractions abound. However, it is essential to take warm clothing.

Hokkaido does not have a long rainy season like Honshu, and June and July are relatively dry and easy to travel around.

Although less frequent than in the mainland, August and September may be affected. Be aware of strong winds and traffic disruption.

Lavender and hillside flower gardens are popular in July; in some places the best time to visit lasts from late June to early August.

In early areas, it starts in mid-September, and can be enjoyed until mid-October in central and southern Hokkaido. The earlier the season starts in mountainous areas, the earlier the season starts.

Late October to November in northern Hokkaido and mountainous areas, and November to December in the Sapporo area. Snowfall varies from region to region.

It is still chilly in April and the first half of May, and the mornings and evenings are cold. A light down coat or a jacket is recommended.

Necessary. It is often cold in the mornings and evenings, on the plateau, and along the coast, so a light jacket is useful.

If you are not used to snowy and icy roads, you need to be very cautious. If you are unsure, we recommend using JR or buses for intercity travel.

Although there are regional differences, early to mid-April and November are relatively calm months. It is advisable to check the business conditions of tourist facilities in advance.

For the first time, 3 days and 2 nights to 4 days and 3 nights is safe. Hokkaido is a large area, so you will be more satisfied if you focus on one area.

The basic plan is to concentrate on one area such as Sapporo + Otaru, Hakodate city, Furano and Biei. If you move around too much, it will become hectic.

Itineraries that “connect close areas” such as Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, or Hakodate + Noboribetsu + Lake Toya are suitable.

It is possible, but it would be more comfortable to organize only in the eastern part of Hokkaido. If you include Sapporo, you will have to move around a lot.

It is physically possible, but it is very rushed. If you want to enjoy sightseeing, it is more realistic to carefully select two or three areas rather than one round.

The short itinerary is quite busy. It is possible if you include air travel, but your stay will be shorter.

Considering the travel burden, it is safe to concentrate on one area for 3 to 4 days and 2 nights. Consecutive nights at the inn are also compatible.

Areas with a good balance of scenery and food, such as Sapporo/Otaru, Hakodate, Furano and Biei, are popular.

Sapporo, Otaru, and Hakodate are easy to move around by public transportation alone and are compatible with solo travel.

At least 4 days and 3 nights, preferably 5 days and 4 nights or more, will make it easier to get around. This is because of the long distances to be covered.

“Prioritize your visits based on ”what you want to see" and organize the locations on the map according to proximity. It is important not to underestimate the travel time.

It is to try to include everything from Sapporo, Hakodate, Furano, and Shiretoko in a short period of time. It is easier to end up in the move.

Airplane is the basic method. Generally, visitors enter airports from the Tokyo metropolitan area or the Kansai region, and then rent a car or take a JR train to the airport.

It is close; about 40 minutes by JR Rapid Airport, or accessible by bus.

It is relatively close, about 20-30 minutes by bus. It is also easy to combine with a tram or cab.

Convenient for sightseeing in Furano, Biei, Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa. It can also be used as a gateway to northern Hokkaido and the Taisetsu area.

Furano, Biei, East Hokkaido, and North Hokkaido are convenient to have. Public transportation is also sufficient for Sapporo, Otaru, and Hakodate.

If you are not used to driving on snow-covered roads, you need to use prudent judgment. If you are in the city center, public transportation plus cab is also a good option.

While it is possible between major cities, some tourist destinations require the use of buses or cabs. In some rural areas, there are sections where the number of buses is limited.

If you are staying mainly in Sapporo and Otaru, it is convenient to stay in consecutive nights. However, if you are staying in Furano, Hakodate, or other distant areas, it is better to stay in separate lodgings to reduce the burden of travel.

Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Jozankei, Lake Akan, and Kawayu are popular. Selecting a hotel in accordance with your sightseeing route will make it easier to get around.

Yes, many people stay overnight in Sapporo and make Otaru a day trip. It is more efficient to reduce luggage transfer.

Furano overnight stay or Asahikawa overnight stay is the standard. If you want to enjoy the scenery in the morning and evening, Furano and Biei are the best places to stay.

If you are mainly interested in sightseeing in the city, one to two nights is a good rule of thumb. It is easy to include night views, morning market, and strolling around Motomachi.

Staying in Utoro is convenient. With easy access to sightseeing boats and the Shiretoko Five Lakes, it is a good base for a trip to East Hokkaido.

Early booking is recommended, especially during summer vacation, consecutive holidays, and snow festivals. Popular areas may fill up months in advance.

Weekday nights, consecutive nights, and use of business hotels near train stations are effective. Even a little bit of time off during the peak season can make a difference.

Yes, LCCs are available. LCCs may be available depending on destinations such as Shin-Chitose, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Kushiro, etc. Check baggage conditions.

New Chitose is convenient for the Sapporo area, Asahikawa for Furano and Biei, Hakodate Airport for sightseeing in Hakodate, and Doto Airport for Shiretoko and Kushiro Marshlands.

“The time required to get to a destination is based on the ”travel time to the destination you want to see. The area may look close on a map, but in reality it may be far away.

If you are looking for a place to get around, Sapporo Station area is convenient. If you are looking for a place to eat at night or to walk around town, Susukino is convenient.

This is the point where it is easy to enjoy a nighttime stroll along the canals or a quiet morning stroll through the city. This is for those who value a romantic atmosphere.

Both are popular if hot spring baths are important, but Noboribetsu is more suitable if you are looking for the power of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), and Lake Toya is more suitable if you are looking for a relaxing lake view.

Yes, there is. Many inns in Hokkaido have high breakfast ratings, and it is convenient to eat well before moving on.

Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Furano, and Shiretoko Utoro are easy to visit around the area with consecutive nights.

It is convenient for early morning and late night flights. However, since it may be far from the center of sightseeing, it is best to stay only on the last day.

Sapporo City is convenient, but early reservations are important due to crowding and rising prices. Some people consider Otaru or Shin-Sapporo area.

Summer vacation, consecutive holidays, autumn foliage, snow festivals, and year-end and New Year holidays tend to be expensive. The more popular tourist spots are, the earlier they fill up.

You can do it. There are many plans for beginners, including canoeing, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, snow activities, and drift ice experiences.

There are. Asahiyama Zoo, Northern Horse Park, experience farms, sightseeing boats, and snow play spots are popular.

You can have fun. There are also indoor options such as markets, glass-making experiences, museums, factory tours, hot springs, and gourmet tours.

The hills of Furano and Biei, the Shiretoko Goko lakes, Cape Kamui, Lake Mashu, and the night view of Mount Hakodate are the standard. The expression of the scenery changes with the seasons.

There are many experiences using snow and ice, such as drift ice walking, dog sledding, snowshoeing, wakasagi fishing, and skiing/snowboarding.

Lavender fields, driving, camping, mountain climbing, canoeing, hot air ballooning, and other open-air experiences are popular.

Seafood bowls, sushi, Genghis Khan, miso ramen, soup curry, dairy products, and sweets are standard.

Sapporo's market, Hakodate morning market, Otaru, and Kushiro Wassho market are popular. Each port town has its own unique characteristics.

It is okay. There are many restaurants with less peculiar or easy-to-eat flavors, and many popular restaurants for tourists.

Sapporo is the home of many specialty restaurants. A wide range of spices and ingredients are available to suit your tastes.

Otaru, Sapporo, Furano, and Tokachi are popular. Soft serve ice cream, cheesecake, and ranch sweets are also not to be missed.

Sapporo is famous for miso, Hakodate for salt, and Asahikawa for soy sauce. Each area has its own distinct character.

Night views, canal strolls, hot spring baths, hot air balloons, glass making experiences, horse-drawn carriage tours, and other “scenery + memory-making” activities are popular.

Many of them are easy for a single person to participate in, such as eating out, hot springs, visits to spectacular scenery, guided nature tours, and train trips.

Shiretoko, Kushiro Marsh, Daisetsuzan, Lake Shikotsu, Lake Mashu, and Rishiri Rebun are typical examples.

Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Jozankei, and Lake Akan are easy to combine. These hot spring resorts are easy to combine with sightseeing in the surrounding area.

There is enough to do. Both the city and nature are dyed white, creating a view that is difficult to experience in Honshu. It is also popular among photography enthusiasts.

Mount Hakodate is the standard, but the night views of Mount Moiwa in Sapporo and Otaru are also popular. The atmosphere changes with the seasons.

You can also enjoy horseback riding, milking, feeding, and gourmet food at the ranch. Horseback riding, milking, feeding, and gourmet meals are popular with families.

The hills of Furano and Biei, the Oloron Line, the Trans-Shiretoko Highway, and the Shakotan Peninsula are popular.

Blue Pond, Shikisai-no-oka, Otaru Canal, Hakodate Motomachi, Shiretoko Five Lakes, and Lake Mashu are popular.

The Abashiri and Monbetsu areas are famous. The season is usually from January to March, and can be seen from sightseeing boats.

You can also enjoy the winter season in the same way as the winter season. There are many hands-on facilities and tours that allow visitors to experience the area with nothing extra, making it a popular winter activity.

Kushiro Marsh, Lake Shikotsu, and Lake Kussharo are popular. You can feel nature nearby.

Experience plans are often available around Furano and Niseko. Please note that it is easily affected by weather conditions.

Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Furano/Biei, Shiretoko, Asahiyama Zoo, Noboribetsu Onsen are the most popular destinations.

Depending on the time of year and your preferences, Shakotan, Cape Erimo, Rebun Island, the Kamikawa area, and small towns in East Hokkaido tend to be “connoisseur” trips.

Experiencing drift ice, vast snowfield activities, dairy-based experiences, and driving on endless roads are all very Hokkaido-like.

You can enjoy There are many choices such as Genghis Khan, ramen, soup curry, pork bowl, dairy products, and sweets.

Sapporo Snow Festival, sightseeing of drift ice, skiing/snowboarding, and winter hot spring trips are popular.

The flower fields of Furano and Biei, sightseeing in Sapporo, summer summer vacation drives, seafood gourmet meals, camping, etc. are standard.

Driving in the autumn foliage, hot springs, taste-testing, and seasonal seafood such as salmon, salmon roe, and salmon roe are popular “scenery + food”.

The freshness after the snow melts, late cherry blossoms, and tourist attractions that are still open.

There are It is not only the seafood, but also the local atmosphere and seasonal flavors.

Seafood taverns, Genghis Khan, local beer, winery tours, and local sake can be enjoyed along with the food.

Sapporo, Otaru, Tokachi, and Furano are popular. There is a wide range of types, including pasture-based and western-style.

Otaru, Hakodate, and Sapporo market areas are suitable. Stores are compactly clustered together.

It is popular with families and adults alike. The attraction is that it is easy to see the movements of the animals in the behavioral exhibits.

Visitors can enjoy a “scenic journey” through flower gardens, hills, driving, visiting cafes, and taking pictures.

It is suitable for nature lovers, but the travel distances are long. If you have a relaxed itinerary, you will be highly satisfied.

You can enjoy The morning market, Motomachi stroll, red brick warehouses, Goryokaku, and the Public Hall are just a few of the many attractions.

No. The area is also popular for its sushi, glass studios, music boxes, and other local specialties. Sushi, glass studios, music box halls, hill town walks, and café tours are also popular.

It can be enjoyed as a base for dining, city sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and suburban tourism.

Shakotan Peninsula, Oororon Line, Hakodate area, and Cape Shiretoko cruise are popular.

Daisetsuzan, Mt. Tokachi, Mt. Yotei area, and Asahidake ropeway are popular.

Reservations are recommended during popular seasons. It is also a good idea to check the cancellation policy for experiences that fluctuate with the weather.

If you are well protected against the cold, you will be able to enjoy yourself. In fact, winter is the season to enjoy the spectacular scenery and experiences that only winter can offer.

Sapporo, Hakodate, Otaru, Kushiro, and Obihiro are popular. They have different specialties in seafood, meat, noodles, and sweets.

Hakodate, Sapporo + Otaru, Furano/Biei + Asahikawa, etc. are compatible. Sightseeing and food can be easily organized.

The best way to avoid this is to try to “see all of Hokkaido in one trip. The shortcut to success is not to underestimate the size of the island, but to focus on one or two areas that are suitable for the season.