Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano

Destination 01

Sapporo

9 places

Hokkaido's grid-planned capital, known for ramen, beer and snow. Stay 3 days.

• Photo: Nkns · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Odori Park

  Long green strip through downtown, home to the Snow Festival in February.

  Tip The Sapporo TV Tower at its east end has a city view deck.

  SeeOdoriFree60 minEvening
• Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Sapporo Clock Tower

  1878 wooden building from the city's founding era, with a small museum.

  SeeChuo$30 min
• Photo: 札幌もいわ山ロープウェイ 山麓駅 · Google

  Mount Moiwa Ropeway

  Ropeway and mini cable car up to a summit view over the city and bay.

  Tip Go up just before sunset and stay for the night view.

  OutdoorsFushimi$$1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: S5A-0043 · CC BY 4.0

  Hokkaido Shrine

  Main Shinto shrine of Hokkaido, set in forested Maruyama Park.

  Tip Cherry blossoms bloom here in early May.

  SeeMaruyamaFree60 minMorning
• Photo: The original uploader was K. Takeda at Japanese Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Sapporo Beer Museum

  Red-brick brewery building with exhibits on Japan's oldest beer brand and a tasting bar.

  Tip Paid tasting sets include a historic recipe only sold here.

  SeeHigashi$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: 北海道振興 · Google

  Jozankei Onsen

  Hot spring town in a forested river gorge an hour from downtown.

  Tip Many ryokan sell day-use baths.

  DoMinami$$4 hrAutumn
• Photo: 서미란 · Google

  Nijo Market

  Downtown seafood market selling crab, sea urchin and kaisendon rice bowls.

  Tip Come for breakfast; stalls wind down by afternoon.

  EatChuo$$$60 minBreakfast
• Photo: M · Google

  Ganso Ramen Yokocho

  Narrow alley of small ramen counters in Susukino, home of Sapporo miso ramen.

  Tip Try butter-corn miso ramen after a night out.

  EatSusukino$45 minLate night
• Photo: サッポロビール園 · Google

  Sapporo Beer Garden

  Brick beer halls next to the museum serving Genghis Khan grilled lamb and fresh beer.

  Tip All-you-can-eat-and-drink sets are good value; reserve ahead.

  DrinkHigashi$$2 hrDinner

Destination 02

Otaru

10 places

Old herring port of stone warehouses, glass shops and sushi. Stay 1–2 days.

• Photo: Joey Gentile · Google

  Otaru Canal

  Canal lined with restored stone warehouses and gas lamps.

  Tip Lamps come on at dusk; the canal is lit with candles during the February Snow Light Path.

  SeeMinatomachiFree60 minDusk
• Photo: 小樽堺町通り商店街 · Google

  Sakaimachi Street

  Merchant street of Meiji-era buildings filled with glass, sweets and music boxes.

  Tip LeTAO's main shop here sells its double fromage cheesecake.

  ShopSakaimachi$$2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: 松岡明芳 · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Otaru Music Box Museum

  Brick hall filled with thousands of music boxes and a steam clock outside.

  SeeSakaimachiFree45 min
• Photo: 北一硝子 三号館 · Google

  Kitaichi Glass

  Glassworks and shops; Kitaichi Hall is lit by 167 oil lamps.

  Tip Watch glassblowing at the workshop next door.

  DoSakaimachi$$60 min
• Photo: Yuanjin Kuo (Mikasa 爸) · Google

  Mount Tengu

  Ropeway to a lookout over the town and Ishikari Bay, with skiing in winter.

  Tip Night views are clearer in winter.

  OutdoorsMogami$$1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: 水野雅浩 · Google

  Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

  Stone distillery founded in 1934, with coal-fired stills and a tasting hall.

  Tip Free guided tours need advance booking; Yoichi is 25 minutes by train.

  DoYoichi$2 hrMorning
• Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

  Shakotan Peninsula

  Rugged cape with cobalt-blue water and summer sea urchin bowls.

  Tip Uni season runs June to August.

  OutdoorsShakotanFree5 hrSummer
• Photo: 宋文文 · Google

  Sankaku Market

  Small market by Otaru Station serving seafood rice bowls and grilled crab.

  Tip Pick your own crab and have it cooked on the spot.

  EatInaho$$60 minBreakfast
• Photo: おたる政寿司 本店 · Google

  Masazushi

  Family-run sushi house on Otaru's sushi street, open since 1938.

  Tip Book ahead for counter seats.

  EatHanazono$$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: yuji. narichan · Google

  Otaru Beer Warehouse No. 1

  Brewpub in a canal-side warehouse pouring German-style beers.

  DrinkMinatomachi$$1.5 hrEvening

Destination 03

Furano and Biei

9 places

Farm country of flower fields, rolling hills and volcanic ponds. Stay 2 days.

• Photo: cogihime · Google

  Farm Tomita

  Famous lavender farm with striped flower beds and lavender soft serve.

  Tip Peak bloom is mid-July; visit early morning.

  OutdoorsNakafuranoFree1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: 최낙영 · Google

  Shikisai-no-Oka

  Hillside flower park with rainbow bands of blooms from spring to autumn.

  Tip A tractor bus loops the slopes.

  OutdoorsBiei$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Richa Jain · Google

  Shirogane Blue Pond

  Man-made pond tinted milky blue by minerals, with dead larch trunks.

  Tip Lit up at night in some seasons.

  OutdoorsShiroganeFree45 minMorning
• Photo: 隋翔宇 · Google

  Shirahige Waterfall

  Falls seeping through cliff rock into a blue river, seen from a bridge.

  Tip Near Shirogane Onsen; combine with a hot spring bath.

  OutdoorsShiroganeFree30 min
• Photo: Razgriz · Google

  Patchwork Road

  Scenic farm roads past the Ken and Mary Tree and Seven Stars Tree.

  Tip Rent a bike or car; stay on the road, not the fields.

  DoBieiFree2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: eric leung · Google

  Ningle Terrace

  Log cabin craft shops on boardwalks in the forest at New Furano Prince Hotel.

  Tip Most atmospheric after dark.

  ShopFurano$$60 minEvening
• Photo: Amy · Google

  Furano Ski Resort

  Ski area with powder snow and a ropeway that runs to summer viewpoints.

  DoKitanomine$$$5 hrWinter
• Photo: K S · Google

  Furano Cheese Factory

  Dairy workshop with cheese tastings, ice cream and a pizza kitchen.

  EatFurano$60 minLunch
• Photo: うーさー · Google

  Furano Wine Factory

  Municipal winery on a hill with free tastings of local wines.

  Tip Try the grape juice too if you are driving.

  DrinkFurano$45 minAfternoon