Hokkaido Japan
3
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Three days in Hokkaido reveals Japan's most extraordinary northern island, its remarkable flower fields of Furano, extraordinary volcanic caldera lakes, the finest seafood in Japan and the remarkable bear-watching wilderness of Shiretoko giving the most dramatic natural landscape in the country. This route covers the essential Hokkaido: the extraordinary lavender fields of Farm Tomita in Furano, the remarkable Blue Pond of Biei, the extraordinary Noboribetsu volcanic hell valley, the finest crab and sea urchin in Japan at the Sapporo markets and the remarkable Otaru canal town.
Best Time To Visit
July to August for flowers. Feb for snow festival.
Getting There
Fly to New Chitose Airport (CTS). 40 min to Sapporo.
Getting Around
Car essential. Hokkaido is vast. JR for Sapporo area.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , driving and walking
DAY 1
SAPPORO
MORNING
SAPPORO NIJO MARKET AND ODORI PARK
Nijo Market is the most extraordinary seafood market in Sapporo, its remarkable stalls of fresh Hokkaido sea urchin, king crab and the finest ikura salmon roe in Japan giving the most extraordinary breakfast seafood experience in the country. The extraordinary Odori Park, the 1.5km central park running through the heart of Sapporo, gives the finest city promenade in Hokkaido. Market free to browse. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
SAPPORO BEER MUSEUM AND BREWERY
The Sapporo Beer Museum is the most extraordinary brewery heritage museum in Japan, its remarkable 1890 red brick buildings giving the finest industrial heritage in Hokkaido. The extraordinary beer tasting in the original brewery hall, the remarkable history of Japan's oldest beer brand and the fine Sapporo garden beer hall give the finest brewery experience in the country. Museum free. Tasting approx 500 yen. Drive: 20 min by metro
AFTERNOON
MOERENUMA PARK
Moerenuma Park is the most extraordinary public park in Japan, designed entirely by sculptor Isamu Noguchi as a total artwork of extraordinary earthwork hills, remarkable glass pyramids and the finest public sculpture park in the country. The extraordinary Play Mountain hill and the remarkable Tetra Mound give the finest afternoon in Sapporo. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hokkaido University botanical garden in central Sapporo contains the finest collection of Hokkaido endemic plants in the world, its remarkable greenhouse of extraordinary alpine species and the fine Ainu ethnobotany collection giving the finest botanical heritage in northern Japan. Entry approx 420 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Nijo Market seafood stall Outstanding fresh Hokkaido sea urchin and king crab at Japan's finest northern seafood market. | Lunch: Sapporo ramen restaurant Outstanding Hokkaido miso ramen, the finest ramen style in Japan, in the city where it was created. | Dinner: Susukino restaurant district Outstanding Hokkaido seafood dinner in Japan's finest northern entertainment district.
DAY 2
FURANO AND BIEI
MORNING
FARM TOMITA LAVENDER FIELDS
Farm Tomita is the most extraordinary flower farm in Japan, its remarkable terraced fields of lavender, poppies and marigolds creating the finest coloured landscape in the country in July and August. The extraordinary lavender soft cream, the remarkable dried flower shop and the fine views over the Tokachi mountain range give the finest flower farm experience in Asia. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
BIEI BLUE POND
The Biei Blue Pond is the most extraordinary natural phenomenon in Hokkaido, its remarkable vivid cobalt blue water caused by aluminium hydroxide particles from a volcanic dam giving the finest coloured pond in Japan. The extraordinary dead white trees standing in the blue water and the remarkable reflections create the most photographed natural scene in Hokkaido. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BIEI PATCHWORK HILLS
The Biei patchwork hills are the most extraordinary agricultural landscape in Japan, their remarkable rolling fields of different crops creating an extraordinary quilted landscape of green, gold, purple and white extending to the Daisetsuzan mountains. The remarkable Ken and Mary Tree and the extraordinary Mild Seven Hill give the finest pastoral views in Hokkaido. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shikisai Hill near Biei is the finest viewpoint over the patchwork hills, its remarkable terraced flower gardens giving the finest aerial perspective over the most extraordinary agricultural landscape in Japan. Chairlift approx 500 yen. Free to walk up.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Furano before farm visit Outstanding Hokkaido coffee and lavender soft cream before the extraordinary flower fields. | Lunch: Farm Tomita cafe Outstanding Hokkaido lunch at the most extraordinary flower farm in Japan. Lavender curry and local dairy. | Dinner: Restaurant in Biei or Furano Outstanding Hokkaido dinner with local lamb, fresh corn and excellent Hokkaido dairy products.
DAY 3
NOBORIBETSU AND OTARU
MORNING
NOBORIBETSU HELL VALLEY
Noboribetsu is the most extraordinary volcanic landscape in Hokkaido, its remarkable Jigokudani Hell Valley of boiling grey sulphur pools, dramatic steam vents and extraordinary orange mineral deposits giving the finest volcanic landscape in Japan outside Kyushu. The remarkable Oyunuma pond, the largest volcanic pond in Hokkaido, and the extraordinary boardwalk through the steaming valley give the finest volcanic walk in the north. Entry free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
OTARU CANAL AND GLASS STREET
Otaru is the most extraordinary heritage canal town in Hokkaido, its remarkable 19th-century stone warehouses converted into the finest glass and music box shops in Japan lining the extraordinary gas-lit canal giving the finest Meiji-era townscape in the north. The remarkable Otaru Music Box Museum and the extraordinary craft glass studios give the finest artisan heritage in Hokkaido. Canal free. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
OTARU SEAFOOD MARKET
The Otaru seafood market is the most extraordinary fresh seafood experience near Sapporo, its remarkable stalls of fresh Hokkaido king crab, sea urchin and the finest sushi in northern Japan giving the most extraordinary farewell seafood feast in the country. The remarkable covered market and the fine sushi restaurants along the canal give the finest seafood afternoon in Hokkaido. Free to browse.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Otaru Aquarium on the coast above the canal town contains the finest sea lion and seal shows in Japan, its remarkable outdoor seal pool and extraordinary Hokkaido marine life displays giving the finest aquarium experience in the north. Entry approx 1500 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Noboribetsu Early start for the extraordinary volcanic hell valley. The steam is most dramatic in the cool morning air. | Lunch: Otaru sushi restaurant Outstanding fresh Hokkaido sushi in the finest canal town in the north. Sea urchin and king crab. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Sapporo Outstanding final Hokkaido dinner. Genghis Khan lamb BBQ or the finest miso ramen in the city.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Sapporo, Night 1 Best transport hub. Hotels from 70 to 180 euros. Central for markets and Beer Museum. Furano or Biei, Night 2 Stay in the flower fields. Guesthouses from 60 to 150 euros including breakfast. Budget option Business hotels in Sapporo from 50 euros. Excellent value for the finest city in Hokkaido.
Top Tips
1. Farm Tomita lavender peaks in mid-July. The extraordinary coloured fields are at their finest between 15 and 25 July. Book accommodation months ahead for this period.
2. Nijo Market: arrive before 8am for the finest sea urchin at the best prices. The extraordinary Hokkaido uni is the finest in Japan and a fraction of Tokyo prices.
3. Biei Blue Pond is best in the morning before tour buses arrive. The extraordinary cobalt blue colour is most vivid on overcast days rather than direct sun.
4. Noboribetsu Hell Valley: the Oyunuma Pond loop trail adds 30 minutes and gives the finest close-up of the largest volcanic pool in Hokkaido. Do not miss it.
5. Hokkaido miso ramen: the finest bowls in Sapporo are at Sumire in Susukino. The extraordinary rich miso broth with butter and corn is the finest cold-weather ramen.
6. Otaru at night: the extraordinary gas-lit canal with the stone warehouses reflected in the water is the finest evening scene in Hokkaido. Arrive after sunset.
Total Budget
90 to 170 euros/day