Hokkaido Japan
5
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Five days in Hokkaido gives the complete experience of Japan's most extraordinary natural island, from the remarkable Furano flower fields and the extraordinary Biei patchwork hills to the volcanic Noboribetsu, the remarkable Shiretoko UNESCO wilderness and the finest seafood on earth. This route covers the full Hokkaido: the extraordinary lavender fields of Furano, the remarkable Blue Pond and patchwork hills of Biei, the extraordinary Noboribetsu hell valley, the remarkable Lake Toya caldera, the finest Sapporo seafood markets and the extraordinary Shiretoko National Park wilderness.
Best Time To Visit
July to Aug for flowers. Feb for snow festival. Oct for autumn.
Getting There
Fly to New Chitose Airport (CTS). 40 min to Sapporo by train.
Getting Around
Car essential for Furano, Biei and Shiretoko. JR for Sapporo.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , driving and some walking
DAY 1
SAPPORO
MORNING
SAPPORO NIJO MARKET
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 in the country. The extraordinary variety of Hokkaido marine products at market prices makes this the finest morning stop in Sapporo. Free to browse. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
SAPPORO BEER MUSEUM
The Sapporo Beer Museum in the extraordinary 1890 red brick brewery buildings gives the finest industrial heritage in Hokkaido. The remarkable history of Japan's oldest beer brand and the extraordinary tasting in the original brewery 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 designed entirely by Isamu Noguchi is the most extraordinary public park in Japan, its remarkable earthwork hills, extraordinary glass pyramid and remarkable Play Mountain giving the finest total artwork landscape in Asia. The extraordinary scale and the fine views over Sapporo from the summit give the finest afternoon. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hokkaido University botanical garden in central Sapporo contains the finest Hokkaido endemic plant collection in the world, with remarkable alpine species and a fine Ainu ethnobotany collection. 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 miso ramen restaurant Outstanding Hokkaido miso ramen in the city where this finest ramen style 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 and the remarkable views over the Tokachi mountains 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 giving the finest coloured pond in Japan. The extraordinary dead white trees standing in the blue water 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 creating a quilted landscape of colour 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 gives 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.
🍽 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 finest 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 dairy.
DAY 3
BIEI AND ASAHIKAWA
MORNING
SHIKISAI HILL AND BIEI HILLS DRIVE
Shikisai Hill is the most extraordinary flower viewpoint in Hokkaido, its remarkable terraced gardens of annual flowers giving the finest aerial view over the extraordinary patchwork hill landscape. The remarkable drive through the Biei hills stopping at the Philosopher's Hill and the extraordinary Panorama Road give the finest rural drive in northern Japan. Chairlift approx 500 yen. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
ASAHIKAWA RAMEN VILLAGE
Asahikawa is the most extraordinary ramen city in Hokkaido, its remarkable soy-based ramen with extraordinary pork back fat floating on the surface giving the most distinctive regional ramen in the north. The extraordinary Asahikawa Ramen Village, a complex of eight classic ramen shops in traditional Meiji-era buildings, gives the finest ramen tasting experience in Hokkaido. Approx 800 yen per bowl. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ASAHIYAMA ZOO
Asahiyama Zoo is the most extraordinary zoo in Japan, its remarkable enclosures designed to show the natural behaviours of animals from underwater penguin tunnels to extraordinary polar bear pools. The fine Hokkaido brown bears and the remarkable Amur leopard cats give the finest wildlife experience available near Asahikawa. Entry approx 820 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Daisetsuzan National Park centred on Mount Asahi, the highest peak in Hokkaido, contains the finest alpine wildflower meadows in Japan. The remarkable ropeway from Asahidake gives the finest mountain scenery in the north. Ropeway approx 3000 yen return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Biei before hills drive Outstanding Hokkaido morning coffee and fresh dairy products before the extraordinary patchwork hill drive. | Lunch: Asahikawa Ramen Village Outstanding Asahikawa soy ramen at the finest specialist ramen complex in Hokkaido. | Dinner: Restaurant near Noboribetsu or ryokan Outstanding Hokkaido dinner en route to Noboribetsu. Local crab and fresh vegetables.
DAY 4
NOBORIBETSU AND LAKE TOYA
MORNING
NOBORIBETSU HELL VALLEY
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Hell Valley is the most extraordinary volcanic landscape in Hokkaido, its remarkable boiling grey sulphur pools, dramatic steam vents and extraordinary orange mineral deposits giving the finest volcanic walk in Japan's north. The remarkable Oyunuma pond and the extraordinary boardwalk through the steaming valley are extraordinary. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAKE TOYA CALDERA
Lake Toya is the most extraordinary caldera lake in Hokkaido, its remarkable circular shape formed by an ancient volcanic explosion giving the finest lake panorama in the north. The extraordinary Showa Shinzan lava dome that rose from a wheat field in 1943 and the remarkable volcanic cable car give the finest volcanic heritage near the lake. Cable car approx 1500 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
TOYAKO ONSEN AND RYOKAN
The Toyako Onsen resort on Lake Toya's shore is the most extraordinary lakeside onsen town in Hokkaido, its remarkable ryokan hotels with extraordinary lake-view open-air hot springs giving the finest onsen experience in the north. The remarkable evening fireworks over the lake from April to October and the fine lakeside promenade give the finest evening in southern Hokkaido. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Usu volcano observation deck above Lake Toya gives the finest view of the 2000 eruption damage, the remarkable abandoned houses buried in volcanic ash preserved as an outdoor museum giving the most extraordinary volcanic heritage in Hokkaido. Entry approx 600 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ryokan breakfast near Noboribetsu Outstanding traditional Japanese ryokan breakfast. The finest start to the volcanic hell valley day. | Lunch: Restaurant near Lake Toya Outstanding Hokkaido lunch with views over the extraordinary caldera lake. Local corn and fresh dairy. | Dinner: Ryokan kaiseki dinner at Toyako Outstanding traditional kaiseki dinner at the finest ryokan on Lake Toya with extraordinary lake views.
DAY 5
SHIRETOKO UNESCO WILDERNESS
MORNING
SHIRETOKO FIVE LAKES
The Shiretoko Five Lakes in the UNESCO World Heritage wilderness are the most extraordinary coastal lake walk in Japan, their remarkable boardwalk through ancient forest above the Pacific Ocean giving encounters with Hokkaido brown bears, red foxes and extraordinary birdlife. The fine views over the Shiretoko mountain range and the remarkable clarity of the lake water give the finest wilderness walk in Japan. Entry approx 750 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
RAUSU WHALE WATCHING BOAT
Rausu on the eastern Shiretoko coast offers the most extraordinary whale watching in Japan, its remarkable position in the Nemuro Strait giving close encounters with sperm whales, orcas and Steller sea lions in the finest marine wildlife experience in the country. The extraordinary Rausu kelp forests visible from the boat and the remarkable drift ice in winter give the finest sea experience in Hokkaido. Boat approx 5000 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SHIRETOKO PASS AND RETURN
The Shiretoko Pass road is the most extraordinary mountain drive in Hokkaido, its remarkable route across the UNESCO peninsula giving extraordinary views over both the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean simultaneously. The remarkable Shiretoko Pass viewpoint, where brown bears are frequently seen grazing on the roadside slopes, gives the finest wildlife drive in Japan. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shiretoko cape boat trip around the very tip of the UNESCO peninsula is the finest wildlife boat trip in Japan, its remarkable inaccessible coastline of waterfalls, brown bears fishing on the rocks and extraordinary seabird colonies visible only from the sea. Boat approx 6000 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early cafe before Shiretoko lakes Very early start for Shiretoko Five Lakes. Brown bears are most active in the early morning. | Lunch: Rausu seafood restaurant Outstanding fresh Shiretoko seafood lunch. Local sea urchin, crab and the finest Pacific salmon. | Dinner: Return dinner in Sapporo or ryokan Outstanding final Hokkaido dinner. Genghis Khan lamb BBQ or miso ramen in Sapporo.
Where To Stay
Sapporo, Nights 1 to 2 Best hub for the north. Hotels from 70 to 180 euros. Central for all Sapporo sites. Furano or Biei, Night 3 Stay in the flower fields region. Guesthouses from 60 to 150 euros with breakfast. Budget option Business hotels in Sapporo from 50 euros. Excellent value in Japan's finest northern city.
Top Tips
1. Farm Tomita lavender peaks 15 to 25 July. The extraordinary coloured fields are at their finest in this window. Book accommodation months ahead.
2. Biei Blue Pond is most vivid on overcast days. The extraordinary cobalt colour comes from mineral particles , bright sun washes it out slightly.
3. Shiretoko Five Lakes: book the guided walk through the ground-level trail in advance. Brown bear encounters are possible and a guide is required.
4. Rausu whale watching: orcas are most frequently seen June to July. The extraordinary Steller sea lions haul out on rocks visible from the boat year-round.
5. Noboribetsu ryokan: the extraordinary sulphur onsen waters here are the most potent in Hokkaido. The finest outdoor hot springs face the volcanic valley.
6. Hokkaido sea urchin: the finest in Japan and a fraction of Tokyo prices at Nijo Market. Order the bafun uni over murasaki for the richest flavour.
Total Budget
90 to 170 euros/day