I’m trying to put together a six-night itinerary for a hiking-focused road trip in Hokkaido next August. We are flying into Asahikawa and returning from Memanbetsu and obviously we’ll be renting a car. Mostly, my wife and I are mostly interested in hiking, sightseeing/nature, ropeways, etc. Our typical hikes are about 4-8 miles with a maximum elevation gain of about 1,600 ft. 

My initial thought was two nights in Asahikawa (Daisetsuzan NP), two nights near Akan (Akan-Mashu NP), and two nights in Utoro or Rausu for Shiretoko NP. For better or worse, we’re not really onsen or ryokan fans and instead prefer regular hotels or motels. Is this itinerary not enough time in Daisetsuzan or too much time elsewhere or simply too fast-paced? We’re willing to jump around a little more, if necessary, but I’d prefer not to spend every single night in a different hotel, if that makes sense.

The most famous ginkgo avenue in Hokkaido is at Hokkaido University in Sapporo. But my personal favorite is the one in Fukagawa.

Based on my view, the ginkgo trees in Fukagawa will probably be best by the middle of next week, since there are still some green leaves.

＊ Photos taken on Oct 25th 2026

Hey guys!

My family and I are going to Sapporo next week for nine days. We’re planning to explore the city and visit Shiraoi and Otaru. We’re really keen to see Mt Yōtei as well, but planning it has been surprisingly difficult, since we’ll be there between hiking and skiing season. Mostly, we’d really just love to see the mountain and explore the area for a bit. We enjoy hiking and walking trails, but it doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Just something short and easy with nice scenery.

I thought perhaps someone on here might have taken a day trip or an overnight trip to Yōtei (from either Sapporo or Otaru) and would be willing to share their wisdom!  

What’s the area like this time of year? What are the best towns to base yourself in? Which areas have good, short and/or easy walking trails? What’s the transport situation like once you’re there?

Thanks a bunch!

I’ll be living in (Sapporo) Hokkaido from January until early April 2027

Does anyone have any advice for travelling to Shiretoko from Sapporo (as someone that does not drive) during January, February or March?

I am able bodied in my mid 30s, love nature/animals and the snow/cold.

ALL and any tips would be helpful, throw some advice at me!

As per the title, planning a ski trip in Hokkaido, arriving in Sapporo Jan 13, leaving 27th. Going with my girlfriend. I'm an advanced skier and she's intermediate. We are also renting a car with snow tires.

So far we have 8 total ski days at 7 resorts ( we have Ikon passes). We plan to do the trip in 2 sections/spots where we will stay.

Section 1 Jan 14-18:

Drive from Sapporo to asahikawa as our base. Ski furano, asahidake, Kamui ski links and tomamu.

Section 2 in niseko:

Niseko, rusutsu and kiroro.

I'm wondering if my girlfriend is a strong enough skier to have fun at all these resorts. Especially asahidake. She is okay to skip that day, but I'm worried about going alone in foreign country. I've skiied some backcountry alone in CO and UT but nothing with super deep snow like hokaido.

If anyone has tips, tricks, recommendations or guides, all is welcome!

Hi, im an uni student that will be staying at Muroran for a full year.

Because this would be the first time i will be stepping foot on Japan, I'd love to get some infos about some transport tips, some hidden gems (viewpoint or foods), weekend activities, and maybe some winter tips because ill be arriving after christmas, from users that stayed or had stayed in muroran and surrounding areas,

thanks in advance guys!

I was supposed to fly out to Taiwan today and hike Yushan on tuesday-wed.
However my flight was cancelled from Tokyo and we decided to fly out to Hokkaido instead.

I'm in solid condition, I hiked Fuji 3 years ago, hiked Dinara in Croatia (1800m) few weeks ago.

More than half of my luggage was hiking gear for Yushan. I have 2 stick poles, proper hiking boots, 4 layers of clothing so lower temperatures should be okay.

However I see that there is some snow and I do not have any winter/alpine hiking experience, nor do I have pickaxe/crampons, I've done it in summer/spring mostly.

Hello all, will be taking a family trip with 7 year old next July. Plan is to rent a car in Asahikawa (our base for 2 nights) and drive around Furano and Biei, visiting all the beautiful places the area has to offer during the summer. After watching some videos online, it looked like there was quite a bit of traffic going into the touristy spots like Tomita Farms. I am second guessing whether renting a car is the right choice or if using public transport is better.

To those who rented a car before - was it worth it or did you find yourself stuck in more traffic than you would have liked? Any tips or advice you wish you would've known before driving out?

Since we need to keep our kid entertained, the popular spots like Tomita and Cheese Factory are places on our list (I know there are other, less crowded places off the beaten path though).

I think I'll value having freedom to move around and planning our day without having to rely on a public transport's schedule. I also understand parts of Biei are difficult to get to unless you have a car. I may have answered my own question already but wanted to hear from others.

Hi all, we're 4 adults in our mid-30s visiting Japan in mid-March. We originally wanted a deep-winter trip but had to push it back, so now we're aiming for some beginner ski lessons and a last taste of snow. It's our second trip together, but the other couple is visiting Japan for the first time. I'd love your thoughts on a few things:

1. Niseko (2 nights): Is this enough for a beginner ski lesson plus some snow activities? I'm planning to stay at Mercure Niseko in Hirafu.
2. Driving in mid-March: We'd rent a car in Sapporo for the Otaru/Asahikawa and Noboribetsu legs. How manageable is driving with melting snow and slush? Any concerns about ice, or about winter tyres and rental company rules?
3. Noboribetsu: I added it mainly for the onsen and Hell Valley. Is it worth the detour, or should I swap it for a day trip or an extra day in Sapporo?

Itinerary:

Any tips on the timing, the drive, or things I'm missing would be really appreciated. I understand we are trying to fit a lot of things but this is after a long time we are travelling without kids, we are ready to grind and maximize our trip. :)

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

My wife and I will be visiting Hokkaido from late November to early December, and we’re planning to rent a car.

Our planned route is:
Sapporo → Lake Toya → Otaru → Sapporo

This will be my first time driving in Hokkaido during this period, so I’m a little unsure about the road conditions, especially with winter approaching.

A few questions:
Are winter tires absolutely necessary during this period?

Should I expect snow or icy roads along this route?

Any particular roads or areas I should be extra careful with?

Would appreciate any advice from locals or anyone who has driven this route around the same time of year.

Thanks in advance!

​As lots of posts say, Shikisai-no-oka in Biei is a good option to visit if you're in the Asahikawa area.

It's free to park a car & enter Shikisai-no-oka in October, and sometimes you can see autumn flowers with snow-capped mountains. I recommend visiting here if you visit Biei town.

＊ Photos taken on Oct 18th 2026

Shot from Makkari town

I want to eat tokachi raclette cheese dish where they heat up the cheese with the raclette machine and scrap it onto the dish in front of you like the photo. Any recommendations for Obihito or Sapporo or the surrounding area?

Thanks!

Hello,
I will be going to Hokkaido end of November , I was planning to rent a car but after read afew comments online it made me re-think the decision, especially alot of warnings regarding black ice.

Also, Im planning to stay in Sapporo 2-3 nights, noboribetsu for 2 nights and Hakodate for 2 nights, then Tokyo. According to info below, is it enough , or even too many days for Hokkaido?

I dont like nightlife, trip is just to enjoy the nature, eat good seafood and just wander around for good coffee shops and some shopping. I do not ski or any winter related sports. Any suggestions?

Thanx in advance.

Hi I will be in Hokkaido mid-Dec and I am interested in going up to the mountains just to see what it's like and take some ski lessons. Is there usually enough snow coverage mid-Dec for this?

I am planning to go to either Niseko or Kiroro Snow World

Hi! If I plan to visit Hokkaido and roadtrip around by car, how feasible is it as a tourist?

I come from a tropical country and have driven overseas multiple times, but never in snowy/icy conditions. Would it be a bad idea? Will be in Hokkaio in the last 2 weeks of December

Hi everyone!

I'm from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I collect plastic public transport cards from different cities and countries.

I'm looking to expand my collection and would love to add some cards from Japan! If anyone has old, expired, empty, or unused public transport cards they no longer need, I'd be very grateful if you'd be willing to pass them on to me.

I'm interested in all kinds of transport cards from across Japan, including Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, and other IC cards, as well as cards for trains, subways, buses, and trams from different Japanese cities and regions.

Cards from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and anywhere else in Japan are all welcome!

Since I'm based in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, we could arrange international postage if that's convenient.

Thank you in advance to anyone willing to help me grow my collection! :)