One of my favorite trips to Japan was the exploring Hokkaido in summer.
The past few weeks I’ve been asked by friends for a summer in Hokkaido itinerary. Sharing my suggested 5 & 7 day itinerary:
Day 1: ✈️ Flight to Hokkaido
If flying to Hokkaido, the best airport to arrive at is Chitose Airport which has more connecting flights. Only Philippine airlines has a direct flight so far to Hokkaido. This gives you the best arrival time. Arriving early to maximize the rest of the day.
When connecting on another airline make sure you’re leaving Tokyo from the same airport. You’ll need to go through immigration and security and recheck in to connect to your domestic leg. Connecting flights usually will take an entire day. If you need to transfer between Haneda and Narita, the easiest and fastest is via airport transfer bus (note the departure times and it’s operating hours).
Once you arrive in Chitose, you can head to Sapporo via airport bus or the train. The best route will vary depending on your lodging location. If taking the train, it will arrive in JR Sapporo station, then transfer to the subway, take the tram, or a taxi to your lodging.
Check in time in Japan is usually 3 or 4pm in the afternoon. If arriving early, check in and leave your bags with the front desk so you can explore the city early.
If arriving late in the afternoon or evening, check in and then have dinner at Ramen Alley. Here you can choose to have dinner from one of the many ramen restaurants. Note that they have limited seating - sometimes they only have a handful of seats thus good restaurants will usually have a line during peak hours. If you’d like to avoid the lines, head here early or have dinner late.
Our favorite ramen spot is Teshikaga. Their vegetable gyoza is also a must try.
Day 2: See barrels of hay and the rolling flowers of BIEI
Take the train to Biei to see the rolling hills of flowers. Note the train times to get here as it takes some time. If you’re not in a hurry you can also take the Norokko (scenic train from Asahikawa) more on this here
Once you arrive in Biei, take the bus to the flower fields. The bus that stops at some of the must see tourist sites in Biei has a schedule of departures.
I would suggest taking the next bus departure back to the train station. The time between the bus arrival and its departure is short if you want to explore the fields or take the tractor.
If you just want a peak or take some quick photos, it would be enough time. They have plenty to do here like visiting the Alpacas, walking around the fields, shopping for souvenirs and eating the fruits in season.
I would suggest taking the next bus departure back to the train station. The time between the bus arrival and its departure is short if you want to explore the fields or take the tractor.
If you just want a peak or take some quick photos, it would be enough time. They have plenty to do here like visiting the Alpacas, walking around the fields, shopping for souvenirs and eating the fruits in season.
On my last trip we had scheduled Biei and Furano in just one day so it was quite hurried. I’d suggest dedicating an entire day here.
You can also visit the Blue Pond while in Biei. It’s not easily accessible by train so you’ll need a vehicle or tour to see this spot. If you finish early you can drop by Asahikawa to explore the city.
More on our previous Biei visit here
Day 3: Visit the lavender fields and the town of Furano.
During the summer, they open a train stop at the foot of the hill close to Farm Tomita. There are a few lavender fields in Furano but the most popular is Farm Tomita. There is an uphill walk to reach the lavender fields. While here, see the other flowers in bloom and shop in the several gift shops spread across the farm.
You also must grab a lavender ice cream, taste the sweet furano melon and enjoy some fresh cooked Hokkaido corn.
You can easily spend half a day exploring the farm. If you haven’t had your fill of lavender fields you can also Lavender East Fields which are owned by the same company.
When you done, take some time and visit the town of Furano. Enjoy some wine and cheese.
Day 4: Explore Sapporo
Start the day by a visit to Shiroi Korbito. More than just a cookie factory, you can see their chocolate museum, enjoy some hot chocolate or ice cream from their coffee shop ( I would suggest both), walk around in their rose & flower garden.
Stop by their gift shop for some limited edition items. But if you plan on purchasing their usual or popular items, the prices here and the airport are usually the same. They recently renovated and will reopen on the 11th. Factory Tour is Y600.
More on our visit to Sapporo here
Head next to Odori Park and see the Sapporo Tower. You can go up the tower for a fee. If you want higher view of the city, you can go up JR Sapporo Tower or Mt. Moiwa (also has nice night time views). if you like beer, a must stop is the Sapporo Beer Factory.
Day 5: ✈️Flight back.
Make sure you’ve got enough time to check in and catch your flight. The Chitose airport opens at 5am. (They’re closed in the wee hours of the morning). So if you’re taking a 7am flight out, you’ll need to check in when the airport opens. We had this early flight on our visit and had to stay in the airport hotel to make sure we caught our flight. The lines to check in are usually a little longer when the airport opens. If you’re coming from Sapporo, I would suggest taking a 9am onwards flight outbound.
While in Chitose Airport, make sure to stop by Royce World. They have a wide selection of items and note that they have limited items available only here.
If you’re staying 7 days:
Day 5: OTARU
Visit the port city of Otaru just a short train ride from Sapporo. From the main train station everything is more or less walkable. You must stop by Otaru Canal (from the train station, just go straight on the main road until you reach the canal).
Just a few blocks from the Canal is Sakai Machi Street. Here you can visit the main store of Le Tao and its other speciality stores. Visit the glass blown stores & music box museum.
At Kitaichi Glass you can watch them light each gas lamp every morning at 8am.
Right beside it is a big store of assorted glass blown items.
You can also enjoy in one of the stores their 7 layer ice cream cone. Each layer a different flavor ranging from melon, lavender, chocolate, matcha and others. Each layer complementing the next one. Even though we visited in winter, we didn’t mind the cold and grabbed a cone. They also have options with less flavors.
A visit to Hokkaido especially Otaru isn’t complete by enjoying their fresh seafood.
Day 6: Free day: Explore Sapporo
In case you weren’t visit the other spots in Sapporo on the previous days and this time can be for your last minute shopping needs.
If you love beer, make sure to stop by th Sapporo Beer Museum.
No visit to Hokkaido would be complete without enjoying their melons.
Day 7: ✈️ Flight Home
🚆Furano Biei Rail Ticket
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/travel/furanobiei.html
