15 days in Chitose, Tomakomai & Sapporo Itinerary

With the largest international airport on the island, Chitose serves for most visitors as a way in or a way out, rather than a destination in itself.

Step out of the city life by going to The North Country Golf Club and Kiushito Wetland. Get some cultural insight at Royce' Chocolate World and Old Mitsui Bibai Dai 2 Kosentanjo. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Chitose: Takikawa (Takikawa Folk Museum Annex, Tondenheioku & Takikawa Maruka Kogen Auto Camp Site), Biratori-cho (Shigeru Kayano Nibutani Ainu Museum, Nibutani Ainu Museum, &more) and Chidorigataki Falls (in Yubari). There's much more to do: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, get outside with Denshin Beach, take in the spiritual surroundings of Muroran Hachimangu Shrine, and learn about winemaking at Grace Wine Chitose Winery.

To find reviews, photos, ratings, and tourist information, read Chitose trip tool.

Melbourne, Australia to Chitose is an approximately 17-hour combination of flight and car. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Melbourne to Chitose due to the time zone difference. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Melbourne in January, with highs in Chitose at -1°C and lows at -14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Tomakomai.

Tomakomai is a city and port in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Start off your visit on the 7th (Thu): admire nature's wide array of creatures at Noboribetsu Bear Park, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, explore the striking landscape at Jigokudani, then witness a stunning natural landmark at Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath, and finally engage your brain at Tomakomai City Science Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 8th (Fri): pick up some local products at Michinoeki Utonaiko, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Utonai Wildlife Conservation Center, tee off at Tomakomai Golf Resort 72, tee off at Hokkaido Brooks Country Club, then play a few rounds at Nidom Classic Course, and finally make a trip to Tarumaesan Shrine.

To find ratings, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Tomakomai attractions planner.

You can drive from Chitose to Tomakomai in an hour. In January, daily temperatures in Tomakomai can reach -1°C, while at night they dip to -14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can drive to Sapporo.

A modern, bustling city known for its beer brewery, Sapporo attracts millions of visitors with its Snow Festival, during which elaborate ice and snow sculptures are exhibited all over town.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Sapporo Underground Shopping Centre Aurora Town and Kakizaki Shoten. Get in touch with nature at Earth Dream Kakuyama Farm and Otaru Canal. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Sapporo: Rusutsu Resort Amusement Park (in Rusutsu-mura), Yoichi-cho (Yoichi Wine Brewery & Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery) and Otaru (Otaru Miyakodori Shopping District, Oshoro Annular Stone, &more). And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Sapporo Clock Tower, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hokkaido Jingu, shop like a local with Tanukikoji Shopping Street, and get a sense of history and politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read Sapporo journey planner.

You can drive from Tomakomai to Sapporo in 1.5 hours. Traveling from Tomakomai in January, expect somewhat warmer with lows of -6°C in Sapporo. You will have some time to spend on the 15th (Fri) before leaving for home.