9 days in Hokkaido Itinerary

A gateway to the island, Hakodate has gained a reputation for its waterfront attractions, its proximity to some of the island's most popular natural sites, and its seafood.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Sun): admire the landmark architecture of Goryokaku Park, then take in panoramic vistas at Goryokaku Tower, and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Hakodate.

For reviews, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, read our Hakodate online holiday planner.

Bangkok, Thailand to Hakodate is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Indochina Time to Japan Standard Time, which is usually a 2 hour difference. Traveling from Bangkok in July, things will get little chillier in Hakodate: highs are around 26°C and lows about 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Rebun-cho.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Mon): get great views at Sukoton Cape, make a trip to Sky cape, and then head off the coast to Rebun Island.

To find maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Rebun-cho trip itinerary builder tool.

Traveling by car from Hakodate to Rebun-cho takes 11.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and car. In July, plan for daily highs up to 25°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Mon) early enough to travel to Biei-cho.

Famous for scenic views of vast fields, wide meadows, and gently rolling hills against the backdrop of the Taisetsu mountain range, Biei-cho offers a picture-prefect setting for a pleasant countryside vacation.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Patchwork no Michi and Campana Rokkatei. Get out of town with these interesting Biei-cho side-trips: Higashikawa-cho (Asahidake Natural Hiking Route, Asahi-dake, &more), Roller Coaster Road (in Kamifurano-cho) and Asahikawa (Asahiyama Zoo, Ueno Farm, &more). There's still lots to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Shirogane Blue Pond.

To find maps, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Biei-cho trip planner.

Traveling by car from Rebun-cho to Biei-cho takes 7.5 hours. Traveling from Rebun-cho in July, expect nights in Biei-cho to be about the same, around 21°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can go by car to Nakafurano-cho.

Flower-viewing tourism draws flocks of visitors to Nakafurano-cho, a Hokkaido town famed for its many lavander fields.

On the 2nd (Fri), admire the natural beauty at Choei Lavender Farm, then admire the natural beauty at Farm Tomita, and then stroll around Hinode Park.

For traveler tips, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Nakafurano-cho trip itinerary tool.

Traveling by car from Biei-cho to Nakafurano-cho takes an hour. In August in Nakafurano-cho, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 20°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Fri) to allow enough time to 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.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): enjoy the scholastic atmosphere at Hokkaido University Sapporo Campus, make a trip to Sapporo JR Tower Observatory T38, then take some stellar pictures from Sapporo TV Tower, and finally walk around Odori Park. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, take an in-depth tour of Hokkaidoritsy Bunshokan, then take a stroll around Sapporo Underground Shopping Centre Aurora Town, and finally don't miss a visit to Sapporo Clock Tower.

To see maps, photos, ratings, and tourist information, use the Sapporo tour planning app.

You can drive from Nakafurano-cho to Sapporo in 2.5 hours. Traveling from Nakafurano-cho in August, plan for a bit warmer nights in Sapporo, with lows around 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) to allow time to fly back home.