21 days in Hokkaido Itinerary

Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sapporo Clock Tower will appeal to history buffs. Appreciate the collections at The Hokkaido University Museum and Chitosetsuru Sake Museum. Get out of town with these interesting Sapporo side-trips: Chitose (Spas & Chitose Outlet Mall Rera), Kitahiroshima (Mitsui Outlet Park, Sapporo Kitahiroshima & Sapporo Gulf Club Wattsu Course) and Tomakomai (Nidom Classic Course & Katsura Gulf Club). There's lots more to do: get into the urban bustle at Sapporo Underground Shopping Centre Aurora Town, hit the slopes at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, shop like a local with Tanukikoji Shopping Street, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hokkaido Jingu.

For other places to visit, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read Sapporo trip itinerary planner.

Tokyo to Sapporo is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Tokyo in January, expect nights in Sapporo to be little chillier, around -6°C, while days are colder, around -3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Noboribetsu.

Zenkoji Temple and Abuta Shrine are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore hidden gems such as Sanlaiva Ski Area and Yuzawa Shrine. Change things up with these side-trips from Noboribetsu: Shiraoi-cho (National Ainu Museum Upopoy & Former Site of Sendai Clan Manor House) and Toyako-cho (Hokkaido Toyako Summit Memorial Museum, Toyako Visitor Center, &more). There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Jigokudani, take in the spiritual surroundings of Onibokora, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

For maps, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Noboribetsu trip itinerary builder app.

Getting from Sapporo to Noboribetsu by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train; or take a bus. When traveling from Sapporo in January, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Noboribetsu: temperatures range from 0°C by day to -4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Sapporo.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Sky Museum, New Chitose Airport and Hokkaido Brooks Country Club. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Hill of The Buddha and Karimba Ruins. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sapporo: Chitose (Citizen Ski Resort, The North Country Golf Club, &more) and Tomakomai Golf Resort 72 (in Tomakomai). See some other sides of Sapporo: pick up some local products at Hakko Gakuen Farm Market, Original Deli Products, head outdoors with Takino Snow World, delve into the lush surroundings at Maruyama Genshirin, and get great views at Mt. Moiwa.

For other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Sapporo trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Noboribetsu to Sapporo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. While traveling from Noboribetsu, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Sapporo, ranging from highs of -3°C to lows of -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can drive to Otaru.

The Site of Temiya Line and Tomioka Catholic Church will appeal to history buffs. Head to Sankaku Market and Wing Bay Otarufor plenty of shopping. Explore Otaru's surroundings by going to Kiroro Snow World (in Akaigawa-mura) and Yoichi-cho (Ebisuiwa Daikokuiwa & Old Shimoyoichi Unjoya). Next up on the itinerary: get into the urban bustle at Otaru City Meeting Hall, take in the exciting artwork at Canal Art Gallery Fujimori Shigeo's Shop, get to know the fascinating history of Ryugu Shrine, and contemplate the long history of Former Motosaburo Kaneko Store.

For more things to do, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, use the Otaru day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Sapporo to Otaru takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Otaru can reach -3°C, while at night they dip to -6°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Furano.

On the 15th (Sun), play a few rounds at Furano Golf Course, see the interesting displays at Goto Sumio Art Museum, view the masterpieces at Takushinkan, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Biei Shrine, and finally browse the exhibits of Kikuchi Haruo Photo Gallery. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Furano Marche, examine the collection at Furabi, indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at Furano Onsen Shisainoyu, then fly down the slopes at Furano Ski Resort, and finally view the masterpieces at Photo Gallery Oka-No Shashin-Kan.

To plan Furano vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

You can drive from Otaru to Furano in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Otaru in January, expect little chillier with lows of -13°C in Furano. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can go by car to Kushiro.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): examine the collection at Kushiro Art Museum, Hokkaido, look for gifts at Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf Moo, get into the urban bustle at Kushiro City Shogai Gakushu Center, explore the world behind art at Kushiro City Museum of Art, then steep yourself in history at Kushiro Itsukushima Shrine, and finally contemplate the long history of Yomemachi Furusatokan. Keep things going the next day: look for all kinds of wild species at Onnenai Boardwalk, admire the striking features of Iwabokki Suimon, go for a walk through Shusse Slope, take in the spiritual surroundings of Catholic Kushiro Church, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Kushiro Tancho Market, and finally have fun and explore at Kushiro Children's Museum Kodomo Yugakukan.

To see where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Kushiro trip itinerary planning app.

You can drive from Furano to Kushiro in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Furano in January: highs in Kushiro hover around 0°C, while lows dip to -11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) so you can go by car to Abashiri.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): fly down the slopes at Abashiri Lakeview Ski Resort, examine the collection at Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, get engrossed in the history at Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, then get engrossed in the history at Abashiri Historical Museum, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Abashiri Shrine, and finally explore the striking landscape at Cape Notoro. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: look for gifts at Ryuhyo Glass Museum, admire the masterpieces at Abashiri City Museum, take an in-depth tour of Kitami Mint Memorial Museum, then get engrossed in the history at Pierson Memorial Museum, then buy something for everyone on your list at Parabo, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Kitami Shrine.

To see traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read Abashiri holiday planner.

You can drive from Kushiro to Abashiri in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. When traveling from Kushiro in January, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Abashiri: temperatures range from -4°C by day to -13°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) so you can travel back home.