34 days in Hokkaido Itinerary

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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Shakotan Peninsula and Furusato Beach. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Denshin Beach and Zenibako Beach. Get out of town with these interesting Sapporo side-trips: Niseko-cho (Niseko Village Pure & Hokkaido Backcountry Club), Gla Gla (in Toyako-cho) and Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath (in Noboribetsu). There's much more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Shinsennuma, take in the awesome beauty at Mount Tarumae, explore the world behind art at Sapporo Art Museum, and get engrossed in the history at Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura).

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Sapporo trip planner.

Vienna, Austria to Sapporo is an approximately 17-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time to Japan Standard Time, which is usually an 8 hour difference. When traveling from Vienna in August, plan for slightly colder days and somewhat warmer nights in Sapporo: temperatures range from 27°C by day to 25°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Wakkanai.

The northernmost city in the country, Wakkanai experiences constant exposure to the elements, with windy and snow-covered winters perhaps its main claim to fame on a national level.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Toyotomi Onsen Fureai Center and Hokumon Shrine. Escape the urban bustle at Onuma Bird House and Yuhigaoka Parking Area. Get out of town with these interesting Wakkanai side-trips: Toyotomi-cho (Toyotomicho Kabutonuma Kyodo Reference Room & Sarobetsu Marsh Center), Rishirifuji-cho (The Site of Motodomari Unjoya, Rishiriyama Shrine, &more) and Shinsho Kaneda Calligraphy Art Museum (in Horonobe-cho). The adventure continues: get curious at Wakkanai Youth Science Museum, hike along Wakkanai Footpath Wakkanai Park Hyosetsu no Mon Course, visit a coastal fixture at Wakkanai Lighthouse, and get engrossed in the history at Wakkanai Karafuto Museum.

For more things to do, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Wakkanai road trip site.

Fly from Sapporo to Wakkanai in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Sapporo in August, expect slightly colder with lows of 22°C in Wakkanai. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) so you can go by car 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.

For shopping fun, head to Takushinkan or biei SENKA. Get some cultural insight at Asahidake Natural Hiking Route and Biei-Cho Kyodo Gakkan. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Biei-cho: Sekihoku Pass (in Kitami), Kamikawa-cho (Daisetsu Kogen Swamp, Mt. Midori, &more) and Kamifurano-cho (Mt. Furano & Miyamatoge Art Park). There's still lots to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Asahi-dake, cruise along Ken & Mary Tree, admire the masterpieces at Shinseikan, and admire the sheer force of Shirahige Falls.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read our Biei-cho online trip itinerary builder.

Getting from Wakkanai to Biei-cho by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a train. In August in Biei-cho, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 20°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sun) so you can go by car to Furano.

Situated in the center of the island, Furano has become known for its idyllic rural landscape, and the drastic changes it experiences as seasons shift.

Get outdoors at Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido and Shikanoyu. Get some historical perspective at Watanabe Clinic and Kyu Sumitomo Akabiratanko Koguchi Yokujo. Get out of town with these interesting Furano side-trips: Shimukappu-mura (Hoshino Resort Tomamu & Mina-Mina Beach), Shikaoi-cho (Ogigahara Observatory & Fukuhara Sanso) and Yubaridake (in Yubari). The adventure continues: look for gifts at Anpanman Shop Furano, take in the spiritual surroundings of Tokoji Temple, look for all kinds of wild species at Nupukano Sato, and examine the collection at Furabi.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Furano driving holiday planning app.

You can drive from Biei-cho to Furano in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In September in Furano, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 14°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Ishikari.

Ishikari is a city located in Ishikari Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.As of April 30, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 58,755, with 27,434 households, and a density of 81 persons per km2. Get some historical perspective at Mashikeitsukushima Shrine and Mashike Lighthouse. Let the collections at Kan Yausda Sculpture Museum, Arte Piazza Bibai and Ishikari City Hamamasu Local Museum capture your imagination. Get out of town with these interesting Ishikari side-trips: Miyajimanuma (in Bibai), Tobetsu-cho (Mt. Kamuishiriyama, Kaitaku Fukurofunoyu, &more) and Mashike-cho (Kunimare Brewery & Kyusyoka MAruishihonmake). The adventure continues: kick back and relax at Asobeach Ishikari, walk around Toda Memorial Park Cemetery, take in the dramatic scenery at Shiragane Falls, and enjoy the sea views from Ishikari Light House.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Ishikari trip itinerary planning app.

Getting from Furano to Ishikari by car takes about 2.5 hours. Traveling from Furano in September, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 20°C in Ishikari. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.