8 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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Motomachi and The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward. Do some cultural sightseeing at Onuma Park Walking Path and Hakodate Museum of Northern Peoples. Get out of town with these interesting Hakodate side-trips: Nanae-cho (Hokkaido Konbukan & Onuma Quasi-National Park) and Trappist Monasteries (in Hokuto). There's still lots to do: enjoy breathtaking views from Goryokaku Tower, pause for some serene contemplation at Hakodate Orthodox Church, take in the spiritual surroundings of Hakodate Hachiman Shrine, and examine the collection at Old British Consulate of Hakodate.

Start your trip to Hakodate by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Sacramento, USA to Hakodate is an approximately 19-hour flight. You'll lose 17 hours traveling from Sacramento to Hakodate due to the time zone difference. Expect cooler weather when traveling from Sacramento in April: highs in Hakodate hover around 52°F, while lows dip to 41°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Mon) so you can fly 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.

Get a sense of the local culture at Royce' Chocolate World and Sapporo Clock Tower. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Otaru-shi General Museum and Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura). You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sapporo: Otaru (Otaru Canal & Shibusawa Soko). The adventure continues: examine the collection at The Hokkaido University Museum, hit the slopes at Okurayama Lookout, get into the urban bustle at Sapporo Underground Shopping Centre Aurora Town, and get great views at Sapporo TV Tower.

For other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Sapporo vacation planner.

You can fly from Hakodate to Sapporo in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. When traveling from Hakodate in April, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Sapporo: temperatures range from 47°F by day to 43°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly back home.