Summary
- Start
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Finish
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Mileage
Total 530km
180km per day - Travel Pace
Fast - Onsen Stay
Max.0 nights - Recommended Seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
This itinerary takes 3 days to circle central Hokkaido.
Due to long daily mileage and no consecutive stay, the travel pace is fast.
If you want to stay in Sapporo after the road trip, you can return the car not to the airport but to Sapporo. Walking and the subway are more convenient for sightseeing in Sapporo.
Chitose Airport – Asahikawa(Sample)
Start： New Chitose Airport(新千歳空港) or Sapporo(札幌)
Finish： Asahikawa (旭川)
Mileage：
From Sapporo: 200km
From Chitose Arirpot: 220km
Travel Pace： Fast
On this day, you will head from New Chitose Airport to Asahikawa via Furano.
1
Rental car branch at New Chitose Airport
Parking MAPCODE：
９：００
New Chitose Airport is the gateway to Hokkaido. First of all, please complete the reception procedure at the rental car counter at the airport. It takes about 15 minutes by free shuttle bus to the rental car company branch.
The mileage is about 200-220km. We recommend heading to Asahikawa via Furano, but if you arrive in Chitose in the afternoon, consider skipping Furano area and heading directly to Asahikawa on the expressway(E5).
If you would like to visit Furano, staying overnight in Chitose is a good idea!
140 min
2
Farm Tomita
Parking MAPCODE：
349 276 713What is MAPCODE?
１２：２０
Head directly to Furano, which has many attractions. First of all, you will visit the very popular [Farm Tomita]. Lavender from mid-July to early August is very famous, but at other times, various flowers such as poppies and lupines bloom, and you can fully enjoy it from mid-April to mid-October.
25 min
3
Shikisai no Oka
Parking MAPCODE：
349 701 217What is MAPCODE?
１３：３０
After that, you will head to the biggest highlight of the day [Shikisai no Oka]. The colorful flower fields on the vast hills will be a lifetime memory. You can enjoy it from the end of May to the end of October, but especially in September and October, it is a wonderful place to visit.
In addition, the area from Kamifurano, where Shikisai no Oka is located, to Biei is dotted with farm restaurants, making it ideal for lunch.
20 min
4
Blue Pond
Parking MAPCODE：
349 569 454What is MAPCODE?
１５：２０
After that, if you still have time, head to the famous [Blue Pond]. It has become known worldwide for being used as wallpaper for Macs on Apple Computers.
60 min
5
Inn in Asahikawa
Parking MAPCODE：
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
１７：３０
Asahikawa, where we will stay tonight, is the second largest city in Hokkaido. You can enjoy various gourmet foods such as Genghis Khan and Asahikawa ramen.
There are many shops within walking distance that are open until late at night, so check in before exploring the city.
Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most popular zoo in Japan because of their unique way to show the animals. However, you need to be careful that the zoo closes very early.
Beg May – Mid Oct 9:30-17:15(Last Ently16:00)
Mid Oct – Beg Nov 9:30-16:30(Last Ently16:00)
Mid Nov – Beg Apr 10:30-15:30(Last Ently15:00)
If you would like to visit here this day, please consider departing early and also skip some spots.
Or if you would like to enjoy Asahiyama zoo at a relaxing pace, you can consider staying at Asahikawa city one more night.
There are also amazing flower spots for Cherry Blossom and sunflowers along the drive route of the day.
[Sunflower field in Hokuryu town] is one of the best sunflower fields in Japan. If you will travel from end Jul-mid Aug, it is worth giving priority.
If you will travel from End Apr-Beg May, there is also amazing cherry blossom spots where is not well-known by foreign tourists and even local Japanese.
Please refer to the drive map and visit the place that suits your travel time.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay in Asahikawa city(旭川) which is 2nd largest city in Hokkaido.
The inns are concentrated on the north side of Asahikawa Station.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee. - Onsen
There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens. - Meal Plan Reservations
As many restaurants are open till midnight, it is recommended to book your inns with breakfast only or without meals.
Asahikawa – Otaru🔒
Start： Asahikawa (旭川)
Finish： Otaru (小樽)
Mileage：200km
Travel Pace：Fast
On this day, you will head from Asahikawa to Otaru.
1
Inn in Asahikawa
Parking MAPCODE：
９：００
The mileage is about 200km to Otaru. Although you can drive most of the part by expressway, it is a long distance and the travel pace will be fast.
30 min
2
Arashiyama Park Observatory
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
９：３０
Your first stop for the day is [Arashiyama Park Observatory] which is not so popular. But if the weather is nice, you can see panoramic scenery with Asahikawa city and the amazing Daisetsuzan mountain range.
120min
3
Ishiya Chocolate factory(Shiroi Koibito Park)
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１２：００
After that, take the expressway (E5) to Sapporo direction. It is about 150 km from Asahikawa to Sapporo and takes about 2 hours. There are not many spots to see and take the expressway(E5). It is a long journey and please take a rest at Service Area (SA) along the expressway.
Just after Sapporo, there is [Ishiya Chocolate Factory (Shiroi Koibito Park)], which is well-known as a museum and factory of “White Lover Chocolate”.
Near the Shiroi Koibito Park, there is [Sapporo market outside market], where you can buy various seafood, fruits, and souvenirs, so nice to stop by. If you haven’t had lunch yet, it is also a good place to have a fresh seafood lunch.
30min
4
Otaru City
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１３：３０
Next, you will head to Otaru. Please take a walk on Sakaimachihondori(境町本通り), which is the main street of [Otaru]. There are many attractions such as various sweets shops and the main building of Otaru Music Box Museum.
It is also recommended to eat famous Sushi.
5min
5
Inn in Otaru
Parking MAPCODE：
１７：３０
Otaru is your accommodation on this day. Please enjoy a stroll and Otaru sushi dinner with a spectacular night view of the canal.
There are also amazing flower spots for Cherry blossoms and sunflowers along the drive route of the day.
[Sunflower field in Hokuryu town] is one of the best sunflower fields in Japan. If you will travel from end Jul-mid Aug, it is worth giving priority.
If you will travel from End Apr-Beg May, there are also amazing cherry blossom spot that is not well known by foreign tourists and even local Japanese.
Please refer to the drive map and visit the place that suits your travel time.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay in Otaru city(小樽) which is famous for its canal and Sushi. Many inns are concentrated between Otaru Station and the canal. It is more convenient for sightseeing to stay as close to “Sakaimachi hondori street” as possible.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee. - Onsen
There is no onsen in this town and no inns have onsens. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are many restaurants in and around the hotel for dinner, so please make reservations according to your preference.
Otaru – Sapporo or Chitose🔒
Start： Otaru (小樽)
Finish： Sapporo or Chitose (札幌or千歳)
Mileage：
To Sapporo: 70km
To Chitose Arirpot: 110km
Travel Pace：Relax
On this day, you will back from Otaru to New Chitose Airport or Sapporo.
1
Inn in Otaru
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
９：００
The mileage is about 70km to Sapporo and you can travel at a relaxing pace.
If you plan to fly from New Chitose Airport on this day, please see the end of the article.
5 min
2
Otaru City
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
９：０５
First of all, please take a walk on Sakaimachihondori(境町本通り), which is the main street of [Otaru]. There are many attractions such as various sweets shops and the main building of Otaru Music Box Museum.
It is also recommended to eat famous Sushi for lunch.
10 min
3
Otaru Kihinkan Aoyama Bettei
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１１：１５
We also recommend [Otaru Kihinkan Aoyama Bettei], which is about 5km north of the town of Otaru. You can see how prosperous the town of Otaru was with herring fishing.
35 min
4
Ishiya Chocolate factory(Shiroi Koibito Park)
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１３：２０
After that, take the expressway(E5A) to Sapporo. Just before Sapporo, there is [Ishiya Chocolate Factory (Shiroi Koibito Park)], which is the most popular chocolate museum and factory in Hokkaido. [Sapporo market outside market] is where you can buy various seafood, fruits, and souvenirs, so nice to stop by. You also can eat seafood there too.
35 min
5
Mt.Moiwayama
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１５：００
Also, at dusk, [Mt. Moiwayama] is recommended. You can enjoy a vast night view from the observatory overlooking Sapporo, the largest town in Hokkaido.
35 min
6
Rental car branch at Sapporo or New Chitose Airport
Parking MAPCODE：
Please refer driving mapWhat is MAPCODE?
１６：２０
This concludes your Hokkaido road trip.
①Returning a car in Sapporo
When you return to Sapporo, refuel and then return the car to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest rental car stores and gas stations near Sapporo Station.
Sapporo offers a wide variety of culinary delights! For dinner, try Sapporo Miso ramen, Soup curry, Crab and Sushi.
②Returning a car at New Chitose Airport
When heading to New Chitose Airport, the distance from Sapporo is about 60 km, about 1 hour. Make sure you arrive at the car rental company branch 3 hours before your flight. You need to take the shuttle bus from the company branch to the airport. In addition, shopping area in New Chitose Airport is the best in Japan. There are restaurants where you can enjoy all kinds of Hokkaido gourmet food and countless souvenir shops, so the waiting time for your flight feels short.
The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
On this day, you will stay in either Sapporo city, the capital of Hokkaido or Chitose town near the “New Chitose Airport”. Please choose the following options depending on your travel schedule.
①Staying in Sapporo
Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido and there are hundreds of accommodations from Sapporo Station to the Susukino area, the entertainment district. It is convenient to stay either on the south side of Sapporo Station or around “Odori Park”.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee. - Onsen
There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens. - Meal Plan Reservations
Because there are more than 9,000 restaurants in Sapporo, it is recommended to make reservations with a breakfast-only plan.
②Returning to New Chitose Airport
If your flight is a morning flight, staying near Chitose Airport is a good idea. There is some hotel in and around the airport.
Once you return the car, rental car company bring you to the airport by free shuttle bus.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
It is better to return your car first and take public transportation or a shuttle bus to these hotels. - Onsen
There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens. - Meal Plan Reservations
Since there are many restaurants in the airport and around Chitose Station where you can have dinner, it is recommended to book breakfast only or stay overnight.
Your Perfect Travel Companion!
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What’s Inside:
Why Choose Our Travel Kit?
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Kit 1: Day-by-day Driving Map
Plan your perfect road trip day-by-day with our Google Maps-based driving maps. Each day’s itinerary, such as “Day.1 Tokyo to Hakone,” is packed with curated routes featuring 15-20 sightseeing spots and restaurants along the way, each pinpointed with a MAPCODE(Kit 2).
Sample Day-by-day Driving Map(Tokyo – Hakone)
- Scenic Routes:
We designed for scenic drives, not just the shortest path, ensuring a memorable journey. - Flexibility:
Spend your time only on your preferred tourist spots and dining venues. - Safety First:
Routes are optimized for appropriate driving distances, avoiding risky roads for a secure road trip. - Find Hidden Gems:
Discover spots Google misses or public transport can’t reach.- Example: Ukiha Inari Shrine
This photogenic shrine is located along the route from Fukuoka to Yufuin, and within 20 minutes you can have the wonderful scenery all to yourself. Few Japanese, let alone foreigners, know about it, and its inconvenient location makes it difficult to visit except by car.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9ENmDp69E6V7V3B49
Drive Japan day-by-day driving map will introduce you the these hidden gems everyday and make your road trip more wonderful experience!
- Example: Ukiha Inari Shrine
Kit 2: Parking MAPCODE
Tired of hunting for parking? Enter MAPCODE instead of addresses in your car’s navigation system! It lead you straight to the most convenient parking at each tourist hotspot, ensuring you spend less time circling and more time adventuring.
- Accurate Navigation:
With MAPCODE, you’re guided straight to the parking spots, not to the middle of a lake or inside a garden! For road trippers visiting 5-6 destinations each day, accurate parking guidance is crucial to make the most of your journey. - Time is Money:
Why waste precious travel time searching for parking or researching routes? International travel is an investment, costing an average of USD 16 per person per hour. For a group of three on a 7-day trip, that’s over 10 hours lost to parking hunts alone. Let MAPCODE streamline your travels, so you can focus on what truly matters—enjoying your adventure!
Kit 3: Restaurant List
Explore curated restaurant lists for each town you stay in, featuring recommended dining options.
Sample Restaurant List(Asahikawa)
- Local Cuisine:
Taste regional specialties and must-try dishes at our handpicked spots. We do not accept advertising fees from restaurants. Our selected restaurants are chosen solely based on their appeal and our firsthand experience. - Convenience:
Easily access Google Maps links for each restaurant, allowing quick checks on photos and operating hours. - Practical Advice:
Provides things you should know about dinner in the town you’re staying in, such as “towns with few restaurants” and “towns with very fast last orders by ordinance.”
Car Booking
Rental Car Booking
Please rent a car with below “Rentalcars.com” link.
- The abundant number of rental cars
- Price comparisons with several major car rental companies
- Free cancellation
Pick-up & Drop-off Location Guide
- New Chitose Airport
The main international airport in Hokkaido. Recommended for Pick-up.
If you arrive after 14:00, consider staying overnight around the airport or in Sapporo and departing the next morning.
It takes 1 hour to Sapporo station by train. - Sapporo City
The capital and biggest city in Hokkaido. Most car rental shops are located around Sapporo Station.
Important reminder for renting a car
- GPS(Car Navigation System)
MAPCODE from Drive Japan navigates you precisely to the parking lot. GPS from major car rental companies(Nippon, ORIX, Nissan, Times) are always MAPCODE compatible. However, if you are renting a car from another company, we recommend that you check with the rental company after making a reservation, just to be sure. - One-way Rental
You can rent at New Chitose Airport and return at Sapporo Station, and vice versa. Normally, the one-way charge is about JPY2000 only. - Child Seat
In Japan, the use of a child safety seat or baby seat is mandatory for children under 5 years old.
Be sure to request one from “Extras”. - Snow Tire
If you travel from the beginning of November to the end of April, you must book a car with snow tires. It should be installed without requests from rental car companies in Hokkaido, but if you are concerned, you can double-check with them after making a reservation.