Summary
- Start
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Finish
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Mileage
Total 440km
150km per day - Travel Pace
Normal - Onsen Stay
Max. 1 nights - Recommended Seasons
Dec,Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr
This itinerary takes 3 days to circle central Hokkaido.
Due to standard daily mileage, you can travel at a pace that is not too rushed.
In winter, the sun sets by 4-5 pm, so arrive at your inn before dark!
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/Sapporo – Furano(Sample)
Start： New Chitose Airport or Sapporo(新千歳空港or札幌)
Finish： Furano (富良野)
Mileage： 155km
Travel Pace： Normal
On this day, you will head from New Chitose Airport to Furano famous for Snow resort and blue pond.
1
Rental car branch at New Chitose Airport
Parking MAPCODE：
１０：００
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 155km. Please use the expressway (E38) on the way to shorten the travel time. If you arrive in Chitose in the afternoon, consider skipping some spots.
150 min
2
Glass Forest In FURANO
Parking MAPCODE：
550 798 046What is MAPCODE?
１２：３０
First of all, you will visit [Glass Forest In FURANO]. Many handmade glass products such as glasses and accessories are sold. Because of the elaborate glass work, people tend to think that it is expensive, but all the products in this shop are reasonably priced, making them ideal gifts.
30min
3
Furano Cheese Factory
Parking MAPCODE：
550 840 171What is MAPCODE?
１４：００
Next, you will head to [Furano Cheese Factory]. At this cheese factory, you can see the production room and aging warehouse through the glass. At the direct sales corner on the 2nd floor, you can sample cheese, and cheese made at the cheese factory, milk, and sweets made with butter are sold.
This place is popular and should be booked in advance. Please make a reservation in advance at the email address below.
cheese@furano.ne.jp
10min
4
Ningle Terrace
Parking MAPCODE：
919 553 423What is MAPCODE?
１５：３０
[Ningle Terrace] is recommended. You can buy various works by local artists such as crafts and accessories at the log houses lined up in the woods.
It opens till 20:45 so it is also okay to visit after dinner.
10 min
5
Inn in Furano
Parking MAPCODE：
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
１６：４０
Furano has a limited number of shops that are open until late at night. It is recommended to include a supper when booking the inn or to go to the inn after having supper.
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 Furano town(富良野) which is famous for beautiful hills and flower fields.
The inns are spread over a wide area around Furano Station.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
Most inns don’t have Onsen. If you would like to stay in an inn with an Onsen, the “New Furano Prince hotel” is recommended. It is located just next to Ninngle Terrace and convenient. - Meal Plan Reservations
Because Furano is not a big city, restaurants that are open late at night are limited to the area around Furano Station. If you are not staying near Furano station, we recommend a plan with dinner and breakfast.
Furano – Asahikawa 🔒
Start： Furano(富良野)
Finish： Asahikawa (旭川)
Mileage：95km
Travel Pace： Relax
On this day, you will leave Furano and drive through the beautiful hills of Furano and Biei to Asahikawa.
1
Inn in Furano
Parking MAPCODE：
９：００
The mileage is about 95km, so you can travel at relaxing pace. However, if you want to spend a long time in Asahiyama Zoo, please leave as early as possible in the morning and try to arrive at least 2 hours before closing.
60 min
2
Blue Pond
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１０：００
Your first destination of the day is the famous [Blue Pond]. It has become known worldwide for being used as wallpaper for Mac on Apple Computer.
10 min
3
Shirahige Falls
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１１：１５
You will go to [Shirahige Falls] next. It is not well known, but it is worth a visit as well.
45 min
4
Seven Star Tree & Patchwork Hills
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１２：３０
Next, you will head to [Seven Star Tree & Patchwork Hills]. The area around Biei’s Seven Star Tree is famous as Patchwork Hills in summer. In winter, too, the appearance of this tree dignifiedly standing in the wide snowfield is very tasteful. Please enjoy driving the hills around here.
45 min
5
Asahiyama Zoo
Parking MAPCODE：
Please refer belowWhat is MAPCODE?
１３：３０
The most famous zoo in Hokkaido, [Asahiyama Zoo], can be reached in about an hour and a half from Furano and about 20 minutes from Asahikawa (The snow road will take longer).
There are the following parking lots.
Main gate 1st parking(Free 65 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 856
Main gate 2nd parking(Free 125 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 856
East gate parking(Free 300 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 881
Please be careful that Asahiyama zoo closes very early.
Mid Nov – Beg Apr 10:30-15:30(Last Ently15:00)
Beg May – Mid Oct 9:30-17:15(Last Ently16:00)
Mid Oct – Beg Nov 9:30-16:30(Last Ently16:00)
Asahiyama Zoo in winter has a lot to offer, just like in summer.
● Asahiyama Zoo is famous for penguin walks, but it is much better in the snowy landscape.
● Drift ice plaza appears in the outdoor enclosure of the “Seal Museum” only during the cold winter season. It’s only in the cold winter that you can see their faces popping out of the holes in the ice floes.
● Monkeys don’t like the cold. On colder days, you can see monkey dumplings that cling together to keep warm.
● In early February, the opening hours of the zoo will be extended. You can experience Asahiyama Zoo at night under the snow light.
● Polar bears also look better in snow and ice.
If you would like to enjoy Asahiyama zoo at a relaxing pace, please consider staying one more night.
45min
6
Inn in Asahikawa
Parking MAPCODE：
１７：００
Asahikawa, where you will stay tonight, is the second largest city in Hokkaido. Here 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 please check in before exploring the city.
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 – Sapporo/Chitose 🔒
Start： Asahikawa (旭川)
Finish： Sapporo or New Chitose Airport (札幌or千歳)
Mileage：
Sapporo: 175km
Chitose Airport: 200km
Travel Pace： Fast
On this day, you will head from Asahikawa to New Chitose Airport or Sapporo.
1
Inn in Asahikawa
Parking MAPCODE：
９：４５
The mileage is about 175-205km. Depending on your fright schedule, you might skip some sightseeing sites we recommend here.
45min
2
Asahiyama Zoo
Parking MAPCODE：
１０：３０
If you have not visited yet, the first destination of the day is the most famous zoo in Hokkaido, [Asahiyama Zoo].
There are the following parking lots.
Main gate 1st parking(Free 65 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 856
Main gate 2nd parking(Free 125 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 856
East gate parking(Free 300 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 881
Please be careful that Asahiyama zoo closes very early.
Mid Nov – Beg Apr 10:30-15:30(Last Ently15:00)
Beg May – Mid Oct 9:30-17:15(Last Ently16:00)
Mid Oct – Beg Nov 9:30-16:30(Last Ently16:00)
Asahiyama Zoo in winter has a lot to offer, just like in summer.
● Asahiyama Zoo is famous for penguin walks, but it is much better in the snowy landscape.
● Drift ice plaza appears in the outdoor enclosure of the “Seal Museum” only during the cold winter season. It’s only in the cold winter that you can see their faces popping out of the holes in the ice floes.
● Monkeys don’t like the cold. On colder days, you can see monkey dumplings that cling together to keep warm.
● In early February, the opening hours of the zoo will be extended. You can experience Asahiyama Zoo at night under the snow light.
● Polar bears also look better in snow and ice.
If you would like to enjoy Asahiyama zoo at a relaxing pace, please consider staying one more night.
30min
3
Taisetsu Ji Beer
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１３：００
Next, you will visit Taisetsu Ji Beer, where you can enjoy various Hokkaido gourmet foods. The building here is an old brick warehouse that has been renovated and has a very nice atmosphere, where you can enjoy Hokkaido’s famous Genghis Khan barbecue. However, alcohol is absolutely prohibited for drivers (drink driving is severely punished in Japan).
20min
4
Otokoyama Sake Brewery
Parking MAPCODE：
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
１４：１５
Afterwards, you will take a sake factory tour at the Otokoyama Sake Brewery. It is one of Hokkaido’s representative sake brewers and is also famous as a popular tourist facility.
150min
5
Rental car branch at Sapporo or New Chitose Airport
Parking MAPCODE：
Please refer driving mapWhat is MAPCODE?
１７：４５
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, 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 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 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 are some hotels in and around the airport.
Once you return the car, the 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!
Our Travel Kit makes your road trip safer and more memorable!
What is DJ Travel Kit?
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our expertly designed travel kit, perfect for uncovering Japan’s hidden treasures! Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or driving in Japan for the first time, this kit guarantees a seamless mix of excitement, culture, and relaxation.
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.