Hokkaido 6 Days Itinerary-C

Summary

  • Start
    New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station
  • Finish
    New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station
  • Mileage
    Total 850km
    145km per day
  • Travel Pace
    Normal
  • Onsen Stay
    Max.3 nights
  • Recommended Seasons
    May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

This itinerary takes 6 days to circle south and central Hokkaido.
Due to standard daily mileage and by staying consecutive nights in 1 city, you can travel at a relaxing pace.
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 – Lake Toya(Sample)

Start: New Chitose Airport(新千歳空港) or Sapporo(札幌)
Finish: Lake Toya (洞爺湖)
Mileage:165km
Travel Pace: Fast

On this day, you will head to Lake Toya from New Chitose Airport via Noboribetsu.

Recommended Itinerary(Sample)

1

Rental car branch at New Chitose Airport or Sapporo

Parking MAPCODE:

What is MAPCODE?

New Chitose Airport

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 165-200km. There is the Hokkaido Expressway(E5) along the route, so it is recommended to use the expressway if the GPS guide it. If you depart in the afternoon, please consider skipping some spots.




45 min

2

National AINU museum and park UPOPOY

Parking MAPCODE:

545 194 763What is MAPCODE?

“Chise,” an Ainu house in the Ainu Folk Museum Upopoi

9:45

The first destination is [National AINU museum and park UPOPOY]. At UPOPOY, which opened in 2020, you can learn about the unique culture of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. There are also performances of unique musical instruments and dances, so don’t miss it.




30 min

3

Jigokudani(Hell Valley)

Parking MAPCODE:

603 287 235What is MAPCODE?

you can enjoy short walking at Jigokudani Hell Valley

11:15

After leaving Upopoi, head to [Noboribetsu Jigokudani]. You can enjoy short walking and see the desolate sight of sulfur vapors.
There is a restaurant on the way where you can grill Hokkaido seafood with charcoal, so it is ideal for lunch. Please refer driving map.




45 min

4

Cape Chikyu

Parking MAPCODE:

159 195 015What is MAPCODE?

From Cape Earth, you can see a panoramic view of the arcing horizon.

13:00

If you have time, stop by [Cape Chikyu].
It is an observatory where you can feel that the earth is a sphere because the horizon draws a slight arc.




45 min

5

Mt.Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm

Parking MAPCODE:

321 433 439What is MAPCODE?

Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya saw from the Mt.Usu Ropeway

14:45

Please drop in at [Mt. Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm], which is right next to Lake Toya, where you will stay for the day.
From Mt.Usu Ropeway, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Showashinzan which was suddenly made in 1944, Lake Toya, and the Pacific Ocean.
Also, there is Showashinzan Bear Ranch in the same place, so if you have children, nice visit it as well.

Right next to the ropeway station




10 min

6

Inn in Lake Toya

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

16:30

Toyako (Lake Toya) Onsen is lined with a number of hot spring inns along the south side of Lake Toya.
There are many inns where you can see Lake Toya from the open-air bath, so it is recommended to stay at one of these.

Long-run fireworks displays are held every day from May to October in the Toyako Onsen Hot Spring town area.




Driving Map For the Day(Sample)
Where to stay in Lake Toya

On this day, you will stay at Lake Toya(洞爺湖). Many Onsen Ryokans are concentrated from the south to the west side of the lake.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air Onsen with a lake view.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Lake Toya-Lake Toya🔒

Start:Lake Toya(洞爺湖)
Finish:
Lake Toya(洞爺湖)
Mileage:
40km
Travel Pace:
Relaxed

On this day, you will stay in Lake Toya for the second consecutive night.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Lake Toya

Parking MAPCODE:

What is MAPCODE?

10:00
The mileage on this day is about 40km, so you can travel comfortably.




10min

2

Nishiyama Craters Walking Trail

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

10:10

Your first stop of the day is the [Nishiyama Craters Walking Trail]. This is a crater created by the eruption of Mt. Usu in 2000, and you can see buildings damaged by crustal movements and volcanic rocks up close.




20min

3

Sobetsu Fruit Village

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

apple picking

11:30

Next, you will head to [Sobetsu Fruit Village]. This village is near Roadside Station Sobetsu, so park your car here. You can also have a light meal here. There are 17 orchards affiliated with Fruit Village, and you can enjoy picking fruits such as cherries in July and grapes, apples, and prunes in the autumn.

cherry picking
grape picking




20min

4

Mt.Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya saw from the Mt.Usu Ropeway

13:45

Next, you will head to [Mt. Usu Ropeway]. There is an observatory at the summit station and a cafe terrace where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
After descending the mountain on the ropeway, stop by the [Bear Farm] near Sanroku Station. You can observe brown bears up close to a concrete human cage (special observation room). You can also buy bear food from vending machines.

The bear farm is located right next to the ropeway station




10min

5

Inn in Lake Toya

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

16:00

Spend your second night at Lake Toya relaxing while enjoying the hot springs.

Long-run fireworks displays are held every day from May to October in the Toyako Onsen Hot Spring town area.




If you are traveling with children, it might be a good idea to stop by [Rusutsu Resort]. Among the various attractions on the vast site, the amusement park is especially recommended as it boasts the largest scale in Hokkaido. From roller coasters to attractions that small children can enjoy, there are plenty to choose from.

Rusutsu resort is the biggest theme park in Hokkaido

Driving Map For The Day🔒

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.

Where to stay in Lake Toya

On this day, you will stay at Lake Toya(洞爺湖). Many Onsen Ryokans are concentrated from the south to the west side of the lake.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for onsens and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air onsen with a lake view.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Lake Toya – Otaru🔒

Start: Lake Toya(洞爺湖)
Finish: Otaru (小樽)
Mileage:120km
Travel Pace: Normal

On this day, you will head from Lake Toya to Canal town Otaru.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Lake Toya

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

8:00

The mileage is about 120km, but if you go to the highlight, Cape Kamui, it will be very long, about 200km. In that case, we recommend that you leave from 8:00 to 9:00.




10 min

2

Mt.Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya seen from the Mt.Usu Ropeway

8:10
If you haven’t visited, please visit [Mt. Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm]. After that, you will head north toward Niseko while looking at the magnificent view of Mt. Yotei.
There are observatories overlooking Lake Toya and a delicious ice cream shop along the way, so stop by and proceed.

Lake Hill Farm’s ice cream is a must-try. Over 20 flavors.
Rich gelato




90 min

3

Shinsen Marsh

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

11:10

After that, you will head to [Shinsen Marsh]. After passing Niseko, you will enter the Niseko Panorama Line, which is the best drive route in Southern Hokkaido.

Niseko Panorama Line
the Shinsen marsh.

Shinsen Marsh is at the end of the panoramic line. There is a 25-minute walk to the beautiful marshland. Autumn leaves are also wonderful.




80 min

From Shinsen Marsh to Cape Kamui, you can enjoy a winding drive along the coast with a view of the Sea of Japan and the Shakotan Peninsula.

Route 229 on the Shakotan coast toward Cape Kamui

4

Cape Kamui

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Cape Kamui. It takes about 40 minutes round trip from the parking lot to the end of the cape.

13:30

After that, you will head north to Cape Kamui, the biggest highlight of the day. In the olden days, the cape was considered a sanctuary forbidden to women, and the cape that stretches out into the turquoise sea is breathtakingly beautiful. Enjoy walking in the magnificent scenery.




60 min

5

Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery, created by Masataka Taketsuru, NHK’s “Massan” TV series

15:30

The final destination of the day is “Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery”. You can tour the historic distillery of Japan’s leading whiskey brand.




30 min

6

Inn in Otaru

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

17:00

Otaru Canal at night

Otaru is your accommodation on this day, but most shops on Sakaimachihondori, which is the main street, close around 17:00, so you will take a walk here the next day. Instead, enjoy a stroll and Otaru sushi dinner with a spectacular night view of the canal.

You must try sushi when you come to Otaru!




In addition, there is [Mishima’s Shibazakura Garden-三島さんの芝ざくら庭園] the nice moss pink spot along the route of the day.
If you are traveling in the middle to end of May, we strongly recommend visiting.

Mr. Mishima’s Shiba-Zakura Garden (End May)

Driving Map For the Day🔒

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.

Where to stay in Otaru

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 – Asahikawa🔒

Start: Otaru (小樽)
Finish: Asahikawa (旭川)
Mileage:200km
Travel Pace:Fast

On this day, you will head from Otaru to Asahikawa the 2nd largest city in Hokkaido.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Otaru

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

9:00

The mileage is about 200km to Asahikawa. Although you can drive most of the part by expressway, it is a long distance and the travel pace will be fast.




5 min

2

Otaru City

Parking MAPCODE:

493 661 486 or walk from your innWhat is MAPCODE?

Otaru Canal

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.

Otaru’s main street “Sakai-cho Hon-dori”

It is also recommended to eat famous Sushi for lunch.

If you want to go all out, you’re going to have to go out of your way to eat delicious sushi.




30min

3

Ishiya Chocolate factory(Shiroi Koibito Park)

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Shiroi Koibito Park is very popular with children

12:30

After that, take the expressway(E5A) to Sapporo direction. Just before Sapporo, there is [Ishiya Chocolate Factory (Shiroi Koibito Park)], which is well-known as a museum and factory of “White Lover Chocolate”.
[Sapporo market outside market] is 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 fresh seafood lunch.

Sapporo Wholesale Market is a cheap place to buy marine products, sweets, and other Hokkaido souvenirs.
Grilled king crab




120min

Then, let’s skip Sapporo and head to Asahikawa. It is about 150 km from Sapporo to Asahikawa 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.

[Advice for those who want to travel Sapporo city]
Sapporo the Capitol of Hokkaido is a huge city. To avoid traffic jams and parking problems, traveling on foot in the city is more convenient.
If you would like to travel in Sapporo, it is better to return your car at Sapporo and stay there after the road trip.

4

Arashiyama Park Observatory

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Arashiyama Park Observatory, a little-known spot in Asahikawa

16:30
Once you reach Asahikawa city, this unknown observatory is recommended. If the weather is nice, you can see panoramic scenery with Asahikawa city and the amazing Daisetsuzan mountain range.




30min

5

Inn in Asahikawa

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

17:30

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.

Sapporo has miso ramen, Asahikawa has soy sauce ramen
Asahikawa is famous for Genghis Khan. Daikokuya Is recommended.




Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most popular zoo in Japan because of their unique way to show the animals. Howeve, you need to be careful that Asahiyama 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.

Asahiyama Zoo. Allow 2 hours for a visit.

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 largest field of sunflowers in Japan, Sunflower Village in Hokuryu Town (best time to visit is early August)
Little-known cherry blossom spots in Hokkaido.
Driving Map For the Day🔒

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.

Where to stay in Sapporo or Chitose

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.

 

Asahikawa – Furano🔒

Start: Asahikawa (旭川)
Finish: Furano(富良野)
Mileage:100km
Travel Pace: Relax

On this day, you will leave Asahikawa and drive through the beautiful hills of Furano and Biei to Furano.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Asahikawa

Parking MAPCODE:

What is MAPCODE?

9:00

The mileage is about 60 to 100km, so you can travel at relaxing pace.




15 min

2

Asahiyama Zoo

Parking MAPCODE:

Please refer belowWhat is MAPCODE?

Asahiyama Zoo. Allow 2 hours for a visit.

9:30

The most famous zoo in Hokkaido, [Asahiyama Zoo], can be reached in 30 minutes from Asahikawa.

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.

Beg May – Mid-Oct 9:30-17:15 (Last Entry 16:00)
Mid-Oct – Beg Nov 9:30-16:30 (Last Entry 16:00)
Mid-Nov – Beg Apr 10:30-15:30 (Last Entry 15:00)

If you would like to enjoy Asahiyama zoo at a relaxing pace, please consider staying one more night.




30 min

3

Blue Pond

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

blue pond

12:30

After that, you will head to the famous [Blue Pond]. It has become known worldwide for being used as a wallpaper for Mac on Apple Computer.

On the way to Blue Pond, there is a road you should definitely take. It is a farm road called [Fujino Loute 2 (Daini)]. You can drive through the beautiful hills for 7km. This is a secret scenic road that Drive Japan luckily found that is not listed in guidebooks. There are no signs, so please refer to the MAPCODE on the drive map.

Image of the scene from Fujino No. 2 agricultural road

The Shirahige Falls is near Blue Pond. It is not well known, but it is worth a visit as well.

Shirahige Water Falls, with the same vivid blue color as the blue pond




20 min

4

Shikisai no Oka

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

14:30

Shikisai-no-oka in Biei (season of September)

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.




25 min

5

Farm Tomita

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Furano’s synonymous with Farm Tomita’s lavender fields

16:00

Your last destination of the day is [Farm Tomita]. Lavender from mid-July to early August is very famous. Various flowers such as poppies and lupines bloom at other times, and you can fully enjoy them from mid-April to mid-October.

On the way to Farm Tomita, please go through the [Roller Coaster Road]. The 4.5km straight road that repeats ups and downs is a unique road named like a roller coaster.

Roller Coaster Road




25 min

6

Inn in Furano

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

17:30

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.




Along the drive route of the day, there are famous places of Kokia, Linaria, and lavender. Please refer to the drive map and visit the place that suits your travel time.

Driving Map For the Day🔒

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.

Where to stay in Furano

On this day, you will stay in Furano town(富良野) which is famous for its 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 is 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 – Sapporo or Chitose Airport🔒

Start: Furano (富良野)
Finish:Sapporo or Chitose Airport (札幌or千歳)
Mileage: 140km
Travel Pace: Normal

On this day, you will head from Furano to New Chitose Airport.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Furano

Parking MAPCODE:

What is MAPCODE?

9:00

The mileage is about 140km. Depending on your fright schedule, you might skip some sightseeing sites we recommend here.




15 min

2

Farm Tomita

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Furano’s synonymous with Farm Tomita’s lavender fields

9:15

Your first destination of the day is [Farm Tomita] if you haven’t been there. 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.




40min

3

Sandantaki Falles

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

11:00

Sandanaki Waterfall

Next, you will head to [Sandantaki Falles]. The waterfall proceeds in three stages (the name translates to a three-tiered waterfall) with rock formations creating interesting contrasts and a background of lush green forest adding even more depth.You can enjoy the autumn-colored leaves too.




90min

4

Kacha Ice Cream & Restaurant

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Various flavors of gelato

13:30

Hokkaido is known for its delicious ice cream. It might be a good idea to drop by [Kacha Ice Cream & Restaurant]. Find and enjoy your favorites from various flavors of ice cream. If you haven’t had lunch yet, you can also enjoy kiln-baked pizza and curry.

If you are traveling in June and July, [Roadside Station Yubari Merodo] is another ideal spot for a break. You can enjoy seasonal Yubari melons at a reasonable price there.

Yuubari melon (sweet orange melon grown in Yuubari City, Hokkaido)




15min

5

Rental car branch at Sapporo or New Chitose Airport

Parking MAPCODE:

Please refer driving mapWhat is MAPCODE?

15:00
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.

New Chitose Airport has a full range of stores to enjoy even during long waits.
Sapporo Ramen Yokocho, where all of Hokkaido’s best stores are gathered.
You would love to try soup curry in Sapporo!




It is also possible to go to [Otaru] on this day.
However, it takes 2 hours for a round trip from Sapporo to Otaru on the expressway. Even if you leave Asahikawa first thing in the morning and head straight, you will arrive at noon in Otaru, so please pay attention to the time allocation.
Also please note the following points.
・It is recommended to allocate 2-3 hours for sightseeing in Otaru as there are many attractions.
・Most shops close at 17:00

Otaru Canal

Driving Map For the Day🔒

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.

Where to stay in Sapporo or Chitose

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?

Unforgettable Memories: Each day promises unique experiences, from iconic landmarks to hidden treasures off the beaten path, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Flexibility in Your Itinerary: Our maps are packed with top attractions, hidden gems and eateries along the day’s route. Dive into the places that spark your interest and craft an itinerary that’s uniquely yours. The adventure is in your hands—make it unforgettable!

Stress-Free Travel: With everything you need in one convenient kit, you can focus on enjoying your road trip. Our comprehensive tools and expert tips ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

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)

[Drive Map]Tokyo - Hakone/Atami - Google マイマップ
Japan Road Trip itinerary search "Drive Japan"

  • 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!
Ukiba Inari Shrine with torii gate leading to the sky

Kit 2: Parking MAPCODE

MAPCODE
MAPCODE will navigate the most convenient parking

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
*Please change the location and date by yourself
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.
 
string(8) "hokkaido" string(11) "Itinerary-C"
Copied title and URL