Summary
- Start
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Finish
New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station - Mileage
Total 1090km
160km per day - Travel Pace
Fast - Onsen Stay
Max. 5 nights - Recommended Seasons
Dec,Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr
This itinerary takes 7 days to circle east and central Hokkaido.
Due to long daily mileage and by staying consecutive nights in 1 city only, the travel pace is fast.
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 – Asahikawa(Sample)
Start: New Chitose Airport or Sapporo(新千歳空港or札幌)
Finish: Asahikawa (旭川)
Mileage:
From Sapporo: 180km
From Chitose Arirpot: 200km
Travel Pace: Fast
On this day, you will head from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo to Asahikawa directly.
1
Sapporo or Chitose
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
The mileage is about 180-200km. We recommend heading directly to Asahikawa on the expressway(E5).
Because of long driving, please take a rest at Service Area(SA) along the express way. “Sunagawa SA” is recommended.
150 min
2
Taisetsu Ji Beer
Parking MAPCODE:
79 344 185What is MAPCODE?
11:30
Firstly, 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).
30 min
3
Asahiyama Zoo
Parking MAPCODE:
Please refer belowWhat is MAPCODE?
12:50
After that, you will head to the biggest highlight of the day [Asahiyama Zoo]. There are many winter-friendly animals, such as penguins, seals, polar bears and arctic foxes. Asahiyama Zoo is located about 30 minutes from the city center.
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
30 min
4
Otokoyama Sake Brewery
Parking MAPCODE:
79 469 197What is MAPCODE?
15:15
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.
Brewery website
15 min
5
Asahikawa
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
16:20
Asahikawa, where you will stay on this day, 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.
Every year, in early February, the Asahikawa Winter Festival is held with the theme of “a festival of snow, ice and lights.” There are many snow sculptures made by citizens. At night, the snow sculptures are lit up, and projection mapping using the large snow sculptures is performed on a special stage. The festival is held on the banks of the Ishikari River on the north side of Tokiwa Park. About 2km north of Asahikawa Station. Please refer to the Drive Map for more information.
If you have time and are a bit hungry, It might be fun to visit Asahikawa Ramen Village. There, you may be able to find the one you like from among the various types of ramen.
Please refer to the driving map.
The driving map will show an additional 10-20 spots for the day. You will travel only to your favorite spots. Click the pin on the map and input the parking MAPCODE into your car navigation system (GPS). It will guide you to the nearest parking lot for each spot!
On this day, you will stay in Asahikawa city(旭川), which is the 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 – Abashiri 🔒
Start:Asahikawa(旭川)
Finish:Abashiri (網走)
Mileage:220km
Travel Pace:Fast
On this day, you will head from Asahikawa to Abashiri.
1
Asahikawa
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
The mileage is 230km, which is the longest on this trip, so we recommend leaving Asahikawa before 9:00 at the latest. You will be driving on the expressway (E39) for the first half and on the public road for the second half.
150 min
2
Revolving Sushi Toriton(Engaru)
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
11:30
After driving a long distance on the expressway, please enjoy lunch at a sushi restaurant. This is a revolving sushi restaurant, but you can eat very fresh sushi at a more reasonable price than in Sapporo.
120 min
3
Cape Notoro
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
14:15
Next, you will head to Cape Notoro, which is a scenic spot where you can enjoy the beautiful and mysterious drift ice and the white world of icefalls. Road Abashiri Park Line, also known as the “Misaki Line”, is a scenic road where you can enjoy a comfortable drive even in winter. Drift ice can usually be seen from early February to early March.
25 min
4
Okhotsk drift ice museum
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
15:30
After that, you will go to the Okhotsk drift ice museum and learn about drift ice, preparing for tomorrow’s drift ice cruise.
10 min
5
Abashiri
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
16:30
Abashiri, where we stay on this day, is a hot spring resort. Since the number of restaurants is quite limited, it is recommended to make a reservation at a hot spring inn with a plan to half board. Make sure you arrive at the inn by 5 pm at the latest.
Every year in early February, the Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival is held at Abashiri Port. It is highly recommended anyone traveling right around this time to go. Snow and ice sculptures are set up at the venue, and you can enjoy the taste of Abashiri along with various stage events. Abashiri Port is located 2.5 km east of Abashiri Station. Please refer to the Drive Map for more information.
The driving map will show an additional 10-20 spots for the day. You will travel only to your favorite spots. Click the pin on the map and input the parking MAPCODE into your car navigation system (GPS). It will guide you to the nearest parking lot for each spot!
On this day, you will stay at Abashiri(網走). The inns are spread from the east side of Lake Abashiri to the Abashiri station area.
- Inn Type
There are various styles of accommodations in Abashiri, from 3-star western-style hotels to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokan with an onsen. If you prefer a reasonably priced hotel, we recommend staying near Abashiri Station, and if you prefer a Ryokan with onsen, we recommend staying on the east side of Lake Abashiri. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for onsens and most of the inns have one. - 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.
Abashiri – Shiretoko 🔒
Start: Abashiri(網走)
Finish: Shiretoko (知床)
Mileage:90km
Travel Pace: Relaxed
On this day, you will head from Abashiri to Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage Site.
1
Abashiri
Parking MAPCODE:
8:50
The mileage is about 90km. You must have checked in for Abashiri Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora by 9:15 on this day, so please leave the hotel by 8:50 at the latest. Also, the departure time of the Icebreaker Aurora may change depending on the season, so please check the information on the website (https://www.ms-aurora.com/abashiri/en/).
10 min
2
Abashiri Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
9:00
The first destination is [Abashiri Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora], which is the biggest highlight of the day. This is a large ship that sails on the sea while breaking ice. You can see the ice floes that arrive every year off the coast of Abashiri Port up close, and you can enjoy a thrilling cruise as the vibrations and sounds of breaking the ice are transmitted directly to the boat.
Icebreaker Aurora departs at 9:30 most days. Please arrive at the platform by 9:00 and complete her check-in procedures. Also, the departure time of the Icebreaker Aurora may change depending on the season, so please check the information on the website (https://www.ms-aurora.com/abashiri/en/). The cruise time is a little over an hour.
Time table and detail about Aurora
10 min
3
Abashiri Prison Museum
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
11:00
After enjoying a winter sea cruise, you will head to The Abashiri Prison Museum, where the Abashiri Prison buildings made in the Meiji era (1868–1912) are preserved and open to the public.
15 min
4
Lunch at Kaniya
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
12:00
Please enjoy delicious seafood in Abashiri. We recommend “Okhotsk direct market Kaniya”.
65 min
5
Road to the Sky
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
14:10
After lunch, you will head to [Road to the Sky]. While driving on the road, it provides a terrific view of itself. Originally known only to local bikers, the name comes from the sight of a 28km straight road leading to the sky. Must see.
30 min
6
Yuhidai Observatory
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
15:40
Next you will head to Yuhidai Observatory. Here, the surface of the sea, which is covered with drift ice, turns a golden color, creating a beautiful and impressive impression.
10 min
7
Shiretoko
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
Shiretoko, where you stay on this day, is a hot spring resort. Since the number of restaurants where you can have dinner is very limited, it is recommended to make a reservation at a hot spring inn with a plan with half board. Make sure you arrive at the inn by 5 pm at the latest.
The driving map will show an additional 10-20 spots for the day. You will travel only to your favorite spots. Click the pin on the map and input the parking MAPCODE into your car navigation system (GPS). It will guide you to the nearest parking lot for each spot!
On this day, you will stay in Shiretoko(知床). Because of the schedule for the next day, it is better to stay at “Utoro(ウトロ)” town on the west side of the Shiretoko peninsula. Most inns are concentrated around “Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku”.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with onsen facilities. There are few reasonably priced inns in Shiretoko. However, they all offer excellent food and hot springs, so we recommend that you stay at a better inn in Shiretoko even if you save money on lodging in other towns. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for an onsen and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air onsen and enjoy an onsen with a magnificent view of the Sea of Okhotsk. - 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.
Shiretoko – Shiretoko 🔒
Start: Shiretoko (知床)
Finish: Shiretoko (知床)
Mileage:20km
Travel Pace: Relaxed
On this day, you will stay in Shiretoko for the second consecutive night.
1
Shiretoko
Parking MAPCODE:
8:00
The mileage on this day is 20km and you hardly drive a car. However, if you participate in the “Winter Shiretoko Five Lakes Tour”, you need to leave the hotel at 8:00 and wake up early in the morning. On the other hand, if you choose the RYUHYO (Drift Ice) Walk, the morning will be a little more leisurely.
2
Winter Activities in Shiretoko
Parking MAPCODE:
See belowWhat is MAPCODE?
8:00
Winter in Shiretoko, which is rich in nature, can be severely cold with drift ice drifting, but you can enjoy activities unique to winter to your heart’s content. A couple of options are shown below.
(Option 1) There are guided tours of the Shiretoko Five Lakes during the harsh winter season, where you can enjoy a walk in the wetlands and lakes that are not accessible during the summer season. In particular, [Winter Shiretoko Five Lakes Tour] by Shiretoko Nature Office is recommended. Reservations are required (please go to https://en.activityjapan.com/publish/plan/3379 for booking in English).
Depending on which Shiretoko tour you book, normally your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8:00. The tour guide will then take you to the activity location and drop you off at your hotel after the activity. The duration of the tour is approximately 5 hours.
(Option 2) Drift ice lands on the coast of Okhotsk in Hokkaido from around the end of January. Especially around Utoro on the Shiretoko Peninsula, the sea is covered with ice like a pure white land during the peak season. [RYUHYO (Drift Ice) Walk] is an activity unique to Utoro where you can experience such phenomena and sights like those in the Arctic Circle. You can see the activity in action in the video below.
https://youtu.be/XLZNBYvNYFY
Reservations are required (please go to https://shinrashiretoko.wixsite.com/shinra/ice-walking for booking in English).
10 min
3
Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
13:30
For lunch on this day, we recommend [Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku]. You can easily enjoy a wide variety of meals.
5 min
4
Oronko Rock Observatory
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
14:30
After lunch, please enjoy the spectacular drift ice views from the Oronko Rock Observatory. You can go there on foot or by car. It takes about 10 minutes if you walk.
However, the path leading up to the observatory is narrow and steep, so if you think it is dangerous due to accumulated snow, please skip this observatory and enjoy the drift ice near the next waterfall. Please put safety first.
10 min
5
Oshinkoshin Falls
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
15:30
This spectacular waterfall, located just next to the coastal main road heading toward Shiretoko, provides visitors a unique experience. After a short walk up some stairs, you can enjoy the waterfall in all of its glory. An observatory is located at the top of the falls and provides a view of the Sea of Okhotsk.
There is also a sidewalk on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot. From there you can enjoy the drift ice of the sea of Okhotsk.
10 min
6
Shiretoko
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
On this day you will stay at a hotel in Shiretoko following yesterday. Please spend a relaxing time in Shiretoko, a World Heritage site.
The driving map will show an additional 10-20 spots for the day. You will travel only to your favorite spots. Click the pin on the map and input the parking MAPCODE into your car navigation system (GPS). It will guide you to the nearest parking lot for each spot!
On this day, you will stay in Shiretoko(知床). Because of the schedule for the next day, it is better to stay at “Utoro(ウトロ)” town on the west side of the Shiretoko peninsula. Most inns are concentrated around “Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku”.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities. There are few reasonably priced inns in Shiretoko. However, they all offer excellent food and hot springs, so we recommend that you stay at a better inn in Shiretoko even if you save money on lodging in other towns. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
This town is famous for an onsen and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air onsen and enjoy an onsen with a magnificent view of the Sea of Okhotsk. - 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.
Shiretoko – Lake Akan 🔒
Start:Shiretoko (知床)
Finish:Lake Akan (阿寒湖)
Mileage:185km
Travel Pace:Fast
On this day you will head from Shiretoko to Lake Akan through a scenic road.
1
Inn in Shiretoko
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
The mileage is long and about 185km, and there is no expressway section. Also, since there are many highlight sites, we strongly recommend that you leave around 8 to 9 o’clock.
100 min
2
Lake Kussharo Sunayu
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
10:40
Your first destination of the day is [Lake Kussharo Sunayu]. This is a popular destination for photographers due to the abundance of swans and the stunning backdrop. Sunayu on the shores of Lake Kussharo is a natural hot spring. Therefore, the center of the lake is covered with ice in winter, but the lakeside is not frozen and becomes an open-air bath for swans. There is also a footbath here, so you can relax while watching the swans from the footbath.
20 min
3
Mt.Iou
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
12:00
Next, you will head to [Mt.Iou]. It is an active volcano covered in solidified lava and emits a great deal of smoke.
20 min
4
Teshikaga Ramen Main branch (Lunch)
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
13:30
For lunch on this day, Teshikaga Ramen Main branch is recommended. Ramen is perfect for lunch on a cold winter trip.
We recommend trying the Seafood soy sauce(魚介たまり醤油) Ramen and Miso(味噌) ramen.
20 min
5
Lake Mashu
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
14:30
After enjoying lunch, you will head to [Lake Mashu]. The north side of Route 52 is closed in winter, so you will head to Lake Mashu No. 1 Observatory from the south side. Lake Mashu is famous as a beautiful lake with highly transparent water. Especially from the end of January to around February 20th every year, Lake Mashu is in the freezing season. It is especially beautiful to see the frozen ice in progress. The sapphire blue surface of the lake shines with the white frozen ice.
90 min
6
Inn in Lake Akan
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
17:00
After that, it is a long drive of 85km to Lake Akan, about an hour and a half.
Because of long distance, please take rest at the road sidestation along the way.
Lake Akan, where you stay on this day, is also a famous hot spring resort. Relax in the hot springs and rest your body.
6
Lake Akan AINU Kotan
Parking MAPCODE:
Walking distance from innsWhat is MAPCODE?
19:30
One of the highlights at Lake Akan is [Akan AINU Kotan]. A place where you can experience the culture of the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido, you can not only see their traditional dances every night in the theater but also do shopping in various woodcraft shops.
The theater and shops open till night and you can visit them after dinner.
Ainu Kotan Traditional Dance Schedule
10 min
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 at Lake Akan(阿寒湖) the tiny Onsen town that is famous for “Ainu Kotan”, the village of Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. Many inns are concentrated on the south 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, be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.
Lake Akan – Obihiro 🔒
Start:Lake Akan (阿寒湖)
Finish:Obihiro or Tomamu (帯広/トマム)
Mileage:
To Obihiro: 200km
To Tomamu: 250km
Travel Pace:Fast
On this day you will head from Lake Akan to Obihiro or Tomamu.
1
Lake Akan
Parking MAPCODE:
9:00
The mileage is long and about 195km to Obihiro or 245km to Tomamu. Depending on the weather in Hokkaido in winter, road conditions can deteriorate, and road regulations may be tightened. Please be careful when driving.
Before checking out of the hotel, it is recommended to enjoy the natural phenomenon of the frigid Lake Akan. You may be able to see Frost Flowers, Diamond Dust, Kearashi (Frost smoke), etc. if the weather conditions are good in the early morning.
60 min
2
Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
10:00
Next, you will head to [Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary]. You can see red-crowned cranes here. Winter here is a photographer’s paradise. During the feeding season from November to March, photographers gather along the fence to capture the beauty of the red-crowned cranes in the viewfinder. Here you will find the scenery that symbolizes Hokkaido in winter.
30 min
3
Kushiro Marsh Observatory
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
12:00
After seeing the red-crowned cranes, you head to the [Kushiro Marsh Observatory]. This is a representative base where you can see, learn about, and explore the Kushiro Marsh. From the observation room on the 3rd floor and the rooftop, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the wetlands, the city of Kushiro, and the mountains of Akan.
120min
4
Ikeda Wine Castle
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
15:00
Next, you will head to “Ikeda Wine Castle” via Expressway (E38). This is the most famous winery in Hokkaido, and you can see the inside of a brewery that imitates a castle in medieval Europe.
0:40
5
Obihiro
Parking MAPCODE:
Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?
Obihiro is one of the leading cities in Hokkaido. There are many restaurants and food stalls on the north side of the station, so please enjoy dinner while strolling after checking in at the hotel. In particular, Obihiro is famous for pork rice bowls as a local gourmet. Please try it.
17:00
The driving map will show an additional 10-20 spots for the day. You will travel only to your favorite spots. Click the pin on the map and input the parking MAPCODE into your car navigation system (GPS). It will guide you to the nearest parking lot for each spot!
On this day, you will stay in Obihiro (帯広) city, located in the center of the vast Tokachi Plain and it is famous for its delicious agricultural products.
Many inns are concentrated in the following two areas.
①Around Obihiro Station
The inns are concentrated around Obihiro station. Convenient for dinner and walking around Obihiro City, but no inns offer onsen.
- 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.
②Tokachigawa Onsen(十勝川温泉)
This hot spring resort area is located 10km east of Obihiro station. If you would like to stay in better accommodation with Onsen, here is recommended.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
Most inns provide an Onsen. Tokachigawa Onsen is a “Mall spring” which is among only a few places in the world good for skincare. - 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.
Obihiro – Sapporo/Chitose Airport🔒
Start: Obihiro (帯広)
Finish: Sapporo or New Chitose Airport (札幌or千歳)
Mileage:
To Sapporo: 210km
To Chitose Airport: 170km
Travel Pace: Fast
On this day, you will head from Furano to New Chitose Airport or Sapporo.
1
Inn in Obihiro
Parking MAPCODE:
10:00
The mileage is about 170-210km. Depending on your fright schedule, Please adjust the time for snow activities for this day.
80 min
2
Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU
Parking MAPCODE:
🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?
11:20
On this day, please enjoy some light snow activities at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. Firstly, please take the gondola from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain and enjoy Muhyo (rime) Terrace. This place becomes Unkai (sea of clouds) Terrace in the summer. You can experience the superb view of Tomamu in winter. Enjoy the snow-covered trees and the majestic view of the snowy mountains.
You can also enjoy snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVksREPIKKk
If you want to enjoy more snow activities such as skiing and snowboarding in Tomamu, we recommend staying another night in Tomamu.
120min
3
Rental car branch at Sapporo or New Chitose Airport
Parking MAPCODE:
Please refer driving mapWhat is MAPCODE?
16:30
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.
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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)
- 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.