Hokkaido 8 Days Itinerary-X

Summary

  • Start
    New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station
  • Finish
    New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station
  • Mileage
    Total 1180km
    150km per day
  • Travel Pace
    Normal
  • Onsen Stay
    Max. 5 nights
  • Recommended Seasons
    Dec,Jan,Feb,Mar,Apr

This itinerary takes 8 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 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.

 

New Chitose Airport – Noboribetsu(Sample)

Start: New Chitose Airport(新千歳空港)
Finish: Noboribetsu (登別)
Mileage:
From Sapporo: 130km
From Chitose Arirpot: 130km
Travel Pace: Relax

On this day, you will head from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo to Noboribetsu, one of Japan’s leading hot spring resorts.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Rental car branch at New Chitose Airport or Sapporo

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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 of this day is about 130km, so you can travel at a relaxing pace. If you can leave by about 13:00, you can go to Noboribetsu while sightseeing at some spots. However, if the drive departs in the afternoon, please consider skipping some spots.




40 min

2

Lake Shikotsu

Parking MAPCODE:

867 063 568What is MAPCODE?

9:40

Lake Shikotsu in winter

The first destination of this trip is [Lake Shikotsu]. It’s 30km west of the airport. You can enjoy the beautiful winter scenery of Lake Shikotsu there.

In addition to enjoying a walking at Lake Shikotsu, we recommend delicious cream puffs.

Shikotsuko Pattisier Labo Cream Puffs

Pattisier Labo



60 min

3

National AINU museum and park UPOPOY

Parking MAPCODE:

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National AINU museum and park UPOPOY

12:00
You will arrive at the “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.

UPOPOY


Event time table

40 min

4

Jigokudani(Hell Valley)

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you can enjoy short walking at Jigokudani Hell Valley

14:00

The biggest highlight of the day is Noboribetsu Jigokudani, which is also the place to stay. A desolate spectacle where sulfur vapor blows out spreads out. The walking path is 600m and you can walk in about 10 minutes.
It’s a 5-10 minute walk from the Noboribetsu Onsen Inn to the entrance of Jigokudani, so it might be a good idea to check in and take a break before heading there.




5 min

5

Inn in Noboribetsu

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“Noboribetsu” where you stay on this day is a famous hot spring that represents Hokkaido. Please relax and heal the tiredness of the first day.




Driving Map For the Day
Where to stay in Noboribetsu

On this day, you will stay in Noribetsu town(登別) which is the most famous Onsen town in Hokkaido. Many inns are located around “Jigokudani(Hell Valley)”.

  • 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.
  • 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.

 

Noboribetsu – Hakodate🔒

Start: Noboribetsu(登別)
Finish: Hakodate (函館)
Mileage:200km
Travel Pace: Fast

On this day, you will drive from Noboribetsu to Hakodate along the Funka Bay.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Noboribetsu

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The mileage is a long distance of about 200km. About 150km of this is an expressway. There are many attractions in Hakodate, so we recommend that you leave from 8:00 to 9:00, especially if you stay in Hakodate only for one night.

9:00
If you didn’t walk in Jigokudani yesterday, why not get up a little early and enjoy a walk in the morning?
It is about a 5-10 minutes walk from most of the inns in Noboribetsu Onsen to the entrance of Jigokudani. The walking path itself is 600m, and you can walk in about 10 minutes.

you can enjoy short walking at Jigokudani Hell Valley




120 min

2

Yakumo Parking area(To Hakodate)

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Harvester Yakumo’s chicken is a must when you come to Yakumo Parking Area.

11:00
[Yakumo Parking area(To Hakodate)] is highly recommended for a break.

It is a very pleasant parking area overlooking the Eruption Bay and the grasslands that spread from the hill.
From here, you can walk to restaurant “Harvester Yakumo”, where you can enjoy delicious fried chicken and pizza at a historic restaurant that was opened as an experimental farm for KFC(Kentucky Fried Chicken).

After lunch, you will head to Hakodate again on the expressway. It takes 2 hours to get to Hakodate, so please take a break on the way.

The spot is located on the expressway. If GPS ask you, please choose “Toll”.




80 min

3

Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse

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14:00
If you arrive in Hakodate while it is bright, we recommend the Red Brick Warehouse.

More than 40 restaurants and stores are located in the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse.

If you have time, we recommend taking a walk in Motomachi, Hakodate, where old Western-style buildings are lined up on the cobblestone slopes.

Motomachi area in Hakodate in winter

Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse



10 min

4

Inn in Hakodate

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The night view seen from Mt. Hakodate is one of the three major night views in Japan and it is wonderful

The top of Mt. Hakodate in winter

If you visit Mt. Hakodate, please use the ropeway as the road to the summit is closed during the winter season.




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 Hakodate

On this day, you will stay in Hakodate(函館) city which is famous for its magnificent night view and morning market. Many inns are concentrated in the following two areas.

①Around Hakodate Morning Market
Most of the highlights in Hakodate are located near the Hakodate Morning Market and it is very convenient for sightseeing. However, there is no Onsen in this area.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels.
  • Parking
    Some inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee.
  • Onsen
    Inns around the morning market don’t provide an onsen.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are many restaurants for dinner. It is also a good idea to have breakfast at “Hakodate Morning Market”. Therefore, booking a plan with breakfast or without meals is fine.

②Yunokawa Onsen(湯の川温泉) area
This area is located 5km east of the center of Hakodate and near Hakodate airport.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with onsen.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for Onsen 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.

 

Hakodate – Niseko/Lake Toya🔒

Start: Hakodate(函館)
Finish: Niseko or Lake Toya (ニセコ/洞爺湖)
Mileage:
To Lake Toya: 175km
To Niseko: 220km
Travel Pace: Fast

On this day, you will head from Hakodate to Lake Toya or Niseko.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Hakodate

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9:00

The mileage is long, about 175-220km including 125km of expressway driving.




5 min

2

Hakodate Morning Market

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Hakodate morning market

9:05

You will get up early on this day and visit [Hakodate Morning Market]. Breakfast will consist of fresh seafood such as famous squid, sea urchins, and crab is the best.
It is also okay to visit on foot from your inn if possible.

Squid is a must at Hakodate morning market
Grilled king crab
You can enjoy squid fishing in Hakodate morning market




5 min

3

Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse

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10:10

[Hakodate Red Brick Warehouse] is also nearby, so if you haven’t been there yet, please stop by.

More than 40 restaurants and stores are located in the Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse.




45 min

4

Onuma National Park

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Onuma National Park in winter

11:50

After that, you will head to [Onuma National Park]. The winter scenery is beautiful and you can enjoy various winter activities there. There are also several recommended restaurants around Onuma Park, so please enjoy lunch around there.

Restaurant Rivage stands by the lakeside of Onuma




120 min

5

Mt.Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm

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

15:30

After Onuma Park, it is a 2-hour drive on the expressway. The final destination of the day is “Mt. Usu Ropeway”. From the ropeway, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Showa Shinzan, which was created in 1944, Lake Toya, and the Pacific Ocean.
There is also Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch in the same place, so if you have children, please visit it as well.

Bear farm is located right next to the ropeway station




10 min

6

Inn in Lake Toya/Niseko

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17:00

There are 3 recommended area for this day.
If you would like to stay snow resort for ski and snow activities, either Niseko or Rusutsu is recommended. If you don’t plan to do skiing, Lake Toya is recommended. Please refer below “Where to stay” part.

Lake Toya in winter. Source: Instagram account of Toyako Onsen Tourism Association (play_laketoya)  出典:洞爺湖温泉観光協会インスタグラム




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 Niseko or 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.

 

Niseko/Lake Toya – Otaru 🔒

Start: Niseko or Lake Toya (ニセコ/洞爺湖)
Finish: Otaru (小樽)
Mileage:130km
Travel Pace: Normal

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

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Lake Toya

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9:00

The mileage of this day is normal about 130km. But we recommend to leave the hotel at 9:00.




10 min

2

Mt.Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm

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

9:10
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

Fukidashi Spring Water Park

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A tremendous amount of water is springing out in Fukidashi Spring Water Park.

12:30

Next you will head to [Fukidashi Spring Water Park] with the famous water that springs from Mount Yotei. A tremendous amount of water is springing out, and you can put water in your bottle and take it the hotel if you like.




90 min

4

Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

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

15:00

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




40 min

5

Inn in Otaru

Parking MAPCODE:

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16:40

Otaru Canal in winter

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!




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 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:185km
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

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9:00

The mileage is about 185km 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

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Otaru Canal in winter

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 city in winter

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.




60min

3

Ishiya Chocolate factory(Shiroi Koibito Park)

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Shiroi Koibito Park is very popular with children

13:30

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




150min

Then, let’s skip Sapporo and head to Asahikawa. It is about 150 km from Sapporo to Asahikawa and takes about 2 hours (snow roads are slower). 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

Inn in Asahikawa

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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 its unique way to show the animals. However, 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 on 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 Penguin Walks in the Snow

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 Asahikawa

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 – Furano 🔒

Start: Asahikawa (旭川)
Finish: Furano(富良野)
Mileage:95km
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

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9:45

The mileage is about 95km, so you can travel at relaxing pace.




45 min

2

Asahiyama Zoo

Parking MAPCODE:

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10:30

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walks in the snow

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.

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

3

Seven Star Tree & Patchwork Hills

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13:30

Seven Star Tree & Patchwork Hills

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

4

Shirahige Falls

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14:30

You will go to [Shirahige Falls] next. 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




10 min

5

Blue Pond

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15:10

Blue Pond in winter

Your last destination of the day is the famous [Blue Pond]. It has become known worldwide for being used as wallpaper for Mac on Apple Computer.




60 min

6

Inn in Furano

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17:10

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.




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 – Furano 🔒

Start: Furano(富良野)
Finish: Furano(富良野)
Mileage:80km
Travel Pace: Relax

On this day, you will be staying in Furano for the second consecutive night. Enjoy the winter of Furano and Biei at your leisure.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Furano

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10:00

The mileage is about 80km, so you can travel at relaxing pace. It is enough to leave the inn around 10 o’clock.




10 min

2

Furano Marche

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10:10

Furano Marche Source: Furano Marche Facebook account 出典:フラノマルシェ・フェースブックアカウント

Furano has many attractions. First of all, you will head to the [Furano Marche]. This is a vast and diverse facility, but we especially recommend the shops and cafes that offer freshly made sweets and freshly baked bread. How about a slightly late breakfast with freshly baked delicious bread?




60min

3

Blue Pond

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13:00

Blue Pond in winter

Your next destination will be the famous [Blue Pond]. It has become known worldwide for being used as wallpaper for Mac on Apple Computer.




10 min

4

Shirahige Falls

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14:30

Your last destination of the day is [Shirahige Falls]. 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




70 min

5

Inn in Furano

Parking MAPCODE:

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16:20

On this day, you will be staying in Furano for the second consecutive night. Please spend a relaxing time at the inn.




If you want to enjoy winter sports, you can try skiing and snowboarding at Furano Ski Resort instead of driving. Furano Ski Resort has a very long run distance of about 4km, and is a ski resort with the best snow quality and abundant snowfall. It is a ski resort that can be enjoyed by beginners to advanced players with a total of 28 courses. The Kitanomine Premium Zone is only available for cruising in good conditions, and is popular with advanced riders for enjoying off-piste. Kitanomine’s Family Slope has a wide course, so even beginners can ski with confidence. And in the Furano zone, you can reach the mountaintop station on the 101-passenger high-speed Furano Ropeway. Enjoy long cruising on a wide variety of courses.

Furano Ski Resort Source: Instagram Furano ski resort 出典:インスタグラム富良野スキー場(furanoski_official)
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/Chitose 🔒

Start: Furano (富良野)
Finish: Sapporo or New Chitose Airport (札幌or千歳)
Mileage: 150km
Travel Pace: Normal

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

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Furano

Parking MAPCODE:

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10:00

The mileage is about 150km. Depending on your fright schedule, you might skip some sightseeing sites we recommend here.




10 min

2

Furano Marche

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10:10

Furano Marche Source: Furano Marche Facebook 出典:フラノマルシェ

 

Furano has many attractions. First of all, you will head to the [Furano Marche]. This is a vast and diverse facility, but we especially recommend the shops and cafes that offer freshly made sweets and freshly baked bread. How about a slightly late breakfast with freshly baked delicious bread?




10min

3

Furano Delice

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

12:00

King of puddings! Furano milk pudding Source: Furano Delice official website 出典:フラノデリス公式ホームページ

Next, you head to [Furano Delice], a recommended sweets shop in Furano. Enjoy your favorite sweets such as famous pudding and cheesecake.




30min

4

Glass Forest In FURANO

Parking MAPCODE:

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13:00

Glasses in Glass Forest In FURANO Source: Grass Forest in Furano official website 出典:グラス・フォレストin富良野 公式ウエブサイト

Your last visit in Furano is [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.




150min

5

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.

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!




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.
 
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