16 days in Hokkaido Itinerary

A gateway to the island, Hakodate has gained a reputation for its waterfront attractions, its proximity to some of the island's most popular natural sites, and its seafood.

Hakodate is known for sightseeing, nature, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Hakodate, wander the streets of Motomachi, steep yourself in history at The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, and make a trip to Hachimanzaka.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, read our Hakodate trip itinerary maker website.

Osaka to Hakodate is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also take a train; or drive. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Osaka in July, with highs in Hakodate at 26°C and lows at 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat) early enough to drive to Niseko-cho.

Ranking as the most popular ski resort in Hokkaido, mountaintop Niseko-cho boasts great slopes and surprisingly vibrant nightlife.

Get out of town with these interesting Niseko-cho side-trips: Kutchan-cho (White Isle Niseko & Niseko Hanazono Resort), Kiroro Snow World (in Akaigawa-mura) and Yoichi-cho (Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery & Old Shimoyoichi Unjoya). There's much more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Mishima's Shibazakura Garden, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, get a new perspective on nature at Kutchan Natural History Museum, and fly down the slopes at Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area.

For more things to do, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read Niseko-cho trip builder.

Drive from Hakodate to Niseko-cho in 3 hours. In July, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can drive to Noboribetsu.

Perhaps the island's best-known hot spring resort, Noboribetsu has a long history of tourism.

Get out of town with these interesting Noboribetsu side-trips: Sobetsu-cho (Hamada Marutome Fruits Gaden & Showashinzan) and Mt. Usu Funka Memorial Park (in Toyako-cho). And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape at Jigokudani, explore the activities along Lake Toya, get to know the resident critters at Noboribetsu Bear Park, and witness a stunning natural landmark at Oyunuma.

To find out how to plan a trip to Noboribetsu, use our trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Niseko-cho to Noboribetsu in 1.5 hours. In July, daily temperatures in Noboribetsu can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can drive to Sapporo.

A modern, bustling city known for its beer brewery, Sapporo attracts millions of visitors with its Snow Festival, during which elaborate ice and snow sculptures are exhibited all over town.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sapporo: Otaru (Shibusawa Soko, Otaru Canal, &more). There's much more to do: walk around Odori Park, take a stroll through Susukino, take in the architecture and design of Hokkaido University Sapporo Campus, and take an in-depth tour of Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura).

To find more things to do, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Sapporo driving holiday site.

Traveling by car from Noboribetsu to Sapporo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Noboribetsu in July since evenings lows in Sapporo dip to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to drive to Asahikawa.

Perched on the confluence of four rivers and surrounded by green hills, Asahikawa combines a modern city experience with the pristine nature nearby.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): get engrossed in the history at Hokuchin Memorial Museum, fly down the slopes at Asahiyama Yuki no Mura, then get to know the resident critters at Asahiyama Zoo, then fly down the slopes at Canmore Ski Village, and finally stroll around Arashiyama Park. On your second day here, stroll around Hoppo Yasoen, make a trip to Asahikawa Station, then explore the galleries of Takushinkan, then explore the activities along Shirogane Blue Pond, and finally take in the dramatic scenery at Shirahige Falls.

To see photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Asahikawa vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Sapporo to Asahikawa takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. August in Asahikawa sees daily highs of 27°C and lows of 26°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can catch the flight back home.