21 days in Hokkaido Itinerary

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.

Fushimi Inari Shrine and Hokkaido Jingu will appeal to history buffs. Appreciate the collections at The Hokkaido University Museum and Chitosetsuru Sake Museum. Get out of town with these interesting Sapporo side-trips: Kitahiroshima (Mitsui Outlet Park, Sapporo Kitahiroshima & Sapporo Gulf Club Wattsu Course), Chitose (Spas & Chitose Outlet Mall Rera) and Tomakomai (Nidom Classic Course & Katsura Gulf Club). There's lots more to do: get into the urban bustle at Sapporo Underground Shopping Centre Aurora Town, hit the slopes at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, get a sense of history and politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, and buy something for everyone on your list at Pole Town.

For maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read Sapporo travel route app.

Tokyo to Sapporo is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also take a train; or drive. When traveling from Tokyo in January, plan for colder days and little chillier nights in Sapporo: temperatures range from -3°C by day to -6°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) so you can go by car to Noboribetsu.

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

Zenkoji Temple and Abuta Shrine are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore hidden gems such as Sanlaiva Ski Area and National Ainu Museum Upopoy. Change things up with these side-trips from Noboribetsu: Toyako-cho (Hokkaido Toyako Summit Memorial Museum, Toyako Visitor Center, &more) and Former Site of Sendai Clan Manor House (in Shiraoi-cho). There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Jigokudani, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, don't miss a visit to Onibokora, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Yuzawa Shrine.

For maps, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Noboribetsu online itinerary builder.

Drive from Sapporo to Noboribetsu in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. While traveling from Sapporo, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Noboribetsu, ranging from highs of 0°C to lows of -4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) so you can go by car to Sapporo.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Sky Museum, New Chitose Airport and Hokkaido Brooks Country Club. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Hill of The Buddha and Karimba Ruins. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sapporo: Chitose (Citizen Ski Resort, The North Country Golf Club, &more) and Tomakomai Golf Resort 72 (in Tomakomai). See some other sides of Sapporo: pick up some local products at Hakko Gakuen Farm Market, Original Deli Products, head outdoors with Takino Snow World, delve into the lush surroundings at Maruyama Genshirin, and get great views at Mt. Moiwa.

For other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Sapporo trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Noboribetsu to Sapporo takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. While traveling from Noboribetsu, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Sapporo, ranging from highs of -3°C to lows of -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can drive to Otaru.

The port city of Otaru has long attracted domestic visitors, drawn in by the city's many historic buildings, and has started to garner international attention, too.

The Site of Temiya Line and Tomioka Catholic Church will appeal to history buffs. Head to Sankaku Market and Otaru Music Box Museum Main Buildingfor plenty of shopping. Explore Otaru's surroundings by going to Kiroro Snow World (in Akaigawa-mura) and Yoichi-cho (Ebisuiwa Daikokuiwa, Old Shimoyoichi Unjoya, &more). The adventure continues: take a stroll around Otaru City Meeting Hall, contemplate the long history of Former Motosaburo Kaneko Store, don't miss a visit to Otaru Joyato, and admire the landmark architecture of Former Mitsui Sumitomo Bank Otaru Branch.

Find out how to plan Otaru trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.

You can drive from Sapporo to Otaru in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Otaru can reach -3°C, while at night they dip to -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Furano.

Situated in the center of the island, Furano has become known for its idyllic rural landscape, and the drastic changes it experiences as seasons shift.

On the 15th (Sun), play a few rounds at Furano Golf Course, see the interesting displays at Goto Sumio Art Museum, view the masterpieces at Takushinkan, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Biei Shrine, and finally browse the exhibits of Kikuchi Haruo Photo Gallery. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Furano Marche, examine the collection at Furabi, indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at Furano Onsen Shisainoyu, then fly down the slopes at Furano Ski Resort, and finally view the masterpieces at Photo Gallery Oka-No Shashin-Kan.

To plan Furano vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

You can drive from Otaru to Furano in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Otaru in January, expect little chillier with lows of -13°C in Furano. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can go by car to Kushiro.

Kushiro first developed as an industrial hub thanks to its relatively ice-free harbor, and has since also become known as a transport hub for journeys to the east of the island.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): examine the collection at Kushiro Art Museum, Hokkaido, look for gifts at Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf Moo, get into the urban bustle at Kushiro City Shogai Gakushu Center, explore the world behind art at Kushiro City Museum of Art, then steep yourself in history at Kushiro Itsukushima Shrine, and finally contemplate the long history of Yomemachi Furusatokan. Keep things going the next day: look for all kinds of wild species at Onnenai Boardwalk, admire the striking features of Iwabokki Suimon, go for a walk through Shusse Slope, take in the spiritual surroundings of Catholic Kushiro Church, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Kushiro Tancho Market, and finally have fun and explore at Kushiro Children's Museum Kodomo Yugakukan.

To see where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Kushiro trip itinerary planning app.

You can drive from Furano to Kushiro in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Furano in January: highs in Kushiro hover around 0°C, while lows dip to -11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) so you can go by car to Abashiri.

A coastal town with a smattering of things to do, Abashiri has an interesting history and arresting natural scenery.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): fly down the slopes at Abashiri Lakeview Ski Resort, examine the collection at Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, get engrossed in the history at Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, then get engrossed in the history at Abashiri Historical Museum, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Abashiri Shrine, and finally explore the striking landscape at Cape Notoro. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: look for gifts at Ryuhyo Glass Museum, admire the masterpieces at Abashiri City Museum, take an in-depth tour of Kitami Mint Memorial Museum, then get engrossed in the history at Pierson Memorial Museum, then buy something for everyone on your list at Parabo, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Kitami Shrine.

To see traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read Abashiri holiday planner.

You can drive from Kushiro to Abashiri in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. When traveling from Kushiro in January, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Abashiri: temperatures range from -4°C by day to -13°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) so you can travel back home.