8 days in Hokkaido & Tokyo Itinerary

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

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Mon): explore the striking landscape at Cape Notoro, explore the activities along Lake Abashiri, don't miss a visit to Abashiri Prison Museum, then examine the collection at Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, then enjoy breathtaking views from Tentozan Viewing Platform, and finally make a trip to Kitahama Station.

To find other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Abashiri trip itinerary maker website.

Hanoi, Vietnam to Abashiri is an approximately 16-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive. Traveling from Hanoi to Abashiri, you'll lose 2 hours due to the time zone difference. January in Abashiri sees daily highs of -4°C and lows of -13°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) to allow enough time 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.

For more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Asahikawa online tour itinerary planner.

Getting from Abashiri to Asahikawa by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train. Traveling from Abashiri in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Asahikawa, with lows of -9°C. You'll set off for Sapporo on the 24th (Tue).

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.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Tue): take in panoramic vistas at Mt. Moiwa Peak Observatory, take some stellar pictures from Mt. Moiwa, then contemplate the long history of Hokkaido Jingu, then ponder the world of politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from Sapporo JR Tower Observatory T38. Here are some ideas for day two: get great views at Sapporo TV Tower, take a stroll through Susukino, get into the urban bustle at Sapporo Underground Shopping Centre Aurora Town, then don't miss a visit to Sapporo Clock Tower, and finally stroll around Odori Park.

To find where to stay, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Sapporo trip planner.

You can drive from Asahikawa to Sapporo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Sapporo can reach -3°C, while at night they dip to -6°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Sobetsu-cho.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Thu): stroll around Sobetsu Park, then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Showa Shinzan Kumabokujo, then indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at Toyako Onsen, and finally explore the activities along Lake Toya.

To find more things to do, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Sobetsu-cho road trip planner.

Getting from Sapporo to Sobetsu-cho by car takes about 2.5 hours. When traveling from Sapporo in January, plan for a bit warmer days in Sobetsu-cho, with highs around 0°C, while nights are about the same with lows around -4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) 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.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Fri): take a stroll around Otaru City Meeting Hall, observe the fascinating underwater world at Otaru Aquarium, browse the eclectic array of goods at Sankaku Market, then make a trip to JR Otaru Station, then explore the activities along Otaru Canal, and finally look for gifts at Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building.

To see traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Otaru trip maker tool.

Drive from Sobetsu-cho to Otaru in 2.5 hours. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Sobetsu-cho in January: highs in Otaru hover around -3°C, while lows dip to -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to Tokyo.

Tokyo holds the status of most populous metropolitan area in the world--a fact you'll find tangible as you walk the bustling streets and explore its diverse neighborhoods and cultures.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): get in on the family fun at Tokyo DisneySea, admire the landmark architecture of Tokyo Tower, then make a trip to Meiji Jingu Shrine, then make a trip to Shibuya Crossing, and finally get your game on at Owl Cafe Akiba Fukurou. On the 29th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the spiritual surroundings of Senso-ji Temple and then explore the galleries of Tokyo National Museum.

To see reviews, maps, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Tokyo trip builder tool.

Traveling by flight from Otaru to Tokyo takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. When traveling from Otaru in January, plan for much warmer days and somewhat warmer nights in Tokyo: temperatures range from 11°C by day to 1°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to fly back home.