Unmissable Day trips from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

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Hokkaido is Japan’s most northern prefecture and one with drastically different seasons. Other than skiing in the heart of winter and exploring flowers in the summer, is there much else to do here or many other places to go? The answer is yes!

Since most people fly into Sapporo (Hokkaido’s capital city) to New Chitose Airport, this is usually also where many trips start and end. But what if you want to explore more than just Sapporo and want to enjoy the various day trips that are easily accessible from the city? I wondered the same thing before I took my autumn road trip to the north and was able to identify which destinations were worth the travel time.

As I travel independently most of the time I have highlighted areas and regions that are worth visiting on a self-drive adventure but have also tried to include some tour links for those readers who are more inclined to want to join a guided tour instead. I have completed a few of them throughout my trips to Hokkaido and they’re a great way to cram a lot into a short itinerary.

Country:	Japan
Currency:	Japanese Yen / JPY
Do you need a visa to visit as tourists?	Check here

Don’t forget to get travel insurance to cover you if something bad happens. One company I have personal experience with is Safety Wing. Not everyone needs the same coverage, so make sure you get a personalised quote that suits you and your trip plans.

Plus, don’t forget to download your Japan eSIM through Airalo before you depart so you can stay connected online for the duration of your trip. This will allow you to navigate easily and efficiently.

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Drive or Book Guided Experiences

To enjoy the popular day trips from Sapporo, you can either travel independently which would likely include a car, or you can book yourself onto bus tours hosted by local guides.

Self-Drive

Pros	Cons
Run on your own schedule	Can be more expensive
Don’t need to compromise with a group	Restrictions to renting a vehicle
Can skip some attractions if you change your mind	Requires more planning

If you decide (and are able) to rent a car, you’ll find it much easier to navigate on your own schedule. Driving in Hokkaido has some pros and cons compared to other parts of Japan but one thing is for sure, you will need a full driving licence from your home country along with an IDP (International Driving Permit). You will not be able to rent a car without either of these things.

I usually use Rentals Cars and Discover Cars to rent vehicles internationally but during my visits to Hokkaido, both were out of stock for my travel dates due to needing to book last minute.

If these two are unavailable for you too, Klook rental cars gave me a great experience with quick and easy service – even though I only booked 3 days before travelling!

Bus & guided tours

Pros	Cons
Cheaper overall	Don’t get to choose your own schedule
You can rest instead of focusing on driving	Have to wait and stay part of a large group
Good way to meet other travellers if solo	Can feel rushed if visiting multiple places

Many day trips from Sapporo will be in the form of guided tours including bus travel. This can seem a little uncomfortable for those who prefer the comfort of a car, but they can come with their own perks.

For guided tours, the hard work and stress of planning an itinerary is taken away so all you need to do is show up and enjoy the journey. Guided tours usually visit the most popular attractions in a specific area and have knowledgeable guides who wish to share their knowledge with visitors and tourists.

They’re also great for those with a tight itinerary and those who don’t wish to explore alone, as you’ll be placed into a group of other travellers in the same situation.

If you’d rather visit Hokkaido during the winter months, you can check out the winter festivals instead.

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Day trips from Sapporo: Eastern Hokkaido

Cape Chikyu

Located in Muroran City, Cape Chikyu is a south-facing Cape that protrudes off of the northern coast of western Hokkaido. With a recognisable white lighthouse that lights the way for ships that regularly sail past.

Not only will you find a lighthouse here, but also the 地球岬緑地散策路 (Cape Chikyu Green Walking Path) which is part of the local nature preserve filled with viewpoints, scenic spots like イタンキの 断崖 (Itanki cliffs) and hiking trails along the coast.

You’ll also have the opportunity to see the Hakucho Bridge and the museum that teaches visitors about the Jomon people who lived in the area many years ago. This is an easy day trip destination from Sapporo if you self-drive, or you can join a tour once you arrive in the area.

• Explore Muroran’s Wild Coast Tour (This tour picks you up locally in Muroran at 9 am or 2 pm)

Cape Kamui

Another cape, this time located on the northern coast of western Hokkaido, and in one of the windiest places in Japan. Surrounded by stunning green mountains you have no choice but to drive through to reach the cape, you’ll get to experience one of the most scenic coastal drives in the prefecture, including the 島武意海岸 (Shimamui Coast).

As with most capes, you’ll find a lighthouse at the furthest point to guide the way safely for all who travel on the sea. There are walking trails that take you along the mountain paths at the foot of 積丹山 (Mt Shakotandake) all to the lighthouse so you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Be cautious of the extreme wind, and be careful not to lose your umbrella! I say this because I experienced 40km / 25-mile winds when I visited and someone’s tiny dog lifted off of the ground.

• Yoichi Town & Shakotan Peninsula Cape Kamui Day Tour

Lake Toya

洞爺湖 (Lake Toya) is thought to be the most northern lake in Japan that doesn’t freeze over during the harsh winter months. This is thought to be because of the geothermal activity in the region keeping the lake at a slightly warmer temperature. Visiting the Lake should be on everyone’s bucket list when visiting eastern Hokkaido due to the beautiful views in almost every direction.

With multiple viewpoints (including Subetsu Park & the Silo Observatory) that capture the beauty of this lake and surrounding landscape, a firework show most nights between April and October each year, and multiple activities year-round for those visiting, there is much to see in the Toyako region of Hokkaido.

The Lake is located in a geothermal region, allowing many onsen to use the volcanic heat to power their water. A favourite onsen is the Nonokaze Resort with panoramic views and both public and private options available. With multiple volcanic peaks surrounding it, and being a volcanic caldera originally formed by a large eruption, this is a spectacular lake and a popular destination for those taking day trips from Sapporo.

If planning to travel to Lake Toya on day trips independently, you can expect the drive to take around 2 hours from Sapporo.

• Lake Toya, Mt. Yoteisan Park & Hot Springs Day Tour
• Toyako Fireworks Festival, Lake Shikotsu, and Bear Farm Day Tour

Mt Usu

有珠山 (Mt Usu) is an active volcano just south of Lake Toya in eastern Hokkaido. It last erupted on March 31st 2000 and is active to this day. Generally speaking, Mt Usu erupts every 30-50 years and is one of the primary volcanoes in the region responsible for the geothermal activity that helps the famous hot springs. It offers stunning views over the neighbouring peaks of 昭和新山 (Showa-Shinzan) and 羊蹄山 (Mt Yotei) and the lake below.

Check out my post on visiting Mt Usu

You can visit two different ways. Either take the 6-minute cable car to the top of Mt Usu or you can hike to the top instead. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be able to enjoy the views of the lake from the cafe deck, plus walk to the crater and see the volcano and the southern coast from another view as well. The selling point to this day trip is certainly the view and depending on what season you visit, you will have a completely different experience as this part of the country has 4 distinct seasons.

If you want to visit Mt Usu independently you can drive to the car park located here for a cost of 500 JPY (£2.50/$3.35 USD) and then head over to the cable car (USUZAN ROPEWAY) which costs 1800 JPY (£9.25/$12 USD) for a single adult round-trip ticket.

If you’d prefer to take a tour instead of travelling independently, below are two hiking tours you can take. Please note that Mt Usu is amongst the popular day trips for those visiting from Sapporo but these two tours below start from Lake Toya.

• Mt. Usu: Hike to the crater and see the stunning Lake Toya
• Guided Hiking on Active Volcano in Toya-Usu UNESCO Global Geopark

Otaru

Otaru is a small port city on the northwest coast of Hokkaido and about 50 minutes by car from Sapporo city centre. Otaru is added to our list of popular day trips from Sapporo because it draws the crowds to see its photo-perfect canal and marketplaces.

Not only is this a favourite Hokkaido city to enjoy shopping, but Otaru is also well-known for glass making and music boxes. Plus, if you’re a fan of Japanese sake, then Otaru should definitely be on your itinerary as some of the most recognisable sake brands are from right here.

Along the famous canal, you’ll be able to enjoy relaxing boat rides and try food and desserts at the many small cafes that line the water. With many small boutique stores and market stalls you’ll have a lot of opportunities to buy local goods and maybe even treat yourself to a souvenir or two.

As this destination is a city and the main appeal is sightseeing and shopping, you can easily visit independently or you can opt to join a group tour where they take you to all the top attractions.

• 10-hour Otaru Tour (Depart from Sapporo)
• Journey to Otaru on a Private Day Trip from Sapporo

Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu is a small city on the southern coast of Hokkaido around 1 and a half hours from Sapporo. Although there are a few popular attractions in the city, the most famous and well-known are certainly the Edo-era Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Cultural Park, the adorable Bear Park and the Jigokudani Valley (also known as Hell Valley). Jigokudani Valley is part of a geothermal region, home to an 11-hectare crater once formed by Mt. Hiyori and its volcanic activity.

Within the geothermal park, you’ll see sulphuric streams, pockets of steam coming from smaller craters and a picturesque boardwalk that takes you straight through the middle of this otherworldly landscape. Not only will you get to enjoy the dramatic volcanic views but you’ll also get to enjoy the warm onsens and hot springs scattered through the city that all make use of the hot volcanic activity of Mt Hiyori.

Entry to the Jigokudani Valley is free unless you travel by car as you will need to pay 500 JPY at any of the three car parks located on the valley grounds.

Be aware that during days when the sulphuric steam is especially thick, your clothing may hold onto the smell of sulphur afterwards.

• Noboribetsu & Lake Toya Tour from Sapporo
• Noboribetsu Snow Day Tour (WINTER ONLY)

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Day trips from Sapporo: Western Hokkaido

Biei

Biei is such a popular destination it simply cannot be missed from our list of day trips from Sapporo. With vibrantly colourful flower fields, scented herb gardens and the world-famous patchwork road, this is a nature lovers’ dream destination here in northern Japan. Surprisingly, for 6 months of the year between spring and autumn you’ll be able to enjoy the various flowers that flourish during this time.

If you want to smell the lavender fields (one of the highlights of Biei) your best bet is to visit between late June and the August harvest, This is also the best time to see the patchwork road which is a winding country lane surrounded by multi-coloured fields of flowers and crops that brighten up the land as far as the eye can see.

The ever-loved Panoramic Flower Fields pictured above are free admission and draw crowds in to see the seasonal foliage as well as the popular Tomita farm also showcasing its collection of flora and fauna.

Plus, there are a few famous natural landmarks you might recognise from prime-time television adverts here in Japan that have become a top attraction in the area such as the Seven Stars Tree and the Aoiike Blue Pond.

Please note: Most of this region gets heavy snowfall so many of the attractions listed will not be enjoyable to the same degree as many plants won’t be in season.

• Biei, Flower Sea Full-Day Tour with Lunch Options
• Biei Winter Blue Pond & Shirasuga Falls Illumination Day Tour (WINTER ONLY)

Asahikawa

Asahikawa is home to the fairytale wonderland of the 上野ファーム（冬期休業中） (Ueno Gnomes’ Garden) where you’ll find an astounding assortment of colourful flowers and unique plants surrounding a small blue house practically perfect for a gnome. Festively decorated to suit each holiday (pumpkins for Halloween and holiday lights for Christmas), this is a wonderful place to enjoy a multitude of plants throughout the year.

If wildlife is more your scene, the 旭川市旭山動物園 (Asahiyama Zoo) which costs 1000 JPY (£5.10 / $6.67) is one of Japan’s favourites and is home to polar bears. Open year-round, you can learn about the different species of animals being looked after here and you can even opt to watch the adorable “penguin parade” which is one of the top activities to watch here.

A little outside of the city is the 北海道 (Daisetsuzan Sōunkyō Kurodake Ropeway) which takes you to the summit of Mt. Kurodake at any time of year and costs 2600 JPY (£13.30 / $17.30). This is a top destination during the autumn months due to the red and orange changing leaves that paint the mountainside every October and November.

With a number of guided tours taking you to the Zoo, you have a few other choices available to you depending on what other attractions you’d like to see.

• Kurodake Ropeway, Asahiyama Zoo Autumn Leaves Bus Tour
• Asahiyama Zoo, Furano, and Ningle Terrace Tour

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Accommodation in Sapporo

If you are doing a self-drive trip from Sapporo, then the location of your accommodation shouldn’t matter as much, as long as the property has space for parking your rental car.

If you decide to embark on guided tours instead, then you might want to consider accommodations that the guides can pick you up from or properties that are close-by the pickup points. The best way to find this is by checking the tours you plan on booking (or have already booked) and then cross-referencing the pickup location to accommodations online.

If you want to stay in a low-cost hostel in Sapporo, hostelworld is my go-to website.

If you’d rather stay in a different type of accommodation during your trip, Booking.com has a range of properties in the city from guesthouses, hotels, apartments and more.