Hokkaido 5 Days Itinerary-A

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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 is about 165-200km. There is the Hokkaido Expressway(E5) along the route, so it is recommended to use the expressway if the GPS guide it. If you depart in the afternoon, please consider skipping some spots.

９：４５

The first destination is [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.

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After leaving Upopoi, head to [Noboribetsu Jigokudani]. You can enjoy short walking and see the desolate sight of sulfur vapors.
There is a restaurant on the way where you can grill Hokkaido seafood with charcoal, so it is ideal for lunch. Please refer driving map.

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If you have time, stop by [Cape Chikyu].
It is an observatory where you can feel that the earth is a sphere because the horizon draws a slight arc.

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Please drop in at [Mt. Usu Ropeway & Showashinzan Bear Farm], which is right next to Lake Toya, where you will stay for the day.
From Mt.Usu Ropeway, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Showashinzan which was suddenly made in 1944, Lake Toya, and the Pacific Ocean.
Also, there is Showashinzan Bear Ranch in the same place, so if you have children, nice visit it as well.

１６：３０

Toyako (Lake Toya) Onsen is lined with a number of hot spring inns along the south side of Lake Toya.
There are many inns where you can see Lake Toya from the open-air bath, so it is recommended to stay at one of these.

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The mileage is about 120km, but if you go to the highlight, Cape Kamui, it will be very long, about 200km. In that case, we recommend that you leave from 8:00 to 9:00.

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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.

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After that, you will head to [Shinsen Marsh]. After passing Niseko, you will enter the Niseko Panorama Line, which is the best drive route in Southern Hokkaido.

Shinsen Marsh is at the end of the panoramic line. There is a 25-minute walk to the beautiful marshland. Autumn leaves are also wonderful.

１３：３０

After that, you will head north to Cape Kamui, the biggest highlight of the day. In the olden days, the cape was considered a sanctuary forbidden to women, and the cape that stretches out into the turquoise sea is breathtakingly beautiful. Enjoy walking in the magnificent scenery.

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

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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.

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The mileage is about 200km to Asahikawa. Although you can drive most of the part by expressway, it is a long distance and the travel pace will be fast.

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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.

It is also recommended to eat famous Sushi for lunch.

１２：３０

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.

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Once you reach Asahikawa city, this unknown observatory is recommended. If the weather is nice, you can see panoramic scenery with Asahikawa city and the amazing Daisetsuzan mountain range.

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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.

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The mileage is about 60 to 100km, so you can travel at relaxing pace.

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The most famous zoo in Hokkaido, [Asahiyama Zoo], can be reached in 30 minutes from Asahikawa.

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.

Beg May – Mid-Oct 9:30-17:15 (Last Entry 16:00)
Mid-Oct – Beg Nov 9:30-16:30 (Last Entry 16:00)
Mid-Nov – Beg Apr 10:30-15:30 (Last Entry 15:00)

If you would like to enjoy Asahiyama zoo at a relaxing pace, please consider staying one more night.

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After that, you will head to the famous [Blue Pond]. It has become known worldwide for being used as a wallpaper for Mac on Apple Computer.

On the way to Blue Pond, there is a road you should definitely take. It is a farm road called [Fujino Loute 2 (Daini)]. You can drive through the beautiful hills for 7km. This is a secret scenic road that Drive Japan luckily found that is not listed in guidebooks. There are no signs, so please refer to the MAPCODE on the drive map.

The Shirahige Falls is near Blue Pond. It is not well known, but it is worth a visit as well.

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After that, you will head to the biggest highlight of the day [Shikisai no Oka]. The colorful flower fields on the vast hills will be a lifetime memory. You can enjoy it from the end of May to the end of October, but especially in September, and October, it is a wonderful place to visit.

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Your last destination of the day is [Farm Tomita]. Lavender from mid-July to early August is very famous. Various flowers such as poppies and lupines bloom at other times, and you can fully enjoy them from mid-April to mid-October.

On the way to Farm Tomita, please go through the [Roller Coaster Road]. The 4.5km straight road that repeats ups and downs is a unique road named like a roller coaster.

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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.

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The mileage is about 140km. Depending on your fright schedule, you might skip some sightseeing sites we recommend here.

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Your first destination of the day is [Farm Tomita] if you haven’t been there. Lavender from mid-July to early August is very famous, but at other times, various flowers such as poppies and lupines bloom, and you can fully enjoy it from mid-April to mid-October.

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Next, you will head to [Sandantaki Falles]. The waterfall proceeds in three stages (the name translates to a three-tiered waterfall) with rock formations creating interesting contrasts and a background of lush green forest adding even more depth.You can enjoy the autumn-colored leaves too.

１３：３０

Hokkaido is known for its delicious ice cream. It might be a good idea to drop by [Kacha Ice Cream & Restaurant]. Find and enjoy your favorites from various flavors of ice cream. If you haven’t had lunch yet, you can also enjoy kiln-baked pizza and curry.

If you are traveling in June and July, [Roadside Station Yubari Merodo] is another ideal spot for a break. You can enjoy seasonal Yubari melons at a reasonable price there.

１５：００
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.