Hokkaido 8 Days Itinerary-C

Summary

  • Start
    New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station
  • Finish
    New Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station
  • Mileage
    Total 1300 km
    160km per day
  • Travel Pace
    Normal
  • Onsen Stay
    Max.6 nights
  • Recommended Seasons
    May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

This itinerary takes 8 days to circle eastern Hokkaido.
Due to standard daily mileage and by staying consecutive nights in 1 city, you can travel at a pace that is not too rushed.
If you want to stay in Sapporo after the road trip, you can return the car not to the airport but to Sapporo. Walking and the subway are more convenient for sightseeing in Sapporo.

 

Chitose Airport – Furano(Sample)

Start: New Chitose Airport(新千歳空港) or Sapporo(札幌)
Finish: Furano (富良野)
Mileage: 150km
Travel Pace: Fast

On this day, you will head from New Chitose Airport to Furano famous for its lavender and hill views.

Recommended Itinerary(Sample)

1

Rental car branch at New Chitose Airport

Parking MAPCODE:

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New Chitose Airport

10:00

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 200-220km. You need to drive a long distance on a general road to Furano. If you arrive in Chitose in the afternoon, consider skipping some spots.




55 min

2

Kacha Ice Cream & Restaurant

Parking MAPCODE:

230 297 851What is MAPCODE?

Various flavors of gelato

10:20

Hokkaido is known for its delicious ice cream. First of all, you aim for [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.




130min

After that, you will head to Furano. [Sandantaki Waterfall] or [Roadside Station Yubari Merodo] are ideal spots for breaks. Especially for those traveling in June and July, you can enjoy seasonal Yubari melons at a reasonable price at Yubari Merodo.

Sandanaki Waterfall

3

Farm Tomita

Parking MAPCODE:

349 276 713What is MAPCODE?

Furano’s synonymous with Farm Tomita’s lavender fields

14:00

Furano has many attractions. First of all, you will visit the very popular [Farm Tomita]. 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.




30min

4

Ningle Terrace

Parking MAPCODE:

919 553 423What is MAPCODE?

ningle terrace

15:30

[Ningle Terrace] is recommended. You can buy various works by local artists such as crafts and accessories at the log houses lined up in the woods.

It opens till 20:45 so it is also okay to visit after dinner.




10 min

5

Inn in Furano

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

15:45

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.




Along the drive route of the day, there are famous places of Kokia, Linaria, and lavender. Please refer to the drive map and visit the place that suits your travel time.

Driving Map For the Day(Sample)
Where to stay in Furano

On this day, you will stay in Furano town(富良野) which is famous for beautiful hills and flower fields.
The inns are spread over a wide area around Furano Station.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    Most inns don’t have Onsen. If you would like to stay in an inn with an Onsen, the “New Furano Prince hotel” is recommended. It is located just next to Ninngle Terrace and convenient.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    Because Furano is not a big city, restaurants that are open late at night are limited to the area around Furano Station. If you are not staying near Furano station, we recommend a plan with dinner and breakfast.

 

Furano – Asahikawa🔒

Start: Furano(富良野)
Finish: Asahikawa (旭川)
Mileage:100km
Travel Pace: Relax

On this day, you will leave Furano and drive through the beautiful hills of Furano and Biei to Asahikawa.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Furano

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9:00

The mileage is about 60 to 100km, so you can travel at relaxing pace. However, if you want to go to Asahiyama Zoo, please leave as early as possible in the morning and try to arrive at least 2 hours before closing.




15 min

2

Farm Tomita

Parking MAPCODE:

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Furano’s synonymous with Farm Tomita’s lavender fields

9:15

If you haven’t been there yet, please visit [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.




25 min

After that, you will head north on the beautiful hills of Furano. On the way, you will 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.

Roller Coaster Road

3

Shikisai no Oka

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10:40

Shikisai-no-oka in Biei (season of September)

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.

In addition, the area from Kamifurano, where Shikisai no Oka is located, to Biei is dotted with farm restaurants, making it ideal for lunch.




20 min

4

Blue Pond

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blue pond

13:00

After that, if you still have time, head to the famous [Blue Pond]. It has become known worldwide for being used as wallpaper for Mac on Apple Computer.
3 min driving from Blue Pond is Shirahige Falls. It is not well known, but it is worth a visit as well.

Shirahige Water Falls, with the same vivid blue color as the blue pond




60 min

When you go north again from the blue pond, there is a road you should definitely take. It is a farm road called [Fujino 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.

Image of the scene from Fujino No. 2 agricultural road

5

Asahiyama Zoo

Parking MAPCODE:

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Asahiyama Zoo. Allow 2 hours for a visit.

15:00

The most famous zoo in Hokkaido, [Asahiyama Zoo], can be reached in about an hour and a half from Furano and about 20 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 Ently16:00)
Mid Oct – Beg Nov 9:30-16:30(Last Ently16:00)
Mid Nov – Beg Apr 10:30-15:30(Last Ently15:00)

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




30 min

6

Inn in Asahikawa

Parking MAPCODE:

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16:30

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.

Sapporo has miso ramen, Asahikawa has soy sauce ramen
Asahikawa is famous for Genghis Khan. Daikokuya Is recommended.




Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Asahikawa

On this day, you will stay in Asahikawa city(旭川) which is 2nd largest city in Hokkaido.
The inns are concentrated on the north side of Asahikawa Station.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 4-star western-style hotels.
  • Parking
    Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee.
  • Onsen
    There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    As many restaurants are open till midnight, it is recommended to book your inns with breakfast only or without meals.

 

Asahikawa – Abashiri🔒

Start:Asahikawa(旭川)
Finish:Abashiri (網走)
Mileage:250km
Travel Pace:Fast

On this day, you will head from Asahikawa to Abashiri.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Asahikawa

Parking MAPCODE:

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8:00

The mileage is 210km-280km, which is the longest on this trip, so it is recommended to leave Asahikawa to leave the latest at 9 o’clock.




90 min

2

Mt.Daisetsu Sounkyo Ropeway

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Daisetsu Kurodake ropeway. Autumn leaves come down from the summit to the foot of the mountain from early September to early October.

9:30

The first destination is [Mt. Daisetsu Sounkyo Ropeway]. Especially in autumn, you can see the most magnificent autumn leaves in Hokkaido.




5 min

3

Ginga & Ryusei Falls

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Ginga & Ryusei Falls seen from the Soubaku-dai observatory

11:00

Also, 2km away from Sounkyo, there are two dynamic waterfalls, [Ginga & Ryusei Falls], with wonderful heights of 90m and 120m.




60 min

4

Kitakitsune Fox Farm

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Lovely Northern Fox (Northern Fox Farm)

13:00

After that, you will cross the Ishikita Pass for about 60km and head for [Kitakitsune Fox Farm]. The foxes with adorable fluffy coats will welcome you. The roadside station is also adjacent, so it’s perfect for a break.




120min

5

Cape Notoro

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Sunset at Cape Nodori

15:55

The last spot of the day is [Cape Notoro]. It is a spot where you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Sea of Okhotsk.




15 min

6

Inn in Abashiri

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

17:10

Abashiri, where we stay on this day, is a hot spring resort. Make sure you arrive at the inn by 6 pm at the latest.




In addition, there are [Shibazakura Takigami Park] and [Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park] along the route of the day.
If you are traveling from early May to early June, we strongly recommend that you prioritize your visit to these locations. You can also enjoy coral grass in September and cosmos in October on this route.

Shiba-zakura Takigami Park (mid-May)
Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park (late May)
Lake Nodori coral grass colony (September – early October)

Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Abashiri

On this day, you will stay at Abashiri(網走). The inns are spread from the east side of Lake Abashiri to the Abashiri station area.

  • Inn Type
    There are various styles of accommodations in Abashiri, from 3-star western-style hotels to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokan with an Onsen. If you prefer a reasonably priced hotel, we recommend staying near Abashiri Station, and if you prefer a Ryokan with Onsen, we recommend staying on the east side of Lake Abashiri.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for Onsens and most of the inns have one.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Abashiri – Shiretoko 🔒

Start: Abashiri(網走)
Finish: Shiretoko (知床)
Mileage:180km
Travel Pace: Fast

On this day, you will head from Abashiri to Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage Site, via beautiful lakes such as Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Abashiri

Parking MAPCODE:

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9:00

The mileage is about 180km.




60 min

2

Lake Kussharo(Bihoro Pass Observatory)

Parking MAPCODE:

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Lake Kussharo view from Bihoro Pass

10:00

The first destination is Lake Kussharo [Bihoro Pass Observatory], which is the biggest highlight of the day. The panoramic view of Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan and the second largest in the world, is called the “superb view of the world”, and from here you can see the Shiretoko mountain range and Mt. Daisetsuzan.

In addition, Route 243 from Bihoro Pass to Lake Kussharo is a road where you can enjoy an exhilarating drive, which is ranked 28th in the touring course ranking of a motorcycle magazine. Drive through the beautiful contrast between the green of bamboo grass and the blue of the lake.




40 min

3

Mt.Iou

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Mt.Io smoke a fumarole

11:30

While driving along Lake Kussharo, you will aim for the next destination [Mt. Iou]. The eruption that blows out while making a rumbling noise is very dynamic. You can also see yellow sulfur crystals.




10 min

4

Lunch

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Teshikaga Ramen is the representative ramen of East Hokkaido

12:40

It is recommended to have lunch around Mt. Iou. If you like ramen, please try the local ramen [Teshikaga ramen] that represents Eastern Hokkaido.




20 min

5

Lake Mashu No.3 observatory

Parking MAPCODE:

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Lake Mashu No.3 Observatory with the sky reflected in it

14:10

After lunch, you will head to the next lake, Lake Mashu. It is called Mashu Blue because of its second highest transparency in the world and a depth of 211m, and the appearance of the sky reflected on the surface of the lake is like a huge mirror. There are multiple observatories on Lake Mashu, but if you are traveling on a driving trip, the view of [Lake Mashu No.3 observatory], which is not accessible by bus, is the best, and parking is free, so it is recommended.




70min

6

Road to the Sky

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16:00
After that, you will head to Shiretoko, a World Heritage Site. Stop by the observatory called “Road to the Sky” on the way. Originally known only to local bikers, the name comes from the sight of a 28km straight road leading to the sky. Must see.

The “Road to Heaven,” a 28-kilometer straight road that stretches all the way to the horizon.




30min

7

Inn in Shiretoko

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

17:00
Utoro town in Shiretoko where you stay on this day is a hot spring resort. About 8km before Shiretoko, there is Oshinkoshin Falls just next to the coastal main road. It is recommended if you have time.

Oshinkoshin Falls located just next to the road




In addition, there are [Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park] the best moss pink spot in Hokkaido along the route of the day.
If you are traveling in May, we strongly recommend visiting.

Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park (season of May)
Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Shiretoko

On this day, you will stay in Shiretoko(知床). Because of the schedule for the next day, it is better to stay at “Utoro(ウトロ)” town on the west side of the Shiretoko peninsula. Most inns are concentrated around “Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku”.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities. There are few reasonably priced inns in Shiretoko. However, they all offer excellent food and hot springs, so we recommend that you stay at a better inn in Shiretoko even if you save money on lodging in other towns.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air Onsen and enjoy an Onsen with a magnificent view of the Sea of Okhotsk.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Shiretoko-Shiretoko🔒

Start: Shiretoko (知床)
Finish:
Shiretoko (知床)
Mileage:
30km
Travel Pace:
Relaxed

On this day, you will stay in Shiretoko for the second consecutive night.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Shiretoko

Parking MAPCODE:

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10:00
The mileage on this day is about 30km, so you can travel comfortably.




5min

2

Shiretoko Sightseeing Ships

Parking MAPCODE:

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10:05

The landscape of Shiretoko and the Sightseeing Ship is named Aurora.

The first sightseeing of the day is [Shiretoko Sightseeing Ships]. From mid-April to mid-November, sightseeing ship cruises are operated along the western coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula. You can see Shiretoko, a World Heritage Site, from the sea. Several companies operate ships, but we recommend Aurora, a large ship. Also, there are two types of courses, but the short course, which takes about two hours, is recommended.
The first 3 sightseeing sites are very close, so you can park your car at [Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku] and walk to these 3 sightseeing sites.




1min

3

Oronko Rock Observatory

Parking MAPCODE:

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12:30

The view from Oronko Rock in Shiretoko

After enjoying the Shiretoko cruise, please enjoy the spectacular Shiretoko views from the [Oronko Rock Observatory].
The path leading up to the observatory is narrow and steep, so please be careful when climbing.




3min

4

Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku

Parking MAPCODE:

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13:15

Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku

For lunch on this day, we recommend [Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku]. You can easily enjoy a wide variety of meals.




20min

5

Shiretoko Five Lakes

Parking MAPCODE:

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14:30

Shiretoko mountain range is seen from the elevated wooden road at Shiretokogoko

Your final stop of the day is the [Shiretoko Five Lakes]. The Shiretoko Five Lakes are five mystical lakes nestled in a virgin forest against the backdrop of the Shiretoko mountain range. It is also a habitat for many wild animals. It is known as a scenic spot that symbolizes the world’s natural heritage Shiretoko, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery such as the sea, forests, mountains, and lakes all at once.




20min

6

Inn in Shiretoko

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

17:00

On this day, you will stay in Shiretoko for the second consecutive night. Please spend a relaxing time in Shiretoko, a World Heritage site.




Driving Map For The Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Shiretoko

On this day, you will stay in Shiretoko(知床). Because of the schedule for the next day, it is better to stay at “Utoro(ウトロ)” town on the west side of the Shiretoko peninsula. Most inns are concentrated around “Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku”.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities. There are few reasonably priced inns in Shiretoko. However, they all offer excellent food and hot springs, so we recommend that you stay at a better inn in Shiretoko even if you save money on lodging in other towns.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for onsen and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air Onsen and enjoy onsen with a magnificent view of the Sea of Okhotsk.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Shiretoko – Lake Akan🔒

Start:Shiretoko (知床)
Finish:Lake Akan (阿寒湖)
Mileage:200km
Travel Pace:Fast

On this day you will head from Shiretoko to Lake Akan through a scenic road.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Shiretoko

Parking MAPCODE:

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9:00

The mileage is long and about 200km, and there is no expressway section. Also, since there are many highlight sites, we strongly recommend that you leave around 8 to 9 o’clock.




20 min

2

Shiretoko Five Lakes

Parking MAPCODE:

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Shiretoko mountain range is seen from the elevated wooden road at Shiretokogoko

9:20

The first destination is Shiretoko Five Lakes, a World Natural Heritage Site. You can stroll along the wooden path while watching Shiretoko’s magnificent mountains and lakes. If you want to see all five lakes, you must take a guided tour, so make a reservation in advance.
If you are lucky, you may also see wild brown bears along the way.

Shiretoko Five lakes



45 min

After leaving Shiretoko, cross the Shiretoko Peninsula and head toward Rausu town.
[Shiretoko Crossing Road] is a very popular route that ranks 13th in the touring course ranking of motorcycle magazines.

Shiretoko Crossing Road leading from Shiretoko Pass

The Shiretoko Pass may be closed depending on the weather. If you can’t cross the Shiretoko Pass, return to the road you ran yesterday and head for Kaiyodai.

3

Lunch

Parking MAPCODE:

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Kinki-nitsuke (kinki stew) in Shiretoko is (Jun-no-Banya)

12:00

We recommend [Roadside Station Rausu] and [Jun no Banya] for lunch. You can enjoy seafood such as sea urchin, salmon roe, crab, and Kinki(Rare deep-sea fish, very expensive) at a much more reasonable price than in Tokyo or Sapporo. We definitely recommend eating here.

Roadside Station Shiretoko Rausu-MAPCODE 757 353 737
Jun no Banya-MAPCODE 757 353 276




60min

4

Kaiyodai Observatory

Parking MAPCODE:

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Kaiyodai is a spot where you can feel the vastness of Hokkaido.

14:30

From here, drive along the sea to [Kaiyodai]. After passing through North Route 19, which is a farm road nicknamed Milk Road, there is Kaiyodai, which overlooks grasslands and farmland to the horizon. There is a famous yogurt drink shop nearby, so you can stop by.

Milk Road, a road with a spectacular view leading to Kaiyodai (Route 19, Doboku, Nakashibetsu Town)




80 min

5

Inn in Lake Akan

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

16:00
After that, it is a long drive of 85km to Lake Akan, about an hour and a half.
Because of long distance, please take rest at the road sidestation along the way.

Lake Akan, where you stay on this day, is also a famous hot spring resort. Relax in the hot springs and rest your body.




Lake Akan AINU Kotan

Parking MAPCODE:

Walking distance from innsWhat is MAPCODE?

After dinner, depart for a stroll around Lake Akan Ainu Kotan!

19:30

One of the highlights at Lake Akan is [Akan AINU Kotan]. A place where you can experience the culture of the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido, you can not only see their traditional dances every night in the theater but also do shopping in various woodcraft shops.
The theater and shops open till night and you can visit them after dinner.

Ainu dance performed in Ainu Kotan

Ainu Kotan Traditional Dance Schedule



10 min

Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Lake Akan

On this day, you will stay at Lake Akan(阿寒湖) the tiny Onsen town that is famous for “Ainu Kotan”, the village of Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. Many inns are concentrated on the south side of the lake.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one. You can enjoy an open-air Onsen with a lake view.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area, be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Lake Akan – Obihiro🔒

Start: Lake Akan(阿寒湖)
Finish: Obihiro (帯広)
Mileage:160km
Travel Pace: Normal

On this day, you will head from Lake Akan to Obihiro.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Lake Akan

Parking MAPCODE:

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9:00

The mileage is about 160km.




20 min

2

Lake Onneto

Parking MAPCODE:

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Onneto (lake) in autumn

9:20

The first destination is [Onneto]. It is a beautiful lake famous for its different colors of water depending on the season and time, and it is also a famous spot for autumn leaves.




100min

3

Naitai Highland Farm

Parking MAPCODE:

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A view as far as the eye can see of the Naitai Kogen Ranch really

12:00

After that, you will head to [Naitai Highland Farm]. It is a 90km long drive from Onneto on a general road for an hour and a half, so please take a break at a roadside station on the way. In particular, Road Station Kamishihoro is one of the most fashionable road stations in Japan, which opened in 2020. From the Naitai Terrace on the farm on the mountain at an altitude of 800m, you can enjoy the best view of Hokkaido overlooking the vast Tokachi Plain.

GPS may not be able to properly direct you to this place. Please follow the below way.
1.Key in MC:679 103 687
2. Turn left at this junction.
3.Key in MC:679 127 048




100min

After leaving Naitai Highland Farm, you will head south toward Obihiro. There is a photo spot with beautiful birch trees along the way, so why not stop by?

Unknown Spot: Shirakaba Namiki (Birch-lined Trees)

Obihiro is famous for its Butadon. The juicy pork grilled over charcoal has a good reputation, and some people come all the way from Sapporo to eat it. Highly recommended.

Obihiro’s lunch is a bowl of pork on rice (butadon ippin honten)

4

Shichiku Garden

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Shichiku Garden

14:45

After lunch, you will drive south on the vast Tokachi Plain to Shichiku Garden. The garden, which was created by an old woman when she was 62 years old and has been built over 20 years, is now a famous place visited by more than 100,000 people a year.




40 min

5

Inn in Obihiro

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

16:20

Obihiro is one of the leading cities in Hokkaido. There are many restaurants and food stalls on the north side of the station, so please enjoy dinner while strolling after checking in at the hotel.




There are many other famous places for flowers, autumn leaves, gardens, and museums in Obihiro, so please travel according to the season and taste.

You can also head to Obihiro via Kushiro on this day. The mileage is over 200km, but you can enjoy walking in the vast Kushiro Marsh and seafood at Kushiro Port. In that case, we recommend using the expressway from Kushiro to Obihiro.

Satellite observatory is located on the walking trail of Kushiro Marshland Observatory
Katte-don: a bowl of rice topped with your favorite ingredients (WASHO Marcket)
Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Obihiro

On this day, you will stay in Obihiro (帯広) city located in the center of the vast Tokachi Plain and it is famous for its delicious agricultural products.
Many inns are concentrated in the following two areas.

①Around Obihiro Station
The inns are concentrated around Obihiro station. Convenient for dinner and walking around Obihiro city but no inns offer Onsen.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 4-star western-style hotels.
  • Parking
    Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee.
  • Onsen
    There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    As many restaurants are open till midnight, it is recommended to book your inns with breakfast only or without meals.

②Tokachigawa Onsen(十勝川温泉)
This hot spring resort area is located 10km east of Obihiro station. If you would like to stay in better accommodation with Onsen, here is recommended.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 4 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    Most inns provide Onsens. Tokachigawa Onsen is a “Mall spring” which is among only a few places in the world good for skincare.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area, so be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Obihiro – Sapporo or Chitose🔒

Start: Obihiro(帯広)
Finish: Sapporo or Chitose (札幌or千歳)
Mileage:
To Sapporo: 210km
To Chitose Arirpot: 180km
Travel Pace: Fast

On this day, you will head from Obihiro to New Chitose Airport or Sapporo.

Recommended Itinerary

1

Inn in Obihiro

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

9:00

The mileage is as long as 210km to Sapporo. About 140km of this is an expressway trip, but we recommend that you depart between 8:00 and 9:00 because it’s a long-distance drive. We recommend leaving as early as possible, especially if you want to go to Otaru, as most stores close at 17:00.
If you plan to fly from New Chitose Airport on this day, please see the end of the article.




10 min

2

Mugioto Bakery

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Bakery MUGIOTO with a nice cafe space in the back.

9:10

First of all, in the morning, we recommend the wonderful bakery [Mugioto Bakery] located 4km south of Obihiro. You can have breakfast on the terrace, or take it out to eat in the car as it’s a long way to go on this day.

Shintoku Town, north of Obihiro, is a soba-producing region, so Shintoku Soba is also recommended for lunch.

Shintoku soba




80 min

3

Sahoro resort Bear Mountain

Parking MAPCODE:

🔒Book rental car or hotelWhat is MAPCODE?

Sahoro Resort Bear Mountain, where you can see brown bears in safari style.

11:00

After that, head to [Sahoro Resort Bear Mountain]. There are several places in Hokkaido where you can see brown bears, but this is the most recommended because you can see bears living in a natural way on a private bus in a safari park format.




170min

It is 130km, about 2 hours, by expressway from here to New Chitose Airport, and another 30km from there to Sapporo. As it is long, please take a break in the parking area on the way. For those who want to enjoy shopping, we also recommend stopping by “Mitsui Outlet Park Kitahiroshima”.

Mitsui Outlet Park Kitahiroshima

4

Rental car branch at New Chitose Airport or Sapporo

Parking MAPCODE:

Please refer driving mapWhat is MAPCODE?

16:20
This concludes your Hokkaido road trip.

①Returning a car at New Chitose Airport
When heading to New Chitose Airport, 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.

②Returning a car in Sapporo
When you return to Sapporo, the distance from the airport is about 60 km, 1 hour. Please 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.

New Chitose Airport has a full range of stores to enjoy even during long waits.
Sapporo Ramen Yokocho, where all of Hokkaido’s best stores are gathered.
I would love to try soup curry in Sapporo!




It is also possible to go to [Otaru] on this day.
However, it takes 2 hours for a round trip from Sapporo to Otaru on the expressway. Even if you leave Asahikawa first thing in the morning and head straight, you will arrive at noon in Otaru, so please pay attention to the time allocation.
Also please note the following points.
・It is recommended to allocate 2-3 hours for sightseeing in Otaru as there are many attractions.
・Most shops close at 17:00

Otaru Canal
Otaru’s main street “Sakai-cho Hon-dori”

Also, at dusk, [Mt. Moiwayama] is recommended. You can enjoy a vast night view from the observatory overlooking Sapporo, the largest town in Hokkaido.

The vast night view of Sapporo from Mt.MOIWA

Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Sapporo or Chitose

On this day, you will stay in either Sapporo city, the capital of Hokkaido or Chitose town near the “New Chitose Airport”. Please choose the following options depending on your travel schedule.

①Staying in Sapporo
Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido and there are hundreds of accommodations from Sapporo Station to the Susukino area, the entertainment district. It is convenient to stay either on the south side of Sapporo Station or around “Odori Park”.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star western-style hotels.
  • Parking
    Most inns have official parking, but the parking lot fee will be charged separately in addition to the accommodation fee.
  • Onsen
    There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    Because there are more than 9,000 restaurants in Sapporo, it is recommended to make reservations with a breakfast-only plan.

②Returning to New Chitose Airport
If your flight is a morning flight, staying near Chitose Airport is a good idea. There is some hotel in and around the airport.
Once you return the car, rental car company bring you to the airport by free shuttle bus.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 2 to 4-star western-style hotels.
  • Parking
    It is better to return your car first and take public transportation or a shuttle bus to these hotels.
  • Onsen
    There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    Since there are many restaurants in the airport and around Chitose Station where you can have dinner, it is recommended to book breakfast only or stay overnight.

Unlock MAPCODE & Maps

We provide “Travel Kit” to make your journey much more attractive.

  • Get “Hidden Gems” info along this itinerary
  • Maximize travel time by parking MAPCODE for all spots
  • Discover local delicacies with Restaurants List

Hotel&Car Booking

  1. Highly recommended to book a rental car first to book hotels with special discounts.
  2. Book hotels. Recommend hotels have parking and convenient locations for dining and strolling. Selected hotels can be booked with a single payment.
    With rental car booking number, you can book hotels with exclusive discounts(Avg.18%, Max45% OFF)!

 

Rental Car Booking

Please rent a car with below “Rentalcars.com” link.

  • The abundant number of rental cars
  • Price comparisons with several major car rental companies
  • Free cancellation
*Please change the location and date by yourself
Pick-up & Drop-off Location Guide

  • New Chitose Airport
    The main international airport in Hokkaido. Recommended for Pick-up.
    If you arrive after 14:00, consider staying overnight around the airport or in Sapporo and departing the next morning.
    It takes 1 hour to Sapporo station by train.
  • Sapporo City
    The capital and biggest city in Hokkaido. Most car rental shops are located around Sapporo Station.
Important reminder for renting a car
  • GPS(Car Navigation System)
    MAPCODE from Drive Japan navigates you precisely to the parking lot. GPS from major car rental companies(Nippon, ORIX, Nissan, Times) are always MAPCODE compatible. However, if you are renting a car from another company, we recommend that you check with the rental company after making a reservation, just to be sure.
  • One-way Rental
    You can rent at New Chitose Airport and return at Sapporo Station, and vice versa. Normally, the one-way charge is about JPY2000 only.
  • Child Seat
    In Japan, the use of a child safety seat or baby seat is mandatory for children under 5 years old.
    Be sure to request one from “Extras”.
  • Snow Tire
    If you travel from the beginning of November to the end of April, you must book a car with snow tires. It should be installed without requests from rental car companies in Hokkaido, but if you are concerned, you can double-check with them after making a reservation.
 
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