Explore Hokkaido

Hokkaido FAQs

• How many days in Hokkaido is enough?  

  A 5-7 day stay is enough for a classic trip to capture Hokkaido's major highlights in Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, and Noboribetsu. However, as a quite large island bustling with unspoiled wilderness, there is never too long to stay in Hokkaido.

  You can extend your stay by 1 or 2 days to explore another city or to plan some day trips. For example, a week-long journey including Furano and Asahikawa, a 14-day itinerary to go further east, like the Daisetsuzan National Park, Kushiro Marshland, and the Shiretoko Peninsula.

• How to get to Hokkaido?  

  Flight is the top recommended since there are several direct flights to Sapporo (New Chitose Airport, CTS) from major Asian cities and Sydney. While starting from Tokyo, Japan, apart from the air, taking advantage of the Shinkansen bullet train network is also a good idea.

  Check this article for your reference: How to Get to Hokkaido From Tokyo

• How to get around Hokkaido?  

  The best ways to travel around Hokkaido are by train and car.

  • Trains: a popular and easy way for long-distance travel between cities, while for city sightseeing, there is also a well-organized subway network that you can benefit from.
  • Car: shares a similar city transport duration with the train, but is more convenient when exploring the rural areas. Whether you prefer self-driving in Hokkaido at your own pace or a carefree drive by an experienced private driver, feel free to contact us for your Hokkaido trip.
• How English-friendly is Hokkaido?  

  As a popular destination, Hokkaido is also English-friendly. Most streets and attractions are well-signposted in English, especially in major cities like Sapporo, Hakodate, and Asahikawa. Though the locals there may not be that fluent in speaking English (compared to those on the Honshu mainland), their warmhearted and hospitality are always willing to help.

• What are the best places to visit in Hokkaido in Summer?  

  Apart from Sapporo, Hakodate, and Otaru, try to go somewhere further during the pleasant summer season:

  • Biei & Furano: colorful flower fields, lavender farms & Shirogane Blue Pond
  • Kushiro: marshland for wildlife watching & kayaking
  • Daisetsuzan & Shiretoko National Park: mountain hiking & waterfall viewing
• Can I drink tap water in Hokkaido?  

  Yes, you can. Tap water is also drinkable and safe in Hokkaido. However, if you are not used to its chlorinated taste, pick the bottled water instead.