7 Days in Hokkaido: Hakodate, Sapporo, Otaru & Furano

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Hokkaido is Japan's cool, wide-open north: seafood markets, ramen, flower fields and volcanoes. This loop starts in Hakodate (by plane, or Shinkansen from Tokyo) and ends at Sapporo's New Chitose Airport.

Lavender fields in Furano
  • Length7 days, 6 nights
  • RouteHakodate → Sapporo → Otaru → Furano & Biei
  • Best forNature lovers, foodies, road trips
  • When to goJune–September (lavender in July); December–March for snow
  • Rail passThe Hokkaido Rail Pass can pay off; a rental car is best around Furano and Biei.

Make it yours: open this route in the trip planner, add your dates and get travel times, seasonal alerts and links to flights and hotels.

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The route at a glance

  1. Day 1 · Hakodate: Arrive in Hakodate
  2. Day 2 · Hakodate: Morning market and Goryokaku
  3. Day 3 · Sapporo: To Sapporo
  4. Day 4 · Otaru: Day trip to Otaru
  5. Day 5 · Furano: Furano and Biei
  6. Day 6 · Biei: Biei's hills and Blue Pond
  7. Day 7 · Sapporo: Departure from New Chitose

Day 1 · Hakodate

Arrive in Hakodate

Fly from Tokyo (about 1 hour 20 minutes) or take the Shinkansen (about 4 hours). Walk the red-brick warehouses of the bay, and ride the ropeway up Mount Hakodate for the famous night view.

Hakodate from Mount Hakodate
  • Kanemori warehouses
  • Motomachi
  • Mount Hakodate ropeway

Day 2 · Hakodate

Morning market and Goryokaku

Fresh squid and seafood bowls at the Morning Market, then the star-shaped fort of Goryokaku and its tower.

Goryokaku fort
  • Hakodate Morning Market
  • Goryokaku

Day 3 · Sapporo

To Sapporo

The Hokuto limited express takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. In the evening, miso ramen in Susukino.

Odori Park, Sapporo
  • Odori Park
  • Susukino

Day 4 · Otaru

Day trip to Otaru

Forty minutes from Sapporo: the canal, glass and music-box shops of Sakaimachi street and sushi for lunch.

Otaru Canal
  • Otaru Canal
  • Sakaimachi street
  • Otaru Music Box Museum

Day 5 · Furano

Furano and Biei

Drive or take the train (about 2 hours) to Furano. Farm Tomita's lavender fields peak in July; the rest of summer has other flowers.

Farm Tomita
  • Farm Tomita
  • Furano Cheese Factory

Day 6 · Biei

Biei's hills and Blue Pond

The Blue Pond, the Shirahige waterfall and the Patchwork Road of rolling fields.

The Blue Pond, Biei
  • Blue Pond
  • Shirahige Falls
  • Patchwork Road

Tip: Rent a car or join a tour: buses around Biei are infrequent.

Day 7 · Sapporo

Departure from New Chitose

Drive or train to New Chitose Airport (about 2 hours). Leave time for the airport's ramen street and chocolate factory.

New Chitose Airport
  • New Chitose Airport ramen street

Getting around

Limited express trains between cities; rental car for Furano and Biei. In winter, drive only with experience.

When to go

June–September (lavender in July); December–March for snow. Add your dates in the trip planner to see cherry blossom and autumn leaf timing, the rainy season, typhoons and holidays for this route.

Where to stay

  • Hakodate (2 nights): near the Morning Market or the bay.
  • Sapporo (2 nights): between Sapporo Station and Odori.
  • Furano (2 nights): a pension or hotel near Furano or Biei.

Frequently asked questions

When does the lavender bloom?

Mostly in July, with the peak around mid-July.

Can I do this trip in winter?

Yes, but swap Furano's flowers for skiing and the Sapporo Snow Festival (early February).

Is the JR Pass valid in Hokkaido?

Yes, but the Hokkaido Rail Pass is usually better value for a Hokkaido-only trip.

Prefecture guides for this trip

Want a different pace or more stops? The planner rebuilds the itinerary around your dates and choices.

Customise this itinerary →

Last updated: 19 October 2026 · Japan47.org, by Francesco Consalvo. Travel times are approximate; check timetables and opening days before you go. Photos: Wikimedia Commons.

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