Hokkaido Travel Guide: Seasons, Distances and Transport

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Hokkaido is very big, so plan your trip around Sapporo and pick only one or two regions. Sapporo to Otaru takes about 33–46 minutes by train, but Sapporo to Abashiri takes over 5 hours ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization. Summer has cool nights. Winter brings deep snow, winter events and icy roads.

1Hokkaido at a glance: how big is it?

Hokkaido is much bigger than many visitors expect. On the map, cities look close. In real life, long trips can take most of a day.

Many travelers base themselves in Sapporo. Otaru, Furano, Asahikawa and Noboribetsu are popular trips from there. Hakodate is in the south, near Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station on the Shinkansen line from Tokyo.

Many first-time travelers mix Sapporo, Otaru, Furano and Noboribetsu in one trip. One 6-day video by Angela covers these places and more.

2Best time to visit Hokkaido, month by month

The weather notes below come from the Hokkaido Tourism Organization pamphlet. They are general guides. They do not promise the real weather in any year ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

Spring (March–May). In March, snow melts on roads in the day and can freeze at night. In April, many places closed in winter start to open again. In May, cherry blossoms bloom, but mornings and evenings are cold. Winter clothes are suitable until mid-April.

Summer (June–August). June is mostly comfortable, but it is more humid and has more rainy days. July and August are summer, but mornings and nights are cool. Bring a jacket. On the Pacific coast, some days are cool even in the daytime.

Autumn (September–November). Leaves start to change color in the mountains in September. In October, trees in cities change color too. Prepare for cold from mid-September. From late October, wear winter clothes. November is the time of the first snow.

Winter (December–February). In December, snow piles up and roads get slippery. January brings strong cold and snowstorms. February brings drift ice (floating sea ice) and many winter events. Wear a hat, gloves, a scarf and a long coat.

Summer travelers often visit the flower fields of Furano and Biei. A Philippines creator shares photos in lavender fields, at the Shirogane Blue Pond and by the Sapporo TV Tower.

Winter is popular too. One reel shows ice festivals, the Otaru Canal, Asahiyama Zoo penguins, Noboribetsu and Hakodate's night view.

3Distances and travel times from Sapporo

This table compares road distance with train and car times. Road numbers are for the shortest route on national roads. The source does not give a date for them ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization. Train times come from official access pages ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

For hot springs, there are train-and-bus routes. Sapporo to Noboribetsu Onsen takes about 1 h 37 min. You change from a limited express to a bus at Noboribetsu Station. Sapporo to Lake Toya Onsen takes about 2 h 15–20 min, with a bus from Toya Station ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

Sapporo to Kushiro by car takes about 4 h 30 min to 5 h on the expressway. On normal roads, it takes about 6 hours ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

4Getting from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo and Otaru

From New Chitose Airport, an easy way into the city is the Airport train ⓘ JR Hokkaido.

There are three types. The Special Rapid takes 33 minutes at fastest. The Rapid takes 37 minutes at fastest. The Section Rapid takes 43 minutes at fastest ⓘ JR Hokkaido. Between 9:00 and 16:00, each hour has 1 Special Rapid, 3 Rapids and 2 Section Rapids ⓘ JR Hokkaido.

The Hokkaido Tourism Organization says the Rapid Airport takes "about 33 to 40 minutes." JR Hokkaido gives slightly different numbers, as above. Check the JR Hokkaido site for today's timetable.

Some Airport trains go straight to Otaru. These take 73 minutes at fastest ⓘ JR Hokkaido. A bus from Sapporo Station to the airport takes about 1 h 6 min to 1 h 18 min ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

Many travelers make Otaru their first day trip. A winter reel by @carolexplores_ shows Otaru as a 40-minute trip from Sapporo, with the snowy canal, Mount Tengu ropeway and Music Box Museum.

A Korean blogger also explains how to ride JR from Sapporo to Otaru, with seat-booking tips, rail-pass math and a walk to the canal.

5How to use the Hokkaido Rail Pass, step by step

The Hokkaido Rail Pass lets you use JR Hokkaido lines (except the Shinkansen) during its valid days ⓘ JR Hokkaido. If you plan long trips, compare its price with single tickets.

1. Check you can use it. You need a foreign passport. Show your real, valid passport when you buy or exchange the pass. A residence card or a passport copy is not accepted ⓘ JR Hokkaido.
2. Pick the length. There are 5-day, 7-day and 10-day passes. The days run in a row from your start date ⓘ JR Hokkaido.
3. Buy early to save. Adult prices checked on 2026-11-03: advance purchase ¥22,000 (5 days), ¥28,000 (7 days), ¥37,000 (10 days). At set stations and other places: ¥23,000, ¥29,000 and ¥38,000 ⓘ JR Hokkaido. Prices may change, so check the official site.
4. Reserve your seats. Limited express trains have reserved seats only. Get a seat before you board ⓘ JR Hokkaido.
5. Know what is not covered. The Hokkaido Shinkansen is not included. The South Hokkaido Railway (Donan Isaribi), streetcars and subways are not included either ⓘ JR Hokkaido.
6. Use some buses. Some JR Hokkaido Buses are covered. Intercity buses and extra buses are usually not. On the Sapporo–Otaru highway bus, only JR Hokkaido Bus services are covered ⓘ JR Hokkaido.

A Korean traveler used a rail pass for a 7-night trip linking Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate, with a Biei tour.

6Flights, buses and the Shinkansen: other ways to travel

For very long trips, small planes can save time. From Okadama Airport in Sapporo, flights go to Kushiro in about 45 minutes. Flights to Memanbetsu take about 50 minutes. Flights to Rishiri take about 55 minutes ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

Long-distance buses are another choice. The Potato Liner from Sapporo to Obihiro takes about 4 hours. You must book it, and the start point changes by service. The Starlight Kushiro from Sapporo to Kushiro takes about 5 h 35 min and also needs booking ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization. Check prices on the official sites.

From Tokyo, the Hokkaido Shinkansen reaches Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in 3 h 57 min at fastest ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization. Hakodate to Asahikawa by train takes about 5 h 10–21 min, with a change of limited express in Sapporo ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

Hakodate is a good first or last stop. Japan Airlines' guide shows its red-brick warehouses, Goryokaku star fort, the Mt. Hakodate night view and seafood bowls.

7Driving in Hokkaido: rules and winter safety

Some travelers rent a car to explore. But distances are long. Hakodate to Asahikawa takes about 5 h 30 min to 6 h 40 min on the Do-O Expressway. On normal roads, it takes about 7 to 9 h 40 min ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

To drive, the Hokkaido Tourism Organization lists an International Driving Permit from a Geneva Convention country plus your passport as example documents. Your own rules may differ, so check the official site before you go.

Road trips are popular. One reel by @colorcrrush shows the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, snowy Sapporo and Niseko under Mount Yotei.

8Mistakes first-timers make

• Planning too many regions. Sapporo to Nemuro is 453 km by road ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization. -> Pick one or two regions and stay longer.
• Boarding a limited express without a seat. All seats are reserved ⓘ JR Hokkaido. -> Reserve your seat before you get on.
• Using Suica past Otaru. IC cards don't work on that part of the line ⓘ JR Hokkaido. -> Check how to pay on the JR Hokkaido site before going to Yoichi, Kutchan or Niseko.
• Packing only summer clothes. Summer nights are cool ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization. -> Bring a jacket, even in summer.
• Bringing a passport copy for the rail pass. Copies are not accepted ⓘ JR Hokkaido. -> Carry your real passport.

9FAQ

How many days do I need for Hokkaido? It depends on your plan. Sapporo and Otaru are close together. Adding Hakodate, Furano or the east needs more time because of long distances.

Is the Hokkaido Rail Pass worth it? It can be, if you take long trips. The 5-day pass is ¥22,000 in advance ⓘ JR Hokkaido. Compare it with your planned single tickets.

Does the rail pass cover the Shinkansen? No. The Hokkaido Shinkansen is not covered. Subways and streetcars are not covered either ⓘ JR Hokkaido.

What is the fastest way from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo? The Special Rapid Airport train, at 33 minutes at fastest ⓘ JR Hokkaido.

When does snow start? November is the time of the first snow. Snow piles up in December ⓘ Hokkaido Tourism Organization. Real weather changes each year.

Should I drive in winter? Only if you feel confident on snow and ice. Black ice and snowstorms are real dangers (Hokkaido Police).

10Related guides

• Best time to visit Japan
• Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
• Japan IC cards
• International Driving Permit for Japan
• Japan autumn leaves

Related guides

Akihabara Guide: Anime, Electronics and Planning Your Visit

Aomori Nebuta Festival: Dates, Seats and Haneto Guide

Arashiyama Guide: Bamboo Grove, Bridge, Temple and Trains

Asakusa Guide: Senso-ji, Station Exits and Local Walks

Atsuta Jingu: Shrine Access, Museums and Prices

Awa Odori Festival: Tokushima Dates and Tickets

Open in Google Maps

Suggest a correction to JGO!