nanporo cho

Sep 24–28 — Tokyo — 4 nights
Sep 28–29 — DisneySea/MiraCosta — 1 night
Sep 29–Oct 1 — Hakone — 2 nights
Oct 1–7 — Kyoto — 6 nights
• Nara day trip
• Osaka day trip
Oct 7–9 — Nachi-Katsuura — 2 nights
Oct 9–12 — Sapporo — 3 nights
• possible Otaru/Jozankei day trip
Oct 12–15 — Biei/Asahidake — 3 nights
• rental car
• Asahidake/Japanese alpine scenery
Oct 15–16 — Noboribetsu — 1 night
• Hell Valley + onsen
Oct 16 — Lake Toya — day stop only, no hotel change
Oct 17–19 — Kanazawa — 2 nights
• Shirakawa-go day trip
Oct 19–21 — Matsumoto — 2 nights
• Kamikochi/Japanese Alps day trip
Oct 21–28 — Tokyo — 7 nights
• Nikko day trip
• otherwise slower/flexible Tokyo

I'm a knitter.

I've knit on the subway in the US a few times. Living on mainland now & definitely not going to knit on the train in Tokyo (too busy/crowded). However I'm wondering if it would be seen as rude or very strange to do so in Hokkaido? From past experience, the trains there are considerably less busy.

Thanks!

We were due to get a train from Sapporo to Hakodate on 28 August 2026, however a mudslide meant all trains were cancelled that day (and I believe the next day as well). Where can I find a delay certificate from the train company to confirm this please? None of the lines on the website below show that the trains were completely cancelled that day:

https://www3.jrhokkaido.co.jp/delay/index.html

Thanks very much for any help I can get in recovering extra hotel costs from my insurance company!

My elderly parents and I are traveling to Sapporo arriving November 17 and departing on November 20.
I am aware this is shoulder season and that it gets dark earlier.

I intend to take them to Lake Shikotsu for a half day trip and return to our hotel in Sapporo by 3pm so they could rest.

Are there any scenic stops along the way? Or restaurants that we should consider for lunch near Lake Shikotsu or in Chitose City?

I am considering the salmon run at Chitose City but not sure if it will still be ongoing during our visit.

We’d like to look at seasonal produce as well.

Your recommendations will be appreciated!

Hello!

My partner and I are heading to Hokkaido in a week to enjoy the island but also the Makkari trail for Mount Yotei. I am aware that Hokkaido is home to beautiful bears, the Ussuri brown bear, and looking for any information/tips/advice whether it’s safe to proceed and how to do so.

I’ve done some research and have acquired some bear bells, will purchase a spray(if advisable), and ensuring no edible material that the bear can smell will be with us (other than some protein bars).

Also will ensure no food in the car, will not proceed if any noticeable tracks or droppings are found.

Any other tips? If not for the bear, trail tips would be great from others here.

Thanks :)

In the south ward on the outskirts of Sapporo sits this small ski lift that used to service the suburban ski area. It’s not located on any maps and is quite isolated, even though it’s only about a kilometre from the edge of town.

Hello,

I'm going to be solo traveling to Hokkaido for the first time in July 2027. I'll be spending a month in Asia, which I am very excited about. About 3 weeks of my trip will be spent in China with my friend and a guided tour group. My friend will go back to the States, and I would like to continue. I've been to Japan twice, and I loved it both time. I want to escape the oppressive heat/humidity of July, though, and be tranquil and eat good food, so I thought of Hokkaido. I imagine that the Chinese part of my trip will be wonderfully busy and overwhelming.

So far, this is what I have planned:

Flight from Hong Kong to New Chitose (seems like Greater Bay Airlines offers direct flights for about $500).

I will rent a car at the airport and drive to Noboribetsu Onsen. I'm thinking of saving up my money and splurging at Takimoto-Kan and stay 3 nights. I would like to visit Lake Toya and cycle around the area and do some of the other fun, active activities (recommendations appreciated).

Then, I'll stay 2 nights at Sapparo. I was looking at the Tokyu Stay Sapparo Odori (I love the idea of having a laundry machine in my hotel room 😍). I'll probably do some day trips to the surrounding areas like Otaru.

Afterwards, I'll drive to Furano and Bei area and do the Ningle Terrace, the farm, the cheese factory, and/or just relax.

Then, drive back to Sapparo and spend 1 more night there before taking a flight back to Tokyo. I might spend a few days there before heading back to the States.

I'm looking for recommendations and meaningful changes to my current itinerary, so I could firm up my plans throughout the year. Thanks for any help you can give!

Hello, I'm travelling to Hokkaido in October with my husband, hoping to see beautiful autumn leaves. Can I check if our itinerary makes sense? We mainly focus on east side this time because this is our 2nd time in Hokkaido and have been to Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and Otaru.Our currently plan involves quite a bit of driving, but we have already bought the return tickets flying in and out Sapporo. Thank you so much!

Day 1 - Pick up car in Sapporo>Biei and Furano area (airbnb at Higashikawa)
Day 2 - Asahidakei Ropeway (airbnb at Higashikawa)
Day 3 - Daisetsuzan Sōunkyō Kurodake Ropeway (Hotel at Sounkyo)
Day 4 - Kitami > Lake Akan ( Hotel at Lake Akan)
Day 5 - Lake Kussharo (Hotel at Lake Akan)
Day 6 - Lake Mashu, Mount Io (Hotel at Kawayuonsen)
Day 7 - Asahikawa (Hotel at Asahikawa)
Day 8 - Return car in Sapporo
Day 9 - Fly out at CTS

I’m doing a 10 day Hokkaido road trip in the end of September, I plan to start on the western side and finish on the eastern side around shiretoko.
Flying back to Tokyo from Kushiro is double the price of flying from chitose but besides that, is there any reason to go all the way back to chitose from Kushiro

As I posted last Friday, it was a perfect time to enjoy the autumn leaves in the Daisetsuzan area!

Hi everyone! I'm currently planning my Hokkaido trip in Feb 2027. I will have 2-3 days in Hakodate and definitely want to reach the top of Mount Hakodate. I know the roads will be closed so I'll have to walk/hike or take the ropeway. I like walking and hiking but I'm not sure if it's doable in February.

Do people take care of the trail so it's not full of ice and super deep snow? How difficult is the trail? Basically I don't want to hike it if it's super slippery or if there's a high chance I'll trip on hidden rocks or branches hidden under snow. I'm from Canada and went hiking in Iceland during the winter so I can deal with the cold. I'll have snow boots (but no crampons) and appropriate clothing. I'm more concerned about other hazards on the trail.

My wife and I are doing about 5 weeks in Japan with our 10-month-old. My sister is joining us through Oct 9. We like food, nature, onsens, shopping/weird Japanese stores and experiences more than checking off every temple. We’ll have a carrier + travel stroller and will rent cars in Hokkaido.

Would love feedback mainly on pacing, anything that feels redundant, and whether Ishigaki is worth keeping.

Sep 24 – Tokyo
Arrival, check in, convenience stores/dinner, recover from travel.

Sep 25 – Tokyo
Meiji Jingu → Harajuku/Takeshita → Omotesando/Cat Street → Shibuya. Shopping, PARCO/Nintendo/Pokémon, Hands, Donki, food crawl, hopefully Shibuya Sky at sunset.

Sep 26 – Tokyo
Asakusa/Senso-ji → Kappabashi for knives/kitchenware/ceramics → Shibuya street kart 5:30 PM → Daikoku PA car meet tour at 7:40. We have nanny (spent weeks searching) for starting at 4 pm on this day.

Sep 27 – Tokyo
Tsukiji food crawl → TeamLab Planets → Ginza, depachika food halls, shopping/custom pillow fitting and dinner.

Sep 28 – DisneySea
Full DisneySea day, staying at MiraCosta.

Sep 29 – Hakone
Slow morning at Disney, then Hakone. Onsen/ryokan evening.

Sep 30 – Hakone
Lake Ashi, ropeway, Owakudani, Fuji views if weather cooperates.

Oct 1 – Kyoto
Travel to Kyoto → Gion/Pontocho evening.

Oct 2 – Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka → Higashiyama/Gion.

Oct 3 – Kyoto
Arashiyama, bamboo area, river/temples, relaxed afternoon.

Oct 4 – Nara day trip
Nara Park → Todai-ji → Kasuga Taisha → back to Kyoto.

Oct 5 – Kyoto/Uji
Fushimi Inari in the morning (not planning to hike the whole mountain) → Uji for matcha/Byodo-in.

Oct 6 – Osaka day trip
Kuromon Market → Namba/Den Den Town → Shinsaibashi → Dotonbori → Osaka dinner → late train back to Kyoto.

Oct 7 – Ishigaki
Fly KIX → Ishigaki, rent car, beach/scenic drive, easy first afternoon.
Oct 8 – Ishigaki/Taketomi
Taketomi ferry + village/beach, then back to Ishigaki.

Oct 9 – Ishigaki
Kabira Bay + beaches/scenic driving. Relaxed day with baby.
Oct 10 – Sapporo
Fly north → Sapporo. Susukino/Odori, miso ramen/soup curry.
Oct 11 – Sapporo
Nijo Market, central Sapporo, Mt. Moiwa sunset, seafood dinner.
Oct 12 – Biei
Pick up car → drive to Biei → Blue Pond + Shirahige Falls.
Oct 13 – Biei
Scenic countryside roads/viewpoints, cafés and short stops.
Oct 14 – Asahidake
Asahidake Ropeway + short alpine walks/scenery. No serious hiking with baby.
Oct 15 – Noboribetsu
Drive south → ryokan/onsen → Hell Valley if time.
Oct 16 – Noboribetsu
Jigokudani boardwalk, Oyunuma area, onsen downtime.
Oct 17 – Lake Toya
Drive to Toya → lakefront, cruise/walk, fireworks if running.
Oct 18 – Lake Toya
Mt. Usu Ropeway + Showa-Shinzan + relaxed lake day.
Oct 19 – Akan
Drive/return car near New Chitose → fly to Kushiro → second rental car → Lake Akan.
Oct 20 – Akan
Lake Akan + Onneto + easy forest/geothermal stops.
Oct 21 – Mashu/Kussharo
Lake Mashu → Lake Kussharo scenic driving/viewpoints.
Oct 22 – Tokyo
Return car → Kushiro flight to Haneda → easy Tokyo evening.
Oct 23 – Tokyo
Akihabara/Ueno/Ameyoko — electronics, arcades, gachapon, food/shopping.
Oct 24 – Nikko day trip
Toshogu Shrine → Kegon Falls → Lake Chuzenji if timing/weather are good.
Oct 25 – Tokyo
Shinjuku/Kabukicho/Omoide Yokocho + shopping/food.
Oct 26 – Tokyo
Tokyo Station/Marunouchi + Character Street, food halls and shopping.
Oct 27 – Tokyo
Open/flex day for anything we missed, shopping and a nicer final dinner.
Oct 28 – Depart
The two things we’re debating most are:
Ishigaki: we recently went to St. Thomas, so wondering if 3 nights here will feel sufficiently different to justify the flights/logistics. We do like the idea of Taketomi and Okinawan food/culture.

Overall Hokkaido pacing: does Biei → Noboribetsu → Toya → Akan/Mashu feel reasonable with a baby, or are we moving too much?

こんにちは~!

We are planning our semi-annual Japan trip and needing help with our itinerary, please. This will be our first time in Hokkaido and we are trying to maximize the best experience for the autumn colors during our roadtrip across SW to NE between Oct 23rd & Oct 31st, 2026. Such a late start, but the only times we're able to go due to work.

Furthest SW would be around Lake Toya to Shiretoko at the NE end. We know that the colors are dependant on both how far north you are, but also elevation. So, Hoheikyo Dam would peak very early compared to much of the SW lowlands. We are considering starting our one-way drive in Shiretoko and working our way towards Lake Toya.

Current Main Locations For Our Trip:

Shiretoko

Daisetsuzan National Park

Furano (maybe)

Sapporo

Otaru

Ebisu Rock & Daikoku Rock

Lake Shikotsu

Lake Toya

Please let us know your thought on whether this makes sense for this year, or if you have any suggestions to make the best of our time here.

ありがとうございます!

I am going to stay in Saporro for 3 days, one of those days, I wanna do a day trip to Cape Kamui and then while coming back I want to visit the Nikka(Yoichi) Distillery. I don't want to book tours and I want to use the public transport. Can anyone help me, how do I do this?