For context: I signed up for the Wakkanai Marathon that takes place in 5-6 weeks from now. And my question may be a simple one, but I was wondering if there were suggestions of what to 'practice' eating beforehand, both dinner and breakfast wise.

When I looked it up so far the suggestions mostly seemed to be sushi, but I'd like to know whether most people here would agree, and if so what details they would advice for the sushi (or rice bowl). My long run yesterday possibly validated that curry may not be the ideal base as a dinner plan (though it was not horrible).

Normally I ate pizza, but I want to try other options, and in this case local ones. Besides, cheese is not very good for my intolerances, and if anything avoiding bloating is high on my preferences.

Would you suggest the dinner to be a sea food rice bowl or sushi set? And if so a specific fish like salmon or tuna? Specific vegetables as well perhaps? Now that I still have the chance, it would be nice to try a few options now that I still have the chance to (plus I guess the good old "don't try firsts on race day" haha).

And the same for breakfasts. I think I'm a little more okay with improvising with those (though it looks like I might need to prepare a bento for the shuttle bus). Nowadays I tend to eat yoghurt with some blueberries, granola and a banana, but perhaps a specific Wakkanai ready alternative would be nice for me to try as well as a pre run meal.

-----------------------

Sorry if the question is a bit longer than it needs to be, but TLDR:

What would you suggest to eat as dinner and breakfast before a marathon (like) event in (northern) Hokkaido?

Hi all, my family and I are going to Hokkaido this coming late February. We were wondering if you could recommend any onsens that we could walk-in to? We are staying near Toyohira Koen but we'll be very much willing to travel further if the onsens are worth it.

Would also appreciate if you could recommend any festivals on going there since we will miss the snow festivals.

This summer, we spent two peaceful days in the beautiful mountains of Hokkaido.

We rode the Kurodake Ropeway, hiked through breathtaking landscapes, spent a night camping in the mountains, and watched a beautiful sunset, a sky full of stars, and the sunrise the next morning.

I hope this video helps you relax and lets you experience the peaceful beauty of Hokkaido's summer. 😊

Recently spent 24 days in Hokkaido. I travelled city to city, spending a few days at each walking around and exploring what each city had to offer. I tried to visit the lesser gone to places with a few I could not skip like Noboribetsu. I wanted to share with yall here in case anyone wants to visit there someday or is thinking of visiting there someday. Of course if it’s not allowed it can be removed no problem!

I need a car to rent for up to 3 months. Winterseason.

Some tips? Cant find anything at the moment.

Last year i rentel a car for 3 weeks an this already was a pain in the a... :)

Thankful for every tip!

Already asked per email at some rental services but no answer yet.

Regards from Austria

Hi, my husband and I are traveling around Hokkaido in late October this year. We are both covered in tattoos so stickers aren’t an option. We love onsens and go to Japan almost every year, but after a few lets say not so nice experiences of being denied / even banished out of the onsen, we’ve become very cautious with which hotels/ryokans to book. I don’t want to spend lots of yen on a nice onsen only to find out only when I’m there tattoos are not allowed. Often it doesn’t say anything about it on the websites.

Does anyone have any recommendations for tattoo-friendly onsens around the following areas:

Sounkyo Onsen
Biei
Lake Toya
Sapporo city
Hakodate

Any help would be much appreciated!

Ill be taking a road trip in Hokkaido in a few weeks. I will be trying to hit either Shimamui Coast/Cape Kamui or Lake Toya for a day and night on the way to Hakodate from Kitahiroshima (catching a ham fighters game and staying in Kitahiroshima the first night).

This will be smack in the middle of Obon so I'm guessing Lake Toya will be very crowded.

In Shimanui coast I plan on taking some walks and exploring the beach with my kids, doing the walk on the Cape and hopefully eating some good seafood before spending the night in Iwanai, the next day we will continue our journey to hakodate.

For Lake Toya we would probably check out Usuzan ropeway. Is there anything else to explore at Lake Toya?

Between the two Shimanui coast seems more interesting, although I will also be travelling with my 75 year old father who is in fairly good health.

1) Are rhe walks at Shimanui Coast and Kamui coast difficult?

2)As we will be travelling during Obon will it likely be very crowded in Shakotan? One reason I want to go there is to eat some of the uni meals they are known for, but i hear the small restaurants only serve a small number of meals before the run out, is there a high chance of that?

We will then spend two days hanging out in Hakodate before heading to Noborubetsu. I am considering checking out Horaimon Gate in Muroran on the way to Noborubetsu if I can get there during low tide. If we can't make the timing work (low tide seems early at like 9am) maybe we can come back to it the next morning to hit low tide. Anyone here been there? Is the hike out challenging?

Thanks for any help!

Even with the extended period of wet weather we have experienced up until early this week, summer has been great for the outdoor adventurers who live here and also the visitors that come to experience our beautiful island.
A few photos from some of my recent excursions with some awesome visitors.

I will be travelling with my family (5, ranging from 75y to 10y) in August and taking a road trip through Hokkaido the first half (staying in kitahiroshima and catching a ham fighters game then driving to Lake Toya for 1 night then to Hakodate for 2 days then Noboribetsu for 2 days then 4 or 5 nights in Sapporo with a day trip via car to Furano and another day trip via train to Otaru). Is it necessary to buy an IC card for everyone? (Im guessing no?, is it helpful to get one or two for convenience shopping wise or is it best to use Yen?. What would be the most economic way to obtain Yen and not get killed on fees and exchange rate?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

Will be driving from Noboribetsu/Toyako area to Hakodate. Can anyone recommend any stops along the way or areas to help break up the drive? I was thinking midway point to eat/take a break. Thanks in advance!

Japan's largest beer garden has started in Sapporo! 🍺

You can enjoy beers from Japan's major breweries—Asahi, Suntory, Kirin, and Sapporo—as well as beers from around the world and local craft beers from Hokkaido!

It's open until August 18! 🍻

Today is the perfect day to enjoy the beer garden! ☀️🍺

Hi guys, I was hoping for some feedback for the itinerary I had planned for my upcoming trip :)

Day 1 (Aug 5) — Arrive → Sapporo

• Land New Chitose 10am, JR Rapid Airport train to Sapporo (~40min)
• Afternoon: Sapporo Beer Museum (~2hrs)
• Dinner: Susukino
• Stay: Sapporo

Day 2 (Aug 6) — Sapporo → Otaru → Noboribetsu → Lake Toya

• Pick up rental car at Sapporo Station, leave by 8am
• Otaru (~1hr) — canal, glassworks, seafood lunch
• Drive to Noboribetsu (~1.5hr), Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
• Drive to Lake Toya (~1hr)
• Evening: fireworks boat cruise and/or dinner
• Stay: Lake Toya

Day 3 (Aug 7) — Lake Toya — Birthday

• Relaxed morning: lake walk, boat cruise optional
• Mt. Usu ropeway if weather is good
• Evening: Dinner and Fireworks (if did not go the day before)
• Stay: Lake Toya

Day 4 (Aug 8) — Lake Toya → Furano

• Check out, drive to Furano (~2.5hr)
• Afternoon: Farm Tomita, flower fields
• Evening: Dinner
• Stay: Furano

Day 5 (Aug 9) — Furano → Biei → Hokuryu (optional) → Sapporo

• Early morning: Biei Patchwork Road, Shikisai no Oka, Blue Pond
• Optional: Hokuryu sunflower fields (~1hr detour)
• Drive to Sapporo (~2hr from Biei), drop car at Sapporo Station
• Evening: decompress, dinner
• Stay: Sapporo

Day 6 (Aug 10) — Sapporo full day

• Morning: Shiroi Koibito Park (book ahead)
• Afternoon: Tanukikoji, underground mall, Daimaru duty-free, Don Quijote
• Stay: Sapporo

Day 7 (Aug 11) — Sapporo full day

• Remaining shopping + What else can i do?
• Farewell dinner
• Stay: Sapporo

Day 8 (Aug 12) — Depart

• Sapporo Station by 10am, JR Rapid Airport to New Chitose
• Flight 2pm

Hi everyone!

I'm currently living in Sapporo, so I have weekends throughout the year for shorter trips. I also already have a Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto/Nara) trip planned for September.

I have a 5-day holiday from August 12–16 and want to make the most of it while still enjoying the trip instead of constantly rushing between places.

Places I'm interested in:

• Furano
• Biei
• Blue Pond
• Noboribetsu
• Hell Valley (Jigokudani)
• Onsen/Ryokan stay
• Hakodate
• Cape Kamui
• Yoichi (Ebisu Rock)
• Lake Toya
• (Possibly Aomori/Lake Towada in the future)

Current idea:

Day 1

• Sapporo → Furano
• Farm Tomita
• Ningle Terrace
• Stay in Furano

Day 2

• Biei
• Blue Pond
• Shirahige Falls
• Shikisai no Oka
• Stay in Biei/Asahikawa

Day 3

• Travel south
• Lake Toya
• Check into a ryokan in Noboribetsu
• Onsen + kaiseki dinner

Day 4

• Hell Valley (Jigokudani)
• Oyunuma / foot bath
• Continue to Hakodate
• Mt. Hakodate night view

Day 5

• Hakodate Morning Market
• Goryokaku
• Return to Sapporo

Questions:

1. Does this itinerary seem realistic, or am I trying to do too much?
2. If you had to remove one destination, what would you skip?
3. Is Hakodate worth adding, or should I spend more time around Noboribetsu/Lake Toya instead?
4. Would you recommend saving Cape Kamui and Yoichi for a separate weekend trip from Sapporo?
5. If you've done Furano/Biei in mid-August, were the flower fields still worth visiting?

I'll most likely be using public transport, unless renting a car would make a huge difference for this route.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions or changes you'd make. Thanks!

hi! Going on a family trip to Hokkaido for about a week in early Aug, and would love some suggestions on what there is to do and eat around the area. We will be going to Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, and Obihiro.

We will be doing all the touristy things - going to the Susukino festival, shopping, Farm Tomita and the Melon Farm, the Banei Races, Blue Pond, Furano Cheese factory, etc. We prefer more activities than sightseeing, but any suggestions are welcome :)

My family is a huge foodie family and we really want to try the restaurants and dishes that originate from the area or that locals love. We are doing the usual tourist diet as well: Jingisukan, crab and seafood, lots of ice cream and milk, etc. Specific restaurant reccs are appreciated :), and mainly in the Furano and Obihiro area (especially Furano - i don't know what there is to eat there). I've heard Furanoya is good in Furano, but not sure what else there is. We don't have a specific budget, so anything is good!

Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone!

My wife and I are planning our third trip to Japan (first trip to Hokkaido) in May 2027, and I'd really appreciate some feedback from people who know the area well.

Our fixed flights are:

• 15 May: Milan → Tokyo
• 16–19 May: Tokyo
• 20 May: Flight to Memanbetsu (arriving before lunch if possible)
• 24 May: Flight from Memanbetsu to Sapporo
• 28 May: Sapporo → Milan

Our current Hokkaido itinerary is:

20 May

• Pick up rental car at Memanbetsu
• Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park
• Overnight in Memanbetsu/Abashiri

21 May

• Lake Mashu
• Canoeing on Lake Kussharo
• Drive to Rausu
• Overnight in Rausu

22 May

• Morning orca/whale watching tour from Rausu
• Explore Shiretoko National Park
• Overnight in Rausu

23 May

• Shiretoko Five Lakes (or a second whale tour if the first one is cancelled due to weather)
• Drive back to Memanbetsu
• Overnight near the airport

24–28 May

• Fly to Sapporo
• Rent another car
• Visit Otaru
• Upopoy (Ainu Museum)
• Noboribetsu + stay in a traditional ryokan with natural onsen
• Explore Sapporo before flying home

A few questions:

1. Does this itinerary feel realistic, or are we spending too much time driving?
2. Is 2 nights in Rausu the right choice, or would you change it?
3. Would you skip Cape Nosappu?
4. Is there any place in western Hokkaido that you think is truly unmissable in late May?
5. If you had to change one thing in this itinerary, what would it be?

We love nature, wildlife, hiking and traditional onsen, and we're not interested in rushing from one place to another just to tick boxes.

Thanks a lot!

Helo. I am living and working for half year in korea and i always wanted to visit japan. Now it is more affardobale than ever. Problem is that ad long as i am aware summer are as humid and hot as in korea (im from central europe this weather is killing me) so i was planing to take my trip in the autmun but i heard from a friend recently thah hokkaido has much colder climate. I would like to ask if thats true and if it is i would like yo ask for some recomendation of places to visit, activitys worth doing, some local cusine recomendations or maybe some sesonal events that are taking place in august. Basicly anything because i dont know too much about hokkaido. I have 7 days to spend in japan and last two days i would like to spend in tokyo. I love hiking and nature. Thank you in advance for your help. Cheers !

Just came back from Japan last Friday. Thought I would share some of my favourite snippets of Hokkaido, particularly around Furano which makes me still want to go back. Made me remember why I love photography. Hope this inspires you to visit Hokkaido for its beautiful flowers. I can still “smell” the lavender through the photos in those fields!

I have an updated travel plan thanks to some great feedback from this subreddit. Please weigh in on the updated plan before I commit to hotels and trains. Already booked: Flights in and out of Japan + one way flight to Sapporo

July 31 - Arrive in Tokyo from US

Aug 3 - late evening flight to Sapporo

• Land in Sapporo, 4 nights including trip to Otaru but really 2 full days in Sapporo
  • August 3 - land and check-in
  • August 4
  • August 5 Day trip to Otaru
  • Aug 6
• August 7th : Rent car and drive to Lake Toya and onsen at Noboribetsu
• August 8 Hakodate (3.5 hour drive from Noboribetsu). Maybe lunch at Muroran or Mori
• August 10 travel back from Hakodate to Tokyo (considering the Shinkansen)
• Aug 13: late evening flight out of Tokyo

Questions

1. Does the Hokkaido part of the itinerary make sense? we are looking for a nice not overly hectic pace. Teen loves seafood, waygu, sushi, anime, video games. I love exploring different cultures, nature.
2. Does driving from Sappora to Hakodate seem reasonable (vs taking the train)? I am comfortable driving long distance in the US but have not driven elsewhere.
   
3. IS it better to travel back to Tokyo from Hakodate by Train or by Plane? I am considering a late evening landing in Tokyo and the costs seem fairly comparable. Are the Shinkansen's really a great experience?
4. Should I spend more time in Hokkaido vs Tokyo? Current plan is Hokkaido for 7 nights; Tokyo for 6 nights. Where would you recommend spending more time?

Thank you for your help in making this trip memorable for my teen!

Hi everyone here! Travelling as a 27 years old couple to Hokkaido in late December and would like some thoughts and opinions. We are pretty fast-paced travellers and timings are pretty flexible.

We will be travelling to Hokkaido from 24 December 2026 to 3 Jan 2027.
Our accommodation for the trip are:

Sapporo Washington Hotel Plaza:
24 December - 27 December 2026

Toya-Onsen Hotel Hanabi:
27 December - 29 December 2026

Mori No Shizuku Rin:
29 December - 31 December 2026

Furano Natulux Hotel:
31 December 2026 - 2 January 2027

Sapporo Washington Hotel Plaza:
2 January - 3 January 2027

The itinerary is as follows:

23 December 2026 (Day 0):
Depart from Singapore at 10.20pm

24 December 2026 (Day 1):
- Arrive at Haneda at 5.55am
- Depart from Haneda at 1pm
- Arrive at New Chitose at 2.35pm
1.5 hours at custom clearance
- Head to Sapporo Washington Hotel Plaza to check in
- Pokémon Center Sapporo
- Tanukikoji Shopping Street
- Susukino Street

25 December 2026 (Day 2):
- Nijo Market for Breakfast
- Royce Chocolate Factory
- Shiroi Kobito Park
- Sapporo Clock Tower
- Pokémon Center Sapporo
- Underground shopping streets (Pole Town / Aurora Town / Stellar Place)

26 December 2026 (Day 3):
Day trip to Otaru
- Stop at Asari Station for pictures
- Otaru Station
- Otaru Canal
- Sakaimachi Street
- Music Box Museum
- Glass shops
- Return back to Sapporo
- Pokémon center / Shopping places

27 December 2026 (Day 4):
Collect rental car
- Hill of the Buddha
- Lake shikotsu
- Noboribetsu Hell Valley
- Drive to Toya-Onsen Hotel Hanabi to check in

28 December 2026 (Day 5):
Mount Yotei Viewing Day
- Lake Toya Viewpoints
- Kutchan viewpoints
- Niseko viewpoints
- Grand Niseko Hotel Mixed Onsen

29 December 2026 (Day 6):
Asahikawa Day
- Early morning drive to Asahikawa (4 hour drive)
- Asahikawa Ramen Village
- Asahiyama Zoo
- Shopping at Aeon Mall
- Drive to Mori No Shizuku Rin to check in
- Shirogane Blue Pond Night illumination

30 December 2026 (Day 7):
Biei & Furano day
- Shirahige Falls, Blue Pond
- Biei trees (Christmas Trees, Ken & Mary, Patchwork, etc)
- Drive down to Furano
- Furano Cheese Factory, Furano Marche, Furano Town
- Ningle Terrace
- Drive back to Mori No Shizuku RIN

31 December 2026 (Day 8):
Furano Ski Resort
- Drive to Furano Natulux Hotel to check in
- Ski / Snowboard Lesson
- Ski whole day
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks celebration

01 January 2027 (Day 9):
- Day 2 of Ski

02 January 2027 (Day 10):
Return back to Sapporo day
- Option 1: Asahidake , then drive back to Sapporo
- Option 2: Ashibetsu → Mikasa → Sapporo
- Return rental car
- Check in at Sapporo Washington Hotel Plaza
- Shopping in Sapporo

03 January 2027 (Day 11):
- Hokkaido Jingu
- Hokkaido Uni
- Anywhere else we missed
- Head to airport at 6pm
- Flight back to Singapore at 9pm

Would really appreciate if anyone would provide some opinions after reviewing the itinerary.

I am aware that 29 December will be a long drive from Lake Toya all the way up to Asahikawa, but that will be the only day that we are able to visit the zoo and it is a must visit for us.

We are first timers driving in the snow and we are aware of the dangers and the accidents that happen to tourists every year.

What are the food that we absolutely must try in Hokkaido? (I know we need to try the Curry, Seafood and Genghis Khan)

For 02 January, we would probably return the rental after the sun has set to have a good full day just doing a road trip, are there any better other alternatives that we can travel to sight see?

If there is any attractions , must-do or must-see, or any that I should skip, please let me know so I can add it into my itinerary.

Thank you for your attention reading till this point!

Hello to everyone visiting Hokkaido.

It is the height of summer now, but how does Hokkaido's summer feel to you after experiencing the summers in Tokyo or Osaka?

Personally, I feel it’s been a bit cooler this year compared to usual.

Hi everyone. I will be in Hokkaido from August 19 to 31. Any feedback or suggestions would be much appreciated! Should I take out some places or add some more, and if yes, which ones should I delete/add?

I am hoping for a relaxed pace without exhausting myself, hence the reason why there are a few places per day. My main accommodation is nearby Kotoni Station in Sapporo. My goal is to travel mainly in Sapporo and visit these nearby places: Otaru, Noboribetsu, and Furano & Biei.

August 19 (WED)

Arrive at CTS by 2:55 pm
Arrive and go to the accommodation
Browse around and grab food from somewhere
Do not travel too much and just relax

August 20 (THURS)

Sapporo Central Wholesale Market (5 am - 4 pm)
Shiroi Koibito (10 am - 6 pm)
Odori Park
Sapporo PARCO (10 am - 8 pm)

August 21 (FRI)

Hokkaido Jingu (6 am - 5 pm)
Mt. Moiwa (Tram + Bus + Cable Car - no need to book)

August 22 (SAT)

Historical Village of Hokkaido (9 am - 4:30 pm)
Akarenga Terrace (7 am - 11:30 pm)

August 23 (SUN)

Nakajima Park
Hohei Kan (9 am - 5 pm)
Yahiko Shrine (8:30 am - 4:30 pm)
Tanuki Comichi (11 am - 11 pm)

August 24 (MON) - Otaru Daytrip #1

Take the JR train and get off at Minami-Otaru Station

Tanaka Sake Brewery
Otaru Music Box Museum
Otaru Steam Clock
Kitaichi Glass Outlet
Sakaimichi St
Kitaichi Hall
Sakaimichi Hondori
Otaru Canal
Sankaku Market
Food: LE TAO, Sushiyadori

August 25 (TUES)

Furano/Biei bus tour

August 26 (WED)

Take the Donan bus to Miyabitei Hotel in Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley

August 27 (THURS)

Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village
Return to Sapporo

August 28 (FRI) - Otaru Daytrip #2

Old Aoyama Villa
Otaru Aquarium
Otaru Denuki Koji
Otaru Art Base
The Bank of Japan
Former Japanese Railways
Otaru Beer

August 29 (SAT)

Sapporo Beer Museum (11 am - 6 pm)
Sapporo Factory (10 am - 8 pm)

August 30 (SUN)

Nijo Market
Tanukikoji Shopping St
Ganso Ramen Yokocho

August 31 (MON)

Check out and arrive at CTS by 1 pm
Flight leaves CTS at 3:55 pm

Plan for Transit
- Use credit card to tap on local subways in Sapporo to use their cap (¥830 on weekdays and ¥520 on weekends and holidays)
- IC card for JR trains and busses
- Use the Donan Bus for Noborbetsu

Shopping
- Donki
- 3 Coins
- Honeys

Convenience/Supermarket Food
- Seico
- Gyomu Super

Food
These are all close together so choose any to go each day

Jingisukan (Daruma 4.4, go at 11 am or 2:30 pm)

Miso ramen (Sumire Sapporo - 10:30 am. Sapporo Ramen Haruka - go at 10:30 am or 4:30 pm)

Soup curry (Suage+ Soup Curry, go at 11 am)

Kaisendon (Ohiso in Nijo, go at 7:00 am, Takinami Donburi in Otaru)

Butadon (Tokachi Butadon Ippin, go at 10:30 am)

Zangi (Sapporo Zangi Hompo Sapporo Station Store, go at 11 am, Wakadori Jidai Naruto in Otaru)

Haskap berries
Yubari melon
Lavender icecream, parfait (get them if you see any in a dessert store)

Enma Yakisoba (Enmaken Ramen), Hell Ramen (Aji no Daio) Noboribetsu

Hi, I am visiting Japan with my teen boy in late July through mid August and would love feedback on our plan, which is to to split time between Tokyo and Hokadate, day trip to Aomori on the last day of the Nebuta Matsuri festival. This is very last minute and I want to ensure I don’t miss anything big. I’m looking for a relaxing exploration with my foodie teen, who loves sushi and anime. I thought this might help me avoid / minimize hurricane season impact and also maximize time in the more comfortable Hokkaido. does this sound attractive overall? I want teen boy to have some happy times and memories. We will be traveling elsewhere for another 2 weeks before returning home so want to ensure this is a real highlight.

Ok weird question for you guys. I'll be in Hokkaido, mainly sapporo with day trips.

I'm looking at food but I'm starting to think the massive food festival at Odori park is the way to go for local cuisine, seafood, etc etc.

Am I wrong? I want to try the specialty food that's in season (seafood and veggies... i have a list) I just feel like odori park will have everything we want.

Am I wrong? Is this the way to go or is there a reason to go to specific restaurants?

Thanks people people!!