Hokkaido is Japan's big northern island: powder snow in winter, lavender fields in summer, and some of the country's best seafood all year. Business Traveller named it among its 26 trending destinations for 2026, and it works for both ski trips and summer escapes.
Quick facts
- Best time to visit
- December–April for skiing (Niseko averages over 15 metres of snow a season), July–August for lavender (Furano peaks in mid-July), and late September–October for autumn color.
- Getting there
- New Chitose Airport (CTS) is the main gateway. The Airport Express to Sapporo takes about 37 minutes and costs ¥1,150, and it is covered by a JR Pass.
- Getting around
- A rental car is strongly recommended beyond Sapporo, since the JR network is slow and infrequent outside the Sapporo–Hakodate corridor. In winter, only drive if you are comfortable on snow and ice.
- Minimum time needed
- 4–5 days for Sapporo and Otaru plus one region. 7 days if you add Furano, Biei or Hakodate.
- Rough daily budget
- About $60–90/day on a budget, $120–200/day mid-range, not counting flights. Ski resorts cost much more in peak winter. Trip.com listed Sapporo hotels from about $43. These are estimates.
1. Where to base yourself
- Sapporo — the big city, with the airport train, Susukino nightlife and the best food. Good for first-timers and winter festivals.
- Otaru — a canal town with sushi and glassware, an easy day trip or overnight from Sapporo.
- Niseko — the famous ski resort. Grand Hirafu is the most developed, while Rusutsu and Furano offer fewer crowds and lower prices.
2. Seasons
Winter (December–April) brings powder skiing and the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February. Book accommodation three to four months ahead for January and February. Spring brings cherry blossoms in Sapporo in late April. Summer is cool, around 20–25°C, with lavender in Furano in July and August. Autumn brings red maples, with Daisetsuzan at its best in late September.
3. Renting a car, or not
Outside Sapporo, a car gives you the freedom to reach Furano, Biei and the coast. In winter, rental cars normally carry winter tires, but if you have never driven on snow and ice, use trains, buses and resort shuttles instead. Hokkaido also sells a regional rail pass for JR Hokkaido lines, so check the current price and whether it suits your route.
4. Highlights
- Sapporo — Odori Park, the free Sapporo Beer Museum tours and Susukino nightlife.
- Furano and Biei — flower fields, Farm Tomita and the Blue Pond.
- Hakodate — the morning market and the night view from Mount Hakodate.
- Winter extras — Shiretoko drift-ice tours run in January and February.
5. What to eat
- Uni (sea urchin) — on rice in Otaru or Hakodate.
- King crab — around Sapporo's Tanuki Koji arcade.
- Soup curry — a Sapporo invention, packed with vegetables.
- Jingisukan (mutton barbecue), Yubari melon and Furano soft-serve — regional specialties.
6. Combining with Tokyo
Hokkaido is a short flight from Tokyo, so it fits easily onto a longer Japan trip. See our Tokyo guide for the city leg.
7. A sample 5-day plan
- Day 1: Arrive at New Chitose, train to Sapporo, Susukino for soup curry or ramen.
- Day 2: Odori Park, Sapporo Beer Museum, Tanuki Koji for crab and seafood.
- Day 3: Day trip to Otaru: canal, sushi and glass shops.
- Day 4: Niseko for skiing (winter) or Furano and Biei for flower fields (summer).
- Day 5: Easy morning in Sapporo and a train back to the airport.
8. Common first-timer mistakes
- Trying to see all of Hokkaido in a week — distances are long.
- Booking winter ski accommodation late — good places sell out months ahead.
- Driving on snow without experience — use trains and shuttles instead.
- Packing for the wrong season — it is far colder than most of Japan for much of the year.
Booking Sapporo
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