Sample itinerary Hokkaido 7 days by Japan Rail Pass 7 days

Night view form Mt.Hakodate ©Hokkaido Tourism Organization/© JNTO7 to 9 days
Night view form Hakodate mountain (C) Hokkaido Tourism Organization / JNTO
2010.12.31
Night view form Mt.Hakodate ©Hokkaido Tourism Organization/© JNTO

Night view form Hakodate mountain (C) Hokkaido Tourism Organization / JNTO

This itinerary includes most of popular spots of Hokkaido in 7 days. Departure and arrival places are Tokyo. You can start using 7 days JR pass when you leave Tokyo.

If you arrive and depart from either Narita or Haneda airports, you may use other deal.

Haneda airport access guide and the list of deals

The list of deals for Tokyo to/from Narita airport

You can use this itinerary for departure/arrival at Sapporo. I will tell you this at the end of the post.

Day 1 Tokyo – Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto – Hakodate

06:32 Depart from Tokyo by Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 1
10:57 Arrive at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
11:10 Depart from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto by Rapid train Hakodate Liner
11:25 Arrive at Hakodate
After arrival at Hakodate, enjoy sightseeing.

(Overnight in Hakodate)

Day 2 Hakodate – Sapporo – Otaru – Sapporo

Otaru Canal (C)Y. Shimizu

Otaru Canal is the highlight of Otaru city. (C)Y. Shimizu

07:37 Depart from Hakodate for Sapporo by Limited Express Super Hokuto 3
11:27 Arrive at Sapporo
After arrive at Sapporo, enjoy sightseeing in Sapporo
If you are okay with the packed schedule, you may squeeze Otaru on this day. Otaru is only 45 minutes away from Sapporo by rapid train. It is very easy to access. If you plan to visit Otaru, please expect to spend at least 4 hours for return trip from Sapporo and sightseeing in Otaru. If you want to save your time in Sapporo, Otaru do not suit to your plan.

(Overnight in Sapporo)

Day 3 Sapporo – Asahikawa – Biei/Furano – Asahikawa

Farm Tomita in Biei (C) Farm Tomita/ (C) JTA/ (C) JNTO

07:49 Depart from Hakodate for Sapporo by Limited Express Lilic 3
09:14 Arrive at Asahikawa
09:38 Leave Asahikawa by JR Furano line local train
10:14 Arrive at Biei
After arrive at Biei, enjoy sightseeing in Biei and Furano area.

16:29 Depart from Biei by JR Furano line local train
17:02 Arrive at Asahikawa

*You may skip Furano and Biei area and stay in Asahikawa all day. You can visit Asahiyama zoo. You can visit Asahiyama zoo on day 4 instead of Sounkyo.

(Overnight in Asahikawa)

Day 4 Asahikawa – Kamikawa – Sounkyo canyon – Kamikawa – Abashiri

Kurotake mountain ©Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO

Kurotake mountain ©Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO

08:35 Depart from Asahikawa for Abashiri via Sounkyo canyon by Limited Express Okhotsk 1
09:17 Arrive at Kamikawa
09:40 Depart from “Kamikawa Mori no Terasu Bus Touch” by Dohoku bus
*Kamikawa Mori no Terasu Bus Touch is the name of bus station in front of Kamikawa station.

10:20 Arrive at Sounkyo
Enjoy sightseeing in Sounkyo

15:40 Leave Sounkyo by Dohoku bus
16:10 Arrive at Kamikawa Mori no Terasu Bus Touch
*There is no better connections. You have to wait for 1.5 hours at Kamikawa station.

17:45 Depart from Kamikawa by Limited Express Taisetsu 3
20:49 Arrive at Abashiri

(Overnight in Abashiri)

Day 5 Abashiri – Shiretoko – Kushiro

Oshinkoshin Falls ©Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO

Oshinkoshin Falls ©Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO

06:41 Depart for Shiretoko-Shari by JR Senmo line local train
*If you miss this train, you cannot take Shiretoko tourist bus.
07:26 Arrive at Shiretoko-Shari
08:40 Ride on Shiretoko Tourist Bus. This bus is not covered by any rail passes. Please see the link below to find the information:

Yuyu Hokkaido Tour Bus information – Shari Bus

15:57 Depart for Kushiro by JR Senmo line local train
18:46 Arrive at Kushiro

(Overnight in Kushiro)

Day 6 Kushiro – Minami-Chitose – Date-Monbetsu – Lake Toya

Noboribetsu Jigokudani means hell valley (C) Noboribetsu Tourist Association / JNTO

08:23 Depart for Minami-Chitose by Limited Express Super Ozora 4
11:53 Arrive at Minami-Chitose and transfer to Limited Express Suzuran
11:59 Depart for Noboribetsu by Limited Express Suzuran 4
12:45 Arrive at Noboribetsu
13:00 Leave Noboribetsu by Donan bus
13:14 Arrive at Noboribetsu Onsen

Enjoy sightseeing and onsen bath in Noboribetsu

(Overnight in Noboribetsu)

Day 7 Noboribetsu – Lake Toya – Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto – Tokyo

Lake Toya (C)Toyako Tourist Association

Lake Toya (C)Toyako Tourist Association

09:00 Take Express Bus “Iburi” from Noboribetsu Onsen
Bus fare is 1,700 yen. This is not covered by any rail passes.
10:13 Arrive at Toyako Onsen

13:35 Leave Toyako Onsen by Donan Bus local bus
13:56 Arrive at Toya station
14:07 Depart from Toya by Limited Express Super Hokuto 12
15:49 Arrive at Shin-Hakodate-hokuto and transfer to Hokkaido Shinkansen
16:17 Leave Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto by Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 34
20:32 Arrive at Tokyo

*You may skip Lake Toya and go back to Tokyo earlier if you like.

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Monterey Hotel Sapporo Close to station, dine, shop
La Vista Kushirogawa Hotel Kushiro Waterfront location

How to change the itinerary for Sapporo to Sapporo

If you start this itinerary from Sapporo to Sapporo, you may change the itinerary on day 1, 2 and 7 as follows:

Day 1
08:39 Depart from Sapporo by Limited Express Super Hokuto 6
12:23 Arrive at Hakodate
Overnight at Hakodate

Day 2
08:54 Depart from Hakodate by Limited Express Super Hokuto 5
10:45 Arrive at Toya
10:54 Leave Toya by Donan Bus local bus
11:14 Arrive at Toyako Onsen
Sightseeing around Lake Toya
15:00 Depart from Toyako Onsen by Express Bus Iburi
16:11 Arrive at Noboribetsu Onsen
Overnight at Noboribetsu Onsen

Day 3
12:05 Leave Noboribetsu Onsen by Donan Bus local bus
12:17 Arrive at Noboribetsu station
12:36 Depart from Noboribetsu by Limited Express Super Hokuto
13:46 Arrive at Sapporo
14:13 Depart from Sapporo by Rapid train
14:47 Arrive at Otaru
*You can go back to Sapporo whenever you want. Train runs every 30 minutes until 23:00

Day 4 – use Day 3 itinerary
Day 5 – use Day 4 itinerary
Day 6 – use Day 5 itinerary

Day 7
08:23 Depart for Sapporo by Limited Express Super Ozora 4
12:26 Arrive at Sapporo

You may use Hokkaido Rail Pass 7 days for this Sapporo to Sapporo trip plan.

Hope this post gives you some tips and idea to build your trip plan1

Comments

  1. Denna Ong says:
    December 8, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    Thank you, Takeshi San! I will take your advice for single tickets as 3 days in that area won’t be enough to enjoy the sights. I think I’ll travel first to Hakodate from Chitose Airport, stay 3 nights. Then one night each at Noboribetsu and Lake Toya and the rest 5 nights in Sapporo with day trip to Otaru. Can you suggest any other day trip from Sapporo?

  2. Denna Ong says:
    December 8, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    Hi
    I need your advice. I will be in Hokkaido from 18 to 28 December. Planning to stay in Hakodate, Sapporo (day trip to Otaru) and Noboribetsu but I haven’t finalised the itinerary. After reading your sample itinerary I’m considering a night in Lake Toya.
    1. Should I buy the Hokkaido JR pass?
    2. My flight home from Chitose Airport on 28 December is at 9:20am. Should I stay in Chitose so it’s easier for me to be at the airport by 7am? I’ve checked the airport terminal hotel but there’s no vacancy.
    Thanking you in advance for your advice.

  3. irene says:
    November 29, 2015 at 8:57 am

    Hi, I am travelling to Hokkaido in 2 weeks time (Dec 2015). And I have purchase a 3 days Hokkaido JR Pass.

    I would like to travel from Sapporo – Lake Toya – Noboribetsu – Sapporo on the same day (1 day). I will get off from the Lake Toya station and have a view at Lake Toya and take a train from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu station. And I will get off from the Noboribetsu station and have a view at Noboribetsu. And from Noboribetsu I will take a train back to Sapporo. Can my JR pass be use? Do I need to purchase another train ticket?

  4. Joe Chan says:
    November 10, 2015 at 8:38 pm

    Takeshi San:

    My wife and I are planning to takae this itinerary 7 days Hokkaido railpass in Apr next year. Can you offer suggestions for cheap clean safe hotels/hostels for the 2 of us ?
    Perhaps you can give us the details so as we can contact them and book direct unless oyu have a better idea. Please advise

    Cheers
    Joe Chan

  5. Ks says:
    November 2, 2015 at 3:58 am

    Hi Takeshi-san

    I am at asahikawa now on a plan as I go trip when I encounter your amazing itinerary. Is it still good to go from day 3 onwards leaving for a Abushiri? I was thinking of incorporating a paid day trip to lake Akan via Kushiro but the arrival at Kushiro will be too late for the Akan bus tour. Any advice will be greatly appreciated

    Ps: Slight difference from lake toya onwards. I’ll be staying at Lake toya side and move to Hakodate the next day for another night.

    I will leave from Hakodate to Shinjiku after that

    Thanks!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 2, 2015 at 12:57 pm

      Hi KS san,

      As long as weather is okay, you will have nice experience in eastern Hokkaido.
      I think there are bus route between Kushiro and Lake Akan. But only three round trips runs from Kushiro station now. If you cannot take the bus, there is no way to get there as far as I know.
      Bus to Lake Akan http://www.akanbus.co.jp/localbu/akan.htm (Japanese link but you may find the timetable. First one to Lake Akan and blue text one runs in summer time only. First bus is 10:15 – 12:05. You may find other one easily in same table.)

      If you cannot take this bus, unfortunately you have to give up to visit there.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Teoh Boon Hooi says:
    October 28, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks a lot. I am very excited now.

    I can’t wait for the trip to come 🙂

    Regards,
    Boon

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 28, 2015 at 8:53 pm

      Hi Boon,

      I checked Facebook and Shiretoka mountains covered by snow. Many places may be covered by snow. You may be able to enjoy winter scenery. Don’t forget winter clothing. It’s winter there.

      Enjoy your trip.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Boon Hooi says:
    October 27, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    Hi. Thanks for the good plan. I plan to follow your plan but iI plan to go straight away from New Chitose airport to Abashiri from day 1. My plane reaches the airport at 0805. Is it possible?

    My 7 days plan is Abashiri-Utoro-Kushiro-Lake Toya-Hakodate-Hakodate-Hakodate to Sapporo.

    I don’t feel like staying at Hakodate for so long (3 days), can you suggest me any place to stay longer or any other stop?

    Thanks a lot.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 27, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Hi Boon,

      You can get Abashiri on arrival day.
      You can put Otaru, Sounkyo, Furano, Noboribetsu. There are many places to see in Hokkaido.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1101.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Teoh Boon Hooi says:
        October 27, 2015 at 7:48 pm

        Hi Takeshi,

        I really appreciate your prompt reply as i was lost in planning the trip now. It’s a last minute vacation and I am a solo traveller for this trip.

        I forgot to tell you I’m travelling next month 13th Nov (reached New Chitose Airport at 0805 and back 23th Nov 0920 from the same airport). Is that period still suitable to travel to those place? I’ll travel around Sapporo and Otaru in the last few days because the hotel in Sapporo on 13th, 14th and 15th is full at Sapporo. Please kindly advise on my itinerary. Thanks.

        Thanks.

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          October 27, 2015 at 11:49 pm

          Hi Teoh Boon Hooi,

          You can go any places in Hokkaido. But the season is just between winter and fall. And it may be snowing in some regions. But you still can enjoy Hokkaido.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Teoh Boon Hooi says:
        October 27, 2015 at 9:15 pm

        Hi Takeshi,

        I have found hotel to book on my first few days in Sapporo. So now i can spend my first two days in Sapporo and Otaru now instead of leaving it to the last few days.

        Can you kindly advise on my itinerary? 13/Nov to 23/Nov (23/Nov flight at 1700). Thanks.

  8. David P. says:
    May 23, 2015 at 3:10 am

    Hi,

    I was just wondering if there’s anything I should omit from this itinerary, since I plan to do this mid September because it fits my schedule exactly! Please let me know! Thanks!!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      May 23, 2015 at 8:26 am

      Hi David,

      Only Otaru can be removed from this itinerary. Other spot is located on the route. It’s too tight to omit other places.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Veronica says:
    March 13, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san!

    This itinerary looks really good though I have a few questions:

    1. We want to go to Takinoue Park and Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park instead of Abashiri because we will be going there during the first week of June and we were told that the flowers at that time would be great. We are planning to buy the JR Pass 7 days for our stay in Japan and we’ll be coming from Sapporo so we are planning to use the JR Pass from Sapporo station to Kamikawa station then take a bus from Kamikawa station to Takinoue Park so that the bus ticket will be cheaper. Where and how can I buy this bus ticket because the website I’ve seen shows the seat must be reserved and the bus will start at Sapporo station?

    2. We want to go to Sounkyo Gorge and Falls (Ginga no Taki/Ryusei no Taki) but we were told that there is no bus to the gorge and waterfalls itself. We are planning to take a Dohoku bus from Kamikawa station to Sounkyo bus terminal but we don’t know how to go from there to the gorge and falls. Is there a way to go there without driving our own car?

    3. Is there a place where we can temporarily leave our luggage (large) in the JR Hokkaido Kamikawa Station? Because we are thinking if it is better that from Sapporo, we will bring our luggage to Kamikawa Station and leave it there while we go to Takinoue for the day, leave Takinoue in the evening to go back to Kamikawa Station to pick our luggage and proceed to Sounkyo to stay for the night.

    4. Is there a way we can do Sounkyo Gorge/Falls, Takinoue Moss Park and Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park in one day? If not, what schedule would you suggest?

    Thanks!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 13, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      Hi Veronica san,

      1. I think it can be booked at Sapporo bus terminal but I’m not 100% sure. I have never been there but I checked the website of this park. Kamiyibetsu is very hard to access there by public transportation. You have to take Takinoue park to Kamiyuubetsu local bus. But there is no English sign and timetable.

      2. I have seen the bus during summer time only (to Lake Daisetsu). But I couldn’t find any timetable.

      3. There is no locker in Kamikawa station. But there are some lockers at information center in Sounkyo. I’ve heard reservation window at Kamikawa station takes care of baggage storage, but not 100% sure.

      4. You may access to both Sounkyo and Takinoue from Kamikawa. But Kamiyubetsu is tough as I mentioned above.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Weixuan says:
    February 22, 2015 at 8:43 am

    Hi, I find this itinerary very useful, it is exactly what i’m looking for, thanks for sharing.
    I plan to travel to Hokkaido from 27th April to 2nd May 2015. I only have 6 days hence I would like to know is it possible to travel back to Sapporo straight away instead of spending a night in Kushiro? then i would like to visit lake Toya and Noboribetsu on Day 6 from Sapporo. Is it possible for me to catch twilight train/ night train to Amori on the same day? I have checked the train schedule but so far it is only available up to March.

    Thank you 🙂

1…345678
Copied title and URL