5 PERFECT Days in HOKKAIDO | Complete Japan Road Trip Guide
Can you see active volcanic craters, master 550 kilometers of wild northern roads, and explore lavender fields and ninja villages in just five days? Yesβand a road trip is the only way to do it right.
This guide challenges the standard train-reliant Japan trip by using a specific rental car strategy to unlock Hokkaidoβs wild frontier. We cover the logistics for the Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP), the Map Codes needed for rural navigation, and the route through “Hell Valley” so you donβt miss a thing.
Itinerary Highlights:
Sapporo & Otaru: Historic canals, world-class beer, and “Genghis Khan” BBQ
Central Highlands: Rainbow flower fields and the electric “Blue Pond”
The Volcanic South: Sulfur steam vents, natural footbaths, and caldera lakes
β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬ T O U R S & T I C K E T S ποΈ β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬
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π¨ HOTELS
Browse Sapporo Hotels (Nights 1-2) π https://klook.tp.st/VYFWvSdj
Browse Furano/Biei Area Hotels (Night 3) π https://klook.tp.st/mxgHGAGu
Browse Noboribetsu Ryokans (Night 4) π https://klook.tp.st/9bAfmQOJ
Browse Chitose City Hotels (Night 5 – Stress-Free Departure) π https://www.klook.com/destination/c115102-chitose/3-hotel/
ποΈ ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES Hand-picked recommendations mentioned in the video.
Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP) Info π https://en.driveplaza.com/drawari/hokkaido_expass/
Mt. Moiwa Ropeway Ticket (Sapporo Views) π https://viator.tp.st/FE89QZpJ
Date Jidaimura Ninja Village π https://viator.tp.st/Aq5oUEj2
Usuzan Ropeway (Volcano Views) π https://klook.tp.st/mVB3ytvL
Otaru Canal Cruise π https://otaru.cc/en/
Otaru Aquarium Ticket π https://uu-nippon.com/hokkaido/corporate/otaru-aq.shtml
ποΈ BOOK TOURS AND EXPERIENCES Prefer booking everything in one place? Use the platforms below to reserve attractions, food tours, and experiences mentioned in this video.
Klook π https://klook.tp.st/F8sMA8F3
GetYourGuide π https://getyourguide.tp.st/sC3QPjXg
Viator π https://www.viator.com/Hokkaido/d5558-ttd
π PLACES MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO
Sapporo: The Capital (Day 1)
New Chitose Airport (Car Pickup)
Shiroi Koibito Park (Cookie Factory)
Odori Park & TV Tower
Nijo Market
Sapporo Beer Museum
Mt. Moiwa (Night View)
Flowers & Turquoise Water (Day 2)
Farm Tomita (Lavender Fields)
Shikisai-no-Oka
Furano Cheese Factory
Shirogane Blue Pond
Ninjas & Hell Valley (Day 3)
Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
Oyunuma Natural Footbath
Date Jidaimura Ninja Village
Lake Kuttara
Volcanoes & Canals (Day 4)
Usuzan Ropeway & Showa Shinzan
Toyako Onsen Promenade
Nakayama Pass
Otaru Canal & Sakaimachi Street
Aquariums & Hidden Lakes (Day 5)
Otaru Music Box Museum
Otaru Aquarium
Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsu-Toya National Park)
π½οΈ FOOD AD DRINK
Kaisendon (Nijo Market Seafood Bowl)
Genghis Khan (Dome-grilled lamb)
Lavender Soft Serve (Farm Tomita)
Kaiseki Dinner (Traditional Ryokan Tasting Menu)
Ageimo (Deep-fried potato dumplings)
LeTAO Double Fromage Cheesecake
Chitose City Izakayas (Sashimi & Yakitori)
πΆ GETTING AROUND Forget the trains; this 550km itinerary requires a rental car picked up at New Chitose Airport. We strongly recommend the Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP) for unlimited tolls. Crucial: Cell service can be spotty in rural Hokkaido, so use the Map Codes provided below for the carβs GPS system. To avoid departure day stress, return your car in Chitose City the night before your flight.
πΊοΈ MAP CODES
Farm Tomita (Furano): 349 276 889
Shikisai-no-Oka (Biei): 349 700 592*04
Shirogane Blue Pond (Biei): 349 569 813*63
Hell Valley (Jigokudani) Parking: 603 287 235*11
Date Jidaimura Ninja Village: 603 169 288*33
Usuzan Ropeway Station: 321 433 438
Otaru Canal (Main Area): 493 690 648
Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center: 867 063 418*57
β οΈ DISCLAIMER Travel times, driving conditions, and prices are subject to change. Seasonal closures, especially for lavender blooms (July) and winter trail closures, may apply. Always confirm details directly and plan responsibly.
Looking for more detailed itineraries across Japan? Check out our Japan Itineraries Playlist next! π https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJz1m_k0M1c4Rk_rCKBfIfJ9i4yWPV5Qi
π₯ MORE VIDEOS YOU’LL LOVE
β° C H A P T E R S
00:00 β Welcome To Hokkaido: 5-Day Road Trip
00:23 β Day 1: New Chitose To Sapporo Logistics
01:02 β Sapporo Sights, Parks, And Markets
02:00 β Beer Museum, Lamb BBQ, And Sunsets
03:39 β Day 2: Driving To Furano Lavender Fields
04:54 β Biei Flower Fields And Blue Pond
06:09 β Day 3: Hell Valley And Forest Footbaths
07:19 β Ninjas, Crystal Lakes, And Ryokans
08:49 β Day 4: Volcano Views And Lake Toya
10:40 β Day 4: Otaru Canal And Sakaimachi Street
12:04 β Day 5: Otaru Music Boxes And Aquariums
13:18 β Day 5: Lake Shikotsu National Park 14:26 β Finale: Chitose Izakaya
3 Comments
Planning Hokkaido as part of a bigger Japan trip? This road trip pairs perfectly with our Sapporo itinerary, since thatβs where most trips start and end.
π Watch Sapporo here: https://youtu.be/goW2otOMYg8?si=0RrqKcH_iOGMJINn
Start with Sapporo for food, neighborhoods, and logistics, then come back to this video for the scenic loop, hot springs, and countryside stops. Together, they give you a stress free, no guesswork plan for northern Japan.
If this kind of detailed planning helps you, consider subscribing so you donβt miss the next itinerary.
And if youβve been to Hokkaido or are planning a trip, drop a comment with your route or questions. We read every one.
Omg those lavender bloomsπ€©πͺ»
Hell Valley and those thermal streams look so cool!