If vacationing in Tokyo and Osaka has become mainstream, it might be time to consider seeking new travel destinations in Japan. Besides the somewhat Western Okinawa in the south, there’s Hokkaido in the north, which is worth a visit.
The peak season in Hokkaido is during the winter months from January to March, when famous ski resorts like Niseko and Kiroro attract visitors looking to enjoy the abundance of snow on this famously cold island. In addition to snow, the onsen (hot springs) and natural scenery are attractions that can draw tourists year-round.
The largest city in Hokkaido is Sapporo, with the nearest airport being New Chitose Airport (CTS), making it a primary destination on the island. Besides Sapporo, consider heading to the city of Hakodate as well.
There are two ways to reach Sapporo in Hokkaido, assuming you are coming from Osaka or Tokyo.
Hokkaido by Train
The first option is to take the Shinkansen if you have a JR Rail Pass (¥50,000 for 7 days) or the JR East South Hokkaido Pass (¥26,000 for a flexible 6-day pass). If you don’t have a rail pass, it’s best to avoid taking the train to Sapporo as it can be quite expensive; flying is a better option.
The journey from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate takes about 257 minutes on the Hayabusa Shinkansen, after which you transfer to the Super Hokuto Limited Express to reach Sapporo (206 minutes). The total travel time is around 8 hours.
While this travel time is something to consider, you can stretch your legs on the train, but it will consume a full day of travel. If you want to break up the journey, you could spend 1-2 days exploring Hakodate before continuing to Sapporo. This route is fully covered (free) if you have the Japan Rail Pass or the JR East South Hokkaido Pass. If you purchase point-to-point tickets, it will cost around ¥26,820 one way.
Hokkaido by Plane
However, if you don’t plan to purchase a rail pass or have other considerations, flying is highly recommended due to the relatively quicker travel time compared to the train. Some might say domestic flights in Japan are expensive, but that person clearly hasn’t read about budget options.
In Japan, there are several budget airlines similar to AirAsia, including Vanilla Air, Peach Air, Skymark, and Jetstar Japan. For the route from Tokyo to Sapporo, you can find ticket prices around ¥6,000 one way if you purchase during a promotion, not including baggage fees and other costs. Their baggage rules can be quite strict, so make sure to read the regulations carefully regarding the allowed number of carry-on items and checked baggage weight.
On the other hand, full-service airlines in Japan include ANA and Japan Airlines, with normal prices around ¥35,000 one way. But don’t be discouraged; there are cheaper tickets available, and here’s a little secret from riyandanil blog.
For ANA (All Nippon Airways), there’s a ticket called the ANA Experience Japan Fare. This ticket is only available for non-Japanese residents who can show their international flight ticket (both to and from Japan) from any airline. The fare for this ticket is ¥11,000 one way for any route serviced by ANA. So whether you’re coming from Osaka, Fukuoka, or even Okinawa, you can get to Sapporo at the same rate. Of course, the ANA fare includes checked baggage and meal service.
The requirement is to have an international flight ticket to Japan using any oneworld member airline. However, as of 2019, this ticket is no longer available.
In its place, in 2022, there’s the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, which offers three pricing options: ¥5,500, ¥7,700, and ¥11,000 for all JAL domestic routes.
Plane or Hokkaido Pass?
Now, when considering whether to fly or take the train, both options have their pros and cons.
If you choose to fly and want to visit Sapporo as well as Furano, Asahikawa, or Hakodate, you might also consider purchasing the JR Hokkaido Pass: 5 days for ¥20,000. The Hokkaido Pass can be purchased directly in Japan (though it’s about 1,000 yen more expensive), so you don’t need to buy it before arriving in Japan. Keep in mind that train fares in Hokkaido can be quite high if bought per trip, so this pass can pay for itself quickly if you plan on making round trips.
Another option is the JR Rail Pass, which covers all of Japan, priced at ¥50,000 for 7 days. You just need to calculate which option is more efficient and budget-friendly for your travel plans.
Hokkaido Bus Pass
If you find the Hokkaido Train Pass too expensive, there may be a cheaper alternative: traveling by bus! There’s a package ticket called the Hokkaido Inter City Bus Pass.
This pass costs ¥4,500 for 3 days of bus travel, and ¥7,500 for 5 days. It’s perfect for those who want to explore areas around Sapporo, Chitose, Niseko, Otaru, as well as Asahikawa and Furano.
Hokkaido Travel Itinerary
There are many attractions to visit on Hokkaido Island, so it’s entirely possible to dedicate a week in Japan just to exploring Hokkaido without needing to go to Tokyo or Kyoto.
The cities that attract tourists in every season are primarily Sapporo, Otaru, and Hakodate. Furano is famous for its lavender and sunflower fields, which can be visited in the summer. The most renowned hot springs are located in Noboribetsu, just a few hours by train from Sapporo.
Next, I will write about my travel itinerary in Hokkaido, spanning a total of 6 days (actually part of my journey from Tokyo and Kanazawa), starting from Hakodate in the southernmost part, then traveling to Sapporo, Otaru, and finally to Furano to see the Lavender Farm.