Hokkaido 12-day Self-Drive Tour
Explore the best of Hokkaido with our 12-day self-drive itinerary, featuring stunning landscapes, cultural landmarks, and delicious local cuisine. From the vibrant city of Sapporo to the serene beauty of Lake Akan, this itinerary offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Car Pick-up: New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Car Return: New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Day 1: Arrive at New Chitose Airport and pick-up rental car
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Places to Visit
Sapporo Clock Tower
This is Japan’s oldest clock tower and is beloved as a symbol of Sapporo. Its beautiful appearance, characterized by white walls and a red triangular roof, harmonizes with the scenery throughout the four seasons. After sunset, it is illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.
Recommended Eats
Genghis Khan at Sapporo Beer Garden
Enjoy fresh draft beer and Genghis Khan (grilled mutton or lamb dish cooked on a dome-shaped iron pan and enjoyed with vegetables) while overlooking the red brick buildings. The garden has five dining halls and restaurants, as well as a museum where you can experience the history of Sapporo Beer.
Day 2: Free time in Sapporo
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Places to Visit
Sapporo TV Tower
A landmark tower about 147 meters tall, located at the eastern end of Odori Park in Sapporo. From its observation deck, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, and on clear days, even see the Ishikari Plain and the Sea of Japan.
Places to Visit
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office)
Built in 1888, this historic structure features an American-style Neo-Baroque design. It served as the main Hokkaido government office for about 80 years and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Recommended Eats
Sapporo Ramen
Known for its piping-hot soup and curly noodles, this dish was created to suit the region’s cold climate. It typically features a rich miso-based broth topped with a layer of lard and yellow, medium-thick curly noodles that hold the soup's flavors well.
Day 3: Free time in Sapporo, then drive to Niseko (approx. 90km)
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Niseko Annupuri
Places to Visit
Otaru Canal
The Otaru Canal is a historic waterway that once served as a bustling hub for trade and commerce in the early 20th century. Today, it is a picturesque spot lined with charming warehouses that have been converted into shops, cafes, and museums. The canal is especially enchanting at night when the gas lamps are lit, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
Recommended Eats
Sapporo Soup Curry
A spicy, hearty curry believed to have originated from medicinal-style soups. It features a thin, broth-like curry filled with plenty of ingredients such as deep-fried vegetables and chicken, and each restaurant offers its own unique variations, including Japanese-style, Western-style, and Indian-style soups.
Places to Visit
Niseko Panorama Line
The mountainous section of Route 66 connecting Iwanai and Niseko in Hokkaido, commonly called the Niseko Panorama Line, is a scenic drive offering a variety of breathtaking views. Visitors can enjoy sights of the Sea of Japan, Mount Yotei (known as “Ezo Fuji”), the Niseko mountain range, and seasonal scenery such as early summer greenery and autumn foliage.
Day 4: Free time in Niseko, then drive to Yunokawa Onsen (approx. 170km)
Niseko Annupuri
Hanabishi Hotel
Places to Visit
Mount Yotei
Mount Yotei, a 1,898m stratovolcano resembling Mount Fuji, is called “Ezo Fuji” and is one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains. It attracts visitors from around the world for its majestic scenery. There are four climbing routes, each offering the chance to enjoy the mountain’s natural beauty throughout the seasons.
Places to Visit
Yunokawa Onsen
One of Hokkaido’s three major hot spring resorts, Yunokawa Onsen is known for its location overlooking the Tsugaru Strait and its clear, smooth, and gentle waters. The hot spring town also offers attractions such as free foot baths and the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, where visitors can see monkeys soaking in the hot springs.
Recommended Eats
Niseko Heavy Snow Udon
This udon is made using starch from Danshaku potatoes grown in Kutchan, giving the noodles a translucent white appearance. It is known for its smooth texture and pleasantly chewy, elastic bite.
Day 5: Free time, then drive to Lake Toya (approx. 160km)
Hanabishi Hotel
The Windsor Hotel Toya
Places to Visit
Goryokaku
Japan’s first Western-style fortress, designed in the shape of a star when viewed from above. It was built in the late Edo period to defend against foreign threats and later became the site of the final battle of the Meiji Restoration, the Battle of Hakodate. Today, it has been transformed into a public park and is open to visitors as a historic site.
Places to Visit
Lake Toya
A caldera lake formed by volcanic activity, known for its clear waters and beautiful surrounding scenery. It is part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park and is famous for its hot springs, outdoor activities, and the nightly fireworks display during the summer months.
Recommended Eats
Lucky Pierrot Hamburgers
Freshly made burgers using local ingredients, unique to Hokkaido. Each restaurant has its own theme and interior style.
Day 6: Free time, then drive to Tokachigawa Onsen (approx. 290km)
The Windsor Hotel Toya
Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel
Places to Visit
Usu Ropeway
Ride the ropeway from Showa Shinzan to Usu Summit in 6 minutes for panoramic views of Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, and Mount Usu.
Places to Visit
Tokachigawa Onsen
A famous hot spring area in Hokkaido, known for its beautiful natural surroundings and relaxing onsen experiences. Enjoy the therapeutic waters and stunning views of the Tokachi River.
Recommended Eats
Lake Toya Scallops
Fresh scallops from Lake Toya, prized for their firm texture, rich sweetness, and melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
Day 7: Free time, then drive to Lake Akan (approx. 120km)
Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel
Akan Yukyu no Sato Tsuruga
Places to Visit
Lake Akan
A popular tourist destination where rich natural scenery and Ainu culture coexist. It is known as a caldera lake where marimo (a special type of green algae designated as a Special Natural Monument) grow naturally, with the majestic Mount Oakan towering beside its shores.
Places to Visit
Ainu Kotan
One of the largest Ainu settlements in Hokkaido, home to about 120 Ainu people. The village features a theater where visitors can watch Ainu Traditional Dances, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. There are also shops selling traditional crafts and restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Ainu cuisine.
Recommended Eats
Obihiro Butadon
Thick slices of pork glazed with a sweet-savory sauce over rice, inspired by unagi donburi. Each restaurant has its own grilling style and sauce variation.
Day 8: Free time in Akan
Akan Yukyu no Sato Tsuruga
Places to Visit
Lake Mashu
Known as the clearest lake in Japan, this caldera lake shines with a deep blue color called “Mashu Blue” on calm, windless days. It is also famously known as “Foggy Lake Mashu” for its mysterious, mist-covered scenery.
Places to Visit
Shiretoko National Park
Celebrated for its magnificent natural scenery and rich ecosystem, the park was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2005. The Shiretoko mountain range, formed by volcanic activity, features dramatic coastal cliffs, volcanic hot springs such as the Kamuiwakka Falls, and other breathtaking landscapes.
Recommended Eats
Ainu Cuisine
Traditional Ainu dishes, highlighting the natural flavors of ingredients. Includes venison rice bowls (Yuk), deer and mountain vegetable soup (Ohaw), and grain-vegetable dishes (Amam).
Day 9: Free time, then drive to Asahikawa Asahidake Onsen (approx. 260km)
Akan Yukyu no Sato Tsuruga
La Vista Daisetsuzan
Places to Visit
Mikuni Pass
Located within the vast Daisetsuzan National Park, this is one of Hokkaido’s most scenic driving routes. From the 1,139-meter-high pass, you can gaze down upon a breathtaking sea of trees stretching endlessly across the landscape, changing colors beautifully with each season.
Places to Visit
Asahikawa Asahidake Onsen
A hot spring resort situated at an elevation of about 1,000 meters within Daisetsuzan National Park, at the foot of Mount Asahi, the park’s highest peak. Because it lies within the protected park area, building height limits help preserve a tranquil atmosphere that harmonizes with the surrounding nature.
Recommended Eats
Katte-don in Kushiro
A unique seafood rice bowl where you choose small portions of seasonal fish and seafood from the local market to make your own perfect donburi.
Day 10: Free time in Daisetsuzan
La Vista Daisetsuzan
Places to Visit
Daisetsuzan Ropeway & Asahiyama Zoo
This ropeway connects the base of Mount Asahi, Hokkaido’s highest peak (2,291 meters), to the 5th station in about 10 minutes. It is Japan’s only ropeway that runs above the tree line. During the ride from the Sanroku Station to the Sugatami Station (about 1,600 meters elevation), you can enjoy sweeping views of the magnificent Daisetsuzan mountain range and its vast natural scenery, which change beautifully with each season.
Places to Visit
Asahiyama Zoo
The northernmost zoo in Japan, famous for its innovative “behavioral exhibits” that allow visitors to observe animals displaying their natural behaviors up close. Highlights include underwater penguin swimming, diving polar bears, and other dynamic, immersive exhibits that make the animals’ vitality come to life.
Recommended Eats
Asahikawa Ramen
Double-soup soy ramen with animal and seafood broth, topped with a lard layer to keep the soup hot, and medium-thick curly noodles for perfect flavor absorption.
Day 11: Free time, then drive back to New Chitose Airport (approx. 200km), return rental car
La Vista Daisetsuzan
Portom International Hokkaido
Places to Visit
Farm Tomita
A famous flower farm where vibrant blooms in red, pink, orange, yellow, and other colors cover vast fields in full splendor. The breathtaking scenery stretches as far as the eye can see, and visitors can enjoy beautiful views from anywhere on the grounds.
Places to Visit
Blue Pond
This enchanting pond is known for its otherworldly cobalt-blue color, so vivid that it hardly seems real. The striking contrast of the standing dead larch trees enhances the pond’s mysterious beauty, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable sight.
Recommended Eats
Furano Melon Soft Cream
Soft cream made from Furano melons and milk, often topped with fresh melon pieces—a Hokkaido specialty dessert.
Day 12: Breakfast at the hotel, depart from New Chitose Airport
Portom International Hokkaido
Places to Visit
New Chitose Airport Onsen
A natural hot spring facility located on the 4th floor of New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal, with sauna, dining, and relaxation rooms. All amenities are provided for a comfortable experience without needing extra items.
Recommended Eats
Yukijirushi Parlor
A long-established Hokkaido dessert parlor using fresh local milk products, operating since 1961, famous for its classic ice creams and sweets.