2021 Hokkaido Trip: Noboribetsu and Sapporo (Central Hokkaido) Route, Recommended 3-Day Itinerary with Detailed Route

① Shiribeshi「Shiribeshi」

Otaru (canal, glassware, LeTao sweets)

Shakotan Peninsula (famous for sea urchin, a peninsula where you can see the seafloor)

Niseko (a resort town developed by Hoshino Resorts, world-renowned for its winter ski slopes)

② Hiyama「Hiyama」

Okushiri Island (the warmest area in Hokkaido during winter)

③ Oshima「Oshima」

Hakodate City (Goryokaku, brick warehouses, hot springs, ramen, morning market)

Matsumae City (Shirakami Misaki, the southernmost point of Hokkaido; Matsumae Castle, one of Japan's 100 famous castles)

① Souya「Souya」

Wakkanai City (Soya Misaki, the northernmost point of Hokkaido)

Rishiri Island (famous for kelp)

Rebun Island (known as the "Floating Flower Island")

② Kamikawa「Kamikawa」

Asahikawa City (second largest population in Hokkaido, Asahiyama Zoo, ramen)

Furano City (flower fields, melons, winter fairy house)

Biei Town (flower fields, "Blue Pond")

③ Rumoi「Rumoi」

Rumoi City (rich in seafood)

① Ishikari「Ishikari」 - Major sightseeing

Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, Kitahiroshima (large outlet shopping mall)

② Sorachi「Sorachi」

Yubari City (Hokkaido's most famous melon production area)

③ Iburi「Iburi」

Tomakomai City (seaside seafood rice bowl restaurants, abundant in scallops, horse-themed park)

Muroran City (White Bird Bridge, amazing view from Cape Chikyu, yakitori)

Shiraoi Town (Shiraoi beef, National Ainu Museum, Tokkarisho cod roe, hot spring town)

Noboribetsu City (hot spring hotels, Jigokudani)

④ Hidakachiho「Hidakachiho」

Erimo Town (stunning view from Cape Erimo)

① Abashiri「Abashiri」

Kitami City (famous for mint)

Monbetsu City (icebreaker ship, drift ice viewing)

Abashiri City (Abashiri Prison, the northernmost prison in Japan)

② Tokachi「Tokachi」

Rikubetsu Town (the coldest place in Japan)

Obihiro City (Kofuku Station, the third largest fireworks festival in Hokkaido)

③ Kushiro「Kushiro」

Akkeshi Town (famous for oysters)

Kushiro City (Kushiro Marshlands, Lake Akan, Ainu village)

④ Nemurochiho「Nemurochiho」

Nakashibetsu Town (Lake Mashu)

Rausu Town (Shiretoko Peninsula)

Nemuro City (Nosappu Misaki, the easternmost point of Hokkaido; Northern Native Garden)

Adults (junior high school and above): 800 yen (※Winter: 500 yen)

Children (elementary school): 400 yen (※Winter: 200 yen)

Preschool children: Free

Keywords: buffet restaurant, pony show, garden, horse riding experience

Keywords: comprehensive display of Ainu culture, various wood carving and embroidery experiences, Ainu traditional cuisine, souvenir shop, Ainu dance performance

Lunch at Shiraoi Town, choose from 5 restaurants serving Hokkaido Wagyu representative (Shiraoi beef)

Recommended by editor: CowBell, Uemura Beyond

Keywords: penguin walk, large viewing aquarium, Ferris wheel, bear paradise

Keywords: hot springs, Noboribetsu souvenirs, scenic Jigokudani in all seasons

Stay at a Noboribetsu hot spring hotel, enjoy hot springs, Japanese-style rooms, breakfast and dinner buffet

Keywords: scenic views, souvenir shops, premium horse oil, Showa Shinzan

Keywords: lake view, sightseeing boat, scenic beauty, fireworks (night only), hot springs

Lunch is available at a restaurant by the lake, within a 10-minute walk from the boat dock. Convenient and delicious, Japanese cuisine. Souvenir shop on the first floor, restaurant on the second floor.

Keywords: lake view, scenery, hot springs, ice sculpture exhibition in winter

Keywords: night view, scenery, park, sheep, flower fields, large snow slide

Check into a Sapporo hotel that night. There are too many dining options to choose from; you can refer to my previous post about the top 10 foods near Sapporo Station.

Sapporo is mainly for shopping; you can also refer to previous articles.

Must-visit places: major department stores near the station, Odori Park, Susukino entertainment district, Tanukikoji shopping street, Hokkaido Shrine, Maruyama Zoo, international ski slopes in winter, flower fields in summer.

If time permits, take the JR train to Otaru to see the canal, eat sweets, buy glassware, then go to Asahikawa to see the animals.

After the pandemic, you must visit Hokkaido at least once; it brings a different feeling, a beautiful and healing place.

Travel Index

1. Hokkaido Regional Divisions:

2. I: Southern Hokkaido (it can be divided into three areas: Shiribeshi「Shiribeshi」, Hiyama「Hiyama」, Oshima「Oshima」)

3. II: Northern Hokkaido (it can be divided into three areas: Souya「Souya」, Kamikawa「Kamikawa」, Rumoi「Rumoi」)

4. III: Central Hokkaido (it can be divided into four areas: Ishikari「Ishikari」, Sorachi「Sorachi」, Iburi「Iburi」, Hidakachiho「Hidakachiho」)

5. IV: Eastern Hokkaido (it can be divided into four areas: Abashiri「Abashiri」, Tokachi「Tokachi」, Kushiro「Kushiro」, Nemurochiho「Nemurochiho」)

6. Day 1

7. First Stop: Northern Horse Park (ノーザンホースパーク) in Tomakomai

8. Second Stop: National Ainu Museum (Upopoy) in Shiraoi

9. Third Stop: Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe (登別マリンパークニクス) and Noboribetsu Bear Park (登別クマ牧場)

10. Fourth Stop: Noboribetsu Hot Spring Town and Jigokudani

11. Day 2

12. First Stop: Mount Usu Ropeway (有珠山ロープウェイ) at Lake Toya

13. Second Stop: Lake Toya Sightseeing Boat (洞爺湖)

14. Third Stop: Chitose Shikotsu Lake

15. Fourth Stop: Sapporo Sheep Hill Observation Deck (羊ヶ丘展望台)

16. Day 3

17. Closing Remarks