This classic travel itinerary takes you to the best of Hokkaido, such as atmospheric Noboribetsu and Kawayu Onsen, the cities of Asahikawa and Hakodate, the beautiful lakes of Toya-ko and O-numa, as well as the National Ainu Museum and Ikeda Wine Castle. Kick off your trip from Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido.
⚫︎ Last updated: May 2024. Timetables, business hours and prices are subject to change. Check the latest information.
INDEX
✔️Checklist
⚫︎ Purchase the Hokkaido Rail Pass at the JR-designated ticket office.
⚫︎ If you don’t have a reserved ordinary seat ticket on the limited express train Hokuto, Suzuran, Tokachi or Ozora, you can use vacant ordinary seats (if the seats are fully booked, you will have to stand).
⚫︎ Day 2: The limited express train Sarobetsu 4 will be suspended for several days a year. Check the schedule.
⚫︎ Book the hotels in Wakkanai, Asahikawa, Kawayu Onsen, Tomamu and Hakodate in advance. Note that Hoshino Resort Tomamu is closed in April and November.
⚫︎ Check online for the train status information.
DAY 1
DISTANCE: 443.8km
Sapporo→Wakkanai
⚫︎ Explore the beautofi countryside of Biei by bike. In winter, head to the Blue Pond by bus.
⚫︎ If you want to visit Asahiyama Zoo, take the bus from Asahikawa Station. Don’t miss penguin walk in winter.
⚫︎ Take the limited express for Wakkanai on the JR Soya Line.
⚫︎ Take a photo at Japan’s northernmost train station of Wakkanai.
⚫︎ Have dinner at local izakaya in Wakkanai.
d. 6:52
Take the limited express Lilac 3 for Asahikawa.
a. 8:40 / d. 8:44
Take the local train for Furano.
➡︎ If you plan to visit Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園), take the bus 47 (departing at 9:10) from the train station (duration: 39min). After the explore, take the bus 47 (departing at 12:10) for Asahikawa Station (duration: 40min).
a. 9:17
Biei is something like a France’s mini rural village. Bike rentals or electric scooter (including left-luggage services) are available in front of the train station.
9:30 to 12:00
Explore the Patchwork Road (12km) by bike. Otherwise, you can go to Shirogane Blue Pond (白金青い池) by bus from the train station.
d. 12:25
Take the local train for Asahikawa.
a. 13:01 / d. 13:35
Take the limited express Sarobetsu 1 for Wakkanai. Prepare food and drink at the station kiosk or ekiben shop. The best scenery is on the left.
a. 17:25
The JR Soya Line end up at Japan’s northernmost train station of Wakkanai. Take a stroll around the North Breakwater Dome, then head to local izakaya. We like Yoshioka (よしおか) near the Dormy Inn.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
Dormy Inn Wakkanai
天然温泉 天北の湯 ドーミーイン稚内
▶︎ 2min walk from JR Wakkanai Station
Overlooking the harbor from the ocean-view rooms, this 12-story hotel is Wakkanai’s finest choice. A variety of comfortable rooms furnished in sea ice design. On-site restaurants offer Japanese and Western dishes using local ingredients. It is conveniently attached to the train station.
DAY 2
DISTANCE: 259.4km
Wakkanai→Asahikawa
⚫︎ Take the bus to Soya-misaki, the northernmost tip of mainland Japan.
⚫︎ Take the limited express Sarobetsu 4 (suspended for several days a year) for Asahikawa on the JR Soya Line.
⚫︎ Enjoy the nightlife, ramen, beer and sake in Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second largest city.
d. 9:30
If the weather is good, explore around the city center, such as Hokumon Jinja (北門神社) and Wakkanai Park (closed in wtiner).
Take the bus for Hamatonbetsu (浜頓別). Purchase the discount round-trip ticket (記念乗車券) to Soya-misaki at the station’s bus terminal. For the best view, sit on the left side.
a. 10:20 / d. 11:04
Soya-misaki is the northernmost tip of mainland Japan.
Take the return bus to Wakkanai Station.
a. 12:04 / d. 13:01
Take a break and find your souvenirs at Wakkanai Station’s KITAcolor shopping mall.
Take the seasonal limited express Sarobetsu 4 (suspended for several days a year) for Asahikawa. For the ocean and river views, sit on the right side.
a. 16:45
Return to Asahikawa.
Explore Kitasaito Garden (北彩都ガーデン), then head to Taisetsu Ji-Beer-kan (closed Sun) or local ramen shop. Wandering around Sanroku-gai (さんろく街) nightlife district.
Photo: Jalan.net
SPONSORED
JR Inn Asahikawa
JRイン旭川
▶︎ 1min walk from JR Asahikawa Station
The JR Inn is a good sleeping option adjacent to JR Asahikawa Station in the same building of the Aeon shopping mall. It has Western-style rooms with city views, communal baths and a lounge. Reception is on the 5th floor.
DAY 3
DISTANCE: 317.5km
Asahikawa→Kawayu Onsen
⚫︎ Take the limited express Okhotsk 1 for Abashiri on the JR Sekihoku Line.
⚫︎ Explore Abashiri, one of Eastern Hokkaido’s most popular destinations.
⚫︎ Admiring the scenic views of the sea and the lake.
⚫︎ Staying at Kawayu Onsen.
d. 8:31
Take the limited express Okhotsk 1 for Abashiri on the JR Sekihoku Line.
a. 12:12 / d. 16:20
Abashiri is one of Eastern Hokkaido’s most popular destinations. You will have time to explore the town, such as Abashiri Prison Museum. In winter, take the icebreaker.
Take the local train for Kushiro on the JR Senmo Line.
a. 18:02 / d. 18:20
Take the bus for Kawayu-onsengai (Taiho Sumo Museum), stopping near the major hotels in Kawayu Onsen.
a. 18:32
The bus arrives in front of Taiho Sumo Museum. You will find the popular convenience store Seicomart opposite the bus terminal.
One of Eastern Hokkaido’s best hot spring resorts, the rustic Kawayu Onsen boasts sulfur-rich water supplied to all hotels. Let’s relax.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
Oyado Kinkiyu Bettei Suikazura
お宿欣喜湯 別邸 忍冬
▶︎ 2min walk from Kawayu-onsengai bus stop
This newly renovated onsen boasts luxury mix of Japanese- and Western-style rooms and a stylish buffet. Pick-up from JR Kawayu-onsen Station is possible (free), if you request in advance.
DAY 4
DISTANCE: 292.5km
Kawayu Onsen→Tomamu
⚫︎ Walking around Kawayu Onsen early in the morning.
⚫︎ Take the local train for Kushiro on the scenic JR Senmo Line.
⚫︎ Have seafood breakfast at Washo Market in front of Kushiro Station.
⚫︎ Explore the Wine Castle in Tokachi Ikeda. Have lunch.
⚫︎ Staying at Hoshino Resort Tomamu (closed April and November). Enjoy the Mina Mina Beach.
5:30
If the weather is good, Kawayu’s most popular nature trail (May-Nov) makes an hour hike (2.5km) from Kawayu Onsen to the surfer mountain of Io-zan (硫黄山). There are also short trails from Kawayu Visitor Center.
d. 8:00
Take the bus for Kawayu-onsen Station in front of the Taiho Sumo Museum, stopping near the major hotels in Kawayu Onsen.
a. 8:12 / d. 8:17
Take the local train for Kushiro on the JR Senmo Line.
a. 10:00 / d. 11:21
Eastern Hokkaido’s largest port town. A few minutes’ walk west of the train station, Washo Ichiba (和商市場) is best known for its katte-don (勝手丼: seafood bowl topped with a wide range of sashimi as you like it).
Take the limited express Ozora 6 for Sapporo.
a. 12:39 / d. 15:13
Walk to the Wine Castle (ワイン城) diagonally behind the train station. It has a wine cellar, maturing room, shop and rooftop observatory. Have lunch at the restaurant or nearby park overlooking the Tokachi Plain.
Take the limited express Ozora 8 for Sapporo.
a. 16:24
Check-in at the hotel in Hoshino Resort Tomamu (closed April and November). Head to the tropical glass-fronted Mina-Mina Beach (ミナミナビーチ). Hoshino Resort guests can use it for free.
Have dinner and spend for the night.
★ Hoshino Resort Tomamu will be closed in April and November. Stay in Shintoku or Obihiro (in Tokachi Region).
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
Hoshino Resort Tomamu The Tower
星野リゾート トマム ザ・タワー
▶︎ 5min by shuttle bus from Tomamu Station
At the heart of the resort, Hokkaido’s tallest twin towers hotel (37-storey), which opened 30 years ago, exudes a handsome modern feel with standard family-oriented rooms overlooking the mountains.
DAY 5
DISTANCE: 166.3km
Tomamu→Noboribetsu Onsen
⚫︎ Take the Tomamu’s longest gondola to the Unkai Terrace (mid May to late September) early in the morning.
⚫︎ Learn about Ainu culture at the Upopoy National Ainu Museum in Shiraoi.
⚫︎ Staying in Noboribetsu Onsen. Experience the ‘onsen heaven‘ at the Dai-ichi Takimotokan.
5:00
Tomamu’s longest gondola makes early morning runs up to the Unkai Terrace (sits at 1088m) from the Resort Center for breathtaking views over the unkai (sea of clouds) covered the mountains.
Have breakfast (the restaurant is open from 6am to 9am).
Take the free shuttle buses to Tomamu Station.
d. 9:52
Take the limited express Tokachi 4 for Sapporo.
a. 11:09 / d. 11:27
Take the limited express Hokuto 10 for Hakodate.
a. 11:58
The gateway to the Upopoy National Ainu Museum (10min walk). You will find a tourist information center (bike rentals are available) on the road.
➡︎ When Monday comes, hire a bike and cycling around the lake Poroto-ko, then soaking at the public onsen Maru-no-yu (〇湯) at the KAI Poroto. Otherwise, get off the train at Noboribetsu and transfer to the bus for Noboribetsu Onsen.
12:10 to 15:20
One of Hokkaido’s ‘must-see’ attractions facing the pleasant lake, the Upopoy (closed Mon) comprises the National Ainu Museum, experience-based cultural hall, craft studio, workshop and kotan (traditional Ainu village). There are also Ainu cuisine restaurants on-site.
d. 15:47
Take the limited express Hokuto 16 for Hakodate.
a. 15:59 / d. 16:10
The gateway to Noboribetsu Onsen. Round trip bus tickets for Noboribetsu Onsen are sold at a ticket vending machine in the train station.
Take the bus for Ashiyu-iriguchi (足湯入口) at the Sekisuitei, stopping at the major hotels in Noboribetsu Onsen, such as Dai-ichi-Takimoto-mae (第一滝本前).
a. 16:24
Noboribetsu is one of Japan’s best places to enjoy the onsen. The onsen town has a number of excellent hotels and ryokan, plus very few budget inns.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
Dai-ichi Takimotokan
第一滝本館
▶︎ 1min walk from Dai-ichi-Taimoto-mae bus stop / 5min walk from Noboribetsu-onsen bus terminal
One of Hokkaido’s grandest onsen hotels, Dai-ichi Takimotokan boasts 35 indoor and open-air baths filled with five different kinds of hot water. The indoor large tubs afford the stunning view over the Hell Valley. There is also a swimming pool with a kids pool, water slide and jacuzzi. Bring your own swimsuit (available for rent).
DAY 6
DISTANCE: 207.0km
Noboribetsu Onsen→Hakodate
⚫︎ Explore around Jigoku-dani early in the morning.
⚫︎ Take the boat on the picturesque lake Toya-ko.
⚫︎ Explore Onuma Park, Southern Hokkaido’s most beautiful resort.
⚫︎ Spend for the night in the romantic port town of Hakodate.
6:30
If the weather is good, take a walk around Oyu-numa (closed in winter) or Oyunuma-gawa Brook Natural Footbath (24hr year-round) before breakfast.
d. 9:08
Take the bus for Noboribetsu Station, departing from Ashiyu-iriguchi, stopping at the major hotels in Noboribetsu Onsen, such as Dai-ichi-Takimoto-mae (第一滝本前).
a. 9:30 / d. 9:57
Take the limited express Hokuto 10 for Hakodate.
a. 10:39 / d. 10:45
Take the bus for Higashi-machi (東町) via Toyako-onsen Terminal.
a. 10:39 / d. 14:55
On the southern shore of Toya-ko, this onsen town is a good base for explore the lake. Take the Toyako Kisen lake cruise and have lunch.
Back t the bus terminal, and take the bus for Sogo-fukushikan (総合福祉館) via Toya Station (洞爺駅前).
a. 15:11 / d. 15:21
Take the limited express Hokuto 14 for Hakodate.
a. 16:48 / d. 18:04
The antiquated Onuma-koen Station is a good place to access the lake O-numa, Southern Hokkaido’s most beautiful resort. You will find a seasonal beer brewery near the train station.
Take the limited express Hokuto 16 for Hakodate.
a. 18:30
Hakodate is Southern Hokkaido’s largest port town, with an East-meets-West culture and historic buildings.
19:30
Hakodate-yama (334m) boasts one of the world’s most beautiful night views over the town. A ropeway takes you to the summit.
21:00
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse (金森赤レンガ倉庫群) has been transformed into a tourist complex, with plenty of craft shops and restaurants set on a pretty harbor. Don’t miss the burger shop Lucky Pierrot.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
La Vista Bay Hakodate