Are you going to take a trip to Hokkaido this winter? Have you begun planning your trip? Don’t panic if you have not started planning the trip yet.
Let me introduce you a simple recommended itinerary for your Hokkaido trip. And that’s supposed to be in the winter. Am I right?!
Visiting Hokkaido without the perfect travel plan would make you cry and disappointed. Therefore, I strongly recommend planning your visits in advance or follow this itinerary to make sure you get the most out of your time in Hokkaido.
Those who are eagerly waiting to be there to experience an exciting adventure must read this itinerary and then plan accordingly. If you desire to explore the best winter attractions in Hokkaido, you have got to read this guide.
My extensive travel experiences help me organize this perfect itinerary for first-timers who would be visiting Hokkaido in February and have already intended to experience the snow festivals including other exciting winter attractions. I never say myself that I could create great itinerary.
To be honest, I always find it difficult to rate my own work. In fact, you are the one who would judge my work here.
Often I receive messages from others saying that I help them creating good suggested itineraries. Hearing such inspiring words inspires me more than anything else!
And yet I try my best to deliver you with a lot of information to make your future trip awesome. Let’s get started now!
Day 1 – Sapporo
Ok, you are in Sapporo now! I hope you slept nicely last night and have already taken your breakfast. Let’s get ready for a day trip to Sapporo in February.
Please note that the Sapporo snow festival 2026 will be held from February 4 to February 11. Let’s enjoy this year’s snow festival!
I have a perfect one day Sapporo itinerary for you which you must read right away. As the main attraction of visiting Sapporo in February is the snow festivals, so I want you to spend most of the time in Odori Park.
Take as many as time you need to experience the whole festival area. Actually you could skip the evening session off the “One day Sapporo itinerary.”
You will have a lot of time to do shop in the capital of Hokkaido later on this 7 day trip.
If you want to stay in the heart of Sapporo which I mean near Sapporo Station then make a reservation online in advance at Nest Hotel Sapporo Ekimae. Stay overnight there. Good night guys!
Day 2 – Sapporo to Asahikawa
It is time to get to Asahikawa. Right after taking your breakfast you should head to Sapporo Station. Hop on one of JR limited express trains that depart from Sapporo to Asahikawa every 30 minutes.
The entire one way ride takes about 80-85 minutes. If you have a Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass then you don’t need to buy any tickets. It would cover the cost!
Asahikawa is an impressive city with a number of exciting winter attractions. When people think of visiting Asahikawa in winter, their “bucket list” is filled with three most amazing places: Asahikawa Winter Festival, Asahiyama Zoo, and Asahikawa Ramen Village.
Asahikawa Festival will be held from early to mid February in 2026.
Visitors can see and enjoy the stunning fireworks display at night on the opening ceremony. Usually I don’t miss seeing the opening ceremony.
Therefore, after you hop off the train at Asahikawa Station, immediately check in to a hotel to stay overnight there, you should prefer a hotel that is located near the station.
I stayed at JR Inn Asahikawa, it was an awesome stay so why don’t you check this hotel out?
The journey would definitely make you feel tired, so have some rest there for a while. Then leave your luggage in your room and start your trip heading towards a restaurant. You can find tons of them around the station.
Your next destination would be Asahiyama Zoo. It welcomes thousands of visitors each day during winter.
It is said to be the largest Zoo in Hokkaido which is home to more than 800 animals of 150 different species. The penguin parade show at the zoo in winter is a must thing to see.
You should dedicate your evening time only for the winter festival. At first, visit the Heiwa Dori site to see the amazing ice sculptures and then head to the Asahibashi site for viewing the firework show and giant snow sculptures.
When you are done, get back to the hotel and have a nice comfortable sleep.
Make your hotel reservation at JR Inn Asahikawa, located near JR Asahikawa Station.
Day 3 – Asahikawa to Abashiri
In order to see Hokkaido’s real winter beauty you have got to come to Abashiri. And the best way to get there is by train from Asahikawa, not from Sapporo! Guess what?!
The distance between Asahikawa and Abashiri is shorter than the distance between Sapporo and Abashiri. Get up early in the morning and catch the train to Abashiri.
Abashiri is one of the best tourist destinations in Hokkaido in winter. Usually every year, a lot people get there for experiencing the beautiful drift ice (Ryuhyo) in the Sea of Okhotsk as they know February is the best time to see them.
The train journey from Asahikawa to Abashiri would be delightful as you would witness amazing picturesque Hokkaido countryside.
The shores of Okhotsk in Abashiri receive a huge amount of drift ice. The ocean freezes and seeing drift ice is typically a great outdoor winter activity there.
The best way to witness this winter wonder is by icebreaker cruise. You can get onto one of the Aurora icebreaking ships to begin your journey.
You must take a binocular that would help you spotting some seals, Steller’s Sea Eagles and other birds from the ship. The entire boat journey takes about an hour.
If the weather condition is too bad then the cruise ship trip will be postponed.
Stay overnight at Hotel Sun Abashiri and leave the town for Sapporo on the following day. The early the better!
Attention please! If you want to explore the destination with a group tour from Sapporo then take a look at this one day Abashiri drifting ice adventure tour.
If you are interested in this guided tour, get back to Sapporo instead of heading towards Abashiri from Asahikawa.
Day 4 – Abashiri to Sapporo
I hope you would reach Sapporo before 12:00, if you catch the early direct train to Sapporo from Abashiri.
You have to stay overnight here again in Sapporo, so check in to the hotel you have already taken a reservation online. Cover the rest of the places you have missed on the first day trip to Sapporo.
In fact, this time it would be nice if you spend some times on shopping. You should walk along the Tanukikoji Shopping Street and find your perfect souvenirs.
I don’t care how much time you spend for this but make sure you find some nice souvenirs. Again in the evening time you can head to Odori Park and enjoy live stage events in the festival arena.
For a cozy dining time you can go to one of my favorite restaurants located near the park called Aburiya Odori Bisse. Often it is said to be the best place to have your dinner near Odori Park.
Stay overnight at JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo.
Day 5 – Sapporo to Otaru
Otaru, the historic port city in Hokkaido would be packed with a lot of visitors during its Snow Light Path Festival, which will be held from early February to mid-February, 2026.
The festival is known as one of the most famous snow festivals in Japan. The main festival areas look amazingly wonderful with lit up snow sculptures in the evening and at night, especially the area around the Otaru Canal.
In fact, the whole city gets decorated with different sizes of stunning snow sculptures and night illuminations.
In Otaru, no trip is complete without a leisurely walk down the Sakaimachi Street. Museums, Souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes there are regarded as the top attractions. Grab a quick dinner before you get to sleep! Stay the night in Otaru.
Here is the recommended hotel to stay an overnight in Otaru town: Dormy Inn Premium Otaru. I bet your stay there will be amazing!
Day 6 – Otaru to Niseko
Accessing to Niseko from Otaru is the best choice than getting there from Sapporo. In the morning, wait for the train at JR Otaru Station, get in when it arrives. In fact, this is the same train you get in to get to Otaru from Sapporo.
Please note you are going to stay in Niseko 2-day and 1-night in Niseko. So, plan yourself what you can do there.
When you read about “what are the best things to do in Hokkaido during winter?” then one thing’s for sure that skiing and snowboarding in Niseko United is on the top after the snow festivals.
It is the country’s most famous and biggest ski resort, where night skiing facility is absolutely brilliant compared to other ski resorts you find throughout the country.
The resort is family-friendly with great ski infrastructures. It is the perfect ski resort for beginners to start learning skiing or snowboarding. If you are afraid of skiing and snowboarding there, you have other outdoor winter recreational activities to try.
It is recommended to stay a night there if you would like to try night skiing on the ski slopes. If not then get back to Sapporo before nightfall.
The hotel to stay overnight in Niseko: Always Niseko Hotel, located at the Grand Hirafu resort area. Enjoy a great view of Mt. Yotei from there!
Day 7 – Niseko to Sapporo
Get up early in the morning, have you breakfast, and then discover the places you missed visiting on Day 6. You are going back to Sapporo after taking your lunch in Niseko.
You may want to go out in the evening in downtown Sapporo to do a little bit shopping or just to take a stroll, no problem! Go for it and enjoy the evening.
Hotel to stay in Sapporo: HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Aspen.
Those who plan on visiting Hokkaido only for 7 days, I have to tell you that your trip ends here. However, you can add one more day to take a trip to Jozankei.
Day 8 – Sapporo to Jozankei Onsen
Today you are off to a lovely hot spring resort town.
On the outskirts of downtown Sapporo there is a beautiful hot spring resort town called Jozankei Onsen.
The onsen is particularly beautiful in the autumn and winter. The valley’s surrounding snowy landscape is breathtaking!
I admire the scenery and you would do too. To get rid of Hokkaido’s extreme cold weather, often people head to hot spring baths and you should choose this one instead of getting to Noboribetsu hot spring resort town.
You know your time is limited! Soak your body in one of the hot spring baths there and feel good. Take the bus to get back to Sapporo and literally your trip ends there.
I don’t know what your next destination would be especially when you are a solo traveler. Anyway, wishing you all the best!
Winter Travel Tips for Hokkaido
1) Buying a Japan Rail Pass is highly recommended for this dream trip to Hokkaido.
2) Dress up well to survive the winter, learn about what to wear in Hokkaido during winter.
3) Those of you who are concerned about big suitcase to travel with on snowy grounds could use Takuhaibin – a nationwide delivery service. In fact, you can rely on Yamato Transport Co., LTD. It would deliver your big suitcase from hotel to hotel all over Japan. If it does not suit you then I would suggest you pack light as much as possible. Read this post to get some ideas on how to pack light for winter trip to Hokkaido.
4) Eat and drink to keep your body warm.
If your winter holiday time does not match with this suggested itinerary, please let me know here or just leave a comment below. I hope I have the right solution for you.
Don’t be disappointed if you are going to stay from late December to early January. You can celebrate the New Year’s Eve and still there is a lot of things to see and do.
While exploring this island in winter, whenever you get hungry you can stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at restaurants you find nearby.
I have shared this 9-day Hokkaido suggested itinerary for this year winter holiday that is packed with the best of Hokkaido for some inspiration.
There are other Hokkaido itineraries I could share with you, for example this 10-day Hokkaido winter itinerary. Just contact me right away, if you need to know them.
I have spent a lot of time in Hokkaido sometimes as a resident and tourist. Based on this it was kind of easy to come up with this perfect itinerary.
Hi, I’m planning 9 days trip to Hokkaido, I would like to visit hakodate, Lk. Toya, Noboribetsu, Niseko, Otaru, back to sapporo and do you think is it possible to add day trip to asahikawa zoo and jozankei onsen?
thanks
Hi,
Of course that’s possible, thank you. 🙂
Hi, Thanks for your wonderful travel plan. We are planning to visit Hokkaido from 8 – 19 Dec, we planned to stay and ski in Niseko follow by a few days to explore around. Like the previous query, can we stay in Sapporo and do day trips to Asahiyama Zoo, Otaru? In Asahikawa, other than the zoo, are there any other attractions? In Otaru, i understand the winter festival only starts in Feb as we are traveling in Dec, would there be any interesting things to visit? Sorry i have tons of questions. Next we are interested in Ryokan with onsen, as we have 2 adults and 3 kiddos (9, 6 & 3), are there any children friendly Ryokan that we could visit? Greatly appreciate you help.
Hi, I have answered all your questions, just check your email. Thank you.
Hi I am planning 9 days trip to Hokkaido, but the flight journey takes 10hrs approx each. I will spend 4 to 5 days in Niseko for skiing. I will travel back to Sapporo airport from Niseko. Would like to know whether it’s possible to stay in Sapporo and do day trips to Asahikawa, Abashiri, Otaru, Blue Pond at the beginning?
Thanks you so much.
Hi there,
Would you please read the email I have sent you a moment ago? Thank you.
Hello! My boyfriend and his family (total 5 people) will be traveling to hokkaido this winter. We will be in:
Dec 18-21 in niseko
Dec 21-25 in sapporo
And the Dec 25-29 in Tokyo
I know we won’t be able to attend the snow festivals but what are some top things you recommend we do during our stay in sapporo?
Thank you very much!
Hi Angie, check your email inbox to see the answer of your question. Thanks.
Hello, I plan to go to Hokkaido as my graduation trip. But since I am a student in Japan, I cannot use JR pass, is there a way I can travel Hokkaido for cheap? I will stop by Sapporo just for the snow festival and go other place for a day trip. Do you recommend Tomamu during winter as well?
Hi there, just to inform you that I have sent you an email today, please check it out. Thanks.
Good day
I am planning a 12 day family trip to Japan with my wife and 2 teenage boys this late December Starting from Hokkaido and then to Tokyo by train.
How many days who you recommend for Hokkaido? It would be very much appreciated if you could suggest an itinerary for me.
Thank you very much
Hi, I just sent you a message to your email address, I hope you find that very useful. Thank you.
Hi, I will be travelling to Hokkaido from 7th December to 10th December (4 days). Please kindly share with us your suggested itinerary, as this is a very short stay. Kindly also let us know, whether we would still be able to ski, since we are arriving slightly before winter. Thank you very much for your help!!
Hi there, I have sent you a message. Please check it, thank you!
Hi, we will be travelling to Hokkaido from 23dec to 2Jan. Could you kindly share with us your itinerary and recommended restaurants and hotels? 🙂 Thank you very much!
Hi, I have sent you a suggested itinerary to your email address. I hope you have received it. Thank you.
Hi! Can you suggest what to do if I’m planning to go to Hokkaido from 29th dec 2017 – 3rd Jan 2018? 🙂 what are the museums that will be open? And recommendation on food pls 🙂
Hi, I just sent you a message to your email address. Please check it! 🙂
Hi we plan to follow your suggested itinerary in winter in Sapporo checking in 5 Feb – checking out on 12 Feb 2018.
The suggested hotel Nest Hotel Sapporo is full on 10 Feb and 11 Feb 2018. Do you have any other suggestion that is good?
In Otaru you have not suggested any hotel and find it hard to get non smoking twin room. Any suggestion for a good value hotel?
Hope you can suggest a detailed itinerary of us. Thanks so much.
Hi, I have sent you an email. Thank you.
Hi, my family of four will be going to Sapporo and Hokkaido from 23/12 to 02/01. If you could help with some recommendations on things to do during this time, and NYE please, that’d be appreciated. We also want to go skiing for 1-2 days, but we’re not sure if we should stay at a resort or do a day trip to a place near Sapporo. Thanks.
Hi Jamian, I have sent you a message to your email address. I would be glad if you read the message carefully. Thank you.
Hi, some of my dates have changed, so I’ve sent you another email. I hope you can still help, thank you so much!
I have received your previous email. Don’t worry, I will reply as quickly as possible. Thanks.
Hi! Your itinerary looks good! But I’m planning to go in mid-January 2018. Do you have any suggestions to replace the Snow Festival items in this itinerary? Thanks!
Hello Ying, I hope you have received the email that I sent you today. If you have not, please contact me again. Thank you.
Hi, me and my family are planning to visit Sapporo on 29/12-6/1. We have 7 full days. I would appreciate if you could recommend us the itenerary. We’d like to spend 2 full days playing the ski and please suggest us where to celebrate the New Years eve. Thank you.
Hi Yen,
Did you receive my reply to your email? Please check it! Thank you.
hi.. me and my family are planning to have a 7 days trip in saporro this incoming sapporo snow festival..can you please send me sample itinerary for our reference..thankyou so much
Hi Karen, I have sent you a message to your email address, please check it! Thank you very much.
Hello! I would like to ask if we as a couple would like to visit Hokkaido as a first timer from 24 Dec to 1 Jan, what would you suggest we do for Day 1 since the snow festival only open in Feb?
Hello Sassy, I have sent you a message to your email address, please read the message carefully. Thank you.
Hello i want to ask if i want to visit niseko sapporo can i use JR 7 days pass? Or i need to buy JR hokkaido pass? Please help 🙂
Hello! You can use your JR 7 days pass to get to Niseko from Sapporo. And there is no need to buy a JR Hokkaido Pass. I hope it helps. Thank you. 🙂
Hi, if I want to visit asahiyama zoo, izit worth to go in mid december? I plan to stay one night then bck to sapporo the next day. What is ur suggestion? by train or self drive for family trip. Which one save budget? Pls email me for reply. Many thanks .
Hi, thanks for visiting kyuhoshi.com. Of course it is worth a visit to this biggest Zoo of Hokkaido. That’s wonderful! Well as it is a family trip then I hope you would like to get to Asahiyama Zoo by a special trail called Asahiyama Zoo Train. It departs from Sapporo station! If you have a Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass then you don’t need to buy a train ticket. Everyone of your family member would definitely enjoy the ride. So there is no need to rent a car. Good luck!
Thank you.
Hi, thanks for your reply. Should I also stay one night at Mombetsu for the Garinko ice cruise and the ice tower? The journey from Abashiri to Mombetsu is like 3 hours. Appreciate some advice so that I can plan and purchase my flight tickets. Many thanks.
Hello, I have sent you a message to your email address. Please check it out. Thank you.
Hi, if I want to take both the Aurora and Garinko ice breaking cruise, should I stay at Abashiri? I want to visit the Ice museum and Ice tower. Would two days be enough to cover? Many thanks
Hi, yeah I think you better stay in Abashiri. And two days would be enough to visit the attractions you have mentioned if the weather is favorable to roam around! Wish you good luck and thanks a lot.