Sapporo City & Around
Sapporo, Otaru, Lake Toya and Noboribetsu, all from one city hotel.
From ￥532,000 per person · based on 2 guests
Recommended months
All year (Snow Festival in February, cherry blossom in late April, autumn colours in October)
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Route
New Chitose → Sapporo → Otaru → Lake Toya → Noboribetsu → New Chitose
A first look at Hokkaido, from one Sapporo hotel.
Most first trips to Hokkaido start in Sapporo, and many never get far beyond it. This one uses the city as a base. You stay in the same hotel for four nights and take day trips to the places nearby: a canal town, a volcanic lake and an onsen town known for its steaming valley.
One full day is for Sapporo itself: Odori Park, the TV Tower, the Clock Tower, the Beer Museum and lunch at Nijo Market. Otaru is an hour away, with its old canal warehouses, glass and music box shops, and Shiroi Koibito Park's chocolate factory on the way back. The longest day goes south to Lake Toya's caldera and then to Noboribetsu's Jigokudani, where the ground still steams.
It suits couples and families on a first visit who want a well-rounded few days without changing hotels, with an easy arrival and departure at either end.
Starts at New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Solid: driving · Dashed: back to the start
What makes this trip.
- Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower and the Clock Tower in the city centre
- Lunch at Nijo Market and an evening in Susukino
- Otaru Canal's historic warehouses, glass shops and music box galleries
- A sweets-making workshop at Shiroi Koibito Park, the factory behind Hokkaido's best-known cookie
- Lake Toya's caldera views, with the Mt Usu Ropeway or a lake cruise
- Noboribetsu's Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and Oyunuma Pond, with an optional foot bath
- Four nights in one hotel, with an easy first and last day
An easy introduction to Hokkaido, with four nights in one Sapporo hotel.
Day 01Day 01
New Chitose → Sapporo
Arrival and an easy evening
- Morning
- Arrive New Chitose Airport, private transfer to Sapporo (about 1–1.5 hours), with time to settle in
- Evening
- Check in, evening stroll through Susukino or Odori Park, dinner
Day 02Day 02
Sapporo
The city's best-known sights
- Morning
- Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, Former Hokkaido Government Office Building
- Afternoon
- Sapporo Beer Museum, Nijo Market for local seafood and lunch, free time for shopping in Tanukikoji
- Evening
- Dinner in Susukino
Day 03Day 03
Otaru → Shiroi Koibito Park
Canal town and chocolate factory
- Morning
- Private car to Otaru (about 1 hour), stroll the historic Otaru Canal, browse glassblowing shops and music box galleries
- Afternoon
- Lunch in Otaru (kaisendon/sushi is a local specialty), walk around and shop around Sakaimachi, then Shiroi Koibito Park on the way back to Sapporo for a chocolate factory tour and hands-on cookie or sweets-making workshop
- Evening
- Return to Sapporo, dinner
Day 04Day 04
Lake Toya → Noboribetsu
Caldera lake and Hell Valley
- Morning
- Private car to Lake Toya (about 2 hours), lakeside views, and a short walk around the caldera lake. Mt Usu ropeway or sightseeing cruise and then lunch in Lake Toya
- Afternoon
- Continue to Noboribetsu, walk through Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and visit Oyunuma Pond, optional onsen foot bath or full soak
- Evening
- Return to Sapporo, dinner
Day 05Day 05
Sapporo → New Chitose
An easy departure
- Morning
- Relaxed checkout, private transfer to New Chitose Airport (about 1–1.5 hours)
- Afternoon
- Arrive New Chitose Airport with time to spare for departure
Couples and families on a first visit who want Hokkaido's biggest city and its classic day trips, with one hotel for the whole stay and no long transfer days.
Possible extensions
Pairs with Sapporo Artisan Trail for two hands-on craft days, or with Furano Flower Country or Furano Winter Wonderland for a few days in the countryside.
Upgrade options
Upgrade to a suite in central Sapporo, or spend the Day 4 night at a Noboribetsu onsen ryokan instead of driving back to the city.
Seasonal variations
The trip works year-round with small swaps. In February, Day 2 can be built around the Sapporo Snow Festival if the dates line up. In summer you can add the Odori Beer Garden, and between late April and October Lake Toya has nightly fireworks.
Service includes
The quotation per person can be less in the case of small children, and decreases per person as the group grows.
- Private vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- 4 nights in a premium Sapporo hotel, breakfast included
- Dinner every evening (4 dinners)
- All activities and entrance fees in the itinerary
- Japanese consumption tax
Optional
- Dedicated English-speaking guide, ¥60,000 per day
- Mt Usu Ropeway or Lake Toya cruise
- Noboribetsu onsen soak
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
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