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A lavender field in bloom in Furano, in summer

Cities and regions · Hokkaido

Hokkaido, the snowy north

Sapporo's snow, Otaru's canal, Furano's lavender, Niseko's powder.

Hokkaido at a glance≈ 1 hr 35 flight from Tokyo

33 minfrom New Chitose Airport to Sapporo

22,000 ¥5-day Hokkaido Rail Pass, bought ahead

Reserved seatson all limited expresses since March 2026

Suicauseless beyond Otaru: buy a ticket

300 ¥ and uptax per person per night, in Sapporo

Sapporothe base, winter and summer

The year, month by month (2026-2027 season)

Jan.-6 °C (21 °F) at night in Sapporo

Feb.snow festival, February 4 to 11

Mar.skiing in Niseko

Apr.end of the Niseko season

MayNiseko closes on the 5th

Junefirst lavender, mid-June

Julylavender at its best, mid-July

Aug.26 °C (79 °F) by day; lavender harvest

Sept.typhoons are rare

Oct.Hakodate ropeway closed from the 20th

Nov.Niseko opens on the 28th

Dec.peak ski season from the 24th

PlanJapanCities and regions · Hokkaido

PlanJapan · Japan, the complete guide · 2026–20271

Hokkaido · Getting there, staying, booking

Sapporo as a base, the island on day trips

Shinkansen, then Hokuto express

TokyoSapporo

Duration≈ 8 hrs

Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, then the Hokuto express. Flying takes about 1 hr 35.

Price≈ 30,000 ¥

Book aheadWhere to stay, what to book

Range: $ budget, $$ mid-range, $$$ comfort. The accommodation tax is paid at the hotel.

1Sapporofestival in February

GRAND HOSTEL LDK Sapporoformerly THE STAY · $Booking.comDormy Inn PREMIUM SapporoTanukikoji · $$Booking.comSapporo food tour10+ dishes, 4 hrsGetYourGuide

2Otaru73 min from the airport

Dormy Inn PREMIUM Otaru1 min from the station · $$Booking.comOtaru in a dayfrom Sapporo, 10 hrsGetYourGuide

3Furanolavender in July

La Vista Furano Hills3 min from the station · $$Booking.comLavender in a daysummer, 10 hrsGetYourGuide

4Hakodatethe mountain at night

La Vista Hakodate Baynight view · $$Booking.comThe morning marketseafood optionalGetYourGuide

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Hakodate ropeway Niseko lift passes Hokkaido Rail Pass

PlanJapanCities and regions · Hokkaido

PlanJapan · Japan, the complete guide · 2026–20272