14 days in Hokkaido Itinerary

A modern, bustling city known for its beer brewery, Sapporo attracts millions of visitors with its Snow Festival, during which elaborate ice and snow sculptures are exhibited all over town.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura) and Sapporo Beer Museum. Step out of the city life by going to Otaru Canal and Maruyama Hachijuhakksho Hiking Course. Step out of Sapporo with an excursion to Earth Dream Kakuyama Farm in Ebetsu--about 32 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: get into the urban bustle at Sapporo Underground Pedestrian Space, hit the slopes at Mt. Okura Observatory, take in panoramic vistas at Mt. Moiwa Peak Observatory, and get a sense of history and politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building.

For reviews, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Sapporo trip builder app .

Melbourne, Australia to Sapporo is an approximately 16-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time (Victoria) (AEST) to Japan Standard Time (JST) is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Melbourne in October, you will find days in Sapporo are little chillier (15°C), and nights are about the same (11°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) early enough to travel to Shari-cho.

Tourism in Shari-cho, a small town situated on Hokkaido's eastern tip, flourishes mainly because of its immediate proximity to the Shiretoko World Heritage Site.

Visiting Shiretoko Beach and Nature & Wildlife Tours will get you outdoors. Change things up with a short trip to Kitanemuro Ranch Way in Nakashibetsu-cho (about 1h 15 min away). There's much more to do: identify plant and animal life at Shiretoko Peninsula, admire the masterpieces at Kita no Alp Art Museum, explore the activities along Shiretoko Goko Lake, and stroll around Pereke River Shore Park.

For maps, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Shari-cho day trip tool .

Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from Sapporo to Shari-cho takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and train. In October in Shari-cho, expect temperatures between 16°C during the day and 9°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Teshikaga-cho.

A small town amid big scenery, Teshikaga-cho sits in a national park.

Visiting Tsurui Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary and Tsutsujigahara Nature Trail will get you outdoors. Change things up with a short trip to Kaminoko Pond in Kiyosato-cho (about 1h 20 min away). Spend the 20th (Sun) exploring nature at Akan-Mashu National Park. And it doesn't end there: explore the activities along Lake Mashu, enjoy breathtaking views from Lake Mashu First Observatory, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Io.

To see traveler tips, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read Teshikaga-cho driving holiday planning site .

Getting from Shari-cho to Teshikaga-cho by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and train; or take a train. October in Teshikaga-cho sees daily highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Tue) early enough to travel to Noboribetsu.

Perhaps the island's best-known hot spring resort, Noboribetsu has a long history of tourism.

On the 23rd (Wed), take in the natural beauty of Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath, witness a stunning natural landmark at Oyunuma, then take in the dramatic natural features at Jigokudani, and finally indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

To find traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Noboribetsu trip itinerary planner.

Do a combination of taxi and flight from Teshikaga-cho to Noboribetsu in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and flight. In October, daily temperatures in Noboribetsu can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) early enough to take a train to Hakodate.

A gateway to the island, Hakodate has gained a reputation for its waterfront attractions, its proximity to some of the island's most popular natural sites, and its seafood.

On the 24th (Thu), explore by horseback at Dosanko Farm Hakodate, take in the awesome beauty at Mount Hakodate, and then take a stroll through Motomachi. On the 25th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt. Esan, admire the landmark architecture of Goryokaku Park, and then contemplate the long history of The Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Hakodate online trip itinerary planner .

You can take a train from Noboribetsu to Hakodate in 3 hours. Another option is to drive. In October in Hakodate, expect temperatures between 18°C during the day and 9°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.