Essential Hokkaido Travel Tips for April to June: Must-Know Advice Before Your Trip!
For those planning an off-peak trip to Hokkaido, save this guide! 🐴 The ultimate Hokkaido travel guide 🔥 to help you avoid common pitfalls.
⚠️ Transportation between cities in Hokkaido isn’t very convenient, so chartered or shared cars are great options.
✔ Hokkaido can be divided into four regions: Southern, Central, Eastern, and Northern.
📍 **Southern Hokkaido**: Hakodate
📍 **Central Hokkaido**: Sapporo, Noboribetsu, Lake Toya
📍 **Northern Hokkaido**: Asahikawa, Biei, Furano
📍 **Eastern Hokkaido**: Tokachi, Shiretoko Peninsula, Abashiri, Kushiro
📅 **Best Time to Visit**
Hokkaido is charming year-round. Winter (Dec-Feb) is perfect for skiing and snow activities, while summer (Jun-Aug) is ideal for lavender fields and escaping the heat. Pick the right season for the best experience!
✅ **Hokkaido Transportation Guide**
✈️ Most flights land at New Chitose Airport; take the train to Sapporo Station.
🚞 **JR (Japan Railways)** is the main way to travel between cities in Hokkaido.
🌀 Routes like Sapporo → Noboribetsu → Otaru → Hakodate are all accessible via JR.
🎫 A **JR Rail Pass (1-day or multi-day)** is essential—choose based on your itinerary.
🚘 If your budget allows, consider a chartered car—leave it to us!
🏨 **Accommodation Tips**
✅ **Sapporo**: Stay near Sapporo Station for convenience, shopping, and dining.
✅ **Otaru**: Choose hotels near Otaru Canal.
✅ **Lake Toya**: Opt for hot spring hotels by the lake.
✅ **Asahikawa**: Stay near Asahiyama Zoo for easy access.
✅ **Hakodate**: Pick hotels near Mount Hakodate for stunning night views.
⚠️ **Tips**
1️⃣ **Hotels & Prices**: Winter rates are higher—either travel off-peak or book early.
2️⃣ **JR Pass**: Worth it if your route involves round trips (e.g., Sapporo → Hakodate → Sapporo).
3️⃣ **Travel Notes**: ① Wear waterproof, slip-resistant shoes due to heavy snowfall. ② Minimize road travel when possible.
🌈 **Must-Visit Attractions**
✨ **Sapporo**: Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Shiroi Koibito Park
✨ **Otaru**: Otaru Canal, Music Box Museum
✨ **Hakodate**: Hakodate Night View, Morning Market, Goryokaku Park
✨ **Noboribetsu**: Jigokudani (Hell Valley), Hot Spring Street, Bear Park
✨ **Lake Toya**: Toyako Viewing Platform, Lake Toya Cruise
🚗 **Recommended Chartered Car Itineraries**
❶ **1-Day Sapporo Tour**
✔️ Sapporo Hotel → Odori Park → Hokkaido Shrine → Tanukikoji Shopping Street → Shiroi Koibito Park → Mount Moiwa → Susukino → Return to Sapporo
❷ **1-Day Northern Hokkaido Tour**
✔️ Sapporo → Farm Tomita → Blue Pond → Shirahige Falls → Shikisai-no-Oka → Seven Stars Tree → Forest Terrace → Return to Sapporo
❸ **1-Day Central Hokkaido Tour**
✔️ Sapporo → Noboribetsu Hell Valley → Oyunuma → Edo Wonderland → Marine Park → Lake Toya Viewing Platform → Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch → Return to Sapporo
