{"id":15889,"date":"2021-09-23T10:05:27","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T08:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?page_id=15889"},"modified":"2021-09-23T10:05:27","modified_gmt":"2021-09-23T08:05:27","slug":"hokkaido","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido","title":{"rendered":"Hokkaido Region: Japan travel guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <strong>Hokkaido region<\/strong> encompasses the entirety of Japan\u2019s northernmost and second-largest island. Hokkaido is beloved among Japanese nationals and international visitors alike due to its <strong>vast<\/strong><strong> wilderness<\/strong><strong> areas<\/strong> and abundance of nature.<\/p>\n<p>Hokkaido\u2019s mild summer temperatures provide refuge during the hottest months in Japan and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities for<strong> hiking and cycling<\/strong>. However, the island really comes alive in the winter. The abundant snow and wealth of <strong>world-famous <\/strong><strong>ski <\/strong><strong>resorts<\/strong> make it an ideal destination for all lovers of winter sports.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s possible to <strong>fly from Tokyo to Hokkaido in just under 2 hours<\/strong>. You can also travel by Shinkansen bullet train, which is fully covered by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/\">Japan Rail Pass.<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Hokkaido_prefecture\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> Hokkaido prefecture<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Top_destinations_in_Hokkaido\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Top destinations in Hokkaido<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Main_train_lines_and_transportation\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Main train lines and transportation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Other_regions_of_Japan\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Other regions of Japan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Hokkaido_prefecture\">Hokkaido prefecture<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unlike most regions in Japan, the entirety of Hokkaido is <strong>composed of only one prefecture<\/strong>, the largest in the country. Nevertheless, as it is difficult to effectively govern the vast territory from the capital of Sapporo, Hokkaido is divided into<strong> 9 subprefectures.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>These subprefectures include; <strong>Ishikari, the location of Sapporo<\/strong>; Kamikawa, which hosts the second-largest metropolitan area, Asahikawa; and Oshima, home to the city of Hakodate.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Top_destinations_in_Hokkaido\">Top destinations in Hokkaido<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most popular destination for visitors in Hokkaido is undoubtedly Sapporo. However, the rest of the island also offers a range of <strong>vibrant cities like Hakodate and exciting resort towns <\/strong>such as Niseko and Furano to explore.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the most <strong>popular destinations in Hokkaido<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n<div class=\"paginas-recopilatorio--wrap\">\n        <!-- HTML Content -->\n    <div class=\"paginas-recopilatorio\">\n        <article id=\"post-2303\"\n            class=\"post-2303 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry\">\n            <header class=\"entry-header\">\n                <H3 class=\"entry-title\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-travel-guide\" rel=\"bookmark\">\n                        Sapporo                    <\/a>\n                <\/H3>\n            <\/header>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-5 image-pad\">\n                <div aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <a class=\"post-thumbnail lazy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-travel-guide\">\n                        <img width=\"800\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/odori-park-sapporo-e1506683383898.jpg\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"Odori Park in Sapporo\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                <div>\n                    <footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n                        <span class=\"cat-links\">\n                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/destinations\" rel=\"category tag\">\n                                Destinations                            <\/a>\n                                                    <\/span>\n                    <\/footer>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-7 image-pad\">\n                <div class=\"entry-content\">\n                    <p>Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan and capital of the northern island of Hokkaido. In less than two centuries, Sapporo has enjoyed rapid growth from a settlement of only seven individuals to a thriving metropolis.<\/p>\n<p>In the language of the Ainu people, indigenous inhabitants of northern Japan, the word <em>Sapporo<\/em> means \u201can important river flowing through a plain.\u201d Today, however, Sapporo is known for much more than its river. In 1972, this city hosted the Olympic Winter Games. A snow festival is held yearly, and Sapporo is also famous for its ramen and beer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-travel-guide\" class=\"more-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read more...<\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/article>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- HTML Content END -->\n        <!-- HTML Content -->\n    <div class=\"paginas-recopilatorio\">\n        <article id=\"post-14661\"\n            class=\"post-14661 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry\">\n            <header class=\"entry-header\">\n                <H3 class=\"entry-title\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hakodate-to-sapporo\" rel=\"bookmark\">\n                        Hakodate                    <\/a>\n                <\/H3>\n            <\/header>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-5 image-pad\">\n                <div aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <a class=\"post-thumbnail lazy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hakodate-to-sapporo\">\n                        <img width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/super-hokuto-limited-express.jpg\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"Super Hokuto Limited Express\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/super-hokuto-limited-express.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/super-hokuto-limited-express-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/super-hokuto-limited-express-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                <div>\n                    <footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n                        <span class=\"cat-links\">\n                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/itineraries\" rel=\"category tag\">\n                                Itineraries                            <\/a>\n                                                    <\/span>\n                    <\/footer>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-7 image-pad\">\n                <div class=\"entry-content\">\n                    <p><strong>Traveling from <\/strong><strong>Hakodate to Sapporo <\/strong><strong>in Hokkaido<\/strong> is fast and easy using Limited Express services, which are fully included with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This complete guide can help you to <strong>plan your journey between the two popular destinations <\/strong>on Japan\u2019s northernmost island.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hakodate-to-sapporo\" class=\"more-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read more...<\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/article>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- HTML Content END -->\n    <\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 28px; font-weight: 900;\">Best things to do in Hokkaido<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In addition to supplying ample opportunities for <strong>skiing and snowboarding<\/strong> at its winter resorts, Hokkaido\u2019s large number of national parks make it an ideal destination for outdoor pursuits among nature during the summer months too.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the most <strong>popular attractions in Hokkaido<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n<div class=\"paginas-recopilatorio--wrap\">\n        <!-- HTML Content -->\n    <div class=\"paginas-recopilatorio\">\n        <article id=\"post-663\"\n            class=\"post-663 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry\">\n            <header class=\"entry-header\">\n                <H3 class=\"entry-title\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/skiing-snowboarding-japan\" rel=\"bookmark\">\n                        Ski and winter sports                    <\/a>\n                <\/H3>\n            <\/header>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-5 image-pad\">\n                <div aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <a class=\"post-thumbnail lazy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/skiing-snowboarding-japan\">\n                        <img width=\"960\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/japan-ski-resort-e1481713241250.jpg\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"Estaci\u00f3n de esqu\u00ed en Jap\u00f3n\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/japan-ski-resort-e1481713241250.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/japan-ski-resort-e1481713241250-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/japan-ski-resort-e1481713241250-768x497.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                <div>\n                    <footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n                        <span class=\"cat-links\">\n                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/destinations\" rel=\"category tag\">\n                                Destinations                            <\/a>\n                                                    <\/span>\n                    <\/footer>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-7 image-pad\">\n                <div class=\"entry-content\">\n                    <p>Japan has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and holds the world record for the deepest ever snow cover, so it's no wonder that<strong> snowboarding and skiing holidays in Japan<\/strong> are only growing in popularity. There are <strong>hundreds of high quality resorts<\/strong> on both Honshu and the northern island of Hokkaido for foreign thrillseekers to explore.<\/p>\n<p>Japan is famed for its<strong> large amounts of quality dry powder snow<\/strong>. Many resorts average 10-18 meters of annual snowfall, and four or five days of fresh powder snow a week during the ski season. There are also a ton of <strong>exceptionally well-maintained routes<\/strong>, as grooming is heavily practiced on Japan\u2019s pistes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/skiing-snowboarding-japan\" class=\"more-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read more...<\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/article>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- HTML Content END -->\n        <!-- HTML Content -->\n    <div class=\"paginas-recopilatorio\">\n        <article id=\"post-5970\"\n            class=\"post-5970 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry\">\n            <header class=\"entry-header\">\n                <H3 class=\"entry-title\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-snow-festival\" rel=\"bookmark\">\n                        Sapporo Snow Festival                    <\/a>\n                <\/H3>\n            <\/header>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-5 image-pad\">\n                <div aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <a class=\"post-thumbnail lazy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-snow-festival\">\n                        <img width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sapporo-snow-festival.jpg\" class=\"attachment- size- wp-post-image\" alt=\"Sapporo Snow Festival\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sapporo-snow-festival.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sapporo-snow-festival-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sapporo-snow-festival-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                <div>\n                    <footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n                        <span class=\"cat-links\">\n                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/travel-guides\" rel=\"category tag\">\n                                Travel Guides                            <\/a>\n                                                    <\/span>\n                    <\/footer>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-sm-7 image-pad\">\n                <div class=\"entry-content\">\n                    <p>Welcome to the <strong>Sapporo Snow Festival<\/strong>, called Sapporo Yuki Matsuri in Japanese. Imagine yourself strolling through a winter wonderland. Snow blankets the ground, painting the city a shining white, while the scent of delicious food fills the air.<\/p>\n<p>Trees are decked with twinkling lights, and statues crafted of ice and snow tower over the mingling crowds. At night, the <strong>sculptures are illuminated by entrancing, moving colored lights<\/strong> that give the park an enchanted atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-snow-festival\" class=\"more-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read more...<\/a>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/article>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- HTML Content END -->\n    <\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"Main_train_lines_and_transportation\">Main train lines and transportation<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Alongside the Hokkaido <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/shinkansen-bullet-trains\">bullet train<\/a>, <strong>a large number of train services<\/strong> operate across the island. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hokkaido-shinkansen\">Hokkaido Shinkansen<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Super Hokuto Limited Express<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hakodate-to-sapporo\">Hakodate line<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sekihoku line<\/li>\n<li>Sekisho line<\/li>\n<li>Nemuro line<\/li>\n<li>Hanasaki line<\/li>\n<li>Senmo line<\/li>\n<li>Soya line<\/li>\n<li>Muroran line<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Other_regions_of_Japan\">Other regions of Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As stated above, Hokkaido is both an island, a prefecture, and a region of Japan. The rest of the country is divided into<strong> 7 other regions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/tohoku\">Tohoku<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/chubu\">Chubu<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/shikoku-travel-guide\">Shikoku<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/kyushu-shinkansen-jr-pass\">Kyushu<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/kansai\">Kansai<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/chugoku\">Chugoku<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/kanto\">Kanto<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Hokkaido region encompasses the entirety of Japan\u2019s northernmost and second-largest island. Hokkaido is beloved among Japanese nationals and international visitors alike due to its vast wilderness areas and abundance of nature. Hokkaido\u2019s mild summer temperatures provide refuge during the hottest months in Japan and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities for hiking and cycling. However, the island really comes alive in the winter. The abundant snow and wealth of world-famous ski resorts make it an ideal destination for all lovers of winter sports.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3026,"parent":1909,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"acf":{"bread_1":false,"bread_2":false,"bread_3":false,"bread_4":false,"bread_5":false,"bread_6":false,"bread_7":false,"bread_last":false,"custom_guide":"","shortcodes":[{"post_id":"destinations","tag_h":"H3","post_selector":[{"ID":2303,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2017-10-09 07:00:51","post_date_gmt":"2017-10-09 05:00:51","post_content":"Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan and capital of the northern island of Hokkaido. In less than two centuries, Sapporo has enjoyed rapid growth from a settlement of only seven individuals to a thriving metropolis.\r\n\r\nIn the language of the Ainu people, indigenous inhabitants of northern Japan, the word <em>Sapporo<\/em> means \u201can important river flowing through a plain.\u201d Today, however, Sapporo is known for much more than its river. In 1972, this city hosted the Olympic Winter Games. A snow festival is held yearly, and Sapporo is also famous for its ramen and beer.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<h2>How to get to Sapporo by train<\/h2>\r\n<strong>Travel to Sapporo by train is fully covered by the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a><\/strong>. This is an affordable option with the added bonus of views of much of the Japanese countryside.\r\n<h2>Tokyo to Sapporo<\/h2>\r\n<strong>From Tokyo Station, take the JR Tohoku \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/shinkansen-bullet-trains\">Hokkaido Shinkansen<\/a> to Shin-Hakodate Station.<\/strong> This is the halfway mark of the nearly eight-hour journey. You may want to consider <strong>a stopover in nearby Hokuto<\/strong>, as there are a number of temples, shrines, and other places of interest in the area, including a mountainous campground.\r\n\r\n<strong>From Shin-Hakodate Station, you will take the Hokuto limited express or Super Hokuto trains to Sapporo Station.\u00a0<\/strong>Both are covered by the Japan Rail Pass.\r\n\r\nFlights are also available from Tokyo\u2019s Haneda and Narita airports to the Shin-Chitose Airport in Sapporo. Flight time is around 90 minutes. If you decide to take a flight, we suggest you first\u00a0check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/japan-flight-discounts\">flight discounts<\/a> available for tourists!\r\n<h2>Kyoto to Sapporo<\/h2>\r\nThe journey by train from Kyoto to Sapporo takes around 11 hours. <strong>From Kyoto Station, take the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/tokaido-shinkansen-jr-pass\">Tokaido Shinkansen<\/a> to Tokyo Station.<\/strong> Then, proceed from Tokyo Station as described above. This is a great use of your JR Pass, as a one-week pass costs several thousand yen less than would the individual train fares.\r\n<h2>Osaka to Sapporo<\/h2>\r\nFrom Osaka, to begin your journey, take the Hikari train <strong>from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station.<\/strong> Then, proceed to Sapporo from Tokyo as described above.\r\n\r\nAlternatively, you may prefer the two-hour flight between Osaka and Sapporo. The Kobe, Kansai, and Itami airports all operate flights to Sapporo\u2019s Shin-Chitose Airport.\r\n\r\n[banner-en]\r\n<h2><strong>Getting around Sapporo<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<strong>Sapporo is unique in its rectangular street system, based on the North American style.<\/strong> It is among the simplest of Japanese cities for tourists to navigate, using its block system of compass directions and numbers.\r\n\r\nThis system will aid you in getting to where you wish to go using Sapporo\u2019s efficient public transportation methods.\r\n\r\n<strong>Your JR Pass is valid on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/buses\">JR Buses<\/a> in Hokkaido.<\/strong> Three local subway lines and a tram line are also available.\u00a0The three lines all connect with <strong>JR Sapporo Station<\/strong>.\r\n<h2><strong>Things to do in Sapporo<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nAs soon as you step off of your train, you will be greeted by all that Sapporo has to offer. <strong>The station itself hosts the T38 Observation Deck<\/strong>, and is surrounded by shopping centers and unique restaurants, such as the Sapporo Ramen Republic.\r\n\r\n<strong>Sapporo is known for its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/skiing-snowboarding-japan\">snow and winter sports<\/a><\/strong>, and if traveling there in February, you are in for a special treat. The week-long <em>Sapporo Yuki Matsuri<\/em>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-snow-festival\"><strong>Sapporo Snow Festival<\/strong><\/a>, features snow and ice sculptures and attracts more than two million visitors annually. This event arose from small beginnings in 1950, when high school students built snow statues in <strong>Odori Park<\/strong>. The 2019 festival is scheduled for January 31 to February 11.\r\n\r\nOdori is not the only park worth a visit in Sapporo. <strong>In the center of Sapporo, you will find the Botanic Garden<\/strong>, which preserves part of the area\u2019s original forest. Moerenuma Park on the city\u2019s outskirts is a former landfill transformed by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Features of the park include two manmade mountains, a glass pyramid, and fountain shows.\r\n\r\n<strong>History buffs will enjoy the Historic Village of Hokkaido, an open-air museum<\/strong>, as well as the Hokkaido Museum, which includes displays on the Ainu culture and local wildlife. The Clock Tower, or <em>Tokeidai<\/em>, was constructed in 1878 as part of a college and now serves as a museum. The clock itself was imported from Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. in 1881.\r\n\r\n<strong>When your inner foodie gets hungry, check out the Shirio Koibito Park, a chocolate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/theme-parks-japan\">theme park<\/a><\/strong> in which visitors can tour a factory and museum as well as make their own sweet treats. Or, you may consider the Sapporo Beer Museum, celebrating Hokkaido as the \u201cbirthplace\u201d of Japanese beer. In addition to a museum, tastings are available.\r\n\r\nIf you would like to make an excursion from the city during your stay in Sapporo, consider the <strong>Sapporo Teine Ski Resort<\/strong>, just 40 minutes away from city center.\u00a0The Olympic torch, as well as two Olympic ski runs, make this a unique place to hit the slopes.\r\n\r\nNo matter your interests, you will find something to thrill you in the city of Sapporo!","post_title":"Sapporo travel guide: Access and how to get there","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sapporo-travel-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2021-07-20 15:21:17","post_modified_gmt":"2021-07-20 13:21:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/?p=2303","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14661,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2021-02-12 09:40:31","post_date_gmt":"2021-02-12 08:40:31","post_content":"<strong>Traveling from <\/strong><strong>Hakodate to Sapporo <\/strong><strong>in Hokkaido<\/strong> is fast and easy using Limited Express services, which are fully included with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThis complete guide can help you to <strong>plan your journey between the two popular destinations <\/strong>on Japan\u2019s northernmost island.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n<h2>Traveling by train: Limited Express<\/h2>\r\nWhile there is currently no direct trajectory between the Shinkansen Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-travel-guide\">Sapporo<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hokkaido-shinkansen\">Hokkaido Shinkansen<\/a> bullet trains, visitors who wish to<strong> travel between Hakodate and <\/strong><strong>Sapporo Station <\/strong>can do so using the Hokuto or the Super Hokuto Limited Express.\r\n\r\nThe <strong>Super Hokuto Limited Express<\/strong> runs on the Hakodate Line, Muroran Line and Chitose Line and is fully included in the price of the JR Pass. If you don\u2019t have the pass, the cost of a one-way ticket is roughly 8,910 yen for a non-reserved seat and around 9,500 yen for a reserved seat. Special round trip tickets cost around 16,200 yen.\r\n\r\nThe<strong> total travel time<\/strong> on this service between the 2 destinations is <strong>approximately 3,5 hours<\/strong>, and there is roughly one train between Hakodate and Sapporo every hour.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s worth mentioning that <strong>all <\/strong><strong>Limited Express trains do have connections with the Hokkaido Shinkansen<\/strong> in Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, which is located 15 kilometers north of Hakodate Station in Hokuto City. Relay trains connect these 2 stations in roughly 20 minutes.\r\n<h2>Stations along the route<\/h2>\r\nIf you take a Hokuto limited express train from Hakodate, you can get off at the following stations:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Hakodate<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Goryokaku<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto<\/strong> - You can travel from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto on the Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hayabusa service), which takes approximately 4 hours<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong><strong>Onuma-Koen <\/strong><\/strong>- Provides access to the Mount Komagate volcano and its numerous hiking trails, as well as Lake Onuma and its various water-based activities such as canoeing and motorboating<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Mori <\/strong>- A town famous for its seafood, especially squid-based cuisine<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Yakumo<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Oshamabe <\/strong>- Change here if you wish to take an alternative route to Sapporo via Niseko and Otaru<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Toya <\/strong>- A stop on select limited express trains only. Get off here to visit the stunning Shikotsu-Toya National Park and lake Toyako<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Datemombetsu<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Higashi-Muroran<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Noboribetsu <\/strong>- Just a short distance from Noboribetsu-onsen, one of the most famous hot spring towns on the island of Hokkaido<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Tamokami<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Minami-Chitose <\/strong>- Connects to the local train line to New Chitose Airport, the closest airport to Sapporo<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shin-Sapporo<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Sapporo<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe final destination of the super Hokuto Limited Express is <strong>Sapporo, the capital of the island of Hokkaido<\/strong>, which is perhaps best known for the annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-snow-festival\">Sapporo Snow Festival<\/a> in Odori Park and its impressive winter illuminations and elaborate giant ice sculptures.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/odori-park-sapporo-e1506683349949-800x465.jpg\" alt=\"Odori Park in Sapporo\" width=\"800\" height=\"465\" \/>\r\n\r\nHowever, the city also boasts a number of other appealing attractions, including its extensive botanic gardens, and it is also located close to many of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/skiing-snowboarding-japan\">best resorts for skiing and snowboarding in Japan<\/a>.\r\n<h2>Alternate Modes of Transport<\/h2>\r\nIn addition to traveling to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-travel-guide\">Sapporo<\/a> from Hakodate by Limited Express train, there are several <strong>alternative modes of transport<\/strong> that visitors can use to get between the 2 destinations, including:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Bus - <\/strong>Multiple Japanese bus companies operate both regular daytime and overnight buses between Hakodate and Sapporo, which can be easily reserved online. A one-way bus trip costs roughly 5,000 yen and <strong>takes approximately 5,5 hours<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Air - <\/strong>Relugar flights operate between Hakodate and Sapporo, and the total journey <strong>only takes around 45 minutes<\/strong>. A one-way ticket usually costs around 20,000 yen, but discount fares between 10,000 and 17,000 yen are also often available. Depending on the airline, you could expect to arrive at either Shin-Chitose Airport or Okadama Airport in Sapporo.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf you\u2019d prefer to <strong>rent a car and drive between the 2 cities<\/strong>, be aware that the total journey takes around 4 hours to complete and you may have to pay up to 6,500 yen in tolls if traveling on the Doo Expressway.","post_title":"Hakodate to Sapporo: Hokkaido travel guide","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"hakodate-to-sapporo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2021-03-26 12:02:19","post_modified_gmt":"2021-03-26 11:02:19","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=14661","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}]},{"post_id":"attractions","tag_h":"H3","post_selector":[{"ID":663,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2018-09-20 09:00:21","post_date_gmt":"2018-09-20 07:00:21","post_content":"Japan has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and holds the world record for the deepest ever snow cover, so it's no wonder that<strong> snowboarding and skiing holidays in Japan<\/strong> are only growing in popularity. There are <strong>hundreds of high quality resorts<\/strong> on both Honshu and the northern island of Hokkaido for foreign thrillseekers to explore.\r\n\r\nJapan is famed for its<strong> large amounts of quality dry powder snow<\/strong>. Many resorts average 10-18 meters of annual snowfall, and four or five days of fresh powder snow a week during the ski season. There are also a ton of <strong>exceptionally well-maintained routes<\/strong>, as grooming is heavily practiced on Japan\u2019s pistes.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nHere are some of the most <strong>highly regarded ski resorts in Japan<\/strong>.\r\n<h2>Niseko Ski Resort (Hokkaido)<\/h2>\r\nNiseko ski resort is located in the south of Hokkaido island and is widely considered to have some of <strong>the best snow for skiing holidays in Japan <\/strong>and in the world. It always seems to be snowing in Niseko, with 15-18 meters per season on average and a constant deep powder in the Winter.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_666\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"]<img class=\"wp-image-666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/mount-yotei-niseko.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Yotei, Niseko\" width=\"800\" height=\"473\" \/> The Mount Yotei overlooking Niseko[\/caption]\r\n\r\nNiseko is one of the largest ski resorts in Japan, with <strong>47 kilometers of groomed terrain<\/strong>, and is made up of four interconnected areas. There are slopes for<strong> skiers and snowboarders of all levels<\/strong>, and some of the best slackcountry in Japan.\r\n\r\n<strong>The Hirafu area<\/strong> is particularly popular with foreign skiers in Japan, as the adjacent Hirafu village is fitted out with Western-style accommodation,<strong> English is widely spoken <\/strong>and there is a lively nightlife scene popular with international visitors.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s also one of the most <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/japan-with-kids\">family-friendly<\/a> ski resorts in Japan<\/strong>, as there are babysitting services, ski schools and clubs for kids.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Niseko<\/strong>: The <strong>JR Hakodate line<\/strong> can get you from <strong>Sapporo to Niseko<\/strong> in roughly an hour, or if you come from Tokyo, you can take the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/tohoku-shinkansen-jr-pass\">Tohoku Shinkansen<\/a>, then the JR Hokuto line, and then connect with the Hakodate line. Quick enough to get you on the slopes and start shredding on a snow packed mountain.\r\n<h2>Rusutsu Resort (Hokkaido)<\/h2>\r\nRusutsu is another holiday resort that offers some of <strong>the best powder skiing in Japan<\/strong>, with plenty of fresh tracks and around 13 meters of annual snowfall. It\u2019s an excellent option for <strong>advanced level skiing<\/strong> and snowboarding holidays, although there are slopes for all levels.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5742\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"wp-image-5742 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/rusutsu-ski-resort-hokkaido.jpg\" alt=\"Rusutsu, Hokkaido \" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" \/> Rusutsu Resort - Photo credits: Rusutsu Resort Hotel &amp; Convention[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAlthough located in the same region of Hokkaido, Rusutsu Resort is less busy than Niseko, and offers <strong>great off-piste and tree skiing <\/strong>with great lift infrastructure, perfect for snowboarding. It\u2019s also one of the few places with a heli-skiing package in Japan.\r\n\r\nRusutsu is also a family-friendly resort, offering many<strong> theme park-like features<\/strong> such as a children\u2019s snow park, an antique carousel and dancing animatronic bears to keep the kids entertained. However, child-care staff and instructors for kids largely speak only Japanese.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Rusutsu: <\/strong>Take a direct shuttle bus from either <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sapporo-travel-guide\">Sapporo<\/a> or New Chitose Airport.\r\n<h2>Kiroro Ski Resort (Hokkaido)<\/h2>\r\nLike most of the ski resorts in Hokkaido, Kiroro boasts <strong>excellent quality of powder snow<\/strong> and plenty of it, and is a safe bet for skiers coming early in the season. <strong>A smaller resort <\/strong>compared to others on Hokkaido, Kiroro is more suited for shorter stays or day trips.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5745\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"wp-image-5745 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/kiroro-ski-resort-hokkaido.jpg\" alt=\"Kiroro Ski Resort, Hokkaido\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" \/> Kiroro Ski Resort - Photo credits: Kiroro Hotels Co.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe 21 runs at Kiroro are an even mix of <strong>green, blue and black slopes<\/strong>, although most are suitable for beginners and intermediate levels as even the blacks are not too difficult. However, Kiroro\u2019s popularity is growing and it can tend to get a little tracked out.\r\n\r\nAdvanced powder skiers will want to head off-piste for<strong> quality backcountry and tree skiing<\/strong>, however, an itinerary plan must be provided if skiing outside resort boundaries.\r\n\r\n<strong>Children are well-catered for <\/strong>at Kiroro, and a ski school with group lessons in English is available. The whole family can also enjoy extra activities such as <strong>snowcat or snowshoe tours<\/strong>, as well as both indoor and open-air onsen hot springs.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Kiroro: <\/strong>Catch a bus to Kiroro from outside the train station in Sapporo.\r\n<h2>Furano (Hokkaido)<\/h2>\r\nBecause of its location in the very center, Furano boasts <strong>better quality snow than many resorts<\/strong> closer to Hokkaido\u2019s coastline. Although the volume is slightly less with around 9 meters a year, the <strong>powder is light and fluffy<\/strong> and there are more sunny, blue-skied days.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5748\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"wp-image-5748 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/furano-ski-resort-hokkaido.jpg\" alt=\"Furano Ski Resort, Hokkaido\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" \/> Furano Ski Resort - Photo by Lionel Leong @Flickr[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe resort is well-known for its <strong>numerous long groomed runs<\/strong> for all levels. Furano also offers more for advanced skiers than most Japanese resorts, and experienced powder-chasers could <strong>spend up to two weeks<\/strong> exploring the many routes in the backcountry.\r\n\r\n<strong>English-speaking childcare and ski lessons<\/strong> are widely available at Furano. However, the holiday resort is far less Westernized than many others in Hokkaido, and there are some excellent opportunities to <strong>experience some Japanese culture<\/strong> in the town of Furano.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Furano: <\/strong>Take one of the regularly scheduled direct buses from New Chitose Airport in Sapporo to Furano ski resort.\r\n\r\n[banner-en]\r\n<h2>Sapporo Teine (Hokkaido)<\/h2>\r\n<strong>The closest resort to Sapporo city<\/strong> is made up of two small areas. Sapporo Olympia was the site of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics bobsled competition, and offers <strong>gentle slopes <\/strong>perfect for newbies or upper beginners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5751\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"wp-image-5751 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/sapporo-teine-ski-resort-hokkaido.jpg\" alt=\"Sapporo Teine Resort, Hokkaido\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" \/> Sapporo Teine Ski Resort - Photo Credits: Kapporo Tourism Co., Ltd. Sapporo Teine[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Highland Zone, meanwhile, will challenge even advanced skiers with<strong> some of the steepest in-resort terrain<\/strong> in Japan. However, the area is small and backcountry skiing is less accessible than in other resorts, so a day trip to Sapporo Teine is enough.\r\n\r\n<strong>A comfortable modern gondola <\/strong>connects the two areas, and a fast covered ski lift services the entirety of the Highland pistes. <strong>Equipment rental <\/strong>is also available for both standard and high-performance skis and snowboards.\r\n\r\nBecause the Sapporo Teine slopes are north-facing, the <strong>powder is consistently fresh <\/strong>and deep. The resort is more popular with locals than international skiers, so tends to get <strong>less tracked out<\/strong> than other main resorts.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Sapporo Teine: <\/strong>The resort is just a 45 minutes drive from Sapporo city center and can also be accessed by shuttle bus.\r\n<h2>Hakuba Valley<\/h2>\r\nThe Hakuba Valley in the northern Japanese Alps on Honshu is a great option to<strong> ski in Japan near Tokyo<\/strong> and popular with international tourists. The valley offers <strong>11 different ski resorts with a combined 137 kilometers of piste <\/strong>and hosted many 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic events.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5754\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"wp-image-5754 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/hakuba-valley-ski-japan.jpg\" alt=\"Hakuba Valley Ski, Japan\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" \/> Hakuba Valley - Photo credits: Hakuba Tourism[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Hakuba valley receives around 11-13 meters of annual snowfall. Although not as soft as in the Hokkaido resorts, the <strong>powder is generally very high quality<\/strong> and can be very deep.\r\n\r\nThe<strong> more than 200 runs<\/strong> cater to skiing and snowboarding at every level, all set within the fairytale alpine scenery of the Hakuba Valley. Experienced powder-chasers will want to head to the <strong>Norikura, Hakuba Cortina or Tsugaike <\/strong>resorts, with the latter two best for tree and off-piste skiing. Norikura is often the best option for fresh powder.\r\n\r\nThe best holiday <strong>resorts for beginners or intermediate <\/strong>skiing and snowboarding are Tsugaike, Goryu and Happo One, the \u2018main\u2019 resort of the Hakuba Valley. <strong>English is widely spoken<\/strong> at Happo One and the resort caters to families with childcare and group ski lessons for kids.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Hakuba Valley: <\/strong>Hakuba can be easily accessed from Tokyo by bullet train, taking the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hokuriku-shinkansen-jr-pass\">Hokuriku Shinkansen<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/nagano-travel-guide\">Nagano<\/a> and an express bus from there. Extensive shuttle bus services are also provided between all the resorts.\r\n<h2>Nozawa Onsen (Nagano)<\/h2>\r\nNozawa Onsen was opened in 1924 and is one of <strong>Japan\u2019s oldest, largest, and most popular<\/strong> resorts, with enough variety for a week-long ski holiday.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_667\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"]<img class=\"wp-image-667 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/nozowa-onsen-1024x669.jpg\" alt=\"Slopes in Nozowa Onsen\" width=\"800\" height=\"523\" \/> Slopes in Nozawa Onsen[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe resort boasts over <strong>300 hectares of terrain and 50 km of slopes<\/strong> for skiing and snowboarding holidays at every level. There\u2019s <strong>a 1,085 meter vertical drop<\/strong> that die-hard rippers and shredders will love, as well as a half pipe, <strong>extensive mogul runs<\/strong> and a 39-degree incline.\r\n\r\nThe <strong>wide, well-groomed ski runs<\/strong> wind their way through the extensive tree cover on the mountain and the <strong>snow is high quality<\/strong>, although heavier than that on Hokkaido. Although offering decent backcountry, <strong>off-piste skiing is officially banned<\/strong> in the resort.\r\n\r\nBut perhaps the biggest draw in the resort is <strong>the charming Nozawa Onsen village<\/strong>, full of traditional Japanese rural architecture and onsen hot springs to relax after a day on the slopes. Another great after-ski holiday activity is to <strong>visit the Japanese snow monkeys<\/strong> who live in nearby Jikokudani Monkey Park.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Nozawa Onsen:<\/strong> Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station, or a private bus shuttle from Narita Airport.\r\n<h2>Shiga Kogen Resort (Nagano)<\/h2>\r\nLocated in the Joshinetsu National Park in the center of Honshu, Shiga Kogen boasts <strong>the longest season of ski resorts in Japan<\/strong>, from mid-November into the beginning of May.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5758\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-5758\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/shiga-kogen-resort-ski-japan.jpg\" alt=\"Shiga Kogen Resort, Japan\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" \/> Shiga Kogen Resort - Photo credits: Prince Hotel[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s also one of the<strong> highest and largest resorts in Japan,<\/strong> offering over 600 hectares of terrain, 980 meters of vertical, moguls, and over 80 kilometers of ski trails. The<strong> 19 different ski areas<\/strong> are linked by slopes and an extensive lift system with one shared pass.\r\n\r\nShiga Kogen is considered to have some of the very <strong>best terrain for intermediate level<\/strong> skiing and snowboarding holidays. <strong>Off-piste skiing is banned <\/strong>at the resort, so advanced riders who decide to go looking for fresh powder in the backcountry won\u2019t have much competition.\r\n\r\nOne downside is that in many parts of the resort <strong>English is not widely spoken<\/strong>, although group ski lessons in English are available from the local ski school.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Shiga Kogen: <\/strong>From Tokyo, take a 1.5 hour bullet train to Nagano with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a>, and then a direct bus to Shiga Kogen which takes about 70 minutes.\r\n<h2>Myoko Kogen (Nagano)<\/h2>\r\nFor those prioritizing <strong>quality powder<\/strong>, Myoko Kogen is perhaps the best option to ski in Japan near Tokyo. The area has around 13 meters of powder snow per season on average, as well as <strong>a long vertical<\/strong>, tree slopes and quality backcountry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5761\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"wp-image-5761 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/myoko-kogen-resort-ski-japan.jpg\" alt=\"Myoko Kogen Ski Resort, Nagano\" width=\"720\" height=\"470\" \/> Myoko Kogen - Photo credits: Myoko Kogen Ski Resort[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMyoko Kogen is actually made up of several ski resorts linked by shuttle bus. Those looking for the <strong>steepest slopes<\/strong> and most challenging tree skiing should head to Seki Onsen, while more<strong> family-friendly facilities<\/strong> can be found at Kyukamura and Myoko Ski Park.\r\n\r\nThe main resort area, Akakura Onsen, offers a range of <strong>traditional Japanese restaurants<\/strong>, with at least a little English spoken in most parts. A highlight of the resort is the abundance of<strong> onsen hot springs<\/strong>, many outdoors in the forest with spectacular natural views.\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Myoko Kogen: <\/strong>From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano with the Japan Rail pass, then the Shinetsu train line to Myoko Kogen Station.\r\n<h2>Gala Yuzawa (Nagano)<\/h2>\r\nGala Yuwaza is perfect for a day trip to ski in Japan near Tokyo, as it <strong>has its own bullet train station<\/strong>, which can be reached from Tokyo in around 75 minutes The downside is that the easy accessibility often leads to crowded slopes and a lack of fresh powder.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_664\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"wp-image-664 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/gala-yuzawa-ski-resort.jpg\" alt=\"Gala Yuzawa ski resort\" width=\"720\" height=\"500\" \/> GALA Yuzawa is the only ski and snowboard resort with its own Shinkansen bullet train station[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe resort experiences around<strong> 11.8 meters of snowfall <\/strong>per year on average, so snow volume can be impressive. However, die-hard powder-chasers are unlikely to be satisfied, except on quite bad weather days with some on-piste storm-riding. <strong>Off-piste skiing or snowboarding is strictly banned<\/strong> at Gala Yuwaza, and can even incur a fine.\r\n\r\nGala Yuzawa offers 381 meters of vertical drop, 11 lifts and 17 courses, 80% of which are beginner or intermediate areas. Therefore, the resort is far <strong>more suited to beginner and intermediate riders<\/strong>, as well as being very welcoming to English speakers\r\n\r\n<strong>How to get to Gala Yuzawa:<\/strong> Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo and arrive in just two hours. Perfect for a day trip and for avid skiers who can\u2019t wait to get their lift ticket right away!\r\n<h2>When Does Japan\u2019s Ski Season Begin?<\/h2>\r\n<strong>Ski season in Japan starts in December <\/strong>and continues until mid-April. Japan\u2019s ski resorts are busiest in January but <strong>there is still decent snow in March<\/strong> when flights to Japan and resort accommodation is much cheaper.\r\n\r\n<strong>More advanced skiers and snowboarders<\/strong> can explore the backcountry of Asahidake or the challenging runs of Furano, one of the steepest mountains on Hokkaido.\r\n\r\nFor those <strong>traveling with young children<\/strong>, the Niseko ski resort is family friendly in particular and a good option for beginners in Japan, as English-speaking instructors are widely available.","post_title":"Skiing in Japan: Best ski and snowboarding resorts","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"skiing-snowboarding-japan","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-11-20 14:37:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-11-20 13:37:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/?p=663","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5970,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2018-12-21 09:00:56","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-21 08:00:56","post_content":"Welcome to the <strong>Sapporo Snow Festival<\/strong>, called Sapporo Yuki Matsuri in Japanese. Imagine yourself strolling through a winter wonderland. Snow blankets the ground, painting the city a shining white, while the scent of delicious food fills the air.\r\n\r\nTrees are decked with twinkling lights, and statues crafted of ice and snow tower over the mingling crowds. At night, the <strong>sculptures are illuminated by entrancing, moving colored lights<\/strong> that give the park an enchanted atmosphere.\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\nThis unique snow festival is <strong>held for one week each February in Sapporo<\/strong>, the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan\u2019s northernmost island.\r\n\r\nWhat wonders does the Snow Festival have to offer? Should you make it a part of your next Japan adventure? Read on to <strong>learn about the Festival\u2019s history, locations, and things to do<\/strong>.\r\n<h2>History and facts<\/h2>\r\n<strong>The first Sapporo Snow Festival was held in 1950<\/strong>. High school students built 6 snow statues in Odori Park. Unexpectedly, the creations attracted fifty thousand visitors.\r\n\r\nBy 1955, the Self Defense Force was enlisted to build a massive snow sculpture. <strong>In 1959, 2,500 people participated<\/strong> in the snow sculpting process. It was in that year that the Snow Festival garnered national media attention for the first time.\r\n\r\nWhen <strong>Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1972<\/strong>, the Snow Festival\u2019s fame reached international proportions.\r\n\r\nEach year, the Snow Festival<strong> attracts more than two million visitors<\/strong>, both from Japan and from around the world. It is one of the nation\u2019s premier winter festivals, as well as one of its foremost admission-free events.\r\n\r\nBelow, you\u2019ll find a <strong>guide to each of the Festival\u2019s 3 locations<\/strong>, the activities offered at each, and how to get there.\r\n<h2>Sapporo Snow Festival dates<\/h2>\r\nThe Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in the stretch of the first 2 weeks of February. The 76th edition will take place <strong>from February 4th to 11th 2026<\/strong>.\r\n<h2>Sapporo Snow Festival venues<\/h2>\r\nThe Snow Festival usually takes place at not one but 3<strong>\u00a0different locations<\/strong> in and around Sapporo.\r\n<h3>Odori Site<\/h3>\r\nThe Odori Site, <strong>Sapporo\u2019s Odori Park<\/strong>, is the historic home of the Snow Festival. The 1-mile wide park remains the primary venue.\r\n\r\nIt is the staging ground for <strong>the Festival\u2019s largest statues made of snow<\/strong>. Some of these span 50 to 80 feet in the air.\r\n\r\nIn addition to a dozen or more large sculptures, the park is littered with hundreds of smaller snow statues. The statues are <strong>illuminated until 10 pm each day<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nThe <strong>spectacular projection mapping shows<\/strong> are also not to be missed. Food and souvenir stalls are located street side, and an ice skating rink can be found in front of Sapporo Tower.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5974 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/odori-site-sapporo-snow-festival.jpg\" alt=\"Odori site, Sapporo Snow Festival venue\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/>\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019d like to <strong>view the park from above<\/strong>, this can be done from the Sapporo TV Tower at the eastern end. The tower is open from 9 am until 9:50 pm. Admission to the observation deck costs \u00a51000 for a single visit or \u00a51500 for a day and night pass.\r\n<h3>Tsudome Site<\/h3>\r\nTsudome Site (Community Site), is a <strong>family-friendly playground<\/strong>. As well as additional snow sculpture, the outdoor section boasts:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>3 unique snow slides<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A snow rafting slope<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A snow maze<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A snowman building area<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Indoor attractions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Snow rafting<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nInside the dome, you\u2019ll find <strong>food stands and an event stage<\/strong>. The Tsudome Site typically opens a few days prior to the official start of the Festival. It\u2019s open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5977 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/tsu-dome-sapporo-snow-festival.jpg\" alt=\"Snow slopes at Tsubame site during the Sapporo Snow Festival\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/>\r\n<h3>Susukino Site<\/h3>\r\nThe Susukino Site is located in the city\u2019s entertainment district. About <strong>60 ice sculptures<\/strong> are exhibited, some of which have fish frozen inside! They are illuminated until 11 pm daily.\r\n\r\nSusukino also <strong>hosts the highly anticipated ice sculpture contest<\/strong>, where you can watch the artists craft the pieces in real time! The on-site Ice Bar is also a great place to grab a hot drink.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5980 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/susukino-sapporo-snow-festival.jpg\" alt=\"Ice sculptures at Susukino site\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/>\r\n<h3>Venues map<\/h3>\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=15KHfBeS4H-6IJHCqZwP3O-TWCjy8x0Z7&amp;hl=en\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n[banner-en]\r\n<h2>How to get to Sapporo Snow Festival<\/h2>\r\n<strong>To reach Sapporo from Tokyo<\/strong>, take the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/tohoku-shinkansen-jr-pass\">JR Tohoku<\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/hokkaido-shinkansen\">Hokkaido Shinkansen<\/a> to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. Then, transfer to the Hokuto limited express to Sapporo.\r\n\r\nThe entire trip <strong>takes about 7 and a half hours<\/strong> and is covered by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/\">JR Pass<\/a>. Reserved seating may be required on some trains.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Odori Park<\/strong> is a 10-minute walk from the JR Sapporo Station.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Susukino<\/strong> is located one subway stop to the south of Sapporo Station (on the Namboku line).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The <strong>Tsudome Site<\/strong> is located outside the city center. It can be reached using shuttle buses, which depart from the Odori Site and from Sapporo Station every five to 10 minutes.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The Tsudome is also a <strong>15-minute walk from Sakaemachi Station<\/strong>. This station can be reached by taking the Toho Subway Line from Sapporo Station.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Things to do<\/h2>\r\nThere is always plenty to do at the Sapporo Snow Festival. Here are our <strong>top 5<\/strong> suggestions on what to do:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>View and photograph the <strong>snow and ice statues<\/strong> by day.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Sample delicious Japanese cuisine at <strong>numerous food stalls<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>View <strong>live concerts<\/strong> and events.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Play on the <strong>slides and snow slopes<\/strong> of the Tsudome Site.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Enjoy the <strong>nighttime illumination<\/strong> of the statues, up close or from the observation deck of the Sapporo TV Tower.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nThe Sapporo Snow Festival is <strong>a must-see<\/strong> on any traveler\u2019s bucket list. Start planning your trip today!\r\n\r\n<strong>Official Website<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.snowfes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofllow noreferrer noopener\">www.snowfes.com<\/a>","post_title":"Sapporo Snow Festival 2026: Yuki Matsuri Travel Guide","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sapporo-snow-festival","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-11-20 14:56:58","post_modified_gmt":"2025-11-20 13:56:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=5970","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}]}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Hokkaido Region: Japan travel guide | JRailPass<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover a travel guide to Japan\u2019s Hokkaido region, including the capital city of Sapporo, vast wilderness areas, and ample winter sports opportunities.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15889\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hokkaido Region: Japan travel guide | JRailPass\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover a travel guide to Japan\u2019s Hokkaido region, including the capital city of Sapporo, vast wilderness areas, and ample winter sports opportunities.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Japan Rail Pass Travel Blog | JRailPass\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/hokkaido-shinkansen-hayabusa-e1519038105648.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"480\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido\",\"name\":\"Hokkaido Region: Japan travel guide | JRailPass\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-09-23T08:05:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-09-23T08:05:27+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover a travel guide to Japan\u2019s Hokkaido region, including the capital city of Sapporo, vast wilderness areas, and ample winter sports opportunities.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/hokkaido#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Japan Travel Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Regions of Japan\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Hokkaido Region: Japan travel guide\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Japan Rail Pass Travel Blog | JRailPass\",\"description\":\"Discover Japan by train with the Japan Rail Pass\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Japan Rail Pass S.L. - 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