10 Best Road Trips from Sapporo

Otaru is a historic port town that you definitely don’t want to miss when sightseeing in Hokkaido, and the great thing is that you can easily visit Otaru on a day trip from Sapporo. Here you can enjoy quite different scenery, culture, and food from Sapporo. You’ll be able to experience hot springs, gastronomical adventures, and outdoor activities in an environment rich in nature with a peaceful atmosphere, a place where time stands still.

Above all, Otaru’s nostalgic canal scenery is uniquely magical. Historical Otaru Port has is deeply atmospheric, especially at night. For souvenirs, look out for locally produced music boxes and glasswork.

Famous for its hot spring resort, Noboribetsu has many sightseeing spots including a crater called Hell Valley (Jigokudani), which was formed by volcanic activity. Many tourists also visit Lake Kuttara, which is known for its crystal-clear water, Orofure Pass with a panoramic view of mountains and the lake from the observatory, and Shin-Noboribetsu Ohashi Bridge, which is popular for its autumn leaves.

Noboribetsu is perfect for drive to see some typical Hokkaido scenery. Let your body and soul be relaxed by forest bathing enveloped in the smell of sulphur.

Only a 1-hour drive from central Sapporo is Jozankei, which is full of scenic spots and long-established hot springs. Check out the beautiful Jozankei Walking Path (Jozankei Sansakuro) and Hoheikyo Dam when the autumn leaves are on the trees. You’ll also find many hotels that offer day-use hot springs, but if you can stay longer and enjoy a meal, all the better.

Take a stroll around the hot spring resort area and you’ll make all kinds of discoveries, including free foot baths and artwork related to kappa (supernatural spirits in Japanese folklore).

Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum featuring relocated and restored buildings from the days of the development of Hokkaido. The scene looks just like a pioneer village of the time. The village features a horse tramway in summer and horse-drawn sleighs in winter, so saddle up for a trip to remember.

You’ll also find a replica fishing village and mountain village where you can glimpse the Japanese lifestyle of the Meiji period. Classic traditional toys like juggling balls with beans, menko (a Japanese card game), and stilts add to the experience.

Upopoy hosts exhibits and shares the culture and history of Ainu in a way that’s easy to understand. The Indigenous people of Hokkaido, the Ainu, have their own culture including their own language, worship of the Kamuy god, classical dance, and wood carving crafts.

Visit the National Ethnic Symbiosis Park, National Ainu Museum, and the memorial facility to experience the profound Ainu culture through traditional performing arts and crafts. There are also cafés and a restaurant where you can try traditional food, with rare and unique dishes on the menu.

Mount Moiwa overlooks pretty much the whole of Sapporo city. You can take a ropeway from Moiwasan Ropeway Sanroku Station all the way up to the summit observatory (parking is also available if you’re coming by car). The superb view of the Ishikari Plain goes as far as the eye can see. Sapporo seen at night, with its twinkling city lights, is so beautiful that it’s like you’re opening a jewellery box. In fact, it’s designated as one of the 3 new major night views in Japan, along with Nagasaki and Kitakyushu.

In winter, Mt. Moiwa turns into a ski resort with 10 slopes dedicated to skiing. Look up and you can also enjoy the night view while skiing.

At the heart of Shikotsu-Toya National Park is Lake Toya, whose popularity as a resort soared after the G8 Summit was held there in 2008. Lake Shikotsu, meanwhile, is the northernmost ice-free lake in Japan, with crystal-clear waters. Shikotsu-Toya National Park is home to both of these major caldera lakes as well as craters such as Mt. Usu, which shows some signs of volcanic activity. Here you can see majestic views of mountains including Mt. Yotei, enjoy hiking and cycling around the lakeside, and try water activities like canoeing.

There are also many hot spring resorts with spectacular lake and mountain views. And on top of all that, there are delicious meals unique to Hokkaido served at restaurants throughout the area.

Furano is famous in Japan as the setting for the classic TV series "From the North Country" and it’s an excellent town for a road trip (even a day trip) from Sapporo. As well as the buildings and locations featured in the drama, the lavender fields in early summer are also famous. Here you can enjoy spectacular Hokkaido scenery and have your fill of delicious local foods like ice cream, fresh fruits and vegetables, and locally produced wine.

Furano is also popular as a ski resort in winter, when you could also visit its highly regarded hot springs.

If you carry on away from Sapporo via Otaru, you can take a road trip to Shakotan Peninsula. Offshore diving and snorkelling are popular in this beautiful sea, which is famous for its particular colour referred to as “Shakotan blue”. Head along the promenade to the tip of Cape Kamui for some incredible views, and don’t forget to check out Kamui Rock, which is home to the legend of Minamoto no Yoritomo.

The sea breeze will no doubt make you hungry, and there are some great options nearby... A bowl of rice topped with raw sea urchin is one of the most interesting local delicacies.

Located at the base of Shakotan Peninsula, Yoichi is where Nikka Whisky's predecessor (Dainipponkaju Co., Ltd.) was founded. Masataka Taketsuru, the Father of Japanese Whisky, whose life was featured in the “Massan” NHK morning TV series, made his dream come true here in Yoichi. Yoichi Distillery tells his story.

After visiting the distillery (and maybe trying a sample or two), the town itself also worth a look. Local attractions include places such as Fugoppe Cave and Cape Shiripa.