In August last year, we spent six days road tripping around the Northernmost Japanese island of Hokkaido inAutumn. Our trip started and ended at the New Chitose Airport, and was focused around the Central and Eastern regions of the island plus the capital, Sapporo. If you are thinking about spending some time exploring Hokkaido, don’t hesitate. You will find some stunning scenery, and in Autumn, you will be treated to flowers from all colours of the rainbow plus, there is a good possibility you will spot some wild deer with their fawns and potentially even bears (you’ll definitely see them if you follow this itinerary). I can guarantee that even on a rainy day, you will find something amazing.
One thing to be aware of when planning a trip here is that while Hokkaido is not a huge place, it’s easy to be tricked into thinking you can get around the island quickly by road. Typically, the expressway speed limit is only 70km/h and the speed limits on other roads are 50km/h, so it’s not a quick trip. These speed limits are based on Winter conditions where the island is covered in snow and ice, but the limits remain the same all year round and it is tempting to go faster when you are driving there at other times but beware of police speed traps. So, that said, you can’t actually get around as quickly as you might think you can, especially given much of the expressways are also only single lane roads with limited places to overtake other vehicles.
Don’t worry about that though, just enjoy the trip, you can see so many amazing sights when you explore this unique island in a car. I will note though that in this itinerary we rarely dined at restaurants. Most of our meals were hotel breakfasts followed by instant food from convenience stores that we could easily eat while driving. Fortunately, I love maki rolls, so they made a quick, cheap, easy meal! I’m talking the equivalent of AUD $1-$2 per meal. One other thing to note is that this is a road trip, so this itinerary and times are based on having a car that you can drive yourself in. This trip would be much more difficult and require more time to do via public transport.
Just before I jump into it, I’ll also note that we booked this itinerary about two weeks before we went, and it turned out that the first weekend overlapped with Obon Festival (August 13-15), which meant accommodation was hard to find and expensive. We wanted to see the festival since we arrived on the 13th but sadly nothing happened in Sapporo at Odori Park even though it was advertised there would be.
Renuncia:
Este artículo es toda nuestra propia experiencia. Todo lo que hicimos fue pagado por nosotros, y ninguna parte fue gratis o subsidiada. Dicho esto, algunos de los enlaces en este artículo son enlaces de afiliados, lo que significa que recibo una pequeña comisión si hace clic en él y hace una reserva o compra. ¡Espero que use estos enlaces en cualquier momento que necesite reservar un lugar para quedarse o una actividad! Estas pequeñas comisiones me ayudan a seguir viajando para que pueda escribir y grabar más guías de viaje para usted. ¡Nunca recomendaría nada que no use o no usaría personalmente!
Anyway, enough of that, into the itinerary! We stayed at Tokio Narita airport the night before (at the Toyoko Inn Kuko) we arrived in Sapporo, so our flight landed at New Chitose Airport at midday.
Resumen del mapa
Expand the map to enable and disable each day.
Day 1: Chitose to Sapporo via Lake Shikotsu
73km’s, approx 1 hour, 31 minutes.
- Arrive – Sapporo (Chitose), Domestic Airport Terminal, 1F
- Stacks of food options in the airport if you are hungry, we had lunch at Cobara-Hetta Indian Curry (Domestic Airport Terminal, 3F)
- El mundo del chocolate Royce
- Located at the terminal Connecting Path on 3F aka Smile Road.
- Most of their dark chocolate is vegan.
- There are other attractions on Smile Road including Hello Kitty Happy Flight and Doraemon Waku Waku Sky Park if you have time. Unfortunately, we spent waaaaaaay too long at Royce Chocolate World!
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Pick up a coche de alquiler. There are no hire cars at the airport itself, head to the coche de alquiler booths to check-in for your shuttle transfer to the car rental location. The coche de alquiler companies all have booths located at 1F near the ANA check-in.
- Lago Shikotsu
- Distance: 30km’s from New Chitose Airport, approx 36 mins.
- A gorgeous lake to drive past where the road follows the edge of the lake for a while.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- 6:45 pm: Hokkai Bon Odori dancing, Sapporo Summer Festival (everything was set up but nothing happened)
- Distance: 43km’s from Lake Shikotsu, approx 55 mins drive. It’s also about 400m walk from our hotel in Sapporo.
- Precio: 720 yen p.p.
- We checked into our hotel first and parked the car there then walked to the Sapporo Torre de televisión.
- Stunning night time views looking back towards Okurayama Observatory.
- Read my review.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Stay: Hotel WBF Sapporo Chuo
- Superior Double Room, Non-smoking
- Precio: AUD $237.27 / night
- Breakfast included
- Parking: 1200 yen / night
- Earliest check-in: 3:00 pm
- Latest check-out: 11:00 am
- Read my review.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
Day 2: Sapporo to Kushiro
301km’s, approximately 4 hours drive plus stops.
- Moerenuma Park
- Distance: 12km’s from the centre of Sapporo, approx 24 mins.
- We spent about 40 minutes here, but it was rainy and things were closed because we were here too early.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Shiroi Koibito Park / Ishiya Chocolate Factory
- Distance: 19km’s from Moerenuma Park, approx 28 mins.
- Precio: Shiroi Koibito Park is free, however, the Ishiya Chocolate Factory self-guided tour is 600 yen p.p. but we found a discount coupon in the map book that came with our coche de alquiler.
- Read my review.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Distance: 7.1km’s from Shiroi Koibito Park, approx 15 mins.
- Take the escalator from carpark to Okurayama Observatory Ticket Office.
- Precio: 500 yen p.p for a round trip lift ticket to the Okurayama Observatory.
- The Okurayama Observatory Lift takes 5 minutes each way.
- Read my review.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Kushiro
- Distance: 315km’s, approx 4 hrs, 20 mins.
- Drive to Kushiro via the Doto Expressway.
- Stay: Route-Inn Kushiro Ekimae
- Twin Room, Non-smoking
- Precio: AUD $184.58 / night
- Breakfast included.
- Parking: 500 yen / night
- Earliest check-in: 3:00 pm
- Latest check-out: 10:00 am
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
Day 3: Kushiro to Abashiri via Cape Kiritappu, Cape Nosappu and Rausu
445km’s, approx 8 hours, 40 minutes drive plus stops.
- Hamanaka
- Distance: 83km’s from Kushiro to Hamanaka, approx 1 hr, 33 mins.
- Cabo Kiritappu
- Actually two capes that are very close together, Cape Kiritappu and Cape Tofutsu.
- You’ll find Tofutsu Lighthouse at Cape Tofutsu.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
Cape Azechi
- Nemuro
- One of only a few places that you will find Japanese, Russian and English on the same signs.
- We passed through the southern side including Hanasakiminato on the way to Cape Nosappu and then went through the town of Nemuro on the way back out.
- Cabo Nosappu
- Distance: 90.1km’s from Cape Azechi, approx 1 hr, 37 mins.
- Cape Nosappu Lighthouse
- Four Island Bridge
- Monument of peace representing a bridge betwen Hokkaido and the four disputed Habomai islands.
- Part of Bokyonomisaki Park.
- Russian-controlled Habomai Islands
- Part of the disputed Kuril island chain.
- TripAdvisor Information
- Sasagawa Memorial Tower of Peace
- Closed when we visited so we skipped it
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Rausu
- Distance: 162km’s from Cape Nosappu to Rausu, approx 2 hrs, 20 mins.
- Rausu Kunashiri Observatory Deck
- Precio: Gratis
- You can look out to the very close Kunashir Island, the southernmost of the Kuril island chain which is under Russian control.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Distance: 162km’s from Cape Nosappu to Rausu, approx 2 hrs, 20 mins.
- Paso Shiretoko
- This is the route we took between Rausu and Abashiri.
- Closed during Winter.
- Windy road but stunning views, even if it is overcast like it was for us.
- Keep an eye out for wild deer on and near the road.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- abashiri
- Distance: 109km’s from Rausu via Shiretoko Pass, approx 2 hrs 30 mins
- You will want to stop along the way to take photos, trust me.
- Stay: Dormy Inn, Abashiri
- Modern Double Room, Non-smoking
- Precio: AUD $239.82 / night
- Breakfast included.
- Earliest check-in: 3:00 pm
- Latest check-out: 11:00 am
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
Day 4: Abashiri to Kitami via the Akan National Park Lakes
Today we had to make it to Lake Akan in time for the Ainu Ancient Dance in the Ikoro Ainu Theatre and the Lake Akan cruise. Make sure to check your times carefully.
240km’s, approx 4 hours, 45 minutes drive plus stops.
- lago abashiri
- We just stopped on the side of the road on the way past and otherwise enjoyed it while driving.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- lago akan
- A little bit of a tourist trap.
- One of the most well-known lakes in Japón due to the Ainu village and the Marimo only found here.
- Distance: 86km’s from Abashiri, approx 1 hrs, 30 mins.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Ainu Kotan
- Walk around and see the hand carvings, including intricately carved buildings. There are many souvenirs for sale.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Ainu Ancient Dance
- Located at the Ainu Theatre Ikoro at the top of the Ainu Kotan.
- Precio: 980 yen p.p with a discount ticket from their website.
- Akan Lake Sightseeing Cruise Circuit.
- Precio: 1900 yen p.p.
- 85 minute trip including 15 minutes at the Marimo Observation Centre on Churui Island.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Pan de Pan Bakery
- panadería famosa.
- Llega tan pronto como puedas porque están bastante vacíos por la tarde.
- 1-6-6 Akancho Akankoonsen, Kushiro 085-0467. Tel: 08 (154) 674 188.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Primer observatorio del lago Mashu
- Distance: 49 km del lago Akan, aproximadamente 55 minutos
- Precio: 500 yenes por coche para aparcar en el primer observatorio
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Tercer Observatorio del Lago Mashu
- Distance: A 3,5 km del primer observatorio del lago Mashu, a unos 4 minutos.
- Precio: Gratis
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Lago Kussharo
- Vía Kawayu Onsen. Esta ruta te lleva más allá monte io, una montaña de azufre (TripAdvisor). El estacionamiento es pago, y no tuvimos tiempo de parar, ¡pero aún puede disfrutar de la vista al pasar!
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Aguas termales de Ikenoyu
- Distance: 24 km del Tercer Observatorio del Lago Mashu, aproximadamente 30 minutos.
- Precio: Gratis
- Onsen al aire libre.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Onsen de Kotan
- Distance: 3,5 km de Ikenoyu Hot Spring, aproximadamente 7 minutos.
- Precio: Gratis
- Onsen al aire libre.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Kitami
- Distance: 69 km desde Kotan Onsen, aproximadamente 1 hora y 16 minutos.
- Stay: Dormitorio Inn, Kitami
- Habitación doble / No fumadores,
- Precio: AUD $128.43 / noche
- Breakfast included
- Earliest check-in: 3:00 pm
- Latest check-out: 11:00 am
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
Día 5: Kitami a Furano vía Sounkyo y Biei
215 km, aproximadamente 4 horas, 40 minutos en coche más paradas.
- Muro de la presa de Taisetsu
- Distance: 82 km desde Kitami, aproximadamente 1 h 30 min.
- No hay mucho que ver, pero los alrededores son bonitos.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Cataratas Ginga-no-Taki y Ryusei-no-Taki
- Distance: 9 km de la presa de Taisetsu, aproximadamente 10 minutos.
- Dos cascadas separadas, pero se accede a ambas a través del mismo aparcamiento.
- Opiniones de Ginga-no-Taki TripAdvisor
- Reseñas de Ryusei-no-Taki TripAdvisor
- Daisetsuzan Sounkyo – Teleférico de Kurodake
- Distance: 74 km desde las cataratas Ginga-no-Taki y Ryusei-no-Taki, aproximadamente 1 hora y 15 minutos.
- Precio: 1900 yenes por persona ida y vuelta en el teleférico más 600 yenes por persona ida y vuelta adicionales para subir aún más en el telesilla.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Hokkaido Pabellón de hielo
- Distancia: 24 km de Sounkyo, aproximadamente 35 minutos.
- Precio: 1080 yenes por persona o 980 yenes por persona con un boleto de descuento.
- Experimente la sala de hielo de -20°c y sienta ráfagas de -41°c, la temperatura más fría jamás registrada en Hokkaido.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Parque del Observatorio de Hokuseino-oka
- Distance: 60 km de la Hokkaido Pabellón de Hielo, aprox. 1 h, 21 min.
- Precio: Gratis
- Un mirador en forma de pirámide desde donde se puede ver a través de las colinas cubiertas de campos que parecen mosaicos hacia Furano.
- Pruebe el maíz en mazorca recién cocido de una de las tiendas vecinas. ¡mmm!
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Granja Kanno
- Distance: 9,2 km, aproximadamente 13 minutos.
- No nos detuvimos aquí, solo disfrutamos de las hermosas flores en el camino.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Carretera de montaña rusa
- Distance: 4 km de Kanno Farm, aproximadamente 5 minutos.
- Llamado “Camino de la montaña rusa” en Google Maps.
- Este es solo un camino que es largo y recto, pero que se parece un poco a una montaña rusa con muchas subidas y bajadas. Usamos esta ruta para llegar a Flower Land.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Tierra de flores Kamifurano
- Distance: 5 km de Rollercoaster Road, aproximadamente 5 minutos.
- Nuevamente, no nos detuvimos aquí, simplemente lo pasamos para tener una idea de qué esperar y poder tomar una decisión sobre si regresar por la mañana o ir a Farm Tomita.
- Puedes ver muchas flores desde el camino, pero finalmente decidimos ir a Farm Tomita por la mañana.
- Website
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Furano
- Distance: 20,2 km de Flower Land Kamifurano, aproximadamente 30 minutos.
- Stay: Furano Fresh Powder Apartamentos
- Apartamento estudio con chimenea,
- Precio: AUD $230.70
- Desayuno no incluido
- Earliest check-in: Entre las 15:00 y las 18:00 únicamente.
- Última salida: 10:00 am
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
Day 6: Furano to Chitose via Shirogane and Bear Mountain
280 km, aproximadamente 4 horas, 55 minutos en coche más paradas.
- Estanque Azul Shirogane
- Distance: 36,5 km de Fresh Powder, aproximadamente 45 minutos.
- Un impresionante y vibrante estanque azul que se hizo famoso cuando Apple lo incluyó como fondo de pantalla en OS X.
- Llegue aquí a primera hora de la mañana si puede para evitar las hordas de personas. Llegamos a las 8:20 am y el estacionamiento estaba casi vacío. A las 9:00 am cuando salimos, el estacionamiento más cercano estaba lleno y el segundo también estaba casi lleno.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Cascada Shirahige
- Distance: 2,9 km de Blue Pond, Shirogane, aproximadamente 4 minutos.
- Fluye hacia Blue Pond y tiene el mismo agua azul brillante.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- granja tomita
- Distance: 28,4 km de la cascada de Shirahige, aproximadamente 35 minutos.
- Almuerzo en Farm Tomita: pruebe uno de sus muchos platos y bebidas de lavanda.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Montaña del oso, Centro de investigación del oso, Shintoku
- Distance: 77 km's desde Granja Tomita, 1 h 23 min aprox.
- Tome el autobús de observación de osos blindados.
- Precio: 2,916 yenes por persona
- Tome el autobús o camine por la pasarela de gran altura sobre el bosque de regreso al centro de información.
- Opiniones de TripAdvisor
- Nuevo aeropuerto de Chitose
- Distance: 131 km desde Bear Mountain, aproximadamente 1 h 47 min
- Nuestro vuelo salía a medianoche, pero tuvimos que regresar el coche de alquiler a las 6:00 p. m. para asegurarnos de que subiéramos a uno de los últimos autobuses de regreso al aeropuerto.
Summing Up
Este es un itinerario bastante completo. Las distancias no son largas, pero los límites de velocidad significan que lleva más tiempo llegar entre destinos. De hecho, casi todas las noches llegábamos a nuestro hotel después del anochecer, con la excepción de Furano, donde llegamos justo antes del anochecer. Dicho esto, nuestro objetivo era salir a las 8:00 am todas las mañanas. No siempre salimos tan temprano, pero si prefiere días más cortos, prepárese para eliminar algunas cosas. Como nota al margen, muchos de estos hoteles tienen sus propios onsen, por lo que es posible que prefiera tomarse un poco más de tiempo por las noches para disfrutarlo.
Been there?
estado en Hokkaido y hecho un viaje por carretera? ¿Cuáles son tus atracciones imprescindibles? ¡Déjame saber abajo en los comentarios!
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