Sapporo Snow Festival
World-famous festival in February with hundreds of ice and snow sculptures
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About Hokkaido
Hokkaido is Japan's frontier island, offering a compelling blend of dramatic nature and cosmopolitan city life. Sapporo, the regional capital, hosts the legendary Snow Festival each February and is famous for its ramen and beer culture. Beyond the city, Hokkaido's national parks, ski resorts, flower fields, and hot spring towns make it a year-round destination beloved by both Japanese and international travelers.
- Capital
- Sapporo
- Largest city
- Sapporo
- Population
- 5.1 million
- Languages
- Japanese
- Currency
- Japanese Yen
- Time zone
- JST (UTC+9)
Explore Hokkaido by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Hokkaido
The 5 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Furano Flower Fields
Iconic lavender and flower fields peak in July at Farm Tomita
Shiretoko National Park
UNESCO World Heritage wilderness on the Shiretoko Peninsula
Noboribetsu Onsen
Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort with 11 types of spring water
Niseko Ski Resort
World-renowned for deep powder snow and diverse ski terrain
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Hokkaido Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Hokkaido, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Hokkaido
- Days 1-2Hokkaido city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Hokkaido
- Days 1-3Hokkaido comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Hokkaido, departure
Where to stay in Hokkaido
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget $52
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range $119
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury $300+
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
Sapporo's most prestigious hotel, occupying floors 14-35 of the JR Tower directly above Sapporo Station. All 363 rooms offer commanding city and mountain views, and the hotel features multiple restaurants including a French fine-dining room, an all-day dining terrace, and a top-floor bar. The Sky Spa on the 35th floor has panoramic bath views. Direct connectivity to the station makes this the most convenient luxury option in Hokkaido.
La Vista Hakodate Bay
A premium hotel in Hakodate's historic bay district, La Vista Hakodate Bay is celebrated for its extraordinary breakfast buffet featuring fresh Hakodate seafood and Hokkaido dairy. The rooftop onsen has stunning views over the bay. Rooms are spacious and elegantly appointed. The location is ideal — walking distance from the famous Hakodate Morning Market, Motomachi historic district, and the ropeway to Mt. Hakodate.
Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri
A dedicated ski-in/ski-out resort hotel at the quieter Annupuri area of Niseko United, offering direct access to Hokkaido's legendary powder snow. The hotel features large Western and Japanese-style rooms, a full-service spa with outdoor onsen, ski rental and storage, and multiple dining options. Mt. Yotei is visible from upper floors, and the Annupuri area is generally less crowded than Grand Hirafu.
The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa
Perched on a hillside above Lake Toya, this iconic European-style castle hotel hosted the G8 Summit in 2008 and commands extraordinary views over the circular caldera lake and Mt. Yotei beyond. The hotel has 18 restaurants and bars, multiple spas, indoor and outdoor pools, and a helipad. Its French restaurant has held Michelin stars. Despite its remote hilltop location (shuttle from Toyako Onsen town), it is one of Hokkaido's most prestigious resort properties.
Where to eat in Hokkaido
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Ramen Yokocho (Sapporo Ramen Alley)
Sapporo Ramen Alley is a narrow laneway in the Susukino entertainment district lined with 17 tiny ramen shops, most seating fewer than 15 people. The alley has been operating since 1951 and is the most famous ramen destination in Hokkaido. Each shop has its own recipe for the iconic Sapporo-style miso ramen — featuring a rich miso broth, wavy noodles, corn, butter, and chashu pork. Ordering is part of the experience: menus are in Japanese, but staff are used to pointing tourists in the right direction.
Soup Curry Garaku
Garaku is one of Sapporo's most celebrated soup curry restaurants, consistently drawing long queues outside its Tanuki Koji location. Soup curry is a Sapporo invention — a thin but deeply aromatic curry soup served with a separately-plated large piece of chicken, a mound of rice, and an array of whole roasted Hokkaido vegetables (pumpkin, potato, eggplant, corn). Diners choose their spice level from 1 (mild) to 40 (extremely hot).
Kani Honke Sapporo
Kani Honke is Sapporo's most prestigious crab restaurant, specialising in Hokkaido's finest crabs — snow crab (zuwaigani), hairy crab (kegani), and king crab (tarabagani). Set course menus feature crab sashimi, crab shabu-shabu (hot pot), grilled crab, and crab miso soup. The restaurant occupies an elegant traditional Japanese townhouse in central Sapporo with private tatami dining rooms available.
Jingisukan Daruma
Daruma is Sapporo's most famous and enduring jingisukan restaurant, operating since 1954. Jingisukan is Hokkaido's signature grilled meat dish — lamb and mutton grilled on a domed iron plate, dipped in a savory tare sauce, and eaten with onion, cabbage, and bean sprouts. Daruma uses pre-marinated mutton for a distinctive bold flavour. The restaurant is tiny with counter seating around the grill, filling quickly on weekend evenings.
Nijo Market (Nijo Ichiba)
Nijo Market is Sapporo's oldest and most central fresh market, established in the Meiji era. Around 60 stalls sell fresh seafood, produce, and cooked food, with many small restaurants offering kaisendon (seafood rice bowls). The market is quieter and more accessible than the Hakodate Morning Market and offers excellent fresh sea urchin, salmon roe, snow crab, and scallop bowls at fair prices. The morning hours (8:00-10:00) have the best selection.
Sapporo Beer Garden
The Sapporo Beer Garden is attached to the historic 1890 red-brick Sapporo Beer Museum and is a legendary Sapporo institution. All-you-can-eat jingisukan lamb BBQ combined with all-you-can-drink Sapporo beer courses are available in the cavernous Kessel Hall. The atmosphere on a summer evening — with hundreds of people grilling lamb around smoky tables in the Victorian brick hall — is unforgettable.
Getting around Hokkaido
Hokkaido is Japan's largest and most spread-out prefecture. New Chitose Airport (CTS) near Sapporo is the main international and domestic gateway. JR Hokkaido's train network connects major cities, while highway buses extend coverage to rural towns. Car rental is strongly recommended for exploring national parks, flower fields, and coastal areas. In winter, roads require winter tyres and cautious driving.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in JPY, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $175 |
| Food (per day) | $15 | $35 | $80 |
| Transportation | $10 | $15 | $30 |
| Activities | $7 | $9 | $15 |
| Daily total | $52 | $119 | $300+ |
Best time to visit Hokkaido
Essential travel tips
- Get a Hokkaido Rail Pass for unlimited JR train travel
- Book accommodations months ahead for February Snow Festival
- Rent a car to explore rural areas and national parks
- Try local specialties: Sapporo ramen, soup curry, jingisukan lamb BBQ
- Download the Japan Taxi app for convenient city travel
Safety information
Hokkaido has virtually no violent crime; standard vigilance applies
In winter, dress in thermal layers and waterproof gear
Drive cautiously on ice-covered roads; use studded or winter tires
Carry bear bells when hiking in Daisetsuzan or Shiretoko
Keep valuables in hotel safes; petty theft is rare but possible in busy areas
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Hokkaido?
Entry requirements follow Japan national rules. Most Western passport holders receive a 90-day visa-free stamp on arrival. Check MOFA Japan for current requirements. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with your nearest embassy or the official immigration website before traveling.
What currency is used in Hokkaido?
The currency in Hokkaido is the Japanese Yen (JPY). ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
What language is spoken in Hokkaido?
The main language(s) spoken in Hokkaido: Japanese. In tourist areas, English is generally understood. Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated by locals.