Day Trips from SapporoPlaces to visit in Hokkaido
One page per place: what it is like, how to get there by car, parking, hours and prices. (36 articles)
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Bihoro Pass: The Classic View of Lake Kussharo and Its Roadside Station A local's guide to the Bihoro Pass in eastern Hokkaido: the panorama over Lake Kussharo, how it compares with the other viewpoints, the roadside station and its curry bread, how long to stay, and winter road closures. -
Cape Chikyu in Muroran: The Pacific View and the Cliffs A local's guide to Cape Chikyu in Muroran, a free lookout over the Pacific and the coastal cliffs: what you see, the Eight Views of Muroran, parking and how to drive there from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport. -
Cape Kamui: The Walk to the Tip, Gate Hours and the 2026-27 Closure A local's guide to Cape Kamui on the Shakotan Peninsula: the walk along the ridge over the blue sea, the Nyonin-kinsei gate and its legend, gate hours by month, the trail closure until April 2027, and parking. -
Cape Noshappu: Sunset Over Rishiri and Rebun in Wakkanai A local's guide to Cape Noshappu in Wakkanai, where the Ororon Line ends: the view of Rishiri and Rebun islands, sunset times by month, what to wear, and how to drive there from Sapporo. -
Cape Ogon in Shakotan: Clear Blue Water and Where to Park A local's guide to Cape Ogon in Bikuni, Shakotan: the cliffs and clear Shakotan blue water, where to park at the Shakotan Tourist Center, the 15-minute walk to the lookout tower, and how to get there from Sapporo. -
Cape Soya: The Northernmost Point of Japan and the View to Sakhalin A local's guide to Cape Soya in Wakkanai, the northernmost point of Japan's main islands: the monument, seeing Sakhalin, how to get there from Wakkanai, parking and what to wear. -
Dai-ichi Takimotokan Day Bath: 35 Baths Over Hell Valley in Noboribetsu A local's guide to the day bath at Dai-ichi Takimotokan in Noboribetsu Onsen: five kinds of spring water in 35 baths with a view of Hell Valley, price and hours, tattoos, and where day visitors park and go in. -
Farm Tomita: When the Lavender Blooms, Parking and Getting There A local's guide to Farm Tomita in Furano: when the lavender peaks, lavender soft-serve, the summer traffic, and how to get there by car from Sapporo or Asahikawa. -
Hoheikyo Dam: The Electric Bus, Autumn Leaves and Parking Near Jozankei A local's guide to Hoheikyo Dam above Jozankei: the windowless electric bus up the gorge (2026 season and fares), the view from the dam and the water release, autumn crowds and parking, and how to get there from Sapporo. -
Hoheikyo Onsen: Source-Flowing Baths and Indian Curry Near Jozankei A local's guide to Hoheikyo Onsen near Jozankei: the source-flowing open-air bath, tattoos, the famous Indian curry and the wait, prices, hours, and how to get there by car from Sapporo. -
The Jet Coaster Road in Kamifurano: Where to Enter for the Best View A local's guide to the Jet Coaster Road in Kamifurano, the straight road that dips over the hills like a roller coaster: where to turn off Route 237 for the best view, parking, and what is nearby. -
Kawayu Kanko Hotel: Acidic Sulfur Baths in Kawayu Onsen A local's review of Kawayu Kanko Hotel in Kawayu Onsen, eastern Hokkaido: the strong, acidic sulfur water, the quiet hot spring town, day bathing, and why it is a good base for Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. -
Kushiro Wetland Observatories: Hosooka or Kottaro, and How to Get There A local's guide to the two best viewpoints over the Kushiro Wetland: where Hosooka and Kottaro observatories are, how to drive there, which to choose, and the Kottaro closure until January 2027. -
Lake Akan: The Sightseeing Cruise, Marimo and Ainu Kotan A local's guide to Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido: the sightseeing boat to Churui Island, the marimo moss balls, Akanko Ainu Kotan, and how to fit the lake into a road trip. -
Sunayu on Lake Kussharo: Dig Your Own Hot Spring Foot Bath A local's guide to Sunayu on Lake Kussharo, the beach where hot water wells up through the sand: how to make a foot bath, swans in winter, the campsite and shop, and how to get there. -
Lake Mashu Observatory No. 1: The Classic View, Parking and the Fog A local's guide to Lake Mashu Observatory No. 1 in eastern Hokkaido: the view, the Kamuy Terrace shop, how the three observatories compare, parking and what to do if the lake is in fog. -
Lake Mashu Observatory No. 3: The Quieter View of Mashu Blue A local's guide to Lake Mashu Observatory No. 3: how the view compares with Observatory No. 1 and Ura-Mashu, who it suits, how long to stay, and what to do about the fog. -
Lake Onneto: The Color-Changing Lake Below the Akan Volcanoes A local's guide to Lake Onneto near Lake Akan: why its water changes color, the view of Mt. Meakan and Mt. Akan-Fuji, walking by the lake, how to fit it into a road trip, and what to bring. -
Marukoma Onsen Day Bath: Hot Springs on the Shore of Lake Shikotsu A local's guide to the day bath at Marukoma Onsen on Lake Shikotsu: baths that feel part of the lake, the natural bath that rises from the stones, the sauna with a lake-water plunge, day-bath days and price, and the private bath. -
Misaki no Yu Shakotan: A Hot Spring and Sauna Above the Sea of Japan A local's guide to Misaki no Yu Shakotan, the hilltop hot spring on the Shakotan Peninsula: the milky water, the self-service sauna and cooling off above the sea, price, hours, winter closure and parking. -
Mt. Io (Iozan): Walking Among the Steaming Vents Near Kawayu Onsen A local's guide to Mt. Io, the active volcano at Kawayu Onsen in eastern Hokkaido: walking up to the steaming sulfur vents, Iozan MOKMOK Base, parking shared with Lake Mashu, and how long to stay. -
Mt. Tengu in Otaru: Night View, Ropeway Prices and Driving to the Top A local's guide to Mt. Tengu in Otaru, one of Hokkaido's three great night views: the ropeway (2026 prices and hours), when you can drive to the summit, free parking, and the best time to go. -
Mt. Usu Ropeway: Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan and the Crater Viewpoint A local's guide to the Mt. Usu Ropeway at Lake Toya: the view over Lake Toya and Showa Shinzan, the walk to the crater observatory, prices, hours, parking and how to get there from Sapporo. -
Noboribetsu Bear Park: Brown Bears, Lake Kuttara, Prices and Hours A local's guide to Noboribetsu Bear Park, reached by ropeway above Noboribetsu Onsen: watching and feeding the brown bears, the view of Lake Kuttara, prices, hours and parking. -
Noboribetsu Hell Valley (Jigokudani): The Walk, Oyunuma and Parking A local's guide to Noboribetsu Hell Valley, the steaming crater above the hot spring town: the walk, Oyunuma pond, accessibility, parking and how to get there from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport. -
Otaru Canal: Night Lights, the Canal Cruise and Where to Park A local's guide to Otaru Canal: when the gas lamps and warehouses are lit, the canal cruise, how to get there from Sapporo by train or car, and where to park. -
Sakaimachi Street in Otaru: Sweets, Glass Shops and Where to Park A local's guide to Sakaimachi Street in Otaru: Kitakaro, LeTAO, Kitaichi Glass and the music box museum, how to get there by car from Sapporo, and the car park that is free with a purchase. -
Senbo Pass: The View of the Tokachi Mountains Over the Hills of Biei A local's guide to Senbo Pass in Kamifurano, one of the Eight Views of Kamifurano: the view of Mt. Biei-Fuji, Mt. Biei and Mt. Tokachi over the hills, free parking, how to get there, and using it as a back road around the summer traffic. -
Shikisai no Oka: Biei's Flower Hills, Fees, Hours and Parking A local's guide to Shikisai no Oka in Biei: the striped flower hills and mountain views, carts and alpacas, the 2026 admission and parking fees, hours, and how to get there by car. -
Shikotsuko Onsen: Himemasu, the Underwater Boat and the Red Bridge at Lake Shikotsu A local's guide to Shikotsuko Onsen on Lake Shikotsu: where to eat himemasu, the underwater sightseeing boat (price, season), the red Yamasen Railway Bridge, parking, accessibility and how to get there from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport. -
Shimamui Coast and Cape Shakotan: The Tunnel Viewpoint and the Lighthouse A local's guide to Shimamui Coast on Cape Shakotan: the tunnel that opens onto the Shakotan blue sea, the walk up to the lighthouse viewpoint, the path closure until April 2027, parking and how to get there from Sapporo. -
Shinei no Oka: A 360-Degree View of the Biei Hills and Mountains A local's guide to Shinei no Oka in Biei: the 360-degree view of the Daisetsuzan and Tokachi mountains and the rolling hills, morning or sunset, free parking and how to get there from Asahikawa or Sapporo. -
Shirahige Falls in Biei: Where to See It and How to Avoid the Traffic A local's guide to Shirahige Falls at the foot of Mt. Tokachi in Biei: the 30-meter falls over the blue Biei River, the viewing bridge, free parking, how to get there from Asahikawa or Sapporo and how to avoid the summer traffic. -
Silo Observatory: The Classic View of Lake Toya A local's guide to the Silo Observatory above Lake Toya: the view of Nakajima, the hot spring town and Mt. Usu, helicopter flights and winter snowmobiles, facilities, hours, parking and how to get there. -
Ura-Mashu Observatory: The Quiet Far Side of Lake Mashu A local's guide to Ura-Mashu Observatory on the eastern side of Lake Mashu: how it compares with Observatories No. 1 and No. 3, where it is and how to fit it in, the fog, how long to stay and what to know. -
The White Road in Wakkanai: How to Find the Start and Drive It A local's guide to the White Road, the scallop-shell road in the Soya Hills near Cape Soya: how to find the right entrance (navigation sends you to the wrong end), the five rules, when it is open, and what is nearby.