Day Trips from SapporoScenic viewpoints in Hokkaido
Lakes, capes, passes and viewpoints worth driving to. (45 articles)
Guides (5)
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Day Trips from Sapporo: A Local's Guide to Where to Go The best day trips from Sapporo, chosen by a local who drives them: Otaru, Jozankei, Noboribetsu, Shakotan, Lake Toya and Biei, with drive times, train options and the best season for each. -
Noboribetsu or Lake Toya: Which Day Trip from Sapporo Is Right for You Noboribetsu or Lake Toya? A Sapporo local compares the two day trips by drive time, tolls, train access and highlights, and explains whether you can do both in one day. -
Onsen Near Sapporo: A Local's Guide to Day-Trip Hot Springs The best onsen near Sapporo for a day trip, chosen by a local who has bathed at all of them: Jozankei, Lake Shikotsu, Noboribetsu, Shakotan and Lake Toya, with prices, tattoo-friendly and private baths, and shuttle buses. -
Things to Do in Hokkaido: A Local's Guide by Region and Season The best things to do in Hokkaido, chosen by a Sapporo local who drives around the island: the lakes of the east, Otaru and Shakotan, Biei and Furano, Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Mt. Yotei, Hakodate and more, with seasons and how many days you need. -
Where to See Mt. Yotei: A Local's Guide to the Best Viewpoints by Car The best places to see Mt. Yotei, the Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido, from a Sapporo local who has driven all the way around it: the straight road at Aikawa, its reflection in a pond, the view from an onsen, and a one-day loop from Sapporo.
Road trips (9)
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Biei and Furano by Car: A Local's Route Around the Summer Crowds A local's driving loop through Biei and Furano that avoids the summer traffic on Route 237, from Asahikawa or as a day trip from Sapporo: Farm Tomita, the Blue Pond, Tokachidake and the hills of Biei. -
Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo and Lake Akan: A Local's Eastern Hokkaido Road Trip A two-night road trip around Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu and Lake Akan to the Kushiro Wetland, from a Sapporo local who drove it: the order that works, what each lake is like, the boat to the marimo, and weather and driving tips. -
Jozankei Onsen Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route A local's day trip from Sapporo to Jozankei by car: Hoheikyo Dam in autumn colors, two day-use onsen, Lake Sapporo's viewpoints and a winery café, with bus, parking and seasonal tips. -
Lake Shikotsu Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route A local's day trip to Lake Shikotsu by car: the Okotanpe viewpoint, a lakeside bath at Marukoma Onsen, lake trout for lunch and the underwater boat, plus the ice festival and winter tips. -
Lake Toya Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route, Viewpoints and Onsen A local's day trip from Sapporo to Lake Toya by car: Mt. Usu, a lakeside lunch, an onsen with a lake view and the quiet viewpoints on the north shore, with tolls, parking and winter tips. -
Noboribetsu Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: Hell Valley, Onsen and Where to Park A local's day trip from Sapporo to Noboribetsu by car: Hell Valley, Oyunuma, the bear park and a day bath at Takimotokan, with tolls, parking and winter driving tips. -
Otaru Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route and Where to Park Driving to Otaru from Sapporo? A local's one-day route through Yoichi, Shukutsu, the canal and Mt. Tengu, with drive times, tolls and where to park near Otaru Canal. -
Sapporo to Wakkanai by Car: The Ororon Line Coast Road to Cape Soya Driving from Sapporo to Wakkanai up the Ororon Line, the Sea of Japan coast road, from a Sapporo local who did it: the stops, the closest view of Rishiri Island, sunset at Cape Noshappu, and Cape Soya and the White Road the next morning. -
Shakotan and Cape Kamui Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route A local's day trip from Sapporo to Shakotan by car: Cape Ogon, Shimamui Coast, a sea urchin bowl, Cape Kamui and a sea-view onsen, with tolls, opening hours, closures and the bus alternative.
Places (31)
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
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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.