Prashant Anand

Week Long Road Trip in Hokkaido, Japan

Published on 2024-07-16

In the summer of 2023, I spent a week driving around Hokkaido, the largest and the northernmost prefecture of Japan, and drove a total of 1803 Kilometers. The adventure started from Sapporo. Over a course of 7 days, I explored multiple cities, saw beautiful landscapes, and had amazing food. After visiting the northernmost point of Japan and exploring the eastern part of Hokkaido, I was back in Sapporo on day 7.

Itinerary

Day 1: Sapporo -> Ashibetsu -> Furano -> Biei (203 km)
Day 2: Biei -> Asahikawa -> Rumoi -> Teshio -> Wakkanai (318 km)
Day 3: Wakkanai -> Hamatonbetsu -> Shibetsu -> Kamikawa -> Kitami (389 km)
Day 4: Kitami -> Bihoro -> Teshikaga -> Shari (174 km)
Day 5: Shari -> Rausu -> Nakashibetsu -> Kushiro (235 km)
Day 6: Kushiro -> Obihiro -> Chitose (263 km)
Day 7: Chitose -> Noboribetsu -> Toyako -> Sapporo (221 km)

Highlights

Cable car ride in Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway

Cable car ride in Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway

Cable car ride in Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway

Drive to Wakkanai along the prefectural road 106 — Drive to Wakkanai along the Prefectural Road 106

View of Lake Toya and national route 243 from Bihoro Pass Observatory

View of Lake Toya and national route 243 from Bihoro Pass Observatory

View of Lake Toya and National Route 243 from Bihoro Pass Observatory

Interesting Stuff

Saw lavender fields in Furano. Biei town looked completely empty, without a person in sight.

Saw the northernmost point of Japan. There were deers roaming around.

Sakura Falls in Shari was amazing but very deep in the woods

Shiretoko National Park is beautiful and there are walking path to go around the park.

View of Rausu town from an Observatory — View of Rausu town from an observatory

Lake Hill Farm had a lot flowers and greenery, and the pizza was amazing.

Driving on the Road to the Sky was fun. People left messages on sticky notes at an ice-cream cafe in Shibetsu.