Central Hokkaido is home to a wealth of attractive tourist destinations. As soon as you arrive at New Chitose Airport you can rent a car and start off your Hokkaido road trip!
Here are some recommendations for visitors of all ages to make the most of your time, ranging from inspirational views and outdoor activities like mountain climbing or canoeing to places where you can learn about history and culture, theme parks, aquariums, and local cuisine.
- Table of Contents
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- Day 1: From New Chitose Airport to Lake Shikotsu
- Day 2: From Sobetsu to Lake Toya Onsen
- Day 3: Enjoy Lake Toya!
- Day 4: Muroran’s superb views and local delicacies
- Day 5: Time travel to the Edo period in Noboribetsu
- Day 6: Experience the history and culture of the Ainu
- Day 7: On to Tomakomai and its impressive greenery
- Day 8: Leisurely sightseeing in the Chitose area
- Day 9: Last day! New Chitose Airport
Day 1: From New Chitose Airport to Lake Shikotsu
Upon renting a car, leave New Chitose Airport and take Routes 36 and 16 toward Lake Shikotsu.
The 7th Station of Mt. Tarumae, an active volcano south of Lake Shikotsu, can be reached by car, and from there the hike to the summit of the eastern peak takes about 50 minutes. The ascent is suitable even for beginners and you can enjoy a magnificent view of Lake Shikotsu from the trails and peaks.
After descending, you can learn about the Lake Shikotsu area at the Shikotsuko Visitor Center, take a stroll along the lakeshore, or participate in watersports before staying the night at a lakeside hotel.
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Address
Shikotsukoonsen, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0281
View Map -
Nearest Station
Chitose Station （Chitose Line）
44 minutes on foot
- Phone Number 0123-25-2404
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Address
Shikotsukoonsen, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0281
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Address
Shikotsuko Onsen, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0281
View Map -
Nearest Station
Eniwa Station （Chitose Line）
Vacancy search, reservation
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from 32,963JPY 1room, 2adults
Check with our partner site as the latest rates, rate details, and guest room requirements may vary.
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Address
Shikotsuko Onsen, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0281
Day 2: From Sobetsu to Lake Toya Onsen
On day two, take Route 453 from Lake Shikotsu to Lake Toya. Along the way, you can pick fruit in Sobetsu, known for its fruit farms. Sobetsu Fruit Village (Sobetsu Kudamonomura) is a tourist farm with many orchards where you can pick plums, grapes, and apples depending on the season.
After picking fruit, head to the gorgeous Usuzan Ropeway!
From the large windows of the Usuzan Ropeway’s gondolas and the mountain top observation deck, you’ll be presented with a spectacular panoramic view of the vast natural scenery and the local landmarks, Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya. Make sure you get some rest nearby – a great place to stop is at Toyako Onsen.
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Sobetsu Fruit Villageそうべつくだもの村
- Address 485 Takinocho, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido, 052-0101
Phone: 0142-66-2333
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (depending on the harvesting conditions of each orchard)
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Usuzan Ropeway有珠山ロープウェイ
- Address 184-5 Showa Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido 052-0102
- Phone Number 0142-75-3113
Hours: 8:00 - 18:00 (depending on the season), closed for maintenance in winter
* Temporarily closed until 6/30 due to coronavirus. For details, please check official website: http://usuzan.hokkaido.jp/ja/
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Address
21 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 049-5721
View Map -
Nearest Station
Toya Station （Muroran Main Line）
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Address
21 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 049-5721
Day 3: Enjoy Lake Toya!
The third day of the trip centers around Lake Toya. Rent a bike to do some cycling or go canoeing. We also highly recommend the sightseeing boat to Nakajima, at the center of the lake.
There are many stylish cafes near “Toyamizu Station,” perfect for lunch or tea time. Or, if you like hot springs, it's fun to visit a few around the lake and spend the day comparing bath hopping!
An instalment of the “Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Festival” is held every evening from late April to October - you can't miss this beautiful show!
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Lake Toya洞爺湖
- Address Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, 049-5721
Phone: 0142-75-2446 (Toyako Onsen Tourist Association)
* Due to the spread of coronavirus, there may be temporary closures and schedule changes. For details, please check the official website of the Toyako Onsen Tourism Association: https://www.laketoya.com/
Day 4: Muroran’s superb views and local delicacies
Depart Lake Toya from the Uchiura Bay side, and drive along the sea on National Highway No. 37/Route 779 towards Muroran.
Then, cross the beautiful 1,380-meter Hakucho Bridge (Swan Bridge) to see the curving horizon from Cape Chikyu and the cliffs of Tokkarisho Lookout.
As a manufacturing town, Muroran’s steel and shipbuilding industries create a uniquely fantastic “factory night view” which can be appreciated on a night cruise.
A must-try is “Muroran Yakitori,” which is made with pork instead of chicken.
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Hakucho Bridge白鳥大橋
- Address Jinya-machi to Shukuzo-cho, Muroran-shi, Hokkaido 050-0067
Phone: 0143-23-0102 (Muroran Tourism Association)
*Please check the Muroran Tourism Association official website for information regarding facility closures due to coronavirus: http://muro-kanko.com/
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Cape Chikyu地球岬
- Address 4-77, Bokoi Minami-machi, Muroran-shi, Hokkaido, 051-0003
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Tokkarisho Lookoutトッカリショ
- Address 3-chome, Bokoi Minami-machi, Muroran-shi, Hokkaido, 051-0003
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Star Marine, Inc.スターマリン株式会社
- Address 1-127-12, Shukuzu-cho, Muroran-shi, Hokkaido, 051-0036
- Phone Number 0143-27-2870
Please check website for seasonal business hours: http://www.muro-nc.com/night_cruising.html
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Address
3-5-10 Nakajimacho, Muroran-shi, Hokkaido, 050-0074
View Map -
Nearest Station
Higashi-Muroran Station （Muroran Main Line / Muroran Main Line / Muroran Main Line (Muroran Direction)）
4 minutes on foot
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Address
3-5-10 Nakajimacho, Muroran-shi, Hokkaido, 050-0074
Day 5: Time travel to the Edo period in Noboribetsu
The next morning, take Route 36 to Noboribetsu, one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring areas. There you’ll also find Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village – a popular theme park that recreates the townscape and culture of the Edo period.
There you can spend the day watching ninja and oiran shows in the village’s theaters, strolling through the elegant town in rented costumes, and throwing shuriken or painting wooden kokeshi dolls.
Staying at Noboribetsu Onsen overnight, you can also explore the hot spring town and find Oni (demon) statues everywhere. Jigokudani and Noboribetsu Bear Park are two of the area’s other recommended destinations.
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Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village登別伊達時代村
- Address 53-1 Nakanoboribetsu-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0463
- Phone Number 0143-83-3311
Hours: Summer 9:00 - 17:00, Winter 9:00 - 16:00
* Temporarily closed due coronavirus. Please check official website for reopening date and adjusted business hours: http://edo-trip.jp/
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Jigokudani (Hell Valley)登別地獄谷
- Address Noboribetsu Onsen, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0551
Phone: 0143-84-3311 (Noboribetsu International Tourism and Convention Association)
*Please check the Noboribetsu International Tourism and Convention Association official website for information regarding facility closures due to coronavirus:
http://noboribetsu-spa.jp/
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Address
200-1 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0551
View Map -
Nearest Station
Noboribetsu Station （Muroran Main Line）
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Address
200-1 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0551
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Address
21 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0551
View Map -
Nearest Station
Noboribetsu Station （Muroran Main Line）
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Address
21 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0551
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Address
203-1 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0596
View Map -
Nearest Station
Noboribetsu Station （Muroran Main Line）
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Address
203-1 Noboribetsu Onsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0596
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Address
162, Noboribetsuonsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0551
View Map -
Nearest Station
Noboribetsu Station （Muroran Main Line）
- Phone Number 0143-84-2222
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Address
162, Noboribetsuonsencho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0551
Day 6: Experience the history and culture of the Ainu
On day six, drive east along the coast from Noboribetsu to neighboring Shiraoi, and head to the National Ainu Museum and Park – Upopoy – to learn about the history and culture of the Ainu People, through traditional Ainu dances and performing arts, food, and craft making.
Enjoy a lunch featuring the local specialty, Shiraoi beef, then head back to Noboribetsu and the popular Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe aquarium.
After taking in dolphin and sea lion shows, the penguin parade, the huge sardine-filled aquarium, stay one more relaxing night at Noboribetsu Onsen.
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UPOPOY National Ainu Museum and Parkウポポイ（民族共生象徴空間）
- Address 2-3 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido 059-0902
- Phone Number 0144-82-3914
Hours: Opens at 9:00, closing time varies depending on the season (Please see official website); closed Monday (or the weekday following a national holiday) and December 29 - January 3
*May 29, 2020 Grand Opening postponed due to coronavirus. Please see official website for details: https://ainu-upopoy.jp/
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Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe登別マリンパークニクス
- Address 1-22, Noboribetsuhigashi-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido, 059-0492
- Phone Number 0143-83-3800
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (last admission 16:30)
https://www.nixe.co.jp/
Day 7: On to Tomakomai and its impressive greenery
On the seventh morning, leave Noboribetsu Onsen and head east, stopping by green, moss-covered Tarumae Gallo on the outskirts of lush Tomakomai for some photos of the gully’s mysterious beauty. (For a shot like the one above, you’ll need boots and waterproof clothing.)
After a satisfying meal of Tomakomai's famous hokki (clam) curry, take Route 36 to Chitose. There you can observe salmon and other fish from around the world at Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium, one of Japan's largest freshwater aquariums, and stay overnight in Chitose.
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Address
5-3-1 Chiyodacho, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0062
View Map -
Nearest Station
Chitose Station （Chitose Line）
5 minutes on foot
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Address
5-3-1 Chiyodacho, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0062
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Address
2-2-1 Hokuei, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-8637
View Map -
Nearest Station
Chitose Station （Chitose Line）
9 minutes on foot
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Address
2-2-1 Hokuei, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-8637
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Address
7-1789-3 Chiyodacho, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0062
View Map -
Nearest Station
Chitose Station （Chitose Line）
4 minutes on foot
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Address
7-1789-3 Chiyodacho, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido, 066-0062
Day 8: Leisurely sightseeing in the Chitose area
The day before leaving Hokkaido, relax near the airport in the Chitose area. At the Northern Horse Park, you can go horseback riding and watch delightful pony shows. The park’s restaurant also serves delicious barbecue lunches.
The Kirin Brewery Hokkaido Chitose Factory is another worthwhile stop. You can learn about the beer making process from the raw ingredient stage all the way to packaging, and, at the end, try a sample!
There is a parking lot, so it’s possible to come by car, but of course if you plan to drink, you’ll need to use public transportation. You can walk from JR Osatsu Station, or use the free shuttle bus that departs from JR Chitose Station on weekends and holidays.
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Northern Horse Parkノーザンホースパーク
- Address 114-7 Misawa, Tomakomai-shi, Hokkaido, 059-1361
- Phone Number 0144-58-2116
Hours: 4/15 - 11/5 9:00 - 17:00, 11/6 - 4/9 10:00 - 16:00; closed 4/10 - 4/14
* Temporarily closed due to coronavirus. Please see the official website for reopening information: https://www.northern-horsepark.jp/
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Kirin Brewery Hokkaido Chitoseキリンビール北海道千歳工場
- Address 949-1 Kamiosatsu, Chitose, Hokkaido, 066-8711
- Phone Number 0123-24-5606
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00, closed Mondays (open on public holidays, closed the following weekday), year-end and New Year holidays (Other temporary closures. Please contact for more information)
* Temporarily closed due to coronavirus. Please check official website for reopening information: https://www.kirin.co.jp/entertainment/factory/chitose/
Day 9: Last day! New Chitose Airport
Having arrived at the last day of your trip, head to New Chitose Airport a bit early to check out the variety of shops and restaurants, museums, and hot springs. Or, if you have a later flight, you may want to do some of your Chitose-area sightseeing before departing.
There are many attractive spots throughout Hokkaido. Traveling around the island can take a long time, but that just means you can enjoy a leisurely-paced sightseeing tour!
Text by:minna no kotoba sha
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*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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