Hokkaido—Japan’s northern frontier—has long been a land of wide skies, Ainu heritage, pristine seafood, and dramatic seasons. Winters bring powder snow and the Sapporo Snow Festival; summers bloom with lavender fields in Furano. The island’s capital, Sapporo, offers modern energy and hearty dishes; nearby Otaru charms with canal-side warehouses, glass studios, and nostalgic cafés.

Historically, Hokkaido (formerly Ezo) was incorporated into modern Japan during the 19th-century Meiji era, which spurred Sapporo’s grid-planned streets and beer legacy. Today, visitors come for ramen, soup curry, king crab, and the crisp, briny flavors of the Sea of Japan. On day trips, you can walk volcanic landscapes, soak in onsen, or sip whisky where it’s crafted.

Practical notes: Winters are very cold (often subzero), so bring traction cleats and layers; summers are mild but sunny. IC cards (Kitaca/Suica) work on trains and buses, though smaller spots remain cash-friendly. For flights to New Chitose Airport (CTS) and regional trains, see the booking links below.

Sapporo

Energetic yet easygoing, Sapporo pairs big-city convenience with park-filled neighborhoods and an exceptional food scene. Odori Park slices through downtown, while Susukino glows after dark with izakaya, yakitori, and ramen counters. Don’t miss local “jingisukan” (lamb BBQ), miso ramen, and Hokkaido dairy soft-serve.

• Top sights: Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower, Nijo Market, Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park, Shiroi Koibito Park, Moerenuma Park (Isamu Noguchi design), and the Sapporo Beer Museum.
• Eat and drink: Soup curry at Garaku or Suage; miso ramen at Ramen Shingen or Sumire; “jingisukan” at Daruma; king crab at Hyousetsu no Mon; coffee at Baristart or Morihiko; desserts at Kinotoya or Snaffle’s.
• Stay near Sapporo Station for easy transit, Odori for parks and shopping, or Susukino for nightlife.

Where to stay (search and compare): Sapporo on VRBO | Sapporo on Hotels.com

Getting in and around: Fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS), then ride the JR Rapid Airport train to Sapporo Station (~37 minutes, about ¥1,150). Book flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, and trains via Trip.com Trains. Subways and buses cover most city sights; taxis are plentiful in winter.

Day 1: Arrival, Odori Stroll, and Susukino Night

Afternoon: Arrive at CTS and take the JR Rapid Airport to Sapporo Station. Drop bags, then stretch your legs in Odori Park, checking Sapporo TV Tower for skyline views. Wander to Nijo Market for a late snack—try a mini kaisendon bowl (salmon, scallop, uni) at Donburi Chaya or a grilled hokke (mackerel) skewer from a fish stall.

Evening: Warm up with soup curry at Suage (lightly fried vegetables and tender chicken in a spiced broth) or slurp rich miso ramen at Ramen Shingen. After dinner, join a local-led izakaya crawl on the Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour to discover tucked-away counters in Susukino—expect sake, sashimi, and Hokkaido-only bites.

Day 2: Markets, Shrines, Parks, and Local Guide

Morning: Coffee at Baristart (noted for Hokkaido milk) and a buttery croissant from Kinotoya Bake. Visit Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park; in spring, cherry blossoms ring the paths, while winter brings silent, snowy woods. Stop by the Sapporo Beer Museum for a quick history fix and a tasting flight if you’re keen.

Afternoon: Explore Sapporo with a flexible, insider-led experience on the Sapporo Private Tour with a Local – Highlights & Hidden Gems. Customize stops—Nijo Market for crab, Moerenuma Park’s glass pyramid, or sweets at Shiroi Koibito Park—while hearing context you’d miss on your own.

Evening: Try “jingisukan” lamb BBQ at Daruma (thin-sliced lamb grilled dome-style, best with draft Sapporo beer). For a nightcap, slip into Bar Owl for Japanese whisky or grab a dessert parfait—Sapporo’s late-night “parfait culture” pairs ice cream with seasonal fruit and custards.

Day 3: Volcanic Scenery and Onsen at Noboribetsu & Lake Toya (Full Day)

Set out on a dramatic day trip—steaming vents, crater lakes, and onsen. Join the Hokkaido: Lake Toya, Bear Ranch and Sapporo Otaru Full Day Tour for a guided route through Noboribetsu’s Hell Valley and the shores of Lake Toya, with scenic overlooks and optional soak time.

Back in Sapporo, keep dinner simple: try miso ramen at Sumire or grab tempura and soba at Miyazaki Seimen near Odori. If you still have energy, stroll Tanukikoji Shopping Street for souvenirs and warm, covered arcades.

Otaru

Thirty-five minutes from Sapporo, Otaru is a port city with a romantic canal edged by brick warehouses. Its early 20th-century prosperity left a legacy of glassblowing workshops, music boxes, and refined sushi—thanks to daily catches from Ishikari Bay.

• Top sights: Otaru Canal (at golden hour), Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Museum, Kitaichi Glass and its oil-lamp café, and panoramic Tengu-yama ropeway.
• Eat and drink: LeTAO’s double fromage cheesecake, cream puffs at Kitakaro, and pristine sushi at Masazushi or Isezushi. Duck into retro cafés housed in old merchant buildings.
• Stay by the Canal or Sakaimachi for atmospheric evening walks and easy access to shops and eateries.

Where to stay (search and compare): Otaru on VRBO | Otaru on Hotels.com

Getting there from Sapporo: JR Rapid Airport/Local to Otaru (~35–45 minutes, about ¥750–¥1,180). Trains run frequently; book or check schedules via Trip.com Trains. Consider a morning departure to maximize your day.

Day 4: Sapporo → Otaru, Canal Charm, and Yoichi Whisky

Morning: Depart Sapporo after breakfast; ride JR to Otaru and leave bags at your accommodation. Stroll the Canal, then browse Sakaimachi Street—watch glassblowers at work at Kitaichi and craft your own keepsake (short workshops available on-site).

Afternoon: Sweet stop at LeTAO for its signature double fromage cheesecake and a rooftop view from the main store. If you’re a whisky fan or traveling with a private driver, head west to Yoichi to tour the Nikka Whisky Distillery on a customizable car excursion: [Otaru & Yoichi] Private Car Day departing/returning Sapporo (you can ask to be dropped in Otaru if arranged in advance).

Evening: Sushi dinner on Otaru’s famed sushi street—try Masazushi (classic nigiri with seasonal Hokkaido fish), Isezushi (long-running, intimate counter), or top-value omakase at Waraku. Cap the night at the Kitaichi Hall café where 100+ oil lamps glow, or take a blue-hour canal walk for photos.

Day 5: Otaru Morning, Return to Sapporo, Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Kitakaro (cream puffs) or a light savory bite at Otaru Denuki Koji’s tiny stalls. If you’d like to taste a Hokkaido classic en route back toward Sapporo, consider a salmon hotpot lunch at the birthplace of Ishikari-nabe on this curated experience: Origin of Ishikari Nabe: Course Lunch (7 Dishes).

Afternoon (departure): JR Otaru → Sapporo (~35–45 minutes), then JR Rapid Airport to CTS (~37 minutes). Build in buffer for winter snow or peak festival days. Book or check trains via Trip.com Trains and flights via Trip.com Flights. If time allows, grab a final bowl of ramen at Sapporo Station’s Ramen Kyowakoku (Ramen Republic) before heading to the gate.

Optional swaps by season

• Winter sports: Lessons and easy access at Sapporo Teine; consider the Hokkaido Ski and Snowboard Lessons with Free Shuttle for beginners.
• Summer flowers: Replace Day 3 with a Furano/Biei day (Blue Pond, Patchwork Road, Ningle Terrace). Private-car routes like Biei-Furano are popular in peak bloom.
• Hands-on culture: Make soba and tempura on the Soba + Tempura experience for a tasty souvenir of your trip.

Another guided Sapporo option (if you prefer a structured 6-hour overview): Sapporo 6hr Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide.

With five days in Hokkaido, you’ll taste Sapporo’s bold flavors, wander Otaru’s canal and artisan shops, and glimpse volcanic Hokkaido on a single, photogenic loop. Expect excellent seafood, friendly service, and landscapes that change character with every season—tempting you to return.