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Hokkaidō Loop — a 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 8-day version for July: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 6-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go.
8
days
580 km
distance
9.7 h
driving
58
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Lavender peaks at Furano mid-July — Biei's patchwork hills glow; book that week solid months ahead.
Day 1 Sapporo → Otaru
🌡 7.6–30.8°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 14.9h light
09:00
Hoheikyo Onsenhikingcraft beer & pubshot springs
You will soak in scenic outdoor hot springs with mountain views.
90 min · Sapporo · ¥1000
10:30
Sapporo Beer Museummuseums & heritagecraft beer & pubs
You will learn the history and process of brewing Japan's favorite brew.
50 min · Sapporo · Beer sample ¥300-350, 3 samples ¥800
open: Daily 09:00-18:00
11:20
i-cafecraft beer & pubscoffee & bakes
Relax in a spacious internet cafe with drinks, food, and manga.
50 min · Sapporo
open: 24 hr
12:45
Otaru Music Box Museummuseums & heritage
Discover intricate music boxes and craft your own melody.
50 min · Otaru · Free
open: 09:00-19:00
13:35
Otaru City Museummuseums & heritage
Explore railway history with snowplow exhibits and steam train rides.
50 min · Otaru · Adults ¥400, concession ¥300
open: 09:30-17:00 (closed Tu)
14:25
Stained Glass Museummuseums & heritage
Gaze at colorful historic church windows reimagined in a warehouse.
50 min · Otaru · Adults ¥1,200, students ¥300-1000
open: May-Oct 09:30-17:00, Nov-Apr 10:00-17:00
15:15
Andiamolocal & traditional
Relish authentic Italian pizzas in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
60 min · Otaru · ¥2000-3000 (price listed 2000)
open: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-20:30, Mondays closed
18:30
Kitaichi Halllocal & traditional
Dine on hearty local meals in a grand wooden warehouse setting.
75 min · Otaru
Overnight: Otaru
e.g. Hotel Dormy Inn Premium Otaru · Otarunai Backpackers' Hostel MorinoKi
Day 2 Around Otaru
🌡 7.6–30.8°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 14.9h light
09:00
The Bank of Japan Otaru Museummuseums & heritage
Admire the elegant architecture of a preserved historic bank.
50 min · Otaru · Free
open: Closed W, Apr-Nov: 9:30-17:00, Dec-Mar: 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16
09:50
Otaru Canalhiking
Stroll along the lit canal, enjoying gentle evening light.
50 min · Otaru · Free
10:40
Steam Clockmuseums & heritage
Hear the hourly chime of a steam-powered clock whistle.
50 min · Otaru
11:30
Mount Tengumuseums & heritage
Take in breathtaking city and sea views from a sacred peak.
50 min · Otaru
12:20
Otaru Snow Light Festival
Walk paths lit by dazzling ice lanterns along the snowy canal.
90 min · Otaru
open: held annually in February
13:50
Asahiyama Parkmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
You will hear birds chirping and see vibrant flowers and wildlife.
50 min · Sapporo · Free.
14:40
LeTAO
Indulge in Japan's famed creamy double-cheese cheesecakes.
60 min · Otaru
Overnight: Otaru
e.g. Hotel Dormy Inn Premium Otaru · Otarunai Backpackers' Hostel MorinoKi
Day 3 Furano
🌡 4.1–29.5°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 14.9h light
11:14
Kami-Furano Pioneer Memorial Museummuseums & heritage
Stroll through floral gardens and glimpse historic photos indoors.
50 min · Furano · Free
open: May Jun Sep Oct: Sa Su 09:00-16:00; Jul-Aug: Tu-Su 09:00-16:00
12:04
Furano Cheese Factorymuseums & heritage
Watch as creamy cheese forms, and taste unique cuttlefish ink Camembert.
50 min · Furano · Tours are free; workshop prices vary
open: Apr-Oct 09:00-17:00, Nov-Mar 09:00-16:00
12:54
Farm Tomitalocal & traditional
Breath in the perfume of vast lavender and colorful flower fields.
50 min · Furano · Free
open: 24 hr
13:44
Nakafurano Town Ownership Lavender Gardenhiking
Enjoy the view of flowers from a chair lift over sloping gardens.
50 min · Furano · Admission free. Chair lift round trip ¥3
open: 24h
14:34
Kan'no Farmlocal & traditional
Marvel at fields bursting with many species of vibrant flowers.
50 min · Furano · Free
15:24
Hikingmuseums & heritagehiking
Tread quiet trails, or crunch through winter snow on snowshoe hikes.
90 min · Furano
16:54
Furano Craft Beer Houselocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubscoffee & bakes
Taste microbrews with fresh bread, smoked meats, and local cheeses.
60 min · Furano · Lunch ¥600-1000, dinner ¥1200-1400, all
open: Tu-Su 17:30-22:30, also lunchtime on Sundays
18:30
Kumageralocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
Savor local specialties and hotpot meals cooked right at your table.
75 min · Furano
Overnight: Furano
e.g. New Furano Prince Hotel · New Furano Hotel
Day 4 Around Furano
🌡 4.1–29.5°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 14.9h light
09:00
Furano Winery
50 min · Furano
09:50
Furano express, Chūō Bus
Spot the steady rhythm of the bus gliding through Hokkaido's landscapes.
50 min · Furano · 2700¥
open: 08:00–19:20 (departure time at Sapporo)
10:40
Lavender Express Bus
Feel the gentle hum of the bus as it winds through rural Hokkaido.
50 min · Furano · Asahikawa Airport–Furano Station ¥770, A
open: from Asahikawa: seven departures per day, 09:55–19:30
11:30
Winter sports
Glide over deep, dry powder snow on ski or snowboard slopes.
90 min · Furano
13:00
Hokkaido Belly Button Festival
50 min · Furano
open: 28-29 July
13:50
Jam making
90 min · Furano
15:20
Syoujiki Muralocal & traditional
Savor flavorful ramen, Japanese curries, and cozy lodging.
60 min · Furano
open: 11:30-22:00
Overnight: Furano
e.g. New Furano Prince Hotel · New Furano Hotel
Day 5 Biei
🌡 4.1–29.5°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 14.9h light
09:28
Blue pondhikinghot springs
Crystal-clear waters mirror lush trees perfectly.
50 min · Biei
10:18
Biei Stationmuseums & heritage
Discover the heart of the town from this central hub.
50 min · Biei
11:08
Rental Cyclinghiking
Cycle through Biei's rolling hills on a rented mountain bike.
50 min · Biei · ¥1000 a day, ¥200 an hour, triple for el
11:58
Takushinkanmuseums & heritage
Photographs capture Biei's beauty through the lens.
50 min · Biei · Free
12:48
Shiki no Johokanmuseums & heritage
Get helpful travel tips from English-speaking staff.
50 min · Biei
open: 08:00-19:00
13:38
Biei View Bushiking
A convenient hop-on-hop-off tour of scenic highlights.
90 min · Biei · Adults: from ¥4500, children (age 4-11):
open: Selected dates in Jul and Oct; daily from Jun-Sep
15:08
Valore
Classy Italian aromas mingle with breathtaking views.
60 min · Biei · lunch ¥4,000, pasta lunch ¥1,100, dinner
open: 11:30-15:00, 18:00-22:00
Overnight: Biei
e.g. Shirogane Park Hills · Shirogane Onsen Hotel
Day 6 Asahikawa
🌡 5.7–31.0°C · 🌧 ~18 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:38
Hokkaido Traditional Art Craft Villagemuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
50 min · Asahikawa
10:28
Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museummuseums & heritagecraft beer & pubs
Ancient artefacts and fine sake tales enrich.
50 min · Asahikawa · Free visit and sake tasting
11:18
Tourist Information Centermuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Helpful staff guide your Asahikawa adventure.
50 min · Asahikawa
12:08
Higashikawa Information Centermuseums & heritage
Maps, snacks, and peaceful evening parking await.
50 min · Asahikawa
12:58
Arashiyama Pottery Villagecraft beer & pubs
Browse handcrafted pottery with a view of the city from a hill.
50 min · Asahikawa
13:48
Cycling path to Kamuikotanhiking
Ride through tunnels along a river on this scenic rail trail.
90 min · Asahikawa
15:18
Santōkalocal & traditional
Taste the original flavors of this renowned ramen shop.
60 min · Asahikawa · Shoyu ramen ¥800
open: 11:00-22:00
18:30
Ramen Villagelocal & traditional
Savor a variety of Asahikawa's best ramen in one place.
75 min · Asahikawa
Overnight: Asahikawa
e.g. Totonou Guest House · Asahikawa Mongol camping ground
Day 7 Noboribetsu
🌡 10.5–27.7°C · 🌧 ~19 rain days · ☀ 14.8h light
12:12
Hell Valleyhot springs
Feel the warm mist of volcanic geysers in this fragrant valley.
50 min · Noboribetsu
13:02
Dōnan Bushot springs
Take this direct bus from Sapporo to Noboribetsu-onsen.
50 min · Noboribetsu · ¥2500
13:52
Bear Farmlocal & traditional
Observe bears in enclosures, noted for their density.
50 min · Noboribetsu · ¥3000 including return funicular ride
14:42
Dai-Ichi Takimotokan
Relax in Asia's largest spa with vast baths.
90 min · Noboribetsu
16:12
Marine Park Nixe
Explore castle-like aquarium with playful amusement rides.
50 min · Noboribetsu
17:02
Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura
Step into Edo-era Japan in this lively theme park.
50 min · Noboribetsu
18:30
Fukuan
Savor refreshing soba noodles at this local spot.
75 min · Noboribetsu
Overnight: Noboribetsu
e.g. Noboribetsu Guest House AKA & AO · Kiyomizu-ya
Day 8 Lake Tōya → back to start
🌡 9.0–29.9°C · 🌧 ~17 rain days · ☀ 14.8h light
09:49
Mt. Usuhikinghot springs
Hike trails to craters of Japan's active volcano.
50 min · Lake Tōya
10:39
Toyako Onsenmuseums & heritagehot springs
Learn about volcanic history at an engaging visitor center.
50 min · Lake Tōya
11:29
Shōwashinzanlocal & traditionalhiking
See a mountain that rose from a farmer's field.
50 min · Lake Tōya
12:19
Shikotsuko Onsenhot springs
Discover a quaint village by the lake's edge.
50 min · Lake Tōya
13:09
Moss Canyonhiking
Walk through lush, green moss in serene canyon paths.
50 min · Lake Tōya
13:59
Kyūkamura Shikotsukohot springs
Enjoy soothing hot springs in a clean resort setting.
90 min · Lake Tōya · ¥700