PingClab › Japan itineraries › Hokkaido 5 days

Sapporo, Noboribetsu & Hakodate 5-Day Itinerary

Fly into New Chitose, base yourself in Sapporo, spend a night at a Noboribetsu Onsen ryokan, then take the JR Limited Express Hokuto to Hakodate and fly home from Hakodate Airport. Every stop lists opening hours and regular closed days; train legs show typical travel times.

  1. Day 1Odori Park → Sapporo Clock Tower → Former Hokkaido Government Office (Akarenga) → JR Tower Observatory T38
    Stay: near Sapporo Station / Susukino
  2. Day 2Otaru Canal → Sakaimachi Street (Otaru) → Otaru Music Box Museum → Susukino Crossing Neon
    Stay: near Sapporo Station / Susukino
  3. Day 3Noboribetsu Jigokudani → Oyunuma Pond → Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath → Enma-do (Hall of the King of Hell) → Gokuraku-dori Shopping Street
    Stay: a Noboribetsu Onsen ryokan
  4. Day 4Noboribetsu Bear Park → Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse → Hachimanzaka Slope → Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward → Mt. Hakodate Observatory
    Stay: near Hakodate Station
  5. Day 5Hakodate Morning Market → Goryokaku Tower → Goryokaku Park → Trappistine Convent
    Fly home from Hakodate Airport
Paid admissions about ¥6,840 per person (tour included). Trains, hotels and meals not included.
Open days 1–4 (Sapporo · Noboribetsu) →Open days 4–5 (Hakodate) →

PingClab plans one city at a time, so the trip opens in two parts. Add your dates and closed places get flagged. Free.

Day 1 · Arrive · Sapporo

Starts 12:30 · stay near Sapporo Station / Susukino

  1. 12:30

    JR Rapid Airport · New Chitose Airport → Sapporo Station

    about 40 min
  2. ↓ Walk ~12 min
  3. 13:25

    Odori ParkSight

    Odoriabout 40 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Winter = Snow Festival, Summer = Beer Garden.

  4. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  5. 14:10

    Sapporo Clock TowerSight

    Odoriabout 30 minAdmission ¥200
    Open 08:45~17:10

    5 min from Odori Park. Best photo from the building across the street.

  6. ↓ Walk ~6 min
  7. 14:50

    Former Hokkaido Government Office (Akarenga)Sight

    Odoriabout 40 minFree
    Open 08:45~21:00

    Red-brick government building with a seasonal pond garden.

  8. ↓ Walk ~8 min
  9. 16:30

    JR Tower Observatory T38Night view

    Odoriabout 50 minAdmission ¥740
    Open 10:00~22:00

    38th-floor observatory directly connected to Sapporo Station.

  10. ↓ Walk ~19 min
  11. 18:00

    Daruma Main Store (Jingisukan)Dinner

    Susukinoabout 70 minBudget ¥2,500
    Open 17:00~05:00

    Classic jingisukan lamb grill at the counter.

Day 2 · Otaru day trip

Starts 09:30 · stay near Sapporo Station / Susukino

  1. 09:30

    JR · Sapporo Station → Otaru Station

    about 35–40 min
  2. ↓ Walk ~9 min
  3. 10:20

    Otaru CanalSight

    Otaruabout 60 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    35 min by JR from Sapporo. Famous for glass art and music box souvenirs.

  4. ↓ Walk ~12 min
  5. 11:35

    Sakaimachi Street (Otaru)Sight

    Otaruabout 60 minFree
    Open 09:00~18:00

    Otaru's main street of glass workshops and dessert shops.

  6. ↓ Walk ~18 min
  7. 12:55

    Naruto Main Store (Otaru)Lunch

    Otaruabout 50 minBudget ¥1,500
    Open 11:00~21:00

    Famous fried half chicken.

  8. ↓ Walk ~20 min
  9. 14:05

    Otaru Music Box MuseumSight

    Otaruabout 45 minFree
    Open 09:00~18:00

    Music box museum and shop by the steam clock.

  10. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  11. 14:55

    LeTAO Main Store (Otaru)Café

    Otaruabout 40 minBudget ¥1,000
    Open 09:00~18:00

    Home of the Double Fromage, with a 3F lookout.

  12. 15:35

    JR · Otaru Station → Sapporo Station

    about 35–40 min
  13. ↓ Walk ~16 min
  14. 16:15–18:00 free time
  15. 18:00

    Soup Curry GARAKUDinner

    Susukinoabout 50 minBudget ¥1,500
    Open 11:30~20:30

    Sapporo's best-known soup curry. Expect a wait.

  16. ↓ Walk ~7 min
  17. 19:00

    Susukino Crossing NeonNight view

    Susukinoabout 20 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    The crossing under the famous Nikka whisky sign.

Day 3 · Noboribetsu Onsen (ryokan night)

Starts 09:00 · stay a Noboribetsu Onsen ryokan

  1. 09:00

    Nijo MarketBreakfast

    Susukinoabout 60 minBudget ¥2,500
    Open 07:00~17:00

    Some stalls closed Sundays. Fresh crab, salmon roe, and sea urchin rice bowls.

  2. 10:00

    JR limited express + bus · Sapporo → Noboribetsu Station → Noboribetsu Onsen

    about 1 h 10 min by limited express + 15–20 min by bus
  3. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  4. 11:40

    Aji no Daio Noboribetsu (Hell Ramen)Lunch

    Noboribetsuabout 40 minBudget ¥1,000
    Open 11:30~15:00

    Onsen-town ramen shop famous for "Hell Ramen" with a spice level you choose.

  5. ↓ Walk ~9 min
  6. 12:30

    Noboribetsu JigokudaniSight

    Noboribetsuabout 60 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Volcanic valley with sulfur steam, by the onsen town.

  7. ↓ Walk ~15 min
  8. 13:45

    Oyunuma PondSight

    Noboribetsuabout 30 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Gourd-shaped hot-spring pond reached from Hell Valley; sulfur springs bubble up at about 130°C.

  9. ↓ Walk ~15 min
  10. 14:30

    Oyunumagawa Natural FootbathSight

    Noboribetsuabout 40 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Soak your feet in a warm forest stream. Bring a small towel. Paths get icy in winter.

  11. ↓ Walk ~20 min
  12. 15:30

    Enma-do (Hall of the King of Hell)Sight

    Noboribetsuabout 15 minFree
    Open 09:00~21:00

    The King of Hell changes his expression at set times (10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21 h).

  13. 16:30

    Ryokan check-in & dinner

    A plan with dinner (usually 18:00–19:30) is easiest. Bathe in the evening and again in the morning.

  14. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  15. 18:00–20:00 free time
  16. 20:00

    Gokuraku-dori Shopping StreetShopping

    Noboribetsuabout 40 minFree
    Open 10:00~21:00

    Main street of the onsen town with demon souvenirs and onsen buns. Great for a stroll in a yukata.

Day 4 · To Hakodate · night view

Starts 09:30 · stay near Hakodate Station

  1. 09:30

    Noboribetsu Bear ParkSight

    Noboribetsuabout 90 minAdmission ¥2,800
    Open 09:00~17:00

    Bear park reached by ropeway from the onsen town, with views of Lake Kuttara from the top.

  2. 11:00

    Lunch on the train

    Grab an ekiben (station bento) before boarding to save time.

  3. 11:00

    JR Limited Express Hokuto · Noboribetsu Station → Hakodate Station (bus from the onsen to the station)

    about 15–20 min by bus + 2 h 15 min by limited express
  4. ↓ Walk ~14 min
  5. 14:00

    Kanemori Red Brick WarehouseSight

    Bay Areaabout 60 minFree
    Open 09:30~19:00

    Shopping by day, beautifully lit at night. Christmas Fantasy venue in December.

  6. ↓ Walk ~6 min
  7. 15:10

    Hachimanzaka SlopeSight

    Motomachiabout 20 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    The classic Hakodate photo spot — a straight slope down to the sea.

  8. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  9. 15:35

    Old Public Hall of Hakodate WardSight

    Motomachiabout 40 minAdmission ¥300
    Open 09:00~18:00 (except Sun 09:00~19:00, Mon 09:00~19:00, Sat 09:00~19:00)

    Yellow and blue Western-style hall with harbor views from the balcony.

  10. ↓ Walk ~8 min
  11. 16:30

    Mt. Hakodate ObservatoryNight view

    Mt. Hakodateabout 90 minAdmission ¥1,800
    Open 10:00~21:00

    Go up 30 min before sunset for day, dusk and night views in one trip. Winter evening ropeway lines get long.

  12. ↓ Walk ~13 min
  13. 18:15

    Hasegawa Store Bay AreaDinner

    Bay Areaabout 40 minBudget ¥800
    Open 07:00~22:00

    A convenience store famous for made-to-order yakitori bento.

Day 5 · Hakodate morning · fly home

Starts 07:30 · stay —

  1. 07:30

    Hakodate Morning MarketSight

    Hakodate Stationabout 45 minFree
    Open 06:00~14:00

    Opens 6 am in winter (Jan–Apr). Right next to the station — easy on your first or last day.

  2. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  3. 08:20

    Kikuyo ShokudoBreakfast

    Hakodate Stationabout 45 minBudget ¥2,500
    Open 06:00~14:00

    Seafood bowl pioneer inside the Morning Market. Go early to skip the line.

  4. ↓ Subway/bus ~25 min
  5. 09:30

    Goryokaku TowerSight

    Goryokakuabout 45 minAdmission ¥1,000
    Open 09:00~18:00

    See the star-shaped fort from above. Star illuminations in winter.

  6. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  7. 10:20

    Goryokaku ParkSight

    Goryokakuabout 45 minFree
    Open 05:00~19:00

    Star-shaped fort grounds. The full shape is only visible from the tower.

  8. ↓ Walk ~5 min
  9. 11:30

    Ajisai (Shio Ramen)Lunch

    Goryokakuabout 50 minBudget ¥1,100
    Open 11:00~20:25 · Closed Wed (not officially confirmed)

    Signature clear-broth Hakodate salt ramen.

  10. ↓ Subway/bus ~32 min
  11. 12:55

    Trappistine ConventSight

    Yunokawaabout 40 minFree
    Open 08:30~17:00

    Japan's first women's convent. Madeleines and soft-serve at the shop.

  12. 13:35

    Taxi · Trappistine Convent → Hakodate Airport

    about 10–15 min (the airport shuttle from downtown takes about 20 min)
  13. 13:50

    Fly home

    Flight times vary — aim to reach the airport 2 hours before departure.

Worth booking ahead

Three bases on this trip: Sapporo, a Noboribetsu ryokan and Hakodate.

Sapporo hotelsnear Sapporo Station / Susukino · Trip.comSee hotels →Noboribetsu Onsen ryokana Noboribetsu Onsen ryokan · Trip.comSee hotels →Hakodate hotelsnear Hakodate Station · Trip.comSee hotels →
Day toursBiei, Furano & more from SapporoGetYourGuide →TicketsMt. Hakodate ropeway and moreGetYourGuide →Rail passHokkaido Rail Pass for the JR legsGetYourGuide →

Getting around

The longest legs are Sapporo → Noboribetsu (about 1.5 h) and Noboribetsu → Hakodate (about 2.5 h). Trains run less often than in Tokyo or Osaka, so check the timetable the day before, and allow extra time in snowy weather. If you fly into New Chitose and out of Hakodate, book an open-jaw ticket.

FAQ

Can I do this with a Japan Rail Pass?

The JR legs (airport train, Otaru, the limited expresses to Noboribetsu and Hakodate) are all JR Hokkaido trains. Compare a Hokkaido Rail Pass with single tickets for your dates.

Why stay a night in Noboribetsu?

A round trip from Sapporo takes about 3 hours. Staying at a ryokan lets you see Hell Valley at a relaxed pace, bathe in the evening and morning, and continue straight to Hakodate.

How do I check closed days?

Open each part in PingClab and add your travel dates. Anything closed that day gets a warning, and you can swap it for a nearby place that is open.

More itineraries

Hokkaido 5 daysHokkaido 6 days
Sapporo 4 daysHakodate 3 days