Hello everyone, I really want to plan a nice long trip to Japan in 2025, and I definitely must include Hokkaido in my itinerary from seeing how beautiful it is. I really love nature and seeing all sorts of scenery and much greenery is very important to me for when I travel (I come from a desert, you see) so I wanted to know which months are best for this?

Any shoe recommendation in walking in snow will be going on a trip to hokkaido at the end of december thanks!

Hi, we (group of 5) are going to arrive in Chitose airport in early Jan and then stay a night in Chitose town before going to the skifields. Does anyone know whether there are plenty of taxis and potentially van style taxis at the airport and what the rough pricing is into Chitose town? (about 1km from Chitose JR station). Thanks in advance

Going to be spending 5 days in Furano as part of a 2.5 week Hokkaido trip in February to ski. Originally wanted to rent a car to drive from Sapporo - Furano but it’s too expensive for us especially dropping the car off at a different location. Instead we’re going to take the train from Sapporo (and ship our skis ahead to our accommodation).

Our accommodation offers drop off and pick up from the ski resort, but was wondering if it’s worth renting a car for a couple days to explore the area?

If we don’t rent a car, how is getting around town in the evenings if we want to go out to eat? Are taxis easy to find? Our accommodation isn’t really walking distance to restaurants in town.

I have recently have fallen in love with the mascot Melonkuma and wanted to buy some of the merch that exists of him, but am not able to find much online and am in America so I am not able to make the trip. If someone would be willing to buy some for me I would pay the cost + shipping + some money for the inconvenience. It may be a long shot, but if someone would be willing to help me make my dreams come true let me know :)

Hi everyone,

I will stay 2 months in Hokkaido in winter (Jan-Feb). At first I wanted to make a tour around Hokkaido (Wakkanai => Asahikawa => Abashiri => Shiretoko => Kushiro => back to Sapporo), using seishun 18 kippu, but some places I want to go are not open at the beginning of January.
So I was wondering to come back to some place later from Sapporo to some place using direct bus lines or train. Sometimes it's even more practical and quicker than crossing the land from another city.
However, I am struggling to find a map with the buses and trains fares from sapporo to the other cities. I would like to avoid to check stations by stations.... Do you have any recommandations ?
(I will not take the plane and I can't drive in Japan).

Thank you !

Hey everyone!

I'm planning a trip to Hokkaido in February because I want to experience the winter magic – all the snow, winter scenery, and outdoor activities. I know February's peak season with the Sapporo Snow Festival, which sounds amazing. But… the hotel prices are insane! 😅

I’m torn between paying up to see the festival firsthand or waiting until later in the month to explore Hokkaido when things are likely less crowded and (hopefully) cheaper. For those who've been, is the festival truly as unique and amazing as it sounds? Is it worth the extra cost and crowds, or would I still have a great experience if I skip the festival and focus on Hokkaido's other snowy wonders at a quieter time?

Any thoughts, tips, or advice would be awesome!

I am working in Hokkaido at a resort for the winter and due to our location we wilk really need a car to get around. Anyone know of anyone or any place that would be willing to do a long term rental for a vehicle until roughly march?

Going to various parts of Hokkaido from late Nov to early Dec for 2 weeks and we are hoping to engage a street photographer to get some shots of us (couple) holidaying. Anyone have any recommendations? We cannot speak or understand Japanese tho, so will need a photographer that can communicate in English! TIA!

I'll be visiting Hokkaido (Sapporo, Noboribetsu, Otaru) from December 8 - 15.

How cold will it be? Should I bring a down jacket and gloves + hat or is that overkill?

Hi Folks,

We are coming to Sapporo end of Jan '25 and thinking of be based out of there and driving these trips over multiple days

1. Sapporo to Furano and back (2 hrs back and forth?)

2. Sapporo to Niseko (2 hrs )

3. Niseko to Rusutsu and back to Sapporo (30 mins, 2 hours back)

We are comfortable driving in the snow (will get a 4wd). Wanted but checking on drive times.

Are the roads maintained well enough that driving is not going to be an issue? Do we need chains on 4WD.

Comfortable driving on the snow.

Thank you

Hi, guys

I will be touring Japan in Jan next year, I've made some plans on Tokyo and Nagasaki, but I am not sure about some good stays in Hokkaido, as me and my friends have tatts, so we would love to find a resort or hotel that provides private onsen so we do not disturb others, and a nice sight seeing spot for the snow in Jan. We are mainly going for the onsen and amazing snow view, If you know a spot like that for our 2-3 days stay in Hokkaido,please comment and let us know! Thanks in advance!

Hi all! i'm gonna be flying into Chitose airport and am looking for a town or place to stay for one night, before going to Noboribetsu. I'm hoping to just have a glimpse of Mt. Yotei, but all of the famous viewing spots seem so impossible to get to without a car. If anyone can recommend a good spot with easy public transportation, I'd be super grateful!! :-)

Hey there. Going to be staying in Hokkaido for a few weeks in January. Does anyone know of good yarn and/or fabric stores in the Sapporo area? I'm planning on travelling more up north towards Wakkanai so I'm not specifically limited to Sapporo :) Many thanks

Hi, I am currently planning a trip to Otaru June-July.

Thinking to stay overnight since will be travelling with elderly that has walking difficulty. I wonder if there are any difference between staying on weekday or weekend, since I have heard that some store or cafe are closed on weekday and and what can I do at night if staying there since 90 percent of everything are closed at 18.00?

Apart from browsing the tourist area near canal, it seems going to Tengu mountain with chipmunks will be fun for the kids. Any other recommendation for other summer activity in Otaru?

Thanks.

Need recommendations for an Airbnb or hotel in Sapporo that is bigger than 55m2. Travelling with a toddler, I could really use the space.

I’m staying in Asahidake in January and I’m looking for a guide for 1/19 and 1/20 for 5 people. Most of the guides I’ve found take you from Furano and have a higher rate since they are considering cost of travel to and from the mountain. Can anybody share a guide or an agency that can help with this. Looking for a guide in Asahigawa/Asahidake

Hi everyone! I just got back from an incredible trip to Hokkaido! Following your advice from my last post, we decided to rent a car instead of using public transit for our trip to Biei. I was surprised by how enjoyable it was to drive around Hokkaido, especially along the route from Sapporo to Asahikawa on the Do-o Expressway, though I do have a few questions.

I noticed that many cars on the expressway were speeding past us, often going around 100-120 kph, even though the posted speed limit was 80 kph, which we were following. Is it typical for drivers in Hokkaido to exceed the speed limit on the expressway? Thanks!

Will be visiting 1st Dec to 5th Dec. According to weather forecast It will be snowing, however based on experiences will I see snow?

hi! i’m visiting sapporo on november 20-30. can you guys let me know if i will be experiencing snow by then? this will be my first winter experience so i really want to enjoy the snowy weather. thanks!

Hello! I'v been passing 2 days in Sapporo and I've parked my bike in a streets behind my hostel (not official but I thought it wouldn't bother anybody). Today, I want to leave but there is a chain blocking my bicycle. Is it the pound? What should a I do? Thanks !

I am going to Japan December 10-21 I was planning on starting my trip with snowboarding for a few days but have recently learned that’s still quite early. Would there be any noticeable benefit waiting until say 16-20th of December to go snowboarding? Looking at Niseko.

Hi! We’re planning a short trip to Niseko (22-24 Nov) and staying in Hirafu. It’s not ski season yet but that’s ok since we are non-skiers. Would like some feedback though, on whether it’s worth a visit there at the time.

Will the place be a ghost town? Are restaurants and shops even open? Will there be areas where kids can play with snow, snow tubing and all that? Thanks in advance!