Are you planning a trip to Hokkaido but want to make sure you stay within your budget?
Look no further! Here we will go through 20 money-saving tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip to Hokkaido without breaking the bank.
From booking cheap flights and accommodations to finding affordable and free things to do, this guide has you covered. Explore all that Hokkaido has to offer and make the most of your budget!
Useful Resources
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
5 Tips for Booking Cheaper Flights
1. Book as early as possible
Book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best price. JAL, ANA, and AirDo offer discounts for advanced booking, with the cheapest tickets available 75 days in advance. However, there are downsides to this such as limited seat availability, non-changeable tickets, and expensive cancellation fees.
Other airlines like Peach and EasyJet also use a dynamic pricing system where prices change based on the number of remaining seats and time until departure. Avoid last-minute planning and research early for the best prices!
2. Watch out for big sales of low-cost airlines
Check out deals from low-cost airlines like Peach and JetStar. Peach has random sales, often around major seasonal events, while JetStar has sales about 2 months before low seasons.
3. Avoid high seasons & Japanese holidays
Airfare prices in Hokkaido tend to be higher during the summer season, especially from late June to late August. This is also the peak season for hotels. Avoid these times if you're on a budget. Other high-demand times include Japanese holidays and events such as New Year, Sapporo Snow Festival in early February, Golden Week in early March, and Summer holidays in mid-August.
To save money, consider traveling during off-peak times such as mid-January to mid-March, mid-April, mid-May to mid-June, and October to mid-December. Also, try to travel on weekdays for cheaper prices.
4. Bring Only Carry-On with Low-Cost Airlines
Low-cost airlines like Peach often charge extra fees for check-in luggage, especially in the cheapest fare category. Peach charges 1,950 yen for one additional check-in luggage online and the price increases to 2,490 yen after booking and 3,050 yen at the airport counter. Be mindful of weight limits, as Peach charges an extra 1,850 yen for check-in luggage over 20 kg and carry-ons over 7 kg. Pack light to avoid extra charges.
5. Check Last-Minute Tickets
JAL, ANA, and AirDo sell last-minute tickets 1, 3, and 7 days prior to departure at a 30% discount. Keep this in mind for last-minute trip planning!
3 Tips for Affordable Accommodation
1. Hostels & Minshuku
Staying at hostels and minshuku allows you to save a lot on accommodation. Minshuku is a family-run inn that typically provides breakfast and bed. It’s a more traditional form of accommodation compared to hotels. Often small in size and involving occasional interactions with owners, Minshuku offers a chance to experience traditional Japanese stay and hospitality.
Rooms and amenities are very simple at hostels and minshuku. You might have to use shared bathrooms in some places. They are a good option if you are traveling on a budget and don’t mind minimal comforts. The average prices in Hokkaido range around 3,000 - 6,000 yen ($23-46).
2. Business hotels
Business hotels are great for travelers who are looking to save money while still having easy access to transportation and restaurants. They are usually located near train stations or in city centers.
Rooms are smaller than regular hotels, but have necessary amenities like a toothbrush, hairdryer, Wi-Fi. Coin laundry and vending machines are usually available as well. Some places offer free breakfast. The price is around 4,000 - 8,000 yen ($31-62) depending on the season.
3. Resort hotels without meals
Want to experience a nice hotel experience and save at the same time? In that case, consider opting out of meals at resort hotels and ryokan. They usually include dinner and breakfast in a stay; however, some places provide an option without meals. You can eat out for a cheaper price instead and save some money (But ryokan food is delicious… you might not want to miss out on it!).
3 Tips for Budget-Friendly Transportation
1. Hokkaido Rail Pass
Traveling across Hokkaido by train? Then make sure to check JR Hokkaido Rail Pass! There are different types of tickets you can choose from, for example, Hokkaido Rail Pass covering all lines in Hokkaido (19,000 yen, $147 for 5 days, 25,000 yen, $193 for 7 days), Sapporo-Furano Area Pass (9,000 yen, $70 for 4 days), and Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass (8,000 yen, $62 for 4days).
These prices are for sales outside Japan and set cheaper than within Japan. Make sure to book yours online or with a travel agency in your country before your trip!
2. Bus Free Pass
If you are exploring one region of Hokkaido and taking multiple bus rides during your trip, search if there’s any bus free pass available there.
For example, in Eastern Hokkaido, East Hokkaido Network Free Pass allows you to take over 20 local bus lines. The prices are 7,800 yen ($60) for 3 days, 9,800 yen ($75) for 4 days, and 11,800 yen ($90) for 5 days. If you are planning to visit multiple destinations in Eastern Hokkaido, this ticket could save you a lot. Note that online purchase is required 10 days in advance. and seat reservations 3 days in advance.
Some local bus companies provide free passes within their own network as well, such as Abashiri Free Pass (2,000 yen, $15 for 2 days).
3. If renting a car…
Renting a car could be a little pricy, but it gives you the best mobility to travel in Hokkaido. Some tips to rent are the following:
Book early
Avoid high seasons
Compare different companies
Book a package with flights
Pick up and return at the same location (avoid a drop fee if you can)
3 Tips for Affordable Food & Dining
1. Kaiten Sushi
“Kaiten Sushi” is a type of sushi restaurant that provides sushi on a belt conveyor. The prices are more affordable than in traditional sushi restaurants and clearly written on the menu or indicated by plate colors. That gives you full control of your spending to stay within your budget.
People often associate Kaiten Sushi with cheap prices and so-so quality — but in Hokkaido, you can get very fresh, tasty sushi even in Kaiten Sushi. Toriton and Hanamaru are famous local sushi chains. Make sure to try them out!
2. Supermarkets
Bento boxes and deli food at local supermarkets are budget-friendly options to keep your costs down. There is a variety of food at an affordable price, including rice bowls, noodles, salad, tempura, and sushi. You can easily have one meal of one main and one side dish for under 1,000 yen ($8).
It’s also fun to explore local food. In supermarkets in Hokkaido, you’ll find unique food, such as imo mochi (sticky potato pancake), buta don (grilled pork rice bowl), and ramen salad.
3. Local restaurants
If you avoid very touristy areas, you’ll be able to find affordable local restaurants. A quick Google Map search can help you spot some popular places in the area. The average meal, such as a lunch set, ramen and a side dish, one main dish, costs around 1,000-2,000 yen ($8 - $16).
3 Free Things to Do in Hokkaido
1. Public information & educational center
There are many public information and educational facilities for free entrance. You can learn a lot about nature and the history of your destinations.
For example, in Eastern Hokkaido, Shiretoko Nature Center provides informative exhibitions of the wildlife in the Shiretoko National Park, as well as safety briefs for nearby hiking trails. In Akan, you can learn about forests, lakes, and mountains in the Akan Mashu National Park at Akan Eco Museum Center. Lake Tofustu Waterfowl Center in Abashiri tells you everything about wild birds around the lake. You can observe wild swans here between October and April!
2. Nature view spots
Hokkaido is blessed with endless breathtaking landscapes across the region. Lakes, waterfalls, forest paths - many view spots are open for the public for free!
In Eastern Hokkaido, you can access many view spots for free, including Lake Mashu Observatories, Bihoro Pass overlooking Lake Kussharo, and Oshinkoshin Waterfall in Shiretoko.
3. Flower fields
Hokkaido is also renowned for its beautiful flower fields, taking advantage of the vast landscapes. While many of them charge an entrance fee to keep the fields running, there are some flower fields you can visit for free.
In Eastern Hokkaido, Abashiri and its nearby areas offer several nice spots, such as a colorful flower field run by local communities, Hanatento (June to October), wild white skunk cabbage fields (April-May), red glasswort field in Lake Notoro (August to September), and a sunflower field near Memanbetsu Airport.
3 Cheap Things to Do in Hokkaido - Less Than 1,000 yen ($8)
1. Museums and aquariums
If you're looking to save some dough on your trip, check out some museums and aquariums. Many of them are run by municipalities or other public entities, which means they're quite affordable to visit. Perfect for a family trip, these spots are filled with fun and educational activities that kids will love.
Eastern Hokkaido has a number of kid-friendly museums and aquariums, such as Drift Ice Museum in Abashiri (770 yen), Kitano Daichi Aquarium in Onneyu (670 yen), Seal Protection Center in Mombetsu (200 yen).
2. Hot springs
Did you know that hot springs (onsen) are not only in those fancy, luxurious resort hotels? There are many stand-alone onsen places where you can just drop in and take a bath for 500-800 yen ($4-7). Local people like going there on weekends with family and friends.
Body soap, shampoo, and conditioner are often provided. Many places rent towels for a few bucks - don’t forget to bring yours if you have one!
3. Flower parks
Flower parks in Hokkaido are quite affordable to get in. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore colorful fields without spending a dime!
For example, Eastern Hokkaido is home to Shiba Sakura Park in Higashi Mokoto (500 yen, May to June), Lily Park in Koshimizu (600 yen, July to August), and Cosmos Park in Engaru (400 yen, August to October).
THAT’S ALL!
Hope you enjoyed this article. I’d love to hear from you, whether it’s feedback or questions - Reach out to me on my Facebook page or Instagram.
NEED ADVICE ON YOUR TRIP PLAN?
I’M HERE TO HELP YOU!
I’ve been helping international travelers plan their dream trips to Hokkaido for years. I’d be happy to plan your itinerary with you for Eastern Hokkaido as well as other regions.
Check out what you can ask me & why you should plan with a local expert like me.
