Hokkaido Summer Road Trip: A 7-Day Itinerary for Nature Lovers
Planning a summer road trip in Hokkaido? Here’s my ultimate itinerary for you!
In this itinerary, we'll take you on a 7-day road trip through some of Hokkaido's most breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and unique cultural experiences.
A road trip in Hokkaido is the perfect way to explore all of these wonderful attractions on the island.
Let’s dive in!
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Hokkaido is a perfect summer road trip destination for those who love nature, outdoor activities, and delicious food.
This road trip itinerary features some of the best destinations in Hokkaido, including things to do and hotel recommendations. It is a “packed” itinerary for 7 days as Hokkaido is huge and has many destinations we don’t want to miss.
If you feel this itinerary is too busy, you can customize it by adding a few more days to some destinations and enjoy a more relaxing trip. It’s all up to you!
Furano is a picturesque town that's known for its stunning natural scenery. Its lavender fields, which bloom in the summer, attract visitors from all over the world. But Furano is more than just lavender - it's also home to local wineries, a hot air balloon ride over flower fields, and beautiful forests.
Itinerary for Day 1
Rent a car at New Chitose Airport and hit the road for the 140-kilometer, 2.5-hour drive to Furano.
Once you arrive in Furano, head straight to Tomita Farm, which is one of the town's most famous attractions. While the lavender fields are at their peak from mid-July to early August, you can enjoy a variety of colorful flowers at the farm from April to October!
In summer, you can’t miss Furano Melon. It’s a fresh, juicy local specialty. There are many melon farms where you can try a slice or buy a whole melon. Check out a local’s recommendations on this blog post.
For a relaxing evening stroll, head over to Ningle Terrace, a cozy log house village surrounded by a forest that's lit up with warm and cute lights. Here you can find locally-made crafts and accessories that make great souvenirs.
Blue Pond
Day 2 is all about a scenic drive from Furano to Asahikawa, with a stop in Biei along the way! Biei is renowned for some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region, with vibrant flower fields that make it a photographer's paradise.
Asahikawa is the second-largest city in Hokkaido and is famous for its food scene, with plenty of delicious local dishes to try.
Itinerary for Day 2
Head to Asahikawa, which is a 1.5-hour drive from Furano. Take your time and enjoy the scenic drive, as there are several beautiful roads with vast fields and forests along the way.
Make a stop at Shikisai no Oka in Biei, a stunning flower garden with colorful stripes over a hill. There are several farm restaurants in the area that make for a perfect lunch break.
After lunch, visit the famous Blue Pond, which is a 20-minute drive away from Shikisai no Oka. Its stunning blue color is the result of natural minerals in the water, making for a unique and memorable experience.
In Asahikawa, one of the main attractions is Asahiyama Zoo, which is known for its unique way of presenting how animals live in nature. Be sure to secure at least 2 hours to explore the zoo and see the animals up close. For dinner, head to a local restaurant to try Asahikawa shoyu ramen, a popular local specialty.
Where to stay in Asahikawa
HOTEL AMANEK Asahikawa
⭐4 stars, ✨Modern Design, 🏢Excellent Location
A newly-built modern hotel located 5 min walk from JR Asahikawa offering a public bath with a viewDormy Inn Asahikawa
⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Breakfast
A city hotel located 10 min walk from JR Asahikawa, with a natural hot spring and great breakfast buffet
Milky Way Waterfall
Day 3 is a road trip from Asahikawa to Abashiri, so it's best to set off early in the morning as there are several must-see attractions along the way. You might even want to consider spending an extra night in Abashiri to explore the local museums and savor the fresh seafood.
Itinerary for Day 3
There are a few recommended stops on the way. Take the Sounkyo Ropeway to the top of Mount Kurodake, 1,300 meters above sea level, and enjoy breathtaking mountain views. In autumn, the valley is a beautiful display of autumn colors from September to October.
Just a five-minute drive from the ropeway station, Ginga no Taki (Milky Way Waterfall) is a viewpoint that offers a stunning view of two waterfalls that fall from a height of 120 meters.
If you're traveling in May, make a detour to the Shiba Sakura Park in Higashi Mokoto. You'll be amazed by the hills that are covered in pink with little Shiba Sakura flowers.
If you have the time, rent a bicycle from the Wakka Nature Center in Saroma and take a ride through the nature reserve. On a sunny day, you can enjoy a stunning sunset over Lake Saroma.
After a long day of driving, unwind and relax at an onsen hotel in Abashiri.
Where to stay in Abashiri
Hokuten no Oka Abashiriko Tsuruga Resort
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Buffet
A relaxing onsen resort hotel featuring the Ainu art in its well-designed interiorKagariya
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Buffet
An onsen ryokan with a lake view, offering seafood Kaiseki dinner and breakfast.Dormy Inn Abashiri
⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring
A budget business hotel with 7-eleven nearby
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On Day 4, take a leisurely 1.5-hour drive from Abashiri to Utoro in Shiretoko along the beautiful Okhotsk Sea. As a designated World Nature Heritage site, Shiretoko offers unparalleled opportunities to experience the rich and untouched nature of Hokkaido.
Itinerary for Day 4
Start your day with a stop at Uminoba, a charming cafe with an ocean view located just a 10-minute drive from Abashiri's city center. Browse through their wide range of local souvenirs, including sweets, snacks, cooking ware, and T-shirts.
Next, head to Shari and visit the Road to Heaven, an iconic photo spot that can only be reached by car. Enjoy the scenic drive and take plenty of photos!
Once you arrive in Shiretoko, embark on a Nature Cruise to observe the local wildlife, including bears and dolphins.
If you like hiking, the Shiretoko five-lake trail is for you. This is one of the most popular activities in Shiretoko that you should definitely try. You will enjoy Shiretoko’s untouched nature with incredible views of lakes and mountains. There are three different routes to accommodate any physical level. Since the National Park is also home to wild brown bears, it is required to book a guided tour or to get a safety briefing at the Shiretoko Nature Center, depending on the season.
Protected walkway (a 1.6-km round trip) - An easy-to-walk pathway protected from wild bears with high-voltage wires, passing the first lake only. No guide required. Accessible all year around.
Small loop route (1.6 km) - A trail going through the forest and viewing the first and second lakes. Guided tour required from May to July. Safety briefing required for a self-guided walk from August to November.
Big loop route (3 km)- includes all five lakes for the best experience. Safety requirement is the same as the small loop.
You can get detailed information on the Five-Lake official website.
Option: ONE Day trip to Rausu
If you can spend another day in Shiretoko, why not add Rausu? Rausu is another small port town on the other side of the peninsula from Utoro. The driveway between Utoro and Rausu is fantastic - crossing the peninsula for 27 km, you will see lush greenery and the beautiful Shiretoko mountain range and Mount Rausu. Once you get to Rausu, get on a nature cruise tour at 1 pm. The town is known for whale and dolphin watching, and summer is the best season for it!
Where to stay in Shiretoko
Kita Kobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
Located right in front of Utoro Port, offering deluxe room options with a private open-air hot spring.Hotel Kifu Club Shiretoko
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🛁Private Onsen, 🍴 Great Meals
A cozy family-run onsen hotel with an ocean viewRoute Inn Grantia Shiretoko Shari Ekimae
⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Breakfast Buffet Available
An affordable stay near JR Shari station with a natural hot spring and free breakfast
Day 5 involves a 2.5-hour drive from Shiretoko to Akan, a charming onsen town situated on the shores of Lake Akan. Akan is known for its Ainu culture and offers opportunities to learn about the culture and history, and see traditional crafts.
Itinerary for Day 5
Take a quick stop at Oshinkoshin Waterfalls, a stunning waterfall located near Utoro. The viewpoint offers a great photo opportunity, and just 20 minutes is enough time to spend here.
There are a few things to do in Akan. Here are for you to pick and choose!
Lake Akan Cruise: A leisurely cruise around Lake Akan for 80 min. It includes a 15 minute-stop at an island on the lake for you to visit an exhibition of Marimo, green moss balls which Lake Akan is famous for.
Stroll through Ainu Kotan to explore local Ainu crafts and culture
Visit a theater to see traditional Ainu performances. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the town's many hot springs and savor some delicious local cuisine at your hotel.
Eco Museum Center: The center offers exhibits about nature in and around Akan, focusing on forests, lakes, and volcanos.
Bokke Walk: Starting from the Eco Museum Center, a 1.5 km loop path to Bokke, a mud volcano steaming from underground, which is a unique nature phenomena in this area.
Mount Hakuto Observatory Hike: A 4-km round trip (2-2.5 hours) with a beautiful lake & mountain view. I did this trail two years ago and loved it! The first part of the trail, which is on a ski slope during winter, is a little steep and the most challenging section of the trail. After that, it goes into a forest up to the observatory with a rewarding summit view.
Where to stay in Akan
Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza
⭐4 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍷Fine Dining
All 25 rooms come with a private hot spring with a beautiful lake view.Akan Yuku no Sato
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
A long-established hotel run by a local company, having been listed in Michelin Guide Hokkaido.Akan No Mori Tsuruga Resort Hana Yuuka
⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Buffet, ♨️Hot Spring
A cozy lake-side onsen hotel offering delicious buffet meals with various options
Suggestion #1: ONE Day triP to Lake Kussharo Area
If you have one more day to spend here, I would recommend making a day trip to the Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu area, which is just one hour by car from Akan. I call this area “a bonus area” because there are diverse nature sites in ONE AREA - lakes, mountains, a volcano, and hot springs - in ONE DAY! Check out my one-day itinerary that I shared on my weekly newsletter.
Suggestion #2: A Coastal Road trip in Eastern Hokkaido
If you have a few more days you could spend, head to the Notsuke Peninsula on the east coast of Hokkaido from Akan and spend a night there. This is a lesser-known area of Eastern Hokkaido, but offers beautiful, untouched nature.
Hit the road along the coast, stopping by some panorama-view capes (detailed itinerary here — Check Day 2 and Day 3). Then you can spend another night in Kushiro, which is 2 hours away to Obihiro to continue to Day 6 of this itinerary below.
Day 6 involves a 2-hour drive from Akan to Obihiro. Obihiro is a lesser-known destination among international travelers, but it is a gourmet paradise that is worth a visit. Located in the fertile Tokachi Plain, it is known for its fresh, locally grown produce, including grilled pork rice bowl, delightful sweets, and local wines.
Itinerary for Day 6
Begin the day by visiting Lake Onneto, a hidden gem that is a 20-minute drive from Akan. This tranquil lake is surrounded by a forest and offers stunning views of the mountains and the water.
After that, drive for 1.5 hours to Naitai Farm, a scenic viewpoint that overlooks the Tokachi Plain. You can have lunch at the terrace restaurant there and try local dishes such as burgers, beef curry, and roast beef made with Tokachi beef.
Next, head to Obihiro, a food lover's paradise. Enjoy local specialties such as Butadon, a grilled pork rice bowl, and Hokkaido sweets from famous brands like Rokkatei and Ryugetsu. There are also many local bakeries proud of using 100% wheat sourced in the region - check out my reccomendations here. Don't miss the chance to explore the local food stall village and try some street food.
Where to stay in Obihiro
Sanyoan
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🧡Amazing Hospitality
A luxury spa resort offering a relaxing stay and excellent services in Tokachigawa OnsenHotel Grand Terrace Obihiro
⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location,🍴Breakfast Buffet
A convenient city hotel located near JR Obihiro StationHotel Nupka
⭐2 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ✨Modern Design
A simple, budget hotel with complimentary breakfast, located near the station.
On Day 7, you have the option to either drive from Obihiro for 3 hours to Sapporo and spend a few days there if you like, or drive for 2.5 hours to New Chitose Airport to catch your flight back home.
Itinerary for Day 7
If you are an early riser, you can start your day with a 1.5-hour drive from Obihiro to Unkai Terrace. This scenic spot offers stunning views of a "sea of clouds" when the weather conditions are right. Even without the clouds, you can still enjoy the cafe, bar, and walks with amazing views.
Before reaching Sapporo or heading to the airport, you might want to make a quick stop at the Mitsui Outlet Park if you enjoy shopping. This outlet mall offers a wide variety of brands at discounted prices.
THAT’S ALL!
Hope you enjoyed this 7-day Hokkaido road trip itinerary for nature lovers! If you like this article, join my Hokkaido Travel Newsletter to receive more tips & local news exclusive to my subscribers.
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