This is one of the most frequently asked questions from travelers. The rule of thumb here is - drive a car in summer if you can, and take public transportation in winter.

Driving a car would allow you to travel more flexibly and reach many places that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise. Especially in Hokkaido, it’s not difficult to drive - there’s no traffic, and the roads are wide (+ the views are amazing). I would recommend renting a car in summer or whenever there’s no snow, if you feel comfortable driving in a foreign country.

However, in winter, traveling by public transportation is strongly recommended, as driving on snow could be dangerous. Even locals make car accidents because of slippery, icy roads. Unless you are used to driving on snow back in your home country, taking public transportation would be a safe option.

Wondering if you can fully enjoy your trip on public transportation? No worries, I will walk you through how to travel in Hokkaido by public transportation in a bit!

Driving a car

Pros: More flexibility, time-saving
Cons: Rental and gas costs, difficult to drive in winter

Taking public transportation

Pros: budget-friendly, safer in winter
Cons: Longer travel time, less coverage than driving a car, limited schedule

Renting a Car in Hokkaido

Rental cars are available at all the airports and near major train stations in Hokkaido. Make sure to make an online booking in advance, especially in the high season. The average rental cost is 5,000-8,000 yen for 24 hours, depending on the company and the type of car you would like to get.

Pro Tip

🚗Want to pick up a car at one location and drop it off at a different place? Then look for big names, such as Toyota Rental Car, Nissan Rental Car, Orix Rental Car, etc. They allow you to do that with an additional fee.

🛣️ Using tollway a lot? Look into Hokkaido Expressway Pass to enjoy unlimited highway access. The price starts at 3,700 yen for 2 days up to 11,500 yen for 14 days.

If you want to rent a car cheaper, try to book as early as possible. The fees tend to increase as it gets closer to the travel date.

🚗Looking for a car rental?

Rentalcars.com compares prices of many well-known international & Japanese companies. If you want to rent from a company that is familiar with international travelers and offers comprehensive support services, take a look!
Klook covers big international names as well as Japanese local companies. Sometimes you will find cheaper prices from the local ones, so make sure to check it out.

5 Tips for driving in Hokkaido

Watch your speed - It’s easy to overspeed in the countryside in Hokkaido as there are many straight roads.
Watch out for wild animals - You might encounter dears and foxes crossing the road.
Fill up your gas whenever you can - There aren’t many gas stations, especially in the countryside.
Avoid driving at night - There aren’t many streetlights, so it could be very dark at night on the road.
Avoid driving in winter - for your safety!

✨TRAVEL TIP

Want to visit Hokkaido's best places wihtout driving? Join Guided One-Day Tours! They offer transportation from/to Sapporo. The popular destinations include Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and many more.

Check out my HOKKAIDO TRAVEL PLANNERS!

Get yours now

Public Transportation in Hokkaido

Train Network

JR Hokkaido runs across Hokkaido, providing essential transportation means for locals and visitors. The train network connects major cities in Hokkaido with express trains. They tend to be less affected by snow compared to buses, so it could be a more secure option in winter.

If you are planning to travel to Hokkaido from Tokyo, taking Shinkansen (bullet train) is also an option, instead of a flight. It’s comfortable and could be money-saving! Check out this blog post on how to take Shinkansen to Hokkaido for more details.

PRO TIP

🚆 Get JR Hokkaido Rail Pass to take unlimited rides across Hokkaido!

📍 Traveling just around Sapporo? Then Sapporo-Furano Area Pass or Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass are for you✨

💰 Save money by booking your pass online in advance - It's cheaper than buying in Japan!

Trains in the countryside operate much less often than in big cities, such as Sapporo and Asahikawa. Some lines run only a couple of times a day. Be sure to check the timetable and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Bus Network

The local bus network is well-connected across Hokkaido. They cover more destinations than trains, allowing you to reach more local places. There are different kinds of buses available - for example, sightseeing buses visiting major attractions in the area, and overnight buses traveling long distances at a reasonable price. You can choose the one that best fits your itinerary. Some buses require booking in advance - make sure to check their official website for detailed information.

Local buses are also convenient when exploring a city. For example, big cities like Sapporo, Kushiro, and Abashiri have a good intra-city network that allows you to get around easily. They are budget-friendly too - one ride costs around 200 yen only.

Check Out Free Passes

To make the most out of public transportation, make sure to check if a free pass is available in the area you are traveling to. JR Hokkaido offers different types of rail passes covering popular destinations, such as Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate. Local bus companies also have day passes that are quite convenient when you travel without a car.

Some free passes are available only during high seasons, often in summer and winter when there are more visitors in Hokkaido. Again, don’t forget to check the available period on their official website.

Taxi as an alternative

When neither train nor bus is available to reach somewhere in your mind, don’t just give up. You can always consider taking a taxi to get there. It would be a little pricy, but might be worth the cost.

You can visit a lot of tourist attractions in Hokkaido by public transportation, but it is also true that there are many beautiful places you can’t reach without a car. Always keep in mind that there’s an option to take a short taxi ride to cover the last mile!

✨TRAVEL TIP

Want to visit Hokkaido's best places wihtout driving? Join Guided One-Day Tours! They offer transportation from/to Sapporo. The popular destinations include Furano, Biei, Asahikawa, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and many more.

The Complete Public Transpiration Guide in Eastern Hokkaido

If you are thinking of traveling in Eastern Hokkaido by public transportation, this e-guidebook will provide you with a complete guide to public transportation in Eastern Hokkaido!

This is going to make your trip planning so much easier and save you weeks of research.

This e-guidebook gives you a comprehensive overview of the public transportation network in the region, free pass information, and 40 places you can visit by public transportation in 7 major destinations, including Abashiri, Shiretoko, Akan, Kushiro and more.

Get yours now!

What Do People Say About My Guidebook?

“This book is going to be our complete guide for our trip. It is packed with so many awesome tips and things that we never would have thought of. It really makes planning more fun than overwhelming as there is so much to do and see.”

— Kylie from the US

“Traveling in Eastern Hokkaido with local transportation will immerse your senses in its local life. This guidebook by Yuuka will help us visit great places in the region by train and bus!”

— Natalia from Indonesia

Grab the guidebook!