Five days: which city should get another night?
For an evening near the canal, stay one night in Otaru then move to Sapporo for three nights. For Hakodate’s night view, choose two nights each in Sapporo and Hakodate. The two-city itinerary arrives at New Chitose Airport and departs from Hakodate Airport. The Otaru–Sapporo garden visit requires an outdoor opening day between 29 April and 3 November.
Choose a 5 days, 4 nights itinerary
One night in Otaru and three in Sapporo
Walk around Otaru Canal into the evening and stay there on day 1. Move to Sapporo the next day, then visit the botanical garden and park on the remaining days.
One night in Otaru and three in Sapporo →5 days, 4 nights BTwo nights in Sapporo and two in Hakodate
Arrive at New Chitose Airport, stay two nights in Sapporo, then take Hokuto to Hakodate for two nights. Combine city walks and the canal with ship exhibitions, fort views and night scenery, flying out of Hakodate Airport.
Two nights in Sapporo and two in Hakodate →One night in Otaru and three in Sapporo
Walk around Otaru Canal into the evening and stay there on day 1. Move to Sapporo the next day, then visit the botanical garden and park on the remaining days.
Day 1 | Arrive in Otaru and stay near the canal
Arrive in Otaru, walk along the canal and stay overnight. If arrival timing allows, see gas lamps and warehouse lights in the evening. Move the walk to the following morning if you arrive late.
- New Chitose Airport Arrivals → JR signs in the Domestic Terminal
For an international arrival, complete immigration and baggage collection, then take the 2nd-floor walkway to the Domestic Terminal. For a domestic arrival, start by following JR signs inside your terminal.
- Domestic Terminal → New Chitose Airport Station on basement level 1
Follow JR signs down to New Chitose Airport Station on basement level 1. Travel between terminals and train waits are excluded from the train ride time.
- New Chitose Airport Station → JR Otaru Station
Choose an Airport train running directly to Otaru and get off at Otaru Station. Otherwise, change at Sapporo to an Otaru-bound train. Check stopping patterns and services with JR for your date.
JR official access and timetablesTrain services for your travel dateJR standard fares
- JR Otaru Station → Otaru Canal
Walk about 10 minutes from Otaru Station to the canal. If you leave the airport late, move the canal walk to the following morning.
- Otaru Canal and station area → Dinner → Otaru hotel
You won’t be catching an evening train to Sapporo, but finish dinner within your restaurant’s opening hours.
Hokkaido official tourism guideTrain services for your travel date
Move the canal walk to the following morning for a late arrival.
Day 2 | Move to Sapporo and explore the city centre
Walk along the canal in the morning if you missed it the previous day.
- Otaru Station → JR towards Sapporo → Sapporo Station
After a morning walk, return to Otaru Station and take JR towards Sapporo. You’ll stay in Sapporo from tonight.
- Sapporo Station → Namboku Line to Odori → TV Tower 3rd-floor tickets
Take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai, get off at Odori and leave towards exit 27. Walk at the park’s east end, buy a ticket at the tower’s 3rd-floor counter and see the city from the observation deck.
Subway route mapGetting thereAdmission and opening hoursSapporo tourism guide
- Odori Station → Namboku Line towards Asabu → Sapporo Station hotel
For a station-area hotel, take the Namboku Line towards Asabu one stop from Odori.
Stay three nights at the same Sapporo hotel from day 2. This itinerary does not return to your Otaru hotel.
Day 3 | Botanical garden on an opening day, then lunch in the city centre
- Sapporo Station or Odori hotel → Botanical garden main gate
The garden’s main gate is about 10 minutes on foot from JR Sapporo Station’s south exit. From an Odori hotel, walk about 10 minutes from Odori Station exit 2.
- Botanical garden → Main gate and lunch in the city centre
Take a morning walk when the outdoor garden is open. Leave through the main gate for lunch and a break in the city centre south of Sapporo Station. There is no restaurant inside the garden.
- City centre south of Sapporo Station → Same Sapporo hotel
After lunch, return to your booked hotel for a break, using its recommended exit and walking route.
Visit the outdoor garden on opening days between 29 April and 3 November. It closes in winter and the glasshouse is currently closed to the public. Visit the Clock Tower separately on the final morning. Swap the garden with the park on day 4 if it is closed.
Day 4 | Shiroi Koibito Park’s paid exhibitions
- Sapporo Station or Odori hotel → Tozai Line to Miyanosawa → ticket centre
From a Sapporo Station hotel, take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai to Odori and change to the Tozai Line towards Miyanosawa. Get off at the terminus, walk about 7 minutes to the park and buy paid-area admission at the ticket centre.
- Park paid area → Factory tour, exhibitions, optional activity and lunch
Explore the confectionery factory tour and exhibitions in the paid area, then have lunch. If you booked a confectionery-making activity, arrange the visit order around its time.
Admission and ticketsKorean guideShiroi Koibito Park official facilities and factory tour
- Shiroi Koibito Park → Miyanosawa Station
After your visit, return along the same route to Miyanosawa Station, about 7 minutes on foot.
- Miyanosawa Station → Odori Station and the same hotel
Take the Tozai Line towards Shin-Sapporo and get off at Odori. Return to your Odori hotel from there, or take the Namboku Line towards Asabu one more stop for a Sapporo Station hotel.
Day 5 | Clock Tower, then New Chitose Airport
Visit the Clock Tower on the final day, then travel to New Chitose Airport.
- Sapporo Station or Odori hotel → Odori Station’s City Hall-side exit → Clock Tower
From a Sapporo Station hotel, take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai one stop to Odori. Walk about 5 minutes from the City Hall-side exit to the Clock Tower and visit the interior after its 08:45 opening.
Subway route mapFacility’s station-exit guideClock Tower official admission: fees, opening and last entry
- Clock Tower → JR Sapporo Station
After your visit, head to JR Sapporo Station. Collect bags at your hotel first if stored there. From Odori, take the Namboku Line towards Asabu one stop; from the Sapporo Station area, walk to JR.
- JR Sapporo Station → New Chitose Airport Station and your terminal
Take an Airport train towards New Chitose Airport and get off at the terminus. Go up from basement level 1 to the Domestic Terminal. For an international flight, use the 2nd-floor walkway to reach Departures on the International Terminal’s 3rd floor.
JR official access and timetablesAirport JR access guideNew Chitose Airport official floor map, as of 2026-09-17
The Clock Tower opens at 08:45. Visit on the final morning only if airport travel time allows.
Included: Clock Tower, TV Tower, park paid area and botanical garden JPY 3,170 + airport to Otaru JPY 2,040 + Otaru to Sapporo JPY 800 + airport-bound train JPY 1,230
Extra: Flights, accommodation, meals, luggage storage, confectionery activities, shopping and Sapporo subway fares. Check the booking screen for final JR prices for your date and seat type. Airport JR uses non-reserved fares and excludes reserved-seat charges in car 4. Attraction costs use standard individual admission.
Changing overnight bases does not necessarily reduce JR fares. Visit the botanical garden on spring-to-autumn opening days. Skipping it in winter removes JPY 420 admission but leaves less sightseeing on day 3. The glasshouse is currently closed to the public and cannot replace it. For a five-day winter trip, choose another place for day 3 before selecting this itinerary.
Clock Tower official admission: fees, opening and last entryAdmission and opening hoursAdmission and ticketsHours and admissionJR official access and timetablesJR standard fares
Two nights in Sapporo and two in Hakodate
Arrive at New Chitose Airport, stay two nights in Sapporo, then take Hokuto to Hakodate for two nights. Combine city walks and the canal with ship exhibitions, fort views and night scenery, flying out of Hakodate Airport.
Day 1 | Arrive in Sapporo, then Clock Tower and TV Tower
See Clock Tower exhibitions and TV Tower views on day 1, then visit Otaru Canal on day 2. Move your base to Hakodate on day 3 and explore Mashumaru’s interior. See Goryokaku and the night view on day 4.
- New Chitose Airport Arrivals → JR signs in the Domestic Terminal
For an international arrival, complete immigration and baggage collection, then take the 2nd-floor walkway to the Domestic Terminal. For a domestic arrival, start by following JR signs inside your terminal.
- Domestic Terminal → New Chitose Airport Station on basement level 1
Follow JR signs down to New Chitose Airport Station on basement level 1. Travel between terminals and train waits are excluded from the train ride time.
- New Chitose Airport Station → JR Sapporo Station
Take an Airport train towards Sapporo and get off at Sapporo Station. Reserved seats add a seat charge to the non-reserved fare.
- Sapporo Station → Namboku Line to Odori → City Hall-side exit and Clock Tower
Take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai to Odori. Use the City Hall-side exit and walk about 5 minutes to the Clock Tower. Arrive before standard last admission at 17:00. Check official notices separately for evening-opening hours and accessible areas.
Subway route mapFacility’s station-exit guideClock Tower official admission: fees, opening and last entrySapporo Clock Tower official evening-opening notice
- Clock Tower and Odori Park → TV Tower 3rd-floor tickets and visit
Then walk through the park’s east end and buy an observation deck ticket at the TV Tower’s 3rd-floor counter.
Sapporo tourism guideAdmission and opening hoursGetting there
- Odori Station → Namboku Line towards Asabu → Sapporo Station hotel
Take the Namboku Line towards Asabu from Odori to your Sapporo Station hotel. Staying near the station makes reaching your limited express on day 3 easier.
Skip the Clock Tower interior on day 1 if you arrive too late for last admission. Day 2 is for Otaru; do not add sightseeing in both cities to that day.
Day 2 | Otaru Canal walk and lunch, then Sapporo
- Sapporo Station → JR Otaru Station
Take a JR train towards Otaru and get off at Otaru Station.
- Otaru Station → Canal walk and lunch
Walk about 10 minutes to the canal, then have lunch near the canal or station. A paid cruise is excluded.
- Otaru Station → JR Sapporo Station → station-area hotel
You’ll take the limited express to Hakodate the next day. Rather than staying late, take JR towards Sapporo from Otaru Station and return to your hotel to rest.
Day 3 | Hokuto to Hakodate and a Mashumaru visit
Travel to Hakodate on Hokuto and visit Mashumaru. Choose a train that leaves enough time to arrive and explore before last admission.
- Sapporo hotel → JR Sapporo Station
Go to Sapporo Station and confirm the departure time and platform for your reserved Hakodate-bound Hokuto. Allow for the walk from your hotel and getting to the platform.
- Sapporo Station → Reserved Hokuto → Hakodate Station
Board your reserved Hokuto to Hakodate and get off at Hakodate Station. The standard adult ordinary-car reserved-seat fare is JPY 9,770. All Hokuto seats are reserved, so choose the date-specific service and seat before boarding.
JR timetable, revised 2026-03-14Train services for your travel dateJR standard fares
- Hakodate Station → Waterfront northwest of the station → Mashumaru
Walk along the waterfront northwest of the station towards Mashumaru. The visitor entrance is about 4 minutes from the station. Allow extra time if going to your hotel first.
- Building beside Mashumaru → Stairs → 2nd-floor boarding entrance and visit
In the building beside the ivory-and-blue hull, take the stairs to the 2nd-floor boarding entrance and buy a ticket. Adult admission is JPY 500; last admission is 17:00 in April–October and 16:00 in November–March. There is no elevator, so this visit does not suit companions who cannot use stairs.
Station to boarding entranceAdmission, last entry and closures
- Mashumaru interior → Boarding stairs → waterfront northwest of the station
After the ship exhibits and wheelhouse, go back down the boarding stairs. Walk towards the station along the waterfront, with views of the hull.
- Waterfront northwest of the station → Dinner near Hakodate Station → hotel
Have dinner near Hakodate Station and return to your booked hotel. Finish the day around the station, as Goryokaku and the night view are planned for tomorrow.
Mashumaru is boarded by stairs. Skip it if stairs are difficult or you cannot arrive comfortably before last admission. Check ship inspection and temporary closure notices.
Day 4 | Goryokaku, then Hakodate’s night view
- Outside Hakodate Station → Goryokaku-koen-mae tram stop → tickets on the tower’s 1st floor
The three standard tram fares for station → Goryokaku-koen-mae → Jujigai → station total JPY 810. If using the JPY 800 day pass, buy it on your first ride. In the morning, take a tram towards Yunokawa to Goryokaku-koen-mae and walk about 10 minutes to the tower’s 1st-floor counter. Visit the observation deck for the star-shaped fort, then come back down.
Tram guideAccessAdmission and hoursTram fares, revised 2025-12-01Day pass
- Around Goryokaku → Lunch → tram to Jujigai
Have lunch nearby, then take a tram towards Yachigashira or Hakodate Dock-mae to Jujigai.
- Jujigai tram stop → Ropeway lower station
Walk uphill for about 10 minutes to the lower station. On suspension days, stay below and choose a harbour walk.
- Lower station, 1st floor → 3rd-floor boarding lobby
Buy a return ticket on the 1st floor and go to the 3rd-floor boarding lobby. Adult return tickets cost JPY 1,800; allow separately for ticketing and boarding queues.
- Lower station, 3rd floor → Summit observation deck
Take the ropeway to the summit station and see the city and sea from the observation deck. The ride takes about 3 minutes. Finish in time for the last downward ride and return tram.
- Summit station → Lower station
Take the ropeway down to the lower station. Leave time for queues rather than staying until just before the last ride.
- Lower station → Jujigai tram stop
Walk back down the hill along the same route to Jujigai tram stop.
- Jujigai tram stop → Hakodate Station and the same hotel
Take a tram towards Yunokawa, get off at Hakodate Station and return to your hotel. Use the same tram direction after the harbour walk on ropeway suspension days.
Check ropeway maintenance suspension dates in the attraction information below and official notices. If suspended, replace the summit visit with a harbour walk about 5 minutes towards the waterfront from Jujigai. Return on a tram towards Yunokawa from Jujigai.
Day 5 | Warehouses if time allows, then airport
Decide whether there’s time for Hakodate’s harbour warehouses before heading to the airport.
- Station-area hotel → Jujigai → warehouses
Take a tram towards Yachigashira or Hakodate Dock-mae from Hakodate Station, get off at Jujigai and walk about 5 minutes towards the waterfront. Warehouse shops open from 09:30; visit after that and plan shopping or meals around the time needed for airport travel.
Tram guideHakodate City tourism guideKanemori official partial facility closure in November 2026
- Jujigai tram stop → Tram towards Yunokawa → Hakodate Station
Return to Jujigai, take a tram towards Yunokawa and get off at Hakodate Station. Collect bags stored at your hotel first, then go to airport-bound stop 3 outside the station.
- Stop 3 outside Hakodate Station → Express route 8 → Hakodate Airport
Take the airport-bound express route 8 selected for your date. The direct ride takes about 25 minutes and costs JPY 500 for adults. Allow separately for waiting, traffic delays and airline procedures.
Hakodate Bus: station to airportStation stop official timetable
- After arriving at Hakodate Airport → Your booked airline’s departure counter
Follow airport departure signs to your airline’s counter. Follow the airline’s date-specific deadlines for check-in, baggage drop, security and international departure immigration.
Check with: your airline’s airport counter and departure-procedure deadlines
Warehouse shops open from 09:30. Skip the visit if the return trip won’t fit your airport bus. Removing the tram return journey that day reduces the subtotal by JPY 500.
Included: Clock Tower, TV Tower, Mashumaru, Goryokaku Tower and return ropeway JPY 5,050 + three JR journeys JPY 12,600 + one-way express route 8 JPY 500 + tram day pass JPY 800 + departure-day return trams JPY 500
Extra: Flights, accommodation, meals, luggage storage, shopping and Sapporo subway fares. Check final JR prices on the booking screen for your date and seat type. Airport JR uses non-reserved fares and excludes reserved-seat charges in car 4. Attraction costs use standard individual admission.
JR costs combine airport to Sapporo JPY 1,230, return Otaru travel JPY 1,600 and one-way Hokuto JPY 9,770. Keeping the listed transport but skipping the ropeway gives a subtotal of JPY 17,650 per adult. The displayed subtotal uses express route 8. After checking actual services, stops and applicable dates, switching to the shuttle adds JPY 200 for each one-way journey replaced.
Clock Tower official admission: fees, opening and last entryAdmission and opening hoursAdmission, last entry and closuresAdmission and hoursFares and hoursJR official access and timetablesJR standard faresTrain services for your travel dateAirport guideDay passTram fares, revised 2025-12-01Official suspension noticeHakodate Bus: station to airport
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay to visit both Sapporo and Hakodate?
The two-city itinerary stays two nights in Sapporo, takes Hokuto to Hakodate and stays two nights there. Flying out of Hakodate Airport avoids returning to New Chitose. Choose your date-specific Hokuto service and reserved seat before boarding. A return day trip from Sapporo for Hakodate’s night view is not included.
JR official access and timetablesTrain services for your travel dateAirport guideHakodate Bus: station to airportStation stop official timetable
Is the Hakodate tram day pass always cheaper?
The adult day pass is JPY 800. A return journey between the station and Jujigai is JPY 500, and between the station and Goryokaku-koen-mae is JPY 540, so ordinary fares cost less for either return journey alone. On a day combining Goryokaku and the night view, station → Goryokaku-koen-mae → Jujigai → station costs JPY 810, making the pass JPY 10 cheaper.
Is a JR pass cheaper for the Sapporo–Hakodate itinerary?
The two-night Sapporo, two-night Hakodate itinerary totals JPY 12,600 in JR fares. With no extra JR journeys, these ordinary tickets cost less than the advance-purchase JPY 22,000 five-day Hokkaido Rail Pass. Pass coverage for Hokuto and whether buying it saves money are separate questions. Secure a reserved seat before boarding Hokuto. City subway, tram, airport bus, ropeway and attraction fees are separate from the pass. Recheck ordinary fares and seat conditions for your date.
JR Hokkaido official guideJR standard faresTrain services for your travel dateDay passAirport guide
Official sources and dates checked
- Official suspension notice ·
- Sapporo tourism guide ·
- Admission and opening hours ·
- Getting there ·
- Facility’s station-exit guide ·
- Admission and tickets ·
- Korean guide ·
- Access ·
- Hours and admission ·
- Main gate and access ·
- Hokkaido official tourism guide ·
- JR standard fares ·
- Admission and hours ·
- Access ·
- Tram fares, revised 2025-12-01 ·
- Fares and hours ·
- Access map ·
- Lower station floor guide ·
- Hakodate City tourism guide ·
- Admission, last entry and closures ·
- Station to boarding entrance ·
- Facility’s same-day notices ·
- JR official access and timetables ·
- Airport JR access guide ·
- Subway route map ·
- Airport guide ·
- Tram guide ·
- JR timetable, revised 2026-03-14 ·
- Train services for your travel date ·
- JR Hokkaido official guide ·
- Day pass ·
- Clock Tower official admission: fees, opening and last entry ·
- Kanemori official partial facility closure in November 2026 ·
- Hakodate Bus: station to airport ·
- Station stop official timetable ·
- New Chitose Airport official floor map, as of 2026-09-17 ·
- Shiroi Koibito Park official facilities and factory tour ·
- Sapporo Clock Tower official evening-opening notice ·