Where should you spend the extra night on a five-day trip?
For an evening by the canal, stay one night in Otaru, then move to Sapporo for three nights. To see Hakodate’s night view, choose two nights each in Sapporo and Hakodate. The two-city route arrives at New Chitose Airport and departs from Hakodate Airport. The Otaru–Sapporo route’s garden visit requires an outdoor opening day between 29 April and 3 November.
Choose a 4 nights, 5 days itinerary
One night in Otaru and three in Sapporo
Spend the first day and evening around Otaru Canal and stay overnight. Move your hotel to Sapporo the next day, then visit the Botanic Garden and park on the remaining days.
One night in Otaru and three in Sapporo →4 nights, 5 days 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 sights and the canal with a ship exhibition, fort views and the night view, departing from Hakodate Airport.
Two nights in Sapporo and two in Hakodate →One night in Otaru and three in Sapporo
Spend the first day and evening around Otaru Canal and stay overnight. Move your hotel to Sapporo the next day, then visit the Botanic Garden and park on the remaining days.
Day 1 | Arrive in Otaru for a canal walk and overnight stay
Arrive in Otaru, walk along the canal and stay overnight. If arrival time allows, see the evening scene with gas lamps and warehouse lighting. After a late arrival, move the walk to the next morning.
- New Chitose Airport arrivals hall → JR signs in the domestic terminal
For an international arrival, complete immigration and baggage collection, then take the 2nd-floor connecting passage to the domestic terminal. For a domestic arrival, start by following the JR signs inside your terminal.
- Domestic terminal → New Chitose Airport Station, basement level 1
Follow JR signs down to New Chitose Airport Station on basement level 1. Travel between terminals and waiting for trains are excluded from the ride time.
- New Chitose Airport Station → JR Otaru Station
Choose a direct Airport train to Otaru and get off at Otaru Station. If your train is not direct, change at Sapporo for Otaru. Check JR for the services and stops on your date.
Official JR access and timetablesTrain and service information for your travel dateStandard JR fares
- JR Otaru Station → Otaru Canal
Walk about 10 minutes from Otaru Station to the canal. If you leave the airport late, you can walk along the canal the next morning.
- Otaru Canal and station area → Dinner → Otaru hotel
You do not need to catch an evening train to Sapporo, but finish dinner within your restaurant’s opening hours.
Official Hokkaido tourism guideTrain and service information for your travel date
After a late arrival, move the canal walk to the next morning.
Day 2 | Move to Sapporo and explore the city centre
If you missed the canal the previous day, walk there in the morning.
- Otaru Station → JR towards Sapporo → Sapporo Station
After your morning walk, return to Otaru Station and take a Sapporo-bound JR train. From today, you stay in Sapporo.
- Sapporo Station → Namboku Line to Odori → TV Tower tickets on the 3rd floor
Take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai, get off at Odori and leave towards entrance 27. Walk through the east side of the park and buy a ticket on the TV Tower’s 3rd floor. Enjoy the city view from the deck, then come back down.
Subway route mapGetting thereFees and opening hoursSapporo tourism guide
- Odori Station → Namboku Line towards Asabu → Sapporo Station hotel
For your station-area hotel, take the Namboku Line one stop towards Asabu from Odori.
Stay at the same Sapporo hotel for three nights from day 2. This itinerary does not return to your Otaru hotel.
Day 3 | Botanic Garden on an open day, then city-centre lunch
- Sapporo Station or Odori hotel → Botanic Garden main gate
The garden’s main gate is about a 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station’s south exit, or about 10 minutes from Odori Station exit 2 if you are staying in Odori.
- Botanic Garden → Main gate and lunch in the city centre
Take a morning walk on an outdoor opening day. Leave through the main gate and have 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 → Your Sapporo hotel
After lunch, return to your hotel for a break. Use its recommended exit and walking route.
Visit the outdoor Botanic Garden on open days between 29 April and 3 November. In winter the outdoor garden closes, and the glasshouse is currently closed to visitors. The Clock Tower is a separate visit on the final morning. If the garden is closed, swap it with the park on day 4.
Day 4 | Paid exhibitions at Shiroi Koibito Park
- Sapporo Station or Odori hotel → Tozai Line to Miyanosawa → ticket centre
From a Sapporo Station hotel, take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai to Odori, then change to the Tozai Line towards Miyanosawa. Get off at the final stop, walk about 7 minutes to the park and buy admission to the paid area at the ticket centre.
- Park’s paid area → Factory tour, exhibitions, optional activity and lunch
Explore the confectionery factory and exhibitions in the paid area, then have lunch. If you booked a confectionery-making activity, arrange the visit around your activity time.
Fees and ticketsKorean visitor guideOfficial Shiroi Koibito Park facility list and factory tour
- Shiroi Koibito Park → Miyanosawa Station
After your visit, walk back the same way to Miyanosawa Station, about 7 minutes away.
- Miyanosawa Station → Odori Station and your hotel
Take the Tozai Line towards Shin-Sapporo and get off at Odori. Return to your hotel there, or continue one stop towards Asabu on the Namboku Line for a Sapporo Station hotel.
Day 5 | Clock Tower, then New Chitose Airport
On the last day, visit the Clock Tower before travelling to New Chitose Airport.
- Sapporo Station or Odori hotel → Odori Station exit towards City Hall → Clock Tower
From a Sapporo Station hotel, take the Namboku Line one stop towards Makomanai to Odori. Walk about 5 minutes from the City Hall-side exit to the Clock Tower and visit the indoor exhibition after it opens at 08:45.
Subway route mapFacility’s station exit informationOfficial Clock Tower admission, fees, opening and closing times
- Clock Tower → JR Sapporo Station
After your visit, head to JR Sapporo Station, collecting any bags at your hotel first. From Odori, take the Namboku Line one stop towards Asabu. From the Sapporo Station area, walk to JR.
- JR Sapporo Station → New Chitose Airport Station and your departure terminal
Take an Airport train to New Chitose Airport and get off at the final stop. Go up from basement level 1 to the domestic terminal. For an international departure, use the 2nd-floor connecting passage and continue to departures on the international terminal’s 3rd floor.
Official JR access and timetablesAirport guide to JR accessOfficial New Chitose Airport floor maps · as of 2026-09-17
The Clock Tower opens at 08:45. Visit on the final morning only if there is enough time for the airport journey.
Included: Clock Tower, TV Tower, park’s paid area and Botanic Garden: JPY 3,170 + airport to Otaru: JPY 2,040 + Otaru to Sapporo: JPY 800 + airport-bound journey: JPY 1,230
Extra costs: The subtotal excludes flights, accommodation, meals, luggage storage, confectionery activities, shopping and Sapporo subway fares. Check final JR prices for your visit date and seat type on the booking page. Airport JR costs use non-reserved seats; the supplement for reserved seats in car 4 is excluded. Attraction costs use standard separate tickets.
Changing your overnight base does not necessarily make JR fares cheaper. Visit the Botanic Garden on an open day from spring to autumn. Skipping it in winter removes JPY 420 in admission, but leaves less sightseeing on day 3. The glasshouse is currently closed to visitors, so it is not a replacement. For a five-day winter trip, choose another day-3 destination before selecting this route.
Official Clock Tower admission, fees, opening and closing timesFees and opening hoursFees and ticketsHours and feesOfficial JR access and timetablesStandard JR 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 sights and the canal with a ship exhibition, fort views and the night view, departing from Hakodate Airport.
Day 1 | Arrive in Sapporo for the Clock Tower and TV Tower
See the Clock Tower exhibition and TV Tower view on day 1, then visit Otaru Canal on day 2. Move to Hakodate on day 3 and explore inside Mashu-maru. On day 4, enjoy Goryokaku’s views and the night scenery.
- New Chitose Airport arrivals hall → JR signs in the domestic terminal
For an international arrival, complete immigration and baggage collection, then take the 2nd-floor connecting passage to the domestic terminal. For a domestic arrival, start by following the JR signs inside your terminal.
- Domestic terminal → New Chitose Airport Station, basement level 1
Follow JR signs down to New Chitose Airport Station on basement level 1. Travel between terminals and waiting for trains are excluded from the ride time.
- New Chitose Airport Station → JR Sapporo Station
Take an Airport train towards Sapporo and get off at Sapporo Station. Choosing a reserved seat adds a seat supplement to the non-reserved fare.
- Sapporo Station → Namboku Line to Odori → City Hall-side exit and Clock Tower
Take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai, get off at Odori and leave towards City Hall. Walk about 5 minutes to the Clock Tower. Arrive before regular last admission at 17:00. Check separate official notices for hours and areas open on evening-opening dates.
Subway route mapFacility’s station exit informationOfficial Clock Tower admission, fees, opening and closing timesOfficial Sapporo Clock Tower evening-opening notice
- Clock Tower and Odori Park → TV Tower tickets on the 3rd floor and observation deck
Then walk through the park’s east side, buy an observation deck ticket on the TV Tower’s 3rd floor and visit the deck.
- Odori Station → Namboku Line towards Asabu → Sapporo Station hotel
Return from Odori on the Namboku Line towards Asabu to your Sapporo Station hotel. A base near Sapporo Station makes it easier to catch the limited express on day 3.
After a late arrival that misses the Clock Tower’s last admission, skip the interior. Day 2 is for Otaru, so do not add sightseeing in both cities to that day.
Day 2 | Otaru Canal and lunch, then back to 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 will take a limited express to Hakodate tomorrow. Rather than staying late, take a Sapporo-bound JR train from Otaru and return to your hotel to rest.
Day 3 | Hokuto to Hakodate and a Mashu-maru visit
Travel to Hakodate on Hokuto, then visit Mashu-maru. Choose a train that arrives with enough time to visit before last admission.
- Sapporo hotel → JR Sapporo Station
Go to Sapporo Station and check the departure time and platform for your reserved Hokuto to Hakodate. Allow time for the walk from the hotel and reaching the platform.
- Sapporo Station → Your reserved Hokuto → Hakodate Station
Take your reserved Hakodate-bound Hokuto and get off at Hakodate Station. The standard ordinary-car reserved-seat fare is JPY 9,770 for an adult. Hokuto has reserved seats only, so choose your service and seat before boarding.
JR timetable · revised 2026-03-14Train and service information for your travel dateStandard JR fares
- Hakodate Station → Waterfront northwest of the station → Mashu-maru
Walk along the waterfront northwest of the station to Mashu-maru. The visitor entrance is about 4 minutes from the station. Allow separate time if you stop at your hotel first.
- Building beside Mashu-maru → Stairs → 2nd-floor boarding entrance and visit
From the building beside the ivory and blue hull, climb the stairs to the boarding entrance on the 2nd floor and buy a ticket. Adult admission is JPY 500. Last admission is 17:00 from April to October and 16:00 from November to March. There is no lift, so this visit does not suit companions who cannot use the stairs.
Station-to-boarding-entrance routeFees, last admission and closures
- Inside Mashu-maru → Boarding stairs → waterfront northwest of the station
After seeing the onboard exhibitions and wheelhouse, descend the same boarding stairs. Walk back towards the station along the waterfront, with a view of the hull.
Facility notices for the dayStation-to-boarding-entrance route
- Waterfront northwest of the station → Dinner near Hakodate Station → hotel
Have dinner near Hakodate Station and return to your hotel. You will see Goryokaku and the night view tomorrow, so finish today around the station.
Facility notices for the dayStation-to-boarding-entrance route
Mashu-maru is boarded by stairs. Skip the interior if stairs are difficult or you cannot arrive with enough time before last admission. Also check ship inspection and temporary closure notices.
Day 4 | Goryokaku, then Hakodate’s night view
- Outside Hakodate Station → Goryokaku-koen-mae tram stop → tower’s 1st-floor tickets
The three standard tram fares for Hakodate Station → Goryokaku-koen-mae → Jujigai → Hakodate Station total JPY 810. If using a JPY 800 one-day pass, buy it on your first ride. In the morning, take a tram towards Yunokawa to Goryokaku-koen-mae, walk about 10 minutes and buy a ticket at the tower’s 1st-floor counter. Enjoy the star-shaped fort from the deck, then come back down.
Tram guideAccessFees and hoursTram fares · revised 2025-12-01One-day pass
- Goryokaku area → Lunch → tram to Jujigai
After lunch nearby, 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 ropeway station. On suspension days, choose a harbour walk without making the ascent.
- Lower station, 1st floor → Boarding lobby, 3rd floor
Buy a return ticket on the 1st floor and go to the 3rd-floor boarding lobby. An adult return costs JPY 1,800; allow extra time for tickets and boarding queues.
- Lower station, 3rd floor → Summit observation deck
Take the ropeway to the summit station and enjoy city and sea views from the deck. The ride takes about 3 minutes. Finish in time for the last descent and your 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 descent.
- Lower station → Jujigai tram stop
Follow the same route downhill to Jujigai tram stop.
- Jujigai tram stop → Hakodate Station and your hotel
Take a tram towards Yunokawa, get off at Hakodate Station and return to your hotel. Use the same tram direction after a harbour walk on ropeway suspension days.
Check ropeway maintenance closures in the attraction information below and official notices. During a suspension, replace the summit with a harbour walk, about 5 minutes from Jujigai towards the waterfront. Return on a Yunokawa-bound tram from Jujigai.
Day 5 | Warehouses if time allows, then the airport
Decide whether to visit Hakodate’s harbour warehouses before travelling to the airport.
- Station-area hotel → Jujigai → warehouses
Take a tram from Hakodate Station towards Yachigashira or Hakodate-Dock-mae, get off at Jujigai and walk towards the waterfront for about 5 minutes. Warehouse shops open from 09:30. Plan shopping and meals around the time needed for airport travel.
Tram guideHakodate City tourism guideOfficial Kanemori partial closures 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 any bags stored at your hotel before going to airport-bound bus stop 3 outside the station.
- Stop 3 outside Hakodate Station → Rapid route 8 → Hakodate Airport
Take the airport-bound Rapid route 8 service chosen for your travel date. The direct ride takes about 25 minutes and costs JPY 500 for an adult. Allow separate time for waiting, road delays and airline formalities.
Hakodate Bus: station to airportOfficial station-front bus-stop timetable
- After arriving at Hakodate Airport → Your airline’s departure counter
Follow departures signs to your airline’s counter. Follow the airline’s guidance for your travel date on deadlines for check-in, baggage drop, security and international departure immigration.
Check with: your airline’s airport counter and check-in deadline information
Warehouse shops open at 09:30. Skip the visit if the return journey would not fit your airport bus. Removing that day’s return tram journey reduces the subtotal by JPY 500.
Included: Clock Tower, TV Tower, Mashu-maru, Goryokaku Tower and return ropeway: JPY 5,050 + three JR journeys: JPY 12,600 + Rapid route 8 one-way: JPY 500 + tram one-day pass: JPY 800 + departure-day return trams: JPY 500
Extra costs: The subtotal excludes flights, accommodation, meals, luggage storage, shopping and Sapporo subway fares. Check final JR prices for your date and seat type on the booking page. Airport JR costs use non-reserved seats; the supplement for reserved seats in car 4 is excluded. Attraction costs use standard separate tickets.
JR costs comprise airport to Sapporo JPY 1,230, Otaru return JPY 1,600 and one-way Hokuto JPY 9,770. Without the ropeway, using the same transport above, the subtotal is JPY 17,650 for one adult. The listed subtotal uses Rapid route 8. If you switch to the shuttle after checking the actual service, boarding stop and applicable date, add JPY 200 per one-way shuttle journey.
Official Clock Tower admission, fees, opening and closing timesFees and opening hoursFees, last admission and closuresFees and hoursFares and timesOfficial JR access and timetablesStandard JR faresTrain and service information for your travel dateAirport guideOne-day passTram fares · revised 2025-12-01Official service suspension noticeHakodate Bus: station to airport
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay to visit both Sapporo and Hakodate?
The two-city route stays two nights in Sapporo, takes Hokuto to Hakodate and stays two nights there. Departing from Hakodate Airport avoids returning to New Chitose. Choose your Hokuto service and reserved seat before boarding. This plan does not include a same-day return from Sapporo for Hakodate’s night view.
Official JR access and timetablesTrain and service information for your travel dateAirport guideHakodate Bus: station to airportOfficial station-front bus-stop timetable
Is a Hakodate tram one-day pass always cheaper?
An adult one-day pass costs JPY 800. A return between Hakodate Station and Jujigai costs JPY 500; between the station and Goryokaku-koen-mae it costs JPY 540. Standard fares are cheaper for either return alone. For Goryokaku and the night view on one day, the three rides from the station to Goryokaku-koen-mae, then Jujigai, then back to the station total JPY 810, so the pass saves JPY 10.
Is a JR pass cheaper for the Sapporo–Hakodate route?
The two-night Sapporo and two-night Hakodate route has a JR subtotal of JPY 12,600. Without extra JR journeys, these individual tickets cost less than the advance-purchase JPY 22,000 five-day Hokkaido Rail Pass. Check pass coverage for Hokuto separately from whether buying it saves money. Secure a reserved seat before boarding Hokuto. City subways, trams, airport buses, the ropeway and attraction admission are additional costs. Recheck standard fares and seat conditions for your travel date.
Official JR Hokkaido informationStandard JR faresTrain and service information for your travel dateOne-day passAirport guide
Official sources and dates checked
- Official service suspension notice ·
- Sapporo tourism guide ·
- Fees and opening hours ·
- Getting there ·
- Facility’s station exit information ·
- Fees and tickets ·
- Korean visitor guide ·
- Access ·
- Hours and fees ·
- Main gate and access ·
- Official Hokkaido tourism guide ·
- Standard JR fares ·
- Fees and hours ·
- Access ·
- Tram fares · revised 2025-12-01 ·
- Fares and times ·
- Access map ·
- Lower ropeway station floor guide ·
- Hakodate City tourism guide ·
- Fees, last admission and closures ·
- Station-to-boarding-entrance route ·
- Facility notices for the day ·
- Official JR access and timetables ·
- Airport guide to JR access ·
- Subway route map ·
- Airport guide ·
- Tram guide ·
- JR timetable · revised 2026-03-14 ·
- Train and service information for your travel date ·
- Official JR Hokkaido information ·
- One-day pass ·
- Official Clock Tower admission, fees, opening and closing times ·
- Official Kanemori partial closures in November 2026 ·
- Hakodate Bus: station to airport ·
- Official station-front bus-stop timetable ·
- Official New Chitose Airport floor maps · as of 2026-09-17 ·
- Official Shiroi Koibito Park facility list and factory tour ·
- Official Sapporo Clock Tower evening-opening notice ·