Hokkaido Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors (2026)
Hokkaido travel guide for first-time visitors: best time to visit, how to get to Sapporo from Tokyo, where to stay, top things to do, and seasonal tips for winter, summer, and autumn trips.
Best Things to Do in Sapporo: Complete City Guide for First-Time Visitors
Best things to do in Sapporo: Odori Park, Susukino nightlife, Sapporo Beer Garden, three ramen styles, where to stay, day trips to Otaru, and seasonal tips for first-time visitors.
Otaru Day Trip from Sapporo: Canal Town & Sushi Street Guide
Otaru day trip from Sapporo: how to get there by JR train, walking the canal, the best sushi restaurants on Sushi Street, glassblowing workshops, and the Snow Light Path Festival in winter.
Best Hokkaido Onsen Towns: Noboribetsu, Jozankei & Toyako Compared
Best Hokkaido onsen towns compared: Noboribetsu Hell Valley, Jozankei near Sapporo, and Lake Toya with volcano views. How to get there, where to stay, and onsen etiquette for first-time visitors.
Hokkaido Winter Activities: Skiing, Snow Festivals & Drift Ice Tours
Hokkaido winter guide: Niseko skiing, Sapporo Snow Festival, Abashiri drift ice cruises, hot springs, what to wear, and how to book a winter trip from December through March.