In an ideal world, we would have as much time as possible to explore new places. However, oftentimes, this isn’t possible. While there is so much to see in Hokkaido, if you’ve made a quick trip to Sapporo and find yourself short of time, it doesn’t mean you just need to stay there. From hiking to visiting onsens to even exploring flower fields, if you’re looking for a bit more to do, why not check out one of these day trips to take?
Admire the picturesque city of Otaru
The charming city of Otaru is located a short distance northwest of Sapporo, taking only a 30 minute train ride, and makes a wonderful location for a short day trip. Apart from admiring the area surrounding the historic Otaru Canal (you can even go for a canal cruise to fully take it all in), take a walk along Sakamichi Street, where you’ll find various shops with glasswares and music boxes, and also the confectionery shop LeTAO, famous for its decadent Japanese cheesecakes. It’s location next to the sea means that the seafood here is some of the freshest you can find!
Get in touch with nature at Shikotsu-Tōya National Park
This sprawling national park is named after the volcanic caldera lakes of Lake Shikotsu and Lake Tōya, and even includes the nearby onsen towns of Noboribetsu and Jozankei. Why not spend the day exploring the area, and head to an onsen to relax in the late afternoon before returning? Many hiking trails are available here for your walking pleasure, to fully appreciate the beauty of the surrounding areas. The best part is that the park is beautiful all year round, with a different beauty attached to each season, and in winter, there is the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, which features colorfully lit ice castles and monuments.
Go for a walk along Hell Valley in Noboribetsu
Part of the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, Noboribetsu is a town known for its natural hot springs, where you can also visit Jigokudani, also known as Hell Valley, its volcanic crater. It is named Hell Valley for a reason – volcanic gases seep from the surface of hellish rocks, heating the spring water which fills the towns’ hot springs. While the strong sulfur smell lingering in the air could be off-putting, the trails in Jigokudani are breathtaking (quite literally!) and are well-worth a visit.
Soak in an onsen in Jozankei
Located a bit closer to Sapporo, Jozankei is another hot spring resort town that is a good option if you’re looking to visit an onsen, but don’t want to fork out the money for a full ryokan experience. Here, the onsens are not guest-exclusive; you’ll find that most resorts offer day passes to visitors who are not looking to stay the night. If you’re there in spring, keep a lookout for the Keiryu Koibori, a display of about 400 carp streamers swimming in the sky of Jozankei.
Go skiing at Kokusai Ski Resort
Kokusai Ski Resort is connected directly to Sapporo by bus, and is only an hour away from the city. Due to its proximity, it makes an excellent option to Niseko Ski Resort, and is fantastic if you want to try your hand at skiing. It received plenty of powder snow and is popular with both local and international skiers. It can get crowded on weekends, so if you can, go on a weekday.
Visit the lavender fields of Tomita Farm
If it is summer, consider a day trip to the wonderful Farm Tomita. There is no better season to see lavender in full bloom. While originally a lavender farm, it now features a whole range of other flowers such as poppies and French marigolds, and the rows of different coloured flowers are a sight to behold. A variety of lavender-themed foods such as soft-serve are also available here as well! For a simple, fuss-free day trip, book your tickets through Native.
Spend a day exploring Shiroi Koibito Park
Okay, while technically still located in Sapporo, this place is big, and by big we mean chocolate factory, shop and museum all-in-one. You can easily spend half a day at this chocolate-themed park dedicated to Shiroi Koibito, a langues de chat biscuit with a chocolate centre that is perhaps one of the most ubiquitous Japanese souvenirs. Here, you can not only watch the chocolate making process but also have a hand at it yourself. Enjoy Shiroi Koibito-themed foods at the Ishiya Café, including their delicious white chocolate soft serve ice cream. Especially for those with kids, this makes a perfect stop on your trip.
