Sapporo–Otaru–Niseko Winter Itineraries
Sapporo winter festivals, food, and night views
Otaru’s romantic snowy canal and historical streets
Niseko’s world-class powder snow and onsen resorts
The Most Popular Winter Route in Hokkaido
The Sapporo–Otaru–Niseko winter route is the most famous and most traveled winter itinerary in Hokkaido. It combines:
This is the ideal region for first-time visitors, families, couples, and anyone who wants the ultimate Hokkaido winter experience.
Below are the top recommended 1-day, 2-day and 3–5 day winter itineraries, each suitable for different types of travelers.
If you need help arranging private tour in Hokkaido, you can use our trip planner! or contact us directly. Feel free to ask us any question, specially if it is your first time visiting Hokkaido.
Some places/events listed here may be unavailable to be visited due to unforeseen changes.
❄️ 1-Day Sapporo & Otaru Winter Plan
Perfect for: first-time Hokkaido visitors, short trips, families. This plan focuses on the most iconic winter sights that can be easily completed in a day.
Otaru Snowy Canal Walk
One of the best romantic spot in Hokkaido. Take a lot of pictures here. DETAIL
Things to do: sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Sakaimachi Shopping Street
Make sure your wallet is full and your stomach is empty. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping, dining
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Otaru Music Box Museum
Otaru’s main specialty, the music boxes. Buy a piece of Otaru back home. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Sapporo White Illumination
Sapporo in one of its beautiful state. Snow and light is an amazing combination. DETAIL
Things to do: sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
❄️ 2-Day Sapporo and Otaru Route
Perfect for: couples, foodies, and family. This itinerary mixes Sapporo and Otaru’s nostalgic winter charm, basically the main attractions of Hokkaido.
❄️ Day 1: Otaru and Sapporo Winter Experience
Otaru Snowy Canal Walk
Things to do: sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Sakaimachi Shopping Street
Things to do: shopping, dining
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Otaru Music Box Museum
Otaru’s main specialty, the music boxes. Buy a piece of Otaru back home. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Sapporo White Illumination
Sapporo in one of its beautiful state. Snow and light is an amazing combination. DETAIL
Things to do: sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
❄️ Day 2: Explore the best of Sapporo
Shiroikoibito Park
One of Japan’s famous chocolate brands, Shiroikoibito, is made here. DETAIL
Things to do: sightseeing, shopping
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Hokkaido Shrine
One of the biggest shrine in Hokkaido, see the traditional part of Japan here. DETAIL
Things to do: sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Sapporo Beer Museum
Learn about one of Japan’s most famous beer brands, Sapporo. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping, dining, sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Tanuki koji Shopping Street
Shopping and dining in Sapporo, make sure your wallet is full and your stomach is empty. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping, dining
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
❄️ 3–5 Day Sapporo / Otaru / Niseko Winter Holiday
Perfect for: families, long-stay visitors, ski travelers, photographers. This is the classic winter vacation route covering the region’s best attractions.
❄️ Sapporo (2 days)
Spending two days in Sapporo is enough to cover the most famous attractions in Sapporo. There are many others places in Sapporo you can pick other than places that suggested below. SAPPORO MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Shiroikoibito Park
One of Japan’s famous chocolate brands, Shiroikoibito, is made here. DETAIL
Things to do: sightseeing, shopping
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Hokkaido Shrine
One of the biggest shrine in Hokkaido, see the traditional part of Japan here. DETAIL
Things to do: sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Sapporo Beer Museum
Learn about one of Japan’s most famous beer brands, Sapporo. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping, dining, sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Tanuki koji Shopping Street
Shopping and dining in Sapporo, make sure your wallet is full and your stomach is empty. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping, dining
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
❄️ Otaru (1 day)
Otaru is a small place, but despite of its size, this place offers many different kinds of attractions. You can do sightseeing, dining and shopping in here. There are some others places in Otaru you can pick other than places that suggested below. OTARU MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Otaru Snowy Canal Walk
Things to do: sightseeing
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Sakaimachi Shopping Street
Things to do: shopping, dining
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Otaru Music Box Museum
Otaru’s main specialty, the music boxes. Buy a piece of Otaru back home. DETAIL
Things to do: shopping
Recommended stay: 1 hour
Seafood dining
Fresh seafood is one of Otaru’s best product, make sure you taste some of them.
Things to do: dining
Recommended stay: 1 hour
❄️ Niseko / Rusutsu (1 – 2 days)
If you also want to experience snow activities like skiing/ snowboarding or other types of winter activities, Niseko / Rusutsu is also recommended. There are many others places in Niseko you can pick other than places that suggested below. NISEKO MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Niseko Village
Experience winter wonder in Niseko Village, renowned for world-class skiing.
Things to do: dining, sightseeing, skiing
Recommended stay: 3 – 4 hours
Niseko Annupuri Resort
Unwind and ski at Annupuri Resort, offering pristine slopes and breathtaking vistas.
Things to do: dining, sightseeing, skiing
Recommended stay: 2 – 3 hours
Kiranoyu Spa
Get rid of all your fatique in the famous Kiranoyu Onsen Spa near Niseko JR Station.
Things to do: hot bath
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 hours
Rusutsu Resort
The best powder snow for skiing or snowboarding. Slide away!
Things to do: skiing/ snowboarding
Recommended stay: 3-4 hours
If you need help arranging private tour in Hokkaido, you can use our trip planner! or contact us directly. Feel free to ask us any question, specially if it is your first time visiting Hokkaido.
