Destination guide · Hokkaido
Hokkaido, at
island scale.
Japan's largest island covers far more ground than Tokyo or Kyoto. The best first trip starts with deciding how much of it you actually want to cover.
01
Start with the shape of the island
Sapporo is the main transport hub and a practical first base. Distances between cities are much greater than on Honshu, so plan travel time accordingly.
02
Then add the practical bits
Use our planning guides for choosing between trains, buses, and a rental car, and for how the season affects what's realistic.