This itinerary covers Hokkaidos highlights over five days by car. It answers: “How to spend 5 days in Hokkaido?”
Quick Facts
- Best for: Road trip enthusiasts, nature lovers
- Transport: Rental car essential
- Season: Best June-September (summer), December-February (winter)
- Driving: Approximately 400-500 km total
Day 1: Sapporo
Arrive New Chitose Airport → Pick up rental car → Drive to Sapporo (40 min)
Afternoon: Explore Sapporo – Odori Park, Nijo Market area
Evening: Miso ramen in Susukino, overnight Sapporo
Day 2: Otaru & Niseko Area
Morning: Drive to Otaru (40 min), canal walk, sushi lunch
Afternoon: Drive to Niseko area (1.5 hours)
Evening: Onsen at hotel, overnight Niseko
Day 3: Central Hokkaido
Morning: Drive to Furano (3 hours)
Afternoon: Farm Tomita (lavender/flowers in summer), cheese factory
Evening: Drive to Biei area, overnight Biei/Furano
Day 4: Biei & Return
Morning: Blue Pond, patchwork hills drive
Afternoon: Drive to Noboribetsu (3 hours) or Sapporo
Evening: Jigokudani walk if Noboribetsu, onsen overnight
Day 5: Departure
Morning: Last onsen, drive to New Chitose Airport (1-1.5 hours)
Afternoon: Return rental car, airport shopping, departure
Tips
- Summer vs Winter: Different routes work better in each season.
- Distances: Hokkaido is large. Dont underestimate driving times.
- Winter driving: Roads can be icy. Consider tours instead.
Getting There
Starting Point
This road trip itinerary is designed to start from New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Sapporo City. As the main air gateway to Hokkaido, New Chitose Airport offers the widest selection of rental car agencies and convenient access to the expressway network.
From New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Recommended (Car Rental): Proceed to the car rental counters located in the arrival lobbies of both the Domestic and International Terminals. Free shuttle buses transport passengers to the rental depots, which are located approximately 10–15 minutes away from the terminal buildings.
To Sapporo Station (Mid-range): If you plan to visit Sapporo before picking up your car, take the JR Rapid Airport train 🔵 from New Chitose Airport Station. The station is located in the basement of the Domestic Terminal (connected via walkway from the International Terminal). The journey takes approximately 37–40 minutes. Budget: Airport limousine buses serve central Sapporo hotels and Susukino in approximately 60–80 minutes, depending on traffic.
Useful Passes & Driving Tips
Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP): For a 5-day road trip, purchasing the HEP is highly recommended. It allows unlimited use of Hokkaido expressways for a fixed flat rate, offering significant savings over paying individual tolls. You must request an ETC card when booking your rental vehicle to use this pass.
IC Cards: While driving is the primary mode of transport for this route, the local Kitaca IC card is useful for convenience stores and parking payments. Suica, PASMO, and other major Japanese IC cards are fully compatible throughout the region.
Sources
- Tourism board: Visit Hokkaido
Last updated: 2026-02-03