An Unforgettable Journey Awaits: Best Sapporo Day Trips
Sapporo may be synonymous with fairytale winter landscapes straight out of a Ghibli studio, the city's namesake beer, incredible food, and the iconic Odori Park.
But did you know there are so many gems only a day trip away?
With its ideal location in the heart of Hokkaido, Sapporo is the perfect starting point for exploring the island's stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.
Whether you're a nature lover, history buff, or simply looking for a unique adventure, there's something for everyone within a short journey from the city.
Here are the best day trips from Sapporo you should add to your bucket list pronto:
Explore Hokkaido’s Coastal Side
After all, who doesn't love a beautiful view of the coast?
Otaru: a historic seaside town
If you're short on time but still want to escape the city, heading to Otaru is one of the best day trips from Sapporo.
Just a half-hour train ride from Sapporo (covered by the Hokkaido Rail Pass), Otaru is a tranquil harbour city renowned for its historic buildings, charming canal, and beer.
Naturally, the Otaru Canal area is the most popular attraction you can visit, and we recommend joining a tour to fully experience the place.
But don't forget to make time for other cool places like the Old Aoyama Villa (Herring Palace), built in 1917 and famous for its zelkova-wood structure and furnishings that depicted luxury a century ago, or riding a rickshaw, slightly touristy but one of the more unique ways to explore the city.
And be sure to check out Sakaimachi Street, where you'll find glass stores where you can try your hand at glassmaking and the Music Box Museum with the famed Otaru steam clock.
Oh, and keep your tummies empty - you'll get the freshest seafood here.
If you’re curious about the journey from Sapporo to Otaru, check out our full guide.
How to get there: Otaru is easily accessible by train from JR Sapporo station, taking 30 minutes by rapid train and 45 minutes by local train.
You can purchase a one-way ticket, although if you have the Hokkaido Rail Pass or Japan Rail Pass, the trip is covered by these passes as well.
Relax in Natural Hot Springs
Want to soak in some natural hot springs? Here are a few popular options near Sapporo city for a perfect day trip.
Jozankei Onsen
If you’re after a proper onsen experience, Jozankei Onsen should be at the top of your list.
This famous hot spring resort town is about an hour from central Sapporo, between the dramatic cliffs of the Toyohira River.
A fun little fact: Jozankei was founded in 1866 by a monk named Mizumi Jozan, who opened a spa along the river to heal people with its mineral-rich waters.
Today, it’s one of the best onsen escapes near Sapporo, with 20 traditional ryokans, along with shops and restaurants to enjoy. You’ll even find free foot baths dotted around the town.
While winter trips have their charm, autumn is the real star of the show - mid-October is when the foliage is at its best, providing some truly breathtaking scenery. To make the most of your time at Jozankei Onsen, consider joining a stand-up paddling tour; it’s one of the best ways to truly connect with nature.
How to get there: You can take a shuttle bus from Sapporo Station or Makomanai Subway Station. The Kappa Liner bus departs for Jozankei Onsen 13 times a day from Sapporo, Odori, and Susukino stations, but reservations are required. By bus, the trip takes roughly 75 minutes, while driving will take around 40 minutes.
Sounkyo Onsen
If you have more time to spare, then a day trip to Sounkyo Onsen in the jaw-dropping Daisetsuzan National Park is in order.
While this hot spring town is a bit more touristy and further away from Sapporo - taking 2.5 hours by car - it’s undeniably breathtaking.
Imagine a narrow, picturesque gorge surrounded by towering 100-metre-high forested cliffs.
Here, you’ll find a village centre, several hot spring baths to choose from, and two eye-catching waterfalls to explore.
If you want to extend your trip, you can take the Kurodake Ropeway, which lets you easily reach the higher elevations of Mount Kurodake.
Experienced hikers can even challenge themselves by hiking to the peak of Mount Asahidake before heading back down to Asahidake Onsen.
How to Get There: The fastest way to get to Sounkyo Onsen from Sapporo is by car. However, if you prefer public transportation, you can take the Lilac-Kamui Limited Express train to Asahikawa Station and then board bus 81 towards Sounkyo.
The Natural Beauty of Japan's Northernmost Island
With its stunning natural beauty, Hokkaido offers so much to explore, where Mother Nature truly shines.
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Shikotsu-Toya National Park is home to Lake Toya (Toyako), a spectacular caldera lake located southwest of Sapporo, making it a perfect day trip to escape the hustle and bustle of it all.
Plus, there's just so much to do here. The serene beauty of Lake Toya itself is astounding; there's Mount Usu, an active volcano, and many hot springs to choose from.
Additionally, there are outdoor activities you can partake in, like taking a charming swan boat ride around the lake.
You can also ride the Mount Usu ropeway to the peak, 729 metres high, for sweeping views of Lake Toya and even Mount Yotei in the distance.
If you want to stay longer than a day, consider combining your visit with a detour to Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley), which you can also reach from Sapporo.
Another great option is to head to Lake Shikotsu, one of the most incredible caldera lakes you’ll ever see, and a fantastic place to either canoe, try stand-up paddleboarding or go kayaking.
How to get there: You can take a limited express train from Sapporo Station to Toya Station; the journey takes approximately 100 minutes and is covered by the Hokkaido Rail Pass.
Alternatively, you can board the Donan Bus, which operates four round trips daily via Jozankei Onsen. If you’re renting a car and skipping public transport, it’ll take about two hours to reach Lake Toya along the toll-free National Route 230.
Furano and Biei
Furano, just about two hours from Sapporo by car, is a paradise for nature lovers, with sprawling flower fields filled with gorgeous blooms.
From oriental poppies to marigolds, the fields are bursting with paddle-pop colours, especially at Farm Tomita, famous for its stunning lavender fields.
The best time to visit is between mid-June and early August, with the lavender season peaking in mid-July - you can read our complete guide for more details.
Furano is also the perfect spot for adventure.
You can hop on a tractor ride through the vibrant lavender fields or cycle along the Patchwork Road, a favourite that has appeared on Japanese TV.
And don’t forget to check out the Shirogane Blue Pond, known for its ethereal turquoise blue, thanks to impurities from the waters of Shirahige Falls. It’s so pretty that it looks like something straight out of a desktop wallpaper.
Since there's so much to do in the area, it might be best to stay overnight instead of just taking a day trip.
How to get there: If you’re planning a day trip from Sapporo to Furano, you can either take a 2.5-hour bus from the Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal or catch the Lilac-Kamui limited express train to Takikawa Station and then a local train on the Nemuro Main Line to Furano Station, which is covered by the Sapporo-Furano Area Pass.
To get to Biei, take a JR limited express from Sapporo to Asahikawa and transfer to a train to Biei for a 2-hour journey.
Noboribetsu
Hot springs and volcanic landscapes—what more could you want?
Yep, we're talking about Noboribetsu, Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort, blessed with stunning scenery and offering a welcome escape from the concrete jungle of major cities.
The town has its hot spring baths to thank for "Hell Valley" (Jigokudani), a smoking, sulphurous volcanic valley rich in thermal waters.
While onsens are the main attraction here, there are plenty of other cool things to check out, including finding eleven demon statues hidden in nine locations, dipping your toes in the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath, and watching “yukijin” (masked demons) shoot handheld fireworks in the air at the Demon’s Fire Footpath every Thursday and Friday—a free-to-watch show.
How to get there: From Shin-Sapporo Station, take the Hokuto Limited Express 22 to Shiraoi Station, then change to the Muroran Line Local towards Horobetsu Station. The journey will take roughly 1.5 hours.
Family-Friendly Experiences
Let’s explore some family-friendly ideas for one-day trips from Sapporo.
Asahiyama Zoo
Are you travelling with kids?
If so, one of the best family-friendly day trips from Sapporo is a fun outing to Asahiyama Zoo, located in Asahikawa, just about two hours away from Hokkaido's capital.
This zoo is a true gem, with a collection of animals native to Hokkaido like the Eurasian eagle-owl, Hokkaido Ural owl, Mandarin duck, Hokkaido fox, white-tailed eagle, and Yezo tanuki.
Your little ones will love the glass tunnel through the penguin pool, where they can get up close and personal with the adorable penguins.
Plus, there's a cool glass dome called the "Seals Eye" that lets you watch wolves and polar bears munching on their meals from an awesome perspective, part of the zoo's "behavior display" exhibits.
For all you folks up for an adventure, don't forget that the nearby Daisetsuzan National Park is perfect for hiking and skiing.
How to get there: Take a train from JR Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station. You can take a local bus or taxi from Asahikawa Station to reach the zoo.
Day Trips Right Outside the City Centre
Hill of the Buddha and Moai statues
A cemetery might be the last thing on your mind when planning a Sapporo day trip, but you'll want to make an exception for the Makomanai Takino Cemetery, home to the majestic Hill of the Buddha.
Just an hour's train ride from the city centre, here you'll find a highly Instagrammable man-made hill adorned with 150,000 lavender plants.
Right in the centre is an imposing 13.5-metre-high Buddha sculpture, designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando.
What’s cool is that from a distance, you can only see the top of the Buddha’s head peeking out from the hill, offering an interesting artistic perspective.
To get up close to the statue, you'll need to make your way through a 40-metre tunnel into the heart of the hill.
Bonus: head south towards the cemetery's entrance to see massive Easter Island heads for a fun photo op.
How to get there: Take a train from JR Sapporo Station on the Namboku Line Local towards Makomanai Station and take bus Ma 106 towards Ashiribetsu no Taki before walking for 12 minutes.
Sapporo Art Park
If immersing yourself in art and culture is the priority for your day trip, make a beeline for the sprawling Sapporo Art Park, a beautiful open-air museum set in a 40-hectare forest.
Naturally, the park focuses on all things art.
You've got the Sapporo Sculpture Garden and the Sapporo Art Museum to explore—both of which have entry fees, by the way—but you can easily spend the whole day here, and take your pick from classes ranging from pottery to woodworking.
Oh, and depending on the season, you can go skiing and snowshoeing in winter or enjoy trekking and water sports in summer.
How to get there: Take a train from Sapporo Station on the Namboku Line Local towards Makomanai Station, then take bus Ma 102 towards Sun Bright Makomanai, followed by a 2-minute walk.
Best Skiing Day Trip During Winter
Sapporo Teine Ski Resort
When it comes to the ultimate convenience for hitting the slopes and enjoying the spectacular powder snow Hokkaido is known for, you really can't beat Sapporo Teine Ski Resort.
Just 20 minutes outside of the city centre, this resort is perfect for skiers of all levels, from beginners just learning to balance on gentle slopes to expert adrenaline junkies eager to tackle advanced courses.
Check out the upper Highland Zone, which is 1,000 metres above sea level, for off-trail runs and medium to advanced courses, and the lower Olympia Zone, which features more forgiving and less steep trails suitable for families.
If you’re seeking more skiing inspiration before your trip, feel free to take a look at our complete guide to the best ski resorts in Hokkaido.
How to get there: Take a 20-minute JR train ride to Teine, where you can transfer to a JR bus right in front of the train station.
If You Have Time Beyond a Single Day
Hakodate
When it comes to fresh seafood, Hokkaido is the place to be. But if you're looking for the crème de la crème of seafood restaurants, you can’t go wrong with Hakodate, a major fishing port city.
Known as the “city of gourmet food” and surrounded by the ocean, Hakodate is the perfect destination for foodies to indulge in exquisite local delicacies specific to the region.
You can try Toi-maguro (excellent tuna from the nearby fishing town of Toi) or makonbu (a type of Japanese kelp). If you're an early bird, don't miss the Hakodate Morning Market, a bustling spot for some delicious sashimi.
Once you've had your fill of culinary delights, other fun activities include riding a rickshaw, taking the ropeway to the top of Mount Hakodate, and visiting the picturesque Cape Tachimachi.
It’s best to stay overnight instead of taking a day trip from Sapporo to make the most of your time and to join a full-day tour to fully utilise your time there.
How to get there: Hakodate can be reached by taking a train from Sapporo on the JR Hakodate Main Line. It takes around 4 hours by train.
Wakkanai: Japan’s Northernmost City
Okay, so Wakkanai might not be one of those trips from Sapporo that you could realistically do in a day.
But Japan's northernmost city is blessed with exquisite natural beauty and a rugged coastline, connecting to the gorgeous Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park.
Propped right in the middle of Japan and Russia, Wakkanai has an interesting blend of cultural richness, including a rich history and a robust indigenous culture.
Don't miss Cape Sōya, the northernmost point of Japan, the Wakkanai Fukuko Market for seafood, and the opportunity to hop on a ferry to the National Park islands of Rebun and Rishiri for untouched nature and solid hiking trails.
How to Get There: There are multiple ways to reach Wakkanai from Sapporo. Soya Bus has a daily service between Sapporo and Wakkanai, and the journey takes around six hours.
However, services might be delayed or even suspended in winter due to snowstorms. You can also take a flight from Sapporo to Wakkanai Airport.
Wrapping Up: Your Bucket List of Day Trips From Sapporo
Looking to spice up your Sapporo trip with a little adventure?
These incredible day trips offer everything from fresh seafood in quaint coastal towns to relaxing hot spring soaks in Hell Valley.
Whether you’re strolling down Sakaimachi Street or the Otaru Canal and admiring historical landmarks, exploring a bustling market in Hakodate, or enjoying a scenic escape through a mountain village with lavender fields, each journey is packed with surprises, and there’s so much to look forward to.
Pro Tip: Plan Your Day Trip from Sapporo Station
Sapporo Station is the perfect starting point for planning a day trip from Sapporo.
With easy access to a wide range of train and bus routes, you can conveniently reach popular destinations like Otaru, the flower fields of Furano, and even nearby ski resorts.
The station is also packed with shops, restaurants, and services, so you can grab everything you need before setting off.
Also, it’s directly connected to New Chitose Airport via JR rapid trains, so airport transfers are a breeze as well.