Hokkaido New Year Campervan Trip Guide | First Sunrise, Winter Scenery & New Year’s Eve Routes [2026-27 Edition]

On January 1, 2027, sunrise in Sapporo is at 7:06 AM (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Ephemeris Computation Office, as of 2026-08-25). This figure is for Sapporo only, but it’s the first primary data point worth knowing if you’re planning a campervan trip around Hokkaido for the New Year holidays.

Another key factor is regional differences in snowfall. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s normal snow depth data (1991–2020 statistics), the average maximum snow depth in January is 18cm in Asahikawa, but only 13.9cm in Kushiro (as of 2026-08-25; see the table below for details). Even within Hokkaido, road conditions around New Year vary greatly between the inland/Sea of Japan side and the Pacific side. Knowing this difference before you choose a route makes planning much easier.

This article focuses on the New Year holiday period of roughly December 29, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (an assumed schedule — adjust your actual departure and return dates to fit your own plans). We cover the timing of the first sunrise, route selection based on snowfall data, rental availability, spending New Year’s Eve in overnight parking, and preparing for cold weather and winter tires. Where road conditions or business hours can’t be stated with certainty, we point you to check the official announcements from JAF, the Hokkaido Police, and individual facilities before departure.

What time does the first sunrise appear in Hokkaido on January 1, 2027?

According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan’s Ephemeris Computation Office, sunrise in Sapporo on January 1, 2027 is at 7:06 AM (azimuth 121.5°) (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Ephemeris Computation Office, as of 2026-08-25). The Observatory publishes data mainly for prefectural capitals, so we could not confirm exact times for other locations in Hokkaido such as Kushiro, Wakkanai, Obihiro, or Hakodate in this article. Sunrise generally comes earlier the further east you are, so eastern Hokkaido may see sunrise slightly before Sapporo — but since we couldn’t find a primary source giving specific minutes at the time of writing, we won’t state this as fact. Once you’ve decided on a destination, check the exact sunrise time for that location with the National Astronomical Observatory or the local tourism association/municipal website before you depart.

If you’re aiming to catch the first sunrise in your campervan, you’ll need to arrive at your viewing spot 30 minutes to an hour before sunrise. Pre-dawn in midwinter is also when road surfaces are most likely to be frozen, so rather than driving early on the day itself, it’s safer to park overnight at a nearby Michi-no-Eki or RV park the night before and keep your movement on the day to walking or a short drive.

Where to drive over New Year, based on snowfall data

Comparing the Japan Meteorological Agency’s normal snow depth values (1991–2020 statistical period, by location) for December and January shows a clear regional pattern.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Past Weather Data Search / Normal Values (Asahikawa / Sapporo / Hakodate / Kushiro, all confirmed as of 2026-08-25).

Kushiro’s normal maximum snow depth is only 13.9cm even in January — considerably less than Asahikawa’s 18cm or Sapporo’s 24cm. This is because the Pacific side of eastern Hokkaido tends to stay clear even under a typical winter pressure pattern, so snow clouds rarely reach it. Inland and Sea-of-Japan-side areas like Asahikawa and Sapporo, on the other hand, build up deep base snow, so driving there requires more experience and equipment for snowy roads. Keep in mind these are normal (average) values and can shift year to year depending on the pressure pattern, but as a general rule of thumb for route planning: choose the Pacific side if you want less snow, and the inland/Sea-of-Japan side if you want to enjoy snowy scenery.

Can you rent a campervan over the New Year holidays? Check business days first

New Year (roughly December 30 to January 3) is when many businesses close or shorten their hours, and campervan rental companies vary in how they handle it. Some claim to operate year-round with no closures, some close only on New Year’s Day, and others close from December 31 to January 2 — we have not individually confirmed every company’s New Year business days in this article. Rather than stating flatly whether rentals are or aren’t available, always check each company’s official website or call them directly to confirm New Year business days and available pickup dates before booking. New Year is also a peak season, so even companies that are open may already be fully booked. Once you’ve narrowed down candidate companies, we recommend checking availability as early as possible.

Winter road information to check before departure — JAF, Hokkaido Police, and NEXCO announcements

Winter road conditions in Hokkaido — snow, ice, chain-restricted sections, road closures — change year to year depending on weather conditions, so there’s nothing we can state as fixed fact at the time of writing. If you’re departing over the New Year holidays, keep checking the following sources repeatedly right up until you leave.

• JAF’s “Winter Road Report” and similar road condition announcements (a general gauge of snow and ice)
• Hokkaido Police traffic regulation information (road closures, chain-restricted sections)
• NEXCO East Japan road traffic information (expressway closures, speed restrictions)

For expressway vehicle classifications, toll rates, and how winter tire regulations apply to campervans, see our Hokkaido Expressway Toll Guide. New Year is also a time when returning-home traffic and tourist traffic overlap, making congestion more likely, so give yourself extra time when planning your departure.

A low-snow Pacific-side route idea — Kushiro and Nemuro

If you’re unsure about driving on snowy roads, a route centered on the low-snow Pacific side is an option. The Kushiro and Nemuro area has a notably lower normal maximum snow depth than the rest of Hokkaido, and you can drive while enjoying the wide skies and wilderness scenery of eastern Hokkaido. It’s also an easy area to extend into a route toward Kushiro Marsh or the Akan-Mashu region. That said, less snow comes with its own caveat: the road surface freezes more easily since there’s no snow cushioning it. Driving on ice feels different from driving on snow, so don’t let your guard down.

There are multiple overnight parking spots in eastern Hokkaido, both Michi-no-Eki and RV parks. Since individual facilities’ New Year business status and amenities can change, we won’t detail them here — check the latest information in our 20 Michi-no-Eki for Overnight Parking in Hokkaido and Hokkaido RV Park List before finalizing your plans.

If you want to enjoy the snowy scenery — the inland route through Asahikawa, Sounkyo, and Furano-Biei

If you’re after quintessential winter Hokkaido scenery — blanketed snow, frost-covered trees, frozen waterfalls — the inland route through Asahikawa, Sounkyo, and Furano-Biei suits that. Heavier snowfall generally means more established road-clearing on many sections, but compacted snow and icy patches still occur regularly. Check your equipment even more carefully than for the Pacific-side route — studless tires, whether you have four-wheel drive, and carrying tire chains. For winter driving tips and what equipment you’ll need, see our Complete Guide to Winter Campervan Driving in Hokkaido and Hokkaido Campervan Winter Travel Guide.

If you’re spending New Year’s Eve in overnight parking

While the parking areas at most Michi-no-Eki and RV parks stay open over New Year, the business hours and closure days of the produce hall, restroom building, or hot spring facilities vary by location. Rather than making a blanket statement like “all Hokkaido Michi-no-Eki are open over New Year,” it’s more reliable to check how your target facility operates individually. Read our Complete Guide to Overnight Parking in Hokkaido for the general rules, then contact your candidate facility directly or check their official website’s New Year business hours notice.

If you’re spending the moment of midnight in your vehicle, be aware that snow-clearing work and other vehicles coming and going can create noise overnight. If you want a quiet New Year’s Eve, one option is to choose a spot a bit further from busy tourist areas rather than one close to them.

The basics of cold-weather and freeze prevention

Midwinter temperatures in Hokkaido regularly drop below -10°C, and how you handle frozen water tanks and drain hoses, condensation inside the vehicle, and cold radiating from the floor will make or break your trip’s comfort. We explain how FF heaters work and why you need one in What Is an FF Heater for Campervans?, and address general equipment concerns in our Guide to Easing Winter Campervan Travel Worries in Hokkaido. New Year is an especially cold stretch, so it’s worth confirming what heating and freeze-prevention equipment is included when you make your rental booking.

Studless tires and first snow — what to check before departure

According to the normal first-snow dates from the Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory, first snow falls on average on October 19 in Asahikawa and Wakkanai, October 28 in Sapporo, and November 7 in Kushiro (based on statistics from August 1990 to July 2020, as of 2026-08-25) — meaning the whole of Hokkaido is already well into its base-snow season by New Year. Our When Should You Switch to Studless Tires? covers how rental companies handle winter tires and timing for changeovers, and our When Does It First Snow in Hokkaido? covers how to use regional first-snow differences in planning your itinerary. Since New Year comes well after the first-snow season, these articles are mainly useful for confirming how well-equipped you are before you depart.

Congestion and booking timing

New Year ranks alongside Golden Week and Obon as a peak season for travel and returning home. Campervan rental bookings, ferry and flight tickets, and RV park or lodging reservations tend to fill up early. Once your dates are set, we recommend provisionally booking both your vehicle and your transportation. Especially if your route passes through popular tourist spots or first-sunrise viewpoints around New Year’s Day, factor in parking and road congestion as well.

How this differs from the Sapporo Snow Festival and Chinese New Year travel

Hokkaido’s winter travel peaks keep coming after New Year — the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February, then Lunar New Year. New Year travel demand centers mainly on individuals and families traveling around the “first sunrise” and “seeing in the new year,” which is a different character of event from the Snow Festival period. We’ve put together how to plan a trip around the Snow Festival, drift ice, and Lunar New Year in our Hokkaido Campervan Chinese New Year Travel Guide — worth checking if you’re planning to stay in Hokkaido a bit longer beyond the New Year holidays.

New Year Hokkaido Campervan Trip Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What time is the first sunrise in Hokkaido on January 1, 2027?

In Sapporo, it’s 7:06 AM (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, as of 2026-08-25). We haven’t confirmed exact times for other locations in Hokkaido such as Kushiro or Wakkanai in this article, so once you’ve settled on a destination, check the exact time with the National Astronomical Observatory or the local tourism association website.

Which areas of Hokkaido are easiest to drive around New Year?

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency’s normal snow depth data, Kushiro’s normal maximum snow depth in January is 13.9cm, less than Asahikawa’s (18cm) or Sapporo’s (24cm) (as of 2026-08-25). If you prioritize less snow, the Pacific-side Kushiro-Nemuro area is a candidate; if you want to enjoy snowy scenery, the inland route through Asahikawa and Sounkyo is an option. Just note that lower-snow areas carry a separate risk of icy road surfaces.

Can I rent a campervan over the New Year holidays?

New Year business days vary by company, and we haven’t individually confirmed every company in this article. Some operate year-round with no closures, some close only on New Year’s Day, and others close for several days over the holidays. Check business days and availability with each company’s official website or by phone before booking.

Where can I check winter road closures and chain regulations?

You can check via JAF’s road condition announcements, Hokkaido Police traffic regulation information, and NEXCO East Japan road traffic information. Since conditions change from year to year, we don’t state specific sections as fixed in this article. We recommend checking repeatedly right up until departure.

Can I stay overnight at Michi-no-Eki or RV parks over New Year?

The parking areas themselves are open at most facilities, but the business hours and closure days for the produce hall or restroom building vary by location. Since not all facilities operate the same way, check New Year business hours for each candidate facility via its official website or by phone.

When should I start booking for a New Year campervan trip?

New Year is a peak season alongside Golden Week and Obon, and both vehicles and lodging tend to fill up early. Once your dates are set, it’s a good idea to provisionally book your rental vehicle and any lodging around your planned RV parks or Michi-no-Eki.

Do I need to bring my own studless tires?

Most rental companies fit studless tires as standard in winter, but it varies by company. Confirm the equipment details when you book. For more on timing for tire changeovers, see our When Should You Switch to Studless Tires?