Top 7 Hokkaido Drive Routes | Distance, Time and Highlights Explained

Driving in Hokkaido is on a completely different scale from the rest of Honshu. Single straight roads run for tens of kilometers without a traffic light, and you drive through farmland and pasture that stretch to the horizon, which is something you only get in Hokkaido.

If you want to know how many days a loop of Hokkaido takes, “How many days does it take to drive around Hokkaido?” sets out the basic 10-day, 9-night route from New Chitose Airport, with distances.

Still, because the island is so large, it is easy to get stuck on “which route should I drive?” This article sorts 7 classic Hokkaido drive routes by area, with distances, driving times and stops along the way. It is written so that it works even for a first trip to Hokkaido.

Get a feel for the distances before you set out

The classic mistake when getting around Hokkaido is trusting the feeling that “it looks close on the map.” Hokkaido is about 550 km from east to west and about 420 km from north to south, and the distances between the main cities are longer than you would expect.

If you keep each day’s drive to 200 km or less (this is this site’s guideline, not an official standard), you keep time to enjoy the scenery. Beyond that, driving eats up your time and sightseeing can’t keep up.

Hokkaido’s roads are also built for speed, which makes it harder to notice you are getting tired. On long driving days, we recommend a break every 2 hours at a Michi-no-Eki roadside station or similar.

The 7 drive routes

Tap a route to zoom in

① ② ③ ④ ⑤ ⑥ ⑦

100km

• ① 積丹›
• ② ニセコ・洞爺湖›
• ③ 美瑛・富良野›
• ④ 宗谷岬›
• ⑤ 帯広〜知床›
• ⑥ オホーツク›
• ⑦ 函館〜洞爺湖›

地図: 国土数値情報（行政区域）・国土地理院 標高タイル。道筋: © OpenStreetMap contributors（OSRM で実際の道を引いたもの）

Drive routes in central Hokkaido | If you start from Sapporo

The times on each route are one example: driving time plus time for sightseeing and breaks. Distances and driving times are estimates from Google Maps directions (October 23, 2026, breaks not included), and information on each spot was checked on the official sites on October 22–23, 2026. Hours and road closures change with the season, so check the official sources before you go. Each day’s driving is split so that it stays within this site’s guideline of 200 km.

① Shakotan Peninsula Ocean Blue Route (Sapporo – Otaru – Shakotan)

Distance: about 220 km | Driving: about 4 h 29 min (excluding breaks) | 2 days, 1 night (stay one night on the Shakotan side) (distance and time are estimates from Google Maps directions, checked on October 23, 2026)

This route runs from Sapporo through Otaru to the tip of the Shakotan Peninsula to see the sea known as Shakotan Blue. Going back to Sapporo the same day would come to more than 220 km, so the plan is built around one night in Shakotan or Yoichi.

Day 1, 9:00 — Leave Sapporo for Otaru

▼How to get from Odori Park to Otaru Canal About 49 min by car, 38.6 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 9:50 — Otaru Canal | Walk the warehouse district in the morning

A canal lined with stone warehouses. It gets more crowded toward midday, so a morning visit is easier for walking.

Inquiries	Otaru City Tourism Promotion Office 0134-32-4111
Tourist information	Otaru Canal Tourist Information Center (5-4 Minato-machi, Otaru). 9:00–18:00, open every day
Parking	Otaru International Information Center (5-3 Minato-machi), 91 spaces. ¥300 per hour, maximum ¥1,000 per day
Official site	www.city.otaru.lg.jp

▼How to get from Otaru Canal to Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery About 30 min by car, 19.9 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 11:00 — Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

The tour is free, and guided tours are by reservation (Yoichi Tourism Association). Drivers can’t join the tasting, so enjoy it with your passengers taking turns.

Address	7-6 Kurokawa-cho, Yoichi-cho, Yoichi-gun, Hokkaido
Phone	0135-23-3131
Hours	9:00–17:00, closed over the New Year holidays
Admission	Free (guided tours by reservation)
Official site	yoichi-kankoukyoukai.com

▼How to get from Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery to Shimamui Coast About 50 min by car, 40.8 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 12:30 — Shimamui Coast | A cove of Shakotan Blue

From the observation deck past the tunnel, you look down on a clear cove. The path from the deck down to the shore is currently closed to entry (Shakotan Tourism Association). June to August is sea urchin season, and the harbor restaurants serve sea urchin rice bowls.

Inquiries	Shakotan Town Commerce and Tourism Division 0135-44-3381
Current status	The observation deck is open. The path from the deck down to the shore remains closed to entry. The tunnel and observation deck were closed for winter from December 2025 to March 2026
Official site	www.kanko-shakotan.jp

▼How to get from Shimamui Coast to Cape Kamui About 20 min by car, 15.1 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 14:00 — Cape Kamui | A ridge path leading out past the cliffs

The entrance gate has seasonal opening times, and from December to March it is 10:00–15:00. The walking path to the tip is closed from October 5, 2026 until early April 2027 (planned), so during this period you view the cape from near the entrance (Shakotan Tourism Association). On windy days, take care when opening car doors in the parking lot. Stay one night in Shakotan or Yoichi.

Address	Kamuimisaki-cho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun, Hokkaido
Inquiries	Shakotan Town Commerce and Tourism Division 0135-44-3381
Entrance gate hours	April 8:00–17:30, May 8:00–18:00, June 8:00–18:30, July 8:00–18:00, August–October 8:00–17:30, November 8:00–16:30, December–March 10:00–15:00 (last entry 1 hour before closing)
Closure	The walking path to the tip is closed from October 5, 2026 to early April 2027 (planned)
Parking	Parking at Kamuimisaki Natural Park. A warning notes that strong winds often cause accidents where car doors hit neighboring cars
Official site	www.kanko-shakotan.jp

Day 2, 10:00 — Return from Shakotan to Sapporo

▼How to get from Cape Kamui to Odori Park About 2 h by car, 106 km (Google Maps estimate). Head back along National Route 229 by the sea. Open directions in Google Maps

② Lake Toya and Niseko Route (Sapporo – Niseko – Lake Toya)

Distance: about 285 km | Driving: about 4 h 56 min (excluding breaks) | 2 days, 1 night (stay one night at Toyako Onsen) (distance and time are estimates from Google Maps directions, checked on October 23, 2026)

This route leaves Sapporo, crosses Nakayama Pass, and loops through Niseko and Lake Toya before returning. Doing it in one day comes to about 285 km, so you stay one night at Toyako Onsen.

Day 1, 9:00 — Leave Sapporo for Nakayama Pass

▼How to get from Odori Park to Nakayama Pass (Michi-no-Eki Boyo Nakayama) About 1 h 12 min by car, 45.1 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 10:15 — Nakayama Pass (Michi-no-Eki Boyo Nakayama) | A break with fried potatoes

A Michi-no-Eki on the pass between Sapporo and the foot of Mt. Yotei. Take a break here with its famous fried potatoes (ageimo).

Address	345 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido (along National Route 230)
Phone	0136-33-2671
Shop hours	April–October 8:30–17:30, November–March 9:00–17:00. Open year-round
Official site	ageimo.com

▼How to get from Nakayama Pass (Michi-no-Eki Boyo Nakayama) to Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza About 47 min by car, 43.1 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 11:30 — Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza | Mt. Yotei and the farm stand

A Michi-no-Eki at the foot of Mt. Yotei with a farm stand selling local vegetables.

Address	77-10 Motomachi, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 048-1544
Phone	0136-44-3433
Farm stand hours	Summer 8:30–17:00, winter 9:00–17:00. Closed December 31–January 3
Official site	niseko-viewplaza.jp

▼How to get from Michi-no-Eki Niseko View Plaza to Toyako Onsen About 46 min by car, 40.9 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 14:00 — Toyako Onsen | One night by the lake

The area around Lake Toya is a hot spring resort with many facilities offering day-use baths. Michi-no-Eki “Toyako” on the lakeshore stands right in front of the lake and has lovely views from the evening on. If you plan to use it for overnight parking, arriving around 5 p.m. makes it easier to secure a parking space.

Address	142 Toyako Onsen, Toyako-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721
Phone	0142-75-2446
Hours	9:00〜17:00
Official site	www.laketoya.com

▼How to get from Toyako Onsen to Mt. Usu Ropeway About 10 min by car, 6.5 km (Google Maps estimate). Leave at 9:30 on the morning of Day 2. Open directions in Google Maps

Day 2, 9:45 — Mt. Usu Ropeway | Look down into the crater

A ropeway that climbs from beside Showa-Shinzan to the summit of Mt. Usu. It is suspended for inspection on some days in January and February, so in winter check the operating days before you go.

Address	184-5 Showa-Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido 052-0102
Phone	0142-75-2401
Admission	Round trip: adults ¥2,000, elementary school students ¥1,000
Suspended	Suspended on some days in January and February for regular inspection (dates change every year)
Parking	400 cars, ¥500 per day
Official site	usuzan.hokkaido.jp

▼How to get from Mt. Usu Ropeway to Odori Park About 2 h 1 min by car, 149 km (Google Maps estimate). If you leave before noon, you can be back in Sapporo before sunset. Open directions in Google Maps

Drive routes in northern Hokkaido | Heading for the scenic straight roads

③ Furano and Biei Flower Road (Asahikawa – Biei – Furano)

Distance: about 140 km | Driving: about 2 h 56 min (excluding breaks) | Day trip (distance and time are estimates from Google Maps directions, checked on October 23, 2026)

This route heads south from Asahikawa and loops through Biei, known for its patchwork hills, and Furano, with its lavender fields. The distance is short, but there are many farms, hills and farm stands worth stopping at, so it works as half a day or a full day.

If you are building your trip around Asahikawa, it also helps to check campervan rental comparison in the Asahikawa area.

9:00 — Leave Asahikawa Station for the hills of Biei

▼How to get from Asahikawa Station to Hokusei-no-Oka Observation Park About 30 min by car, 22.1 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

9:30 — Hokusei-no-Oka Observation Park | Look out over the patchwork hills

An observation park overlooking the “patchwork hills,” where fields of wheat, potatoes and beans line up in blocks of color.

Address	Okubo Kyosei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Inquiries	0166-92-4378 (Biei Town Tourism Association)
Admission	Free
Parking	30 cars and 5 buses, plus a second lot below the observation deck (10 cars). Free. The lots can fill up on busy days
Winter	The observation deck is closed when snow is on the ground because it is slippery. No toilets in winter
Official site	www.biei-hokkaido.jp

▼How to get from Hokusei-no-Oka Observation Park to Shirogane Blue Pond About 24 min by car, 18.5 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

10:30 — Shirogane Blue Pond

A pond that changes color with the weather and season. Parking fees for campervans depend on overall length, so see the table below.

Inquiries	0166-92-4378 (Biei Town Tourism Association)
Parking fee	Standard cars ¥1,000. Vehicles 6 m or longer are treated as large vehicles at ¥6,000, with a separate entrance (from July 1, 2026)
Official site	www.biei-hokkaido.jp

▼How to get from Shirogane Blue Pond to Farm Tomita About 30 min by car, 24.3 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

11:30 — Farm Tomita | Lavender fields

Lavender is at its best from early to mid July, and the parking lot can fill up in the morning at that time. Overnight parking is prohibited in the lot, and the official site asks campervans to use nearby town-run parking lots and similar places.

Address	Kisen Kita 15-go, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido 071-0704
Phone	0167-39-3939
Admission	Admission and parking are both free
Example hours	Late June–mid August 8:30–17:30, December–early April 10:00–16:00 (varies by season)
Parking	About 500 cars (only during opening hours). Overnight parking is prohibited. Campervans are asked to use nearby town-run parking lots and similar places
Official site	www.farm-tomita.co.jp

▼How to get from Farm Tomita to Furano Cheese Factory About 21 min by car, 13.4 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

13:30 — Furano Cheese Factory | A tour and lunch

There is a cheese workshop and a pizza workshop. Admission is free.

Address	Chugo, Furano City, Hokkaido
Phone	0167-23-1156
Hours	April 1–October 31 9:00–17:00, November 1–March 31 9:00–16:00
Closed	December 31–January 3, and every Monday in January and February
Admission	Free admission (hands-on workshops are generally booked online)
Parking	Free, 120 spaces
Official site	www.furano-cheese.jp

▼How to get from Furano Cheese Factory to Asahikawa Station About 1 h 11 min by car, 62.1 km (Google Maps estimate). You can be back in Asahikawa early in the evening. Open directions in Google Maps

④ Northern Hokkaido and Cape Soya Route (Asahikawa – Sarobetsu – Wakkanai)

Distance: about 313 km | Driving: about 5 h 7 min (excluding breaks) | 3 days, 2 nights (stay in Bifuka and Wakkanai) (distance and time are estimates from Google Maps directions, checked on October 23, 2026)

This route heads north from Asahikawa on National Route 40 toward Cape Soya, the northernmost point in Japan. Asahikawa to Otonrui alone is about 200 km, so you stay in Bifuka on Day 1 and head north along the coast on Day 2.

Day 1, 13:00 — Asahikawa Station to Bifuka

▼How to get from Asahikawa Station to Michi-no-Eki Bifuka (Bifuka) About 1 h 43 min by car, 107 km (Google Maps estimate). Stay overnight in Bifuka. Open directions in Google Maps

Day 2, 9:00 — Bifuka to the Sea of Japan coast

▼How to get from Michi-no-Eki Bifuka (Bifuka) to Otonrui Wind Farm About 1 h 26 min by car, 91.5 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 2, 10:30 — Otonrui Wind Farm | 28 wind turbines along the coast

Along Hokkaido Route Wakkanai-Teshio, 28 wind turbines stand in a line 3.1 km long from north to south (Horonobe). It is not a visitor facility, so you view it from the roadside. When you park, pull into a wide spot and watch for vehicles behind you.

▼How to get from Otonrui Wind Farm to Sarobetsu Mire Center About 19 min by car, 20.1 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 2, 11:00 — Sarobetsu Mire Center | A boardwalk across the wetland

You can walk the wetland on a boardwalk of about 1 km for the full loop. The boardwalk is open 24 hours. Pets are not allowed in.

Address	8662 Kami-Sarobetsu, Toyotomi-cho, Teshio-gun, Hokkaido 098-4100
Phone	0162-82-3232
Opening hours	May–October 9:00–17:00, November–April 10:00–16:00 (boardwalk 24 hours)
Closed	Open every day May–October; November–April closed Mondays and December 29–January 3
Parking	Available
Official site	sarobetsu.or.jp

▼How to get from Sarobetsu Mire Center to Cape Soya About 1 h 1 min by car, 62.3 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

Day 2, 14:00 — Cape Soya | The northernmost point in Japan

A cape with a monument marking the northernmost point in Japan (Wakkanai). You stay in Wakkanai. Ferries to Rishiri and Rebun islands also leave from Wakkanai.

▼How to get from Cape Soya to Wakkanai Park About 38 min by car, 32.2 km (Google Maps estimate). Stop here on the morning of Day 3. Open directions in Google Maps

Day 3, 9:00 — Wakkanai Park | Look down on the city and the sea

Wakkanai’s main city park, selected as a Japan Night View Heritage site (Wakkanai). The return to Asahikawa is about 260 km, so either stay one night on the way or split the trip over 2 days.

Drive routes in eastern Hokkaido | The most Hokkaido-like place of all

⑤ Eastern Hokkaido Great Nature Route (Obihiro – Kushiro – Shiretoko)

Distance: about 352 km | Driving: about 5 h 46 min (excluding breaks) | 3 days, 2 nights (stay in Kushiro and around Nakashibetsu or Shibetsu) (distance and time are estimates from Google Maps directions, checked on October 23, 2026)

This route runs from the broad farmland around Obihiro, through the Kushiro Wetland, to the Shiretoko Peninsula. The scenery changes a lot, and it suits anyone who wants to take in Hokkaido’s nature all at once.

If you are starting with the Obihiro and Tokachi campervan drive guide, the Obihiro and Tokachi campervan rental comparison is also worth a look.

Day 1, 10:00 — Obihiro | Ban’ei horse racing

Obihiro is a town with many butadon (pork rice bowl) restaurants. At Obihiro Racecourse, Ban’ei racing, in which horses pull heavy sleds, is held on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays that are public holidays, and admission is free for the time being.

Address	9-chome Nishi 13-jo Minami, Obihiro 080-0023
Phone	0155-34-0825
Race days	Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays that are public holidays (see the official schedule for daily times)
Admission	Free for the time being
Parking	400 spaces, free
Official site	www.banei-keiba.or.jp

▼How to get from Obihiro Station to Kushiro-shi Shitsugen Observatory About 1 h 44 min by car, 118 km (Google Maps estimate). Leave Obihiro in the early afternoon. Open directions in Google Maps

Day 1, 15:00 — Kushiro-shi Shitsugen Observatory | Japan’s largest wetland

An observatory overlooking the Kushiro Wetland (inquiries 0154-56-2424, Kushiro City). Stay in Kushiro.

▼How to get from Kushiro-shi Shitsugen Observatory to Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center About 2 h 15 min by car, 133 km (Google Maps estimate). Leave at 9:00 on the morning of Day 2. Open directions in Google Maps

Day 2, 11:30 — Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center | A long, thin peninsula of sand

A long, narrow sand peninsula reaching out into the sea, where you can see the dead trees of Narawara and Todowara. Admission to the nature center is free. Stay nearby in Nakashibetsu or Shibetsu.

Address	63 Notsuke, Betsukai-cho, Notsuke-gun, Hokkaido 086-1645
Phone	0153-82-1270
Opening hours	April–September 9:00–17:00, October–March 9:00–16:00. Closed December 30–January 5
Admission	Free admission
Parking	50 cars and 10 buses
Official site	www.notsuke.jp

▼How to get from Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center to Shiretoko Five Lakes About 1 h 47 min by car, 101 km (Google Maps estimate). Leave on the morning of Day 3. Open directions in Google Maps

Day 3, 11:00 — Shiretoko Five Lakes | The lakes of a World Natural Heritage site

The elevated boardwalk is free and needs no procedure. For the ground trail, a lecture or a guided tour is required depending on the period (Shiretoko Five Lakes Field House). The park is open April 20–November 8 (2026), and the ground trail closes when brown bears appear.

Route 93, the road to nearby Kamuiwakka Falls, is closed for winter from October 1, 2026 to June 1, 2027, and you cannot pass even on foot. Since 2023 the falls have become a reservation-only experience that climbs up to the fourth fall (Shiretoko Shari Town Tourism Association). The Shiretoko Cross-Country Road linking Utoro and Rausu is also closed because of freezing as of October 23.

Inquiries	Shiretoko Five Lakes Field House 0152-24-3323
Elevated boardwalk	Free and no procedure needed, from opening to closing
Ground trail	From opening to May 9 and from August 1 to closing, a lecture (adults ¥450); from May 10 to July 31, joining a guided tour is required
Open season	April 20–November 8 in 2026
Parking	About 100 spaces, paid
Official site	www.goko.go.jp

The Shiretoko area is a stretch of road where Yezo deer appear more often than almost anywhere in Hokkaido. After dusk they often leap out suddenly from the roadside, so you need to slow down after sunset. The elevated boardwalk at Shiretoko Five Lakes has a closing time, so take care not to arrive right at the last minute in the evening.

⑥ Okhotsk Coast Route (Abashiri – Monbetsu)

Distance: about 120 km | Driving: about 2 h 13 min (excluding breaks) | Day trip (distance and time are estimates from Google Maps directions, checked on October 23, 2026)

This route follows National Route 238 (the Okhotsk Line) from Abashiri. Straight roads run along the sea, and you drive to Monbetsu, stopping at the drift ice museum, the glasswort colony and other spots on the way.

9:00 — Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum | Touch real drift ice

An exhibition hall on Mt. Tento in Abashiri, with a room where you can touch real drift ice.

Address	244-3 Tentozan, Abashiri, Hokkaido 093-0044
Phone	0152-43-5951
Opening hours	May–October 8:30–18:00, November–April 9:00–16:30 (December 29–January 5 is 10:00–15:00)
Admission	Adults ¥990, high school students ¥880, elementary and junior high school students ¥770
Parking	150 cars
Official site	www.ryuhyokan.com

▼How to get from Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum to Uryunai Glasswort Colony About 17 min by car, 13.8 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

10:30 — Uryunai Glasswort Colony | A lakeshore that turns red in autumn

On the shore of Lake Notoro, glasswort (sangosou) turns red around September.

▼How to get from Uryunai Glasswort Colony to Lake Saroma Observatory About 49 min by car, 44.5 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

11:45 — Lake Saroma Observatory | The lake and the Sea of Okhotsk at once

Inquiries	Saroma Town Economy Division, Commerce and Tourism Section 01587-2-1200
Driving access	The road to the observatory is one-way. Enter from the east-side entrance on National Route 238
Brown bears	A bear appeared on September 26, 2026, and the hiking path was closed to climbers. It was lifted on October 15 (visitors are advised to carry bear bells and similar). You can still drive to the observatory
Official site	www.town.saroma.hokkaido.jp

▼How to get from Lake Saroma Observatory to Garinko Station (Monbetsu) About 1 h 7 min by car, 61.4 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

13:30 — Monbetsu | Garinko-go, the icebreaker sightseeing ship

A sightseeing boat that breaks through drift ice as it goes. In winter 2027 it runs daily from January 15 to March 31.

Boarding point	1 Kaiyo-koen, Monbetsu, Hokkaido 094-0031 (Kaiyo Koryu-kan)
Reservations	050-1743-5848
Winter 2027 operation	January 15–March 31, daily
Fare (winter 2027)	Adults: January and March ¥5,000, February ¥6,000. Elementary school students half price
Parking	Free
Official site	www.o-tower.co.jp

If you drive in the winter drift ice season (January–March), you may see drift ice close up against the roadside. Winter roads freeze, though, so studless tires and 4WD are a must.

Drive routes in southern Hokkaido | History and seafood

⑦ Hakodate – Onuma – Lake Toya (Southern Hokkaido Route)

Distance: about 173 km | Driving: about 2 h 45 min (excluding breaks) | Day trip to 1 night (distance and time are estimates from Google Maps directions, checked on October 23, 2026)

This route starts in Hakodate and runs via National Route 5 and the Onuma Kokudo road to Lake Toya. It is an easy first route for anyone who arrives in Hakodate by ferry.

If you are building your trip from Hakodate and southern Hokkaido, it is also handy to look at the Hakodate campervan rental comparison.

7:00 — Hakodate Morning Market | Seafood rice bowl for breakfast

It opens at 5 a.m. from May to December and at 6 a.m. from January to April. If you spend ¥2,200 or more at member shops, parking is free for 60 minutes.

Address	9-19 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0063 (Hakodate Morning Market Cooperative Association)
Phone	0138-22-7981
Hours	January–April 6:00 to a little after 14:00, May–December 5:00 to a little after 14:00 (varies by shop)
Parking	About 350 spaces (including the surrounding area). Normally ¥100 per 20 minutes. Free for 60 minutes if you spend ¥2,200 or more at member shops
Official site	www.hakodate-asaichi.com

▼How to get from Hakodate Morning Market to Mt. Hakodate Ropeway About 9 min by car, 3.1 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

10:00 — Mt. Hakodate Ropeway | The city of Hakodate from the summit

It runs from 10 a.m. It is suspended for inspection from October 20 to November 8, 2026, and the mountain road up to the summit by car closes for winter from November 9.

Address	19-7 Motomachi, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0054
Phone	0138-23-3105
Hours	April 20–September 30 10:00–22:00, October 1–April 19 10:00–21:00 (last ascent 30 minutes before closing)
Admission	Round trip: adults ¥1,800, children ¥900
Suspended	Suspended all day for inspection from October 20 to November 8, 2026
By car to the summit	The mountain road is closed for winter from November 9, 2026 to April 12, 2027 (planned). In summer, private cars are restricted at night
Official site	334.co.jp

▼How to get from Mt. Hakodate Ropeway to Onuma Quasi-National Park About 47 min by car, 32.7 km (Google Maps estimate). Open directions in Google Maps

12:00 — Onuma Quasi-National Park | A lake of Mt. Komagatake and small islands

A lake 47 minutes by car from Mt. Hakodate, where small islands float with Mt. Komagatake behind them. You can also canoe or cycle.

Address	85-15 Onuma-cho, Nanae-cho, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido (next to JR Onuma-koen Station)
Phone	0138-67-2170
Hours	9:00–17:00, closed over the New Year holidays
Parking	15 spaces in the Plaza lot
Official site	guruttoonuma.net

Volcano information for Hokkaido-Komagatake (checked October 8, 2026) Hokkaido-Komagatake has been at Volcanic Alert Level 2 (restricted area around the crater) since October 2, 2026. Do not enter the area within about 4 km of the crater. Refrain from climbing, and check the guidance from Nanae, Mori and Shikabe towns and the Japan Meteorological Agency’s volcano information for Hokkaido-Komagatake. The Onuma Park lakeshore, outside the restricted area, can still be visited as before.

▼How to get from Onuma Quasi-National Park to Toyako Onsen About 1 h 49 min by car, 137 km (Google Maps estimate). You drive along Uchiura Bay (Funka Bay). Stay overnight at Toyako Onsen. Open directions in Google Maps

Driving around Hokkaido | How far and how many days if you link the 7 routes?

Each of the 7 routes above can be driven in anything from a day trip to 3 days and 2 nights. Link them into one and you have a drive around Hokkaido. Keeping to 200 km a day (this site’s guideline), a loop from New Chitose Airport comes to about 2,090 km and a minimum of 12 nights and 13 days (How many days does it take to drive around Hokkaido?). More detailed day-by-day routes are collected in the sister article “Complete Guide to Hokkaido Campervan Model Courses.” The two articles divide the work: this one introduces the highlights of each area, while the model course article covers concrete itineraries down to each day’s overnight parking spots and travel distances.

Using the place names from the 7 routes as they are and rearranging them in the order you would drive them on a loop, you get the table below. Starting from Hakodate, it heads north along the Sea of Japan side, passes Cape Soya, and then goes around the Okhotsk coast and eastern Hokkaido. It is the same “counterclockwise” flow as the model course in the sister article. The Shakotan Peninsula, Furano and Biei are sections a little off the main roads, so if you are short on days, you can also choose to save them for another trip.

Added up as they are, the distances of the 7 routes come to about 1,600 km (a value checked on Google Maps on October 23, 2026). On an actual loop, travel between routes is added, and at up to 200 km a day it comes to about 2,090 km and a minimum of 12 nights and 13 days. If you want to check the overnight parking spots and daily travel distances, please refer to that article.

There is also a way to test how many days you can drive safely, while playing. This site’s Hokkaido Sugoroku is a game in which you drive a loop (about 2,090 km) connecting 29 real RV parks by real roads from New Chitose Airport, with limits of 200 km and 9 hours a day. If you stay within those limits, driving alone takes a minimum of 11 days. Add detours and sightseeing days and it gets longer still. Try it once to see whether the “9–10 nights if you want some breathing room” above suits your own travel style (how to play).

Things to watch out for when driving

Yezo deer jump out mostly from evening into the night

Collisions with Yezo deer happen in large numbers across Hokkaido every year. A collision is hard enough to wreck the front of a car. Deer jump onto the road especially after sunset, at night and in the early morning, and the basic rule is to slow down in sections with warning signs.

The risk is highest in Shiretoko, eastern Hokkaido and northern Hokkaido. If you see a deer while driving, always slow down and check your surroundings before passing.

Refuel when the tank drops to half or below

In eastern and northern Hokkaido there are stretches where gas stations are dozens of kilometers apart. If you think “I’ll fill up in the next town,” you risk running out of fuel. It is safer to make a habit of refueling once the gauge falls below half.

Before heading toward Cape Soya or Shiretoko in particular, always fill the tank in a nearby town beforehand (in Wakkanai city, in the town of Shari, and so on).

Mountain pass weather is a different story from the lowlands

On inland pass sections such as the Hidaka Mountains, the Daisetsuzan range and Shiretoko Pass, there can be fog, rain or snow even when the lowlands are sunny. The Shiretoko Cross-Country Road (National Route 334 over Shiretoko Pass) in particular is at 738 m, and on foggy days even in summer visibility can drop to almost nothing. Before you go, check road conditions on the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau’s road information.

Out-of-range areas are common in eastern and northern Hokkaido

In mountain and peninsula areas there are sections with no mobile signal. Downloading Google Maps offline maps beforehand, or carrying one paper road atlas, works as insurance. Before heading toward Shiretoko or Cape Soya, be sure to download the maps.

With a campervan, the route constraints go away

One of the troubles with driving in Hokkaido is that the location of your lodging ends up deciding your route. Even when you think “I’d like to keep looking at this view a little longer,” it often happens that you hurry to the next destination to make your booked lodging in time.

With a campervan, those constraints disappear. You can stay overnight wherever you arrive, at a Michi-no-Eki or RV park, so you can spend time in the places you like. You drive with all your luggage on board, so there is no need to shuttle between lodging and luggage.

It suits a drive around Hokkaido (about 2,090 km and a minimum of 12 nights and 13 days at up to 200 km a day) of course, and also trips like Furano and Biei where you want to stay in one place and take it slowly. See also the 1-week cost simulation.

Summary

• The main cities in Hokkaido are farther apart than you would expect. Keep each day to 200 km or less (this site’s guideline)
• Combine routes from 4 areas: central Hokkaido (Shakotan, Niseko, Lake Toya), northern Hokkaido (Furano, Biei, Wakkanai), eastern Hokkaido (Shiretoko, Kushiro, Okhotsk) and southern Hokkaido (Hakodate, Onuma)
• Check 3 things before you set out: Yezo deer, refueling spots and out-of-range areas
• The easiest seasons for driving are May–June and September–October. Summer is the peak and crowded
• With a campervan, you can change your route freely without lodging constraints

This page collects the campervan rental companies, rates and reviews available in Hokkaido.