1.036 Million Visitors from South Korea to Hokkaido a Year: What They Do, Where They Stay, Winter Flights and the Outlook [2026]
In FY2025, 1,036,000 people came to Hokkaido from South Korea, more than from any other country or region.
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In FY2025, 1,036,000 visitors came to Hokkaido from South Korea, the largest number of any country or region. That is 31.3% of all foreign visitors to Hokkaido (source: Hokkaido Tourist Arrivals Survey Report, FY2025 (Reiwa 7), Main Volume, Hokkaido Prefectural Government, checked 2026-10-20). Their time in Japan centers on Japanese food (98.4%) and shopping (83.8%), and 55.3% say they want to enjoy a hot spring next time (Japan Tourism Agency, Inbound Consumption Trend Survey, FY2025 final report, figures for Japan as a whole).
This article lays out, using figures from the Hokkaido Prefectural Government, the Japan Tourism Agency and JNTO, how many people come to Hokkaido from South Korea, when they come and what they do, and where they stay. It then summarizes the highlights of Sapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu, where many Korean travelers stay, and an outlook on whether the numbers will grow.
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Compare rental companies and vehicles →How many people come to Hokkaido from South Korea each year?
According to the Hokkaido Prefectural Government’s count, visitors to Hokkaido in FY2025 (actual number of people) ranked as follows: South Korea 1,036,000, Taiwan 717,700, China 412,100, Hong Kong 173,200, the United States 172,200, and Thailand 146,600. South Korea was 839,500 in the previous fiscal year, so the number rose in one year (source: Prefectural Government, FY2025 Main Volume, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Counting by nights spent changes the ranking. In the same report’s “total overnight guests” figure, Taiwan has 2,386,000 guest-nights (23.0%), South Korea 1,944,000 guest-nights (18.7%), and China 1,478,000 guest-nights (14.2%) (Prefectural Government, FY2025 Main Volume, (checked 2026-10-06)). South Korea is No. 1 by number of people, and Taiwan is No. 1 by number of nights. Dividing total guest-nights by the number of visitors gives about 1.9 nights per person for South Korea and about 3.3 nights for Taiwan (the author’s calculation).
This article does not mix two kinds of figures. “Visitors to Hokkaido (actual number of people)” and “total overnight guests” follow the Prefectural Government’s definitions, while the Japan Tourism Agency’s accommodation statistics use a different definition, so please do not compare them side by side.
By fiscal year, the number fell to 436,900 in FY2019 and 218,900 in FY2022, then recovered from FY2023. The FY2025 figure is 41.7% higher than FY2018 (731,200) (Hokkaido Prefectural Government, Trends in Tourist Arrivals and the main volume for each fiscal year, checked 2026-10-20).
| Fiscal year | Visitors to Hokkaido from South Korea (actual number of people) |
|---|---|
| FY2018 | 731,200 |
| FY2019 | 436,900 |
| FY2022 | 218,900 |
| FY2023 | 659,200 |
| FY2024 | 839,500 |
| FY2025 | 1,036,000 |
When do Korean travelers come? Winter or summer?
Korean visitors to Japan by month (JNTO)
Among Korean visitors to Japan as a whole, 2025 was busiest in winter, with 974,239 in December and 967,100 in January, against 678,566 in July and 660,917 in August. In 2026, January’s 1,176,089 is the highest month from January to August. The total for January to August 2026 is 7,420,300, which is 21.2% more than the same period of the previous year (JNTO, Visitor Arrivals, published September 16, 2026, checked 2026-10-20).
Number of Korean flights at New Chitose Airport (Hokkaido Airports)
In the 2025 winter season plan, flights between New Chitose Airport and South Korea rise from 91 round trips per week at the start of the season to 131 round trips per week at the January peak (Hokkaido Airports, 2025 Winter Season International Flight Schedule).
Overnight stays by all foreign visitors in Hokkaido (Prefectural Government)
The prefecture’s draft plan states that about 42% of foreign overnight guests in FY2024 were concentrated in January to March. This is a figure for all foreign visitors, not only South Korea (Draft of the 6th Hokkaido Tourism Nation-Building Action Plan, checked 2026-10-20).
All three figures show a peak in winter (December to March).
What do Korean travelers do in Japan?
In the Japan Tourism Agency’s FY2025 final report, what Korean respondents did in Japan was Japanese food at 98.4%, shopping at 83.8%, Japanese alcohol at 67.3%, and nature and scenic sightseeing at 50.1%. Hot spring bathing is 23.7%, but rises to 55.3% for what they want to do next time. Skiing and snowboarding is 0.3%, and 4.6% want to do it next time. All figures are for Japan as a whole (Japan Tourism Agency, Inbound Consumption Trend Survey, 2025 calendar year final report, tabulation tables, Reference 3, checked 2026-10-20).
| Activity | Did this time | Want to do next time |
|---|---|---|
| Eating Japanese food | 98.4% | 70.0% |
| Shopping | 83.8% | 45.0% |
| Drinking Japanese alcohol | 67.3% | 40.2% |
| Nature and scenic sightseeing | 50.1% | 32.6% |
| Hot spring bathing | 23.7% | 55.3% |
| Staying at a ryokan | 19.4% | 24.2% |
| Experiencing the four seasons (cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, snow, etc.) | 7.1% | 12.2% |
| Skiing and snowboarding | 0.3% | 4.6% |
Among Korean travelers, 8.5% named a rental car as a means of transport used within Japan (Table 1-1 of the same survey).
Of the Korean travelers who come to Japan, what percentage come to Hokkaido?
In the same survey, the visit rates of Korean travelers by prefecture were 28.8% for Osaka, 25.2% for Fukuoka and 22.5% for Tokyo, and 9.9% for Hokkaido (Table 6-1). Those who entered Japan through New Chitose Airport were 9.5% (Table 1-1). Korean travelers’ travel spending per person was 105,058 yen, with an average stay of 4.0 nights (Japan Tourism Agency, Inbound Consumption Trend Survey, 2025 Report, checked 2026-10-20).
Which towns do Korean visitors stay in most?
The three places are listed as they could be confirmed in each city’s published materials, not in order of the number of Korean visitors. Sapporo uses an estimate of “overnight guests,” Otaru uses “overnight guests,” and Noboribetsu uses “total guest-nights (person-nights),” so the counting method differs by city. Please do not compare the figures with each other.
| Place | South Korea’s figure | Rank in the city | Fiscal year and unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 692,711 people (27.8%) | No. 1 (No. 2 is Taiwan, 468,692 people) | FY2025, overnight guests (estimate) |
| Otaru | 58,177 people (about 20.6%) | No. 1 (No. 2 is Taiwan, 54,684 people) | FY2024, overnight guests |
| Noboribetsu | 116,746 person-nights (about 28.4%) | No. 2 (No. 1 is Taiwan, 137,255 person-nights) | FY2025, total guest-nights |
In the first half of FY2025 in Otaru (April to September), South Korea falls to No. 2 (21,676 people). No. 1 is Taiwan with 26,567, and the total of foreign overnight guests was 107,611 (City of Otaru, FY2025 First-Half Tourist Arrivals, (checked 2026-10-06)).
What should you see in Sapporo? It has the most Korean overnight guests
Foreign overnight guests in Sapporo in FY2025 totaled 2,487,532, of whom 692,711 were from South Korea. That is a 27.8% share, ahead of No. 2 Taiwan (468,692, 18.8%) and No. 3 China (409,682, 16.5%). It rose by 103,564 (17.6%) from 589,147 the previous fiscal year (City of Sapporo, FY2025 Survey Results on Sapporo Tourism Trends, (checked 2026-10-06)). The city notes that these are estimates apportioned by the country shares in its survey of accommodation facilities.
These five are the classic sights. Sapporo’s official tourism site has a Korean-language version (Sapporo official tourism site, Korean version, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station it is 46.6 km, about 43 minutes by car, as a guide from road data (measured with OSRM route calculation; traffic and winter road conditions are not included, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Odori Park and the Sapporo TV Tower
Odori Park stretches about 1.5 km east to west, from block 1 to block 12, and hosts the Snow Festival in winter, the Lilac Festival in spring, and the YOSAKOI Soran Festival and beer gardens in summer (Sapporo official tourism site, Odori Park, (checked 2026-10-06)). The observation deck of the Sapporo TV Tower is open 9:00-22:00, with last admission at 21:50. For the night view, you can choose a time to go up after sunset (Sapporo TV Tower, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Sapporo Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is in Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, and its bell rings on the hour. It is open 8:45-17:10 (last admission 17:00) and closed January 1-3. Built in 1878 as the drill hall of the Sapporo Agricultural College, it is a building with white walls and a red roof (Sapporo official tourism site, Sapporo Clock Tower, (checked 2026-10-06)). Please check the official information before you go.
Susukino
Susukino is a nighttime entertainment district that Sapporo’s official tourism site describes as “the largest entertainment district in northern Japan,” with about 3,500 restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. It connects directly to Susukino Station and Hosui-Susukino Station on the subway (Sapporo official tourism site, Susukino, (checked 2026-10-06)). Ramen Alley is also in the Susukino area.
Sapporo Snow Festival
The 2027 festival runs for eight days, from Thursday, February 4 to Thursday, February 11 (a national holiday). There are three venues: Odori, Susukino, and Tsudome (Sapporo Snow Festival official site, (checked 2026-10-06)). For parking if you come by car, see Sapporo Snow Festival venues and parking.
Jozankei Onsen (within Sapporo City)
Jozankei is a hot spring area in the south of Sapporo, a little under an hour by car from central Sapporo. There is also a direct bus, the “Kappa Liner,” from Sapporo Station that takes about 60 minutes (reservation required). The springs were opened in 1866, and the gorge view from Futami Suspension Bridge is well known (Sapporo official tourism site, Jozankei Onsen Town, Access to Jozankei, (checked 2026-10-06)). It is introduced here as a hot spring area within Sapporo.
What should you see in Otaru? South Korea ranked No. 1 in FY2024
Foreign overnight guests in Otaru in FY2024 (April 2024 to March 2025) numbered 282,688, a record high. No. 1 by country was South Korea with 58,177 (99.7% of the previous year), and No. 2 was Taiwan with 54,684. Calculated from the total, South Korea’s share is about 20.6% (City of Otaru, FY2024 Overview of Tourist Arrivals, (checked 2026-10-06)).
From Sapporo to Otaru it is 38.8 km, about 32 minutes by car, as a guide from road data (OSRM, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Otaru Canal
Along the canal promenade stand 63 gas lamps. They are lit from sunset until 24:00 (from 15:00 during the Otaru Snow Light Path event), and the stone warehouses are illuminated from sunset until 22:30. The warehouses remain as they were back then and are used as restaurants and other businesses. It is about a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station (Otaru Tourism Association, Otaru Canal, (checked 2026-10-06)). If you go around dusk, you can see both the gas lamps and the warehouses.
Sakaimachi Street
Sakaimachi Street is a street within walking distance of the canal. In its introduction of Asakusabashi Gaien, next to the canal, the Otaru Tourism Association says that restaurants, Sakaimachi Street, the former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch, and the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line are all within walking distance (Otaru Tourism Association, Otaru Canal, (checked 2026-10-06)). You can fit a canal stroll and a round of shops along the street into the same half day.
What should you see at Noboribetsu Onsen? Korean visitors are the second largest group staying there
The City of Noboribetsu publishes total foreign guest-nights by country each fiscal year. The FY2025 total was 410,777 person-nights: Taiwan 137,255, South Korea 116,746, and China 42,779. Calculated from the total, South Korea’s share is about 28.4%. In the previous fiscal year it was South Korea 111,701 and Taiwan 124,519, so the ranking is the same (City of Noboribetsu, Year-by-Year Trend of Foreign Guest-Nights, the page where it is posted is City of Noboribetsu, Trend of Foreign Tourists, (checked 2026-10-06)).
For visitor numbers and when people come, see “Hokkaido Tourism Statistics: 46.13 Million Visitors a Year, Foreign Visitors by Country, Peak Months and Travel Purposes [FY2025]”.
The official Noboribetsu Onsen site is available in Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Thai (Noboribetsu Onsen official site, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to Noboribetsu Onsen it is 69.5 km, about 57 minutes by car, as a guide from road data (OSRM, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
Jigokudani is the remains of an explosion crater formed by an eruption of Mount Hiyori, about 450 m in diameter and about 11 ha in area. It has many steam vents and hot spring outlets, and about 10,000 tons of hot spring water per day flows out and is sent to the surrounding hotels and inns. Admission is free. Parking costs 500 yen per day, with the same ticket valid at the Oyunuma parking lot (except in winter) (Noboribetsu Onsen official site, Jigokudani, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Oyunuma Pond
Oyunuma is a pond that the official Noboribetsu Onsen site introduces together with Jigokudani (Noboribetsu Onsen official site, (checked 2026-10-06)). The official site has a guide to a walking course that takes in Jigokudani, Oyunuma, and other spots. For the time needed, please check the official information before you go.
What other sights can you reach by car besides Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu?
The sights and approximate travel times from road data are listed below (measured with OSRM; traffic and winter road conditions are not included, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Biei: the Blue Pond and the hills
The Blue Pond was created by disaster-prevention works on Mount Tokachidake. It is quiet in the morning and crowded from 13:00 to 15:00 on sunny days. In winter it is illuminated every day from sunset until 21:00; in 2025 this ran from October 24 to April 22, 2026. For this year’s period, please check the Biei Town Tourism Association’s information (Biei Town Tourism Association, Shirogane Blue Pond, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to the Blue Pond it is 174.9 km, about 136 minutes by car.
Furano: the lavender
Farm Tomita’s Lavender East is in Nakafurano Town, and the best viewing is usually from early to mid July. It varies with the year’s weather and temperatures (Farm Tomita, Lavender East, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to Farm Tomita it is 149.7 km, about 112 minutes by car.
Asahiyama Zoo: the penguin walk in winter
The penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo takes place once enough snow has fallen to make a course. It usually runs from late December to mid March, often twice a day, but on some days only once depending on snow conditions. The zoo’s website announces the times when it starts (Asahiyama Zoo, FAQ, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to Asahiyama Zoo it is 168.3 km, about 156 minutes by car. From Sapporo Station it is 147.1 km, about 132 minutes.
Lake Toya
On the shore of Toyako Onsen, the Long Run Fireworks Festival is held. In 2026 it ran from April 28 to October 31, every night at 20:45 for about 20 minutes. For next year’s period, please check the Toyako Onsen Tourism Association’s information (Toyako Onsen Tourism Association, Long Run Fireworks, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to Toyako Onsen it is 108.1 km, about 90 minutes by car.
Hakodate: the night view from Mt. Hakodate
The Mt. Hakodate Ropeway takes about 3 minutes to ride and departs every 15 minutes. From October 1 to April 19 it starts running at 10:00, with the last ascent at 20:30 and the last descent at 21:00. From April 20 to September 30 the last ascent is at 21:30. Operation may change due to weather or maintenance (Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, hours and fares, (checked 2026-10-06)). The City of Hakodate writes that in the first half of FY2025, South Korea rose 55.4% from the previous fiscal year, because Jeju Air launched a new route in June (City of Hakodate, FY2025 First-Half Estimate of Tourist Arrivals, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway it is 268.3 km, about 215 minutes by car.
Niseko and Mt. Yotei
The Niseko Resort Tourism Association describes the area as having Mt. Yotei (1,898 m) to the east and Niseko Annupuri (1,309 m) to the north. In summer there are hiking and water activities, and in winter it is a ski resort known for its snow quality (Niseko Resort Tourism Association, Niseko Overview, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to Kutchan Station it is 117.0 km, about 88 minutes by car. From Sapporo Station it is 91.5 km, about 71 minutes.
Lake Shikotsu
One of Shikotsuko Onsen’s winter events is the Hyoto (ice festival) Festival. In 2027 it is planned for early to late February, subject to temperature and weather. Ice sculptures made by spraying lake water so that it freezes are lined up (Sapporo official tourism site, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, (checked 2026-10-06)). From New Chitose Airport to the Lake Shikotsu shore it is 41.3 km, about 38 minutes by car, making it a sight close to the airport.
The table below looks at how South Korean overnight stays are spread out, using the Prefectural Government’s table by region. In Central Hokkaido (Doo), South Korea ranks No. 1 ahead of Taiwan, and about 82% of South Korea’s total guest-nights are concentrated there. Northern Hokkaido (Dohoku) and Tokachi are No. 2, and Southern Hokkaido (Donan) is No. 3 (the regional table in Prefectural Government, FY2025 Main Volume, (checked 2026-10-06)).
| Region | South Korea’s guest-nights (person-nights) | South Korea’s rank |
|---|---|---|
| Central Hokkaido (around Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu, and New Chitose Airport) | 1,600,855 | No. 1 (Taiwan 1,442,073) |
| Northern Hokkaido (around Asahikawa) | 181,202 | No. 2 (Taiwan 376,910, China 161,406) |
| Southern Hokkaido (around Hakodate) | 102,122 | No. 3 (Taiwan 352,148, China 184,700) |
| Tokachi (around Obihiro) | 42,624 | No. 2 (Taiwan 78,292) |
| Kushiro and Nemuro | 9,088 | – (Taiwan 88,638) |
| Okhotsk | 8,340 | – (Taiwan 47,970) |
Which airports in Hokkaido have direct flights from South Korea?
For New Chitose Airport’s routes to South Korea, Hokkaido Airports has announced a plan for the 2025 winter season (October 26, 2025 to March 28, 2026). South Korean flights number 91 round trips per week at the start of the season and 131 round trips per week at the peak (the weeks of January 11 and 18). The breakdown at the peak is Seoul (Incheon) 77, Busan 35, Cheongju 14, and Daegu 5 (Hokkaido Airports, 2025 Winter International Flight Schedule, a plan as of October 17 that may change, (checked 2026-10-06)).
Hakodate Airport’s official timetable for international flights lists the Taipei route from September 1 to October 24, 2026 (Hakodate Airport, Flight Schedule (International), (checked 2026-10-06)).
New Chitose Airport’s official schedule is a search form, and for international flights it shows only the current month (New Chitose Airport, Flight Schedule, (checked 2026-10-06)). Please confirm flight numbers and times for your departure date on this page or the airline’s official site. January is a period with many flights. Once your dates are set, check seat availability with the airline early. Seasonal crowds and costs may also help.
For getting around inside New Chitose Airport, see our New Chitose Airport guide map.
Can you drive a campervan in Hokkaido with a South Korean driver’s license?
The Republic of Korea is listed in the Metropolitan Police Department’s “Information on Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention” (Metropolitan Police Department, Information on Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention, (checked 2026-10-06)). What you can drive with in Japan is an International Driving Permit in the Geneva Convention format. The conditions are that it was issued within the past year and that you are within one year of the day you landed in Japan. Permits in other formats, such as the Vienna Convention, cannot be used to drive in Japan (Metropolitan Police Department, How to Drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit Obtained Abroad, updated August 5, 2025, (checked 2026-10-06)).
The documents required for each nationality are summarized in How to rent a campervan in Hokkaido with a foreign license, and the rental process in How to rent a campervan in Japan. The documents requested at pickup differ by company, so please check with the company you plan to rent from before booking.
How many days does it take to link the popular towns by car, and how?
Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu line up in order of closeness if you start from New Chitose Airport. As guides from road data: New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station is 46.6 km, about 43 minutes; Sapporo Station to Otaru Station is 38.8 km, about 32 minutes; New Chitose Airport to Noboribetsu Onsen is 69.5 km, about 57 minutes; and Sapporo Station to Noboribetsu Onsen is 109.6 km, about 90 minutes (measured with OSRM, (checked 2026-10-06)). Traffic, winter road conditions, and time spent looking for parking are not included.
| Leg | Distance | Travel time (guide from road data) |
|---|---|---|
| New Chitose Airport → Sapporo Station | 46.6km | about 43 min |
| Sapporo Station → Otaru Station | 38.8km | about 32 min |
| New Chitose Airport → Noboribetsu Onsen | 69.5km | about 57 min |
| Sapporo Station → Noboribetsu Onsen | 109.6km | about 90 min |
| New Chitose Airport → Otaru Station | 85.3km | about 70 min |
For these three places, each leg is about 90 minutes at most as a guide from road data. Splitting where you stay makes the driving easier. If you want to cover a wider area, days and routes for a trip around Hokkaido is a starting point, and if you want to choose scenic roads, 7 recommended drive courses will help.
Will the number of travelers from South Korea keep growing?
As official targets, the national government aims for 60 million foreign visitors to Japan in 2030 (Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan, approved by the Cabinet on March 27, 2026). The prefecture aims for 4 million foreign visitors to Hokkaido in FY2030. In FY2024 the number was 2.83 million (Draft of the 6th Hokkaido Tourism Nation-Building Action Plan).
On that basis, here are the numbers if the current growth continues, calculated three ways. None of them is a forecast; they are rough guides of the kind “if this growth continues.”
| Method | Rough guide |
|---|---|
| If the growth from FY2023 to FY2025 (about 25% a year on average) continues in FY2026 | About 1.3 million in FY2026 |
| If South Korea’s growth for Japan as a whole (January to August 2026, +21.2%) lasts one year and Hokkaido’s visit rate (9.9%) stays the same | About 1.14 million in 2026 |
| If the prefecture’s FY2030 target (4 million foreign visitors) is met and South Korea’s share (31.3%) stays the same | About 1.25 million in FY2030 |
If you travel by campervan
About 82% of Korean travelers’ overnight stays are concentrated in central Hokkaido (Doo), where Sapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu are located. These three towns are within 43 to 70 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport, and the hot spring areas of Noboribetsu and Jozankei are also included. Because many people come in winter, choose a company that also rents in winter, and ask about winter equipment when you book.
New Chitose Airport and Tokachi-Obihiro Airport
See Moving Inn Campervans
Check vehicle types, rates, and availability on the official site.
See details at Moving Inn →If you are coming in winter, please first check cold-weather preparation and equipment for winter trips.
Checklist of things to confirm before departure
- Is your International Driving Permit in the Geneva Convention format and issued within the past year?
- Are you within one year of the day you landed in Japan?
- Have you secured a flight to New Chitose Airport for your departure date and time? (January is the peak for flights)
- Have you checked the best viewing season and event dates of the sights you want to visit on each official site? (penguin walk, illuminations, fireworks, and so on)
- Is there parking in each city where you will stay?
- Have you added a margin for traffic and snow to the road-data guide times for driving?
- Have you checked the required documents with the rental company in advance?
Information sources for this article
These are the sources for the figures and facts in this article. The date each was checked is in the right-hand column.
| Source | URL | Date checked |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido Tourist Arrivals Survey Report, FY2025 (Reiwa 7), Main Volume (Hokkaido Prefectural Government) | https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/fs/1/3/2/0/8/5/3/4/_/%E5%8C%97%E6%B… | 2026-10-06 |
| City of Sapporo, FY2025 Survey Results on Sapporo Tourism Trends | https://www.city.sapporo.jp/keizai/kanko/statistics/documents/2025k… | 2026-10-06 |
| City of Otaru, FY2024 Overview of Tourist Arrivals | https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2020101000127/file_contents/R6gai… | 2026-10-06 |
| City of Otaru, FY2025 First-Half Overview of Tourist Arrivals | https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2025112800025/file_contents/3-2.pdf | 2026-10-06 |
| City of Noboribetsu, Year-by-Year Trend of Foreign Guest-Nights | https://www.city.noboribetsu.lg.jp/docs/2013042600105/file_contents… | 2026-10-06 |
| City of Noboribetsu, Trend of Foreign Tourists in Noboribetsu (posting page) | https://www.city.noboribetsu.lg.jp/docs/2013042600105/ | 2026-10-06 |
| City of Hakodate, FY2025 First-Half Estimate of Tourist Arrivals in Hakodate | https://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/docs/2025091200052/file_conte… | 2026-10-06 |
| Hakodate Airport, Flight Schedule (International) | https://www.hokkaido-airports.com/ja/hakodate/airport/time/inter/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Asahikawa Airport, Flight Schedule (International) | https://www.hokkaido-airports.com/en/asahikawa/airport/time/inter/ | 2026-10-06 |
| New Chitose Airport, Flight Schedule | https://www.hokkaido-airports.com/en/new-chitose/airport/time/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Hokkaido Airports, 2025 Winter International Flight Schedule (announced October 17, 2025) | https://www.hokkaido-airports.com/ja/corporate/pressrelease/assets/… | 2026-10-06 |
| Japan Tourism Agency, Inbound Consumption Trend Survey, tabulation table, second preliminary report for April-June 2026 | https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/002024944.xlsx | 2026-10-06 |
| Japan Tourism Agency, Inbound Consumption Trend Survey (posting page) | https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/tokei_hakusyo/gaikokujinshohidoko.h… | 2026-10-06 |
| Metropolitan Police Department, Information on Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention | https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokug… | 2026-10-06 |
| Metropolitan Police Department, How to Drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit Obtained Abroad | https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokus… | 2026-10-06 |
| OSRM (route calculation from road data) | https://router.project-osrm.org/route/v1/driving/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo official tourism site, Korean version | https://www.sapporo.travel/ko/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo official tourism site, Odori Park | https://www.sapporo.travel/en/spot/facility/odori_park/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo TV Tower | https://www.tv-tower.co.jp/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo official tourism site, Sapporo Clock Tower | https://www.sapporo.travel/find/culture/clock_tower/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo official tourism site, Susukino | https://www.sapporo.travel/find/recreational/susukino/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo Snow Festival official site, 2027 overview | https://www.snowfes.com/news/948.html | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo official tourism site, Jozankei Onsen Town | https://www.sapporo.travel/find/recreational/jozankei_onsen/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo official tourism site, Access to Jozankei | https://www.sapporo.travel/news/jozankeiaccess/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Otaru Tourism Association | https://www.otaru.gr.jp/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Otaru Tourism Association, Otaru Canal | https://otaru.gr.jp/shop/otarucanal | 2026-10-06 |
| Noboribetsu Onsen official site | https://www.noboribetsu-spa.jp/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Noboribetsu Onsen official site, Jigokudani | https://noboribetsu-spa.jp/spot/spot0034/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Biei Town Tourism Association, Shirogane Blue Pond | https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/ja/shirogane-blue-pond | 2026-10-06 |
| Farm Tomita, Lavender East | https://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/east/letter5.asp | 2026-10-06 |
| Asahiyama Zoo, FAQ (penguin walk) | https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/generalinformat… | 2026-10-06 |
| Toyako Onsen Tourism Association, Long Run Fireworks | https://www.laketoya.com/event/fireworks/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, hours and fares | https://334.co.jp/ropeway/price/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Niseko Resort Tourism Association, Niseko Overview | https://www.niseko-ta.jp/knowledge/ | 2026-10-06 |
| Sapporo official tourism site, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival | https://www.sapporo.travel/en/event/event-list/lake-shikotsu-ice-fe… | 2026-10-06 |
| Japan Tourism Agency, “Inbound Consumption Trend Survey, 2025 Calendar Year Final Report, Tabulation Tables,” Reference 3, Tables 1-1 and 6-1 | https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/002025515.xls | 2026-10-20 |
| Japan Tourism Agency, “Inbound Consumption Trend Survey, 2025 Report” | https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/002020010.pdf | 2026-10-20 |
| JNTO, “Visitor Arrivals,” by nationality and month (published September 16, 2026) | https://www.jnto.go.jp/statistics/data/visitors-statistics/ | 2026-10-20 |
| Hokkaido Prefectural Government, “Trends in Tourist Arrivals” | https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/kz/kkd/irikominosuii.html | 2026-10-20 |
| Hokkaido Prefectural Government, “Draft of the 6th Hokkaido Tourism Nation-Building Action Plan,” February 2026 (Reiwa 8) | https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/fs/1/2/9/5/2/3/6/7/_/%E3%80%90%E8%B3… | 2026-10-20 |
| Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, “Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan,” approved by the Cabinet on March 27, 2026 | https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001991698.pdf | 2026-10-20 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many people come to Hokkaido from South Korea each year?
In FY2025 it was 1,036,000 people, the largest number of any country or region (Prefectural Government, actual number of people, checked 2026-10-06).
Where in Hokkaido do Korean visitors stay?
The places that could be confirmed are Sapporo (No. 1, with 27.8% of foreign overnight guests), Otaru (No. 1 in FY2024), and Noboribetsu (No. 2 in FY2025). About 82% of South Korea’s total guest-nights are concentrated in Central Hokkaido (checked 2026-10-06).
What should I see in Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu?
In Sapporo: Odori Park, the Sapporo TV Tower, the Clock Tower, Susukino, and the Sapporo Snow Festival in February. In Otaru: the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street. In Noboribetsu: Jigokudani and Oyunuma. Hours and dates are as given on each official site (checked 2026-10-06).
Are there other sights I can reach by car besides Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu?
There are the Blue Pond in Biei, the lavender in Furano, Asahiyama Zoo, Lake Toya, Mt. Hakodate, Niseko and Mt. Yotei, and Lake Shikotsu. From New Chitose Airport it is about 38 minutes to the Lake Shikotsu shore, about 90 minutes to Toyako Onsen, and about 215 minutes to Mt. Hakodate (guides from road data, checked 2026-10-06).
What do Korean visitors come to do?
In the Japan Tourism Agency’s FY2025 final report (figures for Japan as a whole), the order is Japanese food 98.4%, shopping 83.8%, Japanese alcohol 67.3% and nature and scenic sightseeing 50.1%, and hot spring bathing is 55.3% for what they want to do next time (checked 2026-10-20).
Are there direct flights from South Korea to New Chitose Airport?
In the 2025 winter plan, there are 91 to 131 round trips per week from Seoul (Incheon), Busan, Cheongju, and Daegu. For the number of flights and times in the 2026 winter season, please check New Chitose Airport’s official page or the airline (checked 2026-10-06).
Can I drive in Japan with a South Korean driver’s license?
With an International Driving Permit in the Geneva Convention format, you can drive while it is within one year of issue and within one year of the day you landed in Japan (Metropolitan Police Department, checked 2026-10-06).
How long does it take by car from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo, Otaru, and Noboribetsu?
As guides from road data: about 43 minutes to Sapporo Station, about 57 minutes to Noboribetsu Onsen, and about 70 minutes to Otaru Station. Traffic and winter road conditions are not included (OSRM, checked 2026-10-06).
When do Korean travelers come to Hokkaido?
Among Korean visitors to Japan as a whole, December and January were busy in 2025, and July and August were quieter months (JNTO). Korean flights at New Chitose Airport also rise to 131 round trips per week at the January peak in the 2025 winter season (Hokkaido Airports).
Will the number of travelers from South Korea keep growing?
It is not a forecast, but if the current growth continues, the rough guides are about 1.3 million in FY2026 and about 1.14 million in 2026. The prefecture aims for 4 million foreign visitors to Hokkaido in FY2030 (Draft of the 6th Hokkaido Tourism Nation-Building Action Plan). The calculations are in the table in the article.
Pages to read next
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