The Top 5 flower fields nearby Asahikawa that you shouldn’t be missed! Be sure adding Hokkaido flower field itinerary if you are visiting during the blossom season.
Asahikawa is Hokkaido’s second-largest city and best known for its zoo and ramen. It is very convenient to get from Sapporo to Asahikawa with train depart every 30 minutes. The location is also close to the lovely rolling hills of Biei and Furano.
Start from April until the end of October, several flower fields brighten up the vast land of Hokkaido. Moreover, a few famous flower fields are located nearby Asahikawa.
For example, enjoy the beautiful sea of flower including lavender at Furano. There is also sunflower at Hokuryu Town, canola flower at Takikawa and flower field at Biei. Most of the flower viewing time is seasonal. It is always best to visit during spring and summer.
From Asahikawa To Flower Field Nearby
That is to say, it is not easy to travel around when planning on flower field itinerary in Hokkaido. It is even more challenging if you are getting around by public transport. However, staying around at different places may time and energy-consuming. Therefore, we would suggest you stayed in Asahikawa and getting to different places nearby.
Below are the top 5 Hokkaido flower fields which accessible from Asahikawa.
Situated between Sapporo and Asahikawa, Takikawa is known for its biggest canola flower plantation in Japan. In spring, endless of bright yellow canola sea stretching on as far as eyes can see. During the blooming season in late May, Takikawa will held the Canola Flower Festival. The flower field will open to the public to mesmerize the beauty of flower. Thousand of tourists from all over the world are joining this flower festival.
Getting there: Get off at JR Takikawa station and take the bus to “Ebeotsu Chuo dori”. A special shuttle taxi will bring you to the Canola Festival.
Takinoue Park Shibazakura Festival
Shibazakura Blossom in Takinoue Park
Shibazakura or pink moss phlox is one of the popular spring flowers in Hokkaido. The impressive landscape view of pink Moss Phlox can be mesmerized in Takinoue Park. From early May to June, Shibazakura start flourish along the mountain slope. The hillside will be covered by pink carpet, spreading as far as eyes can see.
Best time to visit Shibazakura: mid-May to early June
Getting there: 2 hours north from Asahikawa. Dohoku bus is the only direct bus service. Buses depart from Sapporo/Asahikawa to Takinoue Park during the blossom season. Alternative, consider visiting Higashi Mokoto Shibazakura Park (ひがしもこと芝桜公園) in Ozora, Hokkaido.
Hokkaido is world-famous by its lavender season. Every year, millions of visitors come to Farm Tomita to visit the lavender flower field. Farm Tomita is also the largest lavender field in Japan. The eye-catching lavender starts blooming from early July to mid-October.
Best time to visit lavender: mid of July
Getting there: Farm Furano is hard to access with public transport. Normally, visitors need to get off at Nakafurano station and walk for 25 minutes to the park. During summer, the special Norokko-Train will stop at a temporary Lavender-Batake Station. Walk for 5-10 minutes to the farm.
From Sapporo to Furano and Tomita Farm Day Tour: Convenient and affordable for a hassle-free arrangement with a professional, polite, and knowledgeable guide. Lunch included with free flow of fresh melon which is extremely worth money. Highly recommended.
Next, Shikisai Hill or Shikisai no Oka (色彩の丘) is well-known for its colorful flower field in Biei town. This 7 hectares farm will be filled with different colors of flowers for viewing. Lavender, dahlias, tulips, sunflower, lupine, salvia, cosmos and more are planted at the rolling hill. Together all, created patterned row and panoramic view of flower field in the park.
Best time to visit Shikisai no Oka: mid-June to October
Getting there: 30 mins walk from JR Bibaushi station. Alternative, rent a bicycle to get there.
Hokuryu Town Sunflower Field
Hokuryu Town Sunflower Field | credit: https://good-hokkaido.info
Himarwari-no-Sato (ひまわりの里) in Hokurye town is famous sunflower field in Hokkaido. Started from July to August, there will be stretches of sunflowers are available for viewing. The sunflower field is approximately 23.1 hectares. This expansive sunflower maze definitely will take your breath away.
Best time to visit sunflower field: early August
Getting there: take a train to JR Takikawa station or JR Fukagawa station. Next, board the bus and get off at Himawarinosato-Hokuryu Chugakko” bus stop.
My Hokkaido Flower Field Itinerary
Biking Trip in Patchwork Road
In short, we visited Hokkaido during the end of May. Well, it is not the best time for famous lavender, sunflower and massive flower field in Shikisai no Oka. However, we were so lucky to join the flower full bloom season for canola flower and Shibazakura.
Most importantly, Asahikawa is our great base to travel around. We fully utilized the Furano-Biei Rail Ticket and visited places nearby. However, the visit to Shibazakura Takinoue Park required additional bus fare. Detail can be referred to our travel blog with itinerary and transport arrangements include. Happy travel to Hokkaido!
Planning to visit Hokkaido and would like to have suggestions and recommendations on your Hokkaido itinerary? See how we visit Hokkaido leisurely with public transport.
Hokkaido is beautiful almost every season. The best time to visit Hokkaido can be all year round, from spring, summer, autumn even until winter. Our visit to Hokkaido is during the end of spring or the beginning of summer. It is a great season that we can see the beauty of two seasons at the same time. We have summarized the places to go, what to eat, and things to do when you are getting around in Hokkaido. It depends on your budget. Many top attractions are awaiting you to discover. Most importantly, free entrance!
Hopefully, my Hokkaido travel blog with perfect 10 days itinerary can give you some idea of your coming trip. Learn from my mistakes, and you can save some time and money.
It depends on the season and how many days for your Hokkaido trip. There is always no perfect and complete Hokkaido itinerary. Below is the suggested travel route for the 9 to 10 days Hokkaido itinerary. Mostly covered in the south to the central region. It is best to visit all year round, especially from Spring to Summer. Places visited include Hakodate, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Otaru, Shakotan, and Sapporo.
Here is the summary of My 10 Days Hokkaido Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Hokkaido and head to Hakodate.
Day 2: Hakodate.
Day 3: Lake Toya.
Day 4 and Day 5: Noboribetsu and spend time in the onsen hotel.
Day 6: Otaru.
Day 7: [Seasonal Trip] Shimamui Coast and Cape Kamui.
Day 8 and Day 9: Sapporo City.
Day 10: Goodbye to Hokkaido.
For more detail on what to do and see in Hokkaido, check out our Hokkaido travel guide blog below!
Hokkaido Travel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Hokkaido check prices for Hokkaido Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.
We highly recommended to stay nearby Sapporo station or Tanukikoji Shopping street. Hotel MyStay Sapporo Station is one of the great options. The hotel located close to JR station with a bigger and clean room.
Pre-Trip Essential
Generally, there are two best ways for getting around in Hokkaido; either by self-driving or relying on public transport (bus or railway). If you love to travel at your own pace or travel in a group, especially with kids and the elderly, consider self-driving in Hokkaido. The charming Hokkaido is best for having road adventures and plan for self-driving itinerary. But there are various rental car companies in Japan. Make sure to compare various rental cars to get the best deal from RentalCars.com.
We did not go for the self-driving option as we were traveling with two people only. So we opted to travel to Hokkaido by using public transport. If you are planning for a long travel journey like us, we highly recommended get the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass. Choose from consecutive 3-Days, 5-Days, 7-Days, or flexible 4-Days for traveling around Hokkaido. This pass can be purchased by foreign visitors (Check out for detail) and is required to exchange for an actual ticket at JR Station in Hokkaido. Remember to reserve your seat for free by using the JR Hokkaido Pass.
Save with JR Pass if you’re traveling from Tokyo to Hakodate by Shinkansen:
Use Promo Code “BUZZG10” to Get 10% from Ninja Wifi
Day 1: Arrive Hokkaido – Hakodate
Landed at New Chitose Airport; getting to Hakodate.
International flights normally will land at Sapporo New Chitose Airport. Depending on your Hokkaido itinerary, you can choose to stay one night in Sapporo or directly proceed to the city as per plan.
For visitors who landed at Sapporo New Chitose Airport by flight, it is best to pick up your travel essentials at the airport:
Wifi router or 4G Sim Card at the airport. It is important to stay connected to check on transportation, location, and travel information.
Kitaca IC Card: Similar to SUICA or other Japan IC cards, Kitaca is the Hokkaido version of electronic cash cards. This card can be used at all railroads, buses, and IC electronics nationwide.
Once everything is ready, let’s kick-start your Hokkaido itinerary.
Day 2: Hakodate
Goryokaku Fort
Things To Do in Hakodate: Morning Market, Goryokaku Fort, Kanemori Redbrick Warehouse, Mt. Hakodate
Day trip in Hakodate is full of fun and excitement. Firstly, kick start your day with a bowl of seafood donburi at Hakodate Morning Market. It is the best place to taste the freshly caught seafood in Hokkaido. Next, purchase the one-day tram ticket at ¥600 and we are ready to explore this charming Hakodate city.
Night View from Mt Hakodate
Visit the Goryokaku Fort and get to Goryokaku Tower Observatory for the entire perfect star-shaped Goryakaku Park from above. Next, proceed to Kanemori Redbrick Warehouse for a relaxing stroll along the bay. At night, make your way up to Mt Hakodate by the Hakodateyama Ropeway for the best night view in Hokkaido.
Goryokaku Fort is the most popular and best place for sakura viewing in Hokkaido. The star-shaped park will be full of pinky sakura and very beautiful. Normally the blossom peak season is early May.
What to eat in Hakodate: Lucky Pierrot Hamburger, Shio Ramen.
Where to stay in Hakodate: Four Point By Sheraton Hakodate and FAV Hotel Hakodate are strategically located close to JR Station. Many eateries nearby and Hakodate Morning Market is within walking distance.
Day 3: Lake Toya
Usuzan Ropeway
Getting to Lake Toya from Hakodate. Things To Do in Lake Toya: Mt Usu, fireworks show, onsen bath
Hakodate to Lake Toya is about 2 hours. Get down at TOYA (JR-MURORAN station and take the connecting bus to Onsen town.
Spend your afternoon at Mt. Usu in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Mt. Usu is a UNESCO Global Geopark and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You get to reach the summit by Usuzan ropeway for a stunning view from above. There is two observatory deck at the summit: Toyako Viewing Platform and Usu Crater Basin Observation Deck. A little hike is required if you want to get to Usu Crater Basin Observation Deck.
At night, the fantastic fireworks show will be alluring the entire Lake Toya at 20:40 for about 20 minutes every night. This summer event will start from the end of April to the end of October.
Where to Stay in Lake Toya: We highly recommended Toya Sun Palace Resort And Spa. The onsen was one of the best in Toyoko with an infinity pool that overlooked Lake Toya. An incredible way to enjoy your onsen bath during the evening firework.
Day 4 and Day 5: Noboribetsu
Jigokudani aka Hell Valley
Day#4: Getting from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu; Day#5: from Noboribetsu to Otaru.
Things to do in Noboribetsu: Jigokudani, Oyunumand Okunoyu Pond, Oyunuma Natural Footbath, Demon’s Fireworks (Seasonal Festival).
Next, proceed for 2-Days 1-Night Stay in Noboribetsu, the best therapeutic onsen in Japan. The express train journey took about 40 minutes from Lake Toya to Noboribetsu. The local train will be double the traveling time but at a cheaper fare. Next, take the Donan bus to get to onsen town.
Headed to Jigokudani, aka Hell valley for the geothermal adventure. Have a closer look at Tessen Ike, geyser point at Jigokudani. Next, take a little hike to Oyunuma and Okunoyu Pond, the two crater lake created by volcano activities.
If you have more time, consider proceeding to Oyunuma River Natural Footbath with natural hot spring water in the forest. Lastly, spend the rest of your day at the traditional hot spring bath in your resort.
Firework Show in Noboribetsu
Don’t forget to join the Demon’s fireworks in Hell Valley at night if you are coming to Noboribetsu on Thursday or Friday. This event will start from early June to the end of July. We enjoyed our hot spring bath in Noboribetsu until check-out time on the second day. Next, we took the hotel shuttle back to Sapporo and then took the local train to Otaru.
Where to Stay in Noboribetsu: Dai-ichi Takimotokan is one of the best onsen resorts in Japan. This family-run resort has a total of 27 indoor and outdoor onsen baths for guests (15 for men and 12 for women) to enjoy the natural hot spring water. Definitely will fall in love when you’re soaking in the hot spring water.
Day 6: Otaru
Otaru Canal
Things To do in Otaru: Nikka Whisky Distiller, Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, and Mt. Tenguyama.
It’s always good to kick start your day with a marvelous seafood donburi at Sankaku market. Next, have a half-day trip to Nikka Whisky Distiller to know more about Japan’s best whiskey. Nikka Whisky Distiller is located nearby within 25 minutes by local train from Otaru.
Seafood rice bowl in Ajidokoro Takeda Otaru
Back to Otaru city and continue to explore this charming town. Take the scenic stroll at Otaru Canal and continue to Sakaimachi street. There are many pastry and dessert shops on Sakaimachi street, including the famous LeTao, Kitakaro. Lastly, proceed to Mt. Tenguyama to see the panoramic view of Otaru city, especially the night view.
Where to stay in Otaru: Smile Hotel Otaru is located within a 3-minute walk from Otaru JR station. It is a budget three-star accommodation in Otaru, providing western and Japanese style rooms for selection.
Hokkaido Travel Tips: Otaru is easily accessible from Sapporo within 30 to 45 minutes by train. You can also stay at Sapporo and plan for a day trip to Otaru.
Day 7: Shakotan Peninsula (Seasonal Trip)
“Shatokan Blue” Sea Water at Shimamui Coast
Things to do in Shakotan Peninsula: Shimamui Coast, Cape Kamui
Seasonal Trip: Shakotan Peninsula is only open for a visit during summer. Chuo bus is the only way to get to the Shakotan Peninsula by public transport. From Otaru, board the bus to Shimamui Coast and Cape Kamui to get a closer look at Shakotan-Blue seawater
The view at Cape Kamui
Don’t forget to taste the mouth-watering supreme uni-don when you are visiting Shakotan. Osokujidokoro Misaki and Oshokujidokoro Naramuraya served the best sea urchin in Shakotan. Dropped by the restaurant for freshness sea urchin, freshly caught from the sea.
Things to do in Sapporo: Shiroi Koibito Park, Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Sapporo Beer Museum. Odori Park And Sapporo TV Tower, Tanukikoji Shopping street, Hokkaido Shrine
There are many things to do and see in Sapporo. Spend your day in Shiroi Koibito Park, the famous Shiroi Koibito cookie factory with a beautifully decorated garden. Have a look at the famous bronze statue of Dr. William S. Clark at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill. Next, have a beer tasting of the famous Sapporo beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum.
Hokkaido Shrine
If you have more time, spend your time visiting Hokkaido Shrine in the city center. Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, and Sapporo TV Tower.
The Sapporo itinerary can be done within 1 fulfilling day. But we advise spacing some time for the delicious local delicacies. Fresh seafood (King crab, snow crab, hairy crab), soup curry, Genghis Khan, miso ramen, and more. Just visit the attraction that you would like to see in Sapporo.
If you still have some time before leaving Hokkaido, head to Nijo Market for last minutes shopping for souvenirs and dried seafood back to the home country.
How To Plan For 10 Days Hokkaido Trip
Overall this Hokkaido travel blog for 10 days is more focused on the Southern and Central regions. For first-time visitors and limited time, this area is the best place to get a look at the beauty of Hokkaido. Day trip to Cape Kamui in Shakotan Peninsular is one of the seasonal travel trips in Summer. The remaining places can be traveled in Spring, Autumn, and even winter.
Below are some quick Hokkaido travel tips when you are planning on your itinerary.
What is the best time to visit Hokkaido?
Hokkaido is best to visit all year round, especially from Spring to Summer. Places visited include Hakodate, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Otaru, Shakotan, and Sapporo.
How many days are enough for Hokkaido?
We recommended spending at least 7 days if you only have a short amount of time to play around in Hokkaido. You will need 5 days traveling around Hokkaido and 2 days covering Sapporo city.
What is the best way to travel around Hokkaido?
Visitors can freely travel around Hokkaido by public transport and self-driving. Most of the attractions can be accessible by public transport, either by railway or bus. Self-driving is the best way to travel for those who love to travel at their own pace.
What is the cheapest way to travel in Hokkaido?
The buses go everywhere in Hokkaido (including small cities and towns) and it is also cheaper compare trains. But you need to be cautious about the bus schedule due to being less frequent.
Hopefully, our Hokkaido itinerary can give you some inspiration for your coming visit. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and we try our best to answer for you. Our advice for your Hokkaido trip? Just slow down your pace and enjoy the natural scene. Enjoy your trip to Hokkaido.
Planning a trip to Hokkaido and looking for the best way for getting around? The first and important thing is to know about the Hokkaido transportation guide. You will thanks me later for the money-saving tips here!
Japan is world-famous for its complicated transportation system. Well, it is not too difficult for getting around in Hokkaido compare with Tokyo and Osaka. If you’re read on our Hokkaido transportation guide, you will know planning a Hokkaido itinerary is super easy. And you will save some money on transportation with money-saving tips!
The article below will share with you about the transportation system in Hokkaido including useful transportation guides and money-saving tips when getting around in Hokkaido.
Hokkaido is accessible via flight from international or domestic. It is also reachable by express train from Tokyo to Hakodate/Sapporo in Hokkaido.
There are a few methods for getting to Hokkaido. Find out the best ways of traveling to Hokkaido.
Getting to Hokkaido By Flight
International and domestic flights are well-connected to the major cities in Hokkaido. There are few airports in Hokkaido including Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Asahikawa Airport, and Hakodate Airport. Most international flights have come from Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Manila or Austria. The majority will choose to land in Sapporo New Chitose Airport.
Alternatively, you can choose to transit to Tokyo or other airports in Japan, and then take the domestic flight to Hokkaido. Tokyo-Sapporo is one of the busiest routes in Japan with dozen of flights per day. JAL, ANA, Air Do, Skymark, Vanilla Air, Jetstar provide frequent domestic flights to Hokkaido.
Depend on your Hokkaido itinerary, we recommend New Chitose Airport as your first stop of getting into Hokkaido. The regular one way fares by the conventional airlines are as high as around ¥40,000. But thanks to a wide range of discount offers, one-way fares of around or under ¥10,000 are often available.
By Train: JR Rapid trains frequently connected between New Chitose Airport and Sapporo Station with 4 trains per hour. Train fare is ¥1,070 for one way with 35 minutes. Seat reservation at ¥520 is optional but you can simply hook up the train without reservation.
By Bus: Airport buses operate every 15 minutes from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo downtown including Susukino, Odori Park and Sapporo Station. It is a great option, especially for those travelers with accommodation, who are close with the bus stopping point. Single bus trip takes approximately 80 minutes with ¥1,030.
By Taxi: From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo downtown costs around ¥13,000.
By Private Shuttle: For hassle-free airport pick up or return. Good for those travel in a group especially with kids and elderly, consider the private airport shuttle. Single way of airport transfer is about ¥22,000. (More detail click here)
Getting to Hokkaido By Shinkansen / Bullet Train
If your Hokkaido itinerary is chosen to take the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, most probably Hakodate is your first visited city in Hokkaido.
From Tokyo to Hakodate, the entire one way trip is about 4 hours and costs around ¥22,810 (including seat reservation). From Hakodate, continue exploring to other cities in Hokkaido including Sapporo, Asahikawa or more.
Please take note that seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Hakodate (Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station).
Traveling from Tokyo to Hokkaido by Shinkansen? Here are some money-saving tips with JR Pass:
valid on almost all trains operated on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including shinkansen, limited express, express, rapid and local trains.
JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
Pass Type
Adult Fare
Child (6-11) Fare
6-Days, Consecutive
¥35,000
¥17,750
Only available to foreign visitors
Unlimited rides on the JR Hokkaido Lines (Southern Hokkaido) and on JR Line (Kanto and Tohoku areas)
Including Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
JR East-Tohoku Hokkaido Rail Pass
Pass Type
Adult Fare
Child (6-11) Fare
6-Days, Consecutive
¥30,000
¥15,000
Only available to foreign visitors
Unlimited rides on the JR Hokkaido Lines (Southern Hokkaido) and on JR East Line (Tohoku areas)
Including Shinkansen between Tohoku and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
Getting Around Hokkaido By Car
By Self-Driving: Due to the vast landscape and massive region, driving seems to be the best way to explore Hokkaido. Self-driving in Hokkaido with a rental car is a great option especially for a group of family or friends.
There are many rental car agencies in Japan, such as Toyota Rent a Car, Nissan Rent a Car and more. You can find them at the airport, train station and all over the city. Check where you can rent and pick up the car in Hokkaido at RentalCars.com.
Driving in Hokkaido is easy and convenient. What you need is only key in the phone number of your destination in the navigation system and start driving. If you traveling Hokkaido with family, we are highly recommended for self-driving in Hokkaido with a rental car. It is much more leisure and you can travel at your own pace. Read on our Tips on Renting Car in Japan.
Getting Around Hokkaido By Train
By Rail: Train travel is quickest and convenient method of travel in Hokkaido. JR is the main public transportation in Hokkaido as it well-connected with most of its cities and tourist destination.
However, traveling in Hokkaido by train can be very expensive especially for long-distance travel. It is advisable to get the transportation pass to save you some money.
JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
Pass Type
Adult Fare
Child (6-11) Fare
5-Days, consecutive
¥20,000
¥10,000
7-Days, consecutive
¥26,000
¥13,000
10-Days, consecutive
¥32,000
¥16,000
Only available to foreign visitors
Unlimited use for all JR Hokkaido trains (excluding Hokkaido Shinkansen) within the valid period.
The JR Hokkaido Pass is a must-have transportation pass if you are planning to travel throughout Hokkaido. It provides unlimited use of JR trains (except the Hokkaido Shinkansen) and most JR buses in Hokkaido in consecutive 5-Days, 7-Days or 10-Days. This special pass is only for foreign visitors and will save you a lot of money when traveling around Hokkaido.
Purchase at your home country, and redeem your train ticket with exchange order upon reaching at any JR station in Hokkaido. If you are interested, Klook provide free postage to your home and best price guarantee. (Check the ticket price at Klook)
Can be used for Japan residents and foreign visitors
Unlimited use for all JR Hokkaido trains (excluding Hokkaido Shinkansen) within the valid period.
Similar with JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, the Hokkaido Free Pass (北海道フリーパス) also provide unlimited JR trains (except the Hokkaido Shinkansen) and most JR buses in Hokkaido. It can be use on consecutive 7-Days within Hokkaido. This pass can be use for foreign and local residents of Japan.
Note: No half-price discount for child below 12.
Seasonal Pass: Furano-Biei Rail Ticket
Pass Type
Adult Fare
Child (6-11) Fare
4-Days, consecutive
¥7,400
¥3,750*
Can be used for Japan residents and foreign visitors
Round trip between Sapporo-Asahikawa with express train(one time)
Unlimited ride of local and rapid train in Furano, Biei, Asahikawa and Takikawa areas
Furano Biei Rail Ticket is the best ticket if your Hokkaido trip is mainly traveling around Furano Biei area. This seasonal ticket normally starts selling from the end of April to October.
Furano-Biei Rail Ticket will cover one round trip from Sapporo to Asahikawa and unlimited ride of local and rapid train in Furano, Biei, Asahikawa and Takikawa area within 4 consecutive 4 days. It is a great pass for visitors visiting the beautiful flowers at Furano/Biei.
Getting Around Hokkaido by Bus
Due to the vast landscape of Hokkaido, sometimes traveling by bus will be more convenient and cheaper. Sapporo is the main hub for the bus system in Hokkaido and expanding to every region in the city. So normally people will choose to travel from Sapporo to other cities with an intercity high-speed bus.
Added, local bus companies like Chuo Bus, Donan Bus, Akan Bus, and Abashiri Bus will be helping on getting around in specific area in Hokkaido.
Planning Tips For Your Hokkaido Transportation
Completed Hokkaido Japan Itinerary in Spring & Summer
In short, planning your Hokkaido itinerary is not difficult. If you are traveling with a group of families with kids and the elderly, self-driving always is the best option.
However, if you don’t feel like driving, Hokkaido is very doable by public transport. Remember to follow our Hokkaido transportation guide and get the transportation pass to save you some money and time. Some places may infrequent transportation or slow train lines so you need to plan out your Hokkaido itinerary in advance. Leave a comment to us if you need more help.
Important tips for your Hokkaido trip: Don’t rush and relax. Pick the attraction that you want to see and enjoy your trip. Happy travel to Hokkaido!
Last but not least, continue read on our Hokkaido itinerary if you are interested.
While making your trip to Hokkaido, there are many things to do in Sapporo. This Sapporo travel guide blog with introduce my 2-Days Sapporo itinerary and all the must-visit best sights in town.
Sapporo is located in the northern Prefectures of Japan. It is the fourth largest city in Japan by population and the largest city in Hokkaido. Sapporo offers so many things to do, places to visit, and food to eat here. It is best to give yourself at least 1 day to 2 days in Sapporo to explore this charming city. You will be delighted by its attraction, food, and drink, shopping as well as nightlife in this wonderful city.
If you are to visit Sapporo during winter, remember to include Sapporo Snow Festival. This Japan’s greatest winter festival is usually held in February at Sapporo. I can imagine it would be super cold though.
Sapporo is our last visited city before leaving Japan. It is the closest city to the international airport, New Chitose Airport. My visit is at the end of May. This is not a peak season for the flower blooming in Hokkaido. However, we enjoyed our trip to Hokkaido.
In this Sapporo travel guide blog, we will show you how to plan your Sapporo itinerary with top things to do, where to stay and food to eat, and transportation for getting around in Sapporo. And some of the money-saving tips and travel guides. Let’s check it out.
By Air: New Chitose Airport (CTS) is the largest and busiest airport in Hokkaido. However, this international airport is limited to direct flights from certain Asia countries including China, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Hongkong. Most journeys are flying domestic from Tokyo or Osaka which is served by Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA).
By Rail: Sapporo is accessible by rail from other major cities in Hokkaido and even Tokyo. However, it is advisable to book a JR pass if you are planning to get to Sapporo from Tokyo. You may include Hakodate into your Hokkaido itinerary before visiting Sapporo.
To save on transportation, Klook offers the cheapest JR pass with free delivery to your home.
From New Chitose Airport to Sapporo City
From New Chitose Airport, the JR train is the easiest way to get to the city center. Rapid Airport Express has connected to Sapporo from New Chitose Airport Station. The train station is located on the first floor of the domestic terminal building. Follow the well-marked sign that will get you to the train station. The fare is ¥1,070 for one way and an additional ¥520 for reserved seats. But you can just simply hop on to the train with unreserved seats. Travel time is approximately 37 minutes.
Alternatively, you can use the Airport Buses to Sapporo downtown including Susukino, Odori Park, and Sapporo Station. Bus fare at ¥1,030 with 80 minutes.
Getting Around in Sapporo City
It is easy to explore the city center on foot. Else, the subway is a great option for long-distance. One way of a subway ride is about ¥200 depending on the distance. Get the one-day pass if there is more than three subway ride per day. The Subway 1-Day pass costs ¥830 and Donichika Ticket, only weekends costs ¥520 for unlimited use of Sapporo’s subway line within one day.
Alternatively, it is advisable to get the IC card to skip the ticket purchasing process. Kitaca Card is Hokkaido’s IC card, similar to Tokyo’s Pasmo or Suica and Osaka’s ICOCA. All the IC cards can be used within Japan for It can be used for both train and bus rides.
You can book your Kitaca card via Klook and pick it up at the airport or Sapporo TV tower. The card is preloaded with ¥1,500.
Planning on Sapporo itinerary
A Guide For Sapporo Itinerary
There are plenty of things to do in Sapporo and nearby for your Sapporo itinerary. It is always a great base to travel around within Hokkaido. Here are the suggested places for getting around in leisure within 1 or 2 days. Some of the attraction is not centrally located in the city area and required traveling time. So please allow on some buffer time when you planning on your itinerary.
Day 1 Sapporo Itinerary:
Seafood feast in Sapporo Central Wholesale Market or Nijo Market (1-2 Hours)
Visit Shiroi Koibito Park (2 Hours)
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (2 Hours)
Know the history and beer testing at Sapporo Beer Museum (2 Hours)
Dinner with Sapporo local specialties (2 Hours)
Day 2 Sapporo Itinerary:
Relaxing stroll at Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Former Hokkaido Government Office, and Sapporo Clock Tower (1-2 Hours)
Pray in Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park (2 Hours)
Sapporo Night Life: Susukino and Tanukikoji Shopping Street (2 Hours)
All the attractions are only a suggestion and can be visited all year long. You are free to squeeze and adjust into a day Sapporo itinerary. But taking account of the time to taste Sapporo’s best food, we make it into two days Sapporo itinerary for a leisure trip.
Day 1 Sapporo Itinerary
I’ve put together some of Sapporo’s must-visits on the first day but some of the attractions are not located in the central town. You can adjust your trip by choosing which sights you want to visit on the first day.
Day 1 in Sapporo: Sapporo Central Wholesale Market, Shiroi Koibito Park, Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Sapporo Beer Museum.
Sapporo Central Wholesale Market
It is so interesting to see the local daily life through a visit to the local market. We love to include a market visit when traveling to a new country.
Sapporo Central Wholesale Market (札幌市中央卸売市場)
Sapporo Central Wholesale Market (札幌市中央卸売市場) is the central market hub in Hokkaido. It has over 60 stores in 2 lines, selling fresh ingredients, live seafood, and fruits at a cheaper price. The best place to eat fresh seafood, sashimi, and local product here.
Walking Around in Sapporo Central Wholesale Market
It was interesting to walk around and enjoy the sights of customers negotiating prices with vendors at the stalls in Japanese.
We love to check on the different types of crab such as king crab, hairy crab, and snow crab. All are very famous and signature in Hokkaido. While the price is not cheap even in the wholesale market.
Yubari Melon
Don’t forget to try Hokkaido’s most famous fruit, the Yubari melon. The expensive Yubari Melon is sold here and it cost about ¥300 on a single slide. We have a great visit to the wholesale market.
Kaisendon in 海鮮食堂 北のグルメ亭
Next, we proceeded to Curb Market. The Curb Market, or called Jogai Ichiba (札幌場外市場) is the ideal place for yummy local breakfast. It is just located beside the wholesale market, served freshly cooked food.
Our breakfast is ended with a big bowl of seafood don (Kaisendon) in one of the famous restaurants (海鮮食堂 北のグルメ亭). It is the seafood market where you can get some fresh seafood to go. But you can opt to purchase and ask the kitchen to serve fresh or cook it for you. The fresh sashimi rice bowl is one of the best kaisendon in Sapporo. The taste was not too bad but we still preferred the one in Otaru. The Kaisendon costs about ¥3,200.
Sapporo Central Wholesale MarketAddress: 2-3 North 11, West 21, Chuo-ku Price: Free admission. Opening Hours: Daily from 6:00 – 15:00 (restaurants open at 7:00). Duration: 1 to 2 hours required. Access: 7-minutes walk from Nijyu-yonken Station, Exit 5.
Nijo Market
If the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market is not convenient for you, consider visiting the Nijo Market. The Nijo Market (二条市場, Nijō Ichiba) is a public fish market in Central Sapporo. It is easy to access in Sapporo downtown and nearby the Tanukikoji shopping street. So, it is more commercial compared with Sapporo Central Wholesale Market. It is not too big with shops that occupy about one or two city blocks. Majority of shops sell both fresh and dry seafood, and local produce.
Nijo Market (二条市場, Nijō Ichiba)
The location is easily accessible and convenient located in the city center. So most of the time it is crowded with tourists from all around the world. But it is worth spending some time wandering around to check on any local products and souvenirs.
Seafood Feast at Nijo Market
It was not too bad during our visit. We got the fresh crab for snacks at a cheaper price in the late morning. If you are interested, Nijo Market is a great place to know more about the fish market in Sapporo. Crabs line up in front of the stores with a unique taste of the market.
There have many small stalls where you can choose your live crab cooked for you immediately. We bought a king crab from one of the seafood stalls and have a taste of it. Fresh!
Nijo Market (二条市場)Address: 1 Chome Minami 3 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo Price: Free Admission Opening Hours: 7:00 – 18:00 Duration: Around 1 hour Access: 5-minute walk from Odori Station
Shiroi Koibito Park
Next, we proceeded to Shiroi Koibito Park (白い恋人パーク). Shiroi Koibito Park is a mini theme park, run by Ishiya Company with a beautifully decorated tin toy exhibition and flower garden.
Shiroi Koibito Park (白い恋人パーク)
The company’s flagship product is the famous Shiroi Koibito cookie, which consists of a layer of white chocolate sandwiched by two thin butter cookies. Many people are craving this sweet dessert and it is one of the famous souvenirs from Hokkaido.
Shiroi Koibito Cookie Factory Tour
The park entrance is free but you can join the factory tour which costs ¥600. The tour will show you how the Shiroi Koibito cookies are made from assembly into the packaging.
Make sure to reserve the cookie-making class in advance if you wish to make your own Shiroi Koibito cookies. We did not join the class and enjoyed taking photos in the park. (Click for booking here)
Soft serve ice cream in Shiroi Koibito Park
Do try their soft serve ice cream after walking and taking photos. A good cup of coffee or a blended white chocolate ice cream visits sweet memory. The selling price of the Shiroi Koibito cookie is the same at other places. So, no need to purchase here unless you are getting the exclusive cookies.
Shiroi Koibito Park (白い恋人パーク)Address: Miyanomori 2-jo 2-chome, Nishi-ku Price: Park entrance is free and ¥600 for factory tours. Separate charges apply for Cookie Craft Studio workshops. Opening Hours: 9:00 – 18:00 (last admission at 17:00) Duration: Around 2 hours. Access: 7-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on Tozai Subway Line
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Our next stop is Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (羊ヶ丘展望台) which is located 40 minutes away from the city center. We took the subway to Fukuzumi station (Toho Subway Line). Next, change to the bus (No. 84) that will take you to the hill.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill ticket booth
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is the last stop of the bus ride. The bus stops conveniently just outside the ticket booth.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is an important historical place and was very important for agriculture. This place will make you feel like in the countryside with sheep in the gated fields.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (羊ヶ丘展望台)
Check out the famous bronze statue of Dr. William S. Clark and his famous quote “Boys, Be Ambitious”. Overall, the view was nice but nothing special. It is good to have one hour of relaxing time here. We spend about 1 hour before heading to the next destination.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (羊ヶ丘展望台)Address: Hitsujigaoka-1, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo City Price: ¥540 Opening Hours: All-day Duration: 1 to 2 hours. Access: 10-minute bus ride from Fukuzumi station on Toho Subway Line.
Sapporo Beer Museum
Built on the grounds of a former brewery during the Meiji Period, the Sapporo Beer Museum has been registered as a Hokkaido Heritage Site since 2004.
Sapporo Beer Museum
Visit Sapporo Beer Museum to know more about the history of Sapporo Beer. Sapporo beer and Asahi are the two famous beer producers in Hokkaido.
Beer factory tour in Sapporo Beer Museum
We choose to visit Sapporo Beer Museum as it is the only beer museum in Japan. However, the tour is only offered in Japanese. So we did the self-guided tour through the displays for a free beer factory tour.
Waiting in line for beer tasting in Sapporo
Don’t forget to get the full experience with beer tasting at the end of the tour. Just purchase the tasting ticket at the vending machine and stand in line for the beer. You can have 3 different types of beer at ¥800. The Sapporo black label is my favorite!
Beer tasting at Sapporo Beer Museum
Additionally, you may also enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet with over 20 types of local specialty dishes, including king crab, snow crab, and Genghis Khan pot at Trommell Hall dinner. Additionally, you can pair your food with a free flow of Sapporo beer, and sake. It is one of the popular buffets in Sapporo. Reservation is highly recommended as it is always fully booked. (Prebook your unlimited crab and Lamb BBQ dinner here)
Sapporo Beer GardenAddress: 9-2-10, Kita7Jo, Higashi-ku, Sapporo City Price: Free Admission. Opening Hours: 11:00 – 20:00 Duration: 1 to 2 hours Access: 10-minute walk from Higashi Kuyakusho Mae Station, exit 4.
Day 2 Sapporo itinerary
Our second day in Sapporo is more focusing on the city center. Some of the attractions are approximately close to each other within walking distance.
Day 2 in Sapporo: Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Former Hokkaido Government Office, Sapporo Clock Tower, Hokkaido Shrine, Susukino, and Tanukikoji Shopping Street.
Odori Park And Sapporo TV Tower
The Odori Park (大通公園, Ōdōri Kōen) is lovely and well-kept in the heart of the city. It is a popular picnic and relaxation spot for locals and visitors. Enjoy the relaxing stroll and stop to admire the flowers or feel the wind in your hair.
The Sapporo TV Tower is located at one end of the Odori Park in central Sapporo. This iconic tower is hard to miss when you are getting into Odori Park. It was once the tallest building in Sapporo until replaced by Sapporo Station in 2003.
Odori Park And Sapporo TV Tower
Nowadays, Sapporo TV Tower is the prime viewing location above Odori Park. Added, you will get to see a 360-degree view of Sapporo City from above. The best viewing time is during the evening. So do expect a queue at the ticket booth. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets online to skip the queue.
Klook offers a discounted ticket for Sapporo TV Tower. Instant confirmation on Sapporo TV Tower and present the e-voucher at the Observation deck entrance. (Sapporo TV Tower from Klook)
While Odori Park is the place for many Sapporo Festivals such as Sapporo Snow Festival during winter If you are coming in February, Odori Park is the biggest of the venues, hosting the Sapporo Snow Festival for a 7-days celebration. Snow and ice sculptures emerge at a handful of sites around Sapporo, creating a lovely winter wonderland scene. Don’t forget to include Odori Park in your Sapporo itinerary if you are coming during the festival season.
During Summer and Autumn, there is also a seasonal festival with massive food and drink stalls will be run inside the park. Locals enjoy their time to relax and unwind with family and friends.
Sapporo TV TowerAddress: 1 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042, Japan Price: Adult (¥720), children at ¥600(16-18), ¥400(13-15), ¥300(6-12), ¥100(3-5) Opening Hours: 9:00 – 20:00 (Hour of operation change at different season) Duration: 1 to 2 hours Access: 3-minute walk from Odori Station. Alternative, 15 minutes walk from Sapporo Station.
Former Hokkaido Government Office
Former Hokkaido Government Office
There is also the Former Hokkaido Government Office located nearby Odori Park. Nowadays, this historical building has been preserved as a museum and is open to the public for free. It holds and displays a lot of information and the history of Sapporo.
The Baroque style red brick house is one of the popular attractions for visitors. Get in your step to wander around in the beautiful garden and enjoy the unique red building. A lot of photo opportunities and worth to detour to take some nice photos here.
Former Hokkaido Government OfficeAddress: 6 Chome Kita 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8588, Japan Price: Free Opening Hours: 8:45 – 18:00 (Close at Saturday and Sunday) Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour Access: 10-minute walk from Odori Park.
Sapporo Clock Tower
A few blocks away is another iconic Sapporo attraction. The Sapporo Clock Tower (時計台, Tokeidai) is one of the symbols of Sapporo. This wooden building was constructed in 1878 but still functions today.
Sapporo Clock Tower
It is now served as a museum with the first floor exhibited about Sapporo’s history. While the second floor hosts a music hall and an exhibition about the clock itself. The entrance fee is ¥200. We did not visit inside, instead, take a look at the building outside.
Sapporo Clock Tower (時計台)Address: North 1, West 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City Price: ¥200 Opening Hours: 8:45 – 17:10 (last admission at 17:00) Duration: Less than 1 hour. Access: 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, south exit.
Hokkaido Shrine
Build-in 1869 after the Meiji Emperor, Hokkaido Shrine (北海道神宮, Hokkaidō Jingū) is the most important Shinto shrine in the city.
Walking to Hokkaido Shrine
Get down at Maruyama Koen station and take exit 3 to Maruyama Park. The 10 minutes walk through the Maruyama Park to Hokkaido Shrine was lovely and beautiful. The path grew with a tall cedar tree and lovely foliage.
Hokkaido Shrine (北海道神宮)
Hokkaido Shrine is located in the central park after walking through the tranquil cedar forest. It is a magnificent example of simplicity shrine yet impressive.
A good place to feel the peace and make the Japanese pray is a traditional temple in Hokkaido.
Hokkaido Shrine (北海道神宮)Address: 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward Price: Free Duration: Around 1 hour. Access: 10-minute walk from Maruyama Koen Station, exit 3.
Sapporo Night Life: Susukino and Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Susukino
If you have more time and looking for some entertainment at night, Susukino is the one that you looking for. This entertainment district is packed with stores, bars, restaurants, karaoke shops, pachinko parlors, and “adult-friendly” places with bright light welcoming you. Just like the busy street in Tokyo, it is very safe walking around even with kids.
Added, there are also a lot of restaurants if you are hunting for food. The Ramen Yokocho is hidden in the narrow lane in Susukino. It is lined with shops serving the famous miso ramen here.
Tanukikoji shopping street
Nearby the Susukino with less than 5 minutes walking distance, Tanukikoji shopping street is where you want to do shopping in your Sapporo itinerary. This covered shopping street is the best place for last-minute shopping as it sells almost everything. The 1km-long arcade with around 200 shops including eatery and retail shops. A wide range of products is gathered on this street including souvenirs, clothes, skincare, and cosmetics.
Tanukikoji Shopping StreetAddress: Minami 2 & 3-jo Nishi 1-chom ~ 7-chome, Chuo-ku Opening Hours: Depend on shops. Open 24 hours Duration: 1 to 2 hours. Access: 3-minutes walk from Susukino Station on Namboku Line
More Days in Sapporo?
Day Trip to Otaru from Sapporo
Sapporo is a great base when visiting Hokkaido. Some travelers even plan for 3 days to 5 days Sapporo itinerary and travel to attractions nearby for a day trip. Below are a few popular attractions that easily adjust to your Day 3 Sapporo itinerary.
Day trip from Sapporo:
Day trip to Otaru: A charming canal city for a relaxing stroll.
Jozankei Onsen: Hot Spring town with 1-hour driving journey from Sapporo
Mount Moiwa: Best place to enjoy the Sapporo city view.
Asahiyama Zoo: Popular family activities for animal encounters.
Day Trip to Otaru Located just 30 minutes away by train, Otaru is one of the charming canal cities that you hardly can miss. The picturesque town is perfect for a relaxing stroll along the historical canal and tasting the absolute fresh seafood and sushi. It is also home to famous Japanese desserts such as Letao, Kitakaro, Rokkatei, and more. Getting there: 30 minutes by JR train from Sapporo Station
Jozankei Onsen Hokkaido is famous for its hot spring bath. The Noboribetsu and Lake Toya are particularly popular among locals and tourists for an onsen bath. If you have limited time, consider getting to Jozankei Onsen which is located only a 1-hour driving journey from Sapporo city. Imaging soaks in the natural hot spring in majestic mountains view. It is also one of the best places to view colorful maple leaves for fall foliage during Autumn. Getting there: 1 hour by bus from Sapporo
Mount Moiwa For a glimpse of Sapporo from above, consider spending some at Mt. Moiwa. At an altitude of 531 meters, Mount Moiwa is the best place to enjoy the beautiful night view in Sapporo. Just recently, Sapporo has been selected as New Top Three Best Night Views in Japan. It is easily reached using a ropeway and mini cable car up to the observation deck. Ring the famous Bell of Happiness. It is said the couple will flourish together with ring the bell together. Getting there: 30 minutes by subway from Sapporo Station
Asahiyama Zoo For animal encounters, consider visiting the Asahiyama Zoo. It offers a uniquely immersive experience compared to most zoos. It is especially popular during winter with adorable Penguin Walk and sees these flightless birds up close. Highly recommended for families with young children and spend some time at the zoo. Getting there: about 3 hours from Sapporo. For easy arrangement, consider taking the Asahiyama Zoo Day Tour from Klook. The bus departs from Sapporo Station and you can visit the Zoo freely.
Where To Stay in Sapporo?
Choosing where to stay in Sapporo is not too hard. There is a large selection of hotel, hostel or family stay available with a fairly decent price and quality. Depending on your Sapporo itinerary, we preferred to stay nearby Sapporo Station or Tanukikoji shopping street. It is a great base to get around and look for food and shop in Sapporo.
Here are a couple of the best hotels in Sapporo:
Hotel Mystays is a chain hotel company in Japan. And we are highly recommended to stay in Hotel MyStay. The rooms are clean and bigger compare with other business hotels in Sapporo. Few Mystays hotels are widely available at Sapporo Station, Susukino, Nakajima Park, and more. Choose the hotel based on location and price. We preferred Hotel MyStays Sapporo Station and Hotel Mystays Sapporo Aspen which excellent locations near the Sapporo Station.
For budget travelers, consider the Grids Sapporo Hotel&Hostel. The location is perfect and exactly located in the Tanukikoji shopping street. It provides a spacious dormitory room, single, double, triple, and family room to choose from. Newly build and clean with helpful staff willing to help.
Sapporo is one of the food paradises and the center food hub in Hokkaido. A wide variety of local delicacies are available. Don’t miss the top 5 must-eat food: fresh crab, kaisendon, miso ramen, soup curry, and Genghis khan. We love to spend time food hunting in Sapporo.
#1: Crabs: King Crabs, Hairy Crabs, and Snow Crabs
#2: Soup curry: Garaku, Samurai, Suage+, PICANTE, and more
#3: Miso Ramen: Sapporo is famous for miso broth. Have a hot bowl of miso ramen at Ramen Kyowakoku, Ramen Mokuren, Yugeya.
#4: Genghis Khan (grilled lamb with vegetables)
#5: Kaisen Don, literally “seafood bowl” with a wide range of seafood on rice.
My 2-Days Sapporo itinerary is very relaxed. We utilized the 1-Day transportation pass and visited most of the attractions which required transportation during the first day. The next day is more concentrated in the city area. And we choose to get around on foot.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Sapporo?
You can complete your visit to Sapporo city within 1 fulfilling day. But we choose to separate it into 2 days so that we can explore the charming city at a more relaxed pace. We tasted the yummy local delicacies including fresh seafood at the local market, miso ramen, soup curry, and more. Besides, we allocate more days to explore the attractions nearby Sapporo.
What is the Best Season To Visit Sapporo?
Winter is the most popular season to visit Sapporo but it’s a great city to visit all year. The snow festivals in the winter and Sapporo Beer Festival in the Summer are the peak season for visiting Sapporo.
What To Do in Sapporo?
Similar to Japan’s city, the thing to do is quite similar to Tokyo or Osaka. If you only have limited time, just visit the attraction that you would like to see. And we love to spend more time on food, especially fresh seafood.
How To Get Around in Sapporo?
The most convenient way to get around in Sapporo is by subway with about ¥200 per ride depending on the distance. Alternatively, it is easy to explore the Sapporo city center on foot.
Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?
Definitely worth it! Sapporo is a city full of cultural diversity, natural beauty, and most importantly mouthwatering food. There are many wonderful attractions to visit regardless of the season.
Continue Read On
Lastly, thanks for stopping by my Sapporo travel blog. Sapporo is one of the main highlights of a visit to the island of Hokkaido. This amazing place is a must-visit for many tourists to Hokkaido and worth adding to your itinerary. We had a great time during our trip to Sapporo and would love to come back again!
If you need more help planning your Hokkaido trip, check out our travel blog below:
