HOKKAIDO · TOURS
We have reviewed 15 tours & activities in Hokkaido, comparing itineraries, prices, and what each one delivers on the ground. The list below leads with the tours we would book first.
Spend three hours with a local guide such as Midori, Kay, or Aika, visiting three Sapporo izakayas for 3 to 4 dishes, 3 drinks, local tips, and a final ramen or parfait stop.
“Enjoyed the tour guide she was great and provided great tips for things to do and places to eat. The food was good and so was the sake. Very enjoyable evening. Would highly recommend.”
Build a private Sapporo day around your interests with hosts such as Ryo, Shiunn, Akihiro, Zarina, Emilio, or Ryuki. Expect a walking-focused tour with local food tips, flexible stops, and public transport when needed.
“We paid over $200 for a four-hour “walking tour” that turned into aimless wandering in the rain and subway stations with almost nothing to see. The guide had no plan for bad weather. She had a terrible sense of direction and timing—often leRead more”
Join an English or Japanese guided bus tour from Sapporo to Hell Valley, Cape Chikyu, Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, and Lake Shikotsu. Guide Lisa has earned praise for clear instructions and friendly help, though some English commentary may be brief.
“The destinations are great, and you get a good overview of the region. But: The tour was mostly in Chinese. The English explanation was pretty short and seemed like it was memorized. We couldn't answer any questions. One of the stops was the so-called 'Bear Ranch'. The name is totally misleading, as it was a cruel, narrow concrete hole with bears. In short, if you're just looking for 'photo spots,' you might be happy. I wouldn't recommend the tour, though.”
Meet a licensed English-speaking guide, such as Roy, Kumiko, Tom, or Kate, for a six-hour walking tour built around your interests. Choose three or four Sapporo sights, from Nijo Market and Odori Park to Mt. Moiwa and the Beer Museum.
“Nozomi san was a gracious host and showed us around her lovely Sapporo with such kind hospitality. We very much appreciated seeing the city from a local’s perspective, eating sushi at a restaurant that she recommended, and learning Read more”
Meet an English-speaking licensed guide at your Sapporo hotel and choose two or three sights for a private four-hour walking tour. Guides such as Roy, Kumiko, Teri, Tom, and Waka tailor the day to your interests.
“Very nice trip to have a global view of Sapporo. Our guide Ms TERY is very professional and friendly. We recommend this tour .”
Spend six hours with a private English-speaking guide such as Chieko, Nori, Akiko, or Nori, seeing Sapporo’s market, chocolate park, and Olympic ski jump while using public transit and making time for prayer.
“Sapporo has always been one of our dream destinations. Nori, our guide, just made it happen. He took us to Sapporo's best sights- TV tower, Clock tower, market, chocolate factory and Winter Olympics Ski Jump. He even brought us to the town's best ramen. Highly recommended tour and guide.”
Join a small group of up to 13 people from Sapporo for Biei and Furano highlights. Expect basic English guidance, scenic stops, a buffet lunch, optional Yubari melon, and flower fields at Four Seasons Color Hill and Farm Tomita.
“There was no tour guide. Just a Chinese driver we had! And, the whole group was Chinese. For that reason; the driver introduced tour spots in Chinese language. The driver has given little information in English the whole day. The driver's english introduction was not enough and was misunderstandable. Tour schedule was reasonable and filled with many spots.”
Join guide Jun or Hiro for a small-group ride near Jozankei, mostly on paved roads with river and canyon views. After about 10 kilometers of cycling, soak at Hoheikyo Onsen and eat curry with naan. Pickup, equipment, lunch, and admission are included.
“Love the weather and the local Onsen experience. Jun picked us up in the hotel at 9AM and we hopped into his van to the mountain area for around 45 minutes. When we reached, he assembled the bikes and we got to try them first to fit. We got to bike in the woods around 10 minutes, the rest is in the side of the road. It's quite an experience. Then he would take us to a local snack place to taste the red bean Japanese snack and cold drinks. The Onsen was wonderful as it had an outdoor onset with beautiful natural view. The curry lunch we had was…”
Travel from Sapporo by air-conditioned bus to Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, Bear Ranch, and Otaru. English, Japanese, and Chinese guides, including guides such as Rii, Shirley, and XiXi, lead this full 10-hour outing.
“Guide very attentive, with many anecdotes, explanations, with good recommendations. Tour of the natural landscape very interesting and with enough time for the sites visited.Auto-translated”
Travel from Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu, Noboribetsu’s steaming Jigokudani, Lake Toya, and Showa Shinzan. The ticketed option adds the Usuzan Ropeway and Bear Ranch, with English and Japanese guidance.
“Superbe excusions pour découvrir les essentiels au alentours de Sapporo et donner envie de revenir découvrir à d’autres saisons Parfois peu de temps à chaque arrêt mais c’est attendu au vu des trajets”
See Sapporo your way with a private English or Japanese licensed guide. Choose 4 or 6 hours, request stops and food preferences, and use public transport or taxis as you visit sites such as Okurayama, Hokkaido Historical Village, Nijo Market, and the Sapporo Beer Museum.
“Nozomi was great, was very thoughtful and led us carefully through our chosen locations. Really enjoyed the experience, thank you!”
Spend 6 to 8 hours skiing or snowboarding near Sapporo with private guide Tomo, choosing Sapporo Kokusai or Bankei. Ski tickets, transport, and a Hoheikyo Onsen visit are included. Rentals, clothing, gloves, and optional dinner cost extra.
“The best skiing trip ever with our lovely Tomo-san. Following up with my special request as I am a muslim. He also book special instructor for us for training and waiting for us while we enjoy our skiing. After full day of skiing Mr Tomo also help Read more”
Meet Kanae at Maruyama Koen Station for a market visit, fresh ingredient shopping, and 1 to 1.5 hours of cooking in her Sapporo home. Enjoy the meal with one or two local alcoholic drinks, with vegetarian and vegan options available by request.
“Loved our cooking class with Kanae in her beautiful home surrounded by mountains and falling snow. We were collected at the meeting point by Kanae and then driven first the local fish and food markets where we purchased our supplies for Read more”
Travel from Sapporo with a multilingual guide such as Jay or Sophia to Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, and Otaru. Expect a packed 9 to 10-hour day, free exploration, a small bus, and extra fees for the bear ranch.
“Ms Sophia is fluent in both Mandarin & English and is able give good recommendations on which shop & what to buy. The driver is careful & able to keep us safe throughout the trip. Duration allocated is short but enough to give an overview of the places for a first timer.”
Join English-speaking guide Scott for a full day from Sapporo Station to the Ainu Cultural Center and Jozankei. Expect hands-on Ainu crafts, shrine and park walks, a suspension bridge, footbath, and a two-hour onsen visit.
“Great experience that showcases a wealth of artifacts and information regarding Hokkaido’s indigenous people—the Ainu. Jozankei was stunning to behold in the wintertime and the onsen experience (there is a foot bath option as well) is soothing and truly immerses you like a local. Scott was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and passionate about the local area. His personality and thoughtfulness made for a fantastic day to end my Japan trip on.”
