We have reviewed 15 walking tours in hokkaido, comparing itineraries, prices, and what each one delivers on the ground. The list below leads with the tours we would book first.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 25 reviews · 9h 30m · from $170Our top pick
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.”
★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 17 reviews · 3 hours - 1 day · from $58
Walk Sapporo with local H.I.S. guides such as Jessica or Hiro, visiting the Red Brick Office, Clock Tower, Odori Park, TV Tower, and more. The small group is capped at eight, with underground routes used when snow makes sidewalks unsafe.
“Jessica was absolutely delightful to spend time with. Nothing was a problem, informative and enjoyable experience. Highly recommend”
Start beneath Sapporo TV Tower with a guide such as Tom or Iku, then walk 3.2 kilometers through central Sapporo. You’ll see the Clock Tower, city hall, Kita-1-Jou Dori, and Red Brick Government Building in a small group of up to eight.
“Tom was an excellent tour guide. Super friendly, knowledgeable about the area and shared lots of interesting information about the sights we visited around Sapporo. I highly recommend the walking tour. Thank you, Tom, for sharing the morning with us around beautiful Sapporo.”
Start at Sapporo TV Tower for city views, then walk through Odori Park, City Hall, the Clock Tower, Akarenga Terrace, and the Former Hokkaido Government Office. Guides Iku and Tom add history, food tips, and help with onward plans.
“We went to the meeting place 1 hour earlier from the call time but they did not inform us of the change of meeting place.. we messaged them but replied very very late. 😞. So sad. Though iku our tour guide is nice.”
Spend 4 to 6 hours exploring Otaru with a nationally licensed English or Japanese speaking guide. Visit the canal, Sankaku Ichiba, Otaru Music Box Museum, and Kitaichi Glass, or shape the route around your interests.
“A lovely day spent with Katsuko showing us around Otaru.”
★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $63.20Highest rated
Walk central Sapporo in a small group of up to eight, with an English-speaking guide such as Seiko. Visit landmark buildings, sample Hokkaido sweets, enjoy TV Tower views, and finish near Tanukikoji.
“My girlfriend and I really enjoyed this walking tour in Sapporo, our guide Seiko was exceptional with great energy. She took us to several very interesting locations in the city, one of the stops was this tea shop, which was perfect for the cold weather, we recommend this tour for anyone visiting Sapporo for the first time.”
Join Ken-san for a two-hour walk through central Sapporo, including Nijo Market, Sosei River, Odori Park, Tanukikoji, and Susukino. Finish with Hokkaido food and Sapporo Beer at a local izakaya, in a group of no more than six.
“Ken was a great tour guide. I’d recommend this tour for his knowledge of the city & his friendliness! The izakaya that we went to at the end was fantastic — a truly local place.”
Spend about four hours walking Otaru with a nationally certified guide such as Hiro or Ken. Visit the canal, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Museum, LeTAO, a sake brewery, and Nitori Museum, with pickup available.
“Ken was a terrific guide. He had good ideas on what we might want to see and do but was also able to adjust the schedule based on our interests. We would surely recommend him.”
Start near Sapporo Station at 9:30 am for a two-hour English guided walk through central Sapporo. Visit the renovated Government Office site, sample Kitakaro sweets, enter the Clock Tower and finish with TV Tower views and a snack bag.
“Unfortunately I was the only one on the tour but my tour guide did an amazing job showing me around!”
In Utoro, Shiretoko National Park, you’ll wear a warm, buoyant dry suit and walk across seasonal drift ice with a small group of up to eight. Guides frame the experience as a 360-degree look at the frozen sea, wildlife, sky, and water.
“really amazing experience, I will definitely recommend it to my friends. our guide is great, looking forward to the pictures.”
Build your Hakodate day around two to four sites with a licensed English-speaking guide. Fumiko has been praised for tailoring tours closely to guest interests and adding useful local context. Walk, ride public transport, and carry yen for transfers and fees.
Explore Otaru with an English-speaking local guide such as Jun Shirakata or Seiko. This private four-hour walk links Sankaku Market, the Temiya Line, Otaru Canal, and Sakaimachi Street, with time to shape the route around your interests.
“Most grateful with Mr.Jun Shirakata for a wonderful walking tour at Otaru; as well with as his companion, my apologies for not remembering her name, although we spent such a great time together, 😔. My husband, and some friends took tRead more”
Start at Susukino Station at 9 p.m. with an English-speaking guide such as Okuyama Tomoyuki, then see Nikka Bar, Daruma Honten, Ramen Yokocho, the Norbesa Ferris wheel, and Asahiyama Kinen Park.
“My wife + I were in Tokyo-Kyoto+lastly Sapporo. Fantastic trip w/our adult married daughter + husband. After they took off,my wife + I hopped on a plane to Hokkaido. Sapporo night life was a surprising night. Our guide, Okuyama Tomoyuki ( Read more”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Sapporo Station for an eight-hour walk through the Clock Tower, TV Tower, 2jo Fish Market, City Museum, and Susukino. Admission fees and local transport are included, while lunch is your choice at the market.
Walk Hakodate’s Motomachi district with the owner of a beloved local Russian café. In two hours, you’ll see 19th-century buildings, quiet slopes, churches, and harbor-town landmarks, with an optional meal tied to local food culture.
“It was a very personable experience with an informative and friendly guide and an excellent lunch at a special little restaurant.”
