12 days in Sapporo, Hakodate & Nagoya Itinerary

A modern, bustling city known for its beer brewery, Sapporo attracts millions of visitors with its Snow Festival, during which elaborate ice and snow sculptures are exhibited all over town.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Sapporo: Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery (in Yoichi-cho) and Otaru Canal (in Otaru). Next up on the itinerary: stroll around Odori Park, see the interesting displays at Sapporo Beer Museum, get engrossed in the history at Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura), and ponder the world of politics at Former Hokkaido Government Office Building.

To see where to stay and more tourist information, read Sapporo trip itinerary builder site.

Jakarta, Indonesia to Sapporo is an approximately 14-hour flight. The time zone changes from Western Indonesia Time to Japan Standard Time, which is usually a 2 hour difference. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Jakarta in December, with highs in Sapporo at 0°C and lows at -2°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can travel to Hakodate.

A gateway to the island, Hakodate has gained a reputation for its waterfront attractions, its proximity to some of the island's most popular natural sites, and its seafood.

Change things up with these side-trips from Hakodate: Nanae-cho (Hakodate Nanae Snow Park & Onuma Quasi-National Park). There's still lots to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Hakodate, hunt for treasures at Hakodate Morning Market, take in panoramic vistas at Goryokaku Tower, and boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa.

To find where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Hakodate day trip planning site.

You can fly from Sapporo to Hakodate in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 3°C in December, and nighttime lows around -3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Wed) so you can travel to Nagoya.

Known nationally as an industrial heartland, Nagoya boasts a far more cosmopolitan and cultural core than its reputation would lead you to believe.

Get out of town with these interesting Nagoya side-trips: Waju no Sato (in Kuwana), Ise (Okageza, Ise Grand Shrine, &more) and Chubu Park (in Toin-cho). There's lots more to do: step into the grandiose world of Nagoya Castle, don't miss a visit to Osu Shopping Street, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Toba Aquarium, and explore the world behind art at Tokugawa Art Museum.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Nagoya trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Hakodate to Nagoya takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In January, Nagoya is a bit warmer than Hakodate - with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 5th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.