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Hokkaido is Japan's wide, open north, where lakes, volcanoes and flower fields lie far apart and often far from a station. This loop from New Chitose Airport takes in the hot springs and crater lakes of the south-west, the port of Otaru, the lavender of Furano and Biei and the gorge of Sounkyo in seven days.
At a glance
- Start and finish
- New Chitose Airport
- Distance
- About 775 km
- Days
- 7
- Driving per day
- Mostly 1 to 2.5 hours, 3 hours on the last day
- Highlights
- Lake Toya, Niseko, Otaru, Furano, Biei, Sounkyo
- Best time
- June to September, lavender in July
The route day by day
The loop starts south-west of the airport and swings north to Otaru, Furano and Biei before the drive back on the last day. Distances are by road; the times are driving time without stops. The map shows the route and the numbered stops.
Day 1: New Chitose Airport to Noboribetsu via Lake Shikotsu
About 110 km and 1.75 hours. Lake Shikotsu (1), 40 minutes from the airport, is one of the clearest lakes in Japan, ringed by forest and volcanoes. Continue south-west to Noboribetsu (2), where a boardwalk leads through Jigokudani, Hell Valley, and spend the night in an onsen hotel.
Day 2: Noboribetsu to Lake Toya
About 45 km and 1 hour. Lake Toya (3) is a round crater lake with an island in the middle. Above it, Showa-shinzan is a volcano that rose out of a wheat field in the 1940s, and a ropeway goes up Mount Usu for the view. From late April to October there are fireworks over the lake every evening.
Day 3: Lake Toya to Otaru via Niseko
About 125 km and 2 hours. Drive north past Mount Yotei, the Fuji of Hokkaido, to Niseko (4), and fill a bottle with spring water at Fukidashi Park. Continue to the coast at Otaru (5), an old port town with a canal lined with stone warehouses, glass workshops and seafood restaurants.
Day 4: Otaru to Furano via Sapporo
About 160 km and 2.5 hours. Stop in Sapporo (6) for a bowl of miso ramen and a walk through Odori Park; use a car park, as street parking is rare. The expressway then takes you north-east into the hills to Furano (7).
Day 5: Furano and Biei
A day of short drives between the flower fields. At Farm Tomita, stripes of lavender cover the hillside; it is at its best in July. North of Furano, the roads around Biei (8) wind through hills of wheat, potatoes and flowers, and the Blue Pond near Shirogane owes its colour to minerals in the water.
Day 6: Biei to Sounkyo Gorge
About 100 km and 1.75 hours. Drive east past Asahikawa into Daisetsuzan, Hokkaido's largest national park. At Sounkyo Gorge (9), waterfalls drop from the cliffs, and a ropeway climbs Mount Kurodake. The autumn colours here are among the earliest in Japan, from mid-September.
Day 7: Sounkyo to New Chitose Airport
About 215 km and 3 hours, mostly on the expressway. The longest drive of the loop takes you back south past Asahikawa and Sapporo to the airport. Leave plenty of time before your flight.
Car hire for this road trip
Pick up the car at New Chitose Airport when you land and return it there at the end of the loop. Car hire in Hokkaido has the other pick-up points and more about driving there.
Car hire prices at New Chitose Airport
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Chitose Airport | €548 | €759 | €1070 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 12 November 2026. About this price
Included in the price
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year, plus an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name. The desk holds the deposit on it.
- Deposit
- Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), depending on the car.
- Driver age
- 18 or older. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with every car.
Driving in Hokkaido
The rules for all of Japan are under Driving in Japan. On this route, these are the things to know.
The Hokkaido Expressway Pass
Visitors from abroad can buy a flat-rate pass for unlimited expressway driving in Hokkaido for a set number of days. It works with an ETC card from the rental desk; ask the desk whether they can add it.
Long distances and wildlife
Plan with average speeds of about 50 km/h on ordinary roads. Watch for deer and foxes, especially at dusk, and fill up before the long stretches through the mountains.
Winter
From about December to March, roads are covered in snow and ice. Make sure your car has winter tyres; at the desk they are charged per day. Days are short, so plan to arrive before dark.
Best time for Hokkaido
June to September is the best time for this road trip, with mild weather and long days; the lavender of Furano is at its best in July. The autumn colours start in the mountains in mid-September and reach the lowlands in October. From December to March Hokkaido is a winter destination, with deep snow, skiing and the Sapporo Snow Festival in February.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire cost for the Hokkaido road trip?
Car hire at New Chitose Airport starts at €548 a week for a small car, €759 for a mid-size car and €1070 for a large car or SUV, fully insured with everything included. You pick up and return the car at New Chitose Airport. Updated 12 November 2026.
Do I need a credit card?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name. The desk holds a deposit on it: up to about €284 (50,000 yen), depending on the car.
How long is the Hokkaido road trip?
About 775 km from New Chitose Airport and back. Plan 7 days.
When is the lavender in bloom in Furano?
Usually in July. In June and August other flowers bloom in the fields around Furano and Biei.
Can I drive this road trip in winter?
Yes, with winter tyres and more time for every drive. The roads are open, but snow, ice and short days make the drives slower.