Hokkaido Independent Travel | Hokkaido | No-Car Independent Trip | Itinerary Planning | Attractions | Accommodation Recommendations | Budget & Expenses

When it comes to independent travel in Japan, Hokkaido has always held a special place: it isn't as lively and bustling as Tokyo, nor as steeped in history as Kansai, yet it has a relaxing rhythm that's perfect for savoring slowly—though the flights are always expensive.

This time we chose to set off in May, partly to avoid the crowds, and partly because Hokkaido hasn't yet entered its peak tourist season at this time, so flights and accommodation are relatively much cheaper (though the Lake Toya hot spring inn still wasn't cheap...). With the comfortable, pleasant climate—neither cold nor hot—we arranged an independent trip centered on Hakodate, Lake Toya, Otaru, and Sapporo, hoping to take in the scenery and flavors of Hokkaido's early summer at a more leisurely pace.

🗾 Itinerary

This time we entered Hokkaido from Hakodate, traveled all the way to Lake Toya, then on to Sapporo, with a day trip to Otaru in between, and finally departed from Sapporo's New Chitose Airport to return to Taiwan. In total it was eight days and seven nights, without backtracking, to cut down on travel time.

Flights

STARLUX Airlines

• JX860 12:00 Taipei → 16:45 Hakodate
• JX851 16:25 Sapporo → 19:35 Taipei

Budget & Expenses

• Flights: $32,240 / person (business class on the return)
• Accommodation: $16,818 / person (7 nights)
• Food: $6,830 / person

Itinerary Details

  Hakodate

• Hakodate Attractions | Hakodate | Million-Dollar Night View from Mt. Hakodate | Goryokaku | Hakodate Morning Market | Hachiman-zaka Slope | Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse & Must-Try Cheesecake | Lucky Pierrot Burger | Hokkaido Attractions
• Hakodate Accommodation | Tokyu Stay Hakodate Asaichi Akarinoyu | Near JR Hakodate Station and Hakodate Morning Market | Convenient Location | Budget Hotel

  Lake Toya

• Hokkaido Attractions | Lake Toya | One of Hokkaido's Three Great Views | Transport Between Lake Toya, Hakodate & Sapporo | Lake Toya Accommodation | Lake Toya Sightseeing Cruise
• Lake Toya Food | SoupCurry HLAHAL | Hokkaido Cuisine | Soup Curry Specialty Restaurant | Overlooking Beautiful Lake and Mountain Views
• Lake Toya Accommodation | The Lake View TOYA Nonokaze Resort | Stunning Lake View Rooms | Watch the Lake Toya Fireworks Right from Your Room | Front-Row Lake View

  Otaru

• Hokkaido Attractions | Otaru | The Charm of Hokkaido's Little Harbor | Otaru Steam Clock | Taisho Glass Hall | Otaru Canal

  Sapporo

• Sapporo Accommodation | The Royal Park Canvas - Sapporo Odori Park | Direct View of the Sapporo TV Tower from Your Room | A Hip Hotel in a Super Convenient Location
• Sapporo Food | Donguri Odori | Affordable Japanese Bakery Chain in Sapporo | Hokkaido Cuisine | Beside the Sapporo TV Tower at Odori Park
• Sapporo Coffee | Mermaid Coffee Roasters - Sapporo | Café in Tanukikoji Shopping Street | In-House Roasted Specialty Coffee
• STARLUX Airlines | A330-900neo Business Class | From Sapporo, Hokkaido to Taipei | Business Class Meals and Drinks | New Chitose Airport Lounge

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More Accommodation References

• Taiwan Travel | Taiwan Accommodation List
• Japan Travel | Japan Accommodation List

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