Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Route At a Glance: 5-to-7-Day Central & Western Hokkaido Car Loop
| Leg | Route & Municipalities | Distance & Drive Time | Key Sights Along the Way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | New Chitose Airport (Chitose) → Sapporo → Otaru → Shakotan | ~155 km · 2h 50m | Otaru Canal, Yoichi Nikka Whisky Distillery (Yoichi), Cape Kamui turquoise coast |
| Day 3–4 | Sapporo → Furano → Biei → Asahikawa | ~185 km · 3h 10m | Farm Tomita lavender fields, Patchwork Road, Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Falls, Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway |
| Day 5–6 | Asahikawa → Niseko/Kutchan → Lake Toya → Noboribetsu → New Chitose Airport | ~295 km · 4h 40m | Mount Yotei views, Lake Toya caldera, Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) sulfur vents, Upopoy Ainu Museum (Shiraoi) |
Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP) vs. JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
| 5-Day Hokkaido Transport Option | 1 Solo Traveler | 2 Travelers (Couple) | 4 Travelers (Family / Group) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido Rail Pass (5 Days) + Local Sightseeing Buses | ¥20,000 + ~¥5,000 buses = ¥25,000 | ¥50,000 total | ¥100,000 total |
| 5-Day Car Rental (New Chitose Round-Trip) + HEP Pass Compact car ¥34,000 + 5-day HEP ¥6,700 + Fuel ¥7,800 |
¥48,500 | ¥48,500 total (¥24,250/person — already cheaper than rail!) | ¥54,500 total (¥13,625/person!) |
Hokkaido Driving Tips: Mapcodes, Speed Cameras & Winter Snow
- Enter Denso Mapcodes in Your Car GPS: Rural Hokkaido viewpoints like Biei's Shirogane Blue Pond (Mapcode
349 568 888*00), Mild Seven Hills, and Cape Kamui do not have street addresses. Every Hokkaido tourist brochure lists a 6-to-10-digit Mapcode you type directly into your rental car's navigation screen. - Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP): Available for 2 to 14 days (e.g., 4 days ¥5,600, 5 days ¥6,700, 7 days ¥7,700) when you rent an ETC-equipped vehicle at New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Asahikawa, or Hakodate.
- Winter Driving (December–March): Hokkaido rental fleets come equipped with 4WD and studless snow tires in winter, but whiteout blizzards (fubuki) are common. Look at the red-and-white overhead arrows (yabane) pointing down at the road edge when snowbanks hide lane markings.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to visit Furano and Biei in Hokkaido?
While seasonal summer sightseeing buses and the Furano-Biei Norokko train connect major stations, Biei's Patchwork Road, Panorama Road, Shirogane Blue Pond, and Shirahige Falls are spread across 35 km of rolling countryside with very infrequent buses. A rental car is by far the easiest and most flexible way to explore Furano and Biei.
How much is the Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP)?
The Hokkaido Expressway Pass offers unlimited expressway tolls across Hokkaido for foreign visitors: ¥3,700 (2 days), ¥4,600 (3 days), ¥5,600 (4 days), ¥6,700 (5 days), ¥7,200 (6 days), and ¥7,700 (7 days).
Is it safe to drive a rental car in Hokkaido in winter?
If you have prior experience driving on snow and ice, Hokkaido rental cars come with 4WD and studless winter tires from November to April. However, if you have never driven in snow, stick to JR trains and resort shuttle buses between December and early March, as sudden whiteouts occur on rural passes.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: