Otaru, Hokkaido’s romantic port, glimmers after dusk with canal-side izakayas grilling fresh crab and pouring Asahikawa sake, offering tourists a soul-warming dive into Japan’s pub culture 30 minutes from Sapporo by JR. Near Otaru Station’s Hakodate Main Line, these intimate taverns (¥2,000–¥5,000 per person) brim with fishermen and travelers, perfect for toasting after a day at the Music Box Museum or Kitaichi Glass shops. With English menus in some spots, sharing plates of

Shiraoi, Hokkaido’s volcanic lakeside haven, pulses with the spirits of Ainu ancestors, where cultural villages and stone statues preserve indigenous rituals, offering a cultural retreat just 60 minutes from Sapporo by JR Chitose Line. Near Shiraoi Station, this tranquil town enchants locals and tourists with its thatched kotan and sacred relics, perfect for a reflective pause after exploring Lake Poroto’s shores or tasting venison stew at a local eatery. Adored by Hokkaido r

Hokkaido’s culinary scene is as diverse as its landscapes, extending beyond seafood and ramen to specialty dishes like jingisukan and fusion cuisines that marry local ingredients with global creativity. For tourists, these restaurants—from Sapporo’s urban hubs to Niseko’s ski resorts—offer a chance to explore unique flavors, like spicy soup curry or Italian pastas with Hokkaido cheese, in settings that blend tradition with innovation. Perfect after a day skiing, visiting Otar

Susukino, Sapporo’s sizzling nightlife hub, pulses with a retail rhapsody, where trendy boutiques and vibrant night market stalls offer streetwear, crab-inspired snacks, and artisanal matcha mochi, just 5 minutes from Sapporo Station by Namboku Line. Centered around the neon-lit Susukino Crossing, this electric district draws hip locals and tourists to its bustling lanes, perfect for an evening shopping spree after sipping Sapporo Classic beer at a lively izakaya or catching

Otaru, Hokkaido’s nostalgic port, enchants with its glasswork shops, sushi-lined canals, and Meiji-era warehouses, offering tourists a romantic escape 30 minutes from Sapporo. Hotels here (¥15,000–¥40,000/night) range from mid-range to boutique, featuring harbor-view rooms, English support, and proximity to Otaru Station’s JR line to Asahikawa (2 hours) or Sapporo (30 minutes). Perfect for strolling after exploring the Music Box Museum or Kitaichi Glass, these stays offer loc

Niseko, Hokkaido’s world-renowned ski mecca, sparkles with powdery slopes, Mount Yotei’s majestic silhouette, and Annupuri’s après-ski bars, drawing tourists to its winter wonderland just 2 hours from Sapporo. Luxury hotels and chalets here (¥40,000–¥100,000/night) offer slope-side suites, private onsens, and Hokkaido seafood dining, perfect for unwinding after shredding Grand Hirafu or exploring Moi Moi’s summer trails. Near Kutchan Station’s JR line or shuttle buses, they b