Is Hokkaido walkable?

Hokkaido is underpopulated, so has huge empty spaces for walking. With mountains up to 2,100m, there is plenty of challenge. There is a huge selection of remarkable walks in Hokkaido, from demanding mountain climbs and long treks to meanders through gorgeous but gentler scenery.



Whether Hokkaido is "walkable" depends on the setting: its major cities are very pedestrian-friendly, but the island itself is vast and requires transport. In Sapporo, the city layout is a grid with wide sidewalks and a massive underground pedestrian walkway (Chi-Ka-Ho) that allows you to walk from the main station to the Susukino entertainment district while staying warm in winter. Hakodate and Otaru are also very walkable in their historic centers. However, for Hokkaido’s famous national parks and flower fields like Furano, the distances are too great for walking; you will need to rely on the JR trains, local buses, or a rental car. For 2026 travelers, the "sweet spot" is using public transit to reach a town and then exploring its local charms, markets, and parks on foot.

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Being on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, Sapporo isn't really a walkable option in the winter (with the exception of the Snow Festival each February). But in the summer, while the rest of Japan swelters in the heat and humidity, Sapporo and Hokkaido are very attractive options.

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You can easily spend the whole of 3 weeks solely on Hokkaido for a more in-depth exploration. Your time of visit is good for autumn foliage in central and southern Hokkaido. Start in Sounkyo during early Oct and work down south via Biei and Furano to Sapporo and Otaru.

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With its exceptional fall foliage found all around the island, autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Hokkaido. The weather stays pleasant through September, but nights start to get chilly from mid to late October. Leather, fleece, or thick denim jackets are a must during these months.

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The region's cool climate with low humidity is hardly affected by the rainy season and typhoons that characterize the rest of Japan during the summer months. Hokkaido is located at the northern tip of Japan at latitudes similar to those of major cities in the U.S. and Europe.

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The Hokkaido Shinkansen route connects Honshu (the main island of Japan) to Hokkaido, allowing direct access from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station. The bullet train journey takes approximately four hours and costs 22,690 yen.

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If you use the Hokkaido Shinkansen, which opened in 2016, you will arrive at Sapporo Station in about four and a half hours, when traveling from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station. From Hakodate, Sapporo is a further three and a half hours by express train.

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Kyoto is one of the most walkable cities in Japan. In fact, you may walk around most parts of Kyoto without hiccups as many sidewalks are well-paved with visible signposts.

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On average a rental car in Hokkaido Prefecture costs $76 per day.

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Sapporo (??) is the prefectural capital of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. As a popular winter resort destination, Japan's fifth-largest city also offers a wealth of culture, art, and natural beauty, alongside its ski slopes, neon nightlife, and compelling food scene.

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According to Expatisan, the cost of living in Sapporo is significantly cheaper than in Tokyo at 18%. The main contributor to this is housing costs, which are 47% cheaper in Sapporo than in Tokyo.

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Hokkaido represents a chance to experience wide-open spaces, sensational scenery, fresh food, clean air and crystal waters in a very friendly, safe, courteous and respectful culture.

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