Top Hokkaido Rail Tours

Hakodate is a city in southern Hokkaido that was one of the first ports in Japan to open up to foreign trade. The city has international influences such as the red-brick warehouses, and the European-style buildings, but it can be tricky to understand the city’s distinctive features without knowledge about Japan’s history. With this customizable tour, experience the city’s highlights with a guide to show you around and provide commentary. Potential stops include Onuma Quasi-National Park and Motomachi.

See the highlights of Sapporo in a day and save hours of research and planning time by choosing a private guided tour. To ensure the itinerary suits your interests, you can select your must-see spots from a list of potential locations sent before the tour. Then, enjoy a customized itinerary with 2-4 sites over 4 to 6 hours—such as Moerenuma Park, Mount Moiwa, Nijo Market, and Jozankei Onsen.

We can enjoy taking city buses or city tram from spot to spot. First, we walk to Hakodate morning market, so you can grab some food and fruits if you will. Then take a tram to Red brick warehouses to visit shopping area near the sea front. Next, we take bus to the base station of Mt. Hakodate Ropeway. The ropeway brings us to the 334m high summit of Mt. Hakodate to enjoy one of three significant views in Japan. (Due to the strong wind, Mt. Hakodate Ropeway service can be stopped. In that case, I will recommend an alternative spot) Lastly, we take buses to Goryokaku fort. From a 90m high tower, you can witness the whole view of the Goryokaku fortress where the last civil war was fought between shognate force and new government force. Lunch can be enjoyed at the summit building of Mt. Hakodate or near the Goryokaku.

Make the most of your time in Otaru with a private half-day tour that’s customizable to suit your needs and interests. You’ll learn more about this historic town than you would wandering around alone, and you won’t waste time visiting places you’re not interested in. Check out the Otaru Canal, a sake distillery, sweet shops, restaurants, and more.

Available all year but perhaps best enjoyed in spring or summer, this hiking tour will take you out of the hustle and bustle of the city and up to some of the nicest views to be seen in Sapporo. Led by an English-speaking guide, you will be accompanied up and back down two mountains - Mt. Maruyama & Mt. Okurayama.

This tour will visit Otaru, once the distribution center of Hokkaido.Otaru is a town that became a popular tourist destination thanks to Japanese movies. On the Otaru Canal Walking Tour, we will stop at facilities of interest to our guests for an extraordinary experience.For example, you can stroll through the retro streets in the Sakai-machi shopping district and enjoy Otaru's famous glass and music boxes. You can also enjoy delicious food. Please let your guide know if there is any restaurant you would like to visit! Our nationally certified guides will be happy to show you around.

Ditch the busy crowds and explore Hakodate on this private tour with a National Licensed Guide. Hop between highlights by streetcar, bus, and ropeway as you learn about the city’s history and culture. See the Goryokaku Tower from above, stroll through the scenic Goryokaku Park, and take in sweeping city vistas from the Hakodateyama Ropeway. Admission and transportation fees are included; lunch is not included.

Enjoy your day stress free, as Snow Monkey Resorts will organize all aspects of your day of skiing in a smooth and organized manner right from the pick up at Sapporo Station in the morning until the end of the tour later that evening. Convenience and accessibility!! Only 20-30 minutes from central Sapporo, making it one of the closest ski resorts to Sapporo. More time “on the slopes” and less time “commuting to the slopes”. Transportation: Easily accessible by public transportation, with shuttle and public buses available during the peak season. Very short subway rides and a brief bus ride to BanKei Ski Resort. Offers 17 runs catering to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. Affordability! BanKei is comparatively lower in price compared to other Hokkaido ski resorts. Offers ski and rental packages at discounted rates, ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

This tour will take us first to The Historical Village of Hokkaido(open air museum), situated in the suburbs of Sapporo. You will see how a traditional town of yesteryear in Hokkaido was set up. This area consists of four different sections: a town, a fishing village, farm village and a mountain village. Led by a locally-based and native English speaking guide, this experience of early Hokkaido will fill you with visions of how life was like in Hokkaido during the Meiji and Taisho periods. You will see first hand how an entire little town a century ago was recreated. Our next and final destination will take us to The Sapporo Beer Museum. Sapporo Beer is one of the oldest and most popular beer brands in Japan. Your guide will lead you through this museum and explain the history of beer making in Japan. At the end of the tour comes the really fun part. The beer tasting!! You will be able to sample three types of Sapporo beer.

On this private day tour of Sapporo, Muslim travelers can feel confident knowing that their specific needs are being taken into consideration. Your private guide will take you to family-friendly places, attractions with dedicated prayer rooms, and dining spots that meet Muslim dietary requirements. See the highlights of Sapporo while observing your faith.

Taste the best of Sapporo regional specialties by going on this combination of a market tour, a cooking class, and lunch. As you explore Nijo Ichiba market with a guide, you’ll discover more about local produce. A private tour means you can learn to cook at your own pace, and you’ll have direct access to your guide for questions. It’ll be the ultimate hassle-free day as all ingredients, lunch, and alcoholic beverages are included.

On this fun 1-day tour, you will enjoy the new religious heritage of Sapporo, along with stunning views of its downtown and large central park, with sake tasting to top it off at the end of the day! Visiting the gigantic golden sleeping Buddha at the Butsuganji Temple as well as the Hill of the Buddha, a fusion of modern art and ancient religion, you will see how the people of Sapporo express their spirituality and creativity together. After lunch, a visit to downtown Sapporo, a ride up its iconic TV Tower, and Sake tasting in a small local bar will introduce you to the secular side of this Northern Japanese city.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Hokkaido on this unforgettable 1-day tour. Begin your journey at the iconic Blue Pond (青い池), famed for its mysteriously vivid blue waters and serene birch-lined shores—perfect for photography and peaceful reflection. Then, travel to the picturesque Hills of Seasonal Colors (四季彩の丘), where vibrant flower fields stretch across rolling hills, creating a rainbow landscape that changes with the seasons. Ideal for nature lovers and photographers, this relaxing day trip offers a stunning slice of Hokkaido's natural charm in every season.

Explore southern Hokkaido's highlights on this day tour from Hakodate. Visit the iconic star-shaped Goryokaku Park, stroll through the serene Onuma Quasi-National Park, and enjoy the coastal views aboard the South Hokkaido Railway. The journey also includes a peaceful visit to the historic Trappist Monastery, known for its picturesque tree-lined approach. This tour is perfect for those wanting to experience the rich history and natural beauty of the Hakodate region without the hassle of transportation planning. - Visit Goryokaku Park, Japan's first Western-style fortress - Enjoy free time at the scenic Onuma Quasi-National Park - Ride the coastal South Hokkaido Railway for stunning views - Convenient departure and return from Hakodate

The Ainu Cultural Center is a real hidden gem. Tucked away in lush natural surroundings an hour or so outside of Sapporo, this center/museum is sure to please. It is very informative with tons of artifacts of The Ainu. The center is well curated and visitors are encouraged to hold and touch the many authentic Ainu handcrafts. The outdoor village with traditional handcrafted Ainu houses and canoes are very cool to experience as well. This is a “must go” sight for those interested in indigenous groups. Your tour will continue on to nearby Jozankei Hot spring(Onsen) Village. There are 56 hot spring sources in Jozankei, concentrated around both the Tsukimibashi and Takayamabashi bridges along with The Toyohira River which flows throughout the village. The waters of most of these hot spring baths average temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Celsius. As a member of this tour, you will experience a two hour hot spring bath at one of Jozankei’s most reputable hot spring hotels.

Enjoy a cooking class in a memorable setting—a local’s home in Sapporo. It’s a great way to discover more about local life in Hokkaido, and to learn recipes that you wouldn’t discover otherwise. As it’s a private experience, you’ll be able to share stories and ask questions as you cook. The lesson consists of multiple dishes, that may include fresh seafood, cooked burdock, deep-fried tofu, or miso soup. Reward your hard work by eating the feast you’ve cooked at the end of your lesson.

This is a walking tour using public transportation. This tour is a highlight tour of major tourist attractions in Sapporo. This tour is popular among those who are not good at long-distance travel and families with children, as it is a sightseeing tour only in Sapporo City. Please let us know if you have any requests such as store experience at Shiroi Koibito Park, dressing up in a princess costume, or taking pictures at photo spots! There are also historical spots in the city, such as the Sapporo Clock Tower, which is registered as a national important cultural property, and the former Hokkaido Government Office. Please enjoy Sapporo, one of the major cities in Japan, to the fullest! This is great for adventure seekers, families with children, etc.

Avoid the traffic and discover the wonders of Sapporo on foot with this half-day private tour. Traveling with a private guide is a great way to get your bearings of the city and learn about its most interesting sights, without doing any research. Potential sights you can visit include Moerenuma Park, Sapporo Beer Museum, Odori Park, Jozankei Onsen, Nijo Market, and Sapporo Science Center.

This tour will take us to the port city of Otaru. Otaru is just a 30-minute convenient train ride away from Sapporo. Otaru was once one of the most prosperous port cities on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. Otaru is long past its proud history as a fishing and coal port town, but traces of its glory days remain almost everywhere and visitors should take note. Most tourism activities in Otaru are centered around the Otaru Canal in The Sakaimachi Sightseeing and Shopping District. So many sights to see and activities to partake in in this area. Specifically, on this tour we will “focus on” these well known locations along Sakaimachi Street

This tour will take us to popular sights that will offer insight into Sapporo, a “mocked” courtroom, a shopping arcade and will conclude at Cococo Susukino (in the heart of Sapporo’s entertainment district) for sake tasting. Explore the city with your tour guide and learn about the history of Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

This private 7 hour walking tour with an experienced English speaking and Licensed tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Otaru while you are staying in Sapporo! Otaru is a port city that has historical buildings, many of which have been restored and converted into cafes and shops. The old stone warehouses and beautifully preserved canal help create the nostalgic atmosphere of the city’s townscape. Please choose 3 to 4 sights you wish to visit from our what to expect list and let your guide know to craft your own itinerary!

This tour will combine a religious undertone (Hokkaido “Shrine” Shintoism/an ancient Japanese religion) along with a “foodie” type tour. The Central Wholesale Market will amaze you with stunningly fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood. Seasonal delicacies offered at reasonable prices. The Shiroi Koibito Theme Park (a confectionery attraction) that produces the one sweet that Sapporo is famous for: a chocolate type cookie sandwiched between langue de chat biscuits. You will see how they are made and will sample them.

Witness Noboribetsu's awe-inspiring Jigokudani, a "Hell Valley" overflowing with steaming vents, healing waters, and vibrant colors. After walking through this Hell Valley, enjoy a leisurely forest walk to the soothing Oyunuma River footbath where you can rest your legs in the warm, mineral-rich waters. Later, you'll be taken to the historic Dai-ichi Takimotokan Hotel, where you can further relax in several of its 35 hot spring baths. Led by an English-speaking guide, this tour starts and ends at Sapporo Station.