7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Sapporo

As a digital nomad living in Sapporo, you have the unique opportunity to explore the northern island of Hokkaido with its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. While Sapporo itself offers plenty to see and do, the weekends are a perfect time to venture out and discover new places. From popular tourist spots to hidden gems, here are seven weekend getaways that will enrich your experience in Japan.

Otaru

Just a short train ride from Sapporo, Otaru is a charming port city known for its beautifully preserved canal area and historic buildings. Stroll along the Otaru Canal and enjoy the picturesque scenery, visit the Otaru Music Box Museum, or indulge in some of the freshest sushi at the local seafood markets. The city's glassworks shops are also a must-visit, offering the chance to see glassblowing in action or even try your hand at making your own glassware.

How to Get There: Otaru is easily accessible by train from Sapporo Station. The rapid train takes about 30 minutes to reach Otaru Station.

Travel Tip: Don't miss the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival if you're visiting in February. The city is adorned with snow statues and small lanterns, creating a magical winter wonderland.

Where to Stay: The Dormy Inn Premium Otaru offers comfortable accommodations with a public bathhouse, while the Authent Hotel Otaru provides a more luxurious stay with its elegant decor.

Where to Eat: Head to Sushi Street for some of the best sushi in town. Kaisen-don, a bowl of rice topped with fresh seafood, is a local specialty you shouldn't miss.

Noboribetsu Onsen

Noboribetsu Onsen is Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort, located in the midst of the stunning volcanic landscape of Noboribetsu. The area offers a variety of natural hot springs, each with different medicinal properties. Take a hike through the otherworldly Jigokudani (Hell Valley), where steam vents and sulfurous streams create a dramatic backdrop. For a cultural experience, visit the Ainu Museum to learn about the indigenous people of the region.

How to Get There: The best way to reach Noboribetsu Onsen is by train to Noboribetsu Station, followed by a 15-minute bus ride to the hot spring area.

Travel Tip: Try to visit Dai-ichi Takimotokan, a famous onsen hotel with one of the largest bathhouses in Japan, featuring a variety of different baths and a panoramic view of Hell Valley.

Where to Stay: The Noboribetsu Grand Hotel offers traditional Japanese rooms and a range of onsen baths. For a more intimate experience, consider staying at the Ryotei Hanayura, which features private onsen baths.

Where to Eat: Sobadokoro Yumoto is a great place to enjoy soba noodles made with the local spring water, enhancing the flavor and texture of this classic Japanese dish.

Shikisai-no-Oka

For a visual feast, head to Shikisai-no-Oka, a panoramic flower park in Biei. From spring to autumn, the rolling hills are carpeted with a rainbow of flowers, including lavender, tulips, and sunflowers. The park also offers tractor bus tours and rental ATVs to explore the vast area. In winter, the snow-covered landscape transforms into a different kind of beauty, perfect for snowmobiling and other winter activities.

How to Get There: The journey to Biei takes about 2.5 hours by train from Sapporo, and from Biei Station, you can take a local bus or taxi to Shikisai-no-Oka.

Travel Tip: Visit during July for the full bloom of lavender, which is one of the most iconic sights in Hokkaido.

Where to Stay: The picturesque cottages at Pension Ken & Mary or the comfortable rooms at Hotel Lavenir make for a pleasant stay amidst the beautiful Biei landscape.

Where to Eat: Farm Restaurant Azemichi Yorimichi offers delicious meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients, with stunning views of the Biei hills.

Lake Toya

Lake Toya, located within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, is a caldera lake that boasts year-round beauty and is known for its clear, tranquil waters. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the lake, visit the volcanic Mount Usu and its ropeway, or relax in one of the many onsen resorts around the lake. The area is also home to the Lake Toya Nonokaze Resort, which offers an open-air bath with a view of the lake.

How to Get There: To get to Lake Toya, take a train from Sapporo to Toya Station, followed by a bus to the lakeside area.

Travel Tip: Make sure to stay until evening to witness the daily fireworks display over the lake, which runs from late April to October.

Where to Stay: The Lake Toya Nonokaze Resort provides luxurious accommodations with stunning lake views, while the Toya Sun Palace Resort & Spa offers a variety of hot spring baths and recreational activities.

Where to Eat: Boyotei is a lakeside restaurant where you can enjoy local Hokkaido cuisine with a view of Lake Toya.

Asahikawa

Asahikawa, Hokkaido's second-largest city, is a hub for culture and art, with attractions like the Asahikawa Ramen Village and the Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum. The Asahiyama Zoo is a must-visit, especially for its unique enclosures that allow visitors to observe animals from different perspectives. Asahikawa is also a great base for exploring the nearby Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's largest national park, offering stunning hiking trails and hot springs.

How to Get There: Asahikawa is about 1.5 hours from Sapporo by train, with frequent services running from Sapporo Station.

Travel Tip: If you're visiting in winter, don't miss the Asahikawa Winter Festival, which features impressive ice sculptures and snow statues.

Where to Stay: The Asahikawa Grand Hotel offers comfortable rooms and is conveniently located, while the Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa provides a modern and stylish stay.

Where to Eat: Santouka Ramen is a popular spot in Asahikawa Ramen Village, known for its rich and creamy broth that is typical of Asahikawa-style ramen.

Shiraoi Ainu Museum (Upopoy)

For an off-the-beaten-path cultural experience, visit the Shiraoi Ainu Museum, also known as Upopoy, which means "singing in a large group" in the Ainu language. Opened in 2020, this national museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. Explore the interactive exhibits, watch traditional Ainu performances, and walk through the reconstructed Ainu village to gain a deeper understanding of this unique culture.

How to Get There: Take a train from Sapporo to Shiraoi Station, and then it's a short taxi or bus ride to the museum.

Travel Tip: Participate in one of the hands-on workshops offered at the museum to create your own Ainu-inspired crafts.

Where to Stay: There are several ryokans and guesthouses in Shiraoi, such as Kojohama Onsen Ryokan, which offers traditional accommodations and hot spring baths.

Where to Eat: Poronno, located within the museum complex, serves traditional Ainu dishes and local Hokkaido cuisine, providing a unique culinary experience.

Tomamu

Tomamu is a resort area that offers a variety of year-round activities. In the winter, it's a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, while in the summer, it transforms into a green haven perfect for golfing, hiking, and forest adventures. The resort's Unkai Terrace is famous for its "Sea of Clouds" phenomenon, where you can witness a stunning blanket of clouds covering the valley below. Tomamu also features an indoor wave pool and an ice village during the winter months.

How to Get There: The most convenient way to reach Tomamu is by taking a train from Sapporo to Tomamu Station, which takes about 90 minutes.

Travel Tip: For a unique experience, visit the Ice Village in winter, where you can enjoy ice skating, ice slides, and even stay in an ice hotel room.

Where to Stay: Hoshino Resorts Tomamu offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels like The Tower to the more secluded Risonare Tomamu with its private onsen baths.

Where to Eat: Nininupuri serves delicious Italian cuisine with ingredients sourced from Hokkaido, and its location within the resort offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

Whether you're looking for a relaxing hot spring weekend, a cultural journey, or an adventure in nature, these getaways from Sapporo offer something for every digital nomad seeking to explore the wonders of Hokkaido.