Sapporo Solo Adventure: A Snow-Seeking Journey
Just got back from a fantastic trip chasing winter in Japan, and I'm excited to share my experiences with you!
Solo Female Traveler's Take on Sapporo
As a solo female traveler from Hanoi, I embarked on this journey to Sapporo. Due to work commitments, I had to travel the week before Tet (Lunar New Year), which meant pricier air tickets and fewer options. I anticipated a snowy wonderland in January, but I was greeted with sunshine all week long! No snow flurries for me. However, every cloud has a silver lining – the clear weather made getting around a breeze, and the sunlight was perfect for photos.
My Complicated Flight Itinerary (on a Budget)
Booking flights so close to my departure date and being on a tighter budget resulted in a slightly convoluted itinerary:
- Day 1: Hanoi - Nagoya - Vietjet (3,300,000 VND)
- Day 2: Took a Klook tour to the historical villages of Shirakawago and Takayama from Nagoya.
- Day 3: Nagoya - Sapporo - Skymark (1,500,000 VND)
- Day 4-7: Four glorious days in Sapporo, including a day trip to Otaru and another to the iconic lone tree, Shirahige Falls, Blue Pond, and Ningle Terrace – a fairytale village.
- Day 8: Sapporo - Fukuoka - Skymark (1,500,000 VND). I love Japanese domestic airlines; they're always on time!
- Day 9: Fukuoka - Hanoi - China Eastern with a layover in Shanghai (5,000,000 VND)
Pro Tip: If you're planning ahead, keep an eye out for ANA's monthly promotions. You might snag a round-trip ticket from Hanoi to Tokyo/Osaka for around 9,500,000 VND, including a free domestic round-trip flight within Japan.
Accommodation: Helio Hostel Sapporo
I chose to stay at HELIO HOSTEL SAPPORO in the Susukino area, in a female-only dorm (2,700,000 VND for 5 nights). The location was fantastic for getting around, close to the walking street. The bunk beds were spacious, and the shared kitchen and bathrooms were spotless and well-maintained.
Sapporo City Sightseeing Spots
Within Sapporo, I visited these places:
- Odori Park - TV Tower - Clock Tower - Former Hokkaido Government Office Building. These spots are close together and easily visited in one go.
- Susukino, Nikka Whisky Statue, Tanukikoji Shopping Street.
- Venturing a bit further from the center, I found Maeda Forest Park (spacious, peaceful, and mostly locals walking their dogs and older folks skiing). Because there wasn't any snow in the city, I sought some out here. Then, there was Shiroi Koibito Park (the chocolate factory with beautiful and unique architecture). Finally, don't miss Moiwa Ropeway Observation Deck (I recommend arriving around 4 PM for sunset. Stay until around 5:30 PM when the city lights come on – it's a breathtaking view!).
Biei & Furano: The Highlight of My Trip
My main goal was to explore the Biei-Furano area. Luckily, I found some travel buddies to rent a car and visit the lone tree, Shirahige Falls, Blue Pond, and Ningle Terrace. The car picked us up from the hotel, and the driver allowed us plenty of time to capture amazing photos. The car rental cost around 8,000 JPY per person, split between the five of us.
I loved Biei so much that I purchased a JR Pass Sapporo-Furano area (1,600,000 VND for unlimited travel within 4 days) to return. The JR Pass is a fantastic option – just flash your pass and hop on! Reserving seats on trains that require seat reservations is also very easy at the ticket machines. If you're traveling solo or in a small group and can't easily rent a car, traveling independently with the JR Pass is a completely viable option to reach the lone tree area.
With the JR pass, take the train to Biei station. Upon exiting the station, turn left and you will find Biei Tourist Center, where you can book a tour to the iconic lone tree viewpoints. The fees are around 3,000 JPY for a tour to 3-4 famous spots. After the tour, take a bus from Biei station to Prince Hotel, near Ningle Terrace - the fairytale village. Biei is a small town, and the Four Seasons Tower is just a few minutes' walk from the station. Head up to the observation deck to see the entire charming, colorful town from above. On the same line, use your JR pass to visit Asahikawa, see the penguin parade at the zoo, and visit Asahikawa Shrine.
Otaru and New Chitose Airport with JR Pass
I also used the JR Pass Sapporo-Furano area to go to Otaru and travel to New Chitose Airport. I recommend stopping at Zenibako and Asari stations on the way to Otaru for photos. The scenery of the train running along the coast between these two stations is like something out of an anime!
Total Cost
The total cost for my trip, including transportation, accommodation, and food, was 30,000,000 VND, excluding shopping. Hokkaido is incredibly beautiful, and I hope to return someday to explore other cities, either in the summer or during a winter wonderland with heavy snowfall!
