Tokyo & Hokkaido winter · 6 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Tokyo

• Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky · 2 h. Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
• teamLab Planets / Borderless digital art · 2 h. Timed tickets sell out on weekends; at Planets you wade through water, so wear shorts or roll-up trousers.

Local tip: Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Tokyo

Tokyo

• Senso-ji & Asakusa old town · 2 h. Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
• Meiji Jingu & Harajuku · 3 h. Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.
• Tokyo Skytree observation decks · 1.5 h. Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.

Local tip: Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Tokyo → Sapporo

Sapporo · Tokyo to Sapporo, Flight Haneda–New Chitose ~1.5h + transfers

• Odori Park & Sapporo TV Tower · 1.5 h. Hosts the Snow Festival in February and beer gardens in July–August.
• Sapporo Beer Museum & tasting · 1.5 h. Free entry; the tasting set is paid. Jingisukan lamb barbecue at the beer garden next door.

Local tip: Hosts the Snow Festival in February and beer gardens in July–August.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Sapporo

Sapporo

• Sapporo Snow Festival (February) · 3 h. About one week in early February; sculptures are lit until 10pm. Wear snow boots or cleats — pavements are icy.

Local tip: About one week in early February; sculptures are lit until 10pm. Wear snow boots or cleats — pavements are icy.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Otaru canal day trip

Sapporo

• Otaru canal day trip · 6 h. 40 min by JR; glassworks, music-box museum and sushi street. Snow Light Path in February.

Local tip: 40 min by JR; glassworks, music-box museum and sushi street. Snow Light Path in February.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Niseko skiing day (winter)

Sapporo

• Niseko skiing day (winter) · Full day. Dec–Mar; about 2.5h each way by bus, so stay in Niseko for more than one ski day. Price covers lift pass and bus; rental extra.

Local tip: Dec–Mar; about 2.5h each way by bus, so stay in Niseko for more than one ski day. Price covers lift pass and bus; rental extra.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Sapporo

Sapporo

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.