Is Hokkaido expensive to visit?
Hokkaido is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $119. If we compare it to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as other cities in the country.
Hokkaido has popular destinations that attract plenty of visitors. One of the most expensive places to visit is Sapporo. For more affordability, you can visit Sapporo.
Average daily price of selected cities in Hokkaido, by affordability
City | Average Daily Cost |
---|---|
Sapporo | $133 |

Sapporo, Japan (©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO)
How expensive is Hokkaido?
Travelers spend an average of $119 per day when visiting Hokkaido (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Hokkaido here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Hokkaido?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Hokkaido costs around $358 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $717.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Hokkaido?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Hokkaido will cost around $836 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,673.
Is it expensive to backpack in Hokkaido?
Hokkaido has a very limited selection of hostels and budget accommodation, so it's not the first place that comes to mind for backpackers looking for social and cheap accommodations. This makes it hard at times to travel here as a backpacker, so you'll have to be resourceful to travel on a tight budget here. Low-cost hotels are always an option, as are guesthouses or couch surfing options. The difficulties in finding budget accommodation are especially tough for solo travelers who might need to pay for the full price of a hotel room on their own. Otherwise, you can save money here by finding free activities, eating at low-cost restaurants or cooking your own food, and using public transportation when available.
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Hokkaido?
In Hokkaido, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $17 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $20.
Name | Price | |
---|---|---|
Asahiyama Zoo | ¥1000 | more info |
Furano Lavender Fields | Free | more info |
Daisetsuzan National Park | Free | more info |
Hakodate Morning Market | Free | more info |
Goryokaku Fort | Free | more info |
Lake Toya | Free | more info |
Otaru Canal | Free | more info |
Noboribetsu Onsen | ¥1000 | more info |
Biei Patchwork Road | Free | more info |
Blue Pond (Aoiike) | Free | more info |
Jozankei Onsen | ¥700 | more info |
Sounkyo Gorge | Free | more info |
Abashiri Prison Museum | ¥1000 | more info |
Cape Kamui | Free | more info |
- Snowshoeing and Onsen Adventures in a Winter Wonderland -Sapporo.: $233
- Sea Kayaking Tour – Otaru Coastal Adventure: $103
- Sapporo Highlights: Golden Route Morning Walking Tour: $31
- Hike Mt. Usu and visit Lake Toya Day Tour: $159
- Otaru Canal Private Sightseeing Tour from Sapporo Station: $89
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $55
- Private Wheel Pottery Experience with One Drink: $45
- Time Slip Experience in Hakodate with Custom Dress: $61
Is food expensive in Hokkaido?
In Hokkaido, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $49 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $51.
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $97
- Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local: $82
- Private Japanese Cooking Class in Sapporo with Local Host Kanae: $72
- Japanese Cooking Class in the Heart of Sapporo with Sakura: $72
- Hands-on Japanese Home Cooking Class in Sapporo with Noriko: $108
- Sapporo Night Food Tour: 3 Hidden Restaurants with a Foodie Guide: $218
Is transportation expensive in Hokkaido?
The prices of local transportation in Hokkaido can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $22 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $19. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Hokkaido
If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido, Japan, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.