← Back to travel
Japan Sakura Feb 2025 14 min read

10 Days in Japan — Snow Festivals, Early Sakura & Mount Fuji

Sapporo → Asahikawa → Otaru → Odawara → Izu Peninsula → Tokyo. Hokkaido's snow festivals and penguin parades in the north, then early-blooming sakura and coastal drives in the south. Here's everything we did and what I'd do differently.

Contents
Overview Is This Trip For You? Route Map Sapporo — Snow, Beer & Ramen Odawara — Onsen by the Sea Izu Peninsula — Sakura, Capybaras & Coastal Drives Tokyo — A Quick Goodbye What I'd Do Differently Booking Guide Planning Timeline When to Go — Seasons & Weather Other Places to Consider Photos What to Eat Quick Tips

Overview

Trip Details
Dates Feb 9 – 18, 2025
Duration 10 days
Route Sapporo → Odawara → Izu → Tokyo
Travellers 4 (family)
Season Winter (Snow Festival & early sakura)
Includes Flights, hotels, JR Pass, rental car, attractions
Not Included Food, local transport (subway/bus/taxi), shopping

The idea was simple: catch the tail end of Hokkaido's snow festivals in the north, then fly south to see early-blooming sakura and Mount Fuji before spring officially starts. February is the sweet spot — the Sapporo Snow Festival runs its final week, the Kawazu cherry trees (the earliest-blooming variety in Japan) are in full pink, and the winter air around Izu means clearer views of Fuji.

We split the trip into two halves: 6 nights in Sapporo as a base for Hokkaido (snow festivals, a zoo penguin parade, skiing, canal lanterns), then flew to Haneda and picked up a rental car for a road trip through Odawara, the Izu Peninsula, and back to Tokyo. Two very different vibes — snowy city exploration in the north, coastal driving and hot springs in the south.

Is This Trip For You?

If you nod to most of these, keep reading
You want to see snow festivals and winter illuminations
You're comfortable driving in Japan (for the Izu half)
You enjoy mixing city exploration with nature
You love ramen, seafood, and Japanese food culture
You want to see sakura before the main season crowds
You can handle -5°C to 10°C weather

Route Map

Click on any marker to see what we did in each area.

View all pins on Google Maps Download KML file

All hotels, restaurants, and attractions from this trip, organized by area. Import the KML into Google My Maps to view all pins. Syncs to your Google Maps app under Saved → Maps.

Sapporo

Sapporo 6 nights · ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo

Sapporo in February is a different planet if you're coming from Singapore. -5°C, snow piled up on every surface, and the entire city turns into a winter playground for the Snow Festival. The food scene alone is worth the trip — soup curry, Genghis Khan BBQ, miso ramen, fresh crab. We stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza — spacious rooms, and the walk to Sapporo Station is sheltered which is a lifesaver in -5°C weather. Not the closest hotel to the station, but the covered walkways make up for it. Used Sapporo as a base for day trips to Asahikawa, Otaru, and Teine ski resort, all easily reachable by JR trains.

Day 1 — Feb 9
Arrival, Beer Museum & Genghis Khan
Flew JL38 Singapore to Haneda (arrived 9:50am), then JL513 Haneda to New Chitose (arrived 1:10pm). Collected our JR Pass at the airport and took the train to Sapporo (~40 min). Checked into ANA Crowne Plaza and grabbed a late lunch at Soup Curry GARAKU in Sitatte Sapporo. Quick stop near Odori to buy proper winter boots (essential — Singapore shoes won't cut it on Hokkaido ice). Evening at the Sapporo Beer Museum (~1.5 hrs, last admission 5:30pm) followed by Genghis Khan BBQ at the Beer Garden — lamb grilled on a dome-shaped iron plate. Honest take: the Genghis Khan is okay to skip — pricey and the lamb still has some gameyness. If you enjoy lamb it's decent, and this is probably the place to try it, but everyone is really here for the beer. Fair warning: you will smell like BBQ afterwards. In hindsight, save this for later in the trip — not ideal right after landing.
Arrival Beer BBQ
Day 2 — Feb 10
Sapporo Snow Festival
The main event. Started at Odori Park for the massive snow sculptures (~1.5 hrs) — we're talking building-sized ice and snow works. Then headed to the Tsudome site (~30 min away) for snow slides and activities (~2 hrs — great for families, go early as slide queues get long but it's really fun). Back to central Sapporo for the TV Tower observation deck for city views. Dinner at Umi Hachikyo Bettei Ofukuro — omakase snow crab set (call ahead to reserve, it's worth every yen). After dinner, walked through Susukino's ice sculptures illuminated at night. Ended at Nikka Bar for whisky.
Snow Festival Crab Illumination
Day 3 — Feb 11
Asahikawa — Zoo Penguins & Fireworks
Day trip to Asahikawa. Train Lilac 5 from Sapporo (8:00am, arrived ~9:25am). Taxi to Asahiyama Zoo (~20 min). The penguin parade is the highlight — king penguins waddle through a snow-lined path. The parade route is really long and well-demarcated, so you don't need to show up super early; just find a spot. That said, they're animals — sometimes very few penguins feel like walking. Plan to stay for both shows so you guarantee a good experience. Only available in winter. Stayed for lunch at the zoo, then headed to the Asahikawa Winter Festival for more ice sculptures and snow activities. Fireworks at 7pm lit up the frozen river. Dinner at Ramen Santōka — their shio (salt) ramen is legendary. Late train Okhotsk 4 back to Sapporo (9:16pm).
Day Trip Penguins Fireworks Ramen
Day 4 — Feb 12
Otaru — Canals & Snow Light Path
Train to Otaru (~35 min from Sapporo). Walked along the Otaru Canal in the daytime, then explored Sakaimachi-dori — the Music Box Museum, glass shops, and LeTAO (famous cheesecake, worth the queue). Lunch at Naruto for their signature fried chicken (half-chicken, crispy and juicy). Early dinner at Yabuhan for handmade soba. As darkness fell, the Otaru Snow Light Path lit up — hundreds of candles and lanterns floating on the canal and lining the streets. Genuinely magical, but fair warning: it gets ridiculously crowded. Expect shoulder-to-shoulder at the main canal spots. Pro tip: there's a photo booth where a professional photographer takes your shot — it's the only way to get a clean photo away from the crowds. Overall though, very worth it. Train back by 7:27pm.
Day Trip Canals Lanterns Food
Day 5 — Feb 13
Skiing at Teine
Full day skiing at Sapporo Teine ski resort. Met the transfer at 8am near Oriental Hotel. Gear rental available on-mountain and you'll be well-equipped for the cold. Hokkaido powder is world-class — famously light and dry, genuinely fun. Word of caution: if you're a beginner, some tours may bring you to steeper slopes rather than beginner runs, so communicate your level clearly. For more than a couple of days of skiing, self-arrange rather than going through a tour — you'll have more control over which slopes you hit. Returned to Sapporo around 4pm. Dinner at Ramen Shingen (minami 6 jo branch) — their miso ramen is rich, hearty, and exactly what you need after a day on the slopes.
Skiing Ramen
Day 6 — Feb 14
Shiroi Koibito Park & Shopping
Morning at Shiroi Koibito Park (~2 hrs) — the chocolate factory behind Hokkaido's famous white chocolate biscuit. Interactive exhibits, cookie-making workshop, and a charming European-style garden covered in snow. Not bad at all. Lunch at Kitano Gurume for king crab (Hokkaido crab is next level). We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping around Sapporo — last chance before leaving Hokkaido. We skipped Mt. Moiwa but it's worth considering if you want the sunset view (one of Japan's "Three Great Night Views").
Chocolate Crab Shopping

Odawara

Odawara 1 night · Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa

Transition day from Hokkaido to Kanto. Flew from New Chitose to Haneda, picked up a rental car at Toyota Rent a Car (Haneda), and drove ~1.5 hours to Odawara. The Hilton Odawara is a resort-style property with an onsen, pool, and mini-golf — a good place to decompress after six busy days in Hokkaido.

Day 7 — Feb 15
Fly South & Resort Evening
Flight CTS to Haneda (12:50pm, arrived 2:35pm). Picked up rental car and drove to Hilton Odawara (~1.5 hrs). Bring swimsuits — the pool is amazing, the onsen is perfect, and there's even mini-golf. After a week of -5°C in Hokkaido, the warm water hit different. We wished we had more time here. Dinner at the hotel.
Flight Onsen Rest

Izu Peninsula

Izu Peninsula 1 night · Tiny Base Kawazu

The Izu Peninsula is where the trip shifted gears entirely. Rocky coastlines, hot springs, capybaras in onsen, wasabi farms, and the famous Kawazu cherry blossoms — the earliest sakura in mainland Japan, blooming a full month before Tokyo.

Reality check: we were too early. Kawazu was only about 1–5% bloom when we arrived. But that's where flexibility saved the day — we pivoted to Atami, just up the coast, where the sakura were in full bloom. Lesson learned: always check the bloom forecast before committing, and have a backup plan. We stayed at a countryside lodge in Kawazu with a BBQ setup and did a self-drive loop around the peninsula.

Day 8 — Feb 16
Atami Sakura, Capybaras & Coastal Cliffs
Drove from Odawara down the Izu Peninsula. Original plan was Kawazu sakura, but we'd checked the forecast and Kawazu was only 1–5% bloom. Pivoted to Atami instead — full bloom, stunning pink canopy along the Ito River. This is the beauty of a rental car trip: you can adapt on the fly. Then to Izu Shaboten Zoo for the capybara onsen — capybaras soaking in hot springs, completely unbothered. One of those uniquely Japanese experiences. Check the schedule before you go — the capybara onsen is winter-only (not available in summer) and has set times. Afternoon walk along Jogasaki Coast (~1 hr, dramatic cliffs and suspension bridges over the ocean). Drove to Kawazu, checked in at Tiny Base lodge. Evening BBQ at the accommodation — one of the trip highlights, grilling outdoors in the cool mountain air. The lodge itself is cool — only heads-up is the bedroom and living room are separate buildings, and the bath isn't connected to the room, so it can be chilly moving between them. There is a toilet in the sleeping area though. Late run to MaxValu for breakfast supplies.
Sakura Capybaras Coastal Walk BBQ
Day 9 — Feb 17
Waterfalls, Wasabi & Strawberries → Tokyo
Explored Kawazu in the morning. Drove to Wasabi Garden Kadoya near the Kawazu Seven Falls (~20 min) for an early lunch — fresh wasabi bowl and boar stew. The wasabi grown here is nothing like the paste you get in restaurants; it's floral, sweet, and barely burns. The shop and restaurant are elderly-friendly, but if you want to see the actual wasabi fields, be prepared for a lot of stairs down and then back up — not very accessible. Short walk to the waterfalls (~1 hr partial trail, seven cascades through a forested gorge). Then drove ~1 hr to Kubota Strawberry Picking Garden for all-you-can-eat strawberry picking (~1 hr, peak season in Feb — message them on Facebook Messenger to book a slot, no walk-ins). Drove ~2.5 hrs to Tokyo. Checked into Ibis Styles Ginza (budget- friendly, good location). Dropped the rental car at Toyota Nishi-Shinbashi (closes 8pm). Ginza shopping isn't what it used to be, but the hotel was cheap and well-located. Tip: just grab a taxi from the airport — getting to Ginza with luggage on trains is a hassle.
Waterfalls Wasabi Strawberries Road Trip

Tokyo

Tokyo 1 night · Ibis Styles Ginza

One night in Ginza to wrap up the trip. Not enough time to explore Tokyo properly — but that's fine. Tokyo deserves its own trip.

Day 10 — Feb 18
Final Shopping & Home
Free morning for last-minute shopping in Ginza. Train to Narita (~1.5 hrs). Flight back to Singapore at 6:10pm. Ten days, two completely different Japans — frozen Hokkaido and coastal Izu — and already thinking about the next one.
Shopping Home

What I'd Do Differently

Stay flexible with sakura timing

We planned the entire Izu leg around Kawazu's famous early-blooming sakura, but arrived to find only 1–5% bloom. Thankfully, Atami (30 min up the coast) was in full bloom — so we pivoted and it ended up being one of the best stops. The lesson: sakura timing is unpredictable, even for early-blooming varieties. Check bloom forecasts a few days before (sites like japan-guide.com track it), keep your itinerary flexible, and always have a nearby backup. A rental car makes this easy.

Spend more time in Otaru

We tried to squeeze Otaru into a tight schedule. The Snow Light Path at night is worth the trip alone, but the daytime canal walk, glass shops, and food deserve a slower pace. Consider staying overnight if the Snow Light Path festival overlaps with your dates.

Book the crab dinner earlier

Umi Hachikyo's omakase snow crab set requires a phone call reservation. We almost missed out. If crab is a priority (and in Hokkaido, it should be), book it as soon as your dates are confirmed.

Save the Beer Garden BBQ for later in the trip

We did the Sapporo Beer Museum and Genghis Khan BBQ on Day 1, right after landing. Great experience, but you'll reek of BBQ smoke afterwards — not ideal when you've just checked in. Move it to Day 2 or later when you've settled in.

Spend more time at Hilton Odawara

We used it as a one-night transit stop, but the pool, onsen, and mini-golf deserve a full day. If your schedule allows, arrive earlier or add a second night. Bring swimsuits.

Book strawberry picking via Facebook Messenger

Kubota Strawberry Garden doesn't do walk-ins — message them on Facebook Messenger to secure a slot. Peak season (Jan–Feb) fills up.

Rental car logistics

Picking up the car at Haneda worked, but dropping it off in central Tokyo (Nishi-Shinbashi) before 8pm was tight after driving from Izu. If doing this again, I'd either drop the car at a station closer to the last stop or budget more time.

Booking Guide

Japan is easier to "wing it" than Italy, but a few things need advance planning:

Item Notes
JR Pass Buy before arriving. We used the Hokkaido JR Pass (5-day flex) for Sapporo–Asahikawa–Otaru trains. Collect at airport JR counter.
Sapporo Snow Festival Free entry to Odori and Susukino sites. Tsudome site is also free but check bus schedule. No booking needed. Runs ~early Feb.
Asahiyama Zoo No advance booking required. Penguin parade is at 11am daily in winter (weather permitting). Arrive early for a good spot.
Teine Ski Resort Book transfer and gear rental 1–2 weeks ahead through your hotel or a tour operator. Lift tickets available on the day.
Shiroi Koibito Park Walk-in is fine. Cookie workshop can be reserved online if you want a specific time.
Rental Car Book 2–4 weeks ahead via Toyota Rent a Car or similar. We picked up at Haneda, dropped at Nishi-Shinbashi. Need international driving permit (IDP).
Kawazu Accommodation Book early — the sakura festival in Feb fills up small lodges fast. We stayed at Tiny Base Kawazu (countryside lodge with BBQ).
Umi Hachikyo (Snow Crab) Phone reservation required for omakase crab set. Call 1–2 weeks ahead. Worth it.
A note on driving in winter: I wouldn't recommend renting a car in Hokkaido during winter unless you're experienced with icy/snowy roads. Stick to trains and taxis in Sapporo — JR and cabs will get you everywhere safely. We only rented a car for the Kanto/Izu leg where it doesn't really snow, and the roads are straightforward. IDP (International Driving Permit) required — get one before the trip. Japan drives on the left. Highway tolls add up; consider an expressway pass if driving extensively.

Planning Timeline

When What to Do
4–5 months before Book flights. Singapore to Japan has good options (JAL, ANA, Scoot). For domestic flights (Sapporo ↔ Tokyo), JAL/ANA are often cheaper booked together with international legs.
3 months before Book hotels. Sapporo hotels fill up fast during Snow Festival week — book early or pay a premium. Kawazu lodges are small and limited.
1–2 months before Buy JR Pass (online, collect at airport). Book rental car. Reserve ski transfers. Check Snow Festival dates (changes yearly).
2–4 weeks before Call Umi Hachikyo for crab reservation. Check Kawazu sakura forecast. Download offline maps. Get IDP if driving.
1 week before Confirm all bookings. Check weather forecasts (Hokkaido conditions can change fast). Pack layers, thermals, waterproof boots.

When to Go — Seasons & Weather

Japan is a year-round destination, but the experience changes dramatically:

Season What to Expect
Winter
Dec – Feb		 What we did. Hokkaido: -5 to -15°C, heavy snow, snow festivals, world-class powder skiing. Kanto/Izu: 5–10°C, clear skies, best Mt Fuji views, Kawazu sakura in late Feb. Perfect for this dual-climate itinerary.
Spring
Mar – May		 Cherry blossom season. Sakura in Tokyo peaks late March to early April. Kyoto, Osaka, and the countryside follow. Beautiful but crowded — book everything months ahead.
Summer
Jun – Aug		 25–35°C, humid. Fireworks festivals, mountain hiking, Hokkaido lavender fields (Furano). June is rainy season in most of Honshu. Hokkaido stays pleasant.
Autumn
Sep – Nov		 Spectacular autumn foliage (koyo). Kyoto and Nikko are stunning. Comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds than spring. Arguably the best all-round season.

We chose February for the unique combo: Hokkaido snow festivals are at their peak, and Kawazu sakura are the earliest in mainland Japan. You get winter and a preview of spring in the same trip.

Other Places to Consider

If you have extra days or are planning a return trip:

Niseko
Best forWorld-class powder skiing, onsen après-ski
Best seasonDecember – March
Getting there2.5h drive or bus from Sapporo

Hokkaido's premier ski destination. Consistent dry powder snow that's famous worldwide. More resort infrastructure than Teine, but pricier. Easy add-on from Sapporo.

Hakodate
Best forMorning market, Mt Hakodate night view, seafood
Best seasonYear-round
Getting there3.5h by JR from Sapporo

Southern Hokkaido port city. The morning market is one of Japan's best — fresh uni, ikura, and crab at 6am. Mt Hakodate night view rivals Moiwa. Worth 1–2 nights.

Hakone
Best forMt Fuji views, hot springs, open-air museum
Best seasonAutumn or winter (clearest Fuji views)
Getting there1.5h from Tokyo by Romancecar

Classic Fuji-viewing spot with onsen, pirate ships on Lake Ashi, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum. We went through Odawara (the gateway to Hakone) but didn't have time to stop. Next time.

Kyoto & Osaka
Best forTemples, gardens, street food, Japanese culture
Best seasonSpring (sakura) or autumn (koyo)
Getting there2.5h from Tokyo by Shinkansen

The cultural heart of Japan. Thousands of temples, geisha districts, and arguably the best food city in the world (Osaka). Easily its own week-long trip.

Photos

Click any photo to view full-size. (Photos coming soon!)

What to Eat

Hokkaido is a food destination in its own right. Here's what to prioritise:

Hokkaido Must-Eats
Soup CurryGARAKU — rich broth, chunky veg, Sapporo's signature dish
Miso RamenRamen Shingen — thick, hearty, perfect after skiing
Shio RamenRamen Santōka (Asahikawa) — legendary salt-based broth
Snow Crab OmakaseUmi Hachikyo — phone reservation required, worth every yen
King CrabKitano Gurume — Hokkaido crab is next level
Genghis Khan BBQSapporo Beer Garden — okay to skip, but if you try it, this is the place
Fried ChickenNaruto (Otaru) — half-chicken, crispy outside, juicy inside
SobaYabuhan (Otaru) — handmade, clean flavour
Izu Must-Eats
Fresh WasabiKadoya near Kawazu Falls — floral, sweet, nothing like the paste
Boar StewAlso at Kadoya — rich, gamey, pairs well with wasabi
StrawberriesKubota Garden — all-you-can-eat picking, peak in Feb
General rule: Eat ramen on cold days (you'll crave it), save crab for a proper sit-down dinner, and never skip convenience store onigiri — Japanese konbini food is genuinely great at any hour.

Quick Tips

Two Japans in one trip — frozen north and coastal south. Hope this helps with your planning. Feel free to reach out if you have questions.