北海道自由行怎麼玩？3大北海道自助旅行方式，四季風貌一次看

An independent trip to Hokkaido is on many Taiwanese travellers' Japan bucket list — but how do you get around Hokkaido without driving? Public transport for independent travel around Hokkaido is actually quite convenient, and each of the four seasons offers a completely different look, ready for you to discover. Decided on your next destination yet? Let's take a dreamy trip to Hokkaido with DJB!

*Image source:* *Visit Sapporo Facebook*

3 ways to get around Hokkaido without driving

First, before planning your trip, think about a few must-visit attractions in Hokkaido, and choose accommodation near the station most convenient to those spots. Using one central hub to branch out from can significantly cut down your transport costs!

1. Public transport

Hokkaido has 21 JR lines in total, which can be combined with local buses to reach popular attractions like Odori Park, Tanukikoji Shopping Street, Hakodate's night view, Asahiyama Zoo, and Otaru Canal!

*Travel time by JR — Image source:* *UU Hokkaido*

*Travel time by bus — Image source:* *UU Hokkaido*

2. Chartered car or taxi

If you're travelling with elderly family members, or in a small group or family setting, we highly recommend chartering a car to reduce travel fatigue. When choosing a charter service, consider not just the vehicle type and price, but also whether it meets safety standards (a green-plate licensed vehicle), and whether the driver can communicate in Chinese, giving your group extra peace of mind.

3. Domestic flights

Since Hokkaido covers roughly 2.2 times the area of Taiwan, for longer distances, we recommend taking a domestic flight rather than the Shinkansen, since it saves a lot more travel time.

*Airport-to-attraction travel info — Image source:* *UU Hokkaido*

Hokkaido's four seasons at a glance

Who says a Hokkaido trip is only for admiring snow? Every February, the "Sapporo Snow Festival" draws huge crowds — if you'd rather avoid the busy season, consider visiting during the quieter off-peak months (January, or October through December) to experience a different side of Hokkaido too!

	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Months	Apr-Jun	Jul-Aug	Sep-Nov	Dec-Mar
Temperature	10°C and up	20-30°C and up	10 to 0°C	0 to -10°C
What to wear	Long sleeves, a light jacket, layered outfits	Short sleeves or light long sleeves, watch for sun exposure	Winter coat, scarf, gloves, warm shoes	Heavy winter coat, cold-weather gear, snow boots
Special events	Cherry blossom viewing Koi streamer river festival YOSAKOI Soran Festival	Beer gardens Lake Onuma Festival Orochon Fire Festival	Autumn leaves Sapporo Autumn Festival Hot air balloon rides	Sapporo Snow Festival Winter sports Drift ice experience
Local food	Tomatoes, green asparagus, Ezo sea urchin	Hanasaki crab, saury, Hokkaido striped shrimp	Seasonal produce (potatoes, green onions, grapes, blueberries)	Oysters, strawberries, botan shrimp, sailfin sandfish

Reference: ACTIVITY JAPAN

3 tips for an even better trip

1. Take advantage of hotel shuttles

If your destination is a fair distance from the airport, we recommend factoring in airport transfer service when choosing your hotel in the first place. Some hotels also offer free station shuttle service, which is worth taking advantage of.

2. Buy a Hokkaido Rail Pass

Issued by Hokkaido Railway Company, the "Hokkaido Rail Pass (JR PASS)" is only available for purchase by foreign nationals, currently offered as a 5-day or 7-day pass. It's valid on JR trains and buses across all of Hokkaido, with unlimited use within the validity period — a genuinely great-value option for anyone who loves packing their itinerary full! (Full JR PASS guide)

3. Bring a fast data SIM

Now that your independent Hokkaido itinerary is all planned out, don't forget the next step — book a DJB Japan data SIM. With DJB, activating your SIM is easy once you land, letting you navigate to wherever you want to go right away — enjoy a smooth, worry-free trip through Japan's northern wonderland!

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