Hokkaido, 6 days, winter
Hokkaido gets a fraction of mainland Japan’s visitors despite having some of the best snow on the planet — lighter and drier than the Japanese Alps, thanks to Siberian winds crossing the Sea of Japan. Sapporo’s Snow Festival is the famous draw, but the island rewards going well beyond the city.
Days 1–2: Sapporo
If timing allows early February, the Snow Festival’s massive ice sculptures are worth the crowds, but Sapporo’s Nijo Market and Susukino’s ramen alleys are worth a visit any time of winter. The Sapporo Beer Museum is a genuinely interesting hour if the weather turns.
Days 3–4: Niseko
Niseko’s powder snow has an international reputation for a reason — even non-skiers should budget a day here for the onsen (hot spring) culture alone, with several ryokan offering outdoor baths with mountain views through falling snow.
Days 5–6: Otaru and Lake Toya
Otaru’s canal district, lit by hand-lit snow lanterns during its own smaller February festival, is a quieter alternative to Sapporo’s crowds. Lake Toya’s still-active caldera and lakeside onsen towns round out a trip that barely touches the same Japan most first-time visitors see.