Can you travel in Hokkaido without car?

Can you travel in Hokkaido without a car? Seriously, I wondered the same thing before my trip! Hokkaido without a car? Yeah, totally doable! In fact, I loved it. I’d even go so far as to say I preferred the train. Driving in a new country, especially somewhere as… different… as Hokkaido felt, just seemed like a recipe for stress, you know? Who needs that on vacation? I mean, honestly, all that worrying about parking, and directions, and maybe even getting lost somewhere with limited cell service? Nope. Not for me.

I remember this one time, we were in Italy – totally different, I know, but the point is the same – trying to navigate these tiny, twisty roads… it was a nightmare! That was enough driving-in-a-foreign-country stress for a lifetime. So, in Hokkaido, I was all about relaxing, you know? Leaning back, watching the amazing scenery flash by outside the train window. It was so peaceful. And the views? Unbelievable. Mountains one minute, fields of sunflowers the next – seriously, you’d miss so much if you were focused on the road.

Plus, the Hokkaido train network is pretty darn good. I was surprised, actually. I mean, I knew it was extensive, but I wasn’t expecting this extensive. We got almost everywhere we wanted to go by train. There might have been one tiny, slightly inconvenient bus ride involved, but nothing major. Forget the whole rental car hassle – the cost alone was worth saving, let alone the stress. Train travel in Hokkaido? It’s the perfect way to go for a chill, relaxing vacation. Highly recommend.