From early October to early November, Central Hokkaido transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of gold, orange, and fiery red. Departing from downtown Sapporo, this curated autumn itinerary not only takes you to the iconic foliage sanctuary of Jozankei but also extends deep into the scenic hidden gardens of Yuni Town.

Opting for Car4TourJP’s private charter service featuring licensed green-plate vehicles and friendly English drivers lets you effortlessly connect four top autumn foliage destinations.

Skip the long queues for public buses, avoid the stress of navigating peak-season traffic, and eliminate parking worries—enjoy a luxurious, comfortable, and personalized autumn road trip through Hokkaido.

Sapporo Autumn Foliage Day Tour: Sapporo Downtown ➔ Hiraoka Tree Art Center ➔ Yuni Garden ➔ Toyohira Gorge ➔ Jozankei ➔ Sapporo Return

10-Hour Private Charter Schedule & Itinerary

Estimated Time	Itinerary & Attractions	Highlights & Private Charter Advantages
08:30	Sapporo Hotel Departure	Friendly Cantonese/Mandarin/English driver greets you in the hotel lobby with full itinerary flexibility.
09:00 – 09:30	Hiraoka Tree Art Center	Walk through the breathtaking 150-meter “Red Maple Tunnel” formed by nearly 1,000 Nomura maple trees.
10:15 – 13:00	Yuni Garden	Marvel at vibrant crimson Kochia (bassia scoparia) hillsides and enjoy a healthy local farm-to-table lunch.
14:30 – 16:00	Toyohira Gorge Dam	Ride the eco-friendly electric bus to the dam, marveling at dramatic steep cliffs listed among Japan’s Top 100 Autumn Spots.
16:15 – 17:15	Jozankei Futami Park & Bridge	Stroll along the Toyohira River trail, capturing the iconic red Futami Suspension Bridge framed by autumn reflections.
17:45 – 18:30	Sapporo Downtown Arrival	Relax as your driver safely returns you directly to your Sapporo hotel, concluding a rich foliage tour.

Note: The schedule and driving durations above are for reference only. All itineraries are fully customizable to your preferences and subject to real-time traffic or weather conditions.

Hiraoka Tree Art Center: Stunning Crimson Maple Tunnel

Located in Sapporo’s Kiyota Ward, Hiraoka Tree Art Center is a cherished local foliage secret. The park harbors over 800 maple trees, with its most famous attraction being the 150-meter-long “Red Maple Tunnel” lined with Nomura maples.

By late October, the canopy turns an intense, fiery crimson. Sunbeams filtering through the dense red leaves create an otherworldly glow, making it a dream spot for nature photography.

Yuni Garden: Autumn Crimson Kochia & Floral Hills

Yuni Garden, a spacious English-style botanical garden in Yuni Town, presents a unique autumn spectacle. Its vast hillsides feature fluffy, round Kochia (bassia scoparia) bushes that shift from summer green to vibrant magenta and reddish-purple.

Paired with late-blooming autumn flowers across rolling hills, Yuni Garden offers a whimsical, fairy-tale landscape distinctly different from mountain gorges.

Jozankei Futami Park & Toyohira Gorge Dam: Central Hokkaido’s Premier Foliage Hubs

Situated inside the Jozankei Onsen district, Futami Park is famed for its bright red Futami Suspension Bridge spanning the Toyohira River valley, framed by steep rock walls wrapped in autumn hues.

Venturing deeper brings you to Toyohira Gorge Dam, officially celebrated as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Autumn Foliage Spots.” Here, massive water discharges from the dam wall contrast dramatically with blazing foliage clinging to sheer rock cliffs, delivering an unforgettable sight.

4 Core Reasons to Book a Hokkaido Private Charter for Autumn Foliage

1. Seamless Off-the-Beaten-Path Connections: Public transit to outlying spots like Yuni Garden and Hiraoka Tree Art Center requires tedious bus transfers. A private charter seamlessly links these suburban gems with Jozankei in a single day.
2. Bypass Peak-Season Traffic Jams: Jozankei experiences high vehicle volumes in autumn. Experienced local drivers flexibly adjust routes and visit order to minimize traffic delays.
3. Attentive Cantonese-Speaking Drivers: Enjoy zero language barriers. Our drivers share insider dining recommendations and point out the best photo angles along the route.
4. Hassle-Free Luggage Storage: Store your shopping bags and luggage inside the vehicle throughout the day without carrying heavy bags along walking trails.

Hokkaido All-Season Clothing & Packing Guide

To ensure a comfortable journey throughout the year, review our seasonal outfit packing guide below:

Season & Months	Average Temperature	Core Outfit Strategy	Essential Accessories & Tips
🌸 Spring (April – May)	8°C – 16°C	Layered Thermal Outfit Long-sleeve tops, light sweaters, and a windproof jacket or lightweight coat.	Light scarf (wide day-night temperature gaps).
🌻 Summer (June – August)	20°C – 27°C	Breathable & Light Attire Short sleeves or light long sleeves made of UV-protective, breathable fabrics.	Light cardigan or windbreaker (mountain gorges and evenings can feel cool).
🍁 Autumn (October – November)	5°C – 14°C	Multi-layer Insulation Thermal base layers + wool sweaters topped with a windproof coat or warm down jacket.	Warm beanie, gloves, and scarf (river valleys experience chilly, biting winds).
❄️ Winter (December – February)	-5°C – 2°C	Polar Extreme Cold Protection Long insulated waterproof down coat + thermal snow pants.	Beanie, waterproof gloves, scarf, and deep-tread waterproof snow boots (avoid flat shoes).