Central Circuit
The Central Circuit covers the western and central parts of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.| Tap on a place to explore it |
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Essential Destinations
Top destinations include Sapporo and Otaru.
Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital and largest city of the northern island of Hokkaido. One of Japan's newest and most orderly cities, it has little in the way of traditional architecture.
Otaru
Photo: Soica2001, Public domain.
Otaru is a port city in Hokkaido, Japan along the coast of the Sea of Japan. The city is near Sapporo and it is a tourist destination for its food, its historical buildings and its shops.
Muroran
Photo: Highten31, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Muroran is a city and port located in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Iburi Subprefecture. As of January 31, 2024, the city had an estimated population of 76,385, with 43,494 households and a population density of 944 people per square kilometre.
Destinations to Discover
Explore places such as Tomakomai and Iwamizawa.
Tomakomai
Photo: Prosperosity, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Tomakomai is a city and port in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the largest city in the Iburi Subprefecture, and the fourth largest city in Hokkaido.
Iwamizawa
Photo: Kuriki, Public domain.
Iwamizawa is a city in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital of Sorachi Subprefecture. As of July 31, 2023, the city had an estimated population of 75,949 and the density of 158 persons per km2.
Chitose
Photo: t-konno, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Chitose is a city of 97,000 people in Ishikari, Hokkaido. Chitose is one of the gateways to Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Lake Shikotsu and Mount Tarumae. It is home to the biggest international airport in Hokkaido and closest airport to Sapporo…
Yubari
Photo: ながいの, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Yūbari is a city located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of January 31, 2024, the city has an estimated population of 6,374, with 3,863 households.
Noboribetsu
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Noboribetsu is a city in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. For most visitors the main target is the hot spring village of Noboribetsu Onsen, 6 km inland from Noboribetsu.
Takikawa
Photo: Soica2001, Public domain.
Takikawa is a city located in the Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Takikawa City is located in the central area of Hokkaido, it is conveniently located between the cities of Sapporo and Asahikawa.
Toyako
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Tōyako is a town in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It was formed on March 23, 2006, through the merger of the town of Abuta and the village of Tōya.
Shikotsu-Toya National Park
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Shikotsu-Tōya National Park is a national park in the central part of the island of Hokkaido, Japan. Named after two large lakes, Shikotsu and Toya, there are also active volcanoes in the park.
Yoichi
Photo: Opqr, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Yoichi is a small city in Hokkaido, with two claims to fame: whiskey and ski jumping. In recent decades, Yoichi has also emerged as Japan's premier cool-climate wine region.
Niseko
Photo: Douglaspperkins, CC BY 3.0.
Niseko is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Niseko as a resort area refers to the Niseko tourism zone, which consists of the three towns of Kutchan, Niseko, and Rankoshi at the foot of Niseko Annupuri.
Shiraoi
Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Shiraoi is a town located in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had a population of 17,759. It was established in 1867 by the feudal lords of Sendai.
Shinhidaka
Photo: Takasunrise0921, CC BY 2.5.
Shinhidaka is a town located in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Shinhidaka is the most populous town, and the economic center of Hidaka Subprefecture.
Kutchan
Photo: Wakimasa, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Kutchan is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Kutchan lies slightly north of the volcano Mount Yōtei, and is approximately 50 kilometers west of Sapporo.
Samani
Samani is a town of 4,400 people in Hidaka, Hokkaido. The entire area is designated as a Global Geopark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as Mt. Apoi Geopark.
Hidaka
Photo: Wikimedia, Public domain.
Hidaka is a town in Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido. This article also covers Biratori town.
Shakotan
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Shakotan is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had a population of 2,215, and a density of 9.3 persons per km2.
Central Circuit
Latitude of center
43.27° or 43° 16′ 12″ northLongitude of center
141.72° or 141° 43′ 12″ eastWikidata ID
Q8017724
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Satellite Map
Discover Central Circuit from above in high-definition satellite imagery.
In Other Languages
From Chinese to Welsh—“Central Circuit” goes by many names.
- Chinese: “道央”
- Esperanto: “Centra Hokajdo”
- Indonesian: “Sirkuit Pusat”
- Italian: “Circuito centrale di Hokkaidō”
- Japanese: “道央”
- Japanese: “道央地方”
- Korean: “도오 지방”
- Korean: “도오”
- Slovenian: “Osrednji Hokaido”
- Welsh: “Cylchdaith Ganolog”
Hokkaido: Must-Visit Destinations
Delve into Hakodate, Asahikawa, Abashiri, and Wakkanai.
Explore These Curated Destinations
Discover places selected for their distinct character and enduring appeal.
About Mapcarta. Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license, except for photos, directions, and the map. Description text is based on the Wikivoyage page “Central Circuit”. Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 3.0.