Third time to Japan, 1st time during Golden Week and 1st time in Hokkaido. Our original plan ([https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/18k6ggp/debating\_between\_three\_hokkaido\_itineraries/](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/18k6ggp/debating_between_three_hokkaido_itineraries/)) was considering going further north, to Asahikawa and Cape Soya, and taking the train back to Tokyo from Sapporo, but we are opting to fly back to Tokyo for the convenience. Train to Hakodate is still a must, as we really love taking trains in Japan and have been looking for an excuse to do the GranClass. We also found a lot more things we wanted to see/do in Otaru, and struggled finding things we were interested in Sapporo, so we changed from a day trip to 2 nights in Otaru. With 10 nights we are doing 1 in Tokyo to recuperate, 2 in Hakodate, 1 each in Toya, Noboribetsu, and Biei, and 2 each in Otaru and Sapporo.
Currently have our itinerary figured out as follows:
**Sunday, April 28th** \-
* Arrive Narita 1700
* Take the NEX to Tokyo Station
* Spend the night at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi at JR Tokyo Station.
**Monday, April 29th -**
* Take Hayabusa Shinkansen (Reserve Seat, GranClass to be purchased online 1 month in advance) to Hakodate. 9AM\~ departure for early afternoon arrival.
* Take Hakodate Liner to Hakodate Station, check-in to hotel La Vista Hakodate Bay.
* Pick up some yakitori bento at Hasegawa.
* Walk to Hakodate Park and Hakodate Hachimangu.
* Take the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway up the mountain for sunset.
**Tuesday, April 30th -**
* Breakfast at the Hakodate Morning Market
* Take tram to Goryokaku – see the park, tower, etc.
* Take tram back to Bay Area and walk to Tachimachi Cape
**Wednesday, May 1st -**
* Pick up rental car from Toyota Car Rental
* See the weeping cherry blossom at Hokkiji
* Drive to Lake Onuma and walk the trails
* Drive to Lake Toya, check-in to hotel Toyako Manseikaku
* Sobetsu Park and Waterfall
* If time allows, Lake Toya cruise tonight, if not then in the morning
**Thursday, May 2nd -**
* Lake Toya cruise if we did not have time the night before.
* Mt. Usu Ropeway
* Drive to Noboribetsu, check-in to hotel Dai-Ichi Takimotokan
* Walking tour around Jigokudani and Oyunuma.
* Find all of the Noboribetsu Demon statues.
**Friday, May 3rd -**
* Drive to Biei.
* Along the way make stops as inclined since it’s a long drive, currently thinking maybe Ningle Terrace (not sold, looks like it may be just influencer bait), Farm Tomita (not sure if worth a stop in early May), Shikisai Hill, Shirogone Blue Pond, the Platinum Forest, Shirahige Falls, and Tokachidake Observatory.
* Stay at Mori no Ryotei
**Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th -**
* Drive to Otaru
* Stop at Moernuma Park in northern Sapporo on the way.
* Top sites in Otaru to see: Canal, Temiya Park, Train Museum, Aquarium, Asahi Observation Deck, if time allows cruise to the Blue Cave.
* Staying at Dormy Inn Premium Otaru.
**Monday, May 6th and Tuesday, May 7th -**
* 2 Nights in Sapporo, staying at La’gent Stay Sapporo Odori.
* Will most likely return rental car upon arrival to Sapporo.
* Primary plans: Maruyama Park, Hokkaido Jingu, Asahiyama Park, Mt. Moiwa, and Odori Park.
* With time allowing maybe Shiroi Koibito Park, TV Tower, Clock Tower, and/or JR Tower.
**Wednesday, May 8th -**
* Train from Sapporo to CTS
* Flight CTS – NRT on JetStar 10:25 – 12:05
* Return Flight from NRT leaving at 18:40
by awestover89
