We’re a couple heading to Hokkaido for the first time in May and will be sharing the driving.
\*\*4th May\*\*
Land at New Chitose in the afternoon, train to Otaru, see the canal at night.
\*\*5th May\*\*
Spend half day in Otaru, then train to Sapporo, view Sakura at Maruyama park at night
\*\*6th May\*\*
Get car rental at 7am, drive past Otaru outskirts to do whatever could only be done by car e.g Nikka Whiskey. Then drive down to Niseko, stop for lunch, then get to Hakodate in evening
\*\*7th & 8th May\*\*
2 days in Hakodate doing all the touristy stuff and eating
\*\*9th May\*\*
Drive past Onuma national park to get to Toya. Spend the day and night there
\*\*10th May\*\*
Drive to Noboribetsu, spend the day and night there and relax
\*\*11th May\*\*
7am drive past lake shikotsu, then go to Hill of the Buddha in Sapporo and then Moerenuma Park for Sakura viewing and get to Furano in evening
\*\*12th May\*\*
Spend day in Furano. If weathers good, drive to Unkai Terrace in Tomamu at 4am
\*\*13th May\*\*
Early morning go to see the blue pond, then drive to Asahikawa to see the zoo. Spend the night here
\*\*14th May\*\*
Either do a day trip to Takinoue and Mombetsu to see flowers then back to Asahikawa OR drive on to lake Akan in the afternoon and stay the night there. It will be a good 6-7hr drive in total…
\*\*15th May\*\*
If staying at Asahikawa, drive to Sapporo. If staying at Lake Akan, drive to Sapporo which take almost 5hrs. Return car night
\*\*16th May\*\*
Spend the day in Sapporo
\*\*17th May\*\*
Flight out of Hokkaido.
My concerns:
* wanting to go to Lake Akan but can’t seem to find an extra day for it. Not sure if worth it with 2x half days and all that driving
* Fatigue from driving although we share driving.
* taking a lot longer than what google says
* Tolls are expensive
by Successful-Eye340