Hi everyone,
We are heading to Japan in Feb 2025 to catch the winter festival in Hokkaido and make our way down to Tokyo. We have been to Japan several times, and always enjoy the food, scenic landscapes (especially the snow), and exploring the cities – less big on the temples!
Here is the plan currently:
Feb 1: Land in Sapporo late, head to hotel (Odori) and rest
Feb 2-6: Sapporo. This seems like a fair amount of time, but we’re fairly relaxed travellers and I’m wary of the weather throwing off our plans. Activities include:
* Day trip to Otaru (will be before the light festival)
* Day trip to Sapporo Teine for skiing
* Snow festival begins February 4, would like to visit all the sites
* Other days for Nijo Market, Snowmobile land, beer factory, milk mura, TV tower, historical village. We would also usually do a food tour but I haven’t researched this yet.
* Possible trip the Asahikawa but again, wary of getting stuck due to snow
Feb 6-7: Noboribetsu. We are kind of ambivalent about onsens, but we did go to Mikurigaike Onsen previously and enjoyed the general vibe so might give it a go.
* Bus from Sapporo Station to Daiichi Takimotokan Hotel
* Enjoy onsen hotel and surrounds (Hell Valley)
Feb 7-9: Hakodate
* Train to Hakodate
* Mountain view/ropeway
* Asaichi market
* Fort Goryokaku
* I think fireworks will be on Feb 8 (saturday)
Feb 9-10: Aomori
* Train to Aomori
* Nebuta Warasse Museum
* Fish market
* I think the Hirasaki Snow Lantern Festival will be on, but I’m not sure if it is worth going out there in the evening?
Feb 10-12: Sendai
* Train to Sendai
* Sendai Castle, Zuihoden, Aoba Shrine and Daikanon
* Matsushima Bay
Feb 12-14: Tokyo
* Train back to tokyo, chill in hotel, eat some good food
Any thoughts? If needed we could just spend a night in Tokyo instead of 2 and add another night somewhere else. We are going to travel by train if there’s any other stops people recommend in addition/instead of the above. I had a brief look at the Ginzan Onsen but it seems like too far of a detour. Any advice is much appreciated!!
by maximumproductivity