I've just finished my flight and hotel bookings for a two week trip this December, primarily centering around Tohoku and Hokkaido. The plan is to arrive in Tokyo, then travel via Shinkansen to Sendai and Aomori City, staying for a couple days at each location. Finally, I'll travel from Aomori City to Sapporo, where I will stay for about a week before returning to Tokyo.
I'm not the type to create an overly strict itinerary, outlining hour-by-hour what I'd like to be doing, but I do make note of interesting things and then play by ear what I'd like to do on the day. This does usually mean that I don't hit everything on my list, but I'm fine with that – just an excuse to go back, honestly.
So far, I've got the following:
Sendai:
- Aoba Castle ruins
- Wandering Jozenji-dori
- Checking out the view of Matsushima Bay from Matushimakaigan Station
- Checking out Zuihoden
- Taking the Senzan line further inland and checking out Yamadera Temple
Aomori (City):
- A-Factory
- Aoiumi Park
- Train to Hirosaki Park/Castle
Sapporo/Hokkaido:
- Sapporo Brewery Tour + Beer Garden
- Ropeway up Mt. Moiwa
- Odori Park + Sapporo TV Tower
- Train to Noboribetsu to check out Jigokudani
- Flight to Wakkanai to check out Cape Soya (I'm aware this will be an all-day commitment)
So, am I missing any cool spots to check out? Also, if anybody knows any great craft breweries in these cities, please share! I'm big on trying out the local brews wherever I go, so recommendations are more than welcome.
Finally, a couple questions, first one around the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass. Given the amount of reserved trains I'll be taking this trip, I do see this as an attractive option, and while the info page does specifically mention that Shinkansen travel is covered, I can't find anything explicitly stating that the Hokuto line between Hakodate and Sapporo is covered by this pass. Does anybody know if that line is covered? If so, it's a no-brainer.
Also, has anybody made that flight from Sapporo to Wakkanai in December before? It seems to be a normal, regular flight, but I am a bit worried about the weather that time of year, and I don't want to plan for it if there's a risk that the flight may be canceled due to poor conditions.
Thanks in advance!
by Legion-3D