Hokkaido ski trip draft itinerary and travel help request

Hi, I am looking to stay in Hokkaido for around 1 week after the new year (1 Jan 2023). I am looking to visit Niseko (for skiing), Sapporo, and Noboribetsu (for the onsen).

* 01/01 – Fly from Osaka into New Chitose Airport then make my way to Niseko. **(How would you advise to do this travel? I think I can do this trip via JR train or some people also use the White Liner bus from New Chitose airport? Do you think I would be able to ski on this day, or will this day be used for travel, checking-in and gear hire?)**
* 02/01 – ski at Niseko.
* 03/01 – ski at Niseko.
* 04/01 – check-out of Niseko accommodation, travel and check-in to Noboribetsu accommodation. **(Is there a direct way to travel from Niseko to Noboribetsu? Or is the best way to do this trip is via the JR train from Niseko to Sapporo to Noboribetsu?)**
* 05/01 – check out of Noboribetsu accommodation. travel and check-in to Sapporo accommodation. Explore Sapporo.
* 06/01 – Explore Sapporo or do a day trip somewhere else.
* 07/01 – Explore Sapporo or do a day trip somewhere else. **(Is 3 days enough to explore Sapporo and possibly 1 or 2 other nearby towns?)**
* 08/01 – Check-out of Sapporo accommodation. Travel to Chitose Airport and fly out to Tokyo.

Please find my questions bolded within the draft itinerary.

I’ve decided that this period after new years is best for my Hokkaido visit since everywhere else in Japan is the quiet period, hence there won’t be much to do in the other cities. Hopefully Tokyo will be back to normal around a week after new years. Would you agree?

Thank you in advance. Any help would be appreciated. 🙂

2 comments
  1. Maybe a hire car to get around? At that time of the year they’ll have snow tyres so you’re fine to get to the ski resorts

  2. 1. Take the bus if you are heading to Niseko directly from the airport to Niseko and especially if you want to ski on the first day. If you arrive in the morning and take the bus you should be able to ski the same day. Niseko has extensive night skiing as well so you will be able to have some fun the first day you get there.
    2. I have never attempted to get to Noribetsu for Niseko or vice versa
    3. 3 days is enough to see the attractions in the Sapporo area.

    I think Niseko is played out, expensive, crowded, and lacking in Japanese culture and I would recommend Rusutsu, Kirroro, or Furnano over Niseko.

    Personally, I try to site see at the beginning and end of the trip and on rest days.

    Just my opinion but

    I would spend the first 2-4 days in Sapporo or Otaru, ride the train to Sapporo and Yoichi to sitesee, take the bus up to Kirroro a few days and ski. Then take a bus from Sapporo to Rusutsu or Furano and stay 3 days.

    The train from Sapporo or Otaru is a good choice as well with amazing scenery.

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