I’ve been planning this trip since this summer, but now that I’ve heard about the visa exemption returning October 11 I’ve been looking more into finalizing my plans. I haven’t purchased tickets yet (I’m hoping the prices will drop a bit once more flights are added). I was originally planning for late January, but after hearing that the Sapporo Snow Festival is most likely cancelled, I think February might work as well (not really a fan of festival crowds).
I’ll be traveling with my sister (we are both 34F). This is our second trip to Japan. We are both from the southern US and have little experience with snow (I’m quite certain I’ve never seen a snow plow in person). So any recommendations regarding the weather would be appreciated. We did find this clothing guide about what to wear in Hokkaido in winter: [https://www.sapporo.travel/en/spot/feature/clothes\_winter/](https://www.sapporo.travel/en/spot/feature/clothes_winter/)
We are planning to take public transportation only, since neither of us has experience driving in snow and I find trips more relaxing when I don’t drive.
We are most interested in historical buildings and sites (from prehistoric to Meiji and Taisho era). We also like seeing sites for natural beauty. We like trying interesting local foods but we can’t eat deep fried foods. We are not late night people and rarely drink.
Day 1: Flight to Sapporo. Looking at flight times we’ll probably arrive late evening so we won’t have time for anything this day.
Day 2: Sapporo Clock Tower, Old Government Office and Hoheikan. A rather light day since we’ll probably still be jet lagged.
Day 3: Nijo Market for sashimi breakfast. Historical Village of Hokkaido and Hokkaido Museum. Ramen Alley (Ganso Yokocho) for dinner.
Day 4: Day trip to Otaru. Aoyama Villa, Otaru Canal Museum and Canal and Warehouse areas. I believe the aquarium bus stops at Aoyama Villa and I think it operates in winter based on my research, but if anyone knows differently please let me know. I also thought the restaurant in Aoyama Villa looked interesting, if anyone has experience with it let me know what you thought of it.
Day 5: Travel to Hakodate. I’m planning a brief stop at Onuma Park to eat lunch. We’ll probably stay fairly close to the park entrance, since we’re not interested in any intense snow activities. We may try the gyudon near the station that is supposed to be good, or I was looking at a Yoshoku restaurant Table de Rivage that looks like it has a nice view of the water.
Day 6: Hakodate. Hakodate Morning Market for breakfast. Goryokaku in the morning, then the Meiji buildings near Motomachi in the afternoon. Would like to try the afternoon tea at the Former British Consulate. Night view at the Mt. Hakodate Observatory.
Day 7: Aomori. Travel to Aomori in morning. Visit the Joman site and museum. If we have time see the Nebuta Museum. Considering Osanai Shokudo for dinner.
Day 8: Day trip to Hirosaki. Hirosaki Castle, Samurai District in morning. Lunch at the Taisho Roman Tea Room in the Fujita Residence. Former City Library Museum and an afternoon coffee at the Former Missionary Residence next door (if open). I am aware that the castle is closed during winter, but the grounds seem to be open for free so the castle exterior can be viewed.
Day 9: Hachinohe. Kabushima Shrine, Nejo Castle Ruins and the City Museum. I am considering staying overnight here so our next travel day won’t be quite so long.
Day 10: Travel to Hakone. I think most of this day would be taken up by train travel. We might stop in Tokyo Station for ekiben and to store any excess luggage. I am considering staying at Hotel Green Plaza since they are supposed to have a good women’s outdoor bath, but I am open to other suggestions since the place looks rather touristy.
Day 11: Hakone Shrine, Former Imperial Palace, Sekisho, Hakone cruise and Owakudani ropeway. I think this would be along the general circular route for Hakone.
Day 12: Travel to Tokyo. Probably just shopping in Ginza this afternoon. We plan to stay at Tokyu Stay in Ginza.
Day 13: Ichiyo Museum and the Hama Rikyu Gardens. We spent a week in Tokyo during our last trip and got a lot of our wishlist out of the way then. Considering seeing a Noh or Kabuki performance in the afternoon and a kaiseki meal for dinner.
Day 14-15: Return home.
I am a little unsure about Day 9. I could add Hachinohe to the trip we eventually plan to take to Tohoku and travel straight to Hakone from Aomori. I am also not sure if Hakone is the best place for onsen during this trip. It was something we missed during our last trip and I definitely want to try one this time. If there are any other nice onsen that wouldn’t involve so much travel I might want to consider them. The only onsen that looked very convenient for our route was Lake Toya, but all the attractions there appear to be closed in winter so it would probably be a bit boring.
Any recommendations about places (or letting us know if places listed here aren’t actually open or if they wouldn’t be pleasant in winter) would be appreciated.
Thank you!
