My husband and I are planning on our 2nd trip to Japan mid-November. This will be our first time to Hokkaido, and while we’re excited, the logistics do seem more complicated than going to Tokyo/Kyoto and it’s making me a bit nervous! I would love feedback on our Hokkaido itinerary thus far would be appreciated. It’s pretty bare bones right now, and the activities listed are the ones I want to make sure we get to. We’ll be flying in/out of NRT, and that’s the only decision we’ve set in stone so far. Everything else is flexible.
As a flag, I know that some activities would be better served if we rented a car, but we’re not too keen on driving and would love to be able to utilize public transit to the extent possible.
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|Day|Daytime|Key Activities|Overnight|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|Day 1|**Tokyo —> Sapporo**|Arrive in NRT at 3pm, planning on either flying to CTS or taking JR train to Sapporo|Sapporo|
|Day 2|**Sapporo**|Explore Sapporo|Sapporo|
|Day 3|**Sapporo —> Otaru**|Day trip to Otaru|Sapporo|
|Day 4|**Sapporo —> Asakihwara**|Travel day, Asakihwara Zoo Penguins|Asakihwara|
|Day 5|**Asakihwara**|Day trip to Biei Blue Pond|Asakihwara|
|Day 6|**Asakihwara —>Noboribetsu**|Travel day, explore Noboribetsu|Noboribetsu|
|Day 7|**Noboribetsu**|Hell Valley; Oyunumagawa Natural Foot Bath|Noboribetsu|
|Day 8|**Noboribetsu –> Lake Toya**|Day trip to Lake Toya|Noboribetsu|
|Day 9|**Noboribetsu —> Hakodate**|Explore Hakodate, Mt Hakodate for views|Hakodate|
|Day 10|**Hakodate**|Hakodate Market|Hakodate|
|Day 11|**Hakodate —> Tokyo**|Flight or train to Tokyo|Tokyo|
|Days 12-14|**Tokyo**|Tokyo activities|Tokyo|
Other questions:
1. Would it be worth it to buy the Hokkaido JR Pass?
2. As much as we love traveling, we’re getting older and moving around with our luggage might be a bit much for us, so I’d also like to minimize hotel transfers to the extent possible while being able to enjoy all the key sights. Are places like Asakihwara or Biei doable as daytrips from Sapporo?
3. Are we spending too many nights in any of the locations? I’m eyeing Noboribetsu, and wondering whether maybe spending a night at Lake Toya versus a day trip would be better.
Thank you! Any help would be much appreciated.
1 comment
I guess Asakihwara means Asahikawa?
Asakihwara is far away from Noboribetsu (3.5 hours by train or bus). How about:
* Tokyo -> Hakodate (flight)
* Hakodate -> Noboribetsu, Lake Toya (by bus or train)
* Noboribetsu -> Sapporo (Train or Bus, some onsen ryokan has free shuttle bus to Sapporo pre COVID )
* Sapporo -> Asahikawa
* Asahikawa -> Tokyo (flight)
If this route suitable for you, JR Hokkaido Pass is not needed