Hi everyone, I’m leaving for Hokkaido in 17 days! It will be my first ever visit to Japan and I’m super excited for it. Travel dates Feb 10 to Feb 20, 2023. I would have liked to be able to get earlier dates so I could experience more of the Snow festival, but it is what it is. I’ll be relying on getting a Kitaca once I arrive at the airport for public transport. I am not big on skiing or snowboarding, but would love a ATV/snowmobile experience if anyone knows a good one.
**Day 1**
arrive in Sapporo just in time for last day of Snow Festival, explore sculptures and go to top of TV tower at night
**Day 2**
Breakfast at Nijo market, explore neighborhood for interesting video/photo ops, TV tower again but day time, underground shopping malls, Mitsukoshi and Uniqlo for purchasing winter apparel (I am a small Asian person and will be packing light). Hit up the Ramen Yokocho.
**Day 3**
Spend morning exploring Tanukikoji, visit game arcades, checking off shopping list at drugstores, and Mega Don Quijote. Go up Mount Moiwa ropeway before sunset begins, and stay until after dark for the view.
**Day 4**
Meet up with group for full day guided tour comprising Hoheikyo Onsen in Jozankei, Otaru and Shiroikoibito Park. Drop-off at JR Tower at the end of the tour and explore around there. See night view from 38th floor of JR Tower.
**Day 5**
Explore Pole Town in the morning. Later, take bus to Moerenuma Park for some sight-seeing and sledding. Shopping and leisure in ARIO Sapporo for the afternoon, then walk to Sapporo Beer Museum for a jingisukan dinner
**Day 6**
Solo trip to Otaru as the guided tour only visits it briefly. Visit a hotspring which caters to day trippers (any recommendations?), Kitaichi Glass, Denukikoji, Otaru Art base, as well as Hiyoriyama Lighthouse and the Otaru Aquarium. Stay until dark for the Snow Light Path festival.
**Day 7**
Spend the morning at Maruyama Zoo, then visit Hokkaido-Jingu. Take the train back to Odori for a bit then go to Hokkaido University and explore the grounds and perhaps the cafeteria. I also want to visit the AEON near Soen station.
**Day 8**
It’s Saturday, so I want to go to Lake Shikotsu for the ice festival as I’ve heard there will be fireworks. I need to take the train from Sapporo station to New Chitose Airport, then a bus from the airport to the lake?
**Day 9**
Morning trip to Historical Village of Hokkaido and Hokkaido Museum. Some free time in the afternoon for last-minute activities that I think of, or that you lovely people may suggest.
**Day 10**
Checked into Nikko Hotel for 1 night, as a treat. Planning to have a nice meal and breakfast there before I fly out the next day.
**Main Concern:**\- The direct bus from Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu has been discontinued so I think I have to take the train all the way back to New Chitose Airport and take the Chuo bus that goes from the airport to Shikotsuko. I’m very nervous about this leg of the trip in case the bus is cancelled or full. Is there any other way to get there or is there a way I can reserve a seat Also, the last bus departs Shikotsuko at 5:45pm and I’m worried I’ll miss it and be stranded at the lake lol
2 comments
Enjoy on your trip!
For Lake Shikotsu, I highly suggest if you can join a tour package or take a cab on your way back to Sapporo/Chitose because the fireworks will only start around 6:30 pm.
Given your travel dates, you should consider taking day-trips to surrounding areas because there are a lot of things going on at this time of the year in Hokkaido. Here are some of the places and activities I can recommend:
* Day trip to Asahikawa for the Asahikawa Winter Festival and Asahiyama Zoo. For this year, the festival will be up to 12th February, 1 day after the Sapporo festival ends.
* Day trip to Jigokudani in Noboribetsu. In Noboribetsu, there are onsens that cater to daytrippers
* Tomamu Resorts for Snow Activities. Or you can opt to visit Snowmobile Land Sapporo
are you from a ‘warm’ country? are you used to being in the snow?
Being it is your first time there.. have you considered purchasing a SIM/eSIM or pocket Wifi?
Seek out an Onsen.. and considering the season, absolutely consider an outdoor one. It is amazing in the evening with the lights and the snow towering over you. It is likely some of the places you stay will have their own Onsen/ Sento that is included in your hotel stay.
If there is one theme I see over and over on this sub.. is the astounding amount of walking. I cannot tell you enough, to travel as light as possible. And – being it is full on winter.. ditch the wheeled luggage as you’re going to have a bad time counting on that.
source: I’ve been to Hokkaido three times in the winter