こんにちは！ My family and I (4 adults) are planning to travel to Hokkaido on January 21 – January 27 next year.
I did some research and came up with this rough itinerary:
* SUN January 21 – New Chitose Airport – Sapporo
* Ramen Alley
* Susukino
* STAY IN SAPPORO
* MON January 22 – Sapporo
* Shiroikoibito Park
* Lake Toya
* STAY IN SAPPORO
* TUE January 23 – Otaru
* Sankaku Market
* Otaru Canal Cruise
* STAY IN SAPPORO
* WED January 24 – Furano and Biei
* Furano
* Dog Sledding
* Furano Cheese Factory
* Biei
* Blue Pond / Aoiike
* STAY IN FURANO
* THURS January 25 – Noboribetsu
* Jigokudani / Hell’s Valley
* STAY IN NOBORIBETSU (RYOKAN)
* FRI January 26 – Noboribetsu
* Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura / Historical Village
* STAY IN NOBORIBETSU (HOTEL)
* SAT January 27 – Flight Home – New Chitose Airport
We are only going by public transport. Does this itinerary seem feasible?
Thank you in advance!
8 comments
You’re going to spend a lot of time on trains and busses. The ride from Furano to Noboribetsu is 5 hrs based on Google Maps.
Consider renting a van (not minivan), though you’d have to find parking.
All doable except 24 Jan, for example the bus from Biei station to the Blue Pond departs once every 2-3 hours.
Perhaps splurge on taxi or car rental for Furano/Biei area
I’d hire a guide/van service for some of this. Also, unpopular opinion- you can see a blue pond on any golf course depending on what fertilizer they use. Is it really worth a day of travel to you to see some tainted water?
Thanks for the itinerary, I’m also going to hokaido in January! Still trying to figure out what kinds of pants will be best lol
I’m going to Hokkaido in Feb. This will be my second time there and we have very similar itineraries.
Regarding car rental, I got one on my last trip but it was perfect spring driving conditions. I’ve been warned about winter driving in Hokkaido because of the snow and ice. It’d be more convenient to drive to some of your destinations e.g. Jigokudani, but just be wary. I heard that the Shinkansen might even be delayed/shut down on really bad days. I recommend going with Toyota Rent A Car if you do decide to rent. Cars are in good condition and you can select winter tires on vehicles.
Shirogane blue pond was on my list but I saw a YouTuber go in the winter and he said it wasn’t as spectacular as he hoped, taxis are very limited, and if you miss the last bus at like 5pm you’re pretty much stranded. I’d skip this part.
I love Otaru! I took 2 day trips there on my previous trip and I’m going again. Just FYI, lots of shops there close around 5-6pm and the morning market closes around 2pm so get there early. The restaurants close later though at 9ish.
Not an expert but feel free to ask me anything!
Nikka distillery in Yoichi is worth the trip if you like whiskey.
Ice fishing for Smelt in Furano if you’re up for
it, was a great experience. As other’s have said, blue pond is not worth the effort IMO.
I would personally skip lake Toya in Winter and instead explore Sapporo itself such as the Sapporo beer factory or Maruyama park to see the temple. If you do want to travel out of town the Takino cemetary is pretty cool.
LeTao in Otaru is worth the hype, and try to book for the Yoichi distillery.
I don’t believe you need a second night in Noboribetsu. You might consider a stop in Asahikawa on your way to Furano with the extra night as Biei is along the way, but again, wouldn’t recommend blue pond.
Just my two cents from a two week driving/snowboarding trip.
We often go to Hokkaido in autumn and always rent a car. The first time I went, i did a trip only by public transport but that was honestly not the best idea .:D I did some hitchhiking and stuff, but the year after we got a car! I think that might be easier:).