Hi there, I’m currently planning a family trip to Japan in October and while I have drafted an itinerary there are some details that I’m a bit unsure about. I would greatly appreciate it if I could get some advice regarding the Hokkaido portion of the trip. Here’s how I have it currently:
**Day 1 – Fly In -> Hakodate**
* Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
**Day 2 – Hakodate/Yunokawa Onsen**
* Hakodate Morning Market Ekini
* Mt. Hakodate Ropeway
* Drive to and rest in a Ryokan in Yunokawa Onsen for the night
**Day 3 – Noboribetsu Onsen**
* Noboribetsu Rakunokan Dairy Farm
* Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village
* Noboribetsu Bear Park
* Lake Kuttara
**Day 4 – Niseko**
* Ostrich Farm
* Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm
* Annupuri Gondola
* Somoza Gallery
**Day 5 – Shakotan Peninsula/Otaru**
* Cape Kamui
* Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery
* Otaru Canal
* Otaru Denuki Koji
**Day 6 – Sapporo**
* Shiroi Koibito Park
* Shihachi
* Tannukikoji Shopping Street
**Day 7 – Drive to Furano/Biei**
* Unkai Terrace (if possible)
* Shikisai Hill/Hokusei-no-oka Observatory Park
**Day 8 – Asahikawa**
* Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway
* Asahiyama Zoo
**Day 9 – Lake Akan/Akanko Onsen**
* Lake Akan/Kussharo/Mashu
* Lake Akan Ainu Kotan
* Akanko Onsen
So for my questions:
1. Is this itinerary too rushed/Am I underestimating the distance/time needed for any of these? I would like a more relaxed trip as that’s what my family prefers but I’m torn between which place I should extend. My parents will be driving so we don’t have to worry about public transport times and since my parents don’t have the capacity for hiking, I don’t intend on factoring time for mountain/lake hikes.
2. Are there any places that should be extended to 2 nights instead of just 1 night? We can allocate 2-3 more days to Hokkaido if needed but I’m torn between which one.
3. Additionally, are there any must-see attractions that I’m missing or attractions on this list that aren’t worth seeing? Related to this, I know the lavender fields in Furano aren’t blooming in this season but I was wondering if they have other flowers or scenic views worth seeing there?
Restaurant recommendations are also appreciated, thank you so much in advance!