Hello all, I'm excited to be heading to Hokkaido during the last 2 weeks of Dec 2024, and while I have no real knowledge of the place besides it being the cold part of Japan, I've heard great things about it!
For context, I'll be landing in Osaka about 3-4 days before and then Tokyo for 5-6 days after my time in Hokkaido. I kind of would like to know if you think I'm spending too little/much time in Hokkaido as I need to book my domestic flight tickets soon to/from Sapporo.
In any case:
Day 1: Sapporo
Arrive at 10-11am-ish – Get lunch near hotel – Maruyama Zoo/Shrine/Park – Hike Mt Maruyama (?) – Dinner
Day 2: Sapporo
Nijo market -Odori Park – Sapporo TV Tower – Lunch – Underground shopping – Tanukikoji shopping -Dinner
Day 3: Sapporo (Otaru)
Otaru day trip things (canal, Letao, naruto chicken, Otaru Steam Clock, glass, etc)
Day 4: Sapporo
Historical village of Hokkaido – Hokkaido museum – Lunch -Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill – koibito park -Moiwa ropeway
Day 5 – Sapporo
free day? initially had this under lake shikotsu but I'm less inclined to go now. I really want to go to Asashikawa (i.e Daisesutzan National Park) but Furano and Biei looks pointless in winter. And Daisesutzan kinda needs a car which I'm less keen on due to my experience in the winter. Suggestions please!
Day 6 – Shiraoi/Noboriretsu
Train to Poroto kotan – Lunch – Train to noboriretsu – Onsen
Day 7 – Noboriretsu/Toyako
Hell valley- Bear park – train to toyako – onsen/rest
Day 8 – Toyako/Hakodate
see lake toya in the morning/observation site – train to hakodate – red-brick warehouse – motomachi-mt hakodate ropeway
Day 9 – Hakodate-Tokyo
morning market -Goryokaku Park – Goryōkaku Tower – fly to tokyo
Questions:
Are these enough days in Hokkaido or too much? I am flexible to add more days to my Osaka/Tokyo leg of the trip but as a Hokkaido newbie, would love an idea on it! I've been to Osaka and Tokyo in my previous trip (which was my first time in Japan) but no idea on Hokkaido except the glowing reviews on this subreddit!
Is Lake Toyako worth stopping from Noboriretsu or do I go straight to Hakodate?
What are some restaurants I should try in Hokkaido? You can see that I mostly put lunch/dinner things in the itinerary as blank. Thought I'll ask around.
Is Furano/Biei worth a night trip in the winter? It doesn't look very worth it from my research which is a shame and transport seems sketchy.
I have Adidas running sneakers, it was fine when I went to Europe in the winter in January but how is it in Sapporo? Do I need to invest in hiking boots or something, especially when/if I do some small hikes?
I actually do have a driving licence but haven't heard great things about beginners driving in the winter. Thoughts?
Would just like more suggestions for Sapporo and Hakodate (especially!) in general! Hakodate seems to not get as much coverage as Sapporo here.
Anything actually closed during this time (23/12-31/12?) that I should be aware of?
I'll be there during Christmas, anything interesting in Hokkaido there related to it?
Thank you once again!
by melvinlee88