Mid dec Hokkaido trip - first timer

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0
Need suggestions on whether this would work out for 3 people, first timers in hokkaido, right now not sure if we should travel from hakodate to sapporo or the other way round or even land at asashiyama first.

2Days?
Hakodate

1Day?
Lake Toya
Noboribetsu

2Days?
Sapporo
Otaru

2Days?
Asahiyama

Will be travelling using public transport, not looking into skiing so mainly sight seeing and eating.
Would there be any stuff of interest along the way or any changes to how long one should stay at certain areas?
 

Delardino

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2008
Messages
1,120
Reaction score
129
Hakodate 1 day is enough to see everything but unless you are flying in there and move upwards, i wont recommend going at all, i just came back few days ago, probably the biggest disappointment for the whole trip.

Sapporo need 3,4 days if 1 day is for Otaru.

Asahikawa mid Dec got what? I think the penguin walk for the zoo start frm end Dec.

If you need the latest bus timing for Toya to Nobo or Sapporo can pm me.
 
Last edited:

oohmygod

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2006
Messages
1,184
Reaction score
8

Depends how many days in total you intend to stay in hokkaido and how far you willing to travel. Places like cape kamui, or Jozankei might be worth a visit if you going to Otaru.


If you can only travel by public transport, maybe you can try their local tour.

Recommended days
Haokodate - 1 day
Lake toya, noboribestu - 1 day
Sapporo - 2 days
Otaru - 1 evening or afternoon, just a side trip
Asahiyama - will rather stay in furano

I felt dec may not be a good time in hokkaido. Late for autumn and early for winter scenery. Also very cold to travel during this period

Need suggestions on whether this would work out for 3 people, first timers in hokkaido, right now not sure if we should travel from hakodate to sapporo or the other way round or even land at asashiyama first.

2Days?
Hakodate

1Day?
Lake Toya
Noboribetsu

2Days?
Sapporo
Otaru

2Days?
Asahiyama

Will be travelling using public transport, not looking into skiing so mainly sight seeing and eating.
Would there be any stuff of interest along the way or any changes to how long one should stay at certain areas?
 
Last edited:

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0
Hakodate 1 day is enough to see everything but unless you are flying in there and move upwards, i wont recommend going at all, i just came back few days ago, probably the biggest disappointment for the whole trip.

Sapporo need 3,4 days if 1 day is for Otaru.

Asahikawa mid Dec got what? I think the penguin walk for the zoo start frm end Dec.

If you need the latest bus timing for Toya to Nobo or Sapporo can pm me.

mainly for the zoo, i'm heading from mid to end dec so thats roughly the period for the parade as well
 

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0

Depends how many days in total you intend to stay in hokkaido and how far you willing to travel. Places like cape kamui, or Jozankei might be worth a visit if you going to Otaru.


If you can only travel by public transport, maybe you can try their local tour.

Recommended days
Haokodate - 1 day
Lake toya, noboribestu - 1 day
Sapporo - 2 days
Otaru - 1 evening or afternoon, just a side trip
Asahiyama - will rather stay in furano

I felt dec may not be a good time in hokkaido. Late for autumn and early for winter scenery. Also very cold to travel during this period

still deciding how long to travel for, probably max 1.5 week?
none of us drives so just public transport
 

Entropy

Supremacy Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
Messages
7,134
Reaction score
18
Hakodate 1 day is enough to see everything but unless you are flying in there and move upwards, i wont recommend going at all, i just came back few days ago, probably the biggest disappointment for the whole trip.

Hakodate is one of those places that are excellent when you go at the right time. I would say the best time to go is when the cherry blossoms are peaking in Spring. Goryokaku is really a sight during this time.

Unfortunately you went in the off season when nothing interesting is going on there.

The morning market also has excellent seafood for food people too.
 

LifeIsJinHappy

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Messages
1,270
Reaction score
16
Hakodate 1 day is enough to see everything but unless you are flying in there and move upwards, i wont recommend going at all, i just came back few days ago, probably the biggest disappointment for the whole trip.

Sapporo need 3,4 days if 1 day is for Otaru.

Asahikawa mid Dec got what? I think the penguin walk for the zoo start frm end Dec.

If you need the latest bus timing for Toya to Nobo or Sapporo can pm me.

What did you see for hakodate? I also planned for 2 days in Hakodate, arriving through the airport.
 

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0
some of the stuff i saw online about hakodate was
-Hokodate Asaichi Morning Market
-Goryokaku Tower
-Goryokaku Park
-Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
-Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
-mt hakodate


isnt that quite abit of things to see imo but if it's not worth to just head south or start from the south then i could skip hakodate i guess
 

Delardino

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2008
Messages
1,120
Reaction score
129
Hakodate is one of those places that are excellent when you go at the right time. I would say the best time to go is when the cherry blossoms are peaking in Spring. Goryokaku is really a sight during this time.

Unfortunately you went in the off season when nothing interesting is going on there.

The morning market also has excellent seafood for food people too.

Yes, the morning market is very lively unlike after 7pm, the whole city seems to go to bed, only a few eateries are open.

Plus the night view when i went was terrible, foggy all e way.

Plus point: the ice cream at Goryokaku is nice and i kinda prefer their ramen more then the other 2 cities also.

What did you see for hakodate? I also planned for 2 days in Hakodate, arriving through the airport.

Morning Market > Goryokaku > Red Brick Warehouse > Motomachi > Mt Hakodate, in this order all on the 2nd day.

Check the weather on the 1st night, if it is good, u may want to go up that day, dont wait till 2nd day, weather very unpredictable sometimes.
 

Delardino

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2008
Messages
1,120
Reaction score
129
some of the stuff i saw online about hakodate was
-Hokodate Asaichi Morning Market
-Goryokaku Tower
-Goryokaku Park
-Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
-Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
-mt hakodate


isnt that quite abit of things to see imo but if it's not worth to just head south or start from the south then i could skip hakodate i guess
If you are flying in there, no harm staying for a night at least, on a clear night which i didn't encounter, the view itself more or less will make you wont regret going to the city imo.
 

purpleberry

Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
5,845
Reaction score
164
You mean Asahikawa? Winter time may not have anything much and if you are travelling to the zoo, it will be very, very cold in December. For penguins, there are other zoo near to Noboribetsu since you are going there like https://en.nixe.co.jp/schedule/penguin-parade/.

Furano has interesting workshops and factory tours, so perhaps a better place to stay. The only problem is public transport there is not as good. If you can, try to rent a car and drive.
 

thwysg

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
2,238
Reaction score
0
Winter? I did mine during the snow festivals last year. Public transport only. Lake Toya > Sapporo + Otaru > Asahikawa > Obihiro > Hakodate.

We stayed at least two nights in each place since bad weather is common in Hokkaido. Sunsets are early, around 4.30pm to 5pm.

2Days?
Hakodate

This one is alright. Depends on what you really wanna see. Goryokaku Tower has a winter light-up event for the park. Go before sunset.

1Day?
Lake Toya
Noboribetsu

A bit rush for two places. There’s two daily bus services that run between the two onsen towns - morning and afternoon.

2Days?
Sapporo
Otaru

Stay longer in Sapporo - it’s the city and more sights within the area. Lots of places to eat. You’ll need one day at Otaru too. Do try the morning market Sankaku Ichiba 三角市場 next to Otaru station.

2Days?
Asahiyama

Think you meant Asahikawa. Not an interesting place to be in. Was there mainly for the zoo, the snow festival and the ramen. But can use this as a base to visit Biei. Blue Pond would be frozen with light-up.

Watch out for weather conditions and whether the trains are running. Common to have train delays and cancellations during bad weather. Bus services would be your alternative in the event the trains are not running. Do check the bus time schedules - might be different in winter. Likewise for opening hours for attractions.

If you have elderly or young, you can consider day tours via bus. Many tours do start and end at Sapporo.

The period you’re travelling is full of winter and X’mas light-ups. Check individual official tourism websites. They will have more information on such events.
 

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0
Winter? I did mine during the snow festivals last year. Public transport only. Lake Toya > Sapporo + Otaru > Asahikawa > Obihiro > Hakodate.

We stayed at least two nights in each place since bad weather is common in Hokkaido. Sunsets are early, around 4.30pm to 5pm.

2Days?
Hakodate

This one is alright. Depends on what you really wanna see. Goryokaku Tower has a winter light-up event for the park. Go before sunset.

1Day?
Lake Toya
Noboribetsu

A bit rush for two places. There’s two daily bus services that run between the two onsen towns - morning and afternoon.

2Days?
Sapporo
Otaru

Stay longer in Sapporo - it’s the city and more sights within the area. Lots of places to eat. You’ll need one day at Otaru too. Do try the morning market Sankaku Ichiba 三角市場 next to Otaru station.

2Days?
Asahiyama

Think you meant Asahikawa. Not an interesting place to be in. Was there mainly for the zoo, the snow festival and the ramen. But can use this as a base to visit Biei. Blue Pond would be frozen with light-up.

Watch out for weather conditions and whether the trains are running. Common to have train delays and cancellations during bad weather. Bus services would be your alternative in the event the trains are not running. Do check the bus time schedules - might be different in winter. Likewise for opening hours for attractions.

If you have elderly or young, you can consider day tours via bus. Many tours do start and end at Sapporo.

The period you’re travelling is full of winter and X’mas light-ups. Check individual official tourism websites. They will have more information on such events.

how does the day tours work?
 

thwysg

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
2,238
Reaction score
0
how does the day tours work?

Book online, print out the confirmation email and bring it along to the meeting point on that day.

Check Japanican. It’s by JTB. There are other travel agencies offering similar itineraries.

https://www.japanican.com/en/tour/list/?typecd=TOU&typegrpcd=TPA&searchfrom=20191216&searchto=20191230&kw=Hokkaido%201-Day%20Bus%20Tour
 

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0

thwysg

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
2,238
Reaction score
0
oh yeah, went to google a bit about blue pond, found a tour bus as well https://www.optbookmark.jp/plans/1602, thanks for the idea!

Biei View Bus tours used to run on weekends only. Seems like last year they added more days. Details will be out in early autumn for that bus tour. Now there is information only on summer and early autumn.

https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/en/bus_ticket/
 

purpleberry

Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
5,845
Reaction score
164
The blue pond is famous because of the blue hue water. If it freezes up with snow on top, I am not sure if its worth a trip. Same goes for the waterfall.
 

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0
Hokkaido might be a bit difficult for a first timer in Japan....

Unless you have a rental car or book with tour, it might be hard to navigate and the express trains may be pricey (for example say you want to travel from Sapporo to Hakodate, express trains can cost up to 100 SGD for a return trip)

I haven't been to Hokkaido in Dec but I'm thinking it might have heavy snow so public transport may become more inconvenient

Despite all that, Hokkaido is a nice destination (sakura early may, lavender in july and winter in general for skiing) so if you booked with tour enjoy :D

looking into getting a JR pass if required since we're travelling from hakodate and then set up base in sapporo
 

VD

Supremacy Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
Messages
5,240
Reaction score
2
i dont think JR is worth getting, you aint gg to save much, a ticket from hakodate to sapporo is only 8,830Yen via limited express, provided you keeping the trip to hakodate or round trip within 3 days and very limited use for inter-city buses
 

Piggyz

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
633
Reaction score
0
Day 1 - 4
Arrive in sapporo new chitose in the morning
Sapporo
-Maruyama Park (shrine)
-Nijo Fish Market
-Shiroi Koibito Park
-Mount Moiwa
-Sapporo TV Tower
-Ramen Yokocho
-Sapporo Beer Garden and Museum
Otaru (seafood/cheesecake/ice cream)
- canal
- sakaimachi street (street shops)
- music box museum
- Studio ghibli
- Le Tao cafe (cheese cake)
- Odori park at night
Sapporo White Illumination

Asahikawa (1.5 hr train ride)
- Zoo
Biei ( if there is time after the zoo)
- Alpaca farm
- Blue pond
- waterfall

Day 5 - 6
Noboribetsu
- jigokudani
- marine park + bear park + ninja park

Day 7-8
Hakodate
-Hokodate Asaichi Morning Market
-Goryokaku Tower
-Goryokaku Park
-Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
-Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
-mt hakodate

Depart from hakodate airport in the evening
 
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts.

Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards, Terms of Service and Member T&Cs for more information.
Top