Hokkaido Single Driver Road Trip?

[darklighter]

I wanna drive my dad around but I'm the only one with licence. Is it feasible to get around to nice scenic places?

My overseas driving experience only includes Perth and Melbourne

 

[limweeli]

Should be good. I drove my family in the last 2 trips too, longest is around 11D of driving. Hokkaido driving is very relaxing as there are many roadside stations and scenic stops. The challenge is not to get distracted and stay too long a stop

 

[darklighter]

Sounds great! How many hours per day did you drive on average?

Mind sharing your itinerary with me?

 

[merry_christmas]

Actually Hokkaido you can take bus tours to travel around.

http://teikan.chuo-bus.co.jp/en/

 

[limweeli]

Sounds great! How many hours per day did you drive on average?

Mind sharing your itinerary with me?

I posted the TR for both before:

- 11D Hokkaido/Tokyo Aug/Sep
- 17D Eastern/Central Hokkaido May

We moved to new locations/hotels everyday. Usually, I drove from 8-9am till 4-5pm with about 2-3 stops. Since you are the only driver, just make sure you have enough sleep and drink lots of coffee. Get those hot espresso from convenience store, around 100 yen per cup for S size. Those canned coffee lacks the punch

 

[Quasar]

I did the same with my SO a few years back. I did the driving, she did the sleeping! If you are used to driving in Perth you should be fine. Japanese drivers are friendlier than OZ and SG ones. Just make sure you get your IDP done

 

[slurpie]

I'm going for my first self drive trip to Hokkaido next month!
Renting a 1300cc compact car for driving around.

Only thing I'm quite worried about is parking at otaru as I'm not staying there. Should I drive around from point to point or park at someplace and walk around?

24 May: CTS – Asahikawa
25 May: Asahikawa (day trip to Takinoue & Kamiyubetsu)
26 May: Asahikawa – Biei – Furano
27 May: Furano – Sapporo
28 May: Sapporo
29 May: Sapporo (day trip to Otaru)
30 May: Sapporo – Lake Toya
31 May: Lake Toya – Noboribetsu
1 June: Noboribetsu – CTS
2 June: Flight back

 

[limweeli]

Only thing I'm quite worried about is parking at otaru as I'm not staying there. Should I drive around from point to point or park at someplace and walk around?

Driving is ok except for the parking. I tend to miss the parking signs and my wife/sis has to help me look out. Most of the attraction has paid parking slots. There is a grace period of 5/10 mins before the "lock" is up. After that, you need to go to the machine, press your lot number and pay the charges to "unlock". Also, most restaurant has free parking if u r dining but u cannot park there and go to the attractions.

Another way is to leave the car with the hotel parking (usually 1000yen for full day, some are free) and take the tourist bus. It goes through most of the attractions in the city.

 

[deodorant]

Only thing I'm quite worried about is parking at otaru as I'm not staying there. Should I drive around from point to point or park at someplace and walk around?

There are car parks near the otaru main shopping area / near the canal. Signboarded very obviously, hard to miss so don't worry.

Unless you are worrying about money Japan parking especially in the cities can be quite expensive.

Anyway my itinerary here if you interested. first day walk around sapporo area didn't rent car, 2nd day onward drive. http://look-see-eat.blogspot.sg/2015/11/hokkaido-autumn-guide-sapporo-moiwa-curb-market-ramen.html

Deo's Travel, Food & Cooking adventures: http://look-see-eat.blogspot.sg/ HardwareZone Forums app

 

[slurpie]

Thanks both!

I have a reservation at isezushi and will park there first.
Will probably drive to the main canal area after to park and walk around the Le tao shops.

 

[cutieboy86]

just wondering anyone tried self driving in december before? is it safe to drive around hokkaido during december?

 

[wongkc]

just wondering anyone tried self driving in december before? is it safe to drive around hokkaido during december?

i drove before... not easy... despite driving for 20yrs... and have some winter driving experience in europe...

but if u drive slow... keep btw 60-80 on highway... dun sudden brake or change lane/direction... take frequent breaks... should still be ok...

 

[jonchar]

Doable so long as each trip is not too long. I drove my family as a single driver too. There is one stretch from chitose to Hakodate, despite planning a lunch break at lake toya at lake hill farm, I had trouble keep awake driving and is pretty dangerous. Swallows like half pack of sweets to keep away.

 

[pinkdior]

just wondering anyone tried self driving in december before? is it safe to drive around hokkaido during december?

i drove before... not easy... despite driving for 20yrs... and have some winter driving experience in europe...

but if u drive slow... keep btw 60-80 on highway... dun sudden brake or change lane/direction... take frequent breaks... should still be ok...

what wongkc said is very true.

And I would not recommended anyone who does not drive on a daily basis to self-drive during winter in hokkaido. reason being, if a person does not even have enough experience driving on a normal condition & road, there's no way he/she will know how to react/response accordingly to the situation. Even an experience driver may not know how to react during unexpected situation.

I drive on a daily basis for more than 10years. And also had experience driving during winter in serveral countries in europe including self-drive during winter in Finnish lapland for 2weeks. and Hokkaido is the hardest of all.

its not safe at all especially if one does not have any winter driving experience.

 

[twtan14]

When I was in Hokkaido last May, I met this Taiwanese lady who was traveling alone in Hokkaido for one month and driving most of the time. She said none of her friends can afford to take one month off from work to accompany her.