How u feel abt the public transport over there easy to get around ??
Do some homework on the bus and train schedules. Sapporo and Otaru are just less than an hour’s train journey. Within Sapporo itself, lots of buses and electric streetcars (more like trams) to access the different places. There’s an underground passageway with shops all the way from Sapporo to Odori Park, and Sapporo TV Tower if you don’t feel like walking outside in the cold. Look for the event schedules for each snow festival. They usually have celebrities to come over to host and perform over the weekends (there’s an annual PH on 12 Feb) and small-scale fireworks.
There’s local bus services from Asahikawa to go to Blue Pond/ Shirahige Waterfall. Alternatively there’s weekend bus tours for the light-up event by Biei Tourism Office. Just sign up at its office located opposite Biei station. I’m not so sure if you’re keen in looking at a frozen white lake.
Sounkyo Ice Festival - there’s a direct bus service (2hr-ride one way) from Asashikawa or you can hop onto the same bus (30min-ride one way) from Kamikawa station. Was thinking of taking the bus from Kamikawa (we had JR Pass) but it was snowing very heavily (visibility was very low) so we ended up taking the bus back and forth. Once you get off from the terminal stop of Sounkyo Gorge, you need to walk down (snow was ankle-deep) to the entrance (about 10-15 min if there was no whiteout) plus makeshift stairs into the main area. My husband couldn’t take the cold, below -15°C, so we only spent 30 min around the whole area and walked back to the bus terminal. Only if you’re staying overnight at Sounkyo Onsen, you could catch the fireworks (after 6.30pm) over the weekends and PHs. Depends on weather conditions too.
Some points to note -
1. Do be aware in the event that when there’s snowstorms aka whiteouts, train services would be affected, either cancelled or delayed. Sun sets early during this period, by 4-4.30pm, the sky would be dark.
2. If you needed to charge your IC card within Asahikawa or other areas, look for a convenience store. Need help, just ask the station staff. They’ll direct you with simple English (tell them ‘IC card charge’). Sapporo would be fine.
3. Wear waterproof shoes. Use crampons when needed. Lots of thin ice within Snow Festival zones, due to the number of visitors. Watch out for selfie sticks too - I hated those inconsiderate tourists every time I encountered them in Japan.
4. Keep yourself warm (kairo aka warmers are very important, if you were staying long, get a box from drug stores) and always be prepared to be flexible and have backup plans, should the weather turns bad.
Have fun!
