Need pointers, first time to Japan

[yrh0413]

Dear all, help me out if you can.... my first time to Japan. Going on a 6D5N trip to Hokkaido in end Nov, from Changi to New Chitose and return from the same airport.

My itinerary as follow:
Day 1: touch down New Chitose around 5pm. take JR to Noboribetsu (Hell Valley). Stay at Noboribetsu.
Day 2: Explore Noboribetsu, then travel to Hakodate.
Day 3: Explore Hakodate.
Day 4: Travel to Niseko.
Day 5: Travel to Otaru.
Day 6: Travel to Sapporo, then fly back to SG

Questions:
1. I know its early winter but will it be snowing everywhere in Hokkaido?
2. I checked snow reports, not sure if Niseko will be snowing in end Nov. It will be a waste if it is not snowing.
3. As per our itinerary we will be spending only a few hours in Sapporo before we head back to SG, as Sapporo is urban and we plan to spend more time in Sapporo in our next trip to Hokkaido. Is this a bad decision?
4. In Sapporo is it a bad idea to be pulling our luggage around?

 

[oceanicmanta]

End Nov, there shld be snow at mountains & probbably Niseko but may not be enuf to ski yet. least chance of snow is Hako as its furthest south.

You never know. last Nov, we were "surprised" by the heaviest snowfall for Nov in over 60yrs in Hokkaido & it snowed everywhere

I would skip Sapporo, & head early to explore Chitose airport

there r underground connections from Sapporo to Susukino, so these r not a problem dragging luggage. on ground, its difficult to drag when there is snow & sludge, even if it's a mere 200m, & slippery.

 

[elnewbie]

Other than Day 1, how are you planning to travel from point to point ? Train, car ?

Also on day 1, you need to ensure you have transport from the JR station to your hotel in Noboribetsu


It's always a bad idea to pull your luggage around. Try to get it stored either at airport or somewhere.

Dear all, help me out if you can.... my first time to Japan. Going on a 6D5N trip to Hokkaido in end Nov, from Changi to New Chitose and return from the same airport.

My itinerary as follow:
Day 1: touch down New Chitose around 5pm. take JR to Noboribetsu (Hell Valley). Stay at Noboribetsu.
Day 2: Explore Noboribetsu, then travel to Hakodate.
Day 3: Explore Hakodate.
Day 4: Travel to Niseko.
Day 5: Travel to Otaru.
Day 6: Travel to Sapporo, then fly back to SG

Questions:
1. I know its early winter but will it be snowing everywhere in Hokkaido?
2. I checked snow reports, not sure if Niseko will be snowing in end Nov. It will be a waste if it is not snowing.
3. As per our itinerary we will be spending only a few hours in Sapporo before we head back to SG, as Sapporo is urban and we plan to spend more time in Sapporo in our next trip to Hokkaido. Is this a bad decision?
4. In Sapporo is it a bad idea to be pulling our luggage around?

 

[yrh0413]

thanks guys! really appreciate your pointers. I hope its snowing when I am there!

We will be purchasing 7D JR pass, don't plan to drive as we want to enjoy the scenery and take pictures anytime we want. Still undecided on the amount of luggage we want to bring there.

 

[evilerniex]

thanks guys! really appreciate your pointers. I hope its snowing when I am there!

We will be purchasing 7D JR pass, don't plan to drive as we want to enjoy the scenery and take pictures anytime we want. Still undecided on the amount of luggage we want to bring there.

hokkaido rail pass will be better for since u are travelling only within hokkaido
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_01.html

and u probably only need a 3-day or 5-day version to cover the major trips. do calculate the fare and see which option is more worth it

 

[elnewbie]

Lugging your luggage around on the train is no joke. Some of these trains are overcrowded especially on weekends. Are you travelling with kids and how young are your kids ?

thanks guys! really appreciate your pointers. I hope its snowing when I am there!

We will be purchasing 7D JR pass, don't plan to drive as we want to enjoy the scenery and take pictures anytime we want. Still undecided on the amount of luggage we want to bring there.

 

[deodorant]

End November is a bit early for full snow season. It really depends on your luck - for example, on 30th Nov in 2013 there was already 60+cm of cumulative snowfall; but on 30th Nov in 2014 there was hardly any snow and the ski slopes mostly all grass.

 

[yrh0413]

hokkaido rail pass will be better for since u are travelling only within hokkaido
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_01.html

and u probably only need a 3-day or 5-day version to cover the major trips. do calculate the fare and see which option is more worth it

thanks bro, yes this is the JR pass I will be getting.

Lugging your luggage around on the train is no joke. Some of these trains are overcrowded especially on weekends. Are you travelling with kids and how young are your kids ?

Just me and my wife, 2 pax. Only 1 large 32" roller I guess shouldn't be that difficult to move around... right?

End November is a bit early for full snow season. It really depends on your luck - for example, on 30th Nov in 2013 there was already 60+cm of cumulative snowfall; but on 30th Nov in 2014 there was hardly any snow and the ski slopes mostly all grass.

Yeah... that's the tough part, now still undecided whether to book a night at Niseko. The hotels there are quite far away from city.

 

[elnewbie]

The answer to your question depends on whether you are planning inner-city travel on weekends or weekdays.

Regardless of weekday or weekend, I strongly suggest using TaQBin forwarding service for your luggage so that it arrives at your designated hotel in each new city.

Cheap n reliable.

thanks bro, yes this is the JR pass I will be getting.



Just me and my wife, 2 pax. Only 1 large 32" roller I guess shouldn't be that difficult to move around... right?



Yeah... that's the tough part, now still undecided whether to book a night at Niseko. The hotels there are quite far away from city.