Second Hokkaido Trip

[Hardware4455]

Visited Hokkaido with self drive trip a few years back during winter season. Things went smooth and I have no issues driving in winter conditions, had experience else where in the world.

the first trip I visited Asahikawa, Sapporo and Hakodate mainly, this time round I am planning to visit east of Hokkaido. Any suggested itineraries for a 9 days winter trip for second time visitor to Hokkaido? Thanks and any inputs are welcomed

 

[Jeanrc]

lake akan, lake kussharo, mt. lo, abashiri for ice breaker cruise if you lucky, sounkyo hyoubaku festival at daisetsuzan sounkyo ( can ski there too i think )

 

[Hardware4455]

Looking forward for onsen and ski. Both 2d1n each

 

[Jeanrc]

Kawayuonsen area got onsen and onsen hotel which can be use to go lake kussharo and mt. lo​

I got post some photo about some of the place above before in other topic here

 

[Hardware4455]

Sapporo
Asahikawa
Sounkyo (onsen)
Abashiri (ice cruise)
Lake akan
Kushiro
Obihiro (onsen)
Furano
Chitose

just a very rough plan. Plotting sights of interest in google maps

 

[oceanicmanta]

Sapporo
Asahikawa
Sounkyo (onsen)
Abashiri (ice cruise)
Lake akan
Kushiro
Obihiro (onsen)
Furano
Chitose

just a very rough plan. Plotting sights of interest in google maps

9 days seem too short for this itin .. i wld consider dropping Asahikawa, Furano n mayb Kushiro

Sounkyo to Abashiri (alternative route)

From Sounkyo, drive towards Kamikawa-Sounkyo kita IC to enter the E39 Expressway all the way to exit at Engaru to go to Abashiri. This stretch is TOLL FREE. Can hit top speed. Very little cars.

If u have time, (instead of taking Route 333 to Abashiri), head towards Kami Yubetsu MichiNo Eki - the restaurant there serves local Wagyu steak hotplate and big fresh scallops. I think Lunch only.

To save on cost, u can order 1 Scallop and then “追加” +1 ... u will be given 2 scallops & just 1 burner to cook.

But If u order 1 scallop for each person, without “追加”, u will be given 1 scallop n 1 burner each, which costs 50% more.

Abashiri
Recommend Lake Abashiri Tsuruga Resort. Modern, with onsen, big common space, good food. Not cheap.

A traditional onsen resort is the Abashiri-koso, popular with locals. Their kaiseki meal is grand. Can b pricey. Some rooms in old wing are a bit dated.

More wallet friendly will be Dormy Inn Abashiri.

Stop by Abashiri Banya - check out the live seafood stall for King Crabs ... friendly staff and prices were very reasonable back in 2018

Cape Notoro for pics

Akan
can try New Akan Hotel, it has a very large communal outdoor heated pool on its rooftop (have to wear their swim wear) ... quite fun, especially when snowing
it also has segregated onsens inside
The BF n Dinner buffet is very popular, pre-covid, it was a Tour Group favourite n service can be iffy

Lake Kussharo / Lake Mashu / Kawayu Onsen
Search Google Map for "Kotan onsen" .... try something different
there r a few of these dotted around Lake Kussharo ... at some the locals really do what the locals do

Lake Mashu - if good weather, this is a must. Go up morning. Observation No3 has free parking but check if shortest road up is open. No1 car park, 10misn drive away, has fees.

Kushiro
- the Fish Market is closed on Sun .. do check opening times

Obihiro
- supposedly have good onsens .. tried Kangetusen, pricey but good service
- the Tokachi Onsen area is rather quiet, without any shops
- subsequently stays at JR Inn, APA hotels were more convenient, near JR station easy to find food
- must try the famous Buta-don ... I prefer the Tonta outlet, cheaper, more charred, a bit further away

Have you heard of Lake Shikaribetsu ? A bit of a drive to get to from Obihiro. Need more time.

it's a long drive from Obihiro to Chitose, toll quite high too

Some of the above places are covered in one of my trip reports some years back.

 

[Hardware4455]

9 days seem too short for this itin .. i wld consider dropping Asahikawa, Furano n mayb Kushiro

Sounkyo to Abashiri (alternative route)

From Sounkyo, drive towards Kamikawa-Sounkyo kita IC to enter the E39 Expressway all the way to exit at Engaru to go to Abashiri. This stretch is TOLL FREE. Can hit top speed. Very little cars.

If u have time, (instead of taking Route 333 to Abashiri), head towards Kami Yubetsu MichiNo Eki - the restaurant there serves local Wagyu steak hotplate and big fresh scallops. I think Lunch only.

To save on cost, u can order 1 Scallop and then “追加” +1 ... u will be given 2 scallops & just 1 burner to cook.

But If u order 1 scallop for each person, without “追加”, u will be given 1 scallop n 1 burner each, which costs 50% more.

Abashiri
Recommend Lake Abashiri Tsuruga Resort. Modern, with onsen, big common space, good food. Not cheap.

A traditional onsen resort is the Abashiri-koso, popular with locals. Their kaiseki meal is grand. Can b pricey. Some rooms in old wing are a bit dated.

More wallet friendly will be Dormy Inn Abashiri.

Stop by Abashiri Banya - check out the live seafood stall for King Crabs ... friendly staff and prices were very reasonable back in 2018

Cape Notoro for pics

Akan
can try New Akan Hotel, it has a very large communal outdoor heated pool on its rooftop (have to wear their swim wear) ... quite fun, especially when snowing
it also has segregated onsens inside
The BF n Dinner buffet is very popular, pre-covid, it was a Tour Group favourite n service can be iffy

Lake Kussharo / Lake Mashu / Kawayu Onsen
Search Google Map for "Kotan onsen" .... try something different
there r a few of these dotted around Lake Kussharo ... at some the locals really do what the locals do

Lake Mashu - if good weather, this is a must. Go up morning. Observation No3 has free parking but check if shortest road up is open. No1 car park, 10misn drive away, has fees.

Kushiro
- the Fish Market is closed on Sun .. do check opening times

Obihiro
- supposedly have good onsens .. tried Kangetusen, pricey but good service
- the Tokachi Onsen area is rather quiet, without any shops
- subsequently stays at JR Inn, APA hotels were more convenient, near JR station easy to find food
- must try the famous Buta-don ... I prefer the Tonta outlet, cheaper, more charred, a bit further away

Have you heard of Lake Shikaribetsu ? A bit of a drive to get to from Obihiro. Need more time.

it's a long drive from Obihiro to Chitose, toll quite high too

Some of the above places are covered in one of my trip reports some years back.

thanks for this very helpful.
For the long drive back from Obihiro to Chitose, any interesting place to stop by for a rest without much detour?
Plan to reach Chitose the day before my flight back to SG.

 

[oceanicmanta]

thanks for this very helpful.
For the long drive back from Obihiro to Chitose, any interesting place to stop by for a rest without much detour?
Plan to reach Chitose the day before my flight back to SG.

There r a couple of Michi No Eki along the way .. but must exit n re-enter the Expressway.

Only once exited at Yubari to try melons at the Michi but there is nothing much really.

On other trips, it is the final leg and getting late ... so I just drove non-stop back to Chitose or Sapporo.

I enjoy Hokkaido East ... but this return leg is a drag

If u find anything interesting, pls share

 

[Hardware4455]

There r a couple of Michi No Eki along the way .. but must exit n re-enter the Expressway.

Only once exited at Yubari to try melons at the Michi but there is nothing much really.

On other trips, it is the final leg and getting late ... so I just drove non-stop back to Chitose or Sapporo.

I enjoy Hokkaido East ... but this return leg is a drag

If u find anything interesting, pls share

Anything interesting in lake saroma and Engaru area? After removing Furano and shortening stay at Sapporo I have a day or 2 without any plans

 

[oceanicmanta]

Anything interesting in lake saroma and Engaru area? After removing Furano and shortening stay at Sapporo I have a day or 2 without any plans

I camped at one of the camp sites on the shore of Lake Saroma in Sep ... dont think u wanna do that in winter

nice sunrise n sunsets, peaceful, wide expanse of nature, walk around

There is a Tsuraga hotel at Saroma as well.

There r a couple seafood shops around Lake Saroma area. Only locals go.

Fresh oysters & scallops .. I believe the KamiYubetsu restaurant scallops are from Saroma.

There is a place where u can pay extra to get a BBQ pit to cook your seafood in a sheltered tent.

I saw the largest salmon in my life there ... almost 1.5m !

There was a seafood stall near Tsuruga hotel where we bought scallops oysters, clams n even a whole trout ... all very cheap ... to cook at the camp. The sugiko there was the biggest n freshest ... but sadly, another year we visited, the stall has closed.

Nothing around Engaru, we just pass by on way to Yubetsu (known for its Tulips in spring time).

That area is quite remote. Better Goolge and see if those places are of interest. Winter is very different to when I visited in May n Sep.

 

[Hardware4455]

Have draft a simple ITN, feel free to give any feedback and I have some questions in Orange

D1 15 Jan 2023 - Sunday
Chitose/Sapporo

Collect rental car
Sapporo city tour

Overnight at Sapporo City


D2 16 Jan 2023 - Monday
Sapporo

Sapporo city tour

Overnight at Sapporo City

Any suggested hotels in Sapporo with free parking? Do not need to be city center, can be outskirt


D3 17 Jan 2023 – Tuesday
Asahikawa

Drive to Asahikawa

Morning – Asahikawa Zoo

Afternoon - Asahikawa City

Overnight at Asahikawa City

D4 18 Jan 2023 – Wednesday

On the Roads – not sure to drive directly to Abashiri or stop at Kitami area to rest for the night?

Morning - Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway

Afternoon - Hokkaido Ice Pavilion

Drive to Abashiri

Overnight at Abashiri Onsen

D5 19 Jan 2023 – Thursday
Abashiri

Tour around Abashiri city Museums etc. Rest day. Previous day distance was long

Overnight at Abashiri Onsen

D6 20 Jan 2023 – Friday
Abashiri/Lake Akan

8.30am - Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship

Drive to Mt. lo and Lake Mashu

Drive to Lake Akan

Overnight at Lake Akan Onsen

D7 21 Jan 2023 – Saturday
Lake Akan/ Obihiro

Akan International Crane Center

Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Natural Park

Overnight at Obihiro

D8 22 Jan 2023 – Sunday
Obihiro/Chitose

Drive back to Chitose
Any interesting things to do in Chitose or Obihiro?

Overnight at Chitose

D9 23 Jan 2023 – Monday
Chitose/Singapore
Return rental car and go home

 

[oceanicmanta]

Have you considered ?

1) pick up Car in Sapporo area instead on 17 Jan and return in Sapporo

2) head straight for Asahikawa from CTS

3) head straight for Obihiro from CTS

above depends on your flight timings

hotel overnight parking at Sapporo is about JPY 1000 per night

car rental per day estimate JPY 4000 (without insurance)

btw, Suzuki Hustler is 660cc, a Light Car, and has lower Toll Fees vs the Jinny

 

[Hardware4455]

Have you considered ?

1) pick up Car in Sapporo area instead on 17 Jan and return in Sapporo

2) head straight for Asahikawa from CTS

3) head straight for Obihiro from CTS

above depends on your flight timings

hotel overnight parking at Sapporo is about JPY 1000 per night

car rental per day estimate JPY 4000 (without insurance)

btw, Suzuki Hustler is 660cc, a Light Car, and has lower Toll Fees vs the Jinny

I am arriving at CTS at about 10.30am. After immigration blah blah blah should be around 11.30am.

understand the parking charges in Sapporo and car rental, with a 4-year-old child I think with a car is much more convenient so was thinking of driving in Sapporo, if traffic is bad on the first day second day just leave the car at hotel carpark and use public transport since luggage is in the hotel.

And found out that J-net car rental is the free shuttle bus pickup is at the domestic instead of international terminal. Wondering if new chitose if it is troublesome to walk from international arrivals to domestic arrivals?

 

[Hardware4455]

Lake Abashiri Tsuruga Resort.

This resort is beautiful and expensive but still decided to go for it!

 

[oceanicmanta]

I am arriving at CTS at about 10.30am. After immigration blah blah blah should be around 11.30am.

understand the parking charges in Sapporo and car rental, with a 4-year-old child I think with a car is much more convenient so was thinking of driving in Sapporo, if traffic is bad on the first day second day just leave the car at hotel carpark and use public transport since luggage is in the hotel.

And found out that J-net car rental is the free shuttle bus pickup is at the domestic instead of international terminal. Wondering if new chitose if it is troublesome to walk from international arrivals to domestic arrivals?

Driving within Sapporo centre itself is not too bad, but public parking may not be easy to locate & expensive

the Sapporo underground passages r extensive and convenient, u can get from JR to Odori to Susukino underground, with A LOT to see, shop n explore ... just that the heater mayb too warm & dry inside

... choose a hotel with easy access to underground subway near Sapporo JR (eg Century Pacific, Gracery have direct escalator/elevator access to subway)

as you know, the sidewalks may not be cleared of snow or frozen over .. we struggled to get to JR Sapporo from Hotel Mystays, just a mere 70m away on frozen sidewalk as the nearest entry is stairs only ... otherwise Mystays is a good choice

The walk from International to Domestic terminal is about 10mins, and easy

kids will love it, many things to see ... on Arrival Level, there are rows of stuff toys n animals ... 1 level up on Departure has Hello Kitty, Doraemon displays n play areas (fees apply), Royce factory & restaurants

Domestic, with all the local brand & confectionery shops is a bustle of activity compared to International.

Royce is really really cheap compared to SG .. like half price ... shld have bought more.

 

[Hardware4455]

the ITN is more or less confirmed already just one last worrying part about driving from Asahikawa to Abashiri, it’s a long drive about 200km partially without expressway

 

[Jeanrc]

Sunayu Onsen / aka lake kussharo should be included as i think is unique and pretty.​

 

[Beta_123]

Hello guys, I’ll be returning my car at 8pm on the last day of car rental. Will be travelling from niseko. Should I stop by otaru or visit outer parts of Sapporo to utilise the car? Any recommendations?

 

[Hardware4455]

Hello guys, I’ll be returning my car at 8pm on the last day of car rental. Will be travelling from niseko. Should I stop by otaru or visit outer parts of Sapporo to utilise the car? Any recommendations?

if you have time can try visit Sapporo or otaru. The drive from both of these cities to New Chitose is not too far.

usually I prefer to return the car to departure airport, even not exactly at airport but got free shuttle bus so not so bad. With kids around really lazy to bring luggage and walk around in public transport

 

[Beta_123]

if you have time can try visit Sapporo or otaru. The drive from both of these cities to New Chitose is not too far.

usually I prefer to return the car to departure airport, even not exactly at airport but got free shuttle bus so not so bad. With kids around really lazy to bring luggage and walk around in public transport

Oh sorry I meant I’ll be returning the car then stay in Sapporo for another 2 nights. But since I’m travelling from niseko which takes 2 hours ill should reach Sapporo in the afternoon. So wondering if there’s any place I can go to utilise my car before I return at 8