I just returned from Hokkaido last week after a 8 days self driving trip. Overall was a wonderful holidays except for a couple of closure of places of interest. So folks pls check the following places if they are on your itinerary:
1. Shiretoko five lakes - closed until next spring. Our biggest disappointment after we drove all the way to the entrance to find out. Highway 334 to Rausu also shut. So Utoro was like a ghost town as nothing else was there.luckily I was only there for one night.
2. Asahidake Ropeway - closed till 10th Dec. We planned to go but only realised it's closed after reaching Asahikawa. Changed plan to go Sounkyo.
3. Road to Lake Mashu 3rd Observatory closed - managed to go 1st observatory via Teshikaga.
4. Ningle Terrace - closed for maintenance (can't recall until when)
5. Those foodie places that Oceanicmanta recommended (the seafood bbq near lake saroma) also not open. Can't really converse with them so not sure if they are only opening for biz in late winter.
I realised at the beginning of winter there seems to be less tourists (cos ski slopes not opened?), so many businesses rather stay close. I stayed at Daiichi at Utoro, was a huge hotel but when we were at the front desk only one staff manning the check in Lol.
So for those forummers who are going now pls check the status of those attractions that I mentioned. Just sharing. Happy holidays.
1. Shiretoko five lakes - closed until next spring. Our biggest disappointment after we drove all the way to the entrance to find out. Highway 334 to Rausu also shut. So Utoro was like a ghost town as nothing else was there.luckily I was only there for one night.
2. Asahidake Ropeway - closed till 10th Dec. We planned to go but only realised it's closed after reaching Asahikawa. Changed plan to go Sounkyo.
3. Road to Lake Mashu 3rd Observatory closed - managed to go 1st observatory via Teshikaga.
4. Ningle Terrace - closed for maintenance (can't recall until when)
5. Those foodie places that Oceanicmanta recommended (the seafood bbq near lake saroma) also not open. Can't really converse with them so not sure if they are only opening for biz in late winter.
I realised at the beginning of winter there seems to be less tourists (cos ski slopes not opened?), so many businesses rather stay close. I stayed at Daiichi at Utoro, was a huge hotel but when we were at the front desk only one staff manning the check in Lol.
So for those forummers who are going now pls check the status of those attractions that I mentioned. Just sharing. Happy holidays.
