Winter Hokkaido Jan

[oceanicmanta]

looks good.

u taking the free transport to & from Curb Market from Susukino by one of the stalls at Curb Market ?

since staying at Susukino, can also check out nearby Nijio Market (slightly beyond eastern end of Tanukikoji shopping street). can get dried scallops, uni, crabs there

My favourite eatery in Susukino. Y800 for Tonkatsu set with free flow rice, miso & coffee ! Y470 ramen (the one with black sign & white words).
https://www.google.com.sg/maps/plac...96e02f85!8m2!3d43.055451!4d141.353314!6m1!1e1

cheapest place to get seafood is at Otaru's Sankuku Market (next to Otaru JR) ... but probably closed at night

do note that many shops along the popular (touristy to me) shopping street in Otaru will be closed by 6pm in winter ...

 

[Nalgene123]

Dear all,
Flying off in few days time and i know it's a little late to post up my itinerary but nevertheless would appreciate any suggestion of if it's doable .


Jan 10 (utlising Railpass flexi 4 days) *day 1

Arrival New Chitose at 2.10pm.
Check-in Hotel.
Proceed to Susukino.
Dinner at Susukino
Back to Hotel.

Jan 11

Breakfast around hotel area
Curb Market
Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo Factory
Dinner Nearby Hotel area.

Jan 12 (utlising Railpass flexi 4 days) Day 2*

Asahiyama Zoo
Otaru (night time)
Settle dinner at otaru
Back to hotel

Jan 13th - Jan 15th ( (utlising Railpass flexi 4 days) day 3*

Head towards Tomamu Resort for two nights.


Jan 15th (utlising Railpass flexi 4 days) Day 4*

Earliest train departure to Hakodate is only 12pm .
Arrive hakodate at around 5pm.
Rest, settle diner somewhere around hotel area ( Hakodate station)

Jan 16th

Explore Hakodate

Jan 17th

Flight depature to Tokyo


17th - 19th

Tokyo shopping



Thanks a lot for all kind input on this thread.
Happy new year.

for Jan 12..i'm assuming you are still based in Sapporo?

Asahiyama Zoo is in Asahikawa and it's at the opposite direction from Otaru....Asahikawa is in the East and Otaru is in the North West of Sapporo..it takes 1.5hr to reach Asahikawa from Sapporo and another 2hrs to reach Otaru from Asahikawa via ltd express train......so from a time perspective..u r going to spend alot of time on the train...and do keep in mind.....most of the shops at Otaru main shopping street closes by 5.30-6pm during winter...so in my opinon....this is a bit of a rush..its better to reschedule Otaru for Jan 11 and spend the entire day in Asahikawa on Jan 12...Asahikawa has alot of interesting sights...such as Daisatuzan National Park and Sounkyo Onsen..but do note Jan is considered a super low peak holiday season and most shops in places like Sounkyo Onsen are closed...and there are actually very few people that would go there

 

[Petslave]

looks good.

u taking the free transport to & from Curb Market from Susukino by one of the stalls at Curb Market ?

since staying at Susukino, can also check out nearby Nijio Market (slightly beyond eastern end of Tanukikoji shopping street). can get dried scallops, uni, crabs there

My favourite eatery in Susukino. Y800 for Tonkatsu set with free flow rice, miso & coffee ! Y470 ramen (the one with black sign & white words).
https://www.google.com.sg/maps/plac...96e02f85!8m2!3d43.055451!4d141.353314!6m1!1e1

cheapest place to get seafood is at Otaru's Sankuku Market (next to Otaru JR) ... but probably closed at night

do note that many shops along the popular (touristy to me) shopping street in Otaru will be closed by 6pm in winter ...

ill be staying at gracery hotel in Sapporo thou.
taking train to sushikino.

Did not know about the free transport thing, how does it work?
Will go take a look at the food you recommend! look cheap and good!

Plan is to go both curb market and nijo just not sure how to fit it in.

 

[Petslave]

for Jan 12..i'm assuming you are still based in Sapporo?

Asahiyama Zoo is in Asahikawa and it's at the opposite direction from Otaru....Asahikawa is in the East and Otaru is in the North West of Sapporo..it takes 1.5hr to reach Asahikawa from Sapporo and another 2hrs to reach Otaru from Asahikawa via ltd express train......so from a time perspective..u r going to spend alot of time on the train...and do keep in mind.....most of the shops at Otaru main shopping street closes by 5.30-6pm during winter...so in my opinon....this is a bit of a rush..its better to reschedule Otaru for Jan 11 and spend the entire day in Asahikawa on Jan 12...Asahikawa has alot of interesting sights...such as Daisatuzan National Park and Sounkyo Onsen..but do note Jan is considered a super low peak holiday season and most shops in places like Sounkyo Onsen are closed...and there are actually very few people that would go there

Noted. will swap otaru to 11 Jan. Thanks for advice!.
Going to the Zoo for the penguin parade- it will be available right?

 

[oceanicmanta]

ill be staying at gracery hotel in Sapporo thou.
taking train to sushikino.

Did not know about the free transport thing, how does it work?
Will go take a look at the food you recommend! look cheap and good!

Plan is to go both curb market and nijo just not sure how to fit it in.

Free transport is provided by Kita No Gourmet Tei ... google for it.

Ask hotel concierge to call the shop one day before & arrange pick up from Gracery (can be as early as 6am !). Ride takes 10-15 mins. U need to pre-arrange the departure time as well. 2hrs shld be enuf time, including quick meal there. On return, u can ask driver to drop u off at a hotel in Susukino (eg Mercure), then walk to Nijio.

You dont need to buy or eat at Kita ... there r many options there & they have many customers.

From Gracery, u can walk all the way underground to Susukino, good way to exercise & save transport cost.

Since at Gracery, must check out the daily clearance sale at Daimaru basement food hall (starts at 7pm, closes 8pm), then head to Esta .., ends at 9pm. Prices are slashed to clear (sushi, rolls, sashimi, fried stuff, rice balls, salad ...). Many office workers buy dinner there.

Must try is KITAKARO CAFE 北果楼 cream puff at Daimaru. Heavenly.

If coffee person, Seicomart has the best coffee from its freshly ground Franke machine. Next is 7-11, then Sun R Us, & Lawson. All at just 100 Yen !

 

[oceanicmanta]

if travelling out of Asahikawa to Sounkyo / Daisetsuen / Asahidake, do take note of timings & availability of public transport.

IMO, quite inconvenient to get there if not self drive, & u dont want to be caught out there without a ride back.

 

[Petslave]

if travelling out of Asahikawa to Sounkyo / Daisetsuen / Asahidake, do take note of timings & availability of public transport.

IMO, quite inconvenient to get there if not self drive, & u dont want to be caught out there without a ride back.

understand, shall be heading there just for the zoo and return. Dont want to linger around and get lost and end up missing the transport back.

Will go try the cream puff. always love it.
Thank you for your input , it's a great help.

i should have allocated an extra day somewhere in sapporo or tomamu, i just realise hakodate isnt anything much to do.but too bad accomodation all set up.

 

[Petslave]

Hello

Can anyone confirm if I can purchase the Hokkaido rail pass in Japan.