Hokkaido Travel Forum

Does anyone know the number to catch a taxi from my house to the JR station?

Interested in long term fully furnished mansion/apartment/hotel for a month in Sapporo in mid-June to mid-July, 2010. Could be a studio or 1-bedroom. Would like western type accommodations with washer/dryer, ice box, microwave, stove, AC/heater, etc. Not interested in luxury accommodations, but something clean, safely located, near super markets, transportation, etc. Budget around 100,000 Y/month including utilities. No "key" money. Any suggestions? Mahalo and Aloha.

I AM TAKING MY MOTHER TO SAPPORO THE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE 2010 AND WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A COUPLE OF DAY TOURS FROM THERE TO OTARI AND FURUNO (DIFFERENT DAYS OF COURSE). THE CHUO BUS WEBSITE SEEMS TO BE AN OLD SCHEDULE, THEREFORE WONDER IF ANY OF THE LOCAL MEMBERS COULD ADVISE US ON THE FIRST DATES THAT THESE TOURS WILL BEGIN AND WHICH HOTELS NEARBY THE BUS STATION WILL HAVE PICK UP BY THE TOUR BUS. IT WILL BE MUCH EASIER ON MY 78 YEAR OLD MOTHER TO STAY IN A HOTEL WHERE THE TOUR BUSES COME TO PICK US UP. ANY ASSISTANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

My husband and I are planning to drive during our Hokkaido trip this October. Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Otaru to Sounkyo?

Hi, my friend and i have booked our 7days tour package hokkaido trip for mid Feb of 2010. I would like to ask a few questions.
1. What will be the temperature during mid Feb?
2. Is wearing a pair of long john and a pair of jean enough for the bottom?
3. Can we just wear a normal pair of sport shoes?
4. Can a Sony cybershot camera and handphone withstand the cold temperature at that point of time?
5. Will there be snowing everyday during Feb?

Can you provide me with advice on the things to prepare before heading to Hokkaido? Greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I will be travelling with my kids (8-10yrs old) to Hokkaido in the 2nd week of Dec. Is it a suitable time of year to visit Lake Toya, Hell Valley and Mt. Usu Crater? Will it be too tiring to do this as a day trip from Sapporo? What transportation is better (bus or train)? Not too comfortable driving if the roads are likely to have snow cover.

Bloombloom

Is skiing available in October?
Does it snow in October?

Hi!

Are there any night trains that depart from Tokyo/ Osaka to Sapporo? How much?
Is there any website can I can find the train scehedule?
Are there any budget airlines that fly from Tokyo/ Osaka to Sapporo? How much?
Thanks!

Hi.
I will be traveling to Sapporo in December and have come up with a list of places to go:
- Otaru
- Sapporo Beer Garden
- Ishyiy Chocolate Factory
- Sapporo Central Wholesale Market
- Old Hokkaido Govt Building
- Clock Tower
- Sapporo Brewery
- Historical Village
- Odori Park
- Genghis Khan
- Susukino

My problem is I don't know where exactly these places are and have problem grouping them according to convenience in movement. e.g. I should visit which places at the same time because they are within the same region etc...

Also, are there anymore must-go places that I should include?

Can someone help? Thanks!

Is the road to Shiretoko Park/ Kamuiwakka Falls open in mid June?

I have read there is construction, but unsure if the closures are in 09 or were in 2008.

I'm aware that in winter there are many ski hill operations running in/around Hokkaido.

Do any of them have trails and run the lifts in summer to accomodate mountain bikes?
If so, would love to head over this summer and get some gravity assisted DH runs in...

Hi, Need some advice here. We are considering driving to Hakodate. Is it difficult to get parking places when moving around in town? How are the parking rates like?

We will be staying in Chikuba Shinyotei which is not accessible to public transport. If we do not drive are there alternative modes of transport besides taxi, how are taxi rates like?

We were initially thinking of taking the super hokuto from Sapporo to Hakodate, but we are concerned that the train do not have space for our luggage. Any idea about this? Thanks.

I've booked tix to go to Hokkaido for 7 days in late May - end May.

1. I am wondering if its worthwhile to go to Furano during that time. I heard July - Aug is the best time but I can't make it. Will it still be worthwhile to go there? If not, I will just remain in other places.

2. My tentative itinerary as follows - can you please advise if this will be too rush?

day 1 otaru (arriving late)
day 2 otaru / niseko
day 3 niseko
day 4 Noborebitsu
day 5 furano
day 6 furano / bieh
day 7 sapporo

3. If I shouldn't go to Furano, is there other places that are worthwhile for me to go / stay longer? Is Furano / Hakodate a better place to visit (in May). I personally like Furano very much but I'm not sure if it's nice during end May. Please advise!!

Thanks :)

My husband and I are planning to visit Hokkaido in June/July this year. We will be in Tokyo first and plan to take a domestic flight to Hokkaido.

Would apprec your adv:
1. Is it easy to buy sight seeing land tours when we are in Hokkaido? Do you know which website we could check for such tours?
2. We are looking for 3-4 star hotels. Do you have any to recommend?
3. How many days do you think we should set aside for Hokkaido sightseeing?

Thanks

Just wondering if anyone can confirm the overnight bus time for this trip. And if you happened to know the cost these days that would be good too. I used to take this bus a lot when i lived there; but sadly it's been a while since my last trip. On the positive side I will be visiting again in less than 2 weeks! Yay!!

Hi all, I'm planning to travel to Hokkaido for its beautiful flower blossoms, esp lavender, as well as its hot springs.. Not sure which month would be the best time to travel to Hokkaido for these experience? Thanks lots in advance for your reply!

If anyone is in Kushiro and knows how to get to Shusen Izakaya (off Showa-Chuo near Aeon shopping centre)can you pop in and tell Ren and Ayumi Terry is coming in February and they should check their email box. Thanks!!! Terry

Will be in Hokkaido next week for 1 week and would like to seek answer to the following :

1. Is it feasible and how long to walk to Susukino from my Renaissance Sapporo hotel at night ? What is the alternative mode of transport to go.

2. Also like to try the ramen at the Ramen Alley near Susukino. Any recommendation which shop is more famous. Would prefer to have seafood or pork ramen rather than beef. Any idea how much to enjoy a bowl?

3. Besides ramen any other typical Hokkaido local food not to be missed.

4. Will be traveling to Toyako next and staying at Toya Sun Palace for 2 nights. Any interesting places to visit nearby at night after onsen and dinner ?

5. Understand Tomita Farm at Furano is famous for all kinds of colourful flowers in summer, anything interesting happening at Furano / Tomita Farm during fall season ?

6. Will be at Sounkyo Choyo Resort as well. Again any suggestion on how to spend the rest of the night after onsen and dinner ?

7. Will be at Chitose airport hotel Mitsui Urban before leaving Hokkaido for Tokyo next morning. Any happening places near Chitose to finish off the last night in Hokkaido.

Will continue to discover Tokyo for the next 4 days.

Thanks

Hello all,

Any one in Hokaido this month or next month?
I may plan to go for a week from 17th Aug2008
to hokaido join tour.....
How was the weather there hot summer day?40 degree possible?and possible see lavender and other flower blossom during that week?

Thank you in advance

Rgds
Sao

Hi all,
I will be going to Sapporo on 7th June. From the website the temperature is range between 20'c - 15'c.. Is it very cold?
Thanks

I am thinking of rent a car at Asahikawa airport and driving to Biei. Starting from Biei Station, how long will it take to look around Patchwork Road and Panorama Road by car?

Hi everybody,

I had read from the lonely planet regarding how to go Shikotsu-Toya National Park. However, I'm still confused. Does it mean I have to alight at the H41 Toya station?

If not, how should I go there?

Thanks
Kenny

Hi,

Anyone been to Akan National Park? How long should we stay there?

Thanks
Kenny

Hi,

My wife wants to go to Hokkiado in July. Just wonder, in the month of July, which is a better week to go? First half or second half? Besides that, both of us doesn't speak Japanese, hence, is it going to be difficult?

We intend to do it free and easy. Rent a car and drive around. Any suggestion? Which hotel to stay along the way?

I heard they have nice ramen there. Any recommendations?

Lastly, my sole purpose to go Japan is to buy Nikon gears. I heard there is a sale going on in July. Where should I get the Nikon stuffs?

Looking forward to hear from you guys.

Cheers.

Hi all ,

need to know if flying is cheaper or by night train is cheaper ?

i see on JR site is that the night train we have to pay for the accomodation .. dont look cheap to me ...

what are your thoughts

thanks in advance

Where does the cruise ship dock in Hakodate? Is it near the morning market? What is the nearest bus or tram stop?

Hi,

We're planning a self drive trip to Hokkaido in early May. Do you think I can cover these places in 5 to 6 days?

Starting from Sapporo to Furano to Daisetsuzan NP to Noboribetsu back to Sapporo.

Any nice but affordable to ryokan to reccommend in these places?

Thanks so much!

It's my first time going to Niseko where we'll be putting up at Hirafutei Prince Hotel for 10 days. However, since I have been told that most shops don't accept credit cards, I would like to ensure i am bringing enough cash. The problem is I really don't have an idea how much a meal is going to cost or drinks for that matter.Also I would like to get a few souvenirs for a couple of friends -what sort of souvenirs are typical of Niseko/ Hokkaido that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg?And how much would it be?
Thank you.

I will be attending the 2008 Hokkaido Summit at Lake Toya in July together with some of the analysts form my research Group. We will be about 20 people in total and right now it seems like we will be camping for the entire time there. Its really not all that acceptable for accredited journalists to have to rough it because they can't find accomodations within a 50 km radius of the Summit site! Does anyone know of cheaper pensions or dormitories close to the Lake Toya resort that might be able to accomodate our Group? Any information would be a great help!!!

Somebody help, pls!

We're due to be in Hokkaido for 7th-12th February. Unfortunately we didn't know there would be public holidays or the Sapporo Ice Carving Festival on that week, so now we have flights but everywhere is FULL FULL FULL!

Can someone suggest any holiday houses or maybe rental apartments or something around the ski resort areas? We're not fussy, whether in Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu... anywhere...

Thanks very much.