Satisfy your hunger with Sapporo ramen. It serves as an open-air museum telling the stories and showcasing the lifestyles of the pioneering generations. It's Japan's fifth largest city and the second snowiest city in the world, getting an average snowfall of about 4.85 meters (15.9 ft) a year. Honshu: The Japanese "mainland" is just a short ride away from Hakodate. And of these places, most were near my accommodations so it only required walking. Asia - Suggestion on Hokkaido 5 Days Itinerary - Hello, I plan to go to Hokkaido on 16-22 Jan next year. Keep in mind that transportation is easily disrupted in winter. I did not really explore Chitose but I included this because the New Chitose Airport is an attraction by itself. ) is Japans northernmost island, best known for its unspoiled nature and breathtaking scenery. Please check the partner website for details on the latest rates. Fees: Free Phone: 011-281-6400 (Sapporo White Illumination Executive Committee) Private Ski or Snowboard Lesson at Niseko, Rusutsu, or Kiroro Resort in Hokkaido. Take advantage of the magic the season brings with it to discover Southern Hokkaido's natural beauty. Use http://www.hyperdia.com if you want to plan your train journey. 5-1-6 Minami 5 Jo Nishi, Sapporo; 81-11-552-4029; set menus from $10. 5-Day Hokkaido Winter Itinerary (Niseko/Rusutsu), Day 1: Experience the longed-for Niseko powder, Recommended Hotels/Accommodations in Niseko, Day 2: Skiing and other fun winter activities in Niseko, Recommended Hotels/Accommodations in Rusutsu, Day 3: Enjoy Rusutsu, recognized by skiers around the world, Recommended Hotels/Accommodations in Sapporo, Day 5: Last day for our Hokkaido winter itinerary, back to New Chitose Airport. Using this application, you can easily connect to the Free Wi-Fi provided by NTTBP. You can eat and compare a wide variety of noodles at Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Alley) and the Food Park where popular ramen shops from all over Hokkaido gather near Sapporo Station. The river that courses through the valley has a pleasantly warm temperature, perfect for visitors to enjoy a satisfying natural footbath at various spots. The Sapporo Snow Festival is held from the beginning of February. Closed: Open daily, 3:00pm: Depart from Abashiri Port on a sunset cruise, The Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing and Icebreaker Ship departs from the dock next to the Ryuhyo-kaido Abashiri roadside station. Sapporo White Illumination Price: 500 JPY (4.50 USD) for a round-trip chair lift ticket to the observatory; 600 JPY (5.35 USD) for museum entrance fee. 2 days. 3. But, I need suggestions for my . Advice: Dormy Inn Sapporo vs Mitsui Garden West 27 October 2022. Both these meals comprised of Western and Japanese variety. We are eager to see spring flowers esp shibazakura and tulips plus enjoy delicious Japanese food! Heavenly! There are so many more places to see in Sapporo. Hokkaido attracts visitors from all over the globe for its pristine natural scenery and snow festivals which are held annually. Travel easier with the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, 5:00pm: The Devil Flame Road - Enter a Hellish, Hot Springs (Onsen) & Bath Houses (Sento), 11:00pm: Toi-san Hon Maguro Tuna - Relish a, 6:00pm: Have Fun Before Your Flight at New, 5-Day Winter Adventure in Hokkaido: Glowing Streets of History and Culture Around Hakodate & Sapporo, A Different Side of Japanese History and Culture in Hokkaido, JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (3, 4, 5, or 7 Days), Book Online Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Cultural Park Admission Ticket in Hokkaido, 3 Best Noboribetsu Ryokan: Hot Spring Hotels in Hokkaido's Spa Wonderland, Book Now: Hokkaido Mt. English translation by Gabriel Wilkinson, 5 Fun Water Activities To Do in Hokkaido: Enjoy The Great Outdoors Near Sappporo in Summer, 10 Awesome Things to do in Obihiro: Get Active in Hokkaido's Great Outdoors, Unmissable Farm-to-Table Restaurants in Sapporo, Where You Should Stay in Hakodate: Best Areas & 16 Top Hotels For Visitors. Phone: 011-281-6400 (Sapporo Snow Festival Executive Committee) It used to be held throughout Hokkaido, but now Obihiros Banei Tokachi is the only race of its kind in the world. Sample 5D/4N Sapporo Itinerary with a Sidetrip to Otaru. Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests are required to wear masks, 1:30pm: Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse - A Shopping Complex by the Harbor, After lunch, get your shop on at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse next to Lucky Pierrot Jujigai Ginza. During my visit, there was no snow. Day 8: Asahidake Onsen. Most Hakodate ramen stands out for its light salt flavoring and clear broth. However, this itinerary takes the sustainable twist one step further. The food courts menu includes English notation, making it easy to order. PRIVATE JOURNEY. View of snow shower from my hotel room during my last day. It takes about an hour and a half by car, and buses run between Sapporo and Rusutsu every year. With just one app, TRAVEL JAPAN Wi-Fi which provides you with auto-connectable 200,000+ Wi-Fi hotspots across Japan makes your stay much happier and smarter ! Hokkaido can be reached directly by railway from Tokyo on the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, via a one-way trip that roughly takes about four hours. I bought a Grand Hirafu lift pass (5 consecutive hours) for 3,400 (1,439+). Whether youre arriving by air or rail, Sapporo makes for a great base to conveniently explore Hokkaido. There are six crown-shaped dome towers on the roof, and the crosses attached to each diligently watch over the city of Hakodate. If you do not have time to visit Otaru, these cheesecakes can be bought at the New Chitose and Nagoya airports. Its a very interesting attraction where you can observe and learn about the native wildlife from Hokkaido, as well as arctic animals such as great penguins, polar bears, and the endangered Stellers sea-eagle. I still prefer our meal at Tsukiji market but this sushi bowl is a good try as well. Please do note that if you decide to take this flight during the winter season, expect delays due to snow showers. Noboribetsu Onsen hot springs town More below on how to make this into a Japan winter itinerary! In 2021, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the scale of the festival will be reduced and won't include food and drink booths or photo spots, but it's a winter tradition in Sapporo and a must-see for any winter trip to Hokkaido. Here, a Hokkaido local will introduce a comprehensive 5-day southwestern Hokkaido winter travel itinerary! You can fly into Asahikawa Airport then take the public bus into the city to pick up your rental car. Brief Itinerary Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Kushiro Robatayaki cuisine at a local Hokkaido restaurant. DAY5 Utoro - Tsurui Drive down to Tsurui village today. 10:00am: Toy & Art Museum Kitano - Discover the History of Retro Japanese Toys, On Day 2 of our southern Hokkaido winter itinerary, before heading to Hakodate, take a quick detour at the Toy & Art Museum Kitano near Noboribetsu Station. Check out my early winter experience in Hokkaido. Take a bus from the Historical Village of Hokkaido back to Shin-Sapporo Station and board the Airport Rapid train to New Chitose Airport (approx. Currently, about 20 cranes live there throughout the year. This region was pioneered by descendants of Katakura Kagetsuna, a subordinate of the lord of the Sendai Domain (present-day Miyagi Prefecture), Date Masamune (1567-1636). Then we will make our way to the outlying areas like Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Toya, before finally heading further out to the flower-filled Furano area and on to Biei, home to Hokkaido . Proper footwear is also essential to safely navigate Hokkaido's frozen roads. Our guide . Day 2: Noboribetsu and Lake Tya. Copyright 2015 Fuel Themes. Everything is very clean and toiletries like shampoo and soap are provided. I stayed at Ki Niseko, one of the best ski-in ski-out hotels at Grand Hirafu. At the time, the birds were cared for by the Kayanuma station staff, and even though its now an uncrewed station, residents still look out for the birds. The clock tower is located between the most popular stations, Odori Subway . When I changed to thermals, the cold was bearable but still very cold. Enjoy the perfect balance of relaxation and action as you travel from hot springs to ski slopes. Not to worry, however, as you can easily reduce the hassle of navigating each destination with the local rail network by obtaining a JR Pass or a five-day Hokkaido Rail Pass in advance, and spend more time enjoying the experiences in this itinerary! I was wearing 3 layers of tops and 2 layers of bottoms plus thermals through this. The buses leave and arrive on time so make sure you are at the boarding gates 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. Amazing in any season, this reflects our Japan winter itinerary, but can just as easily be applied to spring, autumn or summer (with just one or two tweaks). With our Go Snow instructor at Grand Hirafu. These 4 Luxury Japan Ski Hotels Will Have You Loving Winter's Beauty, Visiting Hokkaido Japan: 14 Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan's Wild North, Using this application, you can easily connect to the Free Wi-Fi provided by NTTBP. Indoor disinfection measures taken - Sanitizer installed - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Guests are required to wear masks, Mt. When you get there, you'll be able to ski and snowboard on some of the best powder in the world. Red-crowned cranes can be found around Kayanuma Station near the Kushiro Wetland. For the 4th of our southern Hokkaido winter itinerary, well leave Hakodate and travel to Sapporo, roughly 4 hours by train or a 40-minute flight to Sapporo Okadama Airport within the city. 5 Days Tour. Summer Tour. Most flights from Manila arrive at Tokyo (Narita), Nagoya (Chubu), Osaka (Kansai), and Fukuoka. Aside from food, the caf is also a resting area with bathrooms and Wi-Fi. Imagine a ROYCE BAKERY! If that's the case, you can buy external cleats to fasten to your shoes. Precedent Precedent Multi-Temp; HEAT KING 450; Trucks; Auxiliary Power Units. More 7 Days. You need to present your passport when you avail this pass. Make your trip extra memorable by booking one of these recommended experiences on our partner site, Voyagin! The official website is available in English and Chinese and provides additional details. Health & Safety Measures This shopping complex is housed in a renovated former storehouse separated into the three sections of BAY HAKODATE, which hosts shops, restaurants, and an event hall, Youbutsukan, specializing in imported luxuries like antiques, and the exhibition space and beer hall Hakodate History Plaza. Here, a Hokkaido local will introduce a comprehensive 5-day southwestern Hokkaido winter travel itinerary! Phone: 011-851-3080 Phone: 0136-23-0103 A 10-minute walk from Jujigai Station, the Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1860 as a center of worship attached to the consulate. The food here is a bit expensive but the serving is huge. I wish to visit Hokkaido, Ginza Onsen and stay maybe 1 or 2 nights at Tokyo (easy to go airport). Day 5: Matsumae Castle and Onuma Park. Toiletries provided are from expensive beauty brands like Acca Kappa and Loccitane. At the entrance of the venue temperature measurement, hand disinfection, mandatory masks, and contact confirmation app registration are required. The information centre houses lockers, bathrooms, a food court, food stalls, Wi-Fi, and rest areas. Hence, you stay with peace of mind. Theres no greater joy than coming across a toy you played with during your childhood! Sapporo Ramen is typically topped with ground pork or chashu pork and a variety of vegetables including bean sprouts, cabbage, and sweet corn. I got to explore the surrounding areas of my hotel, was able to explore the biggest ski resort in Niseko United Grand Hirafu mountain (other resorts are Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupuri), and have a snowboarding lesson. Visiting Hokkaido in February 2023: Ultimate Guide to Hokkaido in Winter and Clothes You Need! 53-1 Nakanoboribetsucho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido 059-0463 Once you arrive at Otaru Station, walk down to Sakaimachi Street for their local arts and crafts. From the New Chitose Airport, I travelled to Niseko via the Hokkaido Resort Liner. Admission: *This information is from the time of this article's publication. Kurodake, which is lined with large hotels. Trains and buses can experience delays of 30 minutes to an hour, so be sure to leave with plenty of time. Hitsujigaoka has taken proper measures against the coronavirus, such as making rubbing alcohol available in various places, regular ventilation of enclosed areas, and taking efforts to maintain social distancing. The bus took around 3 hours until it reached my Niseko stop (Hirafu Welcome Center). Travel time is much more of a factor here than in the denser parts of the country. It was a really beautiful sight and a good cold stroll at night. Health & Safety Measures The latter is so beautiful that even the locals flock down there in droves all year round. The red-crowned cranes lost their natural nesting site due to flood damage in 1964. #4 Stay in a traditional Japanese house. The ski resort also has an amazing view of the ocean. Take a day trip to Otaru. Here's a 5-day Hokkaido winter itinerary, centering on Niseko and Rusutsu, internationally famous winter resorts. * The cruise lasts about 1 hour. From Niseko, I took the Hokkaido Resort Liner to Sapporo. Different ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) around Noboribetsu offer private baths and accommodation, including traditional meals. Youll definitely see a breathtaking view of the whole Grand Hirafu area. In times past, an event known as Festival Banma was held to test the strength of the workhorses so important during Hokkaidos pioneering era and eventually developed into Banei Horse Racing. Admission: 500 yen postcard as a cooperation fee, elementary school students and younger are free, 9:50am: Head to the Sea of Okhotsk by bus, On Day 2, take a bus from Sounkyo Onsen to Abashiri and the Sea of Okhotsk. 2:40pm: Ride the local Sekihoku Main Line, Next, transfer to the local Sekihoku Main Line at Asahikawa Station to reach Kamikawa Station in about an hour. Every year during winter, Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park opens as "Takino Snow World." and admission is free. Please check official websites for the latest information. I was just wearing a long sleeved shirt, a normal jacket, a pair of pants and boots. However, depending on the day, the schedule is subject to change, so please confirm online before visiting. Try some traditional Japanese fast food! If you don't mind long rides or changing your accommodation daily, this 8D7N itinerary might just be right for you to get the best of Hokkaido. To reach this place, you have to ride the Hirafu gondola. The bathroom was really clean. Hokkaido is the second largest island of the four main islands but has the least Noboribetsu is known to be the most famous hot spring resort in Hokkaido. Health & Safety Measures 3 days. If you have patience and want good sushi, this restaurant is definitely a must try! Since then, it's grown into a week-long celebration that highlights sports, artistry, and food from around the world. 4:00pm: Sapporo Clock Tower - Diligently Keeping Residents on Time, The Sapporo Clock Tower is located near the hotels of Sapporo Station and Odori. Take a look at this sample 5-day road trip itinerary recommended by a local writer, and see if it'll help make your Hokkaido trip in spring something completely fresh and exciting to experience! . Shiretoko National Park One of the most popular cheesecakes in Hokkaido is made in Otaru city at Le Tao. Day 0: ARRIVAL AT SAPPORO 5pm - Arrive at New Chitose Airport, travel to hotel 6pm - Check in at hotel, Dinner . Prior to my trip, I was really anticipating my visit to Royces chocolate world as this was one of my favourite chocolate brands in the world. Noboribetsu Noboribetsu itself is famous for natural hot spring.