jmsvss

I have posted earlier that my husband and i are planning a trip to visit our son who will be working in Japan. I knew that I wanted to spend about a week in and around Tokyo, a week in and around Kyoto. I was waiting to determine the final week once we knew exactly where our son would be. We just found out he will be on Hokkaido - city still undetermined.

So - as a matter of opinion, is a week too long to spend on Hokkaido. I've already determined that flying is our best option given the time it would take to travel by train. How will spending time on Hokkaido affect any rail pass decisions. What is your opinion of the island - must do, must see, etc.

BTW - the other factor I am trying to work into our three week trip is 4-5 days in Thailand.

AmandaH

A week in Hokkaido would be great...But I am biased cos I live here and love it...

What you do depends on the season and what you enjoy doing. Also where you are from, so what is interesting/unusual to you.

Between now and early Oct. you can enjoy big national parks of mountains, lkes and wildlife (bear/fox/deer)...steaming volcanic areas hot springs...a few old cities such as Otaru or Hakodate with 19th century clapboard buildings. Then there is Ainu culture - the people who were here before the Japanese...
Renting a car is a good way to get around.

If coming after October...winter wonderland with snow and skiing from late November onwards....ice festivals...hot sprngs...red crested cranes on the Kushiro marshlands.

We've just got a new edition of the Japan guidebook out - so please check it out!

Amanda
in Sapporo...

mrwunrfl

No, a week is not too long at all.

I suggest that you fly into Tokyo and return home from Osaka or v.v. Fly from Tokyo to wherever in Hokkaido and then to Osaka to visit Kyoto.

No JR Pass needed, unless you wanted to get one to travel around Hokkaido (and to use it either to Narita airport or from Osaka airport).

mrwunrfl

There are some links about air travel in Japan here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=27

Also, if you have some FF miles to burn you can get a free ticket for 15,000 miles on United/USAir/ANA/Star Alliance or 20,000 (I think) on American/JAL/One World.

n open jaw ticket for NRT-Hokkaido-Osaka

mrwunrfl

Meant to write that you can use the award ticket to fly Tokyo-Hokkaido-Osaka.

jmsvss

Thanks for the responses. Great idea to use FF miles for the intra country flights and to fly in to Tokyo and out of Osaka.
There was a suggestion to rent a car. How is the train/subway system on the island?

mrwunrfl

It's a big island. Go here:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/index.html
and you will find some practical info for getting around.

Hokkaido is well served by Japan Rail and by commercial flights. Also by bus. There is good bus service in the Sapporo & Shikotsu-Toya National Park area, as described on the practical travel guide at the site above.

I think that Sapporo has a little bit of subway. Hakodate has street cars. Other towns might have street cars, Otaru maybe.

AmandaH

If you fly to Sapporo you can get a Rail Pass for only Hokkaido - 3 days or 5 days...if you look at the JR Hokkaido website they have the details.

This is only for visitors with tourist passports, so your son would have to by regular train tickets - but the savcings you'd make would offset this cost.
There are also long distnace buses in Hokkaido - and if you check TooCoo car rental you can find out about car rental in the major cities.

Amanda

FamousDave

Amanda:

How can we get the Japan Guidebook? I'm planning a trip to Hokkaido in Late November and I'd like to read about the higlights of the area..

Thanks!!

mrwunrfl

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-101.pdf
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-102.pdf
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-103.pdf

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r...ido/index.html

AmandaH

The 18th edition of the Fodor's "Japan" guidebook should be in your local bookstore soon...I got my copy about 4 weeks ago...it has cherry blossoms on the front cover.
Amanda

mrwunrfl

There is a bookstore link at the top of the page.