Hi all, my friends and I are spending 2 weeks travelling around Hokkaido.

We plan to do Hakodate - Sapporo - Kushiro - Abashiri - Asahikawa - Wakkanai.

I'd love some advice about whether some of these places are worth or not worth going to and what are the must see and do and eat things in Hokkaido.

Any help would be great!

Oiloc

When are you going? What interests you in the places you've selected?

In particular I am asking about the places other than Hakodate and Sapporo.

Of the list, I've only been to Hakodate and depending on how you answer the question above will probably recommend skipping it.

What are your travel plans for getting to/from there? Taking the train from Tokyo to Hakodate or what?

Hi there,
My friends and I are more interested in seeing nature. We will be in Hokkaido from early Oct for 2 weeks, so we hope to see the Autumn foliage.

We will be flying direct to Sapporo from Taipei.

Thanks!

In that case, I recommend skipping Hakodate because I don't think it is worth the trip considering your interests. It has some interesting history and a few sites, but the place has seen better days. I thought it was a bit overhyped.

Otaru, a city northwest of Sapporo is also a bit overhyped. An ok visit but not worth going out of your way for (except that kuranosuke went there for the sushi and loved it, I think).

Closer to Sapporo than Hakodate is Shikotsu-Toya national park. Noboribetsu Onsen is a famous one and nearby. You might also be interested in visiting Toyako or other places in the region of the park.

hai, i went to otaru for sushi, and it was great. although i didn't walk around otaru, i've heard that its a nice old town.

since you will be in sapporo, its an easy train ride to otaru, so why not spend at least a day there.

if sushi is not for you, then perhaps mrwnrfl can recommend a yakiniku/bbq restaurant for you.

From Wakkanai, you can take a ferry to the islands of Rishiri and Rebun. Absolutely gorgeous plantlife there!

Between Kushiro and Abashiri, you should find tons of wonderful places to see nature, too. The Shiretoko Peninsula is really beautiful, and you may be able to see the salmon jumping in October.

Near Asahikawa is the Sounkyo Gorge, which is also very beautiful when the fall foliage is upon it!

I'm not sure if Hakodate is really all that great -- get a good guidebook, and be prepared to walk. I had a few hours in Hakodate (but no guidebook) and I couldn't find the sights to see! And I could even read some Japanese . . . .

Early October for nature...I suggest concentrating on sapporo - across to Sounkyou for the Kurodake hike - then on to Abashiri or Lake Akan...and then at least 2 nights in Shiretoko...

dont do wakkani - nothing much to see up there in October...you can see better in Shiretoko and the Daisetu Mountains and have time to relax and enjoy it.

i'd kind of agree about Haokodate - nice town in parts...but you could do a day trip to Otaru from Sapporo and get the same feel. And Hakodate is a LONG way from Sapporo etc. Best to concentrate on central and east Hokkaido.