JC98

Hmm... don't know why they don't have a pdf file for Daisetsuzan.

hawaiiantraveler

The rooms at the Hotel Shiretoko are dated and the first one we were given smelled heavily of cigarette smoke but they let us change rooms. The dinner buffets are better than the breakfast ones at this place but I had a package deal through Japanese Guest houses at that time. Yes you can buy meals at check in or just go to the dining room at meal times and they will take your money, yes probably more than your deal bought ahead of time.

http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/d.../shiretoko.htm

Yes there is a place we saw in Utoro to eat adjacent to the visitor center and we ate lunch there one day. They had a small English handout menu available. Their are kani(crab) restaurants around the boat harbor bend which we also ate a lunch at. I almost inadvertently ordered the seal ramen dish thinking it was the pork ramen. Luckily a very nice younger Japanese couple heard me ordering and asked in perfect English if I really wanted the seal ramen and ordered the right one for me,lol. Beware that little or no English is spoken at the restaurants or convenience stores there. But don't let that discourage you, just be prepared.

You can eat cheaply from the 7-11 type drug store at the foot of the hill up to the hotel. I forget the name of the chain but these drug stores are all over Hokkaido. They are the Lawson's in Hokkaido and exactly like the Miyazaki stores are to Kyushu. Anyway you can get small instant package type meals there along with a few hot Japanese specialties and bento lunch boxes at lunch times. They also have beer, wines and hard liquor in these stores.

Don't leave Hokkaido without trying their Hokkaido ice cream(oishi!!!) or Hokkaido sweet corn(everything from candy to souvenirs are made out of Hokkaido corn) and the Hokkaido milk.

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler

oooops almost forgot your Daisetzusan pdf's. JNTO doesn't have them but HT does, LOL......enjoy!

http://hokkaido.env.go.jp/nature/mat...tsu/index.html

JC98

Thanks, HT!

Question: Anyone know it's worth driving by/stopping by Biei and Furano in October (Oct 13 -- Sat). Would it still be scenic or happening at that time? I only hear of summer activities in those areas.

Otherwise, what other worthwhile places to see along the way from Asahikawa (Daitsetsuzan NP) and Sapporo? Or should we try to go to Otaru on that Saturday before checking into Sapporo? Or maybe hit another national park south of Sapporo?

Thanks!

hawaiiantraveler

Yes the flowers will just about all be gone in Furano and Biei but still a nice drive and there are the farms in Furano and the winery to visit. In Asahikawa there is the zoo which is supposed to be unique for its viewing options and animals mostly found in the arctic zone. Otaru is nice to visit but that is a place I would visit on the train as we saw lots of car traffic from the train on the winding road leading down the mountains towards Otaru.

If you go south of Sapporo and like onsen try to make it to Noboribetsu Onsen and the fabulous Daiichi Takimototan and its many different hot spring baths. You don't need to stay there to use the baths as you can purchase a ticket for day use only. This place has the most spectacular array of hot(and cold)spring baths I have seen in Japan and I've seen quite a few.

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/no...su/daiichi.htm

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler

just thinking that Otaru by train would be the way to go especially if you are staying at the Sheraton as the Shin-Saporro station is next door to the hotel. See this site for schedules and times www.hyperdia.com

usernameistaken

Hi there - we visisted Hokkaido in June 2009 - we loved it! We used public transportation exclusively so we did not have as many options as you did, but we do recommend Asahidake Onsen (especially if you like to hike). We stayed at
the Daisetsu-zan Shirakabaso and recommend it highly!

http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels...-032078.en.htm

JC98

Questions about Daisetsuzan NP.

1) From Akan NP, we're planning to drive to Sounkyo Gorge by afternoon. See the gorge and waterfalls. Any other areas close by that are beautiful in Oct? Foliage? Then drive to Asihakawa to stay the night since it's half way to Asihadake Onsen.

2) Next morning, drive to Asihadake Onsen. Take ropeway up. Hike around up there. How hard is it to summit Asihadake? Takes 2 hours? Where to stay this night? Should we stay at Asihadake Onsen (like the hostel recommended above?) Or perhaps stay in Biei?

3) Next day, leisurely drive around Biei and Furano and check out some farms, specialty shops, etc. before heading to Sapporo.

Question: If we were to take the ropeway only once, which one should we take-- Sounkyo or Asihadake? We want to see spectacular scenery and do maybe a few hours of hiking. Would Asihadake be more risky in Oct (10/12) with snow than Sounkyo side?

Thanks!

hawaiiantraveler

1. The whole ride will be beautiful from Akan-ko to Sounkyo. As you get closer to Sounkyo and start your climb up the mountain range from the farmlands the contrast is striking in spots. I remember a large farmers market along the highway that is worth a pit stop as they sell lots of made in Hokkaido souvenirs and foods.

2. Never made it to Asahidake but let me know how it was when you get back. I am jealous of this trip btw

3. Sounds like a great day.

on the rope way we chose the Sounkyo one only to be rain/snowed out as they closed the ropeway that day

Aloha!

aprillilacs

We took both the Asahidake and Sounkyou ropeways. Both were nice but the one at Asahidake had better opportunities for hiking from the top. Awesome views, too. We didn't hike to the top of the mountain (didn't have the right shoes, and there was still quite a bit of snow in June), but it looked like you could do it in about 2 hours. Go for it!

JC98

Thanks, HT and aprililacs, for your feedback! Fingers crossed for good weather. Otherwise, we might need to improvise out there.

One more thing: Whether we should try to squeeze in Noboribetsu, esp that HT raved so highly about it (I guess the Japanese also ranked it highly.) ? We have 1 more day of car rental (7 days is the same price as 6 days). Is it possible to drive from Biei / Furano down to Noboribetsu on Sat. Do the onsen, stay overnight, and drive to Sapporo on Sun? Too hectic? Or perhaps skip Biei/Furano, and stay in Asahikawa on Friday night, and take the express way to Noboribetsu on Sat to get more time in the onsen? Worth it? Or don't bother?

If we return to Sapporo on Sat night, we probably want to return our car early, as it won't be useful anymore in that area and to avoid paying for parking? Any other suggestions?

Thanks so much for all your help!!

JC98

BTW, do the driving times given by Google maps accurate? It seems to take much longer than what I see in your trip reports.

Most puzzling is the drive from Utoro to Iwaobetsu Onsen area. There's a rotenburo out there that I thought we want to check out, but for 2 1/2 miles, why does it take 45 minutes? Is the road really bad?

=====
Thank you so much to all who helped, esp. HT. Below is our revised itinerary based on your inputs:

10/8 (MON)
11:30 a.m. Arrive MMB Airport
-- Rent car. Drive to Utoro via northern route along the sea. (Still don't know whether to stop by Abashiri to see the prison.)
-- Go to Shiretoko Nature Center. Gather info for the next day. Walk to Furepe Lake. (Enough time for hike around the Five Lakes in late afternoon? Or better do it next morning--better lighting?)
-- Check into Hotel Shiretoko. Onsen. Dinner at hotel. Onsen again. (Anything to do in Utoro town at night?)


10/9 (TUE)
-- Onsen at Hotel Shiretoko
-- Breakfast at Hotel
-- Check out. Drive to Rausu
--Drive to Aidomari Onsen. Check out onsens, salmon run, town
-- Lunch in Rausu
1:30 p.m. Drive back to Utoro
-- Arrive at Utoro and check out Utoro port (or skip if no time)
-- Drive to Shari to stay the night at Hotel Grantia Shiretoko. Onsen. Dinner. (Main reason to stay here is to get 1 hour headstart the next day.)

10/10 (WED)
-- Onsen. Breakfast
7 a.m. Depart Shari and drive to Akan National Park.
-- Mashu Lake
-- Kussharo Lake (do the sand onsen thing?)
-- Lunch somewhere
-- Drive to Akan Lake and check in New Akan Hotel.
-- See Akan Lake. Ainu Village.
-- Onsen. Dinner at hotel. (Anything to do at night?)

10/11 (THUR)
-- Onsen. Breakfast at hotel.
-- 9 a.m. Depart Akan Lake and drive to Sounkyo.
1:30 p.m. Arrive Sounkyo. See gorge.
4-5:30 p.m. Drive to Asahikawa. Stay overnight.


10/12 (FRI)
8 a.m. Drive to Asihadake. (1 hrs 45 mins)
10 a.m. Asihadake
4 p.m. Leave Asahidake
Stay where? Asahikawa or Biei?

10/13 (SAT) -- Alternative 1
-- Leisurely drive from Biei, Furano to Sapporo.
-- Return car in Sapporo.

=====
10/13 (SAT) -- Alternative 2
-- Drive from Asahikawa to Noboribetsu Onsen
-- Onsen
-- Overnight in Noboribetsu.

10/14 (SUN)
-- Onsen in Noboribetsu Or sightsee.
-- Drive to Sapporo.
-- Return car.

hawaiiantraveler

If you do stay overnight in Noboribetsu and you want to save some money you might try what we did by staying across the street from the Daiichi Takimototan at its sister property the Takimoto Inn. The Inn is much older and spartan but the food is good, served in its small restaurant served buffet style and if you book through JGH they will give you a separate special entree that the Japanese local guests were curious about. Parking is free and they accept credit cards. The western rooms are old but comfortable and the price is great but the best thing about this place is that you can walk across the little street and use all the baths at the Daiichi Takimototan for free as the family owns both properties.

http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/d...u/takimoto.htm

Whatever you decide looks like you have a trip to remember starting in a few days. The excitement level must be at a fever pitch about now, lol. Let us know how it went when you get back.

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler

Must have been posting at the same time.

<i>Anything to do in Utoro town at night?</i>

Count the stars from the outdoor rotenburo? Not much which is why we bought a bottle of some nice French White Burgundy at the convenience store at the bottom of the hill and enjoyed after our evening soak in the hot spring bath.

Asahikawa or Biei? Asahikawa is the second largest city on Hokkaido so would have more nightlife and shopping/restaurant opportunities while Biei is a small country town limited to B&B's and a convenience store and not much else after the sun goes down but that's exactly what some people love.

JC98

Thanks for the great tips, HT!

Yet another option is to go look for the cranes after Akan Lake? Concern is it may be hard to spot them in the wild. You were lucky to see some before the thoughtless Chinese businessmen ruined the experience.

Either stay another night in Akan NP or maybe drive to Sounkyo for the night?

someotherguy

I don't see a boat trip out along the Shiretoko peninsular on your itinerary. Isn't that the whole point of going to Shiretoko? Google images of, say, the Kashuni Falls to see why.

Why go to Rausu then back to Utoro? Carry on to Akan-ko.

Of the lakes, the scenically most impressive is Masshu-ko (like a bigger Crater Lake).

The most interesting part of Daisetsuzan is Sounkyo (and the waterfalls) and further south (through the tunnel). You don't seem to have enough time here.

JC98

someotherguy, the boats I've checked seem to stop running at the end of Sept, and I'll be there 2nd week of Oct, unless you know of any? I'd prefer the smaller boats so you could get closer to the shore to see bears. Otherwise, not sure worth spending 1/2 a day cruising the shore and it's quite expensive too.

Is going from Rausu to Akan-ko faster? Let me check google maps. Didn't know.

Sounkyo is the most interesting part? Even Japan Guide and many others said Asahidake, that's why we're spending more time on that side.

It's good to hear some differing opinions. Welcome any other critiques. Thanks.

aprillilacs

In Akan-ko when we were there the only evening event involved tourists gathering from the various hotels and marching altogether (with drums and torches as I recall) to the Ainu Village for shopping and performances. It was wacky, but we eventually joined in the march because it was weirdly engaging. We skipped the performances at the village, though, and just walked back to our hotel for yet another soak in the 13 different baths.

Also, while you are at Akan, think about taking a kayak or canoe trip out onto the lake, and also doing a walk in the park near the tourist office. Of course, I don't know if any of these things are still available in October--we were there in June.

If you can hook up with a boat trip to see the Shiretoko Peninsula, definitely you should do that. We didn't see any wildlife but the landscape was stunning. Check at the port--there might be something going out.

I hope you have a great trip!

JC98

Ha ha! That's hilarious about the group march! Will try to ask around for a boat tour when we get to Utoro.


Question: My DH is keen on getting back to Sapporo early (Sat night) instead of Sun night. (He flies out on Tues morning, but I have another week in Sapporo for a conference.) Is it worth keeping the car overnight on Sat? I think the Sheraton Sapporo charges 1000 yen for parking. Would the car be useful to go to other sights around Sapporo (maybe the Historical Village?)from the Sheraton or Shin-Sapporo area?


Thanks!

someotherguy

I was misled by Japan-Guide, too. My interpretation, after the fact, is they assume you want to hike the upper areas of the mountains and Asahidake has a useful ropeway for that purpose. I'm restricted to the lower levels these days (I'm old and I walk with a cane) and the scenery around the village is totally, utterly, uninteresting (I was into mountaineering when I was young and I know what good mountain scenery looks like). Of the other East side destinations, Tenninkyo is a much steeper road and the place looks like a dump (lots of disused buildings) but the rock scenery is more interesting (columnar basalt) and there's a decent waterfall (Hagoromo). Tokachidake, via Shirogane, is a really steep road with tight hairpins. The scenery is nothing special, but I did see fox clubs playing some sort of game with a pair of crows!

Sounkyo, on the other hand, has excellent rock scenery and two fine waterfalls. The hiking/bike trail down the river beyond the waterfalls seems to be closed (rockfall, I believe). However, the main road continues via a long tunnel and brings you to an interesting area of lakes, with the viaducts of a disused railway line adding interest (the signs have pictures so you don't need to read the Japanese). The road along Lake Shikaribetsu is very scenic. By this time, you are so far South that you can continue West to Furano.

The info place in Utoro will know what boats are still running, if any. And the hotel can book them for you. There's a guy at the Shiretoko Hotel who is totally fluent in English. He showed me astounding pictures of bears he'd take the previous day (his day off) from his car on the road to a nearby resort.