Thanks for the input. In the end I've opted to go with flight (KL -> Haneda -> Chitose -> Haneda -> KL) via ANA. Got myself a pretty nice deal in total which is surprisingly cheaper too.

As a first timer to Hokkaido, would it be advisable to rail travel and stay at places (e.g. Asahikawa, Biei etc) during December ? Concern is more towards public transport services which may close early due to unforeseen weather conditions. Furthermore have to play around with the no. of days from the hokkaido rail pass to effectively travel around Hokkaido.

My current plan would be

Sapporo (3D2N) -> Asahikawa (3D2N) -> Otaru (2D1N) -> Hakodate (3D2N) -> Sapporo (1N) -> Tokyo

I'm still undecided on the traveling direction as Sapporo is smack in between the places I'm about to travel

Not sure if you have purchased the ticket and if not, you can check what is the cost of flying out from Hakodate to Tokyo instead of you going back to Sapporo.

Yes but we will be having time constrain because our trip is 5d4n.
So will really appreciate it if you can highlight which are the spots we shall place our priority.
Your advise will definitely make our trip more enjoyable.

For trip to Otaru, you can stay in Sapporo if you want to reduce checking in and out of hotel.
otherwise, you can pack a lighter luggage for Asahikawa and shipped your luggage to the destination which you are going after returning from Asahikawa using Ta-Q-Bin/Yamato for a small fee and inform the hotel ahead. They are usually ok to help you store the luggage and you can specify when you want the luggage to arrive at the hotel.
Since it will be winter, are you targetting any ski spots?

There will be a festival going on in Kyoto on the 22nd of October, the Jidai Matsuri.
It could be a interesting experience for you.

Please quote all message you want reply and post under one.

i've already booked the ticket, so that option is out overlooked that

I was planning to stay at Otaru for 2N, would that be a lot for that place ?

I have tried shipping luggage within Tokyo might look into this as well when I'm staying at Hokkaido. Would there be any restrictions if I brought luggage onboard limited express rail rides to my destinations (Asahikawa/Otaru/Hakodate) ? I've been to Ski at Niigata last winter, so this time would give it a pass

I think you meant 2D1N in Otaru? That should be ok, especially if you are arriving there later in the day. Gets dark earlier in the winter.
As for the luggage, my preference is to try not having to lug around too many bags if possible, especially the big ones. Sometimes, space for big luggage can get be limited especially on major tourist areas.

it's 3D2N as I would be traveling directly from Asahikawa to Otaru, and by the time reaching there would be late evening. Hence I slotted in a full day stay there for exploration

As my next destination after Otaru would be Hakodate, so if i'm staying 2D1N and arriving late at Otaru would feel like more of a stopover than a visit

This post has been edited by calvin: Sep 9 2016, 01:24 PM

Sifu please enlighten me. It is advisable to do as follow;

I have borrowed 2 ICOCA crads from my friend. I am thinking upon arrival at Kansai Airport I will proceed to top
up the cards with 3000 yen each and Board the Haruka Limited Express to Shin Osaka which cost 1360 yen. However if
I queue up at the counter to buy the discount trip ticket it only cost 1300 yen. The difference is only 60 yen. Is it worth the time to queue up?
Which I think it may take 30 minutes?

Your valuable advice is most appreciated.

From Kansai Airport Station to Shin-Osaka Station
JR Limited Express ''Haruka'' Fare are 1300 Yen + 970 Unreserved Seat Fee + Tax = 2330 Yen Per Pax
JR Limited Express ''Haruka'' Fare are 1300 Yen + 1490 Reserved Seat Fee + Tax = 2850 Yen Per Pax

If you choose unreserve seat, You have to find empty seat by your own inside Unreserved seat coach. If that coach was full. You have to stand all the way to Shin Osaka Station. If you leave your seat to toilet or something else, other people can take over your seat. Even you got GF / WIfe / friend jaga seat for you also cannot. You leave your seat , other people can take over. This is rules in unreserved seat.

BTW, If you really ''Suey'' Cannot find a seat, you have to stand all the way. That 970 Yen fees really wasted.


Reserve seat will be standard seat with number. Standard

JR ''Haruka'' train schedule was every 30 Minute one train leaving Kansai Airport Station.
If you saw the Q was long then don't waste time. Very common sense.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Sep 9 2016, 02:14 PM

Sifu,

You mean when I opt for the unreserved seat JR Limited express "Haruka" I have to pay 1300 Yen + 970 yen + 2330 Yen
from KIX to Shin Osaka. Because I am having the impression that I only have the pay the fare of 1300 yen from KIX to Shion Osaka for the unreserved seat
JR Limited Express "Haruka".
Sorry I am a bit sorry to comprehend the fare computation.

2330 Yen are Final Price. 1300 Yen + 970 Yen + Tax = 2330

any idea what time the parade start and where to watch the parade better?

is it always full? I mean the unreserved Haruka seat

im getting the kansai-hiroshima pass

Now I am in dilemma over the travel itinerary to Osaka.
Due to time constrain we can only visit one place there is either Nara or Arashiyama.
I am in favour of Nara whereas my the other half is contending for Arashiyama.
Sifu sifu please help to overcome the impasse by highlighting the pro n con of the two
touristy spots.

So many type of pass and so many train line(JR, private lines) lol
5D 4N trip to Osaka.plan to include Osaka City, Universal Studio, Kyoto and Nara

So need to get 2 type of pass right ? One by JR West( Kansai Area pass) and another maybe Amazing Osaka pass

Any hotel recommendation that can fit comfortably for 3 people.look around all the booking sites,and most rooms seems small.preferably near train stations(Umeda or Namba)

Hi all, i will be travelling to Hokkaido from 3rd-4th week of October. Do you all think the flower farms in Furano and Biei still have anything to see? Worry that by the time it is already too cold and all the flowers ahve withered...

Nara -
close touch with deer,
most chilling place you will enjoy during your trip in Japan.

Arashiyama -
Bamboo forest,
togetsu bridge,
torokko/sagano sightseeing train,
hozugawa river boat trip.

No need Kansai Area Pass or even Amazing Osaka Pass. Just ICOCA is good enough to cover you.
Reason:
1. Just going to Nara, Kyoto and Osaka doesnt justify the amount of money you pay for it since traveling between Nara, Osaka and Kyoto will be costing around 500 yen for one way trip. (Nara around 600 yen)
2. Amazing Osaka Pass contains a lot of promotion, however you dont have that luxurious time to go for all of it. At most, you will only get to enjoy one or two promotion from the pass itself.
Doesnt worth the money to get, especially you are only going for 5 day 4 night.
Recommend you just to focus on one place enough. Kyoto or Osaka itself is sufficient for you to enjoy for 5 days.

Accomodation
Last time, I used AirBnB. Its cheap and located in America Village, so very convenient for me to go anywhere. If you want, you can pm me for the details.

Universal Studio
Get the entrance ticket in Malaysia, its cheaper here then buying over there. Don't forget to buy express tickets as well. Its damn tiring if you have to spend long hours queuing. Be there early. I mean very early and go for those famous place first, like harry potter and the flying dinosaur.

I dunno about 3rd/4th week, but here was Furano/Biei in the 2nd week of Oct

(blogwh0re link)