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Travel Travel to Japan V9, Please Read Page 1 before you post

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electron
post Sep 8 2016, 01:55 PM

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QUOTE(calvin @ Sep 6 2016, 11:28 AM)
I am planning my trip (10 days) for this coming December to Hokkaido (Sapporo, Asahikawa, Otaru, Hakodate) via Tokyo (ANA), however contemplating on the transport methods to there

I would be arriving late into Haneda est 10:30PM+ and transport services would be out when I eventually retrieve my luggage. Probably going to wait through the night for next available transportation towards Hokkaido (Sapporo)

My options are below

1. Domestic flight through Haneda -> Chitose (10:05PM arrival @ Haneda, 6:25AM departure to Chitose next day)
- cost lesser than item (2) + shorter travel time. Will there be a luggage limit for non transit domestic flights ? Would have to purchase separate hokkaido rail pass to travel locally there. Furthermore Haneda airport does not allow stayover compared to Narita
2. JR east + south hokkaido pass  (6D Flex) Tokyo-> Shin-Hakodate -> Sapporo -> Otaru -> Shin-Hakodate -> Tokyo
- cost more than item (1) and lengthier travel hours. But could save on JR rail transport locally at Hokkaido
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Have you considered flying to Hokkaido and use a mix of train (around Sapporo, Otaru, Yoichi) and rental car (for area further like Asahiyama, Sounkyo, Biei, Furano, etc)
may make good sense if your travelling group has 2 person or more
Depending on what airline you use to get to Japan, you may be qualified to use their domestic promo fare (around 10k yen) which can work out to quite close to low cost airline depending on booking time and add ons
Anyway, you can stay at hotels around Haneda, more options at shorter distance compared to Narita

Just noticed that you are goind December. Driving there in December is not a good idea

This post has been edited by electron: Sep 8 2016, 01:57 PM
electron
post Sep 8 2016, 02:10 PM

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QUOTE(tinyback @ Sep 7 2016, 10:15 AM)
We are having the same idea as per your inquiry. Mind sharing your travel itinerary.

Our trip to Osaka is from 22nd to 26th Oct. 2016. This is our first trip to Japan

We are travelling in pair (my wife and me). Tentatively we had booked a hotel in Shin Osaka for the whole duration.

Really grateful if you do not mind  sharing your idea and itinerary/planning. Thanks.
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are you into temples?
your time should be about right to see autumn colours
many great place to do that but mainly in Kyoto - Kiyomizudera and the area around it, Kinkakuji all the way to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Sagano railway from there, the Ginkakuji to the Philosopher's Path, the Fushimi Inari, Uji, etc
electron
post Sep 8 2016, 05:32 PM

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QUOTE(calvin @ Sep 8 2016, 03:08 PM)
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  sweat.gif
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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?
electron
post Sep 8 2016, 05:41 PM

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QUOTE(tinyback @ Sep 8 2016, 04:33 PM)
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.
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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.
electron
post Sep 9 2016, 08:52 AM

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QUOTE(calvin @ Sep 8 2016, 11:12 PM)
i've already booked the ticket, so that option is out sad.gif overlooked that
I was planning to stay at Otaru for 2N, would that be a lot for that place ? unsure.gif

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 smile.gif
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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.
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