Hokkaido, Japan Travel Tips
Suggesting route of 8-day trip (JR service, plus self-drive) for chasing autumn foliage view in Hokkaido.
Day 1: New Chitose Airport – Sapporo day and night (JR service)
Day 2: Sapporo day and night (JR service)
Day 3: Sapporo – Otaru day and night (JR service)
Day 4: Otaru – Niseko – Rusutsu night (pick up car at Otaru Car Rental)
Day 5: Rusutsu – Onuma Koen night ( Car rental)
Day 6: Onuma – Hakodate day and night (Car rental)
Day 7: Hakodate – Lake Toya (Toyako ) night (Car rental)
Day 8: Toyako – Jigokudani (Hell Vally), Noboribetsu – New Chitose Airport (Return car at the airport)
Some hot spots to visit in Hokkaido:
1.Sapporo
JR Tower & Observation Deck (38th Floor); Hokkaido University (Famous Ginkgo Avenue); Former Hokkaido Government Office; Odori Park / Sapporo TV Tower; Nakajima Park
(Autumn foliage view); Nijo Seafood Market; Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade day & night (sections 1-7) ; Susukino night , etc.
2. Otaru
Sakaimachi Shopping Street in central Otaru (Otaru Orgel Doh Main Building / Music Box Museum; LeTao Main store; Kitaichi Glass, etc), Sushiyatori Street; Nichigindori Street; Chuodori Street; Former Temiya Railway; Stroll around the Otaru Canal & take cruise; Asakusa Bridge photo shooting spot (great night view); Otaru Denuki-koji (small shops in the historic building.
3. Jozankei
Jozankei hot spring and free public footbath; spectacular view of colourful autumn foliage; a must visit Gensen Park; Futami Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge (Red bridge).
4. Route No. 66 – the most beautiful Niseko/Hokkaido drive-way with stunning view of Mt. Yotei (the symbol of Hokkaido) and various autumn trees; Makkari Campsite – Shikotsu Toya National Park, beautiful and cosy autumn lake view and get close look of Mt. Yotei.
5. Rusutsu Resort and The Westin Resutsu Resort (top Ski site in Asia), convenient cable car between 2 resort hotels.
6. Onuma Koen / Onuma Park (Autumn foliage view); try Onuma beef at Lumber House, booking is required.
7. Hakodate
Goryokaku Tower, Sunset and night view, overlooking from Mt. Hakodate (pre-check the availability of ropeway ride to Mt. Hakodate) ; La Vista Hakodate Bay Hotel seafood breakfast and ice cream after the Onsen; Hakodate Asaichi (famous morning market); discover Motomachi Area ( Old British Consulate, Motomachi Park, Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, Russian Orthodox Church, popular TV & drama spot: Hachiman-zaka Slope, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, etc).
8. Lake Toya / Toyako
Rope way (cable) to Lake Toya Observation deck; Lake Toya cruise if time is available.
9. Jigokudani (Hell Valley), Noboribetsu
World class hot spring and panoramic volcanic mountain view with wide range of colourful autumn trees; hot spring River Oyunuma natural footbath at Noboribetsu.
10. Shopping and dining at New Chitose Airport.
In a typical year, the leaves start to change colour in Hokkaido in the middle of September, but it has been a bit warmer than normal this year, so the best time to view autumn colour is a little later, from mid to end of October in 2018. If you plan to see autumn foliage in Japan, you’d better check the updated Fall Foliage Forecast due to the changeable weather.
AloJapan.com