JAPAN - HOKKAIDO
13 - 20 May 2014
Map of our roadtrip: Hakodate > Matsumae > Esashi > Hakodate > Lake Toya > Noboribetsu > Muroran > Furano > Sapporo > Otaru > Shakotan > Otaru > Sapporo > Takino Park > Lake Shikotsu > New Chitose Airport
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HANEDA > HAKODATE
ETA0630 Haneda to Hakodate (NH553 ETD1000 ETA1120) We took a bus from the airport to Hakodate city centre and left our luggage at our hotel as it was too early for check-in. After settling down, we head to Goryukaku Park (by tram near hotel). After touring Goryukaku, we checked into hotel room, and walked to the Bay Area, In the evening, we took a bus to Motomachi, which is the foot of Mt. Hakodate, and took a cable car up to Mt Hakodate to enjoy the panoramic night scene before heading back to hotel. |
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HAKODATE
We collected the rental car from Nippon Car Rental @ 8am, which is just walking distance from our hotel. We drove to Matsumae castle (abt 2 hrs drive) to see the cherry blossom . After lunch, drove to Esashi town (abt 1.5 hrs from Matsumae) to tour the town and break for tea break. Thereafter, we drove back to Hakodate through inland (1.5 hrs to Hakodate). Upon reaching Hakodate, we enjoyed onsen @ Yunokawa Hot Spring Area, which faces the Pacific Ocean. Dinner in Hakodate (famous seafood restaurant near hotel). |
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HAKODATE > LAKE TOYA
We visited the Hakodate morning fish market for breakfast, which is walking distance from our hotel. After breakfast, we did the coastal drive to Cape Esan Lighthouse and Mt. Esan (about 1.5-2 hrs drive). We then drove to Lake Omuma (abt 1.5hrs drive) and had lunch around the area before driving to Lake Toya (1.5 hrs from Lake Omuma) for the night. |
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LAKE TOYA > MURORAN
After snapping some photos at Lake Toya, we drove to Usuzan West (10-15mins drive) and took the ropeway up the active volcano. Following that, we headed to Noboribetsu through Orofure Pass (45-60mins drive) and had grilled seafood lunch in Noboribetsu. We visited the Hell Valley and Bear Park here. Then, we drove to Cape Chikyu @ Muroran (1 hr drive), and spend the night in Muroran (famous for yakitori). |
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MURORAN > SAPPORO
After breakfast, we drove to Muroran Itanki Beach (15mins drive from hotel) to enjoy the sea breeze and quiet beach. We then drove to Furano Tomita Farm (3.5-4 hrs drive), which is a mistake as there were no flowers at all during this period. Hence, we only see bare land after the long drive :( From Tomita Farm, we drove towards Sapporo (abt 2 hrs drive), driving passed Lake Katsurazawa and the Water Dam. We arrived in the evening and enjoyed our dinner in the Ramen Street. |
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SAPPORO > OTARU > KITAN > SAPPORO
We drove to Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill in the morning, but unfortunately the weather was too cold and windy for us to enjoy the place. We then drove to the Sapporo Curb Market for our sushi and sashimi brunch. After brunch, we drove to Otaru (abt 35mins drive), where we visited Otaru canal, warehouses, musical box, shopping belt, and Otaru lighthouse near the Otaru aquarium. From Otaru, we drove towards Shakotan (about 1-1.5 hrs) to Cape Shakotan (where u can see snowcap mountain on one end and sea at the other). After that, we drove another 20-30 mins to Cape Kamui. In the evening, we headed back to Otaru for sushi dinner before driving back to Sapporo. |
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SAPPORO
We spend the day exploring Sapporo today, visiting the underground shopping centre, Old Hokkaido Government Building, Odori Park, and having lunch at Nijo market. |
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SAPPORO > SINGAPORE
We had breakfast again at Nijo market in the morning. After that, we checked out from our hotel and headed out for Takino Park (40mins drive) to see Tulips and blooming flowers. In the afternoon, we drove to Lake Shikotsu for lunch (30mins drive) before driving to Chitose (abt 50mins) for our flight back to Singapore. ANA to Haneda (NH076 ETD1830 ETA2005) Haneda to Singapore (SQ635 ETD2255) |
TRIP PHOTOS - HOKKAIDO