Getting There. First, we flew from Northern Virginia to meet my parent-in-law in Bay Area before flying to Hokkaido via Taiwan from San Francisco International Airport. It was a long flight.
What to Bring. You are required to show International Driver License when renting a car in Japan in addition to driver license.
Although the car is equip with navigational system, It helps to have a smart phone with Google Map application for navigation.
The weather in late October can drop to freezing point, bring a winter jacket to keep you warm.
Schedule
Day 0, Sun Oct 16
We met up with my parent-in-law in Bay Area and flew together from SFO to CTS via TPE the following day.
Day 1, Mon Oct 17
We arrived at CTS around 1:30 PM via TPE. At TPE airport while waiting for our flight to Hokkaido, we shared a bowl of beef noodle soup and a bubble tea.
At around 3:00 PM, A driver from the car rental company, Times Car Rental met us at the airport Meeting Point and drove us to the rental company where we picked up a midsize car with Hokkaido Expressway Pass that allowed us to bypass the Full Service toll lane on the Expressway highway.
Then we drove to Noboribetsu which took us roughly an hour and checked-in to our hotel, Mahoroba, an all inclusive hotel that offers wide array of seafood delicacy for breakfast and dinner buffet and all sorts of indoor and outdoor hot spring baths of varying temperature and mineral contents.
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| Hotel Mahoroba |
After breakfast, we hiked to Hell Valley. It took us about ten minutes to reach the entrance from the hotel.
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| Hell Valley |
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| Oyunuma River Natural Footbath |
At around 11 AM, we checked out of the hotel and drove to visit Onuma-Quasi National Park on the way to Hakodate.
We then drove to Hakodate and checked-in at Comfort hotel.
Day 3, Wed Oct 19
We woke up early and walked to Morning Market(Hakodate Asaichi) where we found restaurants and stalls serving or selling a wide array of fresh seafood in every corner of the market.
At around 10:00 AM, we drove to Goryokaku Tower, took the elevator to the top of the tower for an awe inspiring view of the town and thereafter walked all around the park.
We then headed to Hakodate Meijikan where we toured the area on foot.
And from Hakodate Meijikan, we continued to walk toward Morning Market where we had lunch. From there we drove to Toyako.
In about two and half hour, we arrived at our next stop and checked-in at Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort hotel, which turned out to be our favorite hotel on this trip because of the outdoor hot spring bath overlooking the lake and a wide selection of high quality and fresh seafood delicacy and dessert for breakfast and dinner.
Day 4, Thu Oct 20
The nex day, we drove North along the coastline for a scenic ride to Otaru. On the way to Otaru, we stopped and visited a few interesting places- Lake Hill Farm, Sairo Observation Deck, Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery which provided free sample drinks.
Otaru is known for fresh seafood and canals.
Day 5, Fri Oct 21
We started the day walking all around Sakaimachi and exploring the canals.
Instead of having the unique flavors of ice cream at Kita no Ice Cream shop, we treated ourselves with a tasty and flavorful cheesecake at LeTao Pastry shop.
After a delicious meal at 廻転ずしとっぴー小樽運河通店, we then took the fast route up North as the scenic route via Houheikyou Dam was closed due to snow condition to Sopporo, our next stop.
Day 3, Wed Oct 19
We woke up early and walked to Morning Market(Hakodate Asaichi) where we found restaurants and stalls serving or selling a wide array of fresh seafood in every corner of the market.
At around 10:00 AM, we drove to Goryokaku Tower, took the elevator to the top of the tower for an awe inspiring view of the town and thereafter walked all around the park.
In about two and half hour, we arrived at our next stop and checked-in at Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort hotel, which turned out to be our favorite hotel on this trip because of the outdoor hot spring bath overlooking the lake and a wide selection of high quality and fresh seafood delicacy and dessert for breakfast and dinner.
Day 4, Thu Oct 20
The nex day, we drove North along the coastline for a scenic ride to Otaru. On the way to Otaru, we stopped and visited a few interesting places- Lake Hill Farm, Sairo Observation Deck, Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery which provided free sample drinks.
Otaru is known for fresh seafood and canals.
Day 5, Fri Oct 21
We started the day walking all around Sakaimachi and exploring the canals.
Instead of having the unique flavors of ice cream at Kita no Ice Cream shop, we treated ourselves with a tasty and flavorful cheesecake at LeTao Pastry shop.
After a delicious meal at 廻転ずしとっぴー小樽運河通店, we then took the fast route up North as the scenic route via Houheikyou Dam was closed due to snow condition to Sopporo, our next stop.
Day 6, Sat Oct 22
In Sapporo we visited number of places including ,Hokkaido Shrine, Odori Park, Nijo Market
and Nakajima Koen, a beautiful fall scene in park and Sapporo Bear Museum.
Day 7, Sun Oct 23
Last day in Hokkaido. Before heading to Chitose Airport to catch a flight to Taiwan, we stopped by at a popular place, Mt Okura Ski Jump Stadium, which has hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics event.
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