Travel to the Island of Hokkaido in Japan – Episode 877

Hear about travel to the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Inga from Inga’s Adventures about a trip to hike in the Daisetsuzan National Park.

Why should someone go to Hokkaido?

Inga says, “The natural beauty is the main reason to go to Hokkaido. The rugged landscapes and the feeling that you’re far away from civilization is an experience. That you don’t find in a lot of other places on the main island of Japan, which is Honshu. Many beautiful places to go down there, but it’s a very different landscape in Hokkaido.”

Inga recommends this 7-day itinerary for travelers interested in exploring Hokkaido, particularly focusing on the Daisetsuzan National Park:

Day 1-2: Tokyo

• Arrive in Tokyo and spend a day or two decompressing and adjusting to the time difference.
• Stay in a hotel near Tokyo Station for convenience.

Day 3: Tokyo to Sapporo

• Exchange the JR rail pass for the Shinkansen train journey to Hokkaido. While you can fly directly to Hokkaido and save the 8-hour train journey, for Inga the journey was part of the point. You can watch the mountains rise up and the population thin out as you head north.
• Stay one night in Sapporo, exploring the city and visiting places like the Tokyo train station and the Sapporo Brewery. Inga and her husband also visited the Hokkaido University Botanic Garden and a museum about the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido.

Day 4: Sapporo to Asahikawa

• Take a train to Asahikawa, a smaller town.
• Explore Asahikawa, staying overnight.

Day 5-7: Asahikawa to Daisetsuzan National Park

• Take a bus to Asahidake within Daisetsuzan National Park.
• Stay in a traditional onsen hotel in the park, such as Daisetsuzan Shirakaba Soryokan.
• Explore hiking trails, including the Sugatami Loop, nature trails, and hikes to the Nakadate Onsen.
• Enjoy the onsen experience in the hotel.
• Consider exploring other hikes within the national park if time allows.
• Return to Tokyo: Take a bus back to Asahikawa and a train from there to Hakodate.
• The journey back to Tokyo can be completed in the remaining two days, either by train or by taking a flight from Hokkaido.

Inga also mentions renting a car for more flexibility in exploring the national parks. 

If you want a Japan experience with a heavy dose of hiking, ropeways, natural hot springs, and fumaroles consider heading north to Hokkaido.

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Show Notes

Inga’s Adventures
Hokkaido
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi
Japan Rail Pass
Sapporo
Hokkaido University Botanic Garden
Sapporoshi Hakubutsukan Katsudo Center
Sapporo Brewery
The Indigenous People of Japan: Visit Hokkaido Ainu Village on Lake Akan – Amateur Traveler
Jingisukan
Asahikawa
JR Inn Asahikawa
Asahi-dake
Asahidake Ropeway
Asahidake Onsen
Daisetsuzan Shirakaba Soryokan (Asahidake)
Mount Asahidake Loop, Hokkaido, Japan
Asahidake Ropeway to Asahidake Summit Hike
Mount Asahidake/Sugatami-no-Ike Trekking Course
Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Park Boardwalk
Asahidake and Nakadake-onsen Loop Hike
Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse

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