PreTravel: Hokkaido

10 Days in Hokkaido 

Prelude
I have always wanted to visit Hokkaido but I've been delaying it as it needs meticulous planning esp when I plan to go there without a car. (Yes, it is possible to do it. You just need ample research and planning which days you join the tours and which days you DIY. ). These days it is easier to go around with Google Maps (I've travelled to Japan pre-GM/pre-SNS/before me understanding Nihongo, and I had to rely on physical maps for directions, confidence to ask strangers for directions).
 

Planning where to go
I was thinking to go along the lines of Farm Tomita (famous enough), the shikisai no oka (rainbow flower field), Noboribetsu and Lake Toya, Unkai Terrace (praying for the fair weather), Hakodate and Otaru (and squeeze in Biei and Furano). From research , I was thinking to follow the itinerary from Klook and Japan Guide  but it was a bit daunting, so with a little help from ChatGPT, I was able to iron out the details to my trip (esp directions on how to commute to the places I want to visit).

For this trip, I am looking to DIY : Hakodate, Tomamu, Asahikawa Sunflower fields and Sapporo. In between, taking tours to go Biei, Furano, and Noboribetsu.  

Filling up Visit Japan Website 






where to store that luggage

I was having a conundrum of how to travel with my big luggages, and I've come across Yamato Transport (TA-Q- Bin service) and will try it out when I'm there. I will be sending the big luggages to my hotel first (not on the same day as my arrival).  They can help store your luggage max of 7 days before they shift to your hotel. 

How to fill up the label (they will not recheck it for you)
Know where you will ship the item (BE CAREFUL with the postal code - I have no idea why they follow the POSTAL CODE than the address). 

Random Musings (and Tips): 
  • During the end of August - first week of September is Typhoon season. 
  • JR Hokkaido Rail Pass in Klook is an e-ticket , similar to KKDay. ( Hopefully, they process it, otherwise, will file for refund) 
  • Book hotel some 5 months before (or at most 3 months before, 2 months before the trip ,the hotels are booked solid esp on peak months.)
  • Do take note of activities/events that occur on your trip. ( I didn't plan for it, but there is a local firework celebration happening on the last weekend of July in Sapporo). 
  • Lookout what are the current rules and regulation on entry 
Booking the JR Hokkaido rail pass (E-Ticket) via KLOOK
What klook needs while reserving: Name, First name, Last Name and FULL Name in Passport . 
What I will be receiving: confirmation mail (pdf with QR Code)
After the reservation is successfully made, you will receive a reservation confirmed mail with a voucher, including a QR code. 
When in Japan: Show the voucher and your passport at the exchange counters to redeem a Hokkaido Rail Pass. 
Some things to note: Open date ticket is valid for 90days (from the date of your booking).   Once the JR Pass activated, must consume within 30 days (upon first use) but normally, when you go to exchange , they will ask you when you want to start to use it (and Yes, it need not be the day of your arrival unless you are already going to use it on the first day.) 

Booking tours with KKDay 
Tour 1 : Furano - booked but no word after 2 days 
Tour 2: Lake Toya - booked on Sun and received a confirmation on Tue. (so this is tad more popular than the first one?) 

Things to note: 
  • Booking starts in KKDay does not mean when you can start booking for the tour but rather what is the earliest day you can book the tour. 
  • KKDay won't issue the voucher unless the tour reqts are met (so there is a possibility of it getting cancelled). We got 1 confirmed booking only. I've booked on Sunday, received confirmation on Tuesday (2 working days usually for confirmed departures). The other one, I've received only on the same week that I am about to fly. 
  • Went to CS and they are more than accomodating to answer the inquiry

Booking : 
Insurance - we did just get the basic travel insurance at S$35 (normally, we don't get it but this trip is fraught with a bit of uncertainties from tours, covid, and luggage delivery (first time doing so) we chose FWD. 
Sim Card - researching which will give me bang for the buck (ICC 1GB, 7days, S$12 vs 800mb (daily) on 4G + Unli data (3G), 12 Days, S$23) . went for the latter. 


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