2023 Hokkaido Trip Day 01 : Hakodate, Hokkaido

This trip has been months in the making. Booked the airline tickets around Dec 2022, finalized the hotels by May 2023 (I need to book early to get the date/timing that you want. Also had to book another hotel closer to the date because they didn't have the dates of our planned stay) and finally travel by Jul 2023. It was 6 months in the making. (Normally, I will start to do my research and plan for the trip once the tickets are booked)

For the first stop of the trip, Hakodate, was the choice destination. I've read in a book that the night views at Goryokaku Tower was spectacular (Do note they meant in winter/autumn where you have shorter days and longer nights. Because Goryokaku Tower closes at 6pm)  and so I would need to come back during winter just for the night view. 

But first, let me tell you about prior to going Hakodate upon reaching Tokyo, Japan in Haneda Airport. This trip had us taking a domestic flight at a different terminal from the international terminal ( this is fairly different from when you do international transfers, where you will just go to the screening area and directly to the gates, and you just have your cabin luggage with you).  

Note: Some airlines use the same domestic and international terminal (T2) BUT most of the time, you need to transfer from T3 to T2 for the domestic flight. 

So going to domestic from international flight in Haneda, will require you to : 

1. Have immigration process your arrival first (before you can get out and take your luggage from the carousel, by the time you are done, your bags aren't even at the carousel anymore).  There are 2 steps to clear, first is they will take your fingerprints and take photo. After that, you need to queue again to clear with the immigration officer. The immigration officer, will ask for your Vist Japan QR Code (Yellow) and scanned it on the terminal. 
2. After getting the bag, the next step is Customs. You will need to register your Visit Japan QR Code, fill up details before getting a go signal for you to check out the gates. 
3. Once customs is done, you need to have your bags checked in for the domestic flight (and re check-in them for domestic flight, if you missed the window to check in bags, which is 1 hr before your intended flight. Skip this part and directly go to the domestic terminal if you are pressed for time) 
4. The shuttle bus do come at an interval of 5 -10mins. It will stop at Terminal 1 first before going to Terminal 3, back to Terminal 1 before heading to terminal 2. 
5. Once you reach the domestic terminal, you need to find the check in counter (near bag drop) and ask if you can re-check in your luggage (bag drop will also not work if you aren't there 1h before your intended flight).  
6. You need to go through security check, before locating your gate. 

Note: What you checked in (in the check in counter from the country where you can from) will also be the same set of bags you will check in domestic flight (bags are already tagged, but you still need to take them from the carousel and check in for your domestic flight). 

Some other tips: 

• DO NOT book a layover that only has 1h30mins interval (because you can spend a good 40 - 50 minutes just being stuck at the immigration), 1h before the flight they close the window for you to check in your luggage. (so do not bother to go to check in counter and just head straight to ANA domestic counter at Terminal 2) DO book a layover of 4hrs (esp in the morning) You can enjoy what terminals has to offer (Haneda T3 or T2 departure) There are plenty of things you can do at the airport. 
• As it may take some time to clear immigration, best to also use the toilet first)  and it does take time to clear immigration (so if you are not rushing for your domestic flight, and you have an elderly with you, you need to just go toilet) 
• Domestic Flights: 30 mins before you must be at the security gate. 1hr for international flights. 

So for the first order of business, big luggage drop off.  For CTS, you need to locate the luggage storage. as it was in the other wing, we had to detour out of the north wing , go out and go in to the south wing (the basement aren't connected by any bridge unlike the top floors).  

Note: best to also just drop the luggage in the basement of CTS (top floors are too busy), we were the lone customers.  Then it was off to find lunch (first) 

We had lunch at Shirakaba Sansou (Ramen Alley) 

and had dumplings 

and miso ramen 

and shoyu ramen 

and then we also ate some dessert at 北海道牛乳カステラ (I just couldn't resist drinking fresh milk while having some castella ) 

Tip: there is a small vending machine from when you can order this set. You need to give the slip to the staff where they will prepare and deliver your order. 

and exchange our Hokkaido Pass (we took our sweet time and explored CTS first) before we set our sights to go to Hakodate. 

There is Royce Chocolate world (where you can buy breads from their bakery) , souvenir chocolates 

Hello Kitty, Happy Flight (paid admission to go and see the exhibition inside) 

Doraemon 

and of course, Pokemon Center at Chitose Airport (nothing much can be bought compared to the Pokemon Center in Daimaru, Sapporo. ) 

There were too many things to see and do. One thing, we learned was to not buy medicine from CTS , they actually come off more expensive than if you buy it in the city area . As for the rest of the souvenirs, they are ok to buy. After exploring and eating lunch at Chitose Airport, it was off to change our Hokkaido Pass voucher to the actual pass (it is a normal ticket and you need to keep it securely in the next 5/7 days) . When you buy from klook, it will be in printed in a voucher where you need to show to the staff . You also need to find  the JR kiosk from where you can exchange the airport. 

From airport, we followed the signs to take the airport train. 

The airport train (Rapid Airport train that goes to Sapporo, and Otaru) 

Inside the train (well before other commuters stepped in) .. 

Stop over at this station (1 stop from the airport) before taking ltd express Hokuto (because the limited express train does not stop at the airport. SO you need to switch from Airport train to the next stop)

A peak inside the train (those big suitcases might be a challenge to put beside you or on the overhead above - at most can fit in carry on luggage / duffel bag) 

You can bring in snacks onboard to eat and drink. 

This is the place where you can put your big luggage found at the front/back of the cabin 

 Sit on the left side of the train for better view 

and after 5 long hours in the train, we finally reach Hakodate .. 

Tip: Do peel your eyes for the train station stamp (if you are into collecting stamps across the station. They make perfect souvenirs - you only need to buy a blank notebook)

Once we reached the station, we had to figure out our way to the hotel. (we reached about nearly 6PM, went around to scout food places to eat - that are opened, and not ramen shops) 

Tip: Book a hotel with nearby amenities (like mall) and close to the station, but really depends on the place where you are staying. 

For our dinner, we decided to go dinner at the Morning market (whatever is open at night), 

we had our dinner at Yamasan michishita shouten and had kaisen don

and kaisen fry

and then off to walk by the bay area (Hakodate bay). We were already too tired to go to Kanemori Warehouse (which is still 1.3KM walk from where we were). But we were treated to these views (which made it worthwhile)  

Since this is kind of a province, shops close at 8PM (so you can only start your souvenir shopping in the morning). 

Our hotel stay for the day is at FlexStay Inn Hakodate 

which is just opposite the Bus interchange, and near to a ramen shop, that only opens from 11AM)

Note: Hotels now have your usual amenities near to the front desk/reception area. (not placed inside the hotel room anymore unlke pre-covid years) 

The small entertainment area opposite our bed

The tiny double bedroom 

PRO 

• near to the train station (just opposite) so you need not drag your luggage for long. 

CON:

• Rooms are small (one of the smallest we resided in our whole stay) 
• which is tad a bit small from other (small) double room that we stayed during the trip. 

Note: 

Because we are staying for 2 nights. You have to throw your own trash to the bin located at the parking slot of the hotel near to the south wing (no one picking it up from outside your room) , and at most you have to try your best to segregate ( cans, bottle, paper, combustible, and noncombustible) BUT we keep trash to a minimal (and don't really eat inside the room as much as possible)

and that's about Day 1 !