Hokkaido Travel 2023

This trip took 6 months on paper (I had booked this around Dec 2022) before it came into fruition ( when it went out of the chatgroup). Money spend, tickets booked, hotels and tons of research was done (and Yes, you can do Hokkaido without renting a car) . You just need apps (Thank God for this because they were really heaven sent. Thank you Jorudan) and research on which hotels has airport bus stops and luggage storage that can help you store your big luggage while you saunter off to other regions.( Yamato Transport can only keep the luggage max of 7 Days before it ships to your hotel of choice. )

Some tips:  

  • Allot 2-3 hrs of your free time at chitose airport  (Plenty of things to do and plenty of things to shop). Do not buy medicine at the airport (costs more expensive than that in Bic Camera or Donki)  
  • do note of the frequent gate changes.  The domestic airport only has a few things once you are inside the gate (vending machine for drinks, an ice cream shop, and a cafe. You can't get your dinner or breakfast inside the gate you have CTS for that)  
  • do bring extra bag to keep your shopping purchases (yes, they tend to be bulky) 
  • do check if you can fly at an earlier time (if feasible, they may squeeze you at an earlier flight) 
  • do check in early (in case you want to fly at an earlier time)  5hrs before your actual flight time (also , there are plenty of things to do at the airport , as long as you haven't crossed security checks + terminal gates) 
  • fill up your visit japan qr code (it just gives you the advantage to queue at the "fast lane"  or saves you the manual input of the immi card and customs card, you need not fill up the form if you already did the visit japan)
  • Make sure that the interval between your current flight and next domestic flight is at least 2 hours. only because the immigration in tokyo takes at least an hour (and maybe longer). 
  • do plan your itinerary 
  • Do not schedule any activity on the first and last day. Those are reserved for you to arrange your transport to go from your first destination giving you ample to time to reach your destination. I would also plan to go to a new location after staying in the night .You can take chances esp if you know you are arriving in the morning BUT if you are arriving mid afternoon or evening, best to just stay in the area before going to new location (at least you can also a have your luggages stored while you are away for a duration). 
  • Do not get your airport limousine bus tickets ahead online because you do not know if your flight will be delayed or cancelled. there will be plenty of alternate ways to go to the city (and you need not reserve your place, so best to just go book onsite. There will be plenty of timings. )
  • You need to have a local sim if you have the intention of going to those far flung places where transport is generally by the hour. You can still get taxis (but hailing them by the road is kind of difficult compared to the city). 
  • Do double check on the bus schedules ( I was so confident that there were frequent bus timings that i forgot to see that the first timing was at 12 noon and not 9am). 

How I will plan my next trip: 

  • always have a plan B ( in case it rains, too hot to go outside on a hot sweltering day) - though now, it is easy to plan adhoc esp if you have a steady internet connection) 
  • allocated enough hours for shopping ( I had a list of things to buy but I somehow couldn't find them all. I was distracted by other things - that or the fact the Hokkaido is NOT Tokyo , so you can't easily find the brands esp if you are not a local. Uniqlo, G.U, Daiso, Muji are the general exception). 
  • always take photo of the luggage (make the wheels be visible in the picture for insurance)
  • download coupons if you know of (BIC Camera,Uniqlo and even Donki )

A word of advice: NO matter how much you plan (there is really no 100% actual realization of your plan), you can only do so much esp when things do not go your way. Be prepared for inconveniences and be flexible to change your plans. 

The Plane ride 

Going to Haneda

  • 2h30mins before landing, food is served (breakfast) 
  • 1h20mins after plane takeoff, snacks are served. 

Going to Hokkaido (1h30m)

45 mins after plane takeoff,  drinks (matcha) are served (no meals) on Demon Slayer's paper cups 

 I took ANA, and I do find that the airplane's ac is really not cold enough . it was difficult for me to sleep; better not to catch a red eye flight. (easier said than done!)  

Taking local transport 

JR lines are not everywhere so you cannot use JR Pass. On lines where you see an IC symbol, you can use your SUICA card. You can even use it when you take their local trams and buses. 

Limited Express Hokuto 

They have luggage compartments in front/at the back of the train to put your luggages. You can also put them above the seats or just in front of you ( just that you won't get enough leg room) 


Download discount coupons (i.e. BIC Camera). Some of the discount coupons are distributed esp when you came from a tour bus and have a stop at the rest area/souvenir shop. 

Leaving Hokkaido 

We each was left with 2 luggages on our hands ( A 27inch bag + A carryon + A Backpack , and a sling bag x 2 people) (Both 27 inch bags + 2 carry on went to the luggage compartment of the bus, it was not a full bus at 4PM. You can go to the airport 5-6hrs before your actual flight. The airport limousine bus will not be full of people and you get to cram all your luggage in the compartment )

After you check out, you can buy this ticket at the front desk (depends on the hotel, cos next time you might need to buy online. You should message the hotel if they do sell the tickets. there are no timings indicated on the train ticket). The airport bus limousine ticket, you need not reserve for timings as the ticket is valid for any time (no timing set on the ticket). 

1610 - leave hotel and go to airport (which is roughly 4h before our flight time) 

inside the airport limousine bus 
on the way to scan passport for immigration clearance 

2230 - Reach haneda airport terminal 2 (before going to immigration ) 

Immigration : scan passport  - security check - bye bye  Japan

Also, you will not pick up your luggage at Haneda, and will already see your luggage in the country of your destination. 

The itinerary : 

Hope you enjoy your Hokkaido Trip DIY. (Yes it is possible to  do it without having a car!) 

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