Hi there, this is our second time in Japan. We did 3 weeks for our honeymoon in 2019. Looking for advice and recommendations. This is for my husband's 40th birthday. It's a quick trip but we have a baby at home and we're down with jetlag. I don't know everything and I probably made some blunders here. Willing to admit I'm a dummy with stuff, and a LOT of my plans are refundable at this point.
Also, I'm aware the last travel day is sort of insane, I understand. I just want to know if we need to book a car or something to get us to an airport or if we will be screwed completely.
MONDAY, JUNE 22 Los Angeles to Tokyo Narita
TUESDAY, JUNE 23 Tokyo Narita to Sapporo New Chitose to Sapporo City
Arrive NRT at 2:10 PM Tuesday – 3hr 40 min connection
NRT→ CTS: 5:50 PM
Arrive at CTS at 7:40 PM
Take JR Rapid Airport Train to Sapporo Station
- Trains depart every 15 min (?)
- Takes 40 min
- Cost <$10 pp
- Walk to hotel (10 min) or uber/taxi
Check into Hotel Sosei Sapporo (Had credit card points)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24: Explore Sapporo
TBD – all open for exploring
5PM Sumo Show – yes this is dumb and touristy but maybe fun
8PM Cocktails at Bar Nano Gould
THURSDAY, JUNE 25: Sapporo City → Otaru & Yoichi
Check out of Sapporo hotel.
Take the JR Train on the Hakodate Main Line from Sapporo Station to Yoichi
Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery
Arrive late morning
Closes at 3:30 PM
Allow ~60–90 min
Take the JR Train on the Hakodate Main Line from Yoichi to Otaru
Explore Otaru / Luggage Storage (station or hotel)
Stay at Ginrinsou Hotel
Dinner/Breakfast is included: confirm meal times
Potential Activities:
Explore Canals
Shopping
LeTAO cafe – world class pastries/desserts – need to make rez?
FRIDAY, JUNE 26: Otaru → Noboribetsu
Eat Breakfast at Ginrisou and check-out
Take the JR Train on the Hakodate Main Line from Otaru to Sapporo Station
- Takes 40 min
- Cost: $5 pp
- Trains every 15–20 mins
Transfer trains and Take the JR Limited Express Hokuto Train from Sapporo to Noboribetsu
- Takes 1hr 40 min
- Cost: $32 pp
- Need to reserve seats
- Trains every 1-2 hrs
Taxi to Hotel
Stay at Dai-Ichi Takimotokan in Noboribetsu
Spa! Dinner included in rez.
SATURDAY, JUNE 27: Noboribetsu Hang Out Day
Spa + Potential Activities (??) Help.
- Hike + River Oyunuma Natural Footbath
- Ainu Museum
- Bear Park
- Lake Kuttara
- Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village – ninja/samurai recreation village
- Ninja Museum
- shopping
SUNDAY, JUNE 28: Noboribetsu → CTS → NRT → LAX
Take the JR Train Limited Express Hokuto from Noboribetsu to Minami-Chitose Station
- Take the 6:11 AM train or 7:22 at the latest
- 1hr+10 min Arrives Minami Chitose at 7:18-7:22 AM
- Reserve seats
Transfer trains and Take the Local/Hakodate Main Line to CTS Airport Station
- 7-10 min
- Costs $1.50 pp
Arrive CTS by 7:45 AM
CTS→ NRT: 9:25 AM
Boards at 8:55 AM
Arrive at NRT at 11:10AM
NRT → LAX 2:35 PM
by gypsytangerine