Tokyo and Sapporo ideas
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Jul 10, 2012 1:28 AM Last Post By: laceyroses
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Tokyo and Sapporo ideas
Hi,I am in Japan for a mix of business and pleasure at the end of July. I am arriving in Tokyo and my plan is to spend a couple of days (or possibly make a brief trip to Kyoto as I have been to Tokyo before) before I have to go to Sapporo. I was planning to travel overland to Sapporo but am looking for advice RE: options, particularly as I am trying to decide whether I should get a J-Rail pass just for a week or for the whole time I am there.
-I will be taking the train Tokyo to Sapporo at least one way (I realise this is a long trip). Can anyone suggest places of interest to stop on the way? I'm not going to have a lot of time but if there was somewhere great to see I could spend a day somewhere en route. Any other experience of trains on this route? I believe there is a night train which might be an option.
-I read something about a ferry from Hokkaido to Tokyo. Does this exist? (I'm assuming that I can't use a J-Rail pass on this but it might avoid me taking a flight/the train on the way back).
-Any recommendations for Hokkaido would also be appreciated, especially if they are within easy reach of Sapporo if I have a train pass.
Thanks!
T
1
Taking the ferry in Japan is IMHO a very special way to travel, and meet people (especially in "tatami class"!). There is a Oarai-Tomakomai . Bad point is you may travel at top period/price, really depends on the date...and no rail pass.Tomakomai is nothing special, but Hakodate is more interesting;
Another way is train to Niigata, visit, then ferry to Otaru .
2
on the way to the north (I didn't go as far as Sapporo) and assuming you want to stick to the main Tohoku-line, I enjoyed Hiraizumi which is quite nice to spend an afternoon.I really enjoyed Morioka, but I was mostly there in the evening and stayed overnight.
Otherwise, maybe Sendai & Matsushima? (though by shinkansen it's not very far out of Tokyo so may not be a good choice to break up your journey if that is what you're intending).
4
Hakodate has a few attractions, as do Lake Toya, Lake Shikotsu, and Mt. Yotei, all on Hokkaido. But how long are you planning to take for the Tokyo-Sapporo-back to Tokyo loop?Ferry information is pretty easy to find online.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2355.html
