Hokkaido 6 days- Public trans or Rental Car?

I think the subject just about says it all.

My wife and 15 month old and I will be in Hokkaido early August. We'd like to get out of Sapporo, see some rural life, visit an onsen probably, and even do a bit of hiking. I've been looking into renting a car but boy they are not cheap! Does anyone have experience with taking public transport around Hokkaido? Is it just much easier to drive? I'd love some suggestions.

Thanks!

E

I'd first fix the onsen and hiking and then look into how to get there.

Been living in Hokkaido since 1998. What exactly do you mean by "see some rural life"?

As for hiking, talk to the people on this Facebook group.

bamse- great idea. you also gave me a lot to think about on my other post. I'm going to go into my next planning session considering staying on Honshu instead of taking a week in Hokkaido.

glenski- Thanks for the link! I guess what I mean by "see some rural life" is kind of a combination of natural scenery as well as what life is like for people in small towns as opposed always to huge cities. Just recently my family and I got an airbnb for a long weekend in the woods of an island near our big city. We just wanted to unwind from big city life and spend time in small towns and drive around the countryside a bit. From my research, I think Furano and Biel seem to fit my meaning.

Hokkaido's natural scenery is mountainous in some places, coastlines obviously (but often marred by tunnels for traffic), and forests. Daisetsuzan is a popular place for mountain trekkers. Shiretoko is a national heritage area in the NE corner (rather remote). The islands of Rebun and Rishiri to the NW are popular and small enough to get around easily. One idea for coastlines would be to drive down the southwest side from Ishikari NW of Sapporo to Esashi, or southern coast from Muroran to Cape Erimo. I saw whales off the southern coast, and I believe around Muroran you can even charter a whale watching boat. Check seasonal schedules, though.

Other natural scenery is Lake Akan (where you can pay to ride a boat and see the weird spherical algae called marimo), and nearby is Lake Mashu (often fogged over) and the sulfur fields from Iso-zan volcano. Alternately, you could see sulfur pits around Noboribetsu (and then take in an onsen in the small town there). The marshland north of Kushiro may have wildlife that interests you.

With less than a week, it's hard to get around this huge island efficiently. Perhaps fly close to Shiretoko (here's a link to the airports in Hokkaido), take it in, then travel to the Akan area, south to Kushiro, and then fly out from there. Perhaps get in a hike in Daisetsuzan in the meantime. I'd suggest using www.hyperdia.com to see what public transportation is available and at what cost, plus travel times, then compare to renting a car and paying for gas (140 yen / liter now) and tolls and the international drivers permit you'll need vs. a Hokkaido rail pass (which probably won't cover all the area you can go. That sort of 3-pronged itinerary is one where things are relatively close to each other. Otherwise, I'd say focus on flying into Obihiro, go south to Erimo, then west to Muroran and maybe Hakodate then Esashi and up the coast to Ishikari and out by way of Sapporo (Chitose airport).

Coming in August means you might miss a lot of the flowers in the fields of Furano and Biei, usually the lavender. Depends on weather, too. Here's a flower schedule. Early August could still be ok, but the size of Hokkaido makes that journey to its navel awkward if you want to see other things. I've given you only 2 potential plans (for FREE!), but maybe you can schedule something else to your liking.

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