Japan: Hokkaido in December

[Cklasse]

Anyone been to Hokkaido in Dec?

 

I am doing a free and easy trip this Dec and will be limiting to a few places for a weekend to weekend holiday. Is it advisable to rent a car since it is winter now?

[Ahdi]

i'm goin on the 3rd with a tour group.....

[Fazer8511]

Went to Hokkaido in December ten years ago, be prepared for very cold weather.

Was snowing and gets dark by 3 to 4pm. Coldest it got if I remember correctly was minus 8C.

I am not too sure you should drive there as we are not experienced in driving on Icy road conditions,

roads were very slippery. I saw a couple of accidents when cars skidded on applying the brakes and spun out.

Also take note that its a mountainous region, so do exercise care when driving there.

All in all, it was a beautiful holiday and enjoying shabu shabu in freezing temperature is heavenly.

 

[Blue1128]

I think it's better to just travel by bus or other mode of transportation. I believe it's harder to drive through heavy snow. It could get you stranded on the road.

[David]

Ahh...must have been watching and got influenced by Japan Hour of late.

[Jeff49er]

i'm goin on the 3rd with a tour group.....

 

I be in Hokkaido this Sun joining a group tour.

 

Forecasted temp is 0 degrees Celsius.

 

I have my warm clothing all ready - gloves, woollen socks, ankle high Caterpilla boots, jackets....

 

No driving for me as winter conditions can be tricky.

 

[Seaweed]

shorter daylight and snowy road...if you are prepare for some possible inconvenient...it will be great experience...put some food and drinks in the car just in case....and be sure your mobilephone is charge and working....have fun and be careful since i assume none of us here in singapore are used to driving under such condition.

 

oh...yes...jumping into the hot spring in zero or sub zero degree temperature...surrounded by white snow....wow....if not that it is rather expensive....it will be holiday destination every end of the year...

Edited December 8, 2009 by Seaweed

[Kxbc]

Colleague just came back from self drive in Hokkaido. She did not mention anything about scary drive due to snow but according to her, it is still light snow last week.

[Jeff49er]

Colleague just came back from self drive in Hokkaido. She did not mention anything about scary drive due to snow but according to her, it is still light snow last week.

 

Depends where she drives. The north and east tend to snow in according to weather reports.

 

Though I drove in winter years ago in USA, I rather let the local drive the tour bus and enjoy the scenery.

 

 

[Cklasse]

I am back from Hokkaido.

 

My conclusion is, take the rental car and drive! It wasn't that bad for Dec although the sky dumped 2 inches of powdery snow on my car over the night.

 

Major roads are quickly cleared of snow in the early morning and the only golden rule to observe is keep a far distance from any vehicle in front and go slow.

Brake slowly and gradually, sudden braking causes the car to skid. I had a few occasions of ABS working furiously due to icy road due to sudden braking, other than this, it is alright to drive.

 

I had deliberately chosen to go on mountain passes and 2 lane road so that I can enjoy the view from mountain and away from highway. Taking the train and bus is a hassle because you need to move luggage and you need to note schedules. GPS in Hokkaido is almost idiot proof and is a joy to use.

 

 

[Dwoon]

But errr..... the GPS is in english or Jap?

 

Are there road signs in english?

 

Planning for a trip there in the not too distance future.

 

Thanks

 

 

[Cklasse]

Road signs are the last thing you need to worry. Driving in Hokkaido is no problem. Ask for English speaking GPS when booking for car. All you need is key in your destination telephone number and it will guide you there.

[Dwoon]

I got the Garmin maps for Japan (Hokkaido included)..... but the names, etc are in Japanese. How difficult is it to navigate when names are in Jap?

[Cklasse]

It is advisable to rent a car with gps, it doesn't matter if it speaks Japanese. As long as you are a GPS user and understand how to use, it will not be a problem. Rental car GPS map is in Japanese too, so will need to match characters to be sure.

 

However, the Japanese GPS can input telephone number as a POI, so it is very easy to go anywhere with telephone numbers.

 

Having the car beats the train and bus because you can stop anywhere to take in the scenery or stop at the minimart for ice cream, or even stop at the numerous vending machine for coffee wherever you come across one (ok, it is usually many and not one).

 

 

[Nani]

It is advisable to rent a car with gps, it doesn't matter if it speaks Japanese. As long as you are a GPS user and understand how to use, it will not be a problem. Rental car GPS map is in Japanese too, so will need to match characters to be sure.

 

However, the Japanese GPS can input telephone number as a POI, so it is very easy to go anywhere with telephone numbers.

 

Having the car beats the train and bus because you can stop anywhere to take in the scenery or stop at the minimart for ice cream, or even stop at the numerous vending machine for coffee wherever you come across one (ok, it is usually many and not one).

 

Hi Cklasse

 

Sound interesting & drivable - Can share your full itinerary here? Also, how many days you went? what type of car you rented? Any recommendation on car rental and isn't expensive?

 

Thanks in advance :)

[Armvalkyrie]

It is advisable to rent a car with gps, it doesn't matter if it speaks Japanese. As long as you are a GPS user and understand how to use, it will not be a problem. Rental car GPS map is in Japanese too, so will need to match characters to be sure.

 

However, the Japanese GPS can input telephone number as a POI, so it is very easy to go anywhere with telephone numbers.

 

Having the car beats the train and bus because you can stop anywhere to take in the scenery or stop at the minimart for ice cream, or even stop at the numerous vending machine for coffee wherever you come across one (ok, it is usually many and not one).

 

hi Cklasse,

 

Will going there mid Jan. Which location-to-location you recommend to self-drive?

 

I have planned to start from Hakodate.....

 

thks...

 

*** MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY 2010 YEAR ***

[Cklasse]

Because my intention is for "yuki" (snow), so my itinerary was planned around Niseko. Niseko is known for its powder snow that is unlike other places.

 

Did an anti-clockwise (more like an alpha) drive starting from Sapporo (shopping first), then Lake Toya, Niseko, Kitayuzawa, Chitose (shopping again). This itinerary is for snow and onsen. Total cost for 2 adults amount to about S$7000+, bulk of which to the air ticket and hotel (with buffet BF and 5 nights buffet BF, with unlimited crabs).

 

I am putting up the itinerary details in my webpage, hopefully can get it done soon.

 

[Droozy]

me also anxious on how u plan your trip , yr links , yr stays and how u manage to drive snow !!

 

Put yr webpage as fav liao !! cant wait for it !!

 

[bounce2]

Because my intention is for "yuki" (snow), so my itinerary was planned around Niseko. Niseko is known for its powder snow that is unlike other places.

 

Did an anti-clockwise (more like an alpha) drive starting from Sapporo (shopping first), then Lake Toya, Niseko, Kitayuzawa, Chitose (shopping again). This itinerary is for snow and onsen. Total cost for 2 adults amount to about S$7000+, bulk of which to the air ticket and hotel (with buffet BF and 5 nights buffet BF, with unlimited crabs).

 

I am putting up the itinerary details in my webpage, hopefully can get it done soon.