10 days self drive in Hokkaido

[Spidey10]

12 hours ago, teomingern said:

I seriously planning for Dec winter...

Planning Autum....i have enough of Winter that will last a couple of years...:-))

[teomingern]

1 hour ago, Spidey10 said:

Planning Autum....i have enough of Winter that will last a couple of years...:-))

Ha ha... care to share? My wife is worried our kids can't take the cold... intending to do south in Fukuoka to north in Hokkaido... should reach Hokkaido in the later part of Dec... really depends on how many days our travel will be... must do some costing... but right now the pipe dream is 4 days in each region picking a fixed central location minus maybe Shikoku and that will be 24 days already... plus 2 days fly in and out means 26 days... I think the damage will be too big to bear... but trying to cut cost by staying in AirBnB type budget accommodations and eat cheap... hopefully can afford otherwise will have to trim my holiday to suit my budget...

[inlinesix]

3 minutes ago, teomingern said:

Ha ha... care to share? My wife is worried our kids can't take the cold... intending to do south in Fukuoka to north in Hokkaido... should reach Hokkaido in the later part of Dec... really depends on how many days our travel will be... must do some costing... but right now the pipe dream is 4 days in each region picking a fixed central location minus maybe Shikoku and that will be 24 days already... plus 2 days fly in and out means 26 days... I think the damage will be too big to bear... but trying to cut cost by staying in AirBnB type budget accommodations and eat cheap... hopefully can afford otherwise will have to trim my holiday to suit my budget...

Why not split the holiday into 2 different years?

I like AirBnb accommodation in Japan.  Rem Japan has strict noise control after 10pm.

Make sure your kids are asleep by then.

For ppl who are afraid of cold, better buy good down jacket.

Of course, can layer up. 

But when you are moving in and out of Indoor places, it will be very cumbersome, especially with Children.

[Spidey10]

1 hour ago, teomingern said:

Ha ha... care to share? My wife is worried our kids can't take the cold... intending to do south in Fukuoka to north in Hokkaido... should reach Hokkaido in the later part of Dec... really depends on how many days our travel will be... must do some costing... but right now the pipe dream is 4 days in each region picking a fixed central location minus maybe Shikoku and that will be 24 days already... plus 2 days fly in and out means 26 days... I think the damage will be too big to bear... but trying to cut cost by staying in AirBnB type budget accommodations and eat cheap... hopefully can afford otherwise will have to trim my holiday to suit my budget...

planning 2 weeks to move from Northern Honshu and then explore Hokkaido Island. Like a laid back and back pack adventure with wifey...

Southern and Western part of Japan we have explored, majority of the big Cities also done...Fukuoka is nice! Must drive up to Mt Aso during winter....it's beautiful and if conditions allow take the cable car over the active volcano, can see smoke coming out from the craters (if you are like me in to all these activities)...:-))

yes, moving about could be prices coz of the transport cost (tell me about about it, i just came back from a Scandinavian trip)!!

Airbnb is great as it allows cooking and buying ingredients from the supermarket to cook is the best way to save cost and for airbnb, you can also wash your clothes....that's another cost saved. But then again..go japan is to eat, eat and eat....:-)))

Still at planning stage but we have decided it will be Sept month...that's my target!! 

Edited February 24, 2023 by Spidey10

[teomingern]

2 hours ago, Spidey10 said:

planning 2 weeks to move from Northern Honshu and then explore Hokkaido Island. Like a laid back and back pack adventure with wifey...

Southern and Western part of Japan we have explored, majority of the big Cities also done...Fukuoka is nice! Must drive up to Mt Aso during winter....it's beautiful and if conditions allow take the cable car over the active volcano, can see smoke coming out from the craters (if you are like me in to all these activities)...:-))

yes, moving about could be prices coz of the transport cost (tell me about about it, i just came back from a Scandinavian trip)!!

Airbnb is great as it allows cooking and buying ingredients from the supermarket to cook is the best way to save cost and for airbnb, you can also wash your clothes....that's another cost saved. But then again..go japan is to eat, eat and eat....:-)))

Still at planning stage but we have decided it will be Sept month...that's my target!! 

Thanks for the tips... sounds... photos Look stunning... which month were you there and which part of the month? I doubt I'll see snow on the ground in Fukuoka in early Dec...

[teomingern]

3 hours ago, inlinesix said:

Why not split the holiday into 2 different years?

I like AirBnb accommodation in Japan.  Rem Japan has strict noise control after 10pm.

Make sure your kids are asleep by then.

For ppl who are afraid of cold, better buy good down jacket.

Of course, can layer up. 

But when you are moving in and out of Indoor places, it will be very cumbersome, especially with Children.

My wife is the type go one time don't want to go back... I yearn to go back to London but she's done with it... ha ha... so must one time do it all then not allowed to return again... heh!

[Jamesc]

It will be a once in a lifetime adventure in Japan that your kids will never forget.

Especially since your wife only goes one place once and you may never come Japan again.

The wonderful thing about Japan is you can do it on any budget.

You can eat in restaurants for hawker prices. 1 yen is only 1 cent and food can be really cheap.

Rice bowls for only $2.80, $3.80, $4.40. Here chicken rice already $3.50 or $4 and fish ball noodles already $3.30 or $3.50 3 small fish balls and a few slices of fish cake. 

Accommodation is only ex in Ginza Tokyo. The smaller cities and towns can be very reasonable.

I make my kids sleep on the floor to save money and only pay one room.

If you not bringing MIL then no need to bring gas mask.

3 hours ago, teomingern said:

Ha ha... care to share? My wife is worried our kids can't take the cold... intending to do south in Fukuoka to north in Hokkaido... should reach Hokkaido in the later part of Dec... really depends on how many days our travel will be... must do some costing... but right now the pipe dream is 4 days in each region picking a fixed central location minus maybe Shikoku and that will be 24 days already... plus 2 days fly in and out means 26 days... I think the damage will be too big to bear... but trying to cut cost by staying in AirBnB type budget accommodations and eat cheap... hopefully can afford otherwise will have to trim my holiday to suit my budget...

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by Jamesc

[Spidey10]

9 minutes ago, Jamesc said:

It will be a once in a lifetime adventure in Japan that your kids will never forget.

Especially since your wife only goes one place once and you may never come Japan again.

The wonderful thing about Japan is you can do it on any budget.

You can eat in restaurants for hawker prices. 1 yen is only 1 cent and food can be really cheap.

Rice bowls for only $2.80, $3.80, $4.40. Here chicken rice already $3.50 or $4 and fish ball noodles already $3.30 or $3.50 3 small fish balls and a few slices of fish cake. 

Accommodation is only ex in Ginza Tokyo. The smaller cities and towns can be very reasonable.

I make my kids sleep on the floor to save money and only pay one room.

If you not bringing MIL then no need to bring gas mask.

 

Thanks for the tips....really, the prices of food staggered.....i remember they have a machine, and u slot in....like 550 or 680 yen...still got 280 ah...hahhahah 

[Spidey10]

1 hour ago, teomingern said:

Thanks for the tips... sounds... photos Look stunning... which month were you there and which part of the month? I doubt I'll see snow on the ground in Fukuoka in early Dec...

i think that was in 2016 Dec....as we can only go in Dec during the school holidays. Going/Driving up to Mount Aso, the road is all covered in snow....and when you reach the top, it is covered in snow as well in Dec.

 

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by Spidey10

[Genes]

@Jman888 Hen Helen

[Jamesc]

Japan convenience stores are not like ours.

They actually have very nice food at any hour.

$4 meals

$3.90 meals

$1.60 salads

Make your own lunch box

from 30 cent rice balls

The nicest hot and fresh croquets from petrol station convenience shops

 

For the health conscious there is young tau foo

[Jamesc]

14 minutes ago, Spidey10 said:

Thanks for the tips....really, the prices of food staggered.....i remember they have a machine, and u slot in....like 550 or 680 yen...still got 280 ah...hahhahah 

1 star Michelle Lim ramen in Japan only 1,000 yen or $10.

The chef even come out of the restaurant to bring guest to their seat.

Restaurant only 6 bar counter seats and 1 table for 4 people.

I had to queue outside but it was worth it.

 

 

[Jamesc]

Japan eel rice for only $1.80

Now available in SG

Edited February 24, 2023 by Jamesc

[Jman888]

4 hours ago, teomingern said:

Ha ha... care to share? My wife is worried our kids can't take the cold... intending to do south in Fukuoka to north in Hokkaido... should reach Hokkaido in the later part of Dec... really depends on how many days our travel will be... must do some costing... but right now the pipe dream is 4 days in each region picking a fixed central location minus maybe Shikoku and that will be 24 days already... plus 2 days fly in and out means 26 days... I think the damage will be too big to bear... but trying to cut cost by staying in AirBnB type budget accommodations and eat cheap... hopefully can afford otherwise will have to trim my holiday to suit my budget...

what do you mean by 4 days in each region? how old are your kids?

[Lala81]

Eh early Dec will have snow in Hokkaido? 

Planning for post psle holiday next year. Must be first Two weeks of Dec. 

Whole family suaku. Never see snow before. 

Edited February 24, 2023 by Lala81

[Spidey10]

23 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

Eh early Dec will have snow in Hokkaido? 

Planning for post psle holiday next year. Must be first Two weeks of Dec. 

Whole family suaku. Never see snow before. 

I think should have ba....

My holiday this month see snow until scared already....enuff of winter holidays for a few yrs!!

[Blackaccent]

@Lala81 Most problably have.

I reckon 2nd week will have more snow fall. Was there during the first week of Dec in 2018 and it jut started to snow in some areas like Sapporo and Otaru.

Will be going to Hokkaido again during first week April to celebrate my wife birthday there.

Edited February 24, 2023 by Blackaccent

[Jamesc]

My MIL invites everyone going Hokkaido to visit her family there.

They will give you a warm welcome.