Travel: Japan - General

[starlight1968sg]

Volcanic activity increases at Mount Hakone

http://www.japantoday.com/category/nati ... unt-hakone

[dlye]

EatNonStop:

Reference to Hyperdia.com that Dimitri_can provided, to take train from Hakodate to Otaru is almost 290mins which is 4hrs!!!! I am now wondering if this is a good idea to lug along 4 large luggages from Niseko==>Hakodate==>Otaru and can the train allows us to onboard big luggage? (Mmm...1st time trying to take public train in Japan)
I do know whiteliner bus have transport from Chitose airport to Niseko and Niseko to Sapporo...
Any suggestions to other places that are nearer to Sapporo so I might consider switching destinations. Looking for more options

1. Trains always have some space for luggage; even large pieces.
2. If I am not wrong, the Train from Niseko to Hakodate (has 1 change).
Hakodate to Otaru (is direct).

For Skiing, I have been to Mt Teine (on the outskirts of Sapporo). It's small and caters to the locals. We did have lessons in 2010, but the kids struggled to understand the instructors as much as they did to explain to our kids what to do.

There's always KIRORO. It's pricey but it seems to be the place to go.
Also caters to locals but its a Resort (unlike Teine which has no accommodation)

[dimitri_can]

dlye:

1. Trains always have some space for luggage; even large pieces.
2. If I am not wrong, the Train from Niseko to Hakodate (has 1 change).
Hakodate to Otaru (is direct).

From Niseko to Hakodate, need to change at this station, 長万部 (Oshamanbe).

There are 2 types of train.

Hakodate Main Line:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/538/DEaCj4.jpg\">

http://glaykei.fc2web.com/syashin/kakueki75.jpg\">
========================================
Super Hokuto/Hokuto

http://homepage1.nifty.com/sabakiyo/hokodatehokuto006.jpg\">

My suggestion, if you can, try not to bring big luggages... if not very hard to put on the rack.

[zbear]

Can anyone tell me - does it snow in Tokyo n Osaka in early January? I tried to google for info but cant find it. Thanks.

[dlye]

dimitri_can:

dlye:

1. Trains always have some space for luggage; even large pieces.
2. If I am not wrong, the Train from Niseko to Hakodate (has 1 change).
Hakodate to Otaru (is direct).

My suggestion, if you can, try not to bring big luggages... if not very hard to put on the rack.

Hi Dimitri,

I recall that there's always some (limited) space at the front of each train carriage for passengers to leave their luggage.

In the longer haul trains there should be allocated space within the carraige in front of the seats.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/train/img/photo/tr013_08.jpg\">http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/train/img/photo/tr013_03.jpg\">
For medium to small items, It would be possible to put on lap or overhead.

Anyway, in Winter, I always suggest carrying the jackets where possible to save space in luggage. Before arriving in Hokkaido, all Winter Jackets should be stuffed into a soft (foldable) bag that can be checked in on the plane.

[dimitri_can]

For Hokuto n super hokuto dont have such place to put… Maybe just a small gap in between the seats at the last n 1st seat. If I recall correctly, for others yes.

[MyPillow]

Yes, there is luggage space for Hokkaido trains, on the last or front row of seats.

We will take such seats. As I travelled on wk days via trains, we had space on board
The only very crowded train is for airport direction.

[Kidsprodigy]

I love Japan. Used to travel to Japan at least once a year even with my few months old baby. But we stop going to Japan after the radiation issue. Now contemplating is we should bring our toddler and baby to Japan again.

[dlye]

For more about Japan's Radiation Updates

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eq/eng/04_recovery.htm

and independent Public Radiation Monitoring
https://twitter.com/TokyoRadLevels

[i3mum]

Would like to ask if anyone can help:


1)Does anyone has any recommendation of indoor waterpark near Tokyo/Osaka?
2) From Tokyo, how do we go to Hakone?