Travel: Japan - General

[Precious2.012911lee]

I am planning for a 10 days family trip to Hokkaido in Nov/Dec. 4 adults (2 are old folks) and 3 children (9, 7 and 3). Is it safe and easy to self drive? I prefer self drive so that there is more flexility in the timing. Since my youngest one is too young, I feel it may be quite tiring to follow the group tour.


Do you have any recommendation of a child friendly hotel or service apartment? I searched booking.com and Agoda but most of the hotel rooms are relatively small and the most can only accommodate up to 3 pax. Thank you.

[dlye]

Late November, Early December may have icy roads, which in my opinion is worse than snow covered roads.


Back in 2013, we've done a partial self drive with 6 adult (2 seniors) and 4 kids (10, 8, 6 and 16 month old)... we used 2 cars (Mazda 5 and Subaru Legacy Wagon) and it was OK. Most cars in Hokkaido are 4WD (except some hybrids), and come with snow tyres in winter.

But we stayed clear of long drives (over 4 hours).
I always suggest planning stops to break up any further distances. Fortunately there are always some small cities/towns all over the place.

Use Google Maps to plan the routes and than divide by 50km/h as that is the most common speed for safe winter driving. Above 60km/h and it might get slippery... but the 4WD and snow tyres do their job well and as long as one avoids sudden turns of the steering wheel and braking, you can make necessary corrections while sliding in the snow with confidence.

(Back in 2011, we did an Otaru-Hakodate drive and although we started before 9am (after checking out and light breakfast), and with a quick 30min lunch stop (Mos Burger), a few quick stops for road side photos... we arrived at 4+ a little after sunset.

But it was a little hazardous, with low visibility in more than half the journey... and the locals do drive at 70-80 kmh... but the car I drove back then (Toyota Allison 1.8) performed very well.. and we went on to drive for several more days (albeit shorter distances) and I do believe I found my snow driving legs back in that first long drive :).

[djl]

choonie:

Yes! Do check out agoda uob or ocbc. I think east cottage is nicer as the onsen seems to nearer? (I read from the website).

Thanks choonie!

I found this map of the hotels and cottage layout on the Japanese version of the Karuizawa Prince Hotels' website (is this the one you came across?):

http://www.princehotels.co.jp/karuizawa ... agemap.pdf

[choonie]

Thanks! It’s a good map. I didn’t see this map though, I just read from their website that their onsen is in East building. By the way I couldn’t figure out where are the cottages from the map…

[Precious2.012911lee]

Thank you dlye for the information.

It is really very detailed and useful for me.

Totally agree with you. Snow covered road is difficult to drive but driving on icy road is more dangerous. For foreigner like us who are not used to driving on such weather, we need to go slow.

I will see how it goes. May ultimately end up taking a package tour instead.

[djl]

choonie:

Thanks! It's a good map. I didn't see this map though, I just read from their website that their onsen is in East building. By the way I couldn't figure out where are the cottages from the map...

The cottages should be the small coloured shapes with the three- or four-digit numbers next to them.

[reiner]

recommendation for Chibu perfecture, like temple visit… where to see the flower season in Jun’15?

[dimitri_can]

Guys going soon.

Pls be careful.

Japan just had a 7.8 magnitude earthquake near Tokyo area...

http://www.google.org/publicalerts/aler ... source=web

[zbear]

Has anyone gone on package tour instead of F&E?


If yes, can recommend a good n reasonably priced travel agency?

[bebebub]

zbear:

Has anyone gone on package tour instead of F&E?


If yes, can recommend a good n reasonably priced travel agency?

A family friend just came back from visiting Northern Hokkaido with Chan Brothers. She said the itinerary is good, and 好吃好住. Not sure about the price.