Travel: Japan - Hokkaido

[BeContented]

Oh, suddenly remembered one of the reason DH decided to choose Five Stars. As we know, many agencies often advertise as 9D8N when 2D are actually gone due to travel time. The package we took, we had full 9D as the flight time was either 1+am or 11+pm. So we reach early & get to start the day instead of wasting it & also able enjoy the last day fully till 7+pm. Also the itinerary was well planned such that we dun end up wasting time changing flight. Think my friend had that issue with Chan agency.


Best to look thru & check, we deduce that its more worthwhile to pay a little more for that extra 2D & convenience (change flight etc)

[carebear]

Dnls_mum:

My favorite travel agency for Japan (inc Hokkaido) tours so far is Prime Travel. They are in a class of their own. No one else comes near. I have personally tried ANA holidays as well and it was also gd, but Prime is still great. All of my friends and colleagues who tried Prime have only gd things to say. Only problem is that Prime's pricing is also in a class of its own

Me too.
Prime Travel Japan tours are the best and unrivalled!
But be prepared to pay a premium.
If you are willing to spend, the tour will be a good and memorable one.
Last week I attended their seminar.
Most there have travelled with them a few times before.
A couple next to me said they have already done it 3 times!

I am keen on their 9D8N fly and drive to central Japan.
The price I calculated inclusive of all taxes for 4 adults is around $16K!
Some of the lunches are not included and entrance fees to attractions also not included.
I will have to think very hard whether I want to spend that amount of money.
But I know that if I do, I will definitely enjoy myself.

Actually I don't mind paying a premium and enjoy thoroughly rather than pay for some half past six tour and come back feeling upset.

[ptb7476]

Flowermonaster:

Jennifer:

Hi, would like to seek some advice on which tour agency is good for Hokkaido during mid-Dec period?


We collected the tour brochures from ASA, SATours, Five Stars and Chan Brothers.

Now choosing among Chan Brothers, Five Stars and ASA.

Any feedback on the lodging, food and services of these tour agencies?Many thanks in advance.

We are going with Chan Bros end Oct. Not sure about the rest, our friend's feedback about Chan Bros is not bad just a bit rush.

i went with chan bros before. i must say their tour guide is very pushy and always rushing people he also give us faces if we walked slowly... and that is the thing i hate about it ... all he can think of is bring us to those shop to buy things aka earn commission and he will give you crap such as he can help you order kobe beef and have it import to the BBQ restaurant ... or order japan snacks for you at discounted price (which we found out later it is the same retail price as outside shop ) ! so beware

[Flowermonaster]

ptb7476:

Flowermonaster:

[quote=\"Jennifer\"]Hi, would like to seek some advice on which tour agency is good for Hokkaido during mid-Dec period?


We collected the tour brochures from ASA, SATours, Five Stars and Chan Brothers.

Now choosing among Chan Brothers, Five Stars and ASA.

Any feedback on the lodging, food and services of these tour agencies?Many thanks in advance.

We are going with Chan Bros end Oct. Not sure about the rest, our friend's feedback about Chan Bros is not bad just a bit rush.

i went with chan bros before. i must say their tour guide is very pushy and always rushing people he also give us faces if we walked slowly... and that is the thing i hate about it ... all he can think of is bring us to those shop to buy things aka earn commission and he will give you crap such as he can help you order kobe beef and have it import to the BBQ restaurant ... or order japan snacks for you at discounted price (which we found out later it is the same retail price as outside shop ) ! so beware[/quote]May I know the tour guide you refer to is Japan local tour guide or SG?

[Dnls_mum]

No such tour guide problem with Prime. Maybe Prime charge more so pay tour guide more thus they don’t have to resort to such things.

[carebear]

Dnls_mum:

No such tour guide problem with Prime. Maybe Prime charge more so pay tour guide more thus they don't have to resort to such things.

Prime tour guides are Japanese.
But they have been living in Singapore for many years.

[Dnls_mum]

carebear:

Dnls_mum:

No such tour guide problem with Prime. Maybe Prime charge more so pay tour guide more thus they don't have to resort to such things.

Prime tour guides are Japanese.
But they have been living in Singapore for many years.

That is not the case in my experience. I had both Singaporean guides as well as Japanese guides who are residing in Singapore.

[Jennifer]

Need some advice on the following itinerary:


Day 1: Sg fly to Haneda/Narita

Day 2: domestic flight to Chitose, drive to Noboribetsu-Lake Toya-Jozankei
Visit Hell Valley, Edo Wonderland, Lake Toya

Day 3: a ski resort in Jozankei

Day 4: Jozankei-Otaru-Sounkyo
Visit Classic European Walk, Crystal Museum, Kitachi Glass Gallery, Mount Tengu, Sounkyo Gorge

Day 5: Sounkyo-Asahikawa-Sapporo
Visit Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa Otokoyama Sake Brewery, Northern Horse Farm, Mitsui Premium Outlets

Day 6: Sapporo
Visit Nijo Fish Market, Odori Park, Tennoji Koji, Daiso, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, Ishiya White Chocolate Museum, Chocolate Deli, 1960's Toy Museum, Sapporo JR station (Underground Shopping Mall), Ramen Republic, Susukino 'Ramen and Entertainment Street'

Day 7: Day is yours free at leisure (I am guessing this is not morning flight).

Seems like only Day 6 is more packed. The rest are quite relaxing.

The other tour agencies itinerary has 3 visits to Sake/Wine/Whisky breweries which I feel is kinda too much.

Has anyone been to Jozankei? I have some reservations about this Day activity only in Jozankei. I understand from the various tour agencies that for someone who does not know how to ski, spending a whole day at a ski resort might be boring. Is this really so?

Appreciate inputs. :thankyou:

[mamago]

Dnls_mum:

No such tour guide problem with Prime. Maybe Prime charge more so pay tour guide more thus they don't have to resort to such things.

Yes, totally agreed.
I joined Prime for 3 years Hokkaido tours before, I am nothing but so pleased with their service. No pushy shopping at all, shoppings were at your own leisure. Food is almost as good as uber grade, local n Japanese guides touring together though out. All warm and nice n caring.

[mamago]

Jennifer:

Need some advice on the following itinerary:


Day 1: Sg fly to Haneda/Narita

Day 2: domestic flight to Chitose, drive to Noboribetsu-Lake Toya-Jozankei
Visit Hell Valley, Edo Wonderland, Lake Toya

Day 3: a ski resort in Jozankei

Day 4: Jozankei-Otaru-Sounkyo
Visit Classic European Walk, Crystal Museum, Kitachi Glass Gallery, Mount Tengu, Sounkyo Gorge

Day 5: Sounkyo-Asahikawa-Sapporo
Visit Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa Otokoyama Sake Brewery, Northern Horse Farm, Mitsui Premium Outlets

Day 6: Sapporo
Visit Nijo Fish Market, Odori Park, Tennoji Koji, Daiso, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, Ishiya White Chocolate Museum, Chocolate Deli, 1960's Toy Museum, Sapporo JR station (Underground Shopping Mall), Ramen Republic, Susukino 'Ramen and Entertainment Street'

Day 7: Day is yours free at leisure (I am guessing this is not morning flight).

Seems like only Day 6 is more packed. The rest are quite relaxing.

The other tour agencies itinerary has 3 visits to Sake/Wine/Whisky breweries which I feel is kinda too much.

Has anyone been to Jozankei? I have some reservations about this Day activity only in Jozankei. I understand from the various tour agencies that for someone who does not know how to ski, spending a whole day at a ski resort might be boring. Is this really so?

Appreciate inputs. :thankyou:

Hi,
Edoland is nothing much, I have been there twice, pretty quite, just a few stalls selling warm finger foods and souvenir; we were unlucky both visit were heavy snowed, so the Edo land's setting with much outdoors were not enjoyable as snow falling so heavily that barely even visible...

The Zoo is nice place to go when snowing, does your itinerary includes the zoo part.... our group had such a good fun in the open Zoo with thick snow and iced floor.