Travel: Japan - Hokkaido
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Flowermonaster:
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
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.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. -
ptb7476:
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?
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.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. -
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.
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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. -
carebear:
That is not the case in my experience. I had both Singaporean guides as well as Japanese guides who are residing in Singapore.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. -
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: -
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. -
Jennifer:
Hi,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:
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. -
Jennifer:
I have not been there, but if you are concern abt what a non- skier can do, check with the agent if they offer snow tubing. That is always a fun activity for kids and non-skier. Rusutsu has it.Need some advice on the following itinerary:
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: -
Flowermonaster:
the japan local tour guide ( hongkonger) the one from singapore is only a tour leader. she dont guide. it is a must to use local licensed guide (according to the hongkee)
May I know the tour guide you refer to is Japan local tour guide or SG?
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