5 days in Hokkaido without a car, what to do/see?
#31
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
I also did a fair amount of my advanced planning using "Japan Solo" but I think that is out of print now. Any good guide book for Japan will be helpful in finding things to do in the various locations. Since I speak a moderate amount of Japanese, I could free-wheel it when I got places. Without that, it might pay to know a bit more in advance. English is still common at hotels and such out in the sticks but much less so than places like Tokyo or Kyoto. Having things like destinations and tourist site written out will be helpful once you get outside Sapporo and Hakodate.
#32
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Florida, US
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 634
Hakodate Goodwill Guide Association
We were in Hakodate last month and used the services of a volunteer guide from the Hakodate Goodwill Guide Association.
There is a nominal charge of 3,000 yen per group and you also agree to pay for your guide's meals (usually lunch) and any local transportation costs. The guide will contact you by email before your trip to determine your interests and preferences. Our guide was [redacted] and she was wonderful. We really enjoyed getting to know her and to see the sights of Hakodate through the eyes of a local
Their website is https://hakodategoodwill.wixsite.com/hakodatesgg and you can reach them by email:<[email protected]>. I can't recommend them highly enough.
There is a nominal charge of 3,000 yen per group and you also agree to pay for your guide's meals (usually lunch) and any local transportation costs. The guide will contact you by email before your trip to determine your interests and preferences. Our guide was [redacted] and she was wonderful. We really enjoyed getting to know her and to see the sights of Hakodate through the eyes of a local
Their website is https://hakodategoodwill.wixsite.com/hakodatesgg and you can reach them by email:<[email protected]>. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Last edited by Orlando Vic; Jul 9, 2017 at 1:14 pm Reason: Redacted name per FT rule 2
#33
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Join Date: Nov 1999
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Posts: 21,751
I have a couple of day stops in Otaru and Hakodate (on a TPAC repo cruise) in the latter half of September. Any suggestions as to natural/outdoor onsens or hot springs on can get to easily?
#34
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,369
Yunokawa Onsen is the eastern terminus of Hakodate's trolley line. So that's easily accessible from Hakodate.
#35
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#36
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,369
That's right. It's an onsen area with numerous hotels/ryokans that have onsen baths. Some of them open up their onsen facilities to non-guests for day use (for small fees). There's also an ashiyu (foot onsen) close to the trolley stop.