Originally Posted by
canabiz
Based on GoogleMaps, I believe it is only about 2 hours of driving from Shakotan back to Sapporo so it will be a nice day trip. We want to keep the cost down by having our base in Sapporo, if you will, rather than finding accommodation in Sapporo for x number of nights then staying in different parts of Hokkaido.
When I drove from Sapporo to Cape Kamui, it took me 50min (mind you, I took the highway, not the expressway) to Otaru, and another nearly 2hr to Cape Kamui. Not including stops along the way. From Cape Kamui, Niseko will be 2hr max. Then the next day Hakodate will much closer than it would be from Sapporo. I understand trying to keep the cost down with accommodation, but heading back to Sapporo when you're going to Hakodate the following day is a huge detour. I think it's worth considering the cost associated with extra driving, not to mention the impact on your schedule (you could be getting to Hakodate earlier in the day). But up to you.