Sounds good. Age and infirmity are slowing me down so I don't know if another Japan trip will be possible but if it is, I would love to go to Hokkaido again. I am bored with Tokyo and have been to Kansai several times. I think returns to either Shikoku, Kyushu or Hokkaido would be the limits for future trips.

If you want to go further afield in Hokkaido, the long run across the island to Abashiri goes through some interesting if desolate farming regions. Abashiri is not a tourist mecca by any means but if interested in history, the old prison is actually more interesting than you might expect. So is the Drift Ice Museum. In the spring, a visit to the Koshimizu Wildflower Preserve would be very nice. I was sorry to miss that but in fall it isn't much. Abashiri can also be a jumping off point for the Shiretoko Peninsula although the bus tours mostly depart from the little town of Shari, a few miles up the line from Abashiri Station. I'd definitely recommend a car. There are a few buses - I used one - but a car would be much better. In that case, I might recommend flying into Memanbetsu (MMB) and renting a car there.

On the other hand, the little local train from Abashiri, up and through the national park and lake district and down to Kushiro was a highlight of the trip. There are only a couple of trains per day but the scenery was superb. Of course, I am a bit of a tetsu for the little rattle-trap one-car local trains.