Rate my Itinerary!
Hi everyone. I am about to visit Hokkaido for the first time ever as a solo traveler, and I will be staying with a family in Sapporo (homestay). I am hoping to receive some input from the host family, but in the meantime... Could you give me your opinions?
About me: I am fluent in English and more or less N2 in Japanese. I lived in Japan for a couple years a decade ago, but I was so broke I didn't really get to do anything that came with a price tag. I am now coming back as a tourist with a decent budget, but I still don't have particularly expensive taste. I don't usually drink alcohol, but I will gladly have a glass for the sake of socializing - so if you happen to know of a place where locals have some miraculous interest in chatting with tourists let me know. Alright, here it is:
- Sept 29 (Tue): land at New Chitose airport at 12:45. Have a late ramen lunch at the airport. Hang out with family for the rest of the day.
- Sept 30 (Wed): 7:30 breakfast at Nijo Market (recommended stores are 魚や がんねん or 丼兵衛 二条市場店). Walk towards Sapporo Station to see the clock tower and sign up for a guided tour of Red Brick Building. 13:00 Head back towards Odori park to enjoy Sapporo Autumn Fest. Check out Tanukikoji Shotengai in the afternoon. Back home for dinner.
- Oct 1 (Thu): visit of Upopoi (opens at 9). Depending on return time, either have dinner at home or stop downtown (jingisukan / curry soup).
- Oct 2 (Fri): visit of Otaru. Breakfast at 三角市場 Sankaku Market, walk along the canal, check out Ukiyo-e museum. Walk through main street, check out tachinomi near station before heading back.
- Oct 3 (Sat): guided bus tour of Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Niseko.
- Oct 4 (Sun): keeping this day free for your recommendations. Feel free to suggest going farther, just know that I will be either relying on public transport or have to sign up for an organized tour.
- Oct 5 (Mon): Potential repeat of Nijo market for breakfast. 9:00 start heading towards Shiroi Koibito Park. Lunch at なごやか亭 near the park. Then, Hokkaido Jingu. For this day, I am trying to figure out if I should hike Maruyama park, or go directly to Mt. Moiwa for city views at sunset (or both! If it's doable!)
- Oct 6 (Tue): return flight
Thank you for your interest. よろしくおねがいします！