A must-read guide for traveling in Hokkaido: From anti-slip to surprises in hot spring hotels!

🌨️ Be sure to check the temperature before leaving for Hokkaido! Otherwise you might see something like the one in the picture. The first rule of thumb when traveling is to prevent slipping rather than cold weather. To prevent slipping, you can wear safety work boots or buy simple shoe spikes at a convenience store. Booking a hotel in advance is a must. No one told me that a hot spring hotel in Hokkaido in winter would cost more than 4k a night. 🥹🥹 If you plan to go to Hokkaido in winter, it is recommended that you read this guide before leaving. 【Pre-trip advice】 ❶ Don’t worry too much about the language barrier, use the simplest English words + sign language, basically everyone can understand, ❌ Don’t use long sentences, get a translation app, it’s completely OK to mix Chinese, Japanese and English! ❷ If you want to see snow, go to Hokkaido alone. A 5-7 day trip is OK. Hokkaido is vast and sparsely populated, and the distances between scenic spots are far. Public transportation takes a long time. It is recommended to invite three or five friends to charter a car or carpool together. ❸ Japanese taxis 🚕, hotels 🏨, or restaurants/convenience stores basically accept credit cards and Alipay. ❹ You can exchange some Japanese yen for use in small shops (especially ramen shops). There are currency exchange machines and counters everywhere, so you don’t have to worry at all. ❺ Otaru is very small, but any photo you take is full of romantic atmosphere. Prices are relatively expensive, so it is recommended to travel from Sapporo to Otaru on the same day! Remember to sit on the right side of the train, close to the sea, the scenery is superb. 【Some notes】 ‼ ️ Don't make phone calls or play videos or music out loud on the train or subway. It is really very, very quiet. I have seen Japanese people secretly answering the phone, but it is really an exception. ‼ ️ Don’t eat foods with strong odors. Generally, you can buy bento on long-distance trains like the Shinkansen. Although it is cold, I have personally tested that the taste is really good. 【About transportation】 The airport bus is really slow, and in good weather, it takes [one and a half hours] to get from Sapporo city hotel to the airport. It is recommended to take JR if you want to catch the return flight; you can take the bus for the outbound trip🚌. 【About attractions】 Sapporo: Hokkaido Shrine, Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Hokkaido University, Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo International Ski Resort⛷️ Otaru: Otaru Sakaimachi Street, Funamizaka, Tenguyama, Otaru Canal Biei: Biei Blue Pond, Hakuko Falls, Biei Christmas Tree🎄 Furano: Forest Elves🧚 Terrace 【Outfit Guide】 🧥 Upper body: Warm clothes + fleece inner wear/down vest + long down jacket, or polar fleece + light feathers. It's about minus six or seven degrees, and the body doesn't feel too cold. There is heating indoors. 👖 Pants: Thickened fleece pants or autumn johns + single pants are completely sufficient. 🧣 Others: Gloves🧤, hats, scarves, and earmuffs are all prepared to keep warm and take photos at the same time! 🥾 Shoes: There are three key indicators for wearing shoes in the snow - waterproof, anti-slip and warm. You can buy anti-slip mats at FamilyMart and Lawson supermarkets. 【Itinerary suggestion】 👉 If you want to see snow and soak in hot springs♨️Take the Hokkaido West Route, depart from Sapporo, visit Otaru, then walk around Lake Toya, soak in hot springs in Noboribetsu, and finally return to Sapporo. 👉 If you want to go to Asahikawa Zoo🐧, Biei Blue Pond and Furano, it is recommended to charter a car🚗. You can get there by JR, but it will take a long time to go back and forth, and the bus schedule is fixed. #Hokkaido #Hot Springs #Travel Tips