Self drive at Hokkaido, visiting N.Parks

Hi guys,

We are a couple, interested in a self drive travel at Hokkido, starting at the end of September. We have 9-12 days for that, as part of a longer visit to Japan (our first timre in Japan).
We like hikes and nature, so Shiretoko, Akan and Daisetsuzan N.Parks are the base for our planning.

We would be more than grateful for any suggestions and tips regarding our planned itinerary. Specifically, places to stay (towns/hotels), and suggestions for things to see along the way.

The scetch for our planning is:
1) Arrive at Chitose, train/shuttle to Sapporo
2) Day at Sapporo, day trip to Otaru (optional)
3) Renting a car, Trip to Furano and Biei [Q1]
4) Getting to Asahidake onsen / Sounkyo onsen [Q2]
5) 2 days hike inside Daisetsuzan N.park
6) Getting to Abashiri + 1-2 days at Shiretoko N.Park
7) Traveling south for 1-2 days at Akan Park area [Q3]
8) Going back to return the rented car, and take a flight to Tokyo [Q4]

Q1- How is Furano and Biei at this time of year? places to visit for more than a day, or just places to stop by at our way? Which one is better of night stay?
Q2- We were thinking to hike the Daisetsuzan park for 2 days (round trip via Asahi-dake and Kuro-dake). Which of the places is better a starting point? is there a place for a night stay at the park itself or we aill have to stay at one of the onsens for the night, and go back?
Q3- Specific suggestions for night stays and hikes/lakes views are more than welcomed. In general, we are no big fans of super touristic places. Prefer the more tranquil locations.
Q4- What are the options after Akan Park area, other than returning to Sapporo ? We havent bought the flight tickets yet.

Our planning is completely open for improvement, and we are very grateful for any help and suggestions.

I found Asahidake onsen to be much more tranquil than Sounkyou Onsen, which was the sort of place with lots of bus tour groups. I enjoyed both but I think you may appreciate the more authentic feel of Asahidake Onsen.

How much time do you have available after Akan National Park?

Thank you very much Sal for your answer regarding Asahidake.
We will surely take it into account.
We haven't booked the flights yet, so the available time we'll have after Akan NP will be probably 1-2 days, depending on the suggestions we get.

In your opinion, are there other highly recommended places to visit after the three NP? and what is the best way for us to make the car drop off before we get back to Honshu (from there we will continue our 1 month trip in Japan)?

1.
Both are not recommended to stay overnight. There are however, smaller towns (read as peaceful) along the train line that has hot springs that you may want to try. Though all in all, there is not too much difference.
If you drive along the train line you can get some nice farm feels. Like barns and stuff. Feels like an American countryside movie set.

2.xxx

3. The way i see it, besides Daisetsuzan the rest of the N.P. needs a full day and a night.

4. Well there is the national park south of Sapporo. However, Lake Toba is not all that tranquil. The tourist usually just stay in the hotels and as the town is scattered along the lake-side, buildings are not tightly cramped. Trails and hikes are not as many though.

Not sure how late in Sept will you be travelling, but if the trip extends to mid Oct consider going south of Sapporo for koyo as mid Oct is autumn foliage season in places like Jozankei, Houkeikyou Dam, Niseko, Shikotsu-ko and Noboribetsu.

Outside winter months the hike between Asahidake and Kurodake is indeed very popular in Daisetsuzan National Park. Asahidake does provide a less touristy feel for a stay, but consider staying in Sounkyo instead. If you are in Sounkyo during early Oct you have the added bonus of enjoying beautiful autumn colour. The drive between Kamikawa and Sounkyo will yield spectacular autumn colour on the mt slopes. BTW, note that after the hike you have to take public transport (bus via Asahikawa) to your starting point to pick up your car. Also be prepared for some cold weather up there. We saw traces of snow on top of the Kurodake ropeway station during early Oct and suspected there would be more if going further up the mt through the chain lift.

For flowers in Furano and Biei the popular outdoor lavender fields and the rainbow colour flowers in Farm Tomita’s Irodori Field will be gone but there are still some flowers to see during early Oct. Even without flowers Biei is worth driving around as it has the best countryside scenery in Hokkaido, IMO.

jh thank you for your answers, the way you describe the area around Furano and Biei, is exactly what we were looking for. Are there any specific suggestions regarding places to visit and and a nice farms/onsens ti stay over night at that area?

After that we are planning to continue to Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko and Akan N.parks. I believe we will have 1-2 days after Akan, and we were thinking if the way back to Sapporo is not a waste of time? May be there are other places to visit at the eastern/southern part of Hokkaido, from which we can take a flight back to Tokyo (after dropping the car, without getting back to Sapporo). We will be really glad to hear your opinion on that.

Thanks again

William - thank you so much for your answer. I have to say that i've read some of your tips on other posts, and all of them were very helpful and showed your love to Japan.

Our dates for Hokkaido are 20-30 of September. For Daisetsuzan park our plan was to get from Sapporo through Furano and Biei to Asahidake (with the car). Then we thought to spend 2 full days at the park (make round trip, and maby camping in the park. Is that possible?) and return to our car at Asahidake.
Then I thik that following your suggestion we can drive by Kamikawa and Sounkyo on our way north to Abashiri.
Does that make sence in your opinion?

Our biggest gap at the moment is how to plan the 1-2 days we will probably have after the Akan N.Park. Where to go next, and from which place will it be the best take the flight back to Tokyo. We will be very greatful for your suggestions on that matter. And of course any other ideas you might have.
Thakns again

Hi Alex, thank you for your positive response. Yes, we love Japan and are never tire of going back there again and again ….. and again!

Your time of visit may not be a good time for foliage in the valley part of Sounkyo, not until early Oct as I said on my last post. But Sounkyo is a good base for side trip to Ginsendai and Daisetsu Onsen Kogen which are two popular koyo sites during mid to late Sept. This fall the special shuttle to these 2 places from Sounkyo will start running from Sept 11-22 to Ginsendai and Sept 17-22 to Daiseetsu Onsen Kogen.

Eastern Hokkaido is a paradise for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. Besides the Akan National Park there are the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and the Shiretoko Peninsula and it would easily take up 1-2 weeks for an in-depth exploration, let alone just 1-2 days. You have to choose where you want to go according to your own preference.

Flying out from the east is of course nice to save the long drive back to Sapporo/New Chitose but note that by picking it up in Sapporo or New Chitose Airport and returning it in place like the Memambetsu Airport will involve an additional drop-off charge for the rental car.

If you're keen on seeing bears up close http://www.sahoro.co.jp/language/english/green/bear/bear.html