Stopover between Tokyo and Hokkaido

Hi,

I am taking a Shinkansen up from Tokyo Station to Hokkaido in mid Oct.

1. Is the journey takes about 8 - 9 hrs direct ?

2. Any suggestion where is good to stopover for sightseeing or even stay overnight?

3. Should I stay spend more time in Hakodate, Otaru, Sapporo or even Wakkanai or Abushiri ?

Any input will definitely take into consideration.

Thank you.

The shinkansen will run from Tokyo station until the SHin-Hokuto-Hakodate station. If you want to proceed to go to Sapporo you have to then change to limited express Hokuto train.

An overnight stay in Hakodate to break the journey would work. Just over 4 hours to Hakodate. And 3.5 hours Hakodate to Sapporo.

So easily could go to Hakodate in the morning. Sightsee in the afternoon. Spend overnight. Sightsee in the morning. To Sapporo in the afternoon.