8D7N Self drive in Hokkaido

Hi, my partner and I are planning to for a self drive trip around Hokkaido in early May (29 Apr - 6 May 2017), in hopes of seeing the cherry blossoms. This is the route which we kind of planned. Wondering if you guys can advise as this is our first trip to Hokkaido.

29 Apr - arrive Hokadate. Overnight in Hokadate

30 Apr - Hokadate: morning market -- onuma park -- matsumae (former castle town). Overnight in Hokadate.

1 may - Hokadate ~ Toya: noboribetsu (most famous hot spring resort) -- lake shikotsu -- lake toya. Overnight in Toya

2 may - Toya: usuzen west craters -- usuzan ropeway -- showa shinzan. Overnight in Toya

3 may - Toya ~ Otaru ~ Sapporo: canal area -- Sapporo. Overnight in Sapporo

4 may - Sapporo ~ Furano: chocolate factory -- beer museum -- nijo market -- Furano. Overnight in Furano

5 may - Furano ~ Biei: Biei -- Furano winery -- cheese factory -- blue pond. Overnight in Furano

6 may - transfer to Asahikawa airport to Tokyo/Osaka

Thanks!
Samantha & Nicholas

it is a good plan. Unfortunately it may be a little earlier for cherry blossoms to bloom. Also, since many people are holidays from 29th@Apr. to 7th May in Japan, traffic jams occur everywhere every year, so it is necessary to have a schedule with time to spare.

You might consider reversing your itinerary, and going north to south. That way you maximize the chances of getting some sakura. Plus, Hakodate has some excellent sakura spots.

Thanks for the really helpful advice guys!

Because we're also planning to visit tokyo/osaka as well. Would it be better if we head to tokyo/osaka between Apr 29 - May 6 and then go over to Hokkaido from May 6 - May 13 instead?

The timing of flowering of cherry blossoms fluctuates depending on the weather of the year. So, It's difficult to decide.

Depends. From a traffic perspective, a lot of people are leaving the big cities to vacation over golden week, so doing the opposite makes a lot of sense. For sakura though, your best bet is probably to be in Hokkaido earlier.

Thanks a lot of your advise guys! :)