Tokyo - Sapporo Train Travel in Golden Week

Hi All,

I will be arriving in Tokyo on 29th April at the start of golden week and I am planning on staying in and around Tokyo for the first 4 days. As this is my 2nd trip to Japan and I have already visited, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Takayama, Kanazawa before, I was looking a the option of travelling to Hokkaido this time. Arriving in Narita, I was planning on getting the Suica+ NEX pass for my travel into Tokyo and around for the first 4 days. On the 5th day I was planning on activating a 7 day JR Pass and travel up to Sapporo on the train. I was thinking of staying a night or two in Hakodate and then onto Sapporo for 5 nights before flying back to Tokyo before heading home.

Is there any places I should not miss on my way up to Hokkaido and will there be any issues with reserving a seat during Golden week? Are there any places in Hokkaido, that are a must see. With all of this in view, is it unrealistic to travel to Hokkaido, given that I am only in Japan for a total of 11 days.

Any thoughts?

thanks

Regular tickets from a one way journey from Tokyo via Hakodate to Sapporo cost a little bit less than a 7-day Japan Rail Pass. But if you add some other journeys, it will probably pay off.

Is there any places I should not miss on my way up to Hokkaido

What are you interested in? There are, indeed, many wonderful destinations in between Tokyo and Sapporo.

For hot springs lovers, there are lots of great hot springs. I recommend Nyuto Onsen, in particular:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3650.html

On Hokkaido, Noboribetsu Onsen has particularly great waters:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6750.html

The cherry blossoms are likely in bloom in some locations around northern Tohoku or southern Hokkaido. Among them Hirosaki and Kakunodate are particularly spectacular (and crowded):
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3700.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3600.html

Depending on your interests, there might be many other worthwhile destinations.

The following pages introduce the main attractions in the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions:
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1102.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1101.html

and will there be any issues with reserving a seat during Golden week?

If you travel on May 3 from Tokyo northwards, you might run into problems. April 28, 30 and May 6 could also be troublesome. The other days probably a little bit less.

I assume you know this already but just in case you don't, as it was not clear in your original post.

You can exchange your voucher for the JR Pass on your first day (at Narita) and specify the activation date. You can also book your train journeys on the 1st day (at Narita) so this may help improve your chances of getting a seat or at least give you some time to sort out alternatives should you need to.

Enjoy your trip!