Sapporo or Otaru?

I have planned a ski trip to Niseko in Dec. Will fly in from Haneda to New Chitose Airport. I intend to spend 2 nights in Sapporo or Otaru before heading up to Niseko.

1) Which one would you recommend? Staying in Sapporo or Otaru?

2) What can I do/see in Sapporo? How many days is needed to explore this place?

3) What can I do/see in Otaru? How many days is need to explore this place?

2) Is it easier to go to NIseko from Sapporo or Otaru?



3) What mode of transport should I take? Self Drive? Chartered Buses? Train?...

Thanks!!!

Sapporo http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2163.html
Otaru http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6700.html
Getting to Niseko http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6720.html#/section_getThere

I thought Otaru was overly commercialised and touristy. I would therefore choose Sapporo, but that's just me. I also wouldn't go near touristy, foreigner-filled Niseko.

Way more to see/do/eat in Sapporo than Otaru!

They aren't too far apart.

Dale

Sorry, I guess I should be more specific. You can do all the sights in Otaru in a half day, or less. Sapporo is a big city, and there really is a lot to do there. You could take a number of days to explore the city.

Go to the Sapporo and Otaru sections of Japan-Guide. Investigate!

Dale

1) Which one would you recommend? Staying in Sapporo or Otaru?
Sapporo

2) What can I do/see in Sapporo? How many days is needed to explore this place?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2163.html
2 to 4 days easy.

3) What can I do/see in Otaru? How many days is need to explore this place?
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6700.html
Maybe half a day or one?

2) Is it easier to go to NIseko from Sapporo or Otaru?
Otaru:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6720.html#/section_getThere

3) What mode of transport should I take? Self Drive? Chartered Buses? Train?...
Trains, buses, occasional taxis are fine; or self drive is also ok if you prefer.

Stay in Sapporo (it's a nightlife place).

Take a day trip to Otaru.

Completely agree with other posts. Visited Sapporo Dec 16 - lots to see and do. Choosing an eating place is difficult- there are soooo...many. Sapporo draft on tap is excellent. There is a department store next to the station (I think Diamaru). In their bakery section they sell small strawberry tarts that are to die for. But beware- they are extremely addictive!!
Otaru is good for a half day, but definitely suffers from too many touristy shops.

Otaru - I'm not sure why people want to visit. 1/2 day including travel time and walking around slowly was more than enough.

Sapporo - it's a good city with some interesting places to go.