Itinerary for Hokkaido 5-6 days

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Hokkaido&Tokyo in May this year. I will fly in at night on the 9th and fly out on 20th.

For Hokkaido, I plan to go to the following places:

1. Furano - Farm Tomita, Biei
2. Daisetsuzan - Asahidake Onsen
3. Shiretoko
4. Akan

Questions:
1. What is the best way to travel to all these places?
2. How many days do I need?
3. Are these places good for visiting in May? I read that some places (like Shiretoko) will be close in winter and will not be open till June. Also I guess that places like Tomita are better in Summer.

Looking forward to the reply. Thanks! =)

I recommend to fly into Ashaikawa Airport and leave through Kushiro or Memanbetsu Airport, and using a rental car to get around.

I recommend to allocate a week.

Hi Uji, thanks for the recommendation.

I was browsing through the sites and I came across the link for Asahidake Ropeway. Their 2007 calendar says that they are closed from 7-18May. Is this the same for 2008?
http://wakasaresort.com/eng/unkou_e.htm

Just in case its close, I'm thinking of heading to Memanbetsu Airport so as to head down for Akan and Shiretoko first.

Unfortunately only one of my friends have driving license, so we may be looking more into public transport instead.

Just to check, do they have English schedule for the bus ride from Memanbetsu Airport to JR Abashiri station. I can only find the Japanese website
http://www13.ocn.ne.jp/~abashiri/

Also, do they have a English bus schedule for the Akan bus?
http://www.akanbus.co.jp/

I will also like to know the duration of JR train ride between:
1. Abashiri to Kawayu
2. Kawayu to Shiretoko-Shari
3. Shiretoko-Shari to Asahikawa

Sorry for asking so many questions. Appreciate the help. Thanks!

I was browsing through the sites and I came across the link for Asahidake Ropeway. Their 2007 calendar says that they are closed from 7-18May. Is this the same for 2008?

Yes, it seems to be closed for maintenance from May 7 to 19.

Just to check, do they have English schedule for the bus ride from Memanbetsu Airport to JR Abashiri station.

I don't think so. But note that the buses are timed with flights. Basically, the bus is timed to arrive 40 minutes before each flight. It departs from JR Abashiri Station 65 minutes before each flight's departure.

Also, do they have a English bus schedule for the Akan bus?

I am afraid, there might not exist one. Akan NP is very inconvenient to be explored by public transport.

I will also like to know the duration of JR train ride between:
1. Abashiri to Kawayu
2. Kawayu to Shiretoko-Shari
3. Shiretoko-Shari to Asahikawa

You can look them up here:
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

Hi Uji,

Thanks! The link for checking the timing is very helpful. =)

For Akan, can I take a train down and thereafter rent a car to drive around the area?

Understand that ToCoo! car rental is recommended but they do not seem to have an outlet near Akan
http://www.japan-guide.com/ad/coocom2.html

If there are no car rental outlets near to Akan, how much will it cost me to rent a car and drive down to tour Akan? Sorry I have to ask such detailed questions as I'm not sure on the petrol costs in Japan. Is there anywhere I can get this information?

Thanks in advance!

I recommend to rent from Abashiri and also use the car to explore Shiretoko. It is difficult by public transportation.