Winter Itinerary troubles

Hello,

I am planning a trip to Japan in late Jan/early Feb next year, which will include some time in Hokkaido, but I am finding it a little difficult to find out if certain activities are possible in the winter as most of the websites are in Japanese only.

My itinerary so far is:
- Day 1: Fly to Tokyo
- Day 2 – 6: Tokyo, including day tour to hakone, nikko, and maybe trip to kamakura
- Day 7: Early train to Kyoto, rest of day around Kyoto
- Day 8/9: Around Kyoto and Nara
- Day 10: Early train to Hiroshima, afternoon at peace park before moving onto Miyajima.
- Day 11: Finish up in Hiroshima, train to Himeji, see castle, go to Osaka
- Day 12: Morning Osaka, flight to Hakodate, afternoon around there (or go straight to Sapporo. Is it worth visiting Hakodate for an afternoon/evening?)
- Day 13: Go to lake Toya, hell valley and onto Sapporo
- Day 14: Sapporo for ice festival
- Day 15: Train to Asahikawa, afternoon there
- Day 16: Train to Abashiri, afternoon cruise
- Day 17: Maybe more time in Abashiri, end by flying to Tokyo
- Day 18: fly home

We are planning to stay for about three weeks, so we have room to add a few days here and there. We will not be renting a car.

Firstly, I am not sure if day 13 is possible - is there enough time to visit both lake Toya and Noboribetsu (hell valley) in a day? What are the bus connections between the rail stations and the towns like in the winter? Does the Usuzan ropeway operate in winter?

The Abashiri tourism website suggests there is a bus in winter that goes between Utoro, Abashiri and Lake Saroma. Does anyone know how often this bus runs? I have heard the sunset on Lake Saroma is particularly beautiful. Utoro has a northern lights exhibition in winter. Is there anything else in Shiretoko Park or in Utoro itself that is easily accessible in winter to make a trip there worthwhile? (or is the trip there itself along the coast reason enough to go?).

A sheet on the jnto website suggests that there is a tour bus that goes from Abashiri, Wakoto peninsula, Mt Iou, Lake Mashu, Lake Akan and back daily that runs in winter. Is this true? And seeing as the lakes will likely be frozen over, is this trip worth it?

Is Daisetsuzan National Park visitable in a day in winter from Asahikawa? It looks like there are buses to Asahidake Onsen. Is the ropeway or any walking tracks open in winter? Is it a worthwhile trip in winter?

Finally, is it possible to see the snow monkeys at yudanaka in a day's trip from tokyo?

Thanks in advance!

Is it worth visiting Hakodate for an afternoon/evening?

You will be ablt to get just a taste of the city. If you like that style of travel, I think it could be a nice stop over. I consider the view from Mount Hakodate the most spectacular night view I have ever seen:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5354.html

Day 14: Sapporo for ice festival

It is called Snow Festival.

Firstly, I am not sure if day 13 is possible - is there enough time to visit both lake Toya and Noboribetsu (hell valley) in a day?

It is theoretically possible, but would involve numerous changes between trains and buses and buses and buses and buses and trains. Likely waiting times along the way. Resulting in limited time to actually see the sights. I personally would concentrate on either, but it depends on personally preferred travel styles.

What are the bus connections between the rail stations and the towns like in the winter?

In the Lake Toya/Noboribetsu area, I think they are virtually unchanged from summer. They are explained here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6730.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6753.html

Does the Usuzan ropeway operate in winter?

See here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6726.html

Is Daisetsuzan National Park visitable in a day in winter from Asahikawa? It looks like there are buses to Asahidake Onsen. Is the ropeway or any walking tracks open in winter? Is it a worthwhile trip in winter?

The Asahidake Onsen area is open for skiing. But unless you ski, I don't think it is worthwhile.

Finally, is it possible to see the snow monkeys at yudanaka in a day's trip from tokyo?

Yes. See access details here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6025.html

Thank you very much for your extremely helpful answer.

I consider the view from Mount Hakodate the most spectacular night view I have ever seen:

I look greatly forward to seeing it, the photo of it on this website looks magnificent!

It is theoretically possible, but would involve numerous changes between trains and buses and buses and buses and buses and trains. Likely waiting times along the way. Resulting in limited time to actually see the sights. I personally would concentrate on either, but it depends on personally preferred travel styles.

This is what I thought, thanks for confirming it. I think it would be much more relaxing and enjoyable to focus on one, or maybe add an extra day and stay overnight in Noboribetsu or Lake Toya.

I think they are virtually unchanged from summer. They are explained here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6730.html

That page seems to indicate that there are no bus services joining Toyako Onsen and the ropeway don't run in winter. I guess if there are no buses that it isn't a big distance to take a taxi. If the Uzusan ropeway website is correct then it looks like it will be open when we will be passing through. Earlier this year it looks like there was a small festival with nightly fireworks between 5 - 11th Feb, has it been announced if it will be on again next year?

Does anyone have an answer to the Abashiri questions?

Thanks once again Uji for your kind help.

Adrian, go to http://www.abashiri.biz/stay.html
and ask there. The site owner is extremely helpful. He booked my cruise for me in February of this year. I wanted to be sure of a place. I took the morning cruise to give me some fall back in case the weather was off. Stayed two nights at the Central Hotel which was excellent. Travelled to Abashiri by the special train that they run for the season.
http://www.rodsrailpage.fotopic.net/p48504318.html shows the train from Sapporo and the other winter special that does a run along the coast. That fills the afternoon if you do the morning cruise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UVBe3EPAJk