Planned winter trip in Jan 2009

Hi Uji

This is my plan for next January/February, total 20 days

1. Yamagata (2 days)
2. Hakodate (1 day)
3. Jozankei (2 days)
4. Shintoku farmstay (2 days)
5. Lake Shikaribetsu (2 days)
6. Lake Akan (3 days)
7. Sapporo (2 days)
8. Tokyo (4 days)

We still have 2 days to spare, thinking of going to Aomori. Any recommendations on accommodation, budget around 8000 to 10000 yen per person per night.
If not, any place in Hokkaido or Central Japan I should cover?

Any comments on my planned trip?

Thanks
Irene

Unless you are into winter sports or really like winter landscapes, I do not recommend to visit northern Japan during winter, at least not for such a long time period. There is not too much to do besides winter sports and watching the landscape. I would not know, for example, what you could do for three days around Lake Akan, for example...

Hi Uji
We been to Hokkaido this Feb. Loved the winter activities and landscape, and of course the onsen and good food.

Any good place you can recommend in terms of nice winter scenery or onsen?

Any idea if Norokko train operates during Jan/Feb 09?

Hear from u!

Any good place you can recommend in terms of nice winter scenery or onsen?

In winter, I have only been to Niseko, Jozankei, Lake Toya, Kushiro, Abashiri and Furano.

In the Kushiro Marshlands you can see cranes, but there is often not very much snow:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6792.html

In Abashiri you can usually see drift ice, especially during February:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6865.html

Niseko and Furano are winter sport resorts. Both offer very beautiful natural scenery when the weather is good:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6720.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6830.html

Also the other listed places offer nice scenery, especially when the weather is good.

Any idea if Norokko train operates during Jan/Feb 09?

Yes.

Hi Uji
Could you give me more details on Ice Norokko, steamer train?

Is there a service from Akan?
How long is the journey 2 way?

How do I reserve?
I am using JR pass.

Thanks

If you have been to Hokkaido, consider spending your next winter trip in Tohoku.

For onsens, there is beautiful Ginzan Onsen village. Other popular onsen destinations include Nyuto Onsen, Naruko Onsen, Zao Onsen, etc. There are 2 onsen places which are famous for sunrise and sunset view, but I do not know their English names. Take a look at these: http://www.mkanyo.jp/ (for sunrise), http://www.furofushi.com/ (for sunset)

For scenery, there are 3 beautiful lakes, Tarawa-ko, Towada-ko with Oirase Stream and Inawashiro-ko which is filled with lovely swans during winter. For landscape, there are spectacular Geibikei Gorge, Gembikei Gorge and Naruko Gorge. A unique winter scenic destination is Zao-san where people make special trip up there to see the �eice-tree monsters'. If you are into skiing, you can ski among them. They are even lit up at night. And of course, there is the ever popular scenic cruise in Matsushima.

For temples and shrines, Yama-dera is spectacularly perched against the hilltop. To hike up the steep steps when there is snow, straw is provided for you to tie around your shoes to ensure a firm grip. In Hiraizumi there are Motsu-ji and Chuson-ji whose golden hall, Konijiki-do is said to be Japan's first designated national treasure.

For history, go to Aizu-wakamatsu and the Tsuruga Castle if you are interested in samurai. Near Aizu-wakamatsu is the village of Ouchijyaku whose lovely setting overrides its historical significance. With its threaded rooftop houses, it is a sort of �gShirakawa-go in the north�h. Kitakata has lots of preserved kura storehouses. For archaeology, do not miss the Sannai-Maruyama Iseki site in Aomori.

For food, Sendai is famous for grilled ox tongues, Matushima for fresh oysters, Kesennuma for shark fins, Kitakata and Morioka for ramen, Yuzawa for udon and Aomori for apple.

For scenic train rides, the special line between Akita and Hirosaki/Aomori along the coast has special tatami viewing seats. Another special train ride is in Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture where inside the former steam train compartment is a stove which food is grilled and you can enjoy hot buns or fry squids during the journey.

For winter festivals, there are many. Among them are Kamakura Snow Hut Festival in Yokote (Feb 15-16), Iwate Snow Festival in Koiwai Fram near Morioka (Jan 31-Feb 8), Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (2nd Thurs-Sun in Feb), Memorial Snow Lantern Festival in Yonezawa (Feb 14-15), Innkko Matsuri Dog Festival in Yuzawa (Feb 9-10) and Snow and Light Fantavista in Towada-ko (Jan 30-Feb 22).

Irene, there are two trains that run specially for the ice.
One is the Sea Ice Express which runs from Sapporo to Abashiri. OkhotskNoKaze. I do not see it listed on the timetable yet but last year it departed Sapporo at 0804 and arrived at Abashiri at 1321. It is a diesel rail car set with a beautiful big panoramic window at the front. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09Zws7mnQM4 there are four parts. The other train is the RyuhyoNorokkoGo which runs from Abashiri to Shiretokoshari 1357-1448. You catch a regular train back to Abashiri. I am pretty sure there is also a morning run. JR covers both. You do not need to book for the ride at Abashiri but the other is a must book. See http://www.rodsrailpage.fotopic.net/p48504318.html for a photo of the two trains together

Found interesting winter trip ideas at this website. Onsen is perfect for the winter time.

About hot springs (onsen)

http://www.chopsticksny.com/contents/yokoso/2007/11/01/

About Winter trip to Kyoto
http://www.chopsticksny.com/contents/yokoso/2008/11/01/

I am also visiting Japan in winter - late Jan 09 .Can anyone give me more info and details of how to go about to make a booking for that special line between Akita - Hirosaki/Amori as what William had shared Thanks

http://www.jreast.co.jp/akita/shirakami/index.html

click on ����� for the current timetable, they don't have the schedule for Jan. 2009 yet.