Hello everyone,
I need your help to recheck my itinerary as follow. My concern is that I will be there during Golden Week and no idea if the reserved train will be available for me to book. Look forward to seeing your comment, please.
Hokkaido Rail Pass 5 days
My long stay in Sapporo will be at NAKAJIMAKOEN; Nanboku line which I have to pay 200 Yen*2 = 400 Yen round trip each day during April 30 - May 6)
Note that April 29, May 3 - 5 are national holidays. (Donichi subway 500 Yen can only be used these days.)
My itinerary:
April 28: Arrive New Chitose Airport at 8:30 (Go to book all following plan at JR window after getting the luggage.)
April 28: Leisure day in Sapporo; Staying at Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
April 29: Depart early from Sapporo to Hakodate (half day trip using street car (1,000 Yen one day trip) Overnight at Sapporo (Hokkaido Rail Pass = day1)
April 30: Early morning in Hakodate and look for late evening train back to Sapporo (Hokkaido Rail Pass = day 2)
May 1: Noboribetsu (only hell's valley as I am not interested in any onsen) + Toya Lake from Sapporo (Hokkaido Rail Pass = day 3)
May 2: Choei Lavender farm at Naka-Furano station; from Sapporo via Asahikawa. (Hokkaido Rail Pass = day 4)
May 3: Otaru (Hokkaido Rail Pass = day 5)
May 4: Sapporo (all must-do)
May 5: Sapporo (Shopping)
May 6: Depart from New Chitose Airport aat 10.30AM (arrive airport at 8.30 AM; no time for shopping, etc.)
My questions:
1. Upon arrival, I guess it must be a long queue at JR window to book all my trips before the seats running out. Is this the good idea to book it right away at this station or should I go to Sapporo station and book it later?
2. If reserved seats are not available, are there any chances that non-reserved seats are full?
3. I understand that Choei Lavender farm is the best one during this season and the closest one from Naka Furano station. Is this true? Or should I go to Flowerland at Kamifurano station. (My concern is distances from station; a short distances by taxi should be ok but no extra charges on train from Sapporo.)
4. Any other things I can do/ visits at Furano via Asahikawa route?
5. Is it worth it if I bought 3 days Hokkaido Rail pass + Sapporo Otaru pass at 1,700 Yen?
6. On May 4 and 5, I can buy Donichi subway?
Thanks a lot. :)
Meaw