Searching for Snow: Hokkaido Winter 2017 Day 1 (2-3/1/2017)
Right after our visit to Hokkaido in May 2016 for the cherry blossom, we have decided that we need to go back again in winter for their famous powder snow. Here we are now, winter in Hokkaido for the first time to witness ourselves what is powder snow like.
We booked our flight online and we found that AirAsiaX is still the best option o Hokkaido, mainly because it is a direct flight from KLIA2 to New Chitose Airport (other airlines will have to transit at other airport which can be hassle and time consuming) in about 7.5 hours. We took the evening flight and reach New Chitose in the morning.
If you can get a seat on the right-hand side of the plane when heading to New Chitose, you can enjoy the sunrise, but later you will have to pay for the consequences.... the sun!
How much we paid for the flight? - RM1,200 return flight with check-in baggage of 20kg (to Hokkaido) and 30kg (coming back to KL). The extra 10kg coming back is for shopping items :D
The only limitation is when returning from New Chitose to KL, 9.20AM flight - meaning we have to be at the airport to check-in as early as 7.30AM. So, we need to check-out from the hotel very early and catch the JR from Sapporo Station to the airport (JR from Sapporo to New Chitose Airport starts at 6.02AM - around 50 minutes journey - ¥1,030). Will share later how we dealt with this early flight situation.
Upon arrival, we we greeted (sniffed) by this cute Beagle. Make sure that this cutie don't bark or stop at you...haha
The first snow fall we saw at the airport, it was like computer graphic or some sort of animation. The scene is superb and we knew that we have made a good decision to visit Hokkaido in winter.
Morning snow fall to welcome us - New Chitose Airport
What to do upon arrival?
It is the same thing that I have posted for our May'16, go to get the passes and JR tickets for your our planned trips at the airport. Head to BF1 when coming out from the International Arrival Hall and locate the JR Informationa Desk next to the JR station entrance.
During this trip, we planned to visit Otaru again to experience the winter scenery so we purchased the same 'Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass' which cost ¥1,700 per person for a return JR from Sapporo-Otaru and a free One-Day unlimited pass subway ticket.
Also, we planned to take up a day to visit Asahiyama Zoo, one of the very popular zoo located at Higashi Asahikawa for the Penguin Parade in winter. The tour package cost ¥6,130 per person for a return JR from Sapporo to Asahikawa, return bus transfer from JR station to the zoo and the entrance fee.
Once we got all the tickets ready, its time to indulge ourselves with one the best Hokkaido delights, Ramen! We returned to the Ramen Village in the airport and the queue already started in the morning.
This is my favourite, A rich flavour Shrimp and Soy Sauce ramen, only at 一幻!
Shrimp and Soy Sauce (Rich Flavour) 一幻Ebiso Ramen for ¥780
It was still too early to go to the hotel because the check-in time at 2.00PM so we spent some time hanging around in the airport before leaving to downtown Sapporo. There are many shops in the airport and you one thing that you cannot miss is the yumilicious Hokkaido Milk Ice-Cream!
A must try! Hokkaido milk ice-cream that melts in your mouth, obviously.... for ¥380
To make sure that we can catch the early morning flight, we stayed in the Airport Hotel for a night before our flight next morning. The advantage is that you do not have to rush to the airport in the morning although the first JR train from Sapporo starts at 6.00AM (about 50 mins journey). Also, you can do some shopping in the airport because New Chitose is like a shopping mall (One of the best airport I have been too). Bye the way, we got a free entrance to the hot spring in the airport when we booked for the airport hotel.
We booked our flight online and we found that AirAsiaX is still the best option o Hokkaido, mainly because it is a direct flight from KLIA2 to New Chitose Airport (other airlines will have to transit at other airport which can be hassle and time consuming) in about 7.5 hours. We took the evening flight and reach New Chitose in the morning.
The first snow fall we saw at the airport, it was like computer graphic or some sort of animation. The scene is superb and we knew that we have made a good decision to visit Hokkaido in winter.
During this trip, we planned to visit Otaru again to experience the winter scenery so we purchased the same 'Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass' which cost ¥1,700 per person for a return JR from Sapporo-Otaru and a free One-Day unlimited pass subway ticket.
This is my favourite, A rich flavour Shrimp and Soy Sauce ramen, only at 一幻!
Could you please share how you "dealt with this early flight situation."?
ReplyDeleteTo make sure that we can catch the early morning flight, we stayed in the Airport Hotel for a night before our flight next morning. The advantage is that you do not have to rush to the airport in the morning although the first JR train from Sapporo starts at 6.00AM (about 50 mins journey). Also, you can do some shopping in the airport because New Chitose is like a shopping mall (One of the best airport I have been too).
DeleteBye the way, we got a free entrance to the hot spring in the airport when we booked for the airport hotel.
Thanks for replied. It's a good suggestion for me.
DeleteYou are welcome. Enjoy your trip!
Delete