Japan: Otaru and Sapporo - 6 days Itinerary and Expenses

Thanks to Cebu Pacific for finally having a direct flight from Manila to Sapporo.  This skips the waiting game at the airport since there's no need for connecting flights from other entry points like Tokyo or Osaka.  

Travel Date: 15-20 March, 2025

When to visit?

Wanting to see snow?  It's not just Sapporo that you can experience snow.  There are other areas in Japan you can visit during the snow season. While in Hokkaido, snowfall may start by October and may last until March.  

During the week of the snow festival (Week 06 or 07, early February), everything might sky rocket from hotels, restaurants or guided tours.  Expect heavy traffic in major areas as the tour buses and private cars congest the road.  Foreign tourists may flock around Niseko for snow activities. 

After the festival, hotel prices may drop.  But the roads by March also becomes muddy, icy and slippery. 

There's no perfect timing on travel.  Whenever flights are on sale is the right timing.  It will depend on how you will pivot your itinerary that makes it more exciting on how you plan your next adventure. 

What's planned for this trip?

On this trip, I did a 6 day journey.  The first two nights in Otaru - visiting the canal, Sakaimachi street, Otaru Denuki Koji, Tenguyama, Asari Station and Nikka Yoichi Distillery. 

And next three nights in Sapporo - visiting Moai statue in Makomanai Takino, Royce Town, and Hokkaido University Museum.  With Bibai Snow Land as the highlight of the trip. 

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do?

Day	Places to See	Food and Restaurants	Accommodation
1	Otaru Canal	Bikkuri Donkey	Hotel Dormy Inn Premium
2	Otaru Canal Sakaimachi Street Otaru Music Box Museum 出抜き小路 火の見櫓  Observation Deck Japan Post Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway Asari Station	Kitaichi Hall LeTAO Main Store Robataya Turukichi	same
3	Nikka Whisky Hokkaido Factory Guardian Angels Cathedral Sapporo TV Tower Susukino Undeground market between Susukino,  Odori and Sapporo stations	Baristart Coffee	Hotel Forza Sapporo
4	Moai statue in Makomanai Takino Hill of Buddha Royce Town Factory	Lamp Light Books café	same
5	Bibai Snow Land JR Tower Observatory T38	Morihico Coffee T'café	same
6	Hokkaido University Museum Domestic and International areas	Tokuichi Tully's Coffee

What I wore in March?

• Health and safety is your first priority.  Properly gear-up yourself, wear in layers.  Have thermal inner wears or ultra warm Heattech, 
• For bottoms, check Decathlon warm water repellant, windproof snow trousers (I got the one with fleece inner lining trousers that is comfortable down to -18°C)
• For socks, I have been using double socks.  When doing a snow activity, some snowboarding socks in Decathlon have its sole containing 41% wool.  Plus ultra warm Heattech socks. 
• For longer outdoor activities, I used a puffer jacket with hoodies.
• For sunny weather, I use the winter jacket.  It is important to use a windproof and waterproof to protect yourself from getting colds.
• Masked-up whenever in airports or public transportation.  
• To protect your lips from getting dry, stay hydrated, use lip balm (even at night), and mask-up when outdoors. 
• You need to prevent yourself from slipping.  I bought an easy to wear crampon whenever I have to walk on high snow, or if it's icy in the city.  Please ensure to remove them when getting indoors to shops or buses. 

Reviews and Random Thoughts

• Choose a hotel that is closest to the stations.  You don't want to pull your luggage on the snow.  Cover your luggage or use waterproof luggage. 
• Analyze where you are crossing, like if the aisle has a snow mountain?  Is the corner street with snowmelt?
• Be careful not to stay too long under traffic lights or under edges of the roof, as big chunks of snow may fall. 
• Keep tissues ready on your pockets, as you will surely have moments of runny nose. 
• There could be chances of delays or cancellations on trains or buses if there is heavy snowfall. 
• Overlooking viewpoints may be a disappointment if it's too cloudy
• Follow cable car social media accounts to monitor service operations. They do announce that due to strong winds or heavy snowfall that the ropeway operations are suspended. 

Airport Departure

For Cebu Pacific flight schedule leaving New Chitose Internal after 6:30pm, most of the shops are closed.  Only a few restaurants can cater to your needs. 

I left Sapporo around 1pm, just to cater possible delays on trains.  I don't want to roam around with my luggage, so I left it at the coin locker near the International check-in counter. (600 yen for a regular size).  

It's time to play around the stamp rally!  I got the sheet upon arrival for me to be familiar with the places of stamping.  Then I went around from International, passage in between and Domestic areas until I completed all the 6 places, in total of 12 stamps.  After which, I got a small bag and bottled water. 

Domestic area is more lively, has lots of shops and restaurants, and can get too crowded.  On my back to the International area, I got pastries from Royce, and more snacks from Tully's.  

Got my luggage back from the coin locker, and headed to the self-service machine to print the boarding pass and luggage tags.  Headed to the bag drop counters.  Walked at the opposite end of the International area to enter the x-ray gates and electronic Immigration gates.  Roam around some duty free shops and finally wait for the boarding call.  

Thanks Cebu Pacific for the direct flight.  Thank you snowfall and icy snow for keeping me safe.  And cheers to my sister and mom for supporting me on this journey from way back home. 

Expense Report: Budget Travel Guide