Hello I’m travelling to Hokkaido for 7 nights in August with my wife and toddler and would be grateful for any comments / tips re the below itinerary. Hotels have been booked but I can cancel for free, so any alternate options would be appreciated.
The aim is to do a little road trip, but our toddler can’t handle more than an hour or so in the car. So that is why we have kept it to east of Sapporo.
Sat: Land new chitose on Saturday afternoon, train to Sapporo. Check in to the Gate hotel by station and explore station area after son’s nap.
Sun: day of sightseeing in Sapporo. Looking for recommendations with a toddler - maybe a nice park
Mon: get the train in the morning to Otaru. Train back in the afternoon. Explore more of Sapporo after son’s nap.
Tues: pick up rental car in the morning and drive to takino suzuran hillside park. It looks pretty cool for toddlers but would appreciate views. Check in to Marukoma onsen by lake Shikotsu. Would appreciate tips of things to do there.
Wed: drive to noboribetsu and check in to dai-ichi takimotokan. I would like to hike around the crater - is it possible with a baby in baby carrier, or too strenuous? Is the bear park worth it, or just sad?
Thurs: drive to lake Toya and check in Toya Kohan tei. Maybe get a boat to the island - any other recommendations that toddlers would be interested in?
What is niseko like in summer? Worth a quick detour, or substitute over lake Toya?
Fri: drive to jozenkei and check in at daiichi hotel suizantei. Anything to do in jozenkei apart from onsen? Any easy walks that are do-able with toddlers?
Sat: wake up and drive to Sapporo station and drop off car. Train to new chitose to catch late afternoon flight.
Many thanks!