Hidden in the Northland - An 8-Day Trip to Hokkaido in Summer 2019, Day 1

Ever since Li Zi started elementary school, our travel season has shifted straight from the off-season to the peak season—winter and summer breaks. Thanks to a few wallet-bleeding experiences, we found that the few days right after finals but before the official start of the break become our little off-season within the big peak season. So, last winter break, right after the exams, DJ took Li Zi to Beijing; and this summer, on June 24th after the exams, early on the 25th, we boarded a plane to Hokkaido. Before officially starting the picture-and-story session, let me introduce the 8-day itinerary as usual. Day 1: Nanjing to Sapporo New Chitose Airport, take the airport bus directly to Noboribetsu, arrange hotel pickup, check into a seaside hot spring inn. Day 2: Noboribetsu Jidai Village, Hot Spring Street, Bear Park, Jigokudani (Hell Valley), continue staying in Noboribetsu. Day 3: Noboribetsu to Hakodate, JR Hokkaido PASS activated, Hakodate Goryokaku, Red Brick Warehouse, Hakodate Mountain night view. Day 4: Hakodate to Sapporo, leave luggage at JR station, then take tram directly to Otaru, visit Music Box Museum, canal, return to Sapporo, check into Airbnb apartment. Day 5: Sapporo to Furano, one-day train trip, rent a bicycle in Biei for cycling, Nanahana no Hana (Seven-Color Flower Field), Farm Tomita, Terrace of the Elves. Day 6: Sapporo city, Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Factory, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, Maruyama Zoo, Tatsu no Reien Great Buddha. Day 7: Sapporo city, shopping, secondhand stores. Day 8: Secondhand stores. Return to Nanjing. Below is the itinerary I make before every trip, detailed down to the transportation and time for each transfer, supplemented by various travel apps like Google Maps, Navitime, plus the official websites of attractions I bookmarked in advance, so I feel confident for self-guided travel. In reality, we moved Otaru to the afternoon of the day we first arrived in Sapporo, thus freeing up an extra day later for Li Zi's lessons and browsing secondhand stores. Still a worthwhile adjustment.