Hokkaido in summer: worth going?

[nhk9]

I am contemplating a trip to Hokkaido in late June. I like the ramen and wide spaces that hokkaido has to offer, but am unsure about making such a trip due to $$$/transportational/time issues. I have heard that the best way to get from tokyo is by plane, since even the fastest trains would take about 10-15hrs, as the shinkansen only goes to tohoku (from where you would have to switch to local express trains). I plan to have a 10-14days trip, but I am not sure if Hokkaido is a bit too far for that.

I've heard that the tohoku area has some nice scenery as well and thus might want to make a quick stop there. If I travel by plane though, that would be impossible. Should I fly and then use a "hokkaido jr pass", or should I travel by shinkansen and just get a normal JR pass instead?

I've been to Kansai and Kyushuu, so I think naturally what's left is Hokkaido, am I correct? (I don't think I have the money for Okinawa yet though). Hope to hear from you guys, thanks!

[epigene]

I'm sure that Nagashima-san or someone else will come up with the details about the most economical and efficient way to travel, but I'm posting because I think Hokkaido is the best place to be in summer in Japan!

Assuming that this summer will have typical Japanese summer weather, Hokkaido will be the coolest and driest place in Japan, free for the most part from "tsuyu," Japan's rainy season in June and early July.

If you have 10 to 14 days to travel, why not go by Shinkansen to Tohoku to look around the area and then proceed to Hokkaido? I don't know how much it will cost you, but I think it would be very nice to do that. :cool:

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

The route which goes from Tokyo Station to Sapporo Station.
An airplane arrives earliest.
3 hours 50 minutes, JAL 32,460 yen.
SKYMARK 17,660 yen.
http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/index.html
OTHER
Limited Express!!
UENO Station->Sapporo Station
"Cassiopeia"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiopeia_Train
"Hokutosei"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokutosei
"Hokutoseiotaru"
http://www.nre.co.jp/english/index.html
"Elmu"
"HOKKAIDOU RAIL PASS"
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/rail.html
A rent-a-car is the most efficient to go on a trip in Hokkaido.
http://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/service/general.htm
A city of Hokkaido,
"Hakodate" "Sapporo" "Otaru" "Asahikawa" "Kitami" "Obihiro"
A sightseeing spot to recommend,
"Rebun-to Island" "Rishiri-to Island" "Shakotan Peninsula" "Hidaka"
"Mt. Daisetu"
http://www.daisetsuzan.or.jp/#
"Shiretoko Peninsula"
http://www.shiretoko.or.jp/
"Furano"
http://www.furano.ne.jp/kankou/

[nhk9]

Thank you epigene san and nagashima san for the wonderful information. I've made up my mind to go to Japan in early July. Hopefully there will not be too many people. My stay is gonna be for just a bit over a week, so it would be more convenient to fly, I guess. I am looking forward to having some genuine seafood and sushi in Japan!!

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Popular food of Hokkaido.
Hakodate
MORI station
"IKA-MESHI BENTOU"
http://www.ikameshi.co.jp/
Oshamambe
"KANI-MESHI"
http://www.kanimeshi.jp/kanimeshi.html
OBIHIRO
"BUTA-DON"
http://www.butadon.com/
KUSHIRO
It chooses marine products sold in a market and eats.
"TATTE-DON"
http://marron-dietrecipe.com/tabearuki/kattedon.html

NEMURO
KANEI-SUISAN
TEL 0153-25-8988
"Hanasaki queen crab"

Bihoro Pass
"AGEIMO"
"SASA Tea"
http://www.hokkaido-michinoeki.jp/data/76/each.htm

Sapporo
"Soup curry"
http://www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp/food/curry/
"Ramen YOOCHO"
http://www.ganso-yokocho.com/index.html
"Genghis Khan NABE"
http://store.yahoo.co.jp/sapporofubuki/1.html
A famous of restaurant "Genghis Khan NABE"
"DARUMA"
Sapporo-shi,Chuuo-ku,South 5,West 4,Shinjuku street
http://home4.highway.ne.jp/okiniiri/shopdata/hokkaido/daruma.htm

Tomakomai
"MARUTOMA restaurant"
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/ys/namaramuchyo/nice/spot/marutoma/


OTHER
http://www.geocities.jp/ezobike/toukou.html