That’s how much we, the Japanese riders, admire Hokkaido and we see it as a very holy place for us.
In this episode, I would like to talk about Hokkaido Camp-Touring.
From where I live in Tokyo, Hokkaido is not an easy place to go. I would need to get some time-off and it will not be a cheap trip...
If you don’t mind renting a motorcycle while you are there, you can take a few hours flight and it won’t be hard to find a motorcycle you want to ride around. But I am sure everyone would want to take your own. There is no doubt it would be more memorable!
Currently, there is no road that connects Honshu and Hokkaido. If you want to ride your motorcycle in Hokkaido but you don't live there, you will need to get on a ferry.
There are several ferries available departing from ports in Honshu. If you are in Tokyo/Kanto region, a ferry from Niigata to Otaru in Hokkaido and from Oarai in Ibaraki to Tomakomai in Hokkadio are the most popular routes. You can also ride up to the north and take a ferry from Sendai in Miyagi to Tomakomai in Hokkaido, from Hachinohe in Aomori to Tomakomai, or from Aomori City to Hakodate.
Last year, I finally managed to get the holiest place for Japanese riders. My choice was to take a ferry from Niigata to Otaru on the way and coming back from Tomakomai to Hachinohe.
Like other riders who have been in Hokkaido, I really enjoyed and want to go back again, hopefully this year too...
And like the last year, my budget and time off I can take will be limited again (well, mostly budget problem with my case), I am trying to find the most economical, yet, easiest and shortest way to get to Hokkaido so that I can spend more time and make my trip-money worth while I am there.
At this stage, I am planning (or hoping…) to take days off after Obon Week (Japanese summer vacation time) from August 17, 2013 (Sat) to August 25, 2013 (Sunday). This helps lowering the ferry cost by avoiding the summer peak season when the fare normally is set higher than regular season.
Here are the comparison for several ferries from Tokyo to Hokkaido:
* gas consumption is based on my motorcycle (2006 XL883) overall average gas millage: 20 km / litter
* expressway tall fees are the discounted fare by using ETC (late evening/early morning discount)
* ferry fare is based on the single-size bed fare (not individual/single room but normally shared with 2 or 3 passengers per room)
After comparing my time and budget, Niigata-Otaru is, again, my first choice. Other two routes, by looking at their arrival time, may seem to allow me to start my trip in Hokkaido from August 17, however, I will be arriving there late afternoon or night time to Tomakomai; I will need to go to the place I stay for that night shortly after my landing. So even you are getting there, your trip for that day is very much over and you will be paying for the accommodation in addition to the ferry fare. Also, from my experience, you do not want to ride during the night time (so many bugs...).
Another reason I like the Niigata-Otaru ferry, although I will be arriving on August 18, I get there by 4:30 a.m. and will be on my motorcycle by 5:30 or so. I can use a full day-time for riding.
I have a plenty of time to rest on the ferry so I will be physically and, of course, mentally (with a great excitement!) ready for a long journey. You will be spending night in the ferry so basically the ferry fare is including your first night accommodation too. Good deal!
Compare to Tomakomai which is the southern part of Hokkaido, if your first destination is in norther area, such as Wakkanai, the northern tip of Japan, you will save a lot of time by starting from the port of Otaru.
If you are planning to ride southern and/or central Hokkaido during the first part of your trip, Tomakomai will definitely a good starting point.
Well, you know some options to get to Hokkaido now. In the next several episodes, I would like to talk about good places to visit (ride) from my last year's experience and also places I would like to go this year. Also, I will be introducing what you need and prepare.
Hope you will enjoy riding Hokkaido this year too!
If you enjoy this blog, please click the below icons for blog popularity ranking.
Thanks!
Please also visit my other blogs:
