My boyfriend and I are planning our first Japan trip for October. Please review our draft itinerary, we are fit and active and used to driving long distances. Stay Otaru overnight. If time do some exploring before dark. Stay again Asahikawa. Stay overnight Abashiri. Explore national park. Overall itin looks fine, with optimal stops along long distance drive. Mid-Oct would be good time for peak fall foliage in Central and East Hokkaido.
Stop by road stations along the expressway. However, climbing to the summit of Asahi-dake would not be possible unless you hv snow mt climbing gears etc. When we're last there in early Oct , the entire mt was covered in snow. Instead of driving back to Asahikawa, you may drive on to Sounkyo onsen town and stay there.
Next morning explore the dual waterfalls, strange cliffs before heading to Abashiri. Good timing to do the Shiretoko 5-lake walk - would be in peak fall foliage. Teshikaga is one of the most beautiful areas that we return time after time. Don't miss Mashu-ko - drive to the 3rd observatory only for unblocked views on clear days. I wasn't sure about the snow on the mountain tops that early but would be very happy to see it! It's no problem is the climbs are not possible, we will do what we can and spend more time enjoying the parks.
Thank you for your suggestion to stay in Sounkyo onsen, that looks like a much more practical option than returning to Asahikawa. Glad to hear you had such an enjoyable trip, we are very excited and can't wait to see Japan!
We're up there on 6th Oct m - the highest pt in the 1h-walking trail and it was freezing cold, probably around C max on a sunny day. From Sounkyo, you may consider heading north to skirt the coastline to visit Saroma -ko, Notoro-ko and finally arrive at Abashiri -ko.
