Fun and memorable family trip in Tokyo, Hakodate, and Sapporo
Japan
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Apr 27 - May 3, 2025
Shona was super helpful with planning and coordinating our trip. She checked on us throughout the trip and promptly helped us when we ran into problems with our train tickets going missing at our hotel in Tokyo.
Most of the drivers were kind and would share with me details about what type of car they would be in and the license plate number. Most of them also had a sign with our name on it so it was easier to spot. The driver who picked us up on our first day though did not have a sign. It took us 20-30 minutes for us to find each other. And when we did finally meet up, he was not friendly. But other than that one driver, the rest were great.
The first part of our trip we were in Tokyo, specifically Shibuya, Akihabara, and Ginza. Our time in Tokyo was mostly on our own but Shona did reserve us tickets to teamlab Borderless. We went there before doing some of the other things she recommended for us.
The second part of our trip we went to Hakodate. We had a tour guide for one day. Her name was Mutsumi. I later learned that we were her first tour group! I felt for her first time giving a tour she did well. She gave us water bottles to drink throughout the day and was attentive to our needs. She also answered any questions we had about Hakodate. Mutsumi also took us to places that weren't on our itinerary such as Hakodate park. My favorite place we went to that day was Goryokaku tower/park because we got a good view of the cherry blossoms.
For the last part of our trip we went to Sapporo. We also had a guide for one day while in Sapporo. Her name was Yumi. Yumi was also great because she gave us more history and information about the places we went to. Playing the simulation games at the Sapporo Olympic Museum and going to the top of Mt. Tengu were the highlights of the day for me.
Hotel Reviews
Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu was a really convenient place to stay. It connects to Shibuya station and Shibuya Mark City. I thought the city noise would travel up to our room but it was pretty quiet where we were staying. The continental breakfast was great!
My family and I enjoyed the buffet and the onsen. Our hotel room was nice but the beds were 1) on an elevated platform and 2) a little on the lower side. Since I was traveling with older people, the low beds made it hard for them to get in and out.
To get to the hotel room can be a bit tricky. You take one set of elevators to get to the lobby on the 7th floor. Then you take a different set of elevators to get to your room. Our room was very clean and if you participate in the eco cleaning, they reward you the next day with a free drink from the vending machine. All the amenities are in a "community bin" in the lobby so if you need a razor, lotion, coffee, or tea, you would have to go to the 7th floor. One of the downsides of the place was that you can hear the street noise from the room. The shower was also a bit weird because the stream of water shoots directly at the door, and there's no way to adjust the angle. Lastly, if you want to use the onsen, you have to upgrade your room whereas other hotels let all guests use the onsen.
Activity Reviews
My family and I came at the perfect time when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. We got to see them at Hakodate Park and Goryokaku Park. Our guide Mutsumi took us walking all over Hakodate which was funny because we didn't realize how close everything was.
This tour was lots of fun because there was lots of activities to do. The Sapporo Olympic Museum has different simulation machines of the different games. Then when we went to Mt. Tengu, there was ziplining and a nice photo area. Otaru canal was also nice and walking along the music box street was also fun. You'll find lots of omiyage over there.
