Travel Info
We will be staying at Onuma, which is close to the school (at Nanae).
Transportation to Hokkaido has been revolutionized since the old days when Chefusians who lived in Honshu had to take the ferry across from Aomori, and then if they lived further south or even in Tokyo, had to take the sleeper train first to Aomori. All that has changed, and the following are the routes in their most efficient order.
Checklist
Obtain travel and health insurance.
Visas and visa exemptions:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
COVID and other entry information (as of 2023-06-12 there are no special entry requirements but if this changes, the following sites may help):
Obtain plenty of local currency. Don’t assume that every transaction can be put on a credit card. You will need to pay cash for group restaurant bookings and outings
Bring wet weather gear and something to keep warm. It can be chilly at night. The temperature range is around 12° to 20°
Ensure you bring any necessary medication.
Power supply: The mains power in Japan is 100 Volts, which is different from North America (120V), Central Europe (230V) and most other regions of the world. Japanese electrical plugs and outlets resemble North American plugs.
Bring adequate footwear if you intend to go hiking
Internet access is available at most locations
Pack indoor footwear
Air Routes
If you are able to fly into HANEDA AIRPORT from overseas (ie. London – Haneda on BA, ANA, JAL), you can connect directly from Haneda to Hakodate airport. At Hakodate, take airport bus to the Japan Rail (JR) Onuma Koen station (approx 62 min.) and get hotel shuttle bus to Prince Hotel.
If you fly into Narita Airport, there is an option to transfer to Haneda by bus (90 minute ride), for the above connection, or fly directly from Narita to Sapporo (Chitose), and then get another flight to Hakodate, or take the express train to JR Onuma Koen. (About 3-hour journey)
Train
[These details are from our 2020 research. Please check them and if you learn anything useful, please pass it on to chefoorecjapan@gmail.com]
Whether you land at either of Tokyo’s main airports, Haneda or Narita, you can catch public transport to get to the line that the fast train (Shinkansen) runs on. The travel from either of Tokyo’s airports to Onuma Koen station (via Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station), is roughly five and a half hours. See http://www.hyperdia.com/ for timetable information.
Tourists can obtain very cost effective passes that cover rail travel for either all of Japan or regions. The regional one relevant for us is the “JR East-South Hokkaido Pass” at 27,000 JPY for six consecutive days travel over 14 days. There are other regional passes but be careful to ensure they include Tokyo and Hakodate. See https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/easthokkaido.html. Those of us from Australia can purchase online at https://www.jtbtravel.com.au/japan-rail-pass/jr-east-south-hokkaido/.
Ferry
For the sake of nostalgia and a slow ride (4 hours), there are still car ferries that operate between Aomori and Hakodate, which also takes passengers without a car.
Locations as addressed in Google Maps
Accommodation near Chefoo Nanae
Hakodate Onuma Prince Hotel
148 Nishiōnuma, Nanae, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido 041-1355, Japan
https://www.google.com/maps/search/148+Nishiōnuma,+Nanae,+Kameda-gun,+Hokkaido+041-1355,+Japan
Chefoo Nanae Site
6-chōme-7-31 Honchō, Nanae, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido 041-1111, Japan
https://www.google.com/maps/place/6-chōme-7-31+Honchō,+Nanae,+Kameda-gun,+Hokkaido+041-1111,+Japan
Takayama (for your personal travel pre or post event)
Omotehama1, Hanabuchihama, Shichigahama, Miyagi District, Miyagi 985-0803, Japan
See Accommodation Offer for accomodation at OMF cabins.
See the "Takayama by the Sea" Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3237125639. Naoya Andrew Miyaji, posted this on May 18 at 11:37 PM For renters looking for a cabin, for owners looking to rent/requiring help opening/closing/cleaning - this form will help. https://forms.gle/rsnim4XmVZAqpgVr5
