The Hokkaido self-drive experiece 北海道自驾体验

1. Otaru (with video)

Self-drive holidays in Hokkaido is an enlightening and enjoyable experience.

We visited beautiful places, many were off the beaten tracks, enchanting scenery, met friendly and helpful locals. We learned a lot about Japanese culture - through interaction with the people, through food that we enjoyed, through shops we frequented and through driving on the roads.

Before we left, I was apprehensive and worry over few things.

1. Are Japanese friendly? We may need a lot of help from them.
2. The traffic and roads condition.
3. I was told by car rental company that an English speaking GPS would be provided but the map is in Japanese.
4. The traffic law enforcement is very strict, would I be able to cope?

My fear was dispelled immediately after taking possession of our rented 8-seater MPV, a Toyota Vellfire (Alphard) at Toyota Rent-A-Car office near New Chitose Airport.

When I made booking of the MPV in Malaysia, no payment or deposit is necessary. It based on trust!

I settled the rental by credit card and a friendly staff brought us to the MPV with registration No: 8888. She taught me how to use the GPS, the control of the car and handed me a set of maps.

Our first destination was Otaru, a beautiful coastal town about 1 hour from the airport.

The speed allowed on expressway varied from section to section. It was showed on electronic signboards, usually 70-80 km/h.

Roads are classified as national roads (toll free) and tolled expressway.

Throughout our 2000-km journey, we have not once use our car horn .... and I heard honking (non-aggressive) 3 times only!

See Facebook for pictures.

See Youtube for video



1. 小樽 （备用录影）

自己驾车（自驾）北海道游，是个令人迷醉及非常享受的一个体验。

我们观光了好多漂亮的景点，许多是旅行团不到的地方，迷人的风景，遇见了好多友善及乐于助人的当地人民。

我们从与他们互动，当地食物，商店的服务及驾驶在路上，更进一步认识了日本人的文化及习俗。

在还没有启程前，我心里有好多焦虑及疑惑。

1. 日本人是不是友善呢？这旅程，我们需要他们好多的帮助。
2. 交通及道路的状况。
3. 根据汽车租赁公司的资料，随车将提供英语的卫星导航系统，但地图是日本语的。
4. 日本的交通执法很严格，我是否能够应对呢？

当我们抵达了本田(Toyota Rent-A-Car) 在千岁机场附近的办公室，领取了我们所租下的 Toyota Vellfire 八个座位的休闲车之后，疑虑及担心都消失了。

当我在马来西亚网上订了该辆车时，不需要付任何的款项或抵押金，他们完全凭靠一个『信』！

我用信用卡付了全部的租金，该公司的一位职员带领我们领取指定的汽车，向我们解释了导航系统的操作，汽车的控制器，然后给了一些文件及地图。

我们的第一个站是离开机场约一个小时的小樽，一个靠海的城市。

道路的行车速度每路段不同，通常都是在70 - 80 公里之间，以电子板显现。

这里的公路可分为国道（无料）及有料（收费）高速公路。

在整两千公里的旅途中，我们从没用过车笛，而我也只听过三次笛声而已。

参看Facebook 照片

观赏 Youtube 录影


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