cheer: yes, cos my tour package only 7days and we find it a bit short, so extended 3 days in Sapporo on our own
yes haha...those places which were not covered in our package, we more or less went to all...one of them was the Sapporo Factory Mall but to be honest, it was quite disappointing. Nothing much to see there. Wanted to go Hakodate from Sapporo but it was too far, to go there wld take us 3.5hrs. Travelling only (to and fro) is 7hrs liao, not counting sightseeing time also. Think u will need to stay overnight there if u plan to tour Hakodate, 1 day too rushed for u.
have u booked ur hotel in Sapporo? if u haven't, can try Hotel Gracery which is directly opp JR Sapporo station...very very convenient. If not, can try others near the train station also like Keio Plaza, ANA hotel or others. So far we found cheapest was Hotel Gracery lah, the location was the best also. For pics of the hotel, can check out my FB HM pics, all there
$100+ per night only but no breakfast provided, gotta settle ur own. The restaurant downstairs provides bf at 1,300yen per pax, u can try also.
very very imp to get a hotel near train station cos when u check out, u can drag all ur luggage to the train station, no need to take taxi. Taxis are VERY exp in japan, a short trip will cost u almost S$20 liao. U wanna go sightseeing on ur own also convenient, just take the train.
Recommended food places wld be the basement food markets in Daimaru (opposite Hotel Gracery), ESTA and Marui Imai. Daimaru and ESTA are all linked by underground subways connecting to JR Sapporo station so very convenient, no need to walk above ground also (it is very cold outside). Marui Imai is a distance away, have to walk above ground to reach there. It will take u roughly 15min-20min to walk from Hotel Gracery.
u can try to take the train to Otaru also...a must try is LeTao's cheese cake! see my FB pic to see how it looks like haha.
anything not sure can ask me ok?