Shopping in Seoul and then heading to Hokkaido for skiing

✈️ Why not fly directly to Hokkaido?
Originally, I planned to fly directly from Taiwan to Hokkaido, but after checking ticket prices, I found that direct flights were mostly priced around 20,000 NTD. Later, I discovered that flying from Seoul, South Korea, to Hokkaido costs only about 15,000 NTD round trip, saving nearly half the cost!

Although it involves a layover, saving money is more practical for me (plus, I can catch up with friends for a meal) 😂😂😂

🎿 Skiing is the main focus!
The highlight of this trip is, of course, skiing! If you're coming for skiing like me, I must remind you:

If you're planning to ski at "Rusutsu" or "Niseko," unless you're driving yourself, make sure to book bus tickets on the official website in advance! I'm not exaggerating—if you can't buy tickets on-site, you might end up stuck at New Chitose Airport or Sapporo, which could completely disrupt your itinerary and be super awkward...

⛷️ About the ski resort I chose
This time, I chose Rusutsu Resort, which is about a 2-hour drive from Sapporo. December coincided with the first snowfall, and the snow conditions were excellent—very beginner-friendly. The resort is spacious, not too crowded, well-equipped, and has plenty of staff to assist in beginner areas.

📌 Tips & Suggestions
For transportation to Rusutsu, I recommend taking the shuttle bus booked through the official website or hiring a private car (more cost-effective for larger groups).
Ski equipment rentals are available nearby.
If you have enough time, you can also plan visits to Lake Toya (visible from the mountain top at Rusutsu on clear days) and Noboribetsu Onsen.

P.S. New Chitose Airport is a joint military-civilian airport, so you might occasionally see military aircraft taking off and landing (Photo 2: F-15).

Post by 大E 旅行家 | Jun 25, 2025