My wife and i want to give a shout out to Mari Takarajima  at Hokkaido Treasure Island Tours in Sapparo.  Mari’s paritience in coordinating  our very tightly scheduled trip  was beyond the pale, accommodting our last minute changes and offering suggestions where to stay in Lake Shikotsu (what an extraordinary natural wonder this lake is). Tbe driver in  our six hours (in an immaculate, comfortable SUV) made frequent photo stops at our request.   He also found a book I had left in his back seat and gave it to Mari,  who sent it on to us in California.  Travel services in Japan are usually top notch, but Hokkaido Treasure Island Tours belongs on the top of that impressive ladder.