Uwe good to hear that it still works that way.
So my / our information was correct.

YES, Red Baron Wakkanai is quite some decent place, providing everything you need for a pretty good fee. In case you decide to go to Kushiro, there is also a Red Baron Place! From Wakkanai go to Otaru (for example) from there you can get a ferry to "Mainland Japan" = Maizuru in the Kyoto area (but not very cheap, almost 23 hours on the boat). Before going to Maizuru there is a place called Kuchan (pretty small). I might be able to get you some "overnight-stay-info" there, too (a Japanese frined of mine lives there).

In case you need any help, please send me an e-mail klausdorth(at)web.de.

Have a great time over here and maybe ........

Uwe,
If you are in the Nagano area in October, there will be a travelers meeting.
Please come if you are nearby!
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ber-13-a-66366

Chris