Explore Japan on foot
Discover the rich culture of Japan
Bike around the country
Hokkaido is the most northern and second largest of Japan's four main islands. Your tour will start in Sapporo and will you around this mostly unspoiled land. Your first stop will be at Furano which is known for it rolling lavender fields. You will then head to Abashiri on the northern coast of the island and stay at a hot spring ryokan inn where you will be served dinner. In the winter this area is known for the ice flows which you can cruise through. You will then head inland to Kawayu Onsen and Lake Kussharo located in Akan Nation Park to enjoy nature. You then head south a quaint town called Kurshiro on the eastern coast. This town is famous for wildlife especially in Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. You will then head back to Sapporo. As with all of our Custom tours, changes can be made to this tour.
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| Custom tour | |
| Open - Custom Tour | |
| 11 days | |
| Minimum of 2 guests | |
| Per Person prices starting at US$3,500~ double occupancy for two travelers | |
| Breakfasts: 10 Lunches: 0 Dinners: 3 at your ryokans |
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| You will be met at New Chitose International Airport by a member of our staff who will take you to your first destination and hotel. Detailed materials as well as support from our experts in Japan will be available for this independent tour. No tour leader will be supplied. | |
| Sapporo, Furano, Abashiri Hot Spring, ryokan stays, Kushiro | |
| Age restrictions: Everyone younger than 20 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian |
Sapporo
You will be met at New Chitose International Airport and escorted by one of Rediscover Tour's team members to your hotel in Sapporo by public transportation. While still at the airport they will validate your JR Rail Passes, make seat reservations, answer any of your questions and hand you your rental cell phone.
Today you will travel to Otaru. Originally a fishing village was established here during the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) as an outpost of the Wajinchi district administered from the castletown of Matsumae. Today it is a quaint town with a lovely canal district. It is surrounded on three sides by mountains, while the fourth faces Ishikari Bay.
Today you will travel to central Hokkaido to visit Furano. In the summer travelers come to Furano to see the lavender fields but in the winter it turns into a winder wonderland with all kinds of different winter sports including downhill and cross country skiing. At the end of the day you can relax in Furano hot spring. The train from Sapporo Station to Furano Station will take approximately 2 hours.
Today you will a full day around Furano, where you can visit place like Garden of Wind, Furano winery and blue pond a naturally blue colored pond outside of Biei.
Today you will head to the northern coast of Hokkaido to stay in Abashiri at a hot spring ryokan. Abashiri is a 40,000 people town, on the Northeastern Hokkaido coast. The town main resources are fishing and tourism. In winter the town is a popular destination for visitors who want to experience a cruise into the Sea of Okhotsk on icebreakers. In summer the town has beautiful wild gardens where wild flowers bloom. Dinner will be served at your ryokan both nights.
Today you will a full day around Abashiri, where you can visit place like The Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples and the national park of Shiretoko.
Today you will stay in Kawayu Onsen town next to Lake Kussharo.
Lake Kusshiro is a caldera lake in the Akan National Park. Surrounding the lake are several open air hot spring bath which are free to use. These bath are open an public so bathing suits are allowed. The Wakoto Peninsula at the southern end of the lake is particular nice. The train from Abashiri Station to Mashu Station will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Your travels will continue on to Kushiro and Shitsugen National Park, known as Japan's largest wetland preserve. This is the only known habitat of the endangered Japanese Crane (tancho). The train from Mashu Station to Kushiro Station will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Kushiro
Today you will a full day around Kushiro, where I suggest to visit the fish market where you can select and eat the fish for your lunch. The city also offer a beautiful atmosphere to walking around.
Today you will head across Hokkaido, finishing your loop of the island, and spending the night in Sapporo where your adventure began.
Today is the last day of the tour. You will fly home with memories that you will keep for the rest of your life. Please make sure you arrive at New Chitose International Airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled flight.
