Eastern Hokkaido Mini Tour

You will travel on your own to Sapporo, check into the hotel and staying overnight in the city of Sapporo. We will leave a message for you at the hotel informing you of the meeting time for the next day. No meals included.

Travel: TBD; Walking: TBD

Before departing for the day you will need to prepare your luggage to be sent to Akanko. You will travel to Sounkyo Onsen with an overnight bag only. Prepare your overnight bag for two days and one night. After breakfast we will travel to Sounkyo Onsen. Sounkyo Onsen is a hot spring resort town in the north of Daisetsuzan National Park. This quaint village town is located in a scenic, narrow gorge that is flanked by 100 meter high, forested cliffs. After we check into the ryokan we will board the Kurodake Ropeway which will take us to higher parts of the Daisetsuzan National Park. Next, we will stop at Ginga no Taki and Ryusei no Taki waterfalls cascading down the 100 meter high cliffside. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel included.

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Light

After breakfast, we will travel by local public bus to Akanko. In addition to lakefront vistas and hot springs, Akanko is known for two things: marimo, a rare kind of algae that forms oddly perfect spheres; and its Ainu village. After checking into the ryokan, and picking up your main luggage you will have free time in the afternoon in Akanko. Use this opportunity to take advantage of the many attractions Lake Akan has to offer. Go fishing or take a sightseeing boat cruise. Or you can visit the Ainu Village with its many souvenir shops and restaurants selling authentic Ainu cuisine, or attend an authentic Ainu Dance Demonstration at the Ainu Village. We will return to the ryokan for a buffet dinner. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokans included.

Travel: 1 Hour;; Walking: Heavy

After breakfast, we will travel to Akan International Crane Center. Here we will learn about the Red-Crowned Crane, indigenous to this area of Japan. It was once thought the cranes were extinct. However, about 90 years ago, a few cranes were found, and extensive efforts were made to bring them back from the brink of extinction. While much work remains to be done, the crane population has stabilized and is even growing. Once we return to Akanko, you will have free time to do any of the activities that you did not get to do the day before returning to the ryokan for a buffet dinner. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan included.

Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Medium

Before departing for the day you will need to prepare your luggage to be sent to Shiretoko. You will travel to Abashiri and Shiretoko with an overnight bag only. Prepare your overnight bag for two days and one night. After breakfast at the ryokan, we will travel to Kitami, and then to Abashiri. Abashiri, on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, is home to a prison and known for the drift ice on the coast in the wintertime. In the afternoon, we will visit the Northern Peoples Museum documenting the cultures and lifestyles of many different people including the Ainu living in the cold and inhospitable northern areas of the northern hemisphere. After checking in to our hotel, you can enjoy the baths before dinner. Breakfast at the hotel and kaiseki-style dinner at the ryokan or dinner at a local restaurant.

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Medium

This morning, after breakfast we will tour the Abashiri Prison Museum to learn how the inmates lived and the role Abashiri prison played in the history of Hokkaido. After the Prison Museum we will travel to Utoro Onsen, the gateway to the remote and beautiful Shiretoko National Park. Shiretoko is an ancient Ainu word meaning ‘edge of the world’. Shiretoko National Park is famous in Japan for its beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife including deer, bear and foxes. We will enjoy a buffet dinner at the ryokan after checking in and picking up your main luggage. Breakfast at the ryokan and buffet dinner at the hotel included.

Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Medium

This morning we will take a boat cruise alongt the beautiful Shiretoko peninsula. In the afternoon we will take a walking tour exploring the Shiretoko Goko Lakes area to experience the nature and tranquility of the area. In the afternoon we will take a boat cruise along the Shiretoko coastline with it’s 100 meter lava-rock cliffs and waterfalls. You may even see seals and dolphins. We will return to the ryokan where you can relax in the onsen before a buffet dinner at the ryokan. Breakfast at the ryokan and buffet dinner at the hotel included.

Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy

This morning we will travel by bus to Membanbetsu Airport, where we will fly to Sapporo Chitose Airport or Haneda Airport. After arriving at the airport of your choice, you will continue around Japan on your own. Breakfast at the ryokan included.

Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Light