Uncover Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is a captivating destination that boasts breathtaking natural beauty and a unique blend of modernity and traditional charm. Known for its pristine landscapes, Hokkaido offers picturesque mountains, expansive flower fields, hot springs, and stunning coastlines. With its rich culinary scene and vibrant festivals, Hokkaido promises an unforgettable journey filled with cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and moments of tranquility in the midst of nature.
June 11th - 14th | Furano
June 14th - 17th | Sapporo
June 17th - 20th | Lake Shikotsu
Visitors to Japan now have the option to complete a Visit Japan Web before their arrival. By providing all of the requested information before arrival, it should expedite procedures through immigration & customs when you land in Tokyo.
Note that this is not compulsory, and the relevant forms will be available when you land, but it will likely allow for a smoother arrival.
We have put together this Destination Guide for you, full of unique insights and ways to get excited before you travel, such as:
- Spotify playlists
- Dishes to try
- Helpful phrases
- Packing guide
- Tipping guides
Plus more!
There are multiple flights from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to New Chitose (CTS) each day. Flight details will be provided, but we would be happy to book these on your behalf.
Independently proceed through immigration & customs, before collecting your luggage. An English-speaking assistant will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you to your private transfer.
Note: Look out for a sign displaying your name.
Proceed by private transfer to your hotel in Furano. This will take about 2-2.5 hours.
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner included
Spend the rest of your day at leisure. Your hotel has a number of indoor and outdoor hot springs to enjoy.
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.
Touring today will be done by private vehicle
Start at Shirahige Falls, a spectacular waterfall situated 600 meters above sea level.
Afterwards, head to Shirogane Blue Pond, named after its deep blue color which comes from natural minerals dissolving in the water.
Mount Tokachi (Tokachidake) is an active volcano located in Daisetsuzan National Park. It's the tallest volcano of the Tokachi Volcanic Group, with a height of 2,077 meters. It's also one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan.
Next, head to Shikisai-no-oka (1 hour). The panoramic flower gardens of Shikisai-no-oka provide spectacular views across fifteen hectares of land on Oka-no-machi Biei. It is a paradise of seasonal blossoms from spring through to fall, in which several dozen different species of flowers and grasses flourish.
Transfer back to Furano (1 hour), arriving at your hotel in the early evening.
Meet your English speaking driver in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.
Touring today will be done by private vehicle.
This morning you will be driven for about 1.5 hours to Asahidake.
Upon arrival, you will meet your English-speaking nature guide at Asahidake Ropeway station, and enjoy a trekking tour of the mountain. Along the way, marvel at the stunning views of Mount Asahidake. A particularly lovely time to visit is from June to the middle of August, when the mountains become awash with bright alpine vegetation and blooms. During these warmer months, enjoy the beautiful and delicate alpine flowers, like yellow-flowered rhododendron and chinguruma (white flowers with bright yellow centers) which grow trailside.
The sight of the white volcanic smoke rising from Mount Asahidake reflected on the surface of Meoto-lke Pond and Sugatami-no-Ike Pond adds to the constantly changing background of the trail to ensure an engaging and scenic hike.
Transfer back to your hotel in Furano, arriving in the early afternoon.
After a leisurely morning, you will be transferred to Sapporo (2.5 hours), which is Hokkaido's largest city.
Sapporo Grand Hotel
Premier King Room
- Daily Breakfast included
Nothing has been planned for this afternoon, and we'd be happy to make suggestions for you once your trip has been confirmed.
Your hotel is centrally located, and close to bars, restaurants, and shops.
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.
Touring today will be done by private vehicle.
Visit Hokkaido's Former Prefectural Office and the Clock Tower. The building is quite beautiful, and it's a great place to learn about the history of Sapporo. The Clock Tower, a symbol of Sapporo, serves as a museum with displays about the building's history.
Next, visit Odori Park, a greenspace in the center of Sapporo, that separates the city into north and south. It is an oasis in the middle of a business district, with 92 types of trees, including lilacs and elm. On its lawns and around its fountains, one can find locals and tourists alike, relaxing.
Head to Nijo Market, a public market in central Sapporo, famous for its fresh local produce and seafood such as crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin and various fresh and prepared fish. Eventually, noodle shops, bars, and greengrocers also opened, laying the foundations for today’s Nijo Market. It's a great place to sample local food, and perhaps enjoy a fresh glass of Sapporo beer!
Finish the day in Susukino, Japan's largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. It is the city's main entertainment area, packed with bars, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, shops, hotels, pachinko parlors, soaplands and love hotels. There are also over 4,000 bars and restaurants in Susukino, including the many ramen restaurants packed into Ramen Alley.
Upon conclusion of your tour you can either stay in Susukino, or be transferred back to your hotel.
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.
Touring today will be done by private vehicle.
Transfer to the beautiful town of Otaru (1 hour). The city's most famous sightseeing spot is Otaru Canal, which is incredibly photogenic regardless of the season.
After that, visit Kitaichi Glass, a specialty glass store that's just as famous as Taisho Glass Palace. Inside Kitaichi Glass Sangokan is a cafe called Sangokan Kitaichi Hall. The store is lit by kerosene lamps manufactured with Otaru glass. The dim, flickering lights inside the store create a magical atmosphere.
Then, visit a cafe of a well-known Otaru-based sweets brand. There are several shops in the Otaru Sakaimachi-dori area alone. Every store sells their own limited-edition products, so you’ll want to visit all of them if you have a sweet tooth.
Conclude your time in Otaru with a visit to the revered Nikka Yoichi Distillery. Tour the facility and afterwards sample the company's excellent whiskey.
You will arrive back in Sapporo in the early evening.
Meet your English speaking driver in the hotel lobby and transfer to Lake Shikotsu (about 90 minutes).
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Mizu-no-Uta
Japanese Style Room with Open Air Bath
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner included
Note: Three consecutive nights of Japanese Kaiseki Dinners is a lot, even for the most ardent of foodies! The hotel recommends enjoying this on the first and third nights, but taking the buffet dinner on your second night to break things up.
Spend the rest of your day relaxing in the hot spring baths.
Meet your English-speaking nature guide, and discover the trails around Lake Shikotsu, visiting the Forest of Giant Trees, Shichijo Otaki, and more based on your interests. A picnic lunch will be provided.
Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.
Touring today will be done by private vehicle.
Transfer to Shiraoi (1 hour) and visit National Ainu Museum. The Ainu are an indigenous people from the northern region of the Japanese archipelago, particularly Hokkaido. The Ainu culture is distinctive, with a language that is unrelated to Japanese, a spirituality that holds that spirits dwell in every part of the natural world, traditional dances that are performed at family events and festivals, and crafts such as wood carving and embroidery that incorporate unique patterns.
Increasing numbers of people have been trying to revive traditional dances based on old records and to create new types of Ainu music.
Next, visit Noboribetsu Jigoku-dani. Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is the remains of a 450-meter-diameter crater created by the eruption of Mt. Kasayama, an active volcano, about 10,000 years ago. A unique sight rarely found elsewhere in the world, Jigokudani is registered as a Hokkaido Heritage Site. It is also the source of Noboribetsu Hot Springs, with 10,000 tons of water gushing out every day. Covering an area of 11 hectares, and featuring a number of outlets and fumaroles, the valley, with its boiling water and fumes that block the view, surely resembles a hell inhabited by demons - hence the name. There is a 10-minute promenade around the area, and if you climb up to the Jigokudani Observatory, you can see the volcanic gases and boiling water spewing out.
Return to your hotel in the early evening.
Meet your English speaking driver in the hotel lobby and proceed by private transfer to New Chitose Airport (approximately 1 hour).
There are multiple flights available back to Tokyo. This information will be provided upon request.
Thank you for traveling with us.
We hope that we were able to help you build lasting memories of your time in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Scenset invests in making the world a better place. Scenset will offset the fuel used during the trip. On top of that, an extra 10% will be offset to make the trip a carbon-positive experience.
Currently, support is provided for Gold Standard Climate+ Projects from the Gold Standard Foundation.
PLEASE NOTE:
- All services are available at the time of quoting, but rooms are not being held.
- Guide availability is limited, so a quick decision is encouraged.
- The pricing above is based on credit card payment. If paying by wire transfer, the total cost will be reduced.
- Hotel room upgrades and flights to/from CTS can be quoted upon request.
If you like what you read and are ready to commit to this exceptional adventure, simply let us know. We would be thrilled to secure all the reservations for you and make sure everything is taken care of, including special surprises along the way.
Please refer to our terms & conditions here.