Northern Japan: Secrets of Hokkaido

• Days 1-2 - Arrive in Sapporo:
  Fly overnight to the laidback city of Sapporo, the gateway to Hokkaido. Transfer to the hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local atmosphere before tonight's welcome dinner.
• Day 3 - Sapporo History, Beer & Ramen:
  Begin your full-day tour of Sapporo, exploring how this vibrant city became the foremost city of Hokkaido. Step back into Hokkaido's early days at the Historical Village, brimming with preserved 19th-century buildings. After lunch, visit the iconic Sapporo Clock Tower and enjoy a stroll through Odori Park. This afternoon, visit the Sapporo Beer Museum and enjoy a tasting before heading to Sapporo's famous Ramen Alley, famous for its tiny shops serving miso-rich ramen.
• Day 4 - Olympic Museum & Otaru at Leisure:
  Discover the event that put Sapporo on the international map: the Winter Olympics of 1972. Visit the fascinating Olympic Museum with its surprisingly interactive displays, then ride the Okura Ski Jump to enjoy panoramic views of Sapporo. Later, head to Otaru and enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Return to Sapporo ahead of dinner this evening.
• Day 5 - Furano Flower Fields, Winery and Blue Pond:
  Take a scenic morning drive to Furano, known for its rural beauty. Visit Shikisai-no-Oka Flower Garden to see colourful seasonal blooms and try lavender ice cream. Continue to a local winery for a tasting and lunch, then stop at the vivid Blue Pond before heading to your hotel to relax or enjoy the onsen before dinner.
• Day 6 - Mount Asahidake & Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum:
  Drive approximately one hour into Daisetsuzan National Park to reach Mount Asahidake, Hokkaido's highest peak. Ascend by cable car to Sugatami, the 5th Station (elevation 1,600 metres). Here, enjoy a relaxed walk of around one hour, taking in alpine scenery, volcanic terrain and seasonal flowers, before your return ropeway journey. Later, enjoy a sake tasting at the Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum before returning to your hotel in Furano, where you can relax or enjoy the onsen before dinner at the hotel.
• Day 7 - Kushiro Wetlands - Lake Akan & Ainu Show:
  Travel through Hokkaido's rural landscapes to Kushiro Marsh, Japan's largest wetland. Enjoy a gentle, beginner-friendly canoeing experience on the Kushiro river, with opportunities to spot local birdlife, including the rare red-crowned crane. After free time for lunch, drive north to Lake Akan and check in at your lakeside hotel. This evening, experience a traditional Ainu dance performance; a UNESCO-recognised art form telling stories of harmony between people and nature.
• Day 8 - Lake Akan - Lake Kussharo:
  Take a cruise on the fascinating Lake Akan, in the heart of Akan Mashu National Park. Stop on a small island in the lake, famous for its charming marimo moss balls. Head back to shore and take a stroll in the Ainu Village before lunch. This afternoon, continue to your hotel on Lake Kussharo, stopping en route to see the geothermal vents at Mount Io.
• Day 9 - Sea of Clouds - Hokkaido Dairy Farm - Shiretoko:
  Rise early to witness the 'Sea of Clouds', sipping a coffee as you admire the mists rolling over Lake Kussharo in the early morning light. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, visit a local farm to learn about Hokkaido's renowned dairy, beloved in Japan for its rich, almost vanilla-like taste. Explore the farm, enjoy a milking demonstration, taste fresh milk and and even try your hand it making butter! You will have time to visit the farm shop before continuing to your hotel in Utoro, the gateway to Shiretoko National Park.
• Day 10 - Shiretoko National Park by Land & Sea:
  Head to the Shiretoko Nature Centre, and enjoy a relaxed stroll to Furepe Waterfall, which empties into the Okhotsk Sea. Later, drive to Shiretoko Goko Lakes and follow an elevated boardwalk through the fields to admire the scenery. If you are lucky, you may see Ezo deer, foxes, or intriguing local birds. After free time for lunch, take a two-hour bear spotting cruise from Utoro to Rusha Bay, in search of the Ussuri brown bears, who hunt and fish along this wild, untouched stretch of coastline in summer. Binoculars are recommended - some can be rented on the boat.
• Day 11 - Abashiri - Kitami - Sounkyo:
  Depart Shiretoko for Abashiri, where we'll explore a former prison, which brings to life the harsh realities of Meiji-era convict labour. Later, visit the Museum of Northern Peoples, which exhibits many artefacts from indigenous Ainu culture. Later, visit Kitami, once responsible for 70% of the world's mint oil. Stop by a heritage mint museum and distillery, and sample mint ice cream before continuing to Sounkyo for your overnight stay.
• Day 12 - Sounkyo - Kita Craft Village - Sapporo:
  Begin the day in Sounkyo, on the north side of Daisetsuzan National Park. Ascend Mount Kurodake by ropeway for sweeping mountain views, followed by a gentle forest walk. Later, journey back towards Sapporo, stopping en route at Kita-no-Arashiyama, a charming craft village known for its small artisan studios. Browse pottery, woodcrafts and glassware - a perfect final shopping opportunity - before returning to Sapporo for a farewell dinner.
• Days 13-14 - Depart Sapporo:
  This morning is free at leisure before you transfer to Sapporo airport for your return flight home.

• 13 Jun 2027 - 25 Jun 2027
  from $12,280 pp twin share *
• 27 Jun 2027 - 09 Jul 2027
  from $12,280 pp twin share *
• 04 Jul 2027 - 16 Jul 2027
  from $12,880 pp twin share *
• 25 Jul 2027 - 06 Aug 2027
  from $12,880 pp twin share *
• 15 Aug 2027 - 27 Aug 2027
  from $12,880 pp twin share *
• 05 Sep 2027 - 17 Sep 2027
  from $12,280 pp twin share *
• 26 Sep 2027 - 08 Oct 2027
  from $12,280 pp twin share *

* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.

• Mercure Sapporo
• Shin Furano Prince Hotel
• Tsuruga Akan Yuko no Sato
• Kussharo Prince Hotel
• Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
• Hotel Taisetsu Onsen

How long is this journey?

This itinerary runs for 14 days and 11 nights.

When can I travel?

Departures are currently scheduled between 13 Jun 2027 and 08 Oct 2027, subject to live availability.

Are there different departure options?

Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.

What is generally included?

Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.

What style of accommodation is used?

Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.