9D8N EASTERN HOKKAIDO

9D8N Japan Eastern Hokkaido

On arrival, board a coach for Asahikawa.  Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second largest city after Sapporo, is located almost in the centre of Hokkaido, in the shadow of the magnificent Daisetsuzan Mountain Range.  Three rivers flow through Asahikawa – the Ishikari River, the Biei River and the Ushubetsu River.  It is also the gateway for tourism to the Sounkyo Gorge.  Apart from its famous zoo, Asahikawa is well known for art and furniture design.  The Asahiyama Zoo is Japan’s northernmost zoo and a major highlight of the city.

Day 02 – ASAHIKAWA  [B]

In the morning, visit the Asahiyama Zoo and enjoy watching, sometimes almost within touching distance, polar bears, seals and penguins, just to name a few of the beautiful fauna at the zoo.  For the rest of the day, enjoy the town centre of Asahikawa.  Food-wise, Asahikawa’s ramen with shoyu (soy) based broth is very popular with both locals and visitors and the countless ramen restaurants are a testament to that.  Option (own expense) to visit Sounkyo Gorge and take the ropeway and chairlift to near the Daisetsuzan Kurodake Summit. 

Day 03 – ASAHIKAWA – ABASHIRI  [B]

In the morning, head to Abashiri, a city located on the eastern coast of Hokkaido and along the Sea of Okhotsk known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history and also serving as a gateway to various natural attractions including the Shiretoko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Recommended to visit the following museums: (1) Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum (Drift Ice Museum); (2) Ryuhyo Garasu-kan Museum (Glass Museum); (3) Hokkaido Museum of Northern Indigenous Peoples.

Day 04 – ABASHIRI – SHIRETOKO  [B]

Abashiri is renowned for its winter scenery of drift ice on the Sea of Okhotsk.  In the morning in winter, weather permitting, join a boat tour to experience this natural phenomenon and possibly also witness ice-breaking by a ship.  Outside of winter, enjoy the morning walking around the town and/or visiting attractions including museums.  In the afternoon, head to Shiretoko, with coastal towns on the western side of the Shiretoko Peninsula.  Enjoy the hot-springs (onsens) at these towns and no less the beautiful sunsets.

Day 05 – SHIRETOKO  [B]

Today, enjoy a guided tour of one of the following in Shiretoko: (1) Shiretoko Forest Snowshoe Walk, (2) Guided Drift Ice Walk, (3) Shiretoko Lake Walk, (4) Wildlife Sighting Tour, or (5) Wildlife Sighting Cruise.  Choice of tour is dependent on actual travel dates.

Day 06 – SHIRETOKO – KUSHIRO  [B]

Today, head to Kushiro, a town located on the eastern coast of Hokkaido and a major port and transportation hub providing access to the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and the Akan-Mashu National Park.  The beautiful Kushiro Marsh (Shitsugen) is the largest wetland area in Japan and home to diverse flora and fauna including the iconic Japanese crane (tancho) which can often be spotted here (during the spring and summer migration seasons).  Enjoy Kushiro at your own leisure.  Attractions in Kushiro include the Kushiro Washo Market (fish market) and the Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO (a shopping and F&B mall).  For cultural attractions, there are the Kushiro Art Museum, showcasing local art and crafts, and the Kushiro City Museum, providing insights into the region’s history and natural environment.

Day 07 – KUSHIRO  [B]

During winter (Jan-Mar) and spring/summer (Apr-Oct), spend the day visiting Lake Akan, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. These 3 beautiful lakes set amidst stunning landscapes of mountains, forests and hot springs in the Akan National Park were formed by volcanic activity and are presently home to a variety of wildlife including brown bears, deer and various bird species.  Lake Akan is famous for its crystal-clear waters and unique marimo (spherical algae).  Apart from its reputation as one of the clearest lakes in the world, Lake Mashu is known for its deep blue colour and steep caldera walls, providing stunning viewpoints.  Lake Kussharo, the largest lake in Hokkaido, is a large caldera lake that boasts a unique volcanic landscape and is renowned for its hot springs, particularly along the shores.

Alternatively, spend the day visiting the International Crane Centre and Lake Akan. The International Crane Centre, a conservation facility dedicated to the protection and study of cranes and especially the endangered red-crowned crane, is an excellent place to learn about cranes while enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings of Kushiro Marsh.  Visitors can learn about the life cycle, habitat and behaviour of cranes through informative exhibits and there are observation decks from which visitors can watch cranes up close, particularly during feeding times, affording great opportunities for photography and bird-watching.

Day 08 – KUSHIRO – SAPPORO  [B]

Head to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido and Japan’s 5th largest city.  Sapporo is famous for its ramen, beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival held one week in February featuring enormous ice sculptures.  Enjoy the city at your own leisure.  Visit the Sapporo Factory Shopping Mall and the Shiroi Koibito Park.

Day 09 – SAPPORO – NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT  [B]

Head to Sapporo New Chitose Airport for your flight home.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.