Explore Hokkaido

📍 Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station – Hakodate Station: 30 min (Train) Time: Start (bar hopping tour): TBD Duration: 3 h *including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times

Welcome to Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island! Upon arrival at Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station, our representative will be waiting to provide an escort to the hotel. After checking in, enjoy an evening bar hopping with a local guide and begin the visit to Hokkaido by mingling with locals. Drinks and food are included on this casual night out through lively neighbourhood spots.

Overnight in Hakodate
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Time: Start (guided tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h *including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times

Enjoy a guided day through Hakodate, a city rich in history and maritime culture, on foot and by tram. This is an excellent chance to understand the unique blend of traditional Japanese and modern western culture that occurred as Hokkaido was settled in the 19th century.

Meet a private guide at the hotel and take the tram to Goryokaku Park, a green space surrounding a western-style citadel in the shape of a star. Originally built in 1866 to defend against the western threats, this is now a favourite spot of the locals to enjoy the seasonal greenery and flowers. Ride back to the Hakodate station to visit a local fish market for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Motomachi District, with its distinct historical buildings, such as a Russian Orthodox Church and classic old brick warehouses.

Optional Tour Addition: Hakodate Public Hot Spring Tour

Hakodate is well-known for the many sento (public baths) in the city, but these are no ordinary facilities! Unlike standard sento throughout Japan that simply use heated tap water, Hakodate’s baths are fed by natural springs from deep in the earth. Residents often visit public baths regularly for relaxation and health, and visitors can enjoy a dip in this part of the local culture as well.

Towards the end of the full day tour, the guide will bring guests to a popular sento bath and explain bathing manners and culture. Guests are then free to enjoy the bath at their leisure and see what makes Hakodate such a relaxing and healthy city.

Time
Start: Last portion of the fully guided day
Duration: 2 h
Cost quoted separately
 

Suggested sightseeing: Mt Hakodate

As sunset approaches, ascend Mt. Hakodate for a fantastic view of the city spanning the narrow isthmus that connects the mountain to the mainland. Visitors can reach the summit of the mountain via the Hakodate Ropeway, a cable car ride that takes approximately 3 minutes. Once at the top, visitors can enjoy the observation deck, which provides unobstructed views of the city and the sea.

As the sun begins to set, the view from Mt. Hakodate becomes even more spectacular. The sky turns into a vivid orange and pink hue, reflecting off the water below. The city lights up, creating a dazzling display of sparkling lights against the darkening sky. It's no wonder that Mt. Hakodate is considered one of Japan's three best night views.

In addition to the observation deck, there are also restaurants and cafes at the summit, offering visitors a chance to enjoy a meal or drink while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Overnight in Hakodate

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Hakodate to Lake Toya: 3 h (drive) Time: Start (car tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h *including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times

As an option, skip the hotel breakfast and take an early start to visit the Asa-ichi, or morning market, enjoying a breakfast of fresh sushi and marvelling at the variety of seafood on offer.

After breakfast, an English-speaking driver will provide a pickup from the hotel, followed by transport to Onuma Quasi National Park, about 20 kilometres north of Hakodate. This park is known for its beautiful lakes dotted with small islands and Mt. Komagatake, an impressive dormant volcano.

After a morning walk at the first park, head to Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This region is named for the two famous lakes within its borders, Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu, both caldera lakes formed by years of volcanic activity. 

Proceed to explore the area around Mt. Usu, an active volcano which has erupted four times in the past hundred years. Visit the Usu Volcano Science Museum and its exhibitions about the eruptions in 1977 and 2000. Then travel to the top of Mt. Usu by ropeway, enjoying breath-taking views of the ocean, Lake Toya and Mt. Usu’s large crater.

*English speaking driver is not a guide, but an English communicable driver 

Check into the hot spring hotel in time for a traditional Japanese dinner and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Shikotsu-Toya National Park (Lake Toya)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Lake Toya to Noboribetsu: 1 h (drive) Time: Start (car tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h *including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times times

Today, a private car provides roundtrip transfer to Noboribetsu, an area famous for its volcanic activity and onsen (hot spring baths). Visit Jigokudani, or “Hell Valley”, a spectacle of hot steam vents and sulphurous streams.

Meet with a local nature guide and take a two hour guided nature walk through the hills. The highlight is Oyunuma, a steamy, sulphurous pond where the surface water temperature is up to 50 degrees Celsius. Take this rare opportunity to enjoy a footbath in a naturally warm stream, where hot water cools to just the right temperature as it flows through the forest.

Suggestion Sightseeing: Hot Springs

Many of the onsen hotels in town are open to visitors in the day who want to try the famous hot springs. Take a dip at one of these baths and discover the soothing waters of this charming onsen resort town. (Entry fee not included in cost) 

After a day exploring the town of Noboribetsu travel back to the hotel to enjoy dinner with the rest of the evening free at leisure.

Overnight in Shikotsu-Toya National Park (Lake Toya)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Toya Station to Sapporo Station: 2 h Time: Start (orientation walk): TBD Duration: Approx. 3 h *including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times Station: 1 h 10 min

Today is a self-guided day.

After check-out, take the hotel shuttle bus at 11:00 to Toya station. Be sure to pick up some snacks near the station for the upcoming journey, as there will not be a chance to buy food on the train. Board the express train bound for Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido and Japan's fifth largest city.

Upon arrival to Sapporo Station, proceed to the hotel near the station to drop luggage and check in. After, head out for an enjoyable self-guided afternoon in the capital city of Hokkaido.

Suggested self-guided itinerary: Sapporo

At heart of the Sapporo is Odori Park, a 105m wide, 1.5km long promenade, where Sapporo TV Tower stands at one end of the parkway. A short walk from the park is the famous Sapporo Clock Tower, the historical and cultural symbol of the city. Originally built in 1878 as a drill hall of Sapporo Agricultural College, the clock tower now serves as a museum that displays not only the history of the tower itself but also of Sapporo. 

Walk on to the local fish market Nijyo Market and the local shopping arcade “Tanuki-Koji.” There are plenty of local choices for dinner here, like butter ramen and the famous lamb BBQ dish know as Genghis Khan.

Finish with a twilight visit to JR Tower Observation Deck located on the 38th floor of a commercial complex next to the main train station with shops, restaurants, and department stores. From the observation deck standing at 160 meters above the ground, take in a stunning night time view of the city. 

Overnight in Sapporo 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Sapporo Station to Otaru Station: 30 min

Today is a self-guided day.

Explore Sapporo or enjoy a pleasant day trip to Otaru, half an hour northwest of Sapporo by train.

Suggested self-guided itinerary: Otaru

Otaru, located just a short train ride from Sapporo, is a charming port town that offers visitors a glimpse into Japan's rich cultural heritage. One of the main attractions is the Otaru Canal, a picturesque waterway lined with stone warehouses that were once used to store goods from ships. Today, the warehouses have been converted into restaurants, cafes, and shops selling local crafts and souvenirs. 

Another popular spot is Sakaimachi Street, a historic shopping street that has retained its old-world charm. The street is lined with beautifully preserved buildings from the early 20th century, which now house boutiques, glassware shops, and cafes. Visitors can also visit the Otaru Music Box Museum, which showcases a collection of intricately designed music boxes from around the world.

Otaru also has several museums and art galleries that are worth visiting, such as the Otaru Museum, which showcases the town's history and cultural heritage. Another interesting museum is the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, 30 minutes from Otaru by train to visit the historical buildings and taste some of its famous whisky.

Finally, Otaru is known for its delicious seafood and sushi. Visitors can sample some of the freshest seafood at the Otaru Sankaku Market, which offers a wide variety of seafood and other local specialties. 

Distance and journey time (approximation):
Sapporo Station to Otaru Station: 30 min (train)

Overnight in Sapporo
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): 1 h (drive)

Today is at leisure until the reserved express train transfer to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast