Hokkaido’s National Parks by Car (Self-driving)

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Memanbetsu airport to Shiretoko Utoro: 1.5 h

On arrival at Memanbetsu airport, proceed to the rental car counter to pick up a vehicle. Enjoy driving along the coastline to the Shiretoko peninsula.

The name "Shiretoko" derives from the Ainu phrase sirietok, meaning "End of the Earth.” Located on the most northeastern point of Japan, this region is characterized by its volcanic landscape. This national park is home to many large mammals, such as the brown bear and killer whale, and large birds of prey that are in danger of extinction. The diversity of these creatures and the links between ocean, river, and forest ecosystems in the area have been recognized, and in July 2005 Shiretoko was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

Overnight in Shiretoko Utoro
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Time: Start (guided boat tour): 10:00 Duration: 2h *Please arrive at the ticket office 30min prior to departure time

Today is a self-guided day.

Today is all about Shiretoko’s wild animals and stunning scenery.

During the summer months, from end-April to mid-October, travellers wishing to witness the breathtaking scenery and wildlife that Hokkaido has to offer head to Shiretoko National Park. Sightseeing boat cruises leave from Utoro Port, and offer scenic views of the local landscape and wildlife — including brown bears, deer, foxes, dolphins, whales and seabirds — showcasing the unique ecosystem and biodiversity of the area.

Board a bear-watching cruise to see wild brown bears from the waterside in a unique view unavailable anywhere else. 
Over the course of two hours, the popular brown bear sightseeing cruise ship heads to Rusha Bay, a veritable haven for bears, where the wild brown bears and their cubs can be seen frolicking as they go about their day. Bring binoculars and a long-range zoom camera lens to make the most of this special experience. (Note: Bears are spotted 90% of the time)

In the afternoon, visit a set of five small lakes located in Shiretoko National Park formed by an ancient eruption of a local volcano. The elevated boardwalk that stretches from the parking lot to the first lake has been built for observing the local vegetation and animals.

Overnight in Shiretoko Utoro
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Time: Start (boat tour): 9:00 Duration: 2.5h *Please arrive at the ticket office 30min prior to departure time The boat tour will be arranged in PM in the case of the closure of the Shiretoko pass in the morning. Start (guided boat tour): 13:00 Duration: 2.5h *Please arrive at the ticket office 30min prior to departure time Distance and journey time (approximation): Shiretoko Utoro to Rausu: 1 h

Today is a self-guided day.

This morning, drive over the Shiretoko Pass to reach the eastern side of the peninsula, where nature enthusiasts gather in the small fishing town of Rausu.

Nature boat cruises especially designed for observing Hokkaido’s unique wildlife and marine life are very popular here. Hop on a local nature cruise for a unique change to observe wildlife from the water.

The animals available for observation will change by season. In summer, the deep and narrow strait creates the perfect nursery area for whales and dolphins, with rich nutrients carried by the current from the Sea of Okhotsk. Also called the eagle capital of Hokkaido, the town is famous for its large concentrations of Steller’s Sea Eagles in winter. From May to mid-October, whales, Orcas, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds can be observed from the cruise ships. Experience magical moments while admiring these majestic marine mammals in their natural habitat over the course of two and a half hours.

Overnight in Shiretoko Rausu
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Shiretoko Rausu to Lake Akan: 3 h

Today is a self-guided day.

Set out for Akan Mashu National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Japan. It is known for crystal clear lakes, forested hiking spots, hot spring resorts, and diverse flora and fauna that includes the fascinating marimo moss balls. With an area of 90,481 hectares, the national park holds three lakes: Lake Akan, Lake Kussharo, and the more well-known Lake Mashu. Aside from these, it also has four main peaks, including Mt. Meakan and Mt. Mashudake, which are quite popular among hikers and trekkers.

Lake Kussharo is the largest lake in Akan Mashu National Park and is famous for find several outdoor baths that can be used wearing a swim suit. The Wakoto peninsula in the south of the lake offers many beautiful walking trails through the forest.

Mt. Iozan is one of the must visit spot in this area. This is an active volcano with yellow, sulfurous vents that can be viewed from a close proximity as visitors are free to walk around the steaming, smoking area. Eggs cooked by the natural heat of the mountain are usually on sale near the vents. Further refreshments are available from the Iozan Visitor Center.

Overnight in Lake Akan
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Today is a self-guided day.

Take time to explore the Lake Akan region. This beautiful crater lake is situated within the Akan Mashu National Park, and is particularly well-known for its bokke, bubbling mud pools, and marimo, a rare algae species that forms itself into beautiful green spheres that can reach the size of footballs. The algae have been designated a National Special Natural Monument.
    
Hiking is a popular activity in this area, with several walking trails through the surrounding forest and along the periphery of the lake. The trails start at the Akankohan Eco Museum Center, where information on the park and its wildlife are available. 

Sightseeing boats go out on to the lake for marimo viewing. The Lake Akanko Boat Tour operates from 08:00 to 16:00 with shorter hours during off seasons. The 85-minute cruise is closed from December to mid-April.
  
Optional Tour: The Akan Protected Forest Nature Walk

Explore the beautiful forest on the shores of Lake Akan on this guided walk. The conservation effort to preserve this forest has been led by the Maeda Ippoen Foundation since 1906, one of the earliest conservation projects in modern Japan. Discover the magic of this beloved stretch of nature with a certified nature guide who can share knowledge of what makes this forest so special. 

Time:
Start: (guided tour): 9:00 or 13:00
Duration: 2.5 h
Cost quoted separately

Overnight in Lake Akan
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Lake Akan to Asahidake: 4.5 h

Today is a self-guided day.

This morning, drive to Asahidake. Upon arrival, stroll to the Asahidake Ropeway Station from the hotel to enjoy Mt. Asahidake in the Daisetsuzan National Park. With 2,268 square kilometres of unspoiled wilderness, this is Japan’s largest national park, attracting visitors from all over the world for its beautiful scenery and hiking opportunities.

Take in the amazing natural scenery of Asahidake, before enjoying the stunning Asahidake Sugatami walking trail.

Overnight in Ashidake
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Asahidake to Sapporo: 3 h Time: Start (guided tour): 18:00 Duration: 3 h

Complete the drive through Hokkaido by arriving in Sapporo, the capital city. Upon arrival, drop off luggage at the hotel and return the car to a nearby location.

In the late afternoon, meet the guide at the hotel and depart for a three hour tour of Sapporo’s food scene. 

The locations of tonight’s tour are tailored to the preference of the guest, with the guide providing recommendations for various type of local food. This includes iconic delights like Genghis Khan lamb barbeque or the city’s famous butter ramen. Seafood is on the menu as well for those who want to try regional specialties fresh from the coast.

Make stops in two of Sapporo’s most interesting neighbourhoods: the busy Tanukikoji shopping arcade, and the lively Susukino entertainment district.

Don’t forget dessert! Finish the tour with a Shime Parfait, a tantalizingly creamy ice cream dish made with Hokkaido cream.

After stops at two or three restaurants tailored to the guests’ tastes, bid farewell to the guide and continue exploring the city independently or head back to the hotel.

Overnight in Sapporo 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

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: 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. 

Optional Tour: Yoichi and Otaru
Set out for a day exploring Yoichi, one and half hour away from Sapporo by train. The coastal climate and fertile soil have turned this seaside town into one of Japan’s most popular wine producing areas.

Arrive at Yoichi Station where a local guide awaits.  Move by car to a local winery to begin exploring the liquid landscape of the region. Meet the owner of the establishment and taste local vintages together, discovering what makes Hokkaido wine so special. 

Return to town and drop by the local supermarket to explore Yoichi’s seafood to fully grasp the culinary scene here. The guide will then drop guests at a fashionable hotel restaurant built to showcase Yoichi wine and cuisine using local produce. 

Among the hotel’s chic interior, savour a lavish lunch that pairs western-inspired courses of local meat and seafood with regional wine. The rarest Yoichi wine is highly sought-after, and today will be a chance to try some of these special vintages. This is a once-in-a-lifetime meal for wine lovers, carefully overseen by a highly regarded chef and sommelier duo who know the relationship between their cellar and the local dishes.

After a lunch, visit the pride of Yoichi, the venerable Nikka Whisky Distillery, established in 1934 by Taketsuru Masataka, the father of Japanese Whisky. He found that the conditions in Yoichi are suprisingly close to those in Scotland where he learned his craft. We suggest skipping the guided tour (offered in Japanese only) and instead visiting the musuem and shop on the premises, where guests can sample rare whisky for a small fee.

Time
Start: 10:00
Duration: 4h (plus self-guided time in Otaru)
Available only Fri, Sat, Sun.

Transportation time (approximation):
Sapporo Station to Yoichi Station: 1 h 30 min
Otaru Station to Yoichi Station: 30 min

This tour is available only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Overnight in Sapporo
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Sapporo Station to New Chitose Airport (CTS): 1 hour

Today is a self-guided day.

Today is at leisure until the reserved express train transfer to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport to catch a flight to your next destination
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast