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Our Northern Japan: Secrets of Hokkaido tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Journey from volcanic peaks of Daisetsuzan through lakes and wetlands to the rugged coastline of Shiretoko Peninsula
Take a cable car up Hokkaido’s highest peak for sweeping alpine views, with time to explore volcanic landscapes from the 5th Station
Take a coastal cruise along the Shiretoko Peninsula in search of brown bears along the remote, rugged shoreline
Discover the beauty of Lake Akan on a scenic cruise, including a visit to see the quirky marimo moss balls
Hokkaido dairy is beloved across Japan for its rich, creamy flavour with delicate vanilla notes. Visit a local farm to discover what makes it so special. You'll watch a milking demonstration, sample fresh milk, and even try your hand at making butter!
Discover the rich traditions of Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu people at Lake Akan. Begin with a talk introducing their beliefs and deep connection to nature, before a UNESCO-recognised dance performance brings their stories and traditions vividly to life.
Step into Sapporo's famous Ramen Alley, a narrow lane lined with tiny, bustling ramen shops. Choose your shop and customise your bowl, sampling rich, Sapporo-style miso ramen – a true local speciality.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fly home, arriving the same or following day.
Our tours feature hand-picked properties selected for their comfort, modern amenities and convenient location for sightseeing. We occasionally include a stay in a guesthouse or lodge where we feel the character of the property will enhance your tour, or to allow access to a more unique and memorable location. Here is a taster of the type of hotels you will be staying in on your tour.
The best time to visit Hokkaido, in Japan's far north, is during summer (June - mid-September) when the alpine flowers are in full bloom and bears can be spotted along the shoreline. Many travellers love early autumn (late September to mid-October) when the scenery is ablaze with colour - the earliest autumn leaves in all Japan.
Places Visited: Sapporo (3N) - Furano (2N) - Lake Akan (1N) - Lake Kussharo (1N) - Shiretoko (2N) - Sounkyo (1N) - Sapporo (1N)
Make the most of your time away. Whether you want to delve deeper into a destination, discover somewhere completely new, or simply unwind on a beautiful beach, we've created a range of ways to help you stay a little longer and see a little more.
If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book. Read our Price Match Promise
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Dedicated Solo departures are available on selected dates for this tour.
These solos-only departures feature smaller group sizes of up to 18, along with free airport lounge access.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
The same great Wendy Wu tour - just with an extra level of comfort. Enjoy relaxed 5-star city hotels, unique properties, and overnight cruises, each selected to deliver an elevated experience. See Upgraded Tour Hotels above for more details.
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