Full Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
You will be met on arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport and shown to a seat sharing-taxi which will take you to your hotel. Your package starts with a two night stay in the exciting Shinjuku area of the city – all the bright lights, shops and restaurants that you would expect! After a relaxing afternoon, you may like to head for the 45th floor of the Metropolitan Government Buildings for an early evening view of the amazing city nightscape.
Stay 2 nights: Kadoya
Day 2: Full day Tokyo
A full day in Tokyo – your Info-Pack will be full of ideas for things to see and do and the whole city is easily accessible from your base in Shinjuku. Options include visiting the old temple of Senso- ji, walking around Hama Rikyu Gardens or taking a monorail ride out into Tokyo Bay.
Day 3: Fly to Hakodate
Your adventures in the north begin today! You’ll fly today from Tokyo Haneda airport to Hakodate city – the gateway to Hokkaido Island. Pick up your hire car at Hakodate airport and then drive the short distance into this small and attractive port-city. Hakodate is known for its stunning night view from the nearby mountain and also for its collection of churches – a legacy from a time when it was one of Japan’s few international ports.
Stay 1 night: Kokusai Hotel
Day 4: Scenic drive to Toya Onsen
You may want to catch the morning fish market before driving today to Toya Onsen, in the Shikotsu Toya National Park. The 100 mile drive will take you via volcanic Lake Onuma and around the attractive Uchiura Bay –as in all of the drives in this plan there are plenty of places to stop off en route. The national park itself is centred around a large and attractive lake with the “new” and still smoking Showa Shinzan volcano as a backdrop. There are plenty of hikes in this area as well as cycling routes and boat cruises – and for rest and relaxation, your Japanese-style hotel has an wide range of hot spring baths to try.
Stay 3 nights: Kawanami
Day 5: Toya Onsen & Lake Shikotsu
A full day in the national park – you may want to drive to nearby Lake Shikotsu where there are further mountain walking routes as well as trails through a moss covered gorge and the chance to wander around the crater of Mt. Tarumae.
Day 6: Toya Onsen & Hot springs
Today we would recommend heading to Noboribetsu Onsen – the most popular hot spring area in Hokkaido and home to Jigokudani, a “hell valley” complete with steaming sulphurous vents and streams of hot water.
Day 7: Drive to Sapporo
An eighty mile drive away, today’s destination is Hokkaido’s cosmopolitan capital city of Sapporo. The city is built on a grid system and unlike most Japanese cities has a lot of open space and green areas. There’s plenty to see and do here including attractive botanical gardens, Japan’s most famous brewery (tours with free samples available!) and views from the TV tower in the large Odori Park.
Stay 2 nights: Keio Plaza
Day 8: Sapporo and Otaru
A second day in Sapporo allows you the chance for a day trip to Otaru - a seaside town with a distinct Russian influence. The romantic canal is great for an afternoon’s walk and a must-see is the Nishingoten, a huge complex which was once home to fishing industry barons.
Day 9: Drive to Biei
Head east today into the plains of Biei, famous for its lavender and poppy fields and its vast farm lands. There are numerous walks to take around here as well as a number of art galleries to visit all set off against the backdrop of the Daisetsuzan mountain range. You’ll stay here in a small family-run B&B complete with home cooked meals.
Stay 3 nights: Pension Hozuki
Day 10: Biei and Asahidake Onsen
Using Biei as your base, today we would recom-mend visiting Mt. Asahidake. There are numerous trails around here and of course the opportunity to hike to the top of Hokkaido’s highest mountain – helped by a cable car most of the way if you wish! Your climb is rewarded with dramatic views over steaming lava pools and after your day’s activities you can take a hot spring bath if you wish.
Day 11: Biei and Tokachi-dake
A smaller peak could be your destination today and we would recommend Tokachi-dake. Off the usual tourist routes you’ll have the place largely to yourself. Nearby Fukiage spa offers free of charge open-air baths overlooking a gorge.
Day 12: Kawayu Onsen
You’ll head on to the Akan National Park today – it’s a drive of about 150 miles with plenty of places to stop off if you wish, including the beautiful gorge at Sounkyo Onsen. Your destination is Kawayu Onsen, a small spa town near Mashu-ko, reputed to be Japan’s most attractive lake.
Stay 3 nights: Nibushi-no-Sato
Day 13: Kawayu Onsen and Akan Kohan
There are a number of small mountains to explore near Kawayu Onsen and you can also visit Akan Kohan where there are exhibits and museums about the indigenous Ainu people. This is one of the largest settlements in Hokkaido so a great place to try Ainu cuisine and learn about their culture.
Day 14: Akan National Park
Today gives you further time to explore this national park – on a clear day you can see as far as the Daisetsuzan National Park from the peak of Mt. Akan or you may wish to relax lake side in Kawayu Onsen.
Day 15: Fly back to Tokyo
You’ll drive to Kushiro airport today, drop off your car and then fly back to Tokyo. Your last night spent back in the bustling Shinjuku district of Tokyo is quite a contrast with the wilds of Hokkaido.
Stay 1 night: Kadoya
Day 16: Departure
Alas time to head home – we have included vouchers for the Airport Limousine Bus transfer back to Tokyo Narita Airport.
