Example Itinerary

Central Hokkaido for Adventurers

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Sports, Off the Grid
Destinations
Japan

Not for those looking to just lay on the beach, this seven-day Central Hokkaido for Adventurers itinerary will keep you excited and enjoying the great outdoors in Japan’s beautiful snow-covered nature. The trip takes you into Mt. Taisetsu, Sounkyo, Abashiri, Akan, Tokachigawa and finishes in Sapporo. Prepare yourself for trekking, snowshoeing, canoeing, skiing and exploring the beauty of Japan’s countryside. Keep your eyes peeled so you don’t miss spotting beautiful cranes or steam pouring out of a volcano.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

• Hiking: Trek up to the summit of Mt. Taisetsu wearing snowshoes and peer over the edge of active volcanoes spitting steam into the chilled air.

• Canoeing: Paddle down the Kushiro River, one of the best canoe destinations in the world, for mirror-clear waters, challenging rapids and wildlife sightings of Yezo deer and white-tailed eagles.

• Food: Sample chocolate in Sapporo at the Ishiya Chocolate Factory and pick up some Shiroi Koibito cookies (two thin butter cookies sandwiched with layer of white chocolate) as delicious souvenirs.

• Onsen: The healing waters of natural hot baths in Sounkyo are the perfect place to unwind after your outdoor adventures.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Asahikawa

Arrive in the snow ridden, mountainous Hokkaido region by flying into Asahikawa airport. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the diverse Asahikawa Zoo and enjoy the famous delicious local ramen.

Hotel Options
About

Located in Hokkaido’s second largest city, Asahikawa Grand Hotel is positioned in close proximity to Tokiwa Park, Asahikawa Museum of Art and Asahikawa City Museum. With a total of 237 rooms, Asahikawa Grand Hotel offers a variety of room types including Grand Double rooms, Japanese style rooms and suites.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Map

Sounkyo

Sit back and enjoy the ride up the Asahidake Ropeway that crawls up the mountainside. Enjoy the rest because now you will embark on an exciting snowshoe trek with a professional guide. Make your way all the way to the top of the ropeway and peer down to search for steam coming out of the volcano. After an active day, relax in a natural hot spring known to the Japanese as an onsen. After exploring the hot baths, finish the day soaking in the area’s best onsen.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy a stay at Sounkyo Onsen Hotel in Hokkaidō, Japan. Nestled between mountains and beside the Ishikari River, this resort is a perfect natural retreat for those who like to be in nature, while also enjoying high-quality service and luxury accommodation.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Sounkyo
Sounkyo

Day 3

Map

Sounkyo

Journey into the chilly outdoors and explore the frozen waterfalls off Ginga and Ryusei. The waterfalls appear to be paused mid-rush. Smelt ice fish on the frozen lake with the locals. You can even fish and sample piping hot fried smelt fish on the lake. A crab dinner in town is an indulgent and not-to-be-missed experience.

Day 4

Map

Akan National Park

Begin the morning by canoeing down the Kushiro River, the most popular canoeing river in the country. Keep your eyes peeled for sun pillars or diamond dust - natural phenomenons only appearing in the winter. Discover the natural, unspoiled beauty of Lake Mashu and Lake Akan. Relax your hard-worked muscles at your hotel this evening.

Hotel Options
About

Located in Akan and surrounded by forest, Akan Tsuruga Bessou HINANOZA has 25 Japanese style luxury suite rooms. Each room has a private open-air bath fed by the hot springs of Lake Akan, plus a wooden deck.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Welcome to the New Akan Hotel, located on the shores of Lake Akan in Akan National Park in Kushiro, Hokkaidō, Japan. Enjoy a visit to this beautiful natural landscape with a stay at this hotel, which consists of 370 rooms designed in both Japanese and western styles.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Akan National Park
Akan National Park

Day 5

Map

Sapporo

Akan is the crane capital of the country. Watch these beautiful, elegant birds for long enough, and you may witness one of the beautiful dances performed by crane couples. Drive towards Kushiro city and stop at Kushiro Washo Market for lunch. Grab a bowl of rice and pick your fish and ingredients as you peruse the many options available. Locals love the dish with soy sauce on top! Fly onward to Sapporo to spend the night.

Hotel Options
About

The JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo provides sleek style and convenience in Hokkaido, Japan. Conveniently located above JR Sapporo Station with a direct link from Chitose International Airport by JR line, it is the perfect stop during a business trip for some rest, relaxation, and a dash of luxury.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

The Sapporo Grand Hotel is a mature hotel with decades of experience delighting its guests, having been the first European-style hotel to enter the Hokkaido market. Guest rooms combine a traditional Japanese feel with modern, high-tech touches.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Map

Sapporo

Fix your sweet tooth as you begin the day with a tour of the Ryugetsu factory. Try the different authentic sweets and learn about how they’re made. The Baumkuchen, a layered type of cake originating from Germany, is to-die-for. Savor hot, fresh ramen in the famously-coined “Ramen Alley” in Susukino. It’s time for more sweets as you visit the Ishiya Chocolate Factory. The factory has a gorgeous museum and tons of chocolate for sampling or bringing to loved ones at home. Finish the day by burning off those goodies as you give the Mt. Okura Ski Jump a whirl. Spend a final night at your luxury hotel.

Sapporo
Sapporo

Day 7

Map

Departure

Make the most of your last day in Sapporo, shopping the chic fashions at the Mitsui Outlet. Stock up on the latest accessories and any final souvenirs before catching your flight home out of the Chitose Airport. Don’t forget to squeeze in one last delicious ramen lunch before your journey to your next onward destination.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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