HOKKAIDO ROAD TRIP - UNCHARTED BEAUTY
15 nights (Self-guided)
Tokyo, Sapporo, Furano, Biei, Sounkyo, Shiretoko, Lake Akan
From £2,975 p/p
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
This self-drive tour allows you to fully explore the wild beauty of Japan's northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido.
Perfect for nature lovers and the curious, visit Sapporo – the gateway to Hokkaido and a city with a fascinating history and culinary treats. Collect your rental car and venture out to some stunning destinations with outstanding natural beauty. From the charming flower fields and sweeping plains of Furano, to the untamed wilderness of the Shiretoko Peninsula, and the mystifying flora of Lake Akan.
This exploration of the wilds of Japan is ideal for second- or third-time visitors.
DAILY ITINERARY
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Plus 1 night in Tokyo on arrival and on departure
DAY 1 : Arrival in Japan (Tokyo)
Welcome to Japan! Our friendly Meet & Greet service representative will be waiting in the Arrivals lobby and holding a sign with your name on. The Meet & Greet will direct you to your airport hotel where you will stay for one night.
DAY 2: Tokyo to Sapporo
Fly to Sapporo this morning and check into your hotel in central Sapporo for 2 nights. Whilst in Hokkaido you might want to visit the 147.2m Sapporo TV tower which offers a superb observation deck that gives you a great view of the city. Hokkaido is also well known for its delicious local food, so we recommend a visit to Nijo Food Market.
DAY 3: Sapporo with your Private English-speaking Guide
Spend a day in Sapporo with your English-speaking Guide. Places you may visit include, the Historical Village of Hokkaido, an open-air museum that depicts life during the frontier settlement of the prefecture. Your tour may include a visit the Sapporo Beer Factory, and experience for yourself the making of what is considered by some to be the best beer in Japan! Later, eat your fill of delicious soup curry, a native Hokkaido dish, at one of the city's many fine restaurants. Alternatively, you may want to enjoy an evening meal of "Genghis Khan" (pronounced jingisukan), another Hokkaido delicacy consisting of barbequed lamb, at the Sapporo Beer Garden restaurant.
DAY 4: Sapporo to Furano
After breakfast, collect your rental car and drive to the scenic town of Furano (2hrs). Upon your arrival, you could visit the Furano Winery, or the Furano Cheese Factory where you can observe its production process and get stuck in with hands-on workshops. Check in to your hotel here for 3 nights.
DAY 5: Furano
Furano is situated in the centre of Hokkaido which is famous for its beautiful scenery and farming. Visit one of Hokkaido's premier flower farms, Farm Tomita, where you can see multi-coloured rolling flower fields, complete with its own charming cafes, and delicious local ice cream stalls including the famous local lavender ice cream. Farm Tomita also has its own perfume workshop where you can learn about how the farm's wonderful essential oils are blended to create glorious floral scents.
DAY 6: Furano Kayak Tour/Biei
Today, join your English-speaking Guide on a fantastic kaya or rafting tour of the area. You can also make the journey to Biei and visit the magical Ao-ike (Blue Pond). This naturally blue lake can be viewed from a boardwalk. When the sun shines onto the water, it is clear enough that you can see fish swimming in its azure waters.
DAY 7: Furano to Sounkyo
After breakfast, hop in the car and drive to the lovely onsen town of Sounkyo (2hr 30m). Framed by towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and rugged mountain vistas, Sounkyo offers the perfect fusion of healing hot spring waters and dramatic natural beauty. The nearby Daisetsu Mori no Garden showcases hundreds of flower species in carefully arranged displays. Why not take the cable car and chair lift toward the summit of Mt Kurodake, which looms over the gorge, offering the best views in the area. It is only from this height that one begins to understand why this is known as the 'Roof of Hokkaido'. Check in to your hotel here tonight, where you will enjoy a delicious dinner made with local seasonal ingredients.
DAY 8: Sounkyo to Abashiri
After breakfast, drive (2hr 20m) towards idyllic Abashiri, which is on the northeastern part of Hokkaido along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Here, we recommend visiting the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples where you can learn more about the culture of the indigenous people of Hokkaido – the Ainu. Check in to your hotel here for tonight.
Day 9: Abashiri to Shiretoko
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and drive (1hr 20m) to Utoro in Shiretoko, known as 'the end of the world' in Ainu culture. Utoro is famous for its wonderful natural hot springs and incredibly fresh seafood. Check in to your lovely hotel for 2 nights, with a delicious dinner included both nights.
DAY 10: Shiretoko
Visit lovely Shiretoko National Park today. The park is one of Japan's most beautiful and unspoilt National Parks and was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2005. It is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, foxes and brown bears. We highly recommend going on a nature cruise along the coast, where you will be able to marvel at the superb natural features along the coastline, including cascading waterfalls and stunning rock formations.
DAY 11: Shiretoko to Nemuro
After breakfast, drive (2hr 45m) to Nemuro, City of the First Sunrise, the eastern most city of Hokkaido. Explore Shunkunitai, which is a rare natural sandbank in Lake Furen that provides a sanctuary for incredible wild birds, including Steller's sea eagles. Check in to your hotel here for 1 night.
DAY 12: Nemuro to Kushiro
If you feel up to it, wake up extra early and make your way to Cape Nosappu to see Japan's earliest sunrise. Check out of your hotel after breakfast and drive (2hrs) towards Kushiro. Famed for the Kushiro-shitsugen National Park, designated as a National Park more than 30 years ago and known for its wetland's ecosystems. Enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the expanse of wetland from the Kushiro marsh observatory. Check in to your hotel here tonight.
DAY 13: Kushiro to Lake Akan
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive (1hr 45m) to Lake Akan. Lake Akan is a stunning spot located within the Akan-Mashu National Park in Eastern Hokkaido. It's renowned for its rare, large marimo (spherical green algae), dramatic volcanic scenery, and mystical forests. We recommend going on a guided tour of these forests, which have been largely untouched and remain fully off the beaten track. Check in to your lovely hotel here for 1 night, with a delicious dinner included.
DAY 14: Lake Akan to Sapporo
Check out of your hotel and return to Sapporo. You'll spend most of today driving (4hrs 30m) and check in here for another night.
DAY 15: Sapporo to Tokyo
It's time to say farewell to Sapporo! After breakfast, fly back to Tokyo. Check into a centrally located hotel in Tokyo and spend some time sightseeing ahead of your departure tomorrow.
DAY 16: Depart Japan
Transfer to your Tokyo airport, from where you'll say sayonara to Japan.
PRICES & INCLUSIONS
3.5* Accommodation: from £2,975.00 per person based on twin/double room occupancy.
4* Accommodation: from £3,245.00 per person based on twin/double room occupancy.
3.5* Single-room Occupancy: from £4,700.00
4* Single-room Occupancy: from £5,100.00
PRICE INCLUDES:
3.5* Accommodation Option:
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11 nights' accommodation in 3.5* hotels in Tokyo and around Hokkaido on a bed & breakfast basis
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3 nights' accommodation in 3.5* hotels on a dinner and bed & breakfast basis
4* Accommodation Option:
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10 nights' accommodation in 4* hotels in Tokyo and around Hokkaido on a bed & breakfast basis
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4 nights' accommodation in 4* hotels on a dinner and bed & breakfast basis
Both 3.5* and 4* Accommodation Options:
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Private English-speaking Guide in Sapporo for a 4-hour half-day tour of Sapporo
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Private English-speaking Guide in Furano for a 2-hour kayak tour of Furano
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Transfer via Express Train/Airport Limousine Bus from your Tokyo airport (Haneda/Narita) to central Tokyo
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Car rental for 10 days based on a Prius/Corolla/Corolla Touring model vehicle (upgrades are available on request)
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Detailed Japan Journeys Information Pack including sample train times, maps, & brochures
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Personalised Japan Journeys App to help manage your documents
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All Japanese sales taxes and service charge
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Full financial protection via Japan Journeys' membership of the Travel Trust Association through which your monies are held in a Trust Account until you return home (under Membership No. U3078)
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
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International and domestic flights
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International Driving Permit (£5.50)
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Petrol/Fuel for your vehicle
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Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
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Taxi, subway, and tramway fees
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Entrance fees
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Travel Insurance
BOOKING INFORMATION
To make a booking, a deposit of 10% of the total price is required.
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The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
INSURANCE
Travel can be a great experience, but it can also be fraught with problems, so when going anywhere it is essential you are properly covered with good travel insurance. You should be protected against cancellation, curtailment and loss or damage to your belongings as well as medical emergencies and have peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
Japan Journeys in association with Holiday Extras, is now able to offer excellent low cost cover to their customers.
