Wild Hokkaidō: Between Mountains and Sea
Hokkaidō is a vast, untamed region that represents a quarter of Japan’s surface, yet only five percent of its population. Explore the island’s mountainous inland areas before heading north along the coast and to Rebun and Rishiri Islands for an unforgettable nature escape, far from the major cities of Kantō and Kansai. Summer is the ideal season to enjoy its pleasant weather and breathtaking hiking routes. In winter, we recommend our “Winter Sports in Sapporo” excursion.
We highly recommend using our driver-guide service to make travel easier across a prefecture where the railway network is less developed. This will allow you to efficiently follow the itinerary below.
Day 1, Asahikawa: countryside getaway
From Sapporo, your guide will first take you to the flower fields of a local farm, about two hours away by car. Enjoy Hokkaidō’s famous ice creams served with a pastry. Continue on to the blue pond of Shirogane and the picturesque landscapes of Biei. Late in the afternoon, you will arrive at your hotel in Asahikawa. Enjoy a stroll through the city center on Heiwa Street, followed by dinner at your hotel or in a local restaurant.
On these remote islands, visitor services are often affected by unpredictable weather. For this reason, it’s important to plan a backup option. When designing your trip, we take this into consideration to make sure you always have an activity to enjoy, whatever the conditions.
Day 2, Asahikawa: Escape to Mount Kurodake
Depart early from your hotel for a nature getaway to Mount Kurodake. You’ll reach the summit, 1,900 meters above sea level, before noon, after a cable car ride followed by a short hike. From this viewpoint, you can admire the exceptional landscapes of Hokkaido’s high plateaus stretching out over dozens of kilometers. Explore the mountain before heading back down for lunch with local ramen, followed by a relaxing onsen.
Back in Asahikawa, visit a local sake brewery with a tasting session. In the evening, enjoy a dinner featuring game meat.
Depending on the weather, it may also be possible to take part in a sea urchin fishing workshop.
End the day with an onsen and dinner at the hotel, followed by a nighttime stroll in the area.
Day 3, Wakkanai: coastal road trip
Departing from Asahikawa, set off on a coastal road trip towards the city of Wakkanai in the north of the island. Enjoy the scenery as your guide drives you. We will make several stops at scenic viewpoints, for lunch, and to admire the landscapes of the Far North. Arrival in Wakkanai is scheduled for mid-afternoon. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, we will head to Cape Sōya, the northernmost point of Japan, from which you can see Sakhalin Island on clear days.
In the evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner at the hotel with a sea view. On the menu: crab, scallops, and other local seafood specialties.
Day 4, Rebun Island: wild hiking
After breakfast at the hotel, take the ferry to Rebun Island to arrive around noon. After a light lunch and dropping off your luggage at the accommodation, set off with your guide on a hike across the island’s mountainous center, covered with flowers and shrubs, then along the coastline and its cliffs.
In the evening, spend the night in a family-run inn or hotel and enjoy dinner on site.
For your accommodation, Rebun and Rishiri islands offer limited options. A few hotels provide services comparable to those in larger cities, but most visitors stay in private homes or guesthouses. There are also more rustic lodges that make up for their modest comfort with a unique charm. We will make reservations according to your preferences.
Day 5, Rishiri Island: exploring the volcanic island
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a walk in the southern part of the island before taking the ferry to the volcanic island of Rishiri. You’ll arrive before noon and tour the island, stopping at scenic viewpoints and natural sites. Those who wish can either take a short hike or climb to the summit of the island, reaching over 1,700 meters for a breathtaking view. Depending on the weather, you may also join a sea-urchin fishing workshop.
In the evening, relax in an onsen followed by dinner at your hotel. Enjoy a peaceful nighttime stroll around the area.
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Jour 6, retour à Tōkyō
Le matin, vous prendrez le ferry pour Wakkanai puis l’avion depuis l’aéroport local jusqu’à Tōkyō.
This excursion fits perfectly at the end of your itinerary, after exploring Tokyo with our Tōkyō and Nikkō, between culture et pop-culture, tour, followed by the northern part of Honshū. Alternatively, we can design a dedicated trip focused entirely on Hokkaidō by combining this tour with two others: first Sapporo, capitale du nord d’abord,
then “Eastern Hokkaidō, Facing Russia.”
AYUMI Voyage consultants are at your disposal to create a tailor-made itinerary.
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AYUMI Voyage excursions are non-exhaustive suggestions designed to inspire you as you build your tailor-made journey through Japan with our travel specialists. All our itineraries, offers, and optional services are fully customized after a consultation with you.
Itinerary
The great northern of Japan
Durée
6 days
5 nights
Location
Asahikawa, Reibun, Rishiri
Walking time
Elevation gain
Best time to visit
AYUMI Premium Trip:
recommended additional services
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Driver-Guide : To visit Hokkaido efficiently, we recommend hiring a driver-guide. This service will allow you to access more remote areas far from train stations. You can also enjoy the scenery and relax in the vehicle between excursions. Of course, organizing this trip by train is still possible, but would be more complicated.
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Restaurant reservations: Hokkaido represents the countryside to the Japanese in the way a European would understand it. It's where a significant portion of the country's meat, seafood, and vegetables are produced. Add to that its abundant game, and you have the perfect recipe for making Hokkaido a culinary hotspot in Japan. Our advisors are here to help you find the best restaurants.
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Activities and workshops: fishing. Between breathtaking landscapes, discover one of the island's most important industries and let local fishermen guide you. Our advisors will offer you a fishing workshop on one of the islands, Reibun or Rishiri, where you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Activities of this type are subject to weather conditions and may be canceled at the last minute to avoid any incidents.
See all our optional services