Wild Hokkaido between mountain and sea
Hokkaido is a wild land that comprises a quarter of Japan's land area but only five percent of its population. Explore the island's central highlands and mountainous landscapes , then head north along the coast and to the islands of Reibun and Rishiri for an exceptional wilderness adventure, far from the major cities of Kantō or Kansai. It's ideal in summer to enjoy pleasant weather for hiking amidst breathtaking scenery. In winter, we recommend our Winter Sports Tour to Sapporo .
We highly recommend our driver-guide service to facilitate your travels in a prefecture where rail transport is less developed. This will allow you to efficiently complete the program below.
Day 1, Asahikawa: Countryside outing
From Sapporo , your guide will first take you to the flower fields of a local farm, a two-hour drive away. There, you'll enjoy Hokkaido's famous ice cream with a pastry. Next, you'll travel to the turquoise waters of Shirogane Pond and then to the pastoral landscapes of Biei. In the late afternoon, we'll arrive at your hotel in Asahikawa. Enjoy a stroll through the city center, along Peace Avenue, and have dinner at the hotel or a local restaurant.
On these remote islands, visitor services are particularly affected by the weather. It is therefore essential to have a contingency plan. When creating your excursion within your tour, we will take this into account to ensure we can always offer you an activity during the day.
Day 2, Asahikawa: getaway to Mount Kurodake
Depart from the hotel early in the morning for Mount Kurodake for a nature getaway. You'll reach the summit, at 1900 meters , before noon, after ascending by cable car and on foot. From this vantage point, you can admire the exceptional landscapes of the Hokkaido highlands stretching for dozens of kilometers. Explore the mountain before descending for lunch at a local ramen restaurant followed by a relaxing onsen (hot spring). Back in Asahikawa , you'll visit a local sake brewery followed by a tasting session. In the evening, enjoy a game meat dinner.
Depending on the weather, you can also participate in a sea urchin fishing workshop .
In the evening, dinner at the hotel and a night walk in the surrounding area.
Day 3, Wakkanai: road trip along the coast
Departing from Asahikawa, embark on a scenic drive to the northern city of Wakkanai , traveling along the coast. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as your guide leads the way. We'll make several stops at scenic viewpoints for lunch and to admire the landscapes of the far north. We expect to arrive in Wakkanai in the mid-afternoon. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, we'll head to Cape Sōya , the northernmost point of mainland Japan, from where you can see Sakhalin Island on a clear day.
In the evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner at the hotel with a sea view. On the menu: crab, scallops, and other seafood specialties.
Day 4, Reibun Island: Wild hike
After breakfast at the hotel, we will take the ferry to Reibun Island , arriving at noon.
After having a light lunch and dropping off your luggage at your accommodation, set off with your guide on a hike through the mountainous center of the island covered with flowers and shrubs, then along the coast and its cliffs .
In the evening, overnight stay in a family-run inn or hotel and meals on site.
For your accommodation, Reibun and Rishiri islands have limited options . A few hotels offer services comparable to those in larger cities, but most visitors opt for homestays or private houses. There are also more rustic guesthouses that compensate for their relative lack of comfort with a unique charm. We will make the reservations according to your preferences.
Day 5, Rishiri Island: the grand tour of the volcanic island
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll take a walk in the south of the island before departing by ferry for the volcanic island of Rishiri . Arriving before noon, we'll explore the island, stopping at viewpoints and enjoying nature breaks. You can also take a short hike or even climb to the island's summit, over 1700 meters high, for a breathtaking view. Weather permitting, you may also participate in a sea urchin fishing workshop .
In the evening, onsen followed by dinner at the hotel. Night walk in the surrounding area.
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Day 6, return to Tokyo
In the morning, you will take the ferry to Wakkanai and then a flight from the local airport to Tokyo.
This excursion fits perfectly at the end of your tour after exploring Tokyo with our Tokyo and Nikko tour, focusing on culture and pop culture, followed by the northern part of Honshu. Alternatively, we could organize a tour dedicated to Hokkaido, combining this excursion with two others: first , Sapporo, the northern capital , and then eastern Hokkaido, facing Russia.
AYUMI Voyage advisors are available to offer you a tailor-made tour.
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AYUMI Voyage excursions are suggestions that are not exhaustive and are intended to inspire you in creating your own tour of Japan with our travel advisors. Offers, itineraries, and optional services are entirely customized by the agency after consultation with you.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
Place
Asahikawa, Reibun, Rishiri
Walking time
Elevation gain
Ideal season
AYUMI Premium Trip:
recommended additional services
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.
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.
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.