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Hokkaido’s northernmost island is a mountainous region boasting pristine natural landscapes. In winter, heavy snowfall transforms Hokkaido into a magical winter wonderland, offering snow activities and a chance to observe seasonal wildlife.
Venture off the beaten path into Eastern Hokkaido, where unique natural phenomena, snow-covered forests, volcanic hot springs, misty lakes, and the rich Ainu culture come to life.
Highlights
Journey to wild frozen north of Japan on this active winter holiday
Once-in-a-lifetime Drift Ice Walk experience over the frozen sea or float on ice floes
Fantastic icebreaker cruise across the frozen Sea of Okhost
Rich wildlife such as red-crowned crane, Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles
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Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Memanbetsu / Abashiri
Location: Abashiri
Dinner: included
Arriving in Memanbetsu, we drive 23km or around ½ hour to Abashiri. Enjoy a thrilling icebreaker cruise (mid-Jan to Mar) over the frozen Sea of Okhost. If the cruise is not available, we will replace it with a visit to Museum of Northern Peoples and Museum of Iceberg (closed on Mon).
Day 2
Abashiri / Shiretoko
Location: Shiretoko
Breakfast & Dinner included
Follow the local fishermen to witness the traditional ice-fishing technique (closed on Sat). Drive 180km or around 3hr to Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Put on your wet suit and get ready for a Drift Ice Walking experience (Feb to early March). If you are lucky, you can experience the natural phenomenon by floating between the drift ice.
Day 3
Shiretoko / Akan
Location: Akan
Breakfast & Dinner included
Drive 118km or around 2 hours for a 1-hour Shiretoko nature cruise in Rausu, the only place in the world where you can see Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles on drift ice. Continue 150km or around 3hours to Lake Akan. This afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the hot spring.
Day 4
Akan
Location: Akan
Breakfast & Dinner included
Glimpse into the “transparent foggy lake” of Lake Mashu, surrounded by steep, forested cliffs. Continue 50km or drive 2 hours to the fascinating sight of snow-blanketed sulphur volcano of Mount lo with rising steam. Thereafter, follow an Ainu guide into the snow forest and shores of Lake Akan to learn about their folklores and way of co-existing with nature. Tonight, we can join the Akan Frozen Lake Festival (early Feb to mid-Mar) with its vibrant snow sculptures and fireworks.
Day 5
Akan / Tokachi
Location: Tokachigawa
Breakfast & Dinner included
Enjoy optional morning activities such as snowmobiling, banana boat and ice-fishing before driving 50km or around 1 ½ hour to Akan International Crane Centre. Watch the wild Japanese red-crested Cranes in the Akan feeding area (Nov-Mar). For centuries, red-crowned cranes are revered as symbol of good luck. Today, there are only 3,300 of them left. Drive another 117km or drive 2hours to Tokachigawa Onsen district and check into your hot spring hotel.
Day 6
Tokachi / Departure from Obihiro
Location: Nil
Breakfast included
Drive 68km or 1 ½ hour to the frozen Lake Shikaribetsu to visit an Eskimo-styled igloo village (late Jan-Mar). Also referred to as the “Phantom Village”, the village is only here during the winter and typically takes a month to build. Afterwards, we drive 60km or around 1hour to the Obihiro Airport and connect for your onward flight home.
• Accommodation: Comfortable hotel stays throughout the tour.
• Meals: Breakfasts and selected lunches/dinners as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Transportation: Private air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers and sightseeing tours.
• Guided Tours: Expert English-speaking tour guides in major cities and attractions.
• Entrance Fees: Admission to all listed monuments and attractions.
• Cruise Experience: River cruises where applicable, as per the itinerary.
• Cultural Activities: Includes local performances, traditional activities, and workshops.
• Airport Transfers: Pickup and drop-off services to/from the airport.
• Daily Excursions: Detailed exploration of destinations with well-planned activities.
• Bottled Water: Complimentary drinking water during tours.
• International Flights: Airfare to and from the tour starting point.
• Travel Insurance: Personal travel and health insurance.
• Personal Expenses: Items such as laundry, beverages, and shopping.
• Visa Fees: Costs associated with visa application and processing.
• Additional Meals: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Optional Activities: Excursions and activities not specified in the tour plan.
• Tips and Gratuities: Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
• Extra Charges: Expenses for personal requests such as room upgrades or additional services.
• Vaccination Costs: Any medical or vaccination expenses required for travel.
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