Hokkaido National Parks in Style
TOUR COST from AUD8,100.00** Per Person Twin Share
Day 1: Arrival in Hakodate
(B/-/-)
Arrive at Hakodate Airport, where our English-speaking airport representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel.
The evening is at your leisure.
After dinner, we recommend a trip by ropeway to the top of Mt. Hakodate, where you can see the famous night view, said to be one of Japan’s best.
Overnight in Hakodate
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Hakodate Airport (HKD) to preferred hotel: 10 min (drive)
Day 2: Hakodate, Day Trip to Onuma Park
(B/L/-)
Enjoy a guided day exploring Hakodate, a city rich in history and maritime culture, and nearby Onuma Park, a picturesque quasi-national park.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel this morning and take you by train to Onuma Quasi National Park, about 20 kilometers north of Hakodate. This park is known for its beautiful lakes dotted with small islands and Mt. Komagatake, an impressive dormant volcano.
After some time exploring the park, travel back to Hakodate by train, where you’ll visit the Bay Area and the Motomachi District, with its distinct historical buildings, such as a Russian Orthodox Church and old brick warehouses.
Next, take the tram to Goryokaku Park, a park surrounding a western-style citadel in the shape of a star. Originally built in 1866 to defend against the western imperialist threat, this is now the favorite spot of the locals to enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring.
To finish the day, take a ride on the elevator up 107 meters to the top of Goryokaku Tower to see a bird’s eye view of the beautiful park.
Overnight in Hakodate
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Hakodate to Onuma Park: 45 min
Time:
Start (guided tour): 09:00
Duration: 8 h
*including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times
Day 3: Hakodate – Shikotsu-Toya National Park
(B/L/D)
Make an early start to visit the Asa-ichi, or morning market, where you can enjoy a breakfast of fresh sushi on rice, or simply marvel at the variety of seafood on offer.
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you by private car to Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This park was named for the two famous lakes within its borders, Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu, both caldera lakes formed by years of volcanic activity.
This afternoon you will visit is Noboribetsu, an area famous for its volcanic activity and onsen (hot spring baths). Here you can visit Jigokudani, or “Hell valley” a spectacle of hot steam vents and sulfurous streams. From here, your guide will take you on a short 30 minute walk to Oyunuma, a steamy, sulfurous pond where the surface water temperature is up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Check into your ryokan just in time for a traditional Japanese dinner and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Overnight in Shikotsu-Toya
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Hakodate to Noboribetsu area: 3 h (drive)
Noboribetsu area to Toyako Onsen area: 60 min (drive)
Time:
Start (guided tour): 09:00
Duration: 8 h
*including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times
Day 4: Shikotsu-Toya National Park
(B/-/D)
Today you will spend the day with your guide exploring more of Shiktosu-Toya National Park by private car.
In the morning, explore the area around Mt. Usu, an active volcano which has erupted four times in the past 100 years. Visit the Usu Volcano Science Museum, where you can see exhibitions about the eruptions in 1977 and 2000. Then travel to the top of Mt. Usu by ropeway. From there you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the ocean, Lake Toya and Mt. Usu’s large crater.
In the afternoon you can continue your visit to explore the area around the impressive volcano Mt. Yotei. Make a stop at the Kyogoku Fukidashi Koen, a mineral water source with pure spring water from Mt. Yotei and try some of Japan’s mineral water. Continue your visit to the internationally renowned mountain resort Niseko, where you can enjoy some of Hokkaido’s best local delicacies in a cosmopolite atmosphere.
Finally, travel back to your ryokan where you will enjoy your traditional Japanese dinner and have the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Overnight in Shikotsu-Toya
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Toyako Onsen area to Fukidashi Park: 55 min (drive)
Time:
Start (guided tour): 09:00
Duration: 8 h
*including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times
Day 5: Shikotsu-Toya – Sapporo (Self Guided Day)
(B/-/-)
This morning take the train to Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido and Japan’s fifth largest city.
You will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore this exciting city.
Suggested self-guided itinerary:
At heart of the Sapporo is Odori Park, a 105m wide, 1.5km long Boulevard. Sapporo TV Tower stands at the eastern end of the promenade, and has an observation platform that commands a bird’s-eye view of the city and vicinity.
You can also visit the Clock Tower Building, adjacent to city hall, the symbol of Sapporo, as well as the Ainu Museum, located in the Botanical Garden in Hokkaido University. It contains about 20,000 artifacts, including traditional costume, harpoons and other utensils used by Japan’s indigenous northern peoples, the Ainu.
To finish the day, we recommend a visit to the Sapporo Beer Museum, where you might try out the local specialty Genghis Khan (Lamb BBQ). Or, you might try exploring Susukino, Sapporo’s famous night life area.
For dinner, head to the famous Ramen Street, where you have 16 long-established Ramen restaurants to choose from.
Overnight in Sapporo
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Toya Station to Sapporo Station: 2 h
Day 6: Sapporo, Optional Day Trip to Otaru (Self Guided Day)
(B/-/-)
Enjoy a pleasant day trip to Otaru, half an hour northwest of Sapporo.
Suggested self-guided itinerary:
Otaru is a historic port city not far from Sapporo. It has developed and prospered as "the sea entrance of Hokkaido" over the last 100 years and it has gained the nickname "Wall Street of the North."
Many shops and restaurants along the canal have been converted from stone-built or brick-built warehouses, which were used for storage.
From there you might head to Sakaimachi Street, a preserved merchant street with many restaurants, boutique shops and museums. Here you’ll find a Music Box Museum, Glass Workshops, and strangely enough, a museum or Venetian Art.
Enjoy walking around this beautiful town, and don’t miss trying some of the best and freshest sushi in Hokkaido, maybe even Japan!
When you feel ready, head back to Sapporo.
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Sapporo Station to Otaru Station: 30 min
Overnight in Sapporo
Day 7: Sapporo – Furano
(B/L/-)
This morning, travel with your guide by private car to Furano. Furano lies at the center of Hokkaido and is known for its great weather, beautiful scenery and perfect farming conditions.
This area is known for its colorful flower fields, and especially the Lavender fields attract large numbers of visitors to the region every summer.
Nearby you’ll also find the Furano Winery, where you will enjoy a local lunch made from fresh ingredients and a glass of Furano wine.
Continue along to Biei, where you will visit one of the most photographed sceneries of all of Hokkaido: the blue pond of Biei. Its color is of a nearly fluorescent blue, due to the high mineral content of the water.
Overnight in Furano
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Sapporo to Furano: 2 h
Time:
Start (guided tour): 09:00
Duration: 8 h
*including pick-up/drop-off, and transit times
Day 8: Furano – Daisetsuzan (Self Guided Day)
(B/-/D)
This morning you will be transferred by private car to Sounkyou (2 hours), a small hot spring resort town in the north of Daisetsuzan National Park. This will be your base to explore the park and all its natural wonders.
With 2,267 square kilometers, this large swath of unspoiled wilderness is only Hokkaido’s largest national park, attracting visitors from all over Japan for its beautiful scenery and hiking opportunities.
Suggested self-guided itinerary:
This afternoon you can ride the ropeway to the top of Mt. Kurodake and do some light hiking. Don’t forget to bring warm, waterproof clothes, as the weather up top can get very cold!
Note: Transportation fees and entrance fees at own expense.
Overnight in Sounkyou
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Furano area to Sounkyo area: 2 h (drive)
Day 9: Daisetsuzan
(B/-/D)
Today explore Daisetsuzan National Park by private car with an English-speaking driver.
Enjoy a full day tour to show you some of the wonders of the park: waterfalls, old train bridges, imposing mountains, and deep gorges. You’ll have plenty of chances to stop the car, walk around, and enjoy the fresh air and mountain scenery as you go.
Overnight in Sounkyou
Note: Car with chauffer at your disposal for 8 hours.
Day 10: Departure from Daisetsuzan
(B/-/-)
Today at leisure until your included private transfer to Asahikawa Airport.
Distance and journey time (approximation):
Sounkyo area to Asahikawa Airport (AKJ): 1.5 h
TOUR PRICES : FROM AUD8,100.00 per person
Pricing Note:
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Japan experiences dramatic pricing fluctuations based on Festivals, Domestic holidays and in some instances on weekends. Please consult with your Travel Consultant for exact pricing over a specific date. Reservations during weekends, peak season, and Japanese public holidays will be subject to supplementary charges.
Notes:
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Please inform your travel agent of any special dietary requirements that you may have.
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Please note that most museums are closed on Mondays (or if Monday is a National holiday, closed the following day), and sometimes on other specific dates. Please check with your Travel Consultant to confirm opening hours.
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The mountains of Daisetsuzan become very cold, even in the summer (sometimes reaching minus temperatures). Please bring appropriate clothing if planning to hike or use the cablecars.
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Some of these attractions are seasonal, such as the flower fields of Furano and Biei. Please check with your travel consultant for more details.
Package includes
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Hotel accommodation in twin room with daily breakfast (for ryokan, minshuku, and other traditional accommodation, rooms are Japanese-style with futon and meals are half board)
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Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
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English speaking airport assistant on Day 1.
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Airport transfers via private vehicle (Days 1 and 10).
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Full-day guided tours with English-speaking guide on Days 2, 3, 4, and 7.
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Full-day private car around Daisetsuzan with English-speaking driver on Day 9.
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All entrance fees and transport on Days 2, 3, 4, and 7 as specified in the itinerary.
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All other transportation as mentioned in the itinerary above.
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Information Pack.
NOT Included in the tour prices
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International and domestic flights (quoted separately)
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Local transport other than mentioned above
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Meals other than mentioned above
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Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, laundry, telephone, and other expenditures of a personal nature)
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Travel insurance (we strongly recommend you purchase this, please ask your Aussienet Travel consultant for details of policies available)
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Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above