9-Day Hokkaido Winter Highlights Tour

Welcome to Sapporo, Hokkaido! Hokkaido is the northernmost island in Japan, which is known for its world-class powder. Today, you will arrive at the airport and meet up with your private tour guide and driver with a private transfer to your hotel to check in. Once settled in, you can enjoy yourself in your rest time.

Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Sapporo

Today, you will leave Sapporo and head for Asahikawa. Visit Furano and Biei on the way.

Your first stop is Ningle Terrace (Forest Elf Terrace) in Furano. Strolling along the boardwalks, you will enter a fairy tale scene with a white covering of snow. Visit the shops where you can find unique items and taste local snacks and coffee.

Next, head to Biei for the Shirogane Blue Pond. If the pond is not frozen yet, you can still see the beautifully ethereal blue water. Frozen and snow-covered pond also creates a different charm, especially during nighttime illuminations. Continue to Shirahige Waterfall (White Beard Waterfall). White curtains of cascading water pour down from rock crevices to meet the cobalt blue river below.

After the tour, head to Asahikawa and check in at your hotel.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Asahikawa

After breakfast, you will explore Asahiyama Zoo and encounter various animals. Go around the zoo to discover more than 120 species of animals and learn about different animals' lives and behavior. You may see displays of "penguin walks" during the snowy season, which is one of the most famous in Asahiyama Zoo in winter.

Discover Japanese ramen culture at Asahikawa Ramen Village and savor a delicious noodle dish. You can visit the eight popular ramen shops here and enjoy real ramen with soya sauce-based broths. Visit the Asahikawa Ramen Shrine, where you can pray for blessings.

After visiting, drive back to your hotel for a nice rest. You can enjoy the rest of the day on your own arrangement.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Asahikawa

In the morning, you will transfer to Abashiri. You will pass the Abashiri Prison Museum on the way, where you can visit if you are interested. Abashiri Prison Museum is an outdoor museum where you can learn about the history of the former Abashiri Prison and harsh prison life.

Drive along Ten ni Tsuzuku Michi, also called "Road to the Heaven", great for photography. You can stop at the observation spots for a stunning view of the snowscape in winter or drive without stopping.

Explore Cape Notoro by the Sea of Okhotsk. Cape Notoro has been featured in many movies and commercials because of its beautiful views. You can enjoy a broad view of the sea and drift ice in winter.

Your final stop of the day is the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, where you can gain a deeper understanding of the cultures and lifestyles of the different peoples of Hokkaido, including Ainu people, the Sami, and more. You can take a closer look at the different exhibition rooms displaying clothing, food, etc.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Abashiri

Today, you will experience an Abashiri drift ice sightseeing adventure. The Sea of Okhotsk in northern Hokkaido freezes over in winter, creating a unique and spectacular natural landscape.

Board the icebreaking ship Aurora towards the Sea of Okhotsk. Feel the thrill of an icebreaker breaking through white ice. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to encounter wild animals and observe them, such as Steller's Sea Eagles, seals, Arctic foxes, etc. You can also try to walk on drift ice, weather permitting.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Abashiri

This morning, you will visit Akan-Mashu National Park, which is well-known for its three breathtaking lakes.

You will first explore Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan. You can enjoy leisure time and experience a variety of outdoor activities, such as fishing on the frozen lake, taking a hiking tour, or cycling around to explore more.

Continue to explore the clearest lake in the world, Lake Mashu. Step on the three observation points for awe-inspiring frozen scenery of Lake Mashu and the surrounding mountains.

Then, you will visit the snowy wonderland of Lake Akan. You can appreciate the attractive frost flowers and ice fog on the lake. Hike around to discover the tracks of animals. If you have enough time, visit Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, an Ainu village. You can learn about the traditional culture of the indigenous Ainu people and watch the Ainu dance performances.

In the evening, you will stay overnight at Lake Akan's onsen street. Soak in a hot spring to relieve the fatigue of the day.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Lake Akan Onsen

After breakfast, you will head to Kushiro Shitsugen National Park with various wildlife. Visit Tsurui, where you can see Japanese red-crowned cranes. Keep your cameras ready to capture the elegant postures of these rare birds at multiple observation points. Stroll along the wooden walkway and experience the tranquil nature up close.

Then make your way to Tokachigawa Onsen in Obihiro. You can take in white snow covered landscapes while enjoying the warming moor hot spring, which is rich with minerals and sediments. Every winter, many swans fly to Tokachigawa Onsen to spend the winter.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tokachigawa Onsen

After breakfast, you will visit Shiroi Koibito Park, a dessert theme park. You can visit its factory and learn about the production process of the most famous chocolate sandwich cookies. Make your own cookies and bring them home as a souvenir. Stroll in the park to immerse yourself in a snow-covered wonderland with decorations of snowmen and snow sculptures.

In the afternoon, visit Odori Park. You can enjoy a breathtaking winter panoramic view of Odori Park and the Sapporo cityscape at the top of the Sapporo TV Tower.

Wandering along Tanukikoji Shopping Street, you can explore an array of shops. Enter a restaurant to discover hidden culinary gems. Select interesting trinkets at souvenir stores and boutiques.

Kind Reminder:
1. Sapporo White Illumination is a must-see event in winter with colorful illuminations and stalls with drinks and snacks. You can see the winter lights at Odori Park, Ekimaedori, and Minami-ichi-jo Dori.
2. During early February, there is a Sapporo Snow Festival, held at Odori Park (main venue) and Susukino. You can appreciate large snow and ice sculptures.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Sapporo

After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, you end your Hokkaido tour package and pack your luggage. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home or to the next destination. Safe travels!

Meals: B
Accommodation: N/A