Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Hokkaido in Style

Hokkaido,Tokyo

Starting from between £7,370 to £11,765 per person for 13 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Look down on twinkling Hakodate from the top of Mount Hakodate at dusk
  • Enjoy a private guided tour of the spectacularly rugged Daisetsuzan National Park
  • Snap an Instagram worthy photograph of the cobalt blue pond in Biei, Furano
This thirteen day itinerary to the northern island of Hokkaido is perfect for second timers looking to get off Japan's beaten track or, for those with extra time on their hands, it works well in conjunction with an exploration of Honshu - the main island. From Hakodate to Mount Komagatake and the national parks of Shikotsu-Toya and Daisetsuzan you can expect panoramic views and volcanic hot springs. Add ski resorts, Sapporo beer (and city) to superfresh sushi, and this trip is as varied as the fascinating Japanese culture it so perfectly encapsulates. NB: this suggested itinerary supposes a summer sojourn in Hokkaido, but this is also Japan's premier ski destination so well worth a visit in winter as well for an ideal ski/sushi combo.
Hokkaido landscape © Droits reservés
Hokkaido landscape © Droits reservés
Hakodate - Hokkaido - Japan © Droits reservés
Hakodate - Hokkaido - Japan © Droits reservés
Hokkaido cliffs - Japan © Droits reservés
Hokkaido cliffs - Japan © Droits reservés
Lake - Hokkaido  - Japan © Droits reservés
Lake - Hokkaido - Japan © Droits reservés
Furano Lavanda field - Japan © Droits reservés
Furano Lavanda field - Japan © Droits reservés

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Your Japanese adventure starts with a flight to Tokyo. The flight to Japan is takes nearly twelve hours, so make sure you stock the iPad with box sets aplenty.

This morning you will be met by your guide for a day's exploration of Hakodate - a city with a long maritime history - and the surrounding area. The journey starts with a train ride to Onuma Quasi National Park, 12 miles to the north of the city. The park is home to beautiful lakes dotted with islands, all overlooked by the dormant volcano Mount Komagatake. Heading back in to town you will visit the historical districts of Bay Area and Motomachi and finally Goryokaku Park, a star-shaped citadel built back in 1866 in the face of the new western imperial threat. This is a particularly lovely spot during cherry blossom season but also from the top of Goryokaku Tower, a 300 ft viewing platform. Return to the hotel, and this evening you can explore Hakodate further.

It's an early start today so you that visit the morning Asaichi market to see the fresh fish being bought, sold and delivered, before you get to enjoy about the freshest sushi breakfast imaginable. After breakfast you will return to your hotel where your guide will drive you to Shikotsu-Toya National Park, named for the twin caldera lakes within the park. After lunch here you will visit Noboribetsu, a famously volcanic area (which is saying something in Japan) that's home to onsen hot springs. Bathing in an onsen is one of the quintessential experiences in Japan, but as with so much of Japanese culture, there is a good deal of etiquette to observe, so if you want to visit we will help you avoid the cultural no-nos and other potential diplomatic pitfalls. Next stop is Jigokudani or Hell Valley, home to hot steam vents and streams bubbling with sulphurous gases. As you'd imagine, it's quite a pretty pongy place. Half an hour's walk away is Oyunuma, an equally sulphurous pond with water that's around 50 degrees Celsius all year round. At the end of the tour you will check in to your ryokan, a traditional inn that's another integral part of a stay in Japan; with tatami floors, futon beds and yakata dressing gowns. There's then a multi-course kaiseki dinner for a real insight into Japanese home life.

Today you will spend more time exploring Shiktosu-Toya National Park by private car with your guide. In the morning you can explore the area around Mount Usu, an active volcano which has erupted four times in the last century. The Usu Volcano Science Museum has interesting exhibitions about the eruptions in 1977 and 2000, after which you will travel to the top of Mount Usu using the Usuzan Gondola cable car to enjoy a breathtaking view of the ocean, Lake Toya and the largest of Mount Usu's craters.

After lunch you can explore the area around the impressive Mount Yotei volcano, making a stop at the Kyogoku Fukidashi Koen to sample supremely pure volcanically filtered spring water from Mount Yotei. Next stop is the internationally renowned ski resort of Niseko, where you can enjoy some of Hokkaido's best local delicacies in one of many bars and restaurants. If travelling in winter then Niseko is arguably Japan's finest resort, so we can arrange accommodation, ski hire and lift passes for a stay here.

After breakfast this morning you will take the pre-ticketed train to Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido and home to the eponymous (and excellent) beer. The journey should take less than three hours and on arrival you can check in at your hotel in Japan's fifth largest city. This afternoon will be yours to explore the city under your own steam. You should visit Odori Park, the green heart of the city, Sapporo TV Tower for panoramic views, and Ainu Museum in the Botanical Gardens at Hokkaido University to learn about the indigenous Ainu people. Last but definitely not least, visit the Sapporo Beer Museum - which should set you up nicely for a night on the tiles in Hokkaido, a famously fun city. Go for an izakaya (pub) crawl around the buzzing Susukino nightlife district and sample the wares of one of the 16 traditional ramen restaurants on the imaginatively named Ramen Street.

This morning sees you met by your guide for a two hour private car transfer to Furano, known for its twin peaked ski resort in winter and glorious (hopefully) summer weather that sees the region covered in fields of lavender and vineyards. Where yesterday was all about Venetian parallels today it's the turn of Provence as you snap away at expanses of lavender fields and sample the latest vintages from the Furano Winery. After lunch you will head on to another photogenic spot, the extraordinary blue pond in Biei, before heading back to Furano.

Biei Lake's striking cobalt blue colour was caused by - according to who you listen to - the region's naturally high mineral content, or the accidental introduction of colloidal aluminium hydroxide sometime in the past. Either way, the effect is remarkable, with a stand of trees rising from the ice blue water. By now your camera will be glowing red hot so it's time to head to your hotel in Furano for the night.

This morning you will be met at your hotel for the two hour drive to Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest national park in the whole of Hokkaido, and one that's home to spectacular natural wonders. Your first port of call is Sounkyo, an onsen hot spring town which is the perfect base from which to explore the park. After lunch you have the afternoon at leisure and we would recommend taking the Mount Kurodake ropeway cable car up the near 6,000ft peak for incredible views of the 875 square mile national park. You can then enjoy some gentle trekking along well-signed trails, but please note that we strongly recommend packing (and wearing) proper trekking gear, from the correct footwear to warm, waterproof clothing as it can get pretty cold - and occasionally wet - at the summit. Head back down using the cable car and enjoy a quiet night in your hotel in preparation for another full day exploring the national park tomorrow.

After breakfast at your hotel you have a couple of hours to stretch your legs before the hour and a half transfer to Asahikawa Airport, where you will catch an hour and 45 minute flight back to Tokyo. After landing, take the metro into town and head to your hotel for one last night in the Japanese capital. As before, our detailed Dossier contains top tips on where to eat and drink, and we can pre-book restaurants if you'd like.

Why visit Japan with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Japan

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £7,370 to £11,765 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £9,410 per person.

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