Itinerary Details
Japan is famous for the beauty of its four distinct seasons, and winter is perhaps the most sublime. Hokkaido is Japan's winter playground, so we present with pleasure a fantastic private itinerary filled with epic winter experiences, you can fishing on ice, enjoy the view comfortably from inside an icebreaker ship, and see red-crowned dancing on the snow, or take in the views along with the Okhotsk Sea winds. Join us on a sparkling journey through Japan's winter wonderland!
Welcome to Japan! On arrival in Sapporo, your private guide will be ready to welcome you at New Chitose Airport. You will be transferred to your hotel with a private car and driver.
We'll explore the city with a half day relaxing walking tour. Visit the famous Sapporo Clock Tower, built from timber in the late 1800s, the Sapporo Beer Museum and the lively Susukino district. It's a haven for food, shopping and entertainment. It's positively buzzing, with neon signs, noise, shopping and nightlife.
Accommodation option:
- HOTEL MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park
Sapporo Clock Tower
Sapporo Beer Museum
breakfast and lunch
We'll make a day trip by train to Otaru this morning, a small harbour city known for glassworks, music boxes and sake distilleries.
On our walking tour we'll cruise the Otaru Canal, once an important commercial port. It's well preserved and quaint, lined with old merchant houses. Look out for landmarks like the Otaru Music Box Museum and the traditional shopping street Sakaimachi. Many of the buildings on Sakaimachi street have been converted into restaurants, cafes and shops – you'll likely find some of the region's fine glassware, a lovely souvenir.
Accommodation option:
- HOTEL MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park
Otaru Canal
breakfast and lunch
Today, we will travel to Asahikawa through the exploring the frozen world of Furano. Walk in a cozy world of crafts - Ningle Terrace ('Forest Elf Terrace'), and enjoy the winter beauty of Furano - Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls.
Check-in to your hotel and feel free to explore the city.
Accommodation option:
- Asahikawa Art Hotel
Ningle Terrace
Shirahige Falls
breakfast and lunch
Full day excursion in Asahikawa. Visit the Asahiyama Zoo! Enjoy viewing polar bears, hippos, monkeys, as well as lots of wildlife from Hokkaido, including deer, eagles, cranes and wolves! Depending on the weather, you may even get to see the famous penguin parade!
Then delve into the local art scene at Snow Crystal Museum. Lunch is at famous Ramen Street and taste the famous Asahikawa ramen - this savory ramen is known for its thin wavy noodles and shoyu (soy sauce) based broth. You'll love it!
Accommodation option:
- Asahikawa Art Hotel
Asahiyama Zoo
Snow Crystal Museum
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, we'll drive to Abashiri. Start the day with a visit to the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples for an introduction to native Ainu culture and other northern peoples, such as the Sámi from Scandinavia. We'll also see the open-air Abashiri Prison Museum, home to the old prison's Meiji-era buildings.
Take photos at Cape Notoro - the cape with the famous Notoromisaki Lighthouse, beside Utsukushi-Misaki Ranch in northwestern Abashiri city, close to Lake Notoro.
Visit the Christ Brethren Shari Church, the northernmost church in Japan.
Accommodation option:
- Abashiri Central Hotel
Cape Notoro
breakfast and lunch
Abashiri is famous for its ryuhyo ice, masses of drift ice in the Okhotsk Sea. One of the best ways to see this winter spectacle is by boat, so we'll board an icebreaker ship and head out on a one-hour cruise for a better look at this natural phenomenon. It makes for a beautiful winter scene. Try walking on drift ice on your own if the weather permits.
Accommodation option:
- Abashiri Central Hotel
Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing with Icebreaker Ship
breakfast and lunch
Start the day trip by visiting Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake in Akan National Park.
Then the stunning Lake Akan, another beautiful crater lake by Mount Oakan. The scenery here is postcard-perfect. In winter, frost crystals stretch across the lake to resemble blooming flowers.
Accommodation option:
- Tsuruga Hotel
Lake Kussharo
Lake Akan
breakfast and lunch
The Kushiro Wetland Park, Japan's largest wetland, is home to the only known population of endangered red-crowned cranes, once thought to be extinct. See these red-crowned dancing birds and learn more about them at the centre, which houses a museum, breeding centre and sanctuary.
Accommodation option:
- Comfort Hotel Kushiro
red-crowned cranes
breakfast and lunch
The day is free for you to relax or explore Kushiro. To discover more about the region, head to the Kushiro City Museum to learn more about the history of this land and Ainu culture.
Optional Tour - Smelt Fishing on Ice:
Time to experience ice fishing for wakasagi, Japanese pond smelt. Your expert guide will teach you how to hang the line in the ice hole. You'll then make tempura and feast on the day's catch!
Accommodation option:
- Comfort Hotel Kushiro
Ice Fishing
breakfast
This morning, your luggage will be sent ahead to meet you in Sapporo, as we'll travel by express train. You will need to pack a bag. The journey to Sapporo will take about four hours.
After arrival, we will transfer you to New Chitose Airport for your flight home.