Highlights

  • See rich wildlife including Japanese, red-crowned cranes, migrating whooper swans and Steller's sea eagles

  • Learn about Hokkaidō's native Ainu culture

  • See the picturesque UNESCO-heritage Shiretoko National Park

  • Enjoy the varied and delicious cuisine unique to Hokkaidō

  • Enjoy some of Japan's most renowned onsen hot springs during winter

  • Experience diverse ecosystems around nature-rich Akan-Mashu National Park

  • Undertake guided snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, and drift-ice walking in certain seasons

 

Hokkaidō is the second largest of Japan’s main islands, long regarded as a remote wilderness with abundant nature. Known in feudal times as Ezo or Yezo, Hokkaidō was originally inhabited only by the indigenous Ainu people. Today, other than attracting nature lovers, Hokkaidō in winter is a pristine paradise for bird watchers, with snow-capped mountain ranges, serene forests and indescribably beautiful crater lakes produced by volcanic activity.

Our Hokkaidō winter adventure offers a wonderful journey from Kushiro on Hokkaidō’s eastern Pacific coast, passing through Akan-Mashū National Park and taking in Lake Akan, Lake Mashū, Lake Kussharo, Mount Iō and its sulphur rocks. It continues through to the Shiretoko Peninsula stretching out into the Sea of Okhotsk. See untouched nature in the deepest months of winter when the region is covered in snow, visit UNESCO heritage nature reserves, experience spectacular winter landscapes formed by volcanoes and enjoy winter nature unique to Hokkaidō.

There is the chance to spot an array of wildlife during a magical guided snowshoe experience – watch out for Yezo deer, the Yezo red fox, Hokkaidō red squirrels, and numerous species of birds. At each of the inns where you stay overnight, you can enjoy relaxing in onsen hot springs, a delightful by-product of the region’s geothermal activity. Another highlight of the tour is Hokkaidō’s wonderful regional cuisine (some of the freshest in Japan!) with local specialities found at every stage of your journey.

The fishing port of Kushiro is famous for some of the best seafood in Japan and home to a unique fishing culture which invented the robatayaki open-grill style of cooking. From Kushiro visit the iconic Japanese, red-crowned cranes, and continue to Lake Akan, home to the largest remaining Ainu community in Hokkaidō. Here you witness a traditional Ainu dance performance.

There is a chance to visit Lake Mashū, one of the clearest lakes in the world, and undertake a delightful half-day snowshoeing experience. You’ll also head to Lake Kussharo which in the Hokkaidō winter becomes home to a large number of migratory whooper swans, before finally making your way to the onsen town of Utoro on the Sea of Okhotsk along the Shiretoko Peninsula. While on the Shiretoko Peninsula, experience a unique guided snowshoe walk through primaeval forest, with a breathtaking glimpse of a frozen waterfall. If conditions permit, you may have the chance to walk on the seasonal drift-ice – the region's rich biodiversity begins with the floating ice from Russia, which arrives each winter. Shiretoko is the very end of Japan and is a remote area of truly untouched nature.

With optional and flexible snow activities, this Hokkaidō winter adventure is perfect for couples looking for a unique getaway, for families, budding photographers and those looking for an active and varied winter experience.

What is included

  • 6 nights' accommodation (1 hotel and 5 onsen accommodations)
  • 6 breakfasts and 5 dinners
  • Pre-bookable transfers and train tickets for intermediate journeys on the trip
  • Tickets to an indiginous Ainu traditional dance performance
  • Two snowshoeing experiences with fully trained local instructors
  • Detailed day-by-day itinerary
  • Local support by telephone and email
  • Our Preparing for your Trip and Travelling to Japan guidebooks

What is not included

  • Flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver
  • Drinks and meals not included in itinerary
  • Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy
  • Daily luggage transfer

Hokkaido Winter 7 days: Lake Akan to Shiretoko

(subject to change until the booking has been finalized)

Day 1 – Arrive in Kushiro

Arrive at Kushiro Airport and travel to central Kushiro by the handy connecting shuttle bus for your first evening on the island of Hokkaidō. Kushiro is an ideal location from which to begin your exploration of Eastern Hokkaidō.

Kushiro Airport (KUH) has regular domestic flights from various points in Japan including Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport. Depending on your arrival time, there may be opportunity to explore Kushiro town and enjoy local cuisine, such as fresh seafood at one of Kushiro’s signatures robatayaki grill restaurants. and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport. Depending on your arrival time, there may be opportunity to explore Kushiro town and enjoy local cuisine, such as fresh seafood at one of Kushiro’s signatures robatayaki grill restaurants.

Accommodation: Western-style Hotel

Day 2 – See Red-Crowned Cranes and travel to Akanko Onsen

This morning, visit a nature reserve to view wild, red-crowned cranes, known as tancho in Japanese, in a picturesque winter setting, then head to a local museum nearby to learn more about the biology of these majestic birds. The elegant cranes are known for their expressive courtship dance which makes for a captivating sight. Their pure white feathers are also said to reflect different hues in the glistening sunlight. In the afternoon, travel onward to Akan-Mashu National Park, one of six national parks in Hokkaidō and home to the largest settlement of indigenous Ainu people. Arrive at your onsen accommodation for the evening. Head out after dinner at your lodging to witness an Ainu ritual dance and music performance, learning about the precious culture of Hokkaidō’s indigenous inhabitants. Traditional Ainu dancing has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn) or Japanese-style hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 – Explore Lake Akan

This morning, explore the village of Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, and visit the nearby Lake Akan Eco Museum Center (open daily except Tuesdays). Here you can gain a deeper understanding of Akan’s landmark volcanoes Mount Oakan and Mount Meakan, as well as Lake Akan and Lake Onneto, together with the bokke bubbling mud area.

Return to your onsen accommodation for a second night.

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn) or Japanese-style hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

For those seeking a more active outdoor winter experience, we can pre-book an optional guided cross-country skiing tour of approximately 5 hours around the national park. Round-trip transportation, cross-country skis, lunch, and walking poles are all included in a supplementary charge. Ski on frozen Lake Akan and reach a small island, enjoying the atmosphere of the surrounding volcanoes. Take a break to have a lake-top lunch as you take in the beauty around you.

Day 4 Visit Lake Mashu and Enjoy a Half-Day of Snowshoeing

Head onward from Akan Onsen by pre-booked private transfer to Lake Mashū. Take in the grand views of this crater lake famed for its crystal-clear water within the caldera of an ancient volcano – some of the most stunning vistas in all of Hokkaidō. Spend part of your day snowshoeing, exploring beautiful areas not typically reachable by a standard hike.

If snowshoeing isn’t available for your booked dates, we will arrange a sightseeing tour around the lake, which includes a chance to see the iconic yellow sulphur rocks at Mount Io, an active volcano with plumes of sulphur emanating from over 1,500 fumaroles covering its slopes.

Stay overnight at a traditional onsen ryokan in the small town of Kawayu Onsen, known as ‘Seseki-petsu’ or ‘hot river flowing through the village’ in the traditional Ainu language and featuring some of the most famous geothermal waters of Hokkaidō, or travel to the Lake Ainu Kotan Village for a stay in a local Ainu-run inn overlooking Lake Kussharo.

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 Travel to Utoro Onsen on the UNESCO-certified Shiretoko Peninsula

In the morning you continue northwards by local train and bus, taking in stunning views of the Sea of Okhotsk enroute to Utoro Onsen. Travel along the Shiretoko Peninsula, one of Japan’s most remote regions and home to a very special ecosystem year-round. Shiretoko derives its name from the ancient Ainu words ‘sir etok’, which means ‘end of the land’. From late January through March, floating drift-ice from Siberia can be seen along the coast. The peninsula is also a bird watcher’s paradise with 275 species spotted during the year, and in winter months the endangered Steller’s Sea eagles may be glimpsed. Later in the day, take the opportunity to visit the Shiretoko World Heritage Centre to learn more about the region. If the weather is kind, see the dramatic Oronkoiwa rock formation along the nearby coastline.

Using local lodgings with wonderful onsen thermal baths and delicious regional cuisine, this is a perfect location to explore the wider region.


Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn) or Japanese-style Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Explore Shiretoko with a local guide, with snowshoe walking

Today, enjoy a day of guided snowshoeing around Shiretoko National Park through primeval forest to the frozen Furepe Waterfall, with panoramic views of the surrounding Shiretoko mountain range and over the expansive Sea of Okhotsk. There is a good chance of seeing various wildlife such as Hokkaidō’s Yezo deer, red foxes, squirrels, and white-tailed or Steller’s Sea eagles. Round-trip transportation from your accommodation, snowshoes, and walking poles are provided for the walk of around 6 km / 3.7 mi, which takes about 5 and a half hours. No previous experience is necessary to enjoy the snowshoe walk.                           

From Februrary to late March, it is possible to undertake a specialised guided snowshoe walk to the pristine snow-covered Shiretoko Five Lakes with dramatic views of the surrounding mountains and Sea of Okhotsk, including the option to walk on drift-ice along the Shiretoko Coast.

Spend one final night at your onsen accommodation before flying out of Memanbetsu Airport tomorrow.

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn) or Japanese-style Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 Tour ends with departure from Hokkaido

After breakfast at your lodging, travel by bus and local train onwards to Abashiri, arriving in the early afternoon. If departing on an evening flight, you may wish to visit the Museum of Northern Peoples in Abashiri to learn more about the Ainu and other tribes inhabiting the northern territories. With a history stretching back over 2,000 years to the time of their arrival in Hokkaidō from Siberia, the Ainu are indigenous to both Japan and Russia.

From Abashiri, a 30-minute local bus journey brings you to nearby Memanbestsu Airport for your flight from Hokkaidō and the end of your tour.

Memanbetsu Airport offers connecting flights to Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

Meals: Breakfast























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