Abashiri, Shiretoko, Akan & Tokachigawa
Family Travel, Off the Beaten, Winter Wonderland
The northernmost island of Hokkaido is a mountainous region with unspoilt natural landscapes. During winter, heavy snow turns Hokkaido into a winter wonderland with snow activities and seasonal wildlife.
Head off the beaten from standard tourist circuit into Eastern Hokkaido, where unique natural phenomenon, white forests, volcanic onsens, foggy lakes and fascinating Ainu culture really shine.
Arriving in Memanbetsu, we drive 23km or around ½ hour to Abashiri. Enjoy a thrilling icebreaker cruise (mid-Jan to Mar) over the frozen Sea of Okhost. If the cruise is not available, we will replace it with a visit to Museum of Northern Peoples and Museum of Iceberg (closed on Mon).
Follow the local fishermen to witness the traditional ice-fishing technique (closed on Sat). Drive 180km or around 3hr to Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Put on your wet suit and get ready for a Drift Ice Walking experience (Feb to early March). If you are lucky, you can experience the natural phenomenon by floating between the drift ice.
Drive 118km or around 2 hours for a 1-hour Shiretoko nature cruise in Rausu, the only place in the world where you can see Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles on drift ice. Continue 150km or around 3hours to Lake Akan. This afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the hot spring.
Glimpse into the “transparent foggy lake” of Lake Mashu, surrounded by steep, forested cliffs. Continue 50km or drive 2 hours to the fascinating sight of snow-blanketed sulphur volcano of Mount lo with rising steam. Thereafter, follow an Ainu guide into the snow forest and shores of Lake Akan to learn about their folklores and way of co-existing with nature. Tonight, we can join the Akan Frozen Lake Festival (early Feb to mid-Mar) with its vibrant snow sculptures and fireworks.
Enjoy optional morning activities such as snowmobiling, banana boat and ice-fishing before driving 50km or around 1 ½ hour to Akan International Crane Centre. Watch the wild Japanese red-crested Cranes in the Akan feeding area (Nov-Mar). For centuries, red-crowned cranes are revered as symbol of good luck. Today, there are only 3,300 of them left. Drive another 117km or drive 2hours to Tokachigawa Onsen district and check into your hot spring hotel.
Drive 68km or 1 ½ hour to the frozen Lake Shikaribetsu to visit an Eskimo-styled igloo village (late Jan-Mar). Also referred to as the “Phantom Village”, the village is only here during the winter and typically takes a month to build. Afterwards, we drive 60km or around 1hour to the Obihiro Airport and connect for your onward flight home.
Hokuten no Oka Resort Abashiri • Shiretoko Daiichi • Yuku no Sato Tsuruga Akan • Toyo Tei Tokachigawa
An ethnic-inspired resort perched at a hilltop overlooking the Abashiri ground and distant lake.
(Refurbished: 2011; Rooms: 80)
Towering on the high grounds overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk, this hotel allows you to relax while soaking in the grandeur of your natural surroundings.
(Refurbished: 2012; Rooms: 210)
Delicate carvings of red-crowned crane marks your entrance into this beautiful resort, which effortlessly blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with the lake’s natural surroundings.
(Refurbished: 2010; Rooms: 225)
This hot spring resort boasts a wonderful location by the Tokachi River with a view of Hidaka Mountains in the distance.
(Refurbished: 2006; Rooms: 87)
Hokuten no Oka Resort Abashiri • Kitakobushi Shiretoko • Hina no Za Akan • Sanyoan Tokachigawa
An ethnic-inspired resort perched at a hilltop overlooking the Abashiri ground and distant lake.
(Refurbished: 2011; Rooms: 80)
An atmospheric resort with all-natural hot spring baths set within vicinity of the UNESCO-listed Shiretoko. (Refurbished: 2007; Rooms: 180)
View More
Each floor is tastefully decorated to represent different seasons with elegant touches throughout. Rooms are relatively spacious for Japan’s standard, with options to upgrade to rooms with private outdoor bath overlooking Lake Akan.
(Refurbished: 2004; Rooms: 25)
A Japanese-style resort located in the hot spring town of Tokachigawa. The area's unique hot spring is a particular draw as it’s sourced from beneath the marsh and rich in organic materials.
(Opened: 2004; Rooms: 11)
Kindly call us at (65) 6219 1359 if you require any immediate assistance.
Call us at +65 6219 1359 or email us at enquiry@intriqjourney.com to start planning for a holiday that is completely tailored to your preferences.
Contact Us