7 DAYS EASTERN HOKKAIDO’S PRISTINE BEAUTY & FLAVOURS IN WINTER

Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Upon your arrival in Memanbetsu Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel with sightseeing along the way.

Museums of Abashiri

You will visit the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, which focuses on the theme of drift ice and the creatures that inhabit the Sea of Okhotsk. This museum also offers 360-degree views of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko Peninsula from the top of Tiandu Mountain.

Icebreaker Ship

Enjoy a unique ice-breaker ship experience and visit the Abashiri Prison, an iconic Japanese historical site immortalized in the popular anime “Golden Kamui”.

Optional: Fat Biking & Smelt Fishing at Abashiri

Enjoy a guided fat bike experience (suitable for beginners) along the Okhotsk coastline, and if you are lucky, you may be able to see the Sea of Ohkotsk covered in drift ice up close. Experience smelt fishing at Lake Abashiri

Transfer: Abashiri to Shiretoko via Oshinkoshin Falls

You will be transferred from Abashiri to Shiretoko. Along the way, marvel at Oshinkoshin Falls, one of the most scenic waterfalls in Japan.

Snowshoeing in the Primitive Forest

Put on the snowshoes and warm clothes today as you will walk through the virgin forest along the Shiretoko coastline towards the floating ice field. If you are lucky, you may even be able to spot some local animal species.

Lunch at Namishibuki

Listed on Michelin Guide as Bib Gourmand, this ramen restaurant offers delicious pork bone-based ramen and Izakaya-styled cuisine. Availability permitting, we will reserve a spot for you at Namishibuki and lunch payment will be at your own expense.

Into the Drift Ice of Shiretoko

Visit the Shiretoko World Heritage Centre to learn about the natural landscape and animals of the Shiretoko Peninsula. With specialized winter dry suits on, head out into the drift ice and learn about the wildlife that live hand-in-hand with the ice.

Transfer: Shiretoko to Lake Akan

This morning is free at leisure. Thereafter, you will be transferred to Lake Akan with an experience along the way.

Wildlife of Shiretoko

In Shiretoko Peninsula, nature and humans live in close proximity. In winter, Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed sea eagles is possible to be seen at the same time, while the sea’s seamless ice floes also harbor life on its own.

Transfer: Lake Akan to Kushiro with Sightseeings

You will be transferred to Kushiro with experiences along the way.

 The Lakes of Akan Mashu National Park

Located in Akan Mashu National Park, the picturesque crater lake of Akan is home to a rare algae species that can reach the size of soccer balls after a few centuries. The national park also houses the caldera lake of Kussharo, which forms omiwatari (ice pressure ridge) during the winter.

Lunch at Fenetre

Availability permitting, we can detour to Nakashibetsu area with a reservation for Fenetre (listed on Michelin Guide as 1 Star) with course menu dining.

 Cranes & Craft Beers of Kushiro

Deepy loved by the locals, the red-crowned crane has symbolized blessings to the local communities since ancient times. If luck is on your side, we may be able to spot these beloved creatures during your visit to Tsurumidai. Adjacent to the Kushiro Marsh is the Tsurui Village, where you will visit a brasserie knot craft beer brewery. Conclude with sunset at Hosooka Observation Deck, from which point you can appreciate the beauty of Kushiro River, Mount Okanagan and Mount Akan.

Dinner at Tempura Sakura

Availability permitting, we will reserve a spot for you at Tempura Sakura (listed on Michelin Guide as Michelin Plate).

Into the Kushiro’s Wilderness

Led by a professional guide, you will experience winter canoeing along the Kushiro marsh, passing by frost flowers, trees and maybe seasonal animals if luck is on your side. The paddling of the canoe will be conducted by our on-ground team, though you can choose to paddle the canoe yourself if you would like.

Lunch at Farm Restaurant Cuore

Availability permitting, we will reserve a spot for you at Farm Restaurant Cuore (listed on Michelin Guide as Bib Gourmand) with course menu dining.

Afternoon at Leisure

This afternoon is free at leisure. If you would like, we can organize a 3.5-hour trip in search for the red-crowned cranes to maximize your chance of spotting this beloved creature (additional expense applies).

Dinner at Kishin

Availability permitting, we will reserve a spot for you at Kishin (listed on Michelin Guide as 1 Star) with course menu dining.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You will be transferred to Kushiro Airport for your onwards flight.