Hokkaido Winter tour: Lake Akan to Shiretoko
Hokkaido Winter tour: Lake Akan to Shiretoko
Hokkaido Winter tour: Lake Akan to Shiretoko
7 Days Starting in Kushiro and ending in Memanbetsu
Visiting: Kushiro, Akanko Onsen, Mount Iō, Lake Mashū, Lake Kussharo, Kawayuonsen, Utoro Onsen Terminal, Shiretoko Peninsula, Abashiri
Tour operator:
Tour code:
155
Group Type:
Independent
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
1-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Hokkaido is the second-largest of Japan’s main islands, long regarded as a remote wilderness with abundant nature. Known in feudal times as Ezo, Hokkaido was originally inhabited only by the indigenous Ainu people. Today, other than attracting nature lovers, Hokkaido 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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Kushiro
Location: Kushiro, Kushiro
Accommodation: Hotel, Western-style
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive into Kushiro Airport and travel to central Kushiro by the handy connecting shuttle bus for your first evening on Hokkaido island. Kushiro is an ideal location from which to begin your exploration of Eastern Hokkaido.
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 signature "Robatayaki" grill restaurants.
Day 2 : See Red-Crowned Cranes And Travel To Akan Onsen
Location: Kushiro, Akanko Onsen
Accommodation: Hotel, Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) or in Akan Onsen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning visit a nature reserve to view wild red-crowned "Tancho" cranes in a picturesque winter setting, and 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 Naitional Park - one of six National Parks in Hokkaido 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 ancient Ainu ritual dance and music performance, learning about the precious culture of Hokkaido's indigenous inhabitants. Traditional Ainu dancing has been registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Day 3 : A Day Exploring Around Lake Akan
Location: Akanko Onsen
Accommodation: Hotel, Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) or in Akan Onsen
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning explore the Akanko Ainu Kotan Village area and visit the nearby Akankohan Eco-museum Center (open daily except Tuesdays). Here you can gain a deeper understanding of Akan’s landmark volcanoes Mount Oakan and Mount Meakan, Lake Akan and Lake Onneto, together with the "Bokke" bubbling mud area.
Return to your Onsen accommodation for a second night.
For those seeking a more active outdoor winter experience, we can pre-book an optional half-day of guided snowshoe walking around the National Park - round-trip transportation, snowshoes and walking poles are all included in a supplementary charge.
On the guided snowshoe walk, choose a route to nearby Mount Hakuto look-out with panoramic views over Mount Oakan, Mount Meakan and Lake Akan. Or opt for a walk through the pristine and serene forested area surrounding frozen Junsai-numa pond. There is a good chance to spot various species of wildlife on both options.
Day 4 : Visit Lake Mashu, Mount Io And Lake Kussharo
Location: Akanko Onsen, Mount Iō, Lake Mashū, Lake Kussharo, Kawayuonsen
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head onward from Akan Onsen by pre-booked private transfer towards the eastern part of Akan-Mashu National Park and on to Kawayu Onsen where you spend the night.
Take in the grand views of Lake Mashu - a crater lake famed for its crystal-clear water within the caldera of an ancient volcano - some of the most stunning vistas in all of Hokkaido.
Next marvel at the iconic yellow sulphur rocks at Mount Io, an active volcano with plumes of sulphur emanating from over 1,500 fumaroles covering its slopes.
From here travel onward to see the numerous migrant whooper swans at Lake Kussharo and its thermal waters.
Known as ‘Seseki-petsu’ or ‘hot river flowing through the village’ in the traditional Ainu language, Kawayu Onsen features some of the most famous geothermal waters of Hokkaido and indeed in the whole of Japan.
Stay overnight at a traditional Onsen Ryokan inn in the small town of Kawayu Onsen.
Day 5 : Travel To Utoro Onsen On The Unesco-Certified Shiretoko Peninsula
Location: Kawayuonsen, Utoro Onsen Terminal, Shiretoko Peninsula
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn)
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 the "end of the land". From late Janurary through to March, floating drift-ice from Siberia can be seen along the coast. The peninsula is also a bird watcher's paradise with over 256 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.
Day 6 : Explore Shiretoko With A Local Guide, With Optional Snowshoe Walking
Location: Shiretoko Peninsula, Utoro Onsen Terminal
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today enjoy a day of "Active" guided snowshoe walking around Shiretoko National Park through primeval forest to the frozen Frepe 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 Hokkaido's sika deer, ezo red fox, ezo-risu 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 6km which takes about five 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 specialized 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.
Day 7 : Tour Ends With Departure From Hokkaido
Location: Abashiri, Memanbetsu Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 People 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 Hokkaido from Siberia, the Ainu are indigenous to Japan and Russia.
From Abashiri a 30-minute local bus journey brings you to nearby Memanbestsu Airport for your flight from Hokkaido and the end of your tour.
Memanbetsu airport offers connecting flights to Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Six nights accommodation (one hotel and five Japanese-style Onsen inns)
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Accommodation
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Local Taxes
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Meals – Half Board
Six breakfasts and five dinners
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Pre-bookable transfers and train tickets where required
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Tickets to an indiginous Ainu traditional dance performance
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Snowshoe walking experience in Shiretoko with a fully-trained local instructor
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Detailed day-by-day itinerary and local support by telephone
What's Not Included
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Drinks with Meals
Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches
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Country Entry Visas
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Fully Guided
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport bus transfer on Day 1 and Day 7 (pay locally on the bus)
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Flights
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All travellers get our Preparing for your Trip and Travelling in Japan documents, as well as a detailed personalized itinerary. Those travelling on one of our self-guided tours receive our bespoke topographical maps and walking instructions.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
For our small-group guided tours, if you would like to share with another traveler we will seek to match you up. If we are successful then you need not pay the solo supplement.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our travellers are typically English speakers from around the world. On our small-group guided tours, you travel in the company of one of our professional local guides.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
As per our booking terms and conditions, change fees would apply. If you have to change your dates due to the prevailing entry requirements for Japan please contact us and we would be happy to work with you to change your dates without charge.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Oku Japan requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oku japan charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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