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Tour Code: GTK5613828

Hokkaido Private Walking & Hiking Tour
71 Reviews
9 days 8 nights

fromUSD $6990.00

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Room Type Explained

Single Room

Single room types are rooms for single room occupants.
One person will be occupying the hotel room throughout the tour.

Twin Room

Twin room types are rooms set for two people who will occupy one room, but will have two separate beds.

Double Room

A double room is a room that has one bed for two people to share.

Triple Room

A triple room is one room where three people may share the same room. It has three separate beds.

Japanese Style Room

A Japanese-style room traditionally does not have a western-style bed, it is a tatami floor room with futon bedding. However, if you prefer a western-style bed, you may request one though we cannot guarantee it.

Please note: If you would like to request neighboring rooms next to your traveling companions, you and your traveling companions must have the same room types in order to be next to each other. For example, if you have requested a double room, but your traveling companions have requested a twin, or triple room, then neighboring rooms cannot be accommodated. However, if both you and your traveling companions match in room type, then neighboring rooms will likely be arranged for your convenience.

A private guided walking & hiking tour through the wild lands of Eastern Hokkaido.

Hokkaido was once considered as a remote wilderness by other natives of Japan and was known as "Ezo" during the feudal times. The land was originally inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people. Today, Hokkaido is the second largest island in Japan and attracts all nature lovers as an immaculate paradise of mountain ranges, lush forests, and breathtakingly beautiful crater lakes. Let All Japan Tours guide you on a magnificent journey from Kushiro on Hokkaido’s Eastern Pacific Coast, all the way through to the Shiretoko Peninsula, which stretches out into the Sea of Okhotsk.

Our tour begins in Kushiro, a fishing port famous for some of the best seafood in Japan. You will enjoy a welcome dinner at a Robatayaki restaurant, where fresh fish is grilled on an open grill. We will then visit Hokkaido’s largest marshland area to see the red- crowned crane and continue on towards Lake Akan, where the uniquely spherical Marimo Algae can be seen. Visit the home to the largest remaining Ainu community in Hokkaido, Ainu Kotan Village, where we will be treated to a traditional dance performance. Our journey on this tour will also bring us to Lake Mashu, known as one of the clearest lakes in the world and considered Japan's most beautiful lake. From there, we will move onwards to the Onsen town of Utoro on the Sea of Okhotsk, where we will have the chance to relax in our inn's hot spring baths. If the weather allows, we will also enjoy a boat ride from the Shiretoko Peninsula with an opportunity to catch a glimpse of waterfalls visible only from the sea and the native Hokkaido brown bears. As Shiretoko is the very end of Japan, it remains as a completely remote area of beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife.

Experience marvelous landscapes formed by volcanoes, see untouched nature, and visit UNESCO wetland nature reserves. You will have the opportunity to see bountiful wildlife as we walk through the trails. Try to spot foxes, deer, and numerous species of birds unique to Hokkaido. After each day’s walk, we will relax in onsen hot springs where some baths are located outdoors in order to fully experience the serene natural surroundings. While Hokkaido is a large area to cover and nearly impossible to explore it entirely in one short trip, All Japan Tours includes the highlights and best locations on the island for one epic Hokkaido journey.

Note: this is an intense rated hiking trip with some steady steep ascents and hikes over 4 hours.

Activity Level: Intense
Our Intense tours generally have dedicated days of trail walking, with some days of over four hours and with some ascent and/or descent.

Who is an Intense tour designed for?
- We recommend our Intense tours for anyone who does regular walking or hiking, and is comfortable walking a full day with some climbing and descending.
- If you do not exercise regularly, please practice walking for three to four hours, about three to six months prior to the tour in order to get the most out of your trip.

Accommodations
This itinerary contains overnight stays at Western Hotels and Ryokans. Ryokans are more traditional accommodations, with a more casual hospitality than you will find at a hotel. At a Ryokan, you will stay in a simply furnished room and sleep on a futon, which is laid on a tatami mat.
Some Ryokans may have private bathrooms attached to your room, but others only have public bathrooms used by all the guests – meaning either a smaller bathroom used one guest at a time, or larger bathrooms separated by gender (male & female), and designed to be used by multiple guests at once.

This itinerary can be customized based on your budget and interests. Please feel free to CONTACT US to plan your dream trip to Japan.

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Tour Information

Please Note:

● The price is per person with minimum 2 people, based on twin/double or triple room occupancy.
● The itinerary can be customized based on your interests and budget, please contact us to plan your perfect vacation to Japan.

Deposit

A 20% deposit is required to hold the space at time of booking and final payment is due 2 months prior to departure.

What's included

• 8 nights in Western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns (Ryokan)
• All transportation between tour locations
• Daily luggage transfer on motorcoach
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide
• Airport transfer upon departure from Utoro Onsen to Memanbetsu Airport
• Gratuities

Meals
• Breakfast everyday
• 8 dinners

Admission fees and activities
• All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary

What's NOT included

• International Airfares
• Airport transfers
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills

Additional Information

Transport
Travel by private coach between destinations.
Arrival Departure Airports
For arrivals at Kushiro Airport (KUH), this tour starts in Kushiro and ends in Memanbetsu, with departures at Memanbetsu Airport (MMB).
Meal Requests
Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.
Meet and Greet
Airport meet and greet and arrival airport transfer are NOT included, but we will provide with full instructions in advance.

Itinerary In Brief

Day1 Meet in Kushiro
Day2 Kushiro - Lake Akan
Day3 Mt Meakan
Day4 Mt Iou - Kawayu Onsen
Day5 Lake Mashu - Mt Nishibetsu - Abashiri
Day6 Abashiri
Day7 Shiretoko
Day8 Rausu
Day9 Tour ends

Click here for detailed itinerary

Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice

Day1

Meet in Kushiro

Welcome to Kushiro!
Meet your guide at your hotel. We will then enjoy a welcome dinner at a local robatayaki restaurant. Robatayaki, said to have originated in Kushiro, is a style of cooking on an open hearth called an "irori". For centuries, fishermen in Northern Japan used this style of cooking on their boats, where they would encase hot coals in a box to cook their fish. Enjoy dinner and savor delicious grilled seafood of the highest quality.

Welcome Dinner

ANA Crowne Plaza Kushiro or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day2

Explore Kushiro Marshland and travel to Akan Onsen

This morning, we will travel by private vehicle to Kushiro Marshland, known as Japan's largest wetland area. Kushiro features a diverse ecosystem and Japan’s first Ramsar Site, a wetland site designated to be of international importance. Known as a national treasure and loved by birdwatchers, the area is home to the red-crowned crane and other abundant wildlife. Take a walk through the forest towards the observatory, which overlooks the vast marshland. You will then continue on the trail through the marsh, exploring the plants and animals that thrive in this region. Afterwards, we will head onward in our vehicle to Lake Akan, a crater lake in the Lake Akan National Park. Enjoy the scenery of the surrounding mountains and the marimo algae which forms itself into a ball shape. This area is also home to the largest community of the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. Enjoy a two night stay in a stunning Onsen hot spring hotel with the lakeside setting.

Walking distance: 6.8 km / 4.2 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 3 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Akankoso or similar class (Onsen Hotel)

Day3

Hike Mt Meakan

Today we will climb Mount Meakandake, an active volcano which has formed the landscape around Lake Akan. We will hike through the astonishing scenery, as the trail offers dramatic views and lovely alpine flowers unique to Hokkaido. Enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Onneto and Mount Oakandake. According to Ainu legend, Mount Meakandake and Mount Oakandake were a married couple, however, Oakandake was unfaithful to his wife. The volcanic activity that continues to this day is said to symbolize the conflict between them.

Walking distance: 6.6 km / 4.1 miles
Elevation gain: 788 m / 2585 feet ascent; 788 m / 2585 feet descent
Time required: 4.5 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Akankoso or similar class (Onsen Hotel)

Day4

Visit Ainu Kotan Village in the morning and afternoon walk to Mt. Iou

We will start our day at the Akanko Ainu Kotan Village where we will have the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous inhabitants. There we will watch a traditional dance performance that has been officially recognized as an important feature of Japan’s cultural heritage. After the performance, travel to Kawayu Onsen aboard private vehicle and enjoy a lovely walk to Mount Iou, also known as Atosa Nupuri or ‘Naked Mountain’ in the Ainu language. Mount Iou, an active volcano, allows guests to walk by the steaming, sulfurous vents where you can find people selling eggs cooked by the natural heat of the mountain. Tonight we will stay at a charming Ryokan inn in Kawayu Onsen, a town known for having some of the highest-quality thermal waters in all of Hokkaido. In the Ainu language, the town is called ‘Seseki-petsu’, which translates to ‘hot river flowing through the village’.

Walking distance: 5.2 km / 3.2 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 2.5 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Kussharo Prince Hotel or similar (Onsen Hotel)

Day5

Walk along Lake Mashu and traverse the Mashu Caldera

In the morning, we take a short journey by private vehicle to the Lake Mashu, known as one of the clearest lakes in the world. Also known as one of the most beautiful in all of Japan, it is often shrouded in mist during the summer months, providing a mystical look to the sacred lake. Take a short hike up to the peak of Nishibetsudake, where you can see beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. We will descend to the other side of the mountain, where we will enjoy marvelous views of the vast grass farmland special to Hokkaido. After the hike, continue on by private vehicle to Abashiri, a modern town which relies on its fishing industry. Locals to the area will tell you that the freshest seafood comes from the Okhotsk Sea. Enjoy your night stay in another beautiful Onsen Ryokan.

Walking distance: 11.4km / 7.1 miles
Elevation gain: 553 m / 1814 feet ascent; 763 m / 2503 feet descent
Time required: 5 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Ryokan Kagariya or similar class (Onsen Ryokan)

Day6

Wakka Nature Centre

Today we will have the option to go cycling or walking through one of the largest wildflower nature reserves in Japan. This reserve is near Japan’s third- largest lake, Lake Saroma. We will make our way to the Wakka Nature Centre, where we can spot hundreds of different types of flowering plants, especially during the summer months. Afterwards, we will visit the Museum of Northern People and learn more about the Ainu. The Ainu have a history going back over 2,000 years to the time of their arrival in Hokkaido from Siberia. The area also has mysterious traces of an even earlier culture called the Moyoro. Learn about the Ainu's way of life, with several museum exhibits showcasing the clothing, food, and even transport that the indiginous Ainu used, as well as how Ainu life compares to those of other Northern cultures. From there we will make our way to , a lovely hot- spring town and gateway to the vast Shiretoko Wilderness. We will enjoy our next three nights at a local hotel, taking advantage of the refreshing Onsen baths and regional delicacies.

Optional
Cycling/Walking distance: up to 20 km / 12.5 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 2 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Kiki Shiretoko Natural Resort or similar class (Onsen Hotel)

Day7

Sea of Okhotsk boat ride and Shiretoko Five Lake trails

If the weather is in our favor today, we will go and enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Okhotsk. This sea is known as one of the most biologically productive, allowing various kinds of fish, crabs, and other marine life to thrive. You will also be able to see spectacular views of the Shiretoko Peninsula’s coastline and possibly even catch glimpses of Hokkaido brown bears and their cubs, as well as deer, foxes, and marine life including dolphins and whales. If the weather is not appropriate enough for a boat ride out at sea, we will stay on land and hike a trail leading to a stunning waterfall instead. In the afternoon, we will take a local bus to the famous Shiretoko Five Lakes, which were formed by a volcanic eruption long ago. Enjoy walking on the beautiful nature trails, taking in views of the stunning lakes and tranquil surroundings.

Walking distance: 3.4 km / 2.1 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 1.5 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Kiki Shiretoko Natural Resort or similar class (Onsen Hotel)

Day8

Rausu

Start your day with a journey by local bus to a trail that leads to a UNSESCO World Heritage Site and the largest lake on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Lake Rausu. This is a wonderfully remote area whose beauty is not widely known, making it a wonderful spot to escape crowds of tourists. Here you can experience spectacular views of Mount Rausu, the highest peak of the peninsula. You will be provided with boots for your convenience, as the land surrounding the lake consists of several mud trails. Later in the evening, we will return back to our lodges in Utoro Onsen, where you can enjoy your last night on the tour with a warm hot spring bath.

Walking distance: 6.3 km / 3.9 miles
Elevation gain: 187 m / 613 feet ascent; 187 m / 613 feet descent
Time required: 3 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Kiki Shiretoko Natural Resort or similar class (Onsen Hotel)

Day9

Tour ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Your tour guide will arrange for your transfer to Memanbetsu airport for your return flight to Tokyo or Osaka airport.

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

PLEASE NOTE: These are the hotels All Japan Tours generally uses on the touring styles and regions shown. There is no guarantee that you will stay in the lodgings listed on the website. We encourage you to check your travel documentation for confirmation of the exact accommodation you will be staying in.

Destinations

Kushiro / Lake Akan / Mt Meakan / Mt Iou / Kawayu Onsen / Lake Mashu / Mt Nishibetsu / Abashiri / Shiretoko / Rausu / Memanbetsu

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Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Hokkaido Private Walking & Hiking Tour 71 Reviews 9 days 8 nights fromUSD $6990.00 currency

A private guided walking & hiking tour through the wild lands of Eastern Hokkaido.

Tour Information

Deposit

What's included

What's NOT included

Additional Information

Itinerary In Brief

Day1

Meet in Kushiro

Welcome Dinner

Day2

Explore Kushiro Marshland and travel to Akan Onsen

Breakfast / Dinner

Day3

Hike Mt Meakan

Breakfast / Dinner

Day4

Visit Ainu Kotan Village in the morning and afternoon walk to Mt. Iou

Breakfast / Dinner

Day5

Walk along Lake Mashu and traverse the Mashu Caldera

Breakfast / Dinner

Day6

Wakka Nature Centre

Breakfast / Dinner

Day7

Sea of Okhotsk boat ride and Shiretoko Five Lake trails

Breakfast / Dinner

Day8

Rausu

Breakfast / Dinner

Day9

Tour ends

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

Charms of Northern Japan Tour: Tohoku 3 Great Summer Festivals

Charms of Hokkaido: Lavenders & Summer Flowers

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Hokkaido Private Walking & Hiking Tour
71 Reviews
9 days 8 nights

fromUSD $6990.00

currency

Why Travel on Our
Group Tours