The huge and sparsely populated island of Hokkaido is the focus of this unique adventure. Here within the national parks you’ll find vast empty plains, crystal clear lakes and soaring mountain landscapes. With well-kept, quiet roads and plenty of English signs Hokkaido is ideal for exploring by car.
The first of the national parks you will encounter is Shikotsu Toya which is centred around a large, attractive lake with the smoking Showa Shinzan volcano as a backdrop. There are plenty of walks in this area as well as cycling routes and boat cruises. For rest and relaxation, your Japanese-style hotel has a wide range of hot spring baths to try. Easy trips to Mt. Tarumae and Noboribetsu Onsen, famous for its steaming, bubbling 'hell valley' can also be made.
The city of Hakodate marks your entry point into Hokkaido and is known for its stunning night view from nearby Mt. Hakodate and also for its collection of churches, a legacy from a time when it was one of Japan's few international ports.
Bustling Sapporo is now the main city of the island and is a food lovers treat; restaurants and bars abound and the city has a sparkling atmosphere as well as the best beer in Japan - brewery tours available!
On to central Hokkaido, home to the Daisetsuzan National Park, where
your base will be the attractive village of Biei, famous for its lavender and poppy fields and its vast farm lands. This is a great base for a visit to Mt. Asahidake which can be conquered on foot or by cable car and rewards you with dramatic views over steaming lava pools.
A number of protected birds including Blakiston's fish-owl have been spotted in this area. Accommodation in Biei is at a family-run inn with great home cooked meals included. A stay in Kawayu Onsen, a lovely hot spring
town set around Lake Kusharo, allows you to explore the Akan National Park. Yezo deer and numerous birds can be spotted whilst the nearby Kushiro marshlands are known for red-crowned cranes. Lake Mashu meanwhile, is said to have the clearest waters in the world and is revered as a "lake of the Gods" by the indigenous Ainu people.
Our Hokkaido Fly-Drive combines natural wonders, small towns and exciting cities, offering an alternative vision of Japan.
Prices:
2010
Standard:
Twin: £2803 Single: £4076
Upgrade:
Twin: £3049 Single: £4472
Click for full details of pricing including extra nights
What's Included:
- 17 nights accommodation in Japan (10 nights Japanese style)
- Breakfast each morning
- 10 Evening meals
- Tokyo transport card with 2500 yen of credit
- 8 Hour Private Guide service in Tokyo
- 14 Days Car Hire in Hokkaido
- Meet and Greet upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport
- All transport between destinations
- InsideJapan Tours' complimentary info-pack
- International Flights
- Local transport (local buses, subways, taxis) except those covered by the included transport passes
- Any entrance fees including those for temples, shrines and museums
- Petrol (gas) for hire car
- Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip
- Airport transfer for domestic flight to / from Tokyo Haneda Airport
OPTION
Shiretoko Peninsula (2 additional nights)
Extend your trip with a two night stay in the traditional port town of Rausu on the remote Shiretoko Peninsula. One of Japan's last wilderness spots, Shiretoko is home to a vast array of birds and animals including brown bears, deer and foxes. The mountain pass from Utoro offers stunning views in summer, whilst in winter, Sea of Okhotsk drift ice cruises from Rausu let you see Stellar's sea eagle up close. The Kamuiwakka falls meanwhile, are a hot spring with a difference - steaming waters plunging over a cliff
offer Japan's ultimate onsen experience!
Prices
Twin share: from plus £269 per person
Single room: from plus £430 per person
(Accommodation is at standard level)
Supplements
Seasonal supplement of £238 per person applies for packages
starting 19th Nov to 2nd Jan; 15th Feb to 28th March and 30th
June to 28th August.
Black Out Dates
Please note that during certain Japanese holiday periods, the prices
detailed in this brochure are NOT valid for packages if any of the
nights' accommodation fall within the following dates:
29th December to 4th January New Year
29th April to 5th May Golden Week
9th August to 17th August Obon Festival
Please contact us for pricing if your trip falls within any of these periods.
Included evening meals are in Toya Onsen (3), Biei (3), Kawayu Onsen (2), Tsurui (2) and for the Shiretoko extension, in Rausu (2).
BACK TO TOP
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Tokyo
Meals: None
Welcome to Japan! On arrival at the airport you will be met by one of our local representatives who will provide you with tickets for the express train into Tokyo. Your first three nights will be spent in the historic Asakusa district, a bustling market-like area of old Tokyo, giving you a glimpse of what life in this metropolis used to be like. This neighbourhood is the perfect introduction to the city, with its traditional wares, enticing food stalls and the striking Senso-ji Temple: the perfect atmosphere to get into the swing of Japanese living.
Day 2 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
For your first full day in Tokyo, you will have the services of one of our professional local guides: a priceless source into the lives and workings of Japanese life. Your itinerary today is not fixed, so you can ask the guide to take you where you have always wanted to go, or alternatively sit back and allow them to show you a few examples of what this fascinating and exhilarating city has to offer. Your guide will show you around as Tokyoites travel today, using the world-class public transport system, renowned for its reliability and convenience and allowing you to really get up close to the city.
Day 3 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
With a city the size of Tokyo, there is something for everyone and today you have a full free day to explore. Your included Tokyo Transport pass allows you to easily travel around without having to buy individual tickets. You may like to get going early with a visit to the hectic Tsukiji Fish Market and its renowned tuna auction before sampling a fresh sushi breakfast. Afterwards, you could head to the ultra-modern Shibuya district with its famous multiple crossing and abundance of shops. Or visit the contrast of the distinctive fashions of Harajuku with the nearby peaceful Meiji Shrine. With so many sights to see, it is just a case of deciding what!
Day 4 Hakodate
Meals: Breakfast
It’s time to leave the main island of Honshu behind today and head up for your northern adventure! You’ll fly from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Hakodate city – the gateway to Hokkaido island this morning. At Hakodate Airport you will pick up your car hire, equipped with Sat-Nav, and drive the short distance into this small and attractive port. Hakodate was one of the first ports to open up to foreign visitors, with a number of churches and European buildings left behind as a lasting legacy. Today it is most famous amongst the Japanese for its stunning night views of the city from nearby Mt. Hakodate.
Day 5 Toya Onsen
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
If you’re an early riser, then you may like to visit the morning fish market by the JR station in Hakodate: 400 stores of squid, crabs and countless varieties of fish. Once you have had your full, you will set off on the scenic drive to Toya Onsen in the Shikotsu Toya National Park. The 100 mile drive will take you via volcanic Lake Onuma, known for its 126 islands and smouldering Mt. Komagatake, and around the attractive Uchiura Bay. As in all of the drives in this plan, there are plenty of places to stop off en-route. The national park itself is centred around a large and attractive lake with the ‘new’ and still smoking Showa Shinzan volcano as a backdrop. There are plenty of hikes in the area as well as cycling routes and boat cruises – and for rest and relaxation, your Japanese-style hotel has a wide range of hot spring baths to try.
Day 6 Toya Onsen
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
A full day in the National Park – you may want to visit the infamous Mt. Usu which has garnered attention in recent years as a temperamental volcano on the southern shore of the lake. Mt. Usu last erupted in 2000 when nearby residents were forced to evacuate their homes. Volcanic ash and fumes still spew from the crater today. Alternatively, if you fancy something a little less lively, you could drive to nearby Lake Shikotsu where there are further mountain walking routes as well as trails through a moss covered gorge and the chance to wander around the crater of Mt. Tarumae.
Day 7 Toya Onsen
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Today we would recommend heading to Noboribetsu Onsen – the most popular hot spring area in Hokkaido, surrounded by lush green forested hills and home to Jigokudani, a ‘hell valley’ complete with steaming sulphurous vents and streams of hot water. The area boasts 11 different types of hot spring water, containing sulphur, salt and iron, with the quality of minerals meaning the spa ranks among the world's most exceptional hot springs.
Day 8 Sapporo
Meals: Breakfast
An eighty mile drive away lies Hokkaido’s most cosmopolitan city and today’s destination – Sapporo. The relaxed air, green parks, and tree lined boulevards mean Sapporo is a modern Japanese city quite unlike any other. The city is built on a grid system and unlike most Japanese cities has a lot of open space and green areas. There’s plenty to see and do here including attractive botanical gardens, Japan’s most famous brewery (tours with free samples available!) and views from the TV tower in the large Odori Park.
Day 9 Sapporo
Meals: Breakfast
A second day in Sapporo allows you the chance for a day trip to Otaru – a seaside town with a distinct Russian influence. The glassworks shops, coffee shops, restaurants and shopping malls along the canal have been converted from stone-built or brick-built warehouses, which were used for storage in the days when commerce flourished and the canal was crowded with jostling barges. When night falls, oil lamps on the cobbled streets are lit, and the town evokes a gentle, nostalgic mood.
Day 10 Biei
Meals: Breakfast
You’ll be heading east today into the plains of Biei, famous for its lavender and poppy fields and its vast farm lands. There are numerous walks to take around here as well as a number of art galleries to visit all set off against the panaromic backdrop of the Daisetsuzan mountain range. You can enjoy Biei throughout the year, with the snow-capped tips of the Taisetsuzan contrasting the bare soil in spring, beautiful flowers and blue sky in the summer, autumn leaves and bright yellow rape blossoms in fall, and pure white powder snow in winter. You’ll be staying in a small family run inn complete with home cooked meals.
Day 11 Biei
Meals: Breakfast
Using Biei as your base, today we would recommend visiting Mt. Asahidake. There are numerous trails around here and of course the opportunity to hike to the top of Hokkaido’s highest mountain – helped by a cable car most of the way if you wish! Your climb is rewarded with dramatic views over steaming lava pools and after your day’s activities you can take a hot spring bath if you wish.
Day 12 Biei
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
A smaller peak could be your destination today and we would recommend Tokachi-dake. Away from the usual tourist routes, you’ll have the place largely to yourself. The dominant mountain range peak is a volcano that is still active and located at the highest altitude in Hokkaido. Its water has two sources: one which is rusty in colour and one which is clear. Nearby Fukiage spa offers free of charge hot-spring open-air baths, where you can sink into the hot, healing waters overlooking the stunning views of the gorge.
Day 13 Kawayu Onsen
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Continue east across Hokkaido today to the hot springs and beautiful lakes of Kawayu Onsen. It is a 220km drive but again there are lots of places to stop off en-route. Kawayu Onsen is a unique spa town near Mashu-ko, reputed to be Japan’s most attractive lake. Entirely protected, without a single building along its pristine shores, Lake Mashu can only be viewed from two designated lookout points. The deep volcanic caldera lake is often blanketed with a thin layer of fog giving starkly beautiful views.
Day 14 Kawayu Onsen
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Today gives you further time to explore this national park with its sparkling clear mountain lakes – on a clear day you can see as far as the Daisetsuzan National park from the peak of Mt. Akan. There are a number of small mountains to explore near Kawayu Onsen and you can also visit Lake Kohan where there are exhibits and museums about the indigenous Ainu people. This is one of the largest settlements in Hokkaido so a great place to try Ainu cuisine and learn about their culture.
Day 15 Tsurui
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
From Kawayu Onsen it is an hour's drive on to Tsurui today - this area is home to the Kushiro marshlands and crane sanctuaries. Your car will give you the freedom to really explore! Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in Hokkaido was established in 1987 and is Japan's most recently designated National Park. It was created in order to preserve the country's largest wetland and marsh habitat which supports the only known population of endangered Japanese Cranes in Japan.
Day 16 Tsurui
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Today you’ll have a full day to observe the cranes. Japanese Cranes, also known as Tancho (lit. red head), were thought to be extinct in Japan due to overhunting and habitat destruction. However, in 1926 a group of about 20 birds was discovered in the marshes around Kushiro. With conservation efforts they have since made a dramatic recovery and now number more than 1000 birds. The cranes are spectacular to watch as they dance, often in pairs, with seemingly choreographed dips and jumps. The cranes are best seen in the winter as they gather at winter feeding sites.
Day 17 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
It’s time to head back to the main island and buzzing capital for your final night, and to catch up on anything you may have missed the first time round! From Tsurui you’ll drive just 40 minutes to Kushiro Airport, drop off your car and fly back to Tokyo. Your last night will be spent in the energetic Shinjuku district of town, quite a contrast with the wilds of Hokkaido! Back within the bright lights, you have time for some last minute souvenir shopping, a museum or gallery, or maybe just take the chance to eat some final mouth-watering Japanese sushi you won’t find back home!
Day 18 Depart
Meals: Breakfast
Sadly, today marks the end of your adventures in Japan and it is time to head home. We have included tickets for the Narita Express train for the journey back to Tokyo Narita Airport.
Photos
No photos currently available.
Pricing Information
| 2010 | |||
| Standard Price: | £2803 (Single Price: £4076) | ||
| Upgrade Price: | £3049 (Single Price: £4472) | ||
Extra Nights: |
|||
Standard Grade |
|||
| Start: Twin Share pp £65
Single pp £65
End: Twin Share pp £65 Single pp £80 |
|||
Superior Grade |
|||
| Start: Twin Share pp £90
Single pp £110
End: Twin Share pp £115 Single pp £175 |
|||
Accommodation
Asakusa Sunroute Hotel
Tokyo
Business Hotel
The Asakusa Sunroute hotel is a good quality business hotel in a fantastic location in Tokyo's oldest and most historic district. The hotel is located directly above Tawaramachi subway station on the Ginza Line and is just 5 minutes walk from Kaminarimon (Thunder gate) with its iconic huge red lantern. Rooms are Western-style and have en-suite facilities. A diner style restaurant is located on the 2nd floor.
Aqua Garden Hotel Hakodate
Hakodate
Business Hotel
The Aqua Garden is a comfortable business hotel just a 2 minute walk from Hakodate Station. The morning fish market is just round the corner and the chair lift to the top of Mt. Hakodate is just 10 minutes on foot.
Hotel Kawanami
Kawayu Onsen
Minshuku (JP)
Located in Japan's Shikotsu Toya National Park, Hotel Kawanami offers nice accommodation in a beautiful setting. The hotel is situated on the shore of Lake Toya close to many attractions. In addition to the lake (with water sports such as wakeboarding, jet-skiing, water skiing, motor boating, and fishing), the hotel is near two active volcanoes (Showa-Shinzan and Usu), the Pacific Ocean, a golf course, and ski areas. From the end of April until October 31, Toya-Onsen puts on a nightly fireworks show that you can view from the Rotemburo (outdoor hot springs bath). The bath houses at the hotel are open 24hrs a day and the waters are certified as some of the best in Japan. The owners and some of the hotel staff speak English.
Hotel Crest Sapporo
Sapporo
Moderate Hotel
The smart Hotel Crest is located right next door to JR Sapporo train station. Rooms are bright and modern and well sized for Japan. The hotel has its own restaurant and cafe. Numerous restaurants and shops as well as the Odori park are just a short walk away.
Pension Hozuki
Biei
Pension
This charming little family run pension set in forest around the town of Biei. The rooms have western beds but the rest of the experience is Japanese with great home cooking and hot-spring baths. There is a very peaceful and friendly atmosphere in this very rural setting and the owners speak some English.
Kawayu Onsen Misono Hotel
Kawayu Onsen
Moderate Hotel
The Misono is a Japanese style hotel. All of the guest rooms have their own private bath and toilet. There are indoor and outdoor hot spring baths and saunas for both women and men (same sex only). Traditional Japanese cuisine is served in the restaurant.
Hotel Taito
Tsurui (Kushiro)
Moderate Hotel
Hotel Taito is a cosy western style lodge with great food and set in some beautiful scenery in the Kushiro Marshes area. The crane reserves are located just a short distance away.
Kadoya Hotel
Tokyo
Business Hotel
The Kadoya is a quality business hotel located just 3 minutes walk from the west exit of Shinjuku station in the skyscraper district, but just 7 minutes walk from the entertainment area of Shinjuku. Rooms are tastefully decorated in a modern style and all rooms have flat screen TVs with free cable channels available including BBC World.
Rausu Dai-ichi Hotel
Rausu
Moderate Hotel
Although the name Dai-ichi (no.1) is usually associated with 10-story chain hotels, this Japanese style hotel is a small single-story hot-spring ryokan. There are two large outdoor pools for men and women behind the hotel, and a third little one up in the rocks for mixed bathing. There are also regular baths indoors. The heated lobby floor is especially nice in the depths of winter.
E-mail to a Friend
Order a
