Highlights. Japan’s northernmost major island is known for snow-capped volcanoes, hot springs and winter sports. Admire snow and ice sculptures lining the Odori Park. Our local experts can help you plan, organise and book wonderful tailor-made trips to Japan. you actually get to snowshoe around the area, around the bottom of Sulfur Mountain. The deer meat is lean, rich in protein and known for its full-bodied, flavour-packed taste. 2. Highlights are programs at Mt. Travel company wondertrunk&co. Here, you get it fresh off the Le Tao shelves so go grab some, eat and buy lots home. Our Hokkaido winter adventure offers a wonderful journey from Kushiro on Hokkaido’s eastern Pacific coast, passing through Akan-Mashu National Park and taking in Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, Mount Io and its sulphur rocks. recommends that you watch the sun set over the sea of ice, a wonder best witnessed from the Horobetsu Bridge. Illuminated ice cave at Sapporo Snow Festival. We will then prepare an itinerary especially, which you can amend until you’re completely happy with every detail before booking. In the Kawayu area, you also participate in an Ainu craft workshop. Soaring skyscrapers, dazzling neon lights and high-speed bullet trains packed with commuters may spring to mind when you think of Japan. Since then, it’s grown into a week-long celebration that highlights sports, artistry, and food from around the world. ※ Unless it is an early flight, we can manage pick-up / drop-off in the same cost from either Kushiro Airport, Memambetsu Airport, Nakashibetsu Airport. Niseko->Sapporo. Kussharo is another natural wonder in Teshikaga. The ship’s combination of power and weight allow it to break through the ice, and passengers out on deck can hear and feel the impact as the ice breaks. In lieu of snowshoeing at this time, you can canoe down the Kushiro River (wetsuit included), or even opt to trek around Lake Mashu, the Lake Kussharo area or the Kussharo caldera with either snowshoes or skis. However Hokkaido, the country’s northernmost major island, is better known for snow-capped volcanoes, hot springs and winter sports. After the exhilarating daytime walk, you can enjoy sweeping views of the sea and the adjacent harbor, where boats are usually tied up for the season. Be amazed at the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. Up to 400 are displayed in Odori Park, in the grounds of the Sapporo Community Dome sports complex (known as the Tsudome) and along the illuminated main street in Susukino. This has been deemed one of the clearest lakes in the world. The origins of the event date back to 1950 when a handful of students built a few snow statues in the city’s Odori Park. A couple named Isori-san and Saito-san teach you to carve wooden plates with fluid crest-like patterns. Sapporo city offers everything to travelers: bountiful nature, fascinating culture, and delicious cuisine. HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR HOKKAIDO WINTER FESTIVAL: Once in a lifetime trip for you to appreciate and celebrate the beauty of winter in Hokkaido: Watch the city of Sapporo transform into a winter wonderland at the Sapporo Snow Festival. The tour, which you can book until March 2021, takes you through the brisk climes of Hokkaido wilderness to the town of Teshikaga, home of the Mashu and Kussharo lakes, as well as to the Shiretoko peninsula, the site of one of the most picturesque and unspoiled national parks in the country. Winter forest with owls. wondertrunk&co. Your guide will help you explore Sapporo while int There are fresh falls of soft powder snow pretty much every day here, which is great for beginners as the conditions help newbies make big strides with their skiing, while temperatures rarely drop below -5C. Recommended length: 2 days. Teshikaga Town encompasses a little over half of the area of Akan-Mashu National Park. Highlights. View behind the icebreaker ship on a drift ice tour in Hokkaido, Japan. It deserves emphasis that even daytime temperatures frequently fall well below freezing, so layer up for the night walk. Today you will take a half day trip to Niseko Village, one of the notable ski resorts … Niseko. Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, is renowned for its natural beauty, gorgeous snowy landscapes, and winter sporting opportunities.Famed events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival, held in February, have come to typify Hokkaido’s cultural offerings, although there are plenty of year-round offerings as well.. The town of Niseko is a particularly popular destination, known for its plentiful, top quality powder snow. You’ll begin the journey with an unequaled nature walk. Winter specialities include game animals such as sika deer, which are hunted from October to January. The pond’s startling blue colour is a result of aluminium deposits from the rock face of the nearby Shirahige waterfall down which its waters flow. Hokkaido is known for the top quality seafood caught in its cold waters and vegetables grown on its abundant farmland. The number one reason to come to Hokkaido in winter is Niseko, the island’s premier ski resort with what many ski buffs claim is the best snow in the world. But when you can catch a glimpse of the lake dotted with these shrublike forms, the scene is fantastic. The sapphire color of the water is so distinct that it’s earned its own appellation: Mashu blue. Cruise in the ocean to photograph landscapes and sea eagles in Shiretoko Peninsula. It continues through to the Shiretoko Peninsula stretching out into the Sea of … The white-capped mountains and frosty trees around Mashu Lake are lucid, and you can see whooper swans sitting on the water. These 10 fun things to do in Hokkaido in winter are recommended based on my personal experiences. © 2020 - 2021 Tokyo Weekender The stately volcanic peak of Mount Mashudake is reflected perfectly in the water when conditions are right. Locate in Shiraoi-cho, the Kajikasawa Waterfall surprisingly freezes during the … East Hokkaido tour, see. Hokkaido is undoubtedly the place to be for the best winter sports in Japan. Photo: Shutterstock, By signing up, you agree that your email address will be stored in line with our, Copyright © 2020 Apa Digital AG, all rights reserved.Insight Guides® is a trademark owned by Apa Group with its headquarters at 8 Mill Street, London SE1 2BA, United Kingdom. The largest of its five ski resorts, Grand Hirafu offers around 30 ski runs in total. This is a private tour in Japan's deep north for those who love to move their body and who are in search for winter adventures in the powder snow and a taste of local culture. Frozen lake with whooper swans in the hot springs. ... More winter festivals in Hokkaido: 6 Best Hokkaido Snow Festivals. . Shikaribetsu Kotan Ice Village. 01. The Ainu, a group indigenous to Hokkaido, nurture a rich material culture. This is a seasonal event, occurring only under the right climatic conditions – typically the ice is most plentiful in late February. Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, is a mountainous region with an abundance of nature and ample snowfall. Named after the deeply intense blue colour of its water, the man-made pond was actually formed accidentally when a dam was built on the Biei River to prevent destructive mudflows affecting the town, in the aftermath of the 1988 volcanic eruption of nearby Mount Tokachi. The tour, which you can book until March 2021, takes you through the brisk climes of Hokkaido wilderness to the town of Teshikaga, home of the Mashu and Kussharo lakes, as well as to the Shiretoko peninsula, the site of one of the most picturesque and unspoiled national parks in the country. You’ll begin the journey with an unequaled nature walk. The Tsudome is the place for icy fun to be had zipping down expansive snow slides on rubber tubes or sledges, and enjoying rides on rubber rafts that are towed across the snowfield by snowmobiles. erfect for nature lovers and adventurers. The enchanting prefecture of Hokkaido provides a picturesque paradise in any season during your 11-day Japan tour. Known for its rare wildlife, rugged sweeping plains, volcanic landscapes and amazing snow festivals, Hokkaido is a superb winter destination and definitely off the beaten track. In the meantime, here’s a quick recap of some of the places we were able to cover in 5 days: Day 1 (Hokkaido): Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship. Drift ice off of the Shiretoko Peninsula The coldest of Japan’s islands, mountainous Hokkaido becomes a land of ice and snow during the winter. This winter, they’ve developed a sustainable East Hokkaido itinerary perfect for nature lovers and adventurers. Asahidake, the tallest mountain in Hokkaido, and our original programs in the outskirts of the town of Iwamizawa. Vibrant shades of turquoise, shimmering emeralds and deep blues are accentuated by the reflections of birch and larch trees protruding from its surface. The drift ice of the Amur River at the east boundary of Russia moves across the Sea of Okhotsk and reaches Shiretoko by winter, creating a vast, stippled, stark-white horizon in Shiretoko National Park: an Arctic scene that will make you ask, Am I in Japan? is committed showcasing the charms of local Japan. Being situated at the foot of Iozan, or Sulfur Mountain, a sulfurous smell is carried in the steam of the adjacent Kushiro River, giving the area extra onsen feel. On the tour, you can actually walk and lie on the bobbing glacial formations, but depending on the volume of ice, you could find yourself swimming in the Sea of Okhotsk among the native birds. is committed showcasing the charms of local Japan. Visit during winter, and you can sled down the mountainside. At this time of year, when steam rising from the surface freezes in the air and lodges itself in the ice, it forms glacial crystals called “frost flowers.” For these rare flowers to bloom, several conditions must be met: the quality of the wind, the temperature of the air versus the water, etc. A much-loved ingredient used in the typical preserved foods from the region, they are prized for their wonderfully thick and crunchy texture, and not to be missed. Scratch that, Niseko was definitely … “Dream now, travel later.” You’ll likely have seen this phrase littered across social media this past year and a half. Explore volcano-forged national parks and rugged coastlines on ice-breaking cruises, husky dog sled trips and guided searches for the elusive Japanese crane; Experience modern, bullet train Japan with exclusive tours of Tokyo and the unique international heritage of Hokkaido’s cities Access travel knowledge of selected local experts, Save time & money- let a local expert plan, Tailor your private trip to your preferences, Book & travel securely- money-back guarantee & 24/7 support. It’s famous for hot springs, volcanoes, ski resorts and beautiful national parks. As the largest caldera lake in Japan, the shore is vast and surrounded by interesting geographies, from hot springs to campgrounds and even a substantial island in the center of the water. For further details on the wondertrunk&co. With wondertrunk&co. The tour, which you can book until March 2021, takes you through the brisk climes of Hokkaido wilderness to the town of Teshikaga, home of the Mashu and Kussharo lakes, as well as to the Shiretoko peninsula, the site of one of the most picturesque and unspoiled national parks in the country. Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. ITINERARIES A Winter Trip to Hokkaido Celebrate Hokkaido's wintry landscape and discover the animals that call it home. The orchestra will be led by its Artistic Director, Tomomi Nishimoto…. The good, the bad, and the awesomeness of life in Hokkaido, Japan Sapporo Snow Festival. At night, you will stay at Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort. There are a lot more to do in Hokkaido … You will land in Kushiro and transfer by private coach to Tsurui , where you'll be spending your first night in Hokkaido. The drift ice of the Amur River at the east boundary of Russia moves across the Sea of Okhotsk and reaches Shiretoko by winter, creating a vast, stippled, stark-white horizon in Shiretoko National Park: an Arctic scene that will make you ask. The journey is four days and packed with activities, from snowshoeing to cultural immersion experiences. Keep in mind that the average temperature in February is around minus 10 degrees Celsius, so it’s important to wrap up warmly. Some highlights of our itinerary include: Sapporo White Illumination, seeing the penguin walk, our day trip to beautiful Otaru, snow sledding at Tomamu, Mina Mina Beach and Ice Village. Hokkaido stages a celebration of the region’s winter weather each February with a host of activities and attractions during the Sapporo Snow Festival. For centuries, Enoshima was historically an important destination for religious…, This May, the IlluminArt Philharmonic Orchestra will embark on a four-concert tour of Japan, performing in Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya and Yokohama. ... ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS. For further details on the wondertrunk&co. From mid-January to early April, off the coast from Monbetsu down to the Shiretoko Peninsula, drift ice can be seen floating on the surface of the sea, sometimes forming a layer that is almost solid. Our local experts can design your trip based on your preferences. Unlike like European style après-ski, instead you can treat yourself to a relaxing natural hot spring bath and soak away the aches in your muscles, while taking in the natural beauty of the surrounding snowy landscapes. This five-day Hokkaido itinerary will take you on an exciting trip with a wide variety of highlights, including the lively city life of Sapporo, Hakodate’s fish markets, the famous zoological garden of Asahikawa, and finally a moment to unwind in Noboribetsu’s hot springs. TOUR’S HIGHLIGHTS. To view a strikingly idyllic scene, head to the Shirogane Blue Pond a short drive away from the town of Biei. Surreal landscape of the sulfur smoking volcano. Ice-Cream: Hokkaido is famous for their dairy products and when in Otaru, you really need to sample their ice-cream made from farm-fresh Hokkaido milk. The highlight is the freezing cold Experience Room featuring enormous slabs of real drift ice weighing many tons, which visitors can touch and use to freeze wet towels solid. For a modest price of 4,000 yen or $40, … In winter, the pond is atmospherically illuminated at night (until 9pm). If you’re coming to Hokkaido in winter, don’t miss your chance to see the fabulous Sapporo Snow Festival.The tradition began in the 1950s when a group of high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park that attracted fifty-thousand people. You can reconnect with nature in winter as you speed down pristine ski slopes or in spring as you stroll through lush lavender fields. East Hokkaido is full of epic winter activities: from dog sledding and snowshoeing, to winter canoeing and ice fishing. , which has its own onsen and Japanese-style rooms. Le Tao Café: Hokkaido is famous for its cheesecake, chief of which is Le Tao. Here is our guide to the winter highlights in Hokkaido. Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc. / 9F Daito Building 8-1 Minami 2-jo Higashi 2-chome Chuo-ku Sapporo Hokkaido 060-0052 JAPAN Licence Number : Hokkaido Prefecture 2-597 Japan Private Tours with Local Tour Guides. As a vegetarian side dish, you can tuck into Sapporo taikyu, huge green cabbages which are also used for pickling. Off the northeastern of Hokkaido, the Sea of Okhotsk provides one of the region’s most spectacular natural attractions during winter. Day 3 (Hokkaido… These springs are strongly acidic with their accumulations of hydrogen sulfide, iron and copper, and the renowned sterilizing effect makes Kawayu a particularly popular resort. All you can eat yaki niku? Our guide will explain and manage the program according to the situation. And when it is cold enough to freeze over, the snowfall lying on the pond’s frozen surface adds to the dream-like quality of the scene. Our Hokkaido 10D9N Winter itinerary. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. Kajikasawa Waterfall. Highlights of Hokkaido. Biei, Japan at Aoike Blue Pond in winter. East Hokkaido tour, see here. Winter, when the air is the clearest, is the prime time to visit. Yes, please! Sapporo. Explore Hokkaido and more. Join us on our incredible 16-day Hokkaido Winter Tour, where you will experience these amazing winter highlights of Japan! The capital city, Sapporo is famous for hosting the 1972 Olympic Winter Games and is today well known for its ramen (noodles), beer, and the annual snow festival held every February. The ice village of Lake Shikaribetsu only appears during the coldest … A visit to the city’s Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum reveals further details about the nature of drift ice. Do send some to us if you do. Sapporo Beer Factory. Spend the morning ice fishing for wakasagi (smelt), and the afternoon dogsledding in the snowy fields and forests of Asahikawa. After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to the beautiful island of Hokkaido, traveling to … The Ice Fishing & Dogsledding Day Trip includes two incredible winter activities that will be the highlight of your trip to Hokkaido. Aside from that there’s so much more to experience as a family: fun cooking activities, shopping, delicious Asahikawa … After taking a 90-minute walk that covers all fives lakes, you can take a car up to Shiretoko Mountain Pass. Only 40 minutes from Sapporo, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is great for the … Stunning frozen lakes. Here are five highlights of this winter wonderland tour. Think the Taj Mahal, a giant Pikachu and Dragon Ball Z anime characters carved in sparkling snow and ice, soaring as high as 15 metres and stretching up to 25 metres wide. 1. If you’ve ever dreamed of being teleported to the landscape of the movie Frozen, the Sounkyo Hyobaku Festival may be… After a day on the slopes, you can make the most of one of the most enjoyable aspects of the winter sports experience in Japan – onsen, or thermal spas. The north of Japan provides travellers with the opportunity to sample a variety of culinary delights. From there, you’ll get excellent views of Mount Rausu, the highest peak in the Shiretoko Peninsula. All rights reserved. Most people come to see the enormous ice and snow sculptures for which the festival has become best known. Snow usually starts falling in the region for around six months from November onwards. We may need to change the tour itinerary. Tips: I am sharing the Hokkaido Bucket List 2021 with top 20 highlights that you can’t miss! From the museum’s rooftop observation deck, you can take in panoramic views of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko Peninsula. These trails are suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, and a number of pistes are specifically geared towards beginners and families. However, the region embraces its freezing conditions making it a vibrant destination during the colder months. For a nature walk there is a waterside trail on the Wakoto Peninsula, which pushes into the lake. To get close-up views of this remarkable phenomenon, you can take sightseeing tours on the Aurora icebreaker ship, which leave from the city of Abashiri. Not only the Sapporo Snow Festival, but Sapporo City (札幌市) is simply an amazing city to explore. Combined with a visit to a century-old sake brewery, This day trip will be a lasting memory from your time in Hokkaido. After your trek, you rest at Kinkiyu Hotel, which has its own onsen and Japanese-style rooms. DAY. Fast forward to the present, and the festival has grown into a major event that attracts around two million Japanese and international visitors each year. ※ In winter, there are possible blizzards in Hokkaido. Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival. In the frigid air, that sulfurous steam adheres to the trees around the river and creates stunning crystalline frosts on their branches. The Kawayu hot springs are part of a little town on the east side of Akan-Mashu National Park, between Mashu and Kussharo Lakes. Isori-san often recounts stories of Ainu history and culture while carving. Being one of the coldest areas in Japan – temperatures often dip below negative 20 degrees Celsius – has its sightseeing perks. Niseko was definitely the highlight of my Hokkaido trip. Shiretoko Five Lakes is a must-see at any time of year. Picturesque minimalist snow landscapes in Biei; Japanese red-crowned cranes in the daytime and at dawn; Owls in the winter forest; Whooper swans in the hot springs water in a frozen lake; Surreal landscape of the sulfur smoking volcano; Stunning frozen lake; Looking for and capturing pictures of wildlife such as deer and fox Simply get in touch letting us know your ideas for the trip and when you would like to travel. Cruise in the ocean to watch and photograph drift ice. This winter, they’ve developed a sustainable. Enjoy an efficient half-day walking tour of Sapporo accompanied by a nationally/state licensed experienced multilingual guide! Tsukemono, pickled dishes, are also well-known in the region, and izushi, fish, such as herring, sandfish or salmon lacto-fermented in water and salt, are some of the most popular of these types of dishes during winter. Depart Hokkaido. Here is our guide to the highlights of winter in Hokkaido. Photo: Shutterstock. Day 2 (Hokkaido): Ken & Mary Tree + Furano Wakuwaku Family Snow Land. On the tour, you take a nighttime walk – there is a hiking trail leading from an observation deck to Mashudake, along the caldera rim – as the stars, unspoiled by light pollution, fan out above you. With unspoiled nature you can look forward to a host of memorable, unique things to do in Hokkaido in winter. Led by Julius Pang, a Japan expert and multi-award-winning travel photographer, you’ll learn how to take better travel photos and visit the best spots in Hokkaido to take amazing photos of the winter landscapes and wildlife. The journey is four days and packed with activities, from snowshoeing to cultural immersion experiences. Discovering new favorite foods and exploring new-to-you destinations still feels far away…, If you’re craving an island getaway but have a limited time and budget to spend, your solution may be close at hand. This winter, they’ve developed a sustainable East Hokkaido itinerary p erfect for nature lovers and adventurers. Photo: Shutterstock. After the exhilarating daytime walk, you can enjoy sweeping views of the sea and the adjacent harbor, where boats are usually tied up for the season.