The Charms of Hokkaido

Destinations

Sapporo / Shiraoi / Noribetsu / Lake Toya / Hakodate / Matsumae / Onuma Park / Niseko / Otaru / Asahikawa / Biei / Furano / Sapporo

Simple itinerary

• Day 1 Arrival in Sapporo
• Day 2 Shiraoi – Noboribetsu – Lake Toya
• Day 3 Hakodate
• Day 4 Matsumae
• Day 5 Hakodate – Onuma Park – Niseko
• Day 6 Otaru – Asahikawa
• Day 7 Biei – Furano – Sapporo
• Day 8 Sapporo
• Day 9 End of the trip

Trip description

Explore southern and central Hokkaido in spring, while the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

If you can’t visit Japan for its beautiful cherry blossoms in March and April, there is still a chance for you to see the cherry blossoms while joining this tour. Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands. The further northeast you go, the colder it gets and the later the cherry blossoms bloom. This tour is designed to visit the central and southern areas of Hokkaido when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in this area in late April and early May.

Hokkaido has the image of agriculture and nature, while it is home to the indigenous Ainu people and their culture for a long time. In southern Hokkaido, the Matsumae clan prospered through trade with the Ainu and was incorporated as a feudal domain under the Han system in the Edo Period. Matsumae Castle was once the home of the Matsumae Clan. The castle structure has more than 10,000 cherry blossoms planted north of its lands with 250 varieties of the flower. Since a powerful ruled the area, there is an event during the Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival where there is a march of people dressed in samurai armor.

Hakodate, which is located in the southern part of Hokkaido, as one of the five port cities opened to foreign trade in 1858. Goryokaku Fort, a star-shaped fortress in Hakodate, is known for the cherry blossoms in the surrounding area. It is also the site of the final battle of the Boshin War (1868-1869) and the place where Hijikata Toshizo, a former Shinsengumi Vice Captain, fell in battle. If you walk around the Goryokaku fort you can find a monument dedicated to Hijikata Toshizo. Hokkaido underwent a great transformation during the Meiji era as Japan embarked on its path to becoming a modern state after the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate in the 19th century.

Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido and was developed during the Meiji Restoration. Sapporo’s design was based on the North American rectangular street system. Foreign specialists helped the Hokkaido Development Commission to develop the area. It is also home to the first and oldest brewery in Japan known as Sapporo Beer. In the center of the city is the Odori Park, where many different plants and trees were planted. Strolling through the park is pleasant as you will have the opportunity to see what flowers are in season.

Hokkaido was heavily influenced by Western nations when during the pioneer era. There is a mix of traditional Japanese architecture and foreign designs. For example, Otaru has a music box museum with more than 15,000 items in its collection. It also features vintage dolls from around the world and some of them are available for purchase. You can also design your own music box within your workshop for a fee. Hokkaido is not limited to its beautiful nature, but has historical and cultural roots that helped develop Japan.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1
Chitose airport

Welcome to Sapporo! An AJT representative will greet you at the arrival gate with a “All Japan Tours” sign.
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Chitose or similar class

NOTE 1: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving after 11:00 AM.

Day 2
Shiraoi (Ainu Village), Noboribetsu (Jigokudani), Lake Toya (Usu Cable Car)

Today we have the opportunity to learn about the Ainu, indigenous peoples of northern Japan, in the village of Shiraoi Ainu. There you will experience an authentic Ainu performance with music, dancing and singing. In the afternoon, we will stop at the most famous hot spring complex in Hokkaido, Noboribetsu Onsen. The valley generates 10,000 tons of bubbling water every day, and visitors can walk to nearby Lake Oyunuma and watch the plumes of steam rise. Then, we will drive fields and mountains to Lake Toya. The lake is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park and is known for its beautiful nature and excellent hot springs. Lake Toya was listed as one of the 100 best landscapes in Japan in 2008. This is the third largest caldera lake in Japan, about 42 km around, with 4 beautiful islands, and is the habitat of many types of birds and deer. From there, we will take the Usuzan cable car to the observation deck and enjoy panoramic views of Lake Toya and neighboring Showa Shinzan. Tonight we will stay in a traditional Japanese style hotel that offers hot spring baths with beautiful views of the lake.
Breakfast lunch dinner
Toya Sun Palace or similar class

Day 3
Hakodate (Trappistine Convent / Fort Goryokaku / Red Brick Warehouses / Motomachi / Mt Hakodate Ropeway)

As we travel to Hakodate we will pass the Trappistine Convent. It is the first convent in Japan that was established in the 19th century. The contemplative red brick convent was built in a solemn combination of Gothic and Romanesque styles reminiscent of ancient European castles. Fort Goryokaku is a star-shaped fortress that was built for defensive purposes against international aggression. The final battle of the Boshin War took place in the fort and today it has been turned into a park with 1600 cherry blossoms planted around it. The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is comprised of several buildings that were used to store goods during the golden age of foreign trade in Hakodate Harbor. Since then it has become a commercial center. Motomachi was a favored area for foreigners to establish residence when Japan’s era of self-imposed isolation ended. This means that you can see a lot of westernized buildings. Then we will proceed by cable car to Mount Hakodate. Mount Hakodate offers one of the best views from its 334-meter-high summit, overlooking the sea and land.

Breakfast dinner
Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei or similar class

Day 4
Matsumae (Matsumae Castle / Matsumae Park – Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival / Matsumaehan Yashiki)

In Matsumae we will visit Matsumae Castle and enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival. Matsumae Castle once belonged to the mighty Matsumae Clan that ruled the region. It was an old castle town that prospered through trade, but after many years it became a park. North of the castle there are more than 10,000 cherry blossoms planted in rows throughout the area. You can see more than 250 varieties of flowers throughout the park, so the flowering period in the area lasts one month. During the festival there will be presentations, food stands and special events for visitors to enjoy. At the western end of Matsumae Park is a small historical theme park called Matsumaehan Yashiki. Recreate the city of Matsumae during the Edo Period, including a guard station, merchant houses, magistrates office, and shipping agent.

Breakfast dinner
Yunokawa Prince Hotel Nagisatei or similar class

Day 5
Hakodate (Morning Market), Shikabecho (Home Cooking Class), Onuma Park, Niseko (Glass Art Experience)

In the morning we will go to the Hakodate Morning Market. It has more than 450 stores and was established after the Second World War. This morning market is the third largest in Hokkaido. Then we will go to Shikabecho to experience the preparation of homemade meals with freshly caught seafood. Then we will travel to Onuma Park. On Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma there are 126 islets and can be reached by boat. However, there are 18 bridges that connect to a few select islets that allow travelers the opportunity to reach the small pieces of land on foot. Onuma Park was voted one of the New Three Sights of Japan. Then we will go to Niseko to participate in a glass art workshop. You will have the opportunity to sand a design on a piece of glass and take it home as a keepsake.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Hilton Niseko Village or similar class

Day 6
Otaru (Otaru Cannal / Glass Workshops / Music Box Museum), Asahikawa (Otokoyama Sake Brewery)

In the morning we will travel to Otaru, famous for its canals and glass blowing. During the first half of the 20th century, the Otaru Canal was a vital part of the city’s busy port. The canal allowed large vessels to be unloaded onto smaller ones, and then transported to local warehouses. Although the canal became obsolete when modern port facilities allowed for direct unloading of large vessels, it remains an integral part of the city’s history and culture. As part of a citizen movement in the 1980s, the canal was beautifully restored and the old warehouses were transformed into cafes, restaurants, museums, and shops. Next, we will visit the glass workshops and the Music Box Museum. In the afternoon, we will drive to Asahikawa to visit Otokoyama sake brewery. Otokoyama is the most famous sake in Asahikawa, both within Japan and globally. The expansive complex offers plenty to engage the senses, including a front-seat view of the sake-making process. Besides being a sake museum, there is a beautiful Japanese garden. It’s full of flowers from May to September with a shaded seating area next to the garden for lounging, as well as a delicious sake tasting room and gift shop.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Asahikawa Grand Hotel or similar class

Day 7
Biei (Blue Pond), Furano (Cheese Factory / Furano Winery), Sapporo (Clock Tower / Odori Park / Susukino)

In a private bus, we will travel to Furano. Furano is celebrated for its local wine. Located on a hill overlooking the city, Bodega Furano is open to the public and there are free wine tastings. You can see how local Camembert is made at the Furano Cheese Factory. Try the black cheese, which gets its color from squid ink, as well as a number of other cheeses at the factory store. Don’t forget to visit the ice cream factory and pizzeria, or take part in one of the many hands-on workshops. In the afternoon, we will drive to Biei, a small town surrounded by a picturesque landscape of rolling hills and extensive fields. We are going to pay a visit to the mystical man who made Blue Pond. This pond is blue due to the aluminum hydroxide. The blue pond changes color according to the weather. For example, in spring it turns into a spectacular green color. The man-made pond was created as part of the erosion control system that was built to prevent Biei in the event of an eruption from Mount Tokachidake. In the afternoon, we will visit Sapporo and spend two nights there. The tour includes a visit to the Sapporo Clock Tower and Odori Park, where you can stroll along the promenade and enjoy the scent of summer flowers. The next stop is Susukino, Hokkaido’s largest entertainment district. The afternoon will be open for you to enjoy your free time.

Breakfast lunch
ANA Hotel Sapporo or similar class

Day 8
Sapporo (Nijo Market / Okurayama Ski Jump / Sapporo Beer Museum / Historic Village / Shiroi Koibito Park)

This morning our Sapporo tour continues with a visit to Nijo Market, where you will see a variety of fresh local fruits and vegetables. Next up is a visit to Okurayami Ski Jump, where the 90 meter ski jump portion of the 1972 Winter Olympics took place. From there we will visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, dedicated to all things beer. . Sapporo is the oldest brewery in Japan and exports its beer around the world. At Historic Village, you can see architecture from the Meiji and Taisho periods when Japan experienced rapid expansion. Then visit Shiroi Koibito Park, a theme park founded by a local chocolate company. Their famous Shiroi Koibito Cookies are buttery cookies with a white chocolate center. They are a popular favorite with locals and tourists alike.
Breakfast lunch
ANA Hotel Sapporo or similar class

Day 9
Final tour

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Check out time is at 11am. And you can get to Chitose airport by the airport limousine bus.

Breakfast

NOTE 2: If you want to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to reserve hotel accommodation.