100% customisable travel idea
In the warmer months, the island of Hokkaido Far to the north, a road trip through untamed Japan
Japan - Hokkaido - Shikotsu - Daisetsuzan - Akan - Shiretoko
100% customisable travel idea
Japan - Hokkaido - Shikotsu - Daisetsuzan - Akan - Shiretoko
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the next day.
On arrival at New Chitose Airport, collect your rental car and drive to Shikotsu-ko, just half an hour away. With an average depth of around 870 feet (265 m), it holds the title of Japan’s second-deepest lake. Mount Eniwa to the north, Mounts Fuppushi and Tarumae to the south: the shadows of the surrounding peaks are reflected in its tranquil waters. Visitors enjoy heading out onto the water, by kayak or even swimming.
Your accommodation for the night is on the shores of the lake. The property is an ode to relaxation. The reception area features a “suikinkutsu”, a Japanese basin that uses a system of collecting water droplets to create an aesthetic and sonic experience. Inside, the lounge is arranged around a designer fireplace; cushions are scattered here and there, along with books and music. There are 50 guest rooms - all spacious, comfortable and well equipped. Some (including yours) have a private open-air bath. In the evening, head to the restaurant for a delicious kaiseki dinner. And finally, before bed, a visit to the “pillow shop” lets you maximise comfort by choosing your pillow for the night.
Set off for Asahidake and the start of your road trip. After a 40-minute drive, stop at Makomanai Takino Cemetery, spread across 445 acres (180 hectares) of parks and gardens. This is where Tadao Ando’s Hill of the Buddha awaits. Tasked with showcasing the 13.5-metre-high statue, the famed architect applied his signature concept: conceal in order to reveal. He buried the Buddha in a concrete hill - his material of choice - topped with 150,000 lavender plants (in bloom in July). You need to walk around the water garden and pass through a 130-foot (40 m) tunnel to reach the base of the impressive structure. It's an astonishing encounter.
br /> Continue on to Asahidake and settle in for a two-night stay at an altitude of 3,600 feet (1,100 m), among the trees, with the mountains as your backdrop. The hotel’s location, close to the cable car and visitor centre, is ideal. After a long hike (or a day of skiing in winter), you’ll return to this cosy retreat. Guest rooms, in particular, are an excellent size and perfectly appointed - wood and light come together beautifully here. Don’t miss the indoor onsen, with its steaming, invigorating waters, or the sauna, also on site. One last stop: the restaurant. Attentive to the varied needs of its guests, the hotel has opted for a buffet - and it’s a success.
In Japan’s largest national park - Daisetsuzan, covering 543,600 acres (220,000 hectares) - stands Hokkaido’s highest peak: Asahidake, standing a 7,513 feet (2,290 m). While snow is the perfect excuse for great ski runs in winter, plenty of adventurous visitors set off to tackle the giant in summer, too. But if you don't fancy the hike, you can easily take the cable car, which carries visitors up to get better acquainted with the mountain. Steam rising from the foothills hints at the volcanic nature of the area. Like the summit itself, it is reflected in the Sugatami Pond below.
In your itinerary - Guided walk in the national park. Daisetsuzan - meaning “great snowy mountains” - refers to five peaks rising above 2,000 metres and defining the skyline. With its untamed nature, the site is home to distinctive wildlife and plants, including numerous birds, as well as foxes and even bears. With a private guide, you’ll set out on a walk of several hours through forests, peaks and waterfalls.
Drive through stunning mountain landscapes to reach Akan National Park. Although it bears the name of just one lake, the park in fact houses three of them, set among forests and volcanoes (both active and dormant): Akan, Kussharo and Mashu. Lake Akan’s distinctive feature - and a possible reason for its fame - is the presence in its pure waters of perfectly spherical balls of mossy algae. On its shores, there is just one village: the spa resort of Akan Kohan.
Settle in for a two-night stay not far from there. The accommodation seems to sit on a thermal spring, beside a river that disappears into dense, lush forest. The tastefully decorated guest rooms and shared spaces come in calming, understated tones. The onsen overlook the river, while the nearby lakeshores are just waiting to be explored.
From Akan Kohan, marked trails lead travellers along forest walks and around the lake, all the way to natural bubbling mud pools. Visitors happily soak in the onsen dotted along the shore - especially at the luxurious Sunayu hot-spring resort.
Already included - hike with an Ainu guide . Considered the first people of the Japanese archipelago, the Ainu originate from the northern part of Japan, in particular the island now known as Hokkaido. As such, the member of the community accompanying you on your walk makes for a wonderful guide: knowledgeable and enthusiastic. It’s a chance to learn more about a people with their own language and a rich, diverse culture, including oral literature, religious rituals and a range of crafts
Optional - Canoeing on Lake Kussharo.
Drive to Nakashibetsu. Located in the Shibetsu District, this small town of around 25,000 people makes for a peaceful stop. As the countless surrounding fields suggest, the town is focused on agriculture, particularly dairy production - it even has a “Nakashibetsu Milky Trail”. Nearby, you can climb Kaiyodai Observation Tower or visit the modest Folk Museum.
Spend the night in a natural setting, away from the town centre. All rooms open onto the exceptional surroundings, from the lush forest to the Seseragi River. You'll easily drift off to sleep, soothed by its gentle flow from your private space - whether Western in style (like yours) or more Japanese. The river provides both the soundtrack and the scenery from the outdoor onsen. Men and women bathe separately: men enjoy a pool carved from the stump of a centuries-old tree, while women soak behind a stack of rocks. Indoor baths are also available, along with a sauna. After all that relaxation, it's time to head to the restaurant. Prepared with local ingredients, the cuisine may (the menu changes with the seasons) include Nakashibetsu pork skewers or marinated Yamabe alpine leek in soy sauce. Delicious.
Head north-east to reach the Shiretoko Peninsula, which the Ainu nicknamed “the end of the world”. Through the window, forests and farmland roll by until the coastline appears - and the Sea of Okhotsk beyond.
In your itinerary - Whale-watching cruise. The waters off Shiretoko-hanto are teeming with life. On the surface, cormorants, gulls and sea eagles alternate between hovering and diving. Accustomed to fishing boats (and their bounty), they eagerly follow your vessel. From mid-April to late July, the boat also sets out in search of “big fish”. Orcas break the surface, their sleek black-and-white skin gleaming; whales are spotted by their powerful spouts; and dolphins, finally, move along playfully.Optional - Brown bear-watching cruise.
Just after the Oshin Koshin Falls, arrive in Utoro Onsen and settle in for a three-night stay in what is, without doubt, the best accommodation in town. Well located on the harbour, this impressive property offers spacious interiors and comfortable rooms - our preference goes to those facing the sea and fishing port. Also scheduled: high-quality dining and enjoyable onsen (including one perched on the roof).
Already included - Private safari in Shiretoko’s ancient forest. Almost the entire Shiretoko Peninsula is part of the national park and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. These wild lands, covered in forests and volcanic ridges, are home to remarkable wildlife, including minke whale, dolphin, eagle, deer, fox and even the majestic brown bear. With a private specialist guide and binoculars in hand, you'll set out to meet this extraordinary wildlife.
Our suggestion - Explore the area around Utoro Onsen at your own pace. Without venturing too far, you can enjoy lovely walks that showcase the peninsula’s remarkably varied scenery. Thus, just under 3 miles (5 km) to the north are the Furepe no Taki Falls. A little farther on, five shimmering lakes punctuate the walking trails. Near Rausu, on the other side of the mountain of the same name, a short walk leads to Kumanoyu onsen, lost in the wilderness. Soothed by the rumble of the nearby river, you can soak in naturally hot waters.
Also possible - Climb to the top of Shiretoko Pass for panoramic views of Mount Rausu; take a cruise in Rusha Bay or off the coast of Rausu; browse the fish market at Rausu harbour.
Drive to Memanbetsu, where you return the hire vehicle. Flight to Sapporo, then return international flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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