• New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido
  • Toya
  • Yoichi
  • Otaru
  • Sapporo
  • Furano & Biei
  • Sapporo

  • DURATION

    6 days / 5 nights

  • TOUR TYPE
    Small-group tourMax 20 people
  • TRANSPORTATION

    Private Coach

  • PRICE(Per Person)
    Booking closed

Overview

Discover what lies beneath the snow of Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan’s northern-most island, conjures up visions of pristine snow and perfect skiing conditions. But during summer, Hokkaido becomes an astonishing nature oasis and offers a cool alternative to Japan’s otherwise hot summers.

On this tour, you’ll discover what lies beneath the snow of Hokkaido. Explore volcanic mountains, rolling fields of lavender and flowers, vast green farmlands, a surreal turquoise pond and more. See how Hokkaido’s natural resources contribute to some of the finest whisky and sake Japan has to offer. Explore Sapporo – a beautiful city filled with greenery and wonderful food. Enjoy locally grown produce from beef to rice and the freshest sushi you could imagine.

All this and so much more awaits in Hokkaido.

  • Small group tour (maximum of 20 travellers)
  • Local transport included
  • Fully guided by our local English-speaking tour guide
  • See all the popular sight-seeing spots
  • Lake-view room at Toya guaranteed
  • Private sushi dining experience with chef
  • Welcome cocktail & dinner with tour briefing
  • Best for first timers to Hokkaido
  • A great extension of your Japan trip

Get 5% off your next tour!

Join our newsletter and get a 5% discount promo code.

Make your holiday count with our Japan travel tips, inspiration and offers.


Highlights


Itinerary

© Toyako Town
DAY 1Chitose > Toya

Welcome to beautiful Hokkaido

  • Meals: Dinner
  • Stay: Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace – Lakeview Western Style Room (27sqm, 2 x single beds)

Welcome to Hokkaido!

Upon arrival at New Chitose Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your Kintetsu English-speaking tour guide. Board the private coach as we head to the lake-side town of Toya, where we’ll spend our first 2 nights.
Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel overlooking beautiful Lake Toya and learn more about what’s in store for the 6 days from your friendly tour guide. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you have and get to know your fellow travellers. Kanpai! (That’s Japanese for “Cheers”).


 
DAY 2Toya

Mt Usu & fireworks, epic views and an epic night

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Stay: Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace (Lakeview Western Style Room – 27sqm, 2 x single beds)

Take in a deep breath of fresh Hokkaido air and set off on a 3-hour fully-guided leisurely walk covering Mount Usu, a UNESCO Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark, and the Nishiyama crater walking trail. Arrive at the summit station of Mount Usu via ropeway and take in the stunning 360-degree view of Hokkaido’s natural beauty from 2 observation areas. About 25 minutes away by coach is the Nishiyama crater walking trail that leads you around the craters formed by the most recent eruption of Mount Usu in 2000. Along the trail, you’ll also see houses and roads damaged by the eruption that have been left untouched – a reminder of the sheer power of nature.

Please note: The walking tour is total 3-hours/2km, and 50m ascent & 50m descent.

After lunch, visit Date City Museum of History & Culture. Here you’ll learn Hokkaido’s local history of the development era and indigenous Ainu culture, and visit the swordsmith studio.
We return to Toya for dinner at a local restaurant for a full course dinner including local beef and all-you-can-drink.
After a quick break at the hotel, we step onto a double-decker cruise of Lake Toya. Watch from the comfort of the boat as the Hokkaido sky lights up with 400 fireworks in an epic 20-minute display. The colourful fireworks reflecting off the calm waters of Lake Toya is a stunning sight.

 
DAY 3Toya > Yoichi > Otaru > Sapporo

Enjoy Hokkaido’s specialty food & drinks, and end the day on top of the world

  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Stay: Royton Sapporo (Exceed Twin Room – 30sqm, 2 x 120cm single beds)

We start the day at Kyogoku Fukidashi Park. At the foot of Mt Yotei, the park is a source of pure spring water which is highly revered by the locals. This is an incredibly picturesque park with streams, bridges and falls spread throughout.
After the park, we visit Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, one of the top whisky makers in Japan. Learn how Hokkaido’s clear water and crisp climate make Nikka Whiskey so highly regarded.
We arrive in the charming port town of Otaru where you can explore the popular area around the canal. Otaru is known for hand-crafted glassware and musical boxes.
We meet up again and head to the Hokkaido Wine Brewery. Taste four varieties of wine paired with nibbles as you learn about their winemaking process and history.
It’s a true feast for dinner tonight as we arrive at the Sapporo Beer Garden. Here you’ll experience a Hokkaido favourite, Genghis Khan (lamb BBQ). Cook up a storm at your table in this beer hall setting while enjoying freshly-brewed Sapporo Beer. All-you-can-drink, all-you-can-eat, it’s all you could want from a perfect night out in Sapporo!
And we end the night 530m above Sapporo at the summit of Mount Moiwa. Take a moment and gaze out over the sparkling lights of Sapporo and Ishikari Bay.

© Farm Tomita
DAY 4Sapporo > Furano & Biei > Sapporo

The colourful history and scenes of Hokkaido

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Stay: Royton Sapporo (Exceed Twin Room – 30sqm, 2 x 120cm single beds)

Watch the green vistas of Hokkaido from the comfort of our private coach as we make our way to the colourful area of Furano.
For lunch, dine at a restaurant in beautiful farmland surrounds where you can enjoy Biei Wagyu Beef and locally-produced Nanatsuboshi rice.
After lunch, be amazed by the incredible Shirogane Blue Pond. This man-made pond was created to help with erosion issues, but the surprising side-effect is the stunning shade of blue of the water – thought to be a result of the mix of minerals. Intense turquoise, aqua or mesmerising emerald – it’s a must-see wonder.
The vivid colours continue at Farm Tomita where 13 fields are bursting with gorgeous flowers of all varieties including famous lavender.
Before heading back to Sapporo, we’ll visit Kobayashi Sake Brewery – a brewery with deep roots in the area’s coal mining culture between the 1940s and 1960s. Enjoy a taste of the favourite sake of the coal miners – Kitanonishiki – made from 100% Hokkaido-grown rice.

Please note: Sake experience might be replaced to Chitosetsuru sake museum depending on availability

After relaxing at the hotel, it’s time for a special dinner experience. Step inside a private banquet room and meet our personal sushi chef for the evening. Watch a master at work, as exquisite sushi – made with some of the freshest colourful Hokkaido seafood – is prepared right before your eyes. A truly unique experience.

 
DAY 5Sapporo

Explore Sapporo City and find your favourite ramen

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Stay: Royton Sapporo (Exceed Twin Room – 30sqm, 2 x 120cm single beds)

After breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide takes you on a 2-hour Sapporo city walk to introduce the history of Sapporo city. The tour visits must-see places including the hundred-year-old Nijo Fish Market, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, Sapporo Clock Tower and Sapporo TV Tower. The TV Tower’s observation deck provides an epic view of Odori Park – the city’s green oasis that stretches 13 blocks – and the mountain ranges that surround Sapporo.
After the tour, you’ll receive a voucher to redeem at Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Alley). Duck into this tiny alley and choose from any one of the ramen shops – they’re all fantastic! We recommend trying a bowl of miso ramen – a specialty of Sapporo.
From here, you’re free to explore Sapporo on your own for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Try visiting Sapporo’s vast underground shopping centres. Designed as a sanctuary from Sapporo’s harsh snowy winters – the shops extend as far as you can see! A perfect place for picking up Hokkaido souvenirs.

 
DAY 6Sapporo

Farewell, but hope to see you again!

  • Meals: Breakfast

As our tour comes to an end, enjoy your morning before meeting your tour guide at the hotel lobby for a private transfer back to New Chitose Airport.
We look forward to welcoming you again to Hokkaido. Enjoy the rest of your trip!


Accommodation

© Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace
Toya

Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace

Lakeview Western Style Room – 27sqm, 2 x single beds

Your hotel is about an hour from New Chitose Airport and sits right on the edge of Lake Toya. Spectacular views of the lake can be seen from the lobby, hot springs, restaurant and many of the guest rooms.
Facilities include shared indoor and open-air hot spring baths plus sauna, outdoor footbath, library café, indoor swimming pool, local souvenir shop, relaxation spa and kids play space.
Your Lakeview Western Style Room features 2 x single beds including free in-room Wi-Fi, mini fridge, kettle/coffee & tea, flat-screen TV, shower facility or shower over bath and complimentary amenities. This hotel is a non-smoking environment.
Check-in 15:00 / Check-out 10:00

© Royton Sapporo
Sapporo

Royton Sapporo

Exceed Twin Room – 30sqm, 2 x 120cm single beds

Royton Sapporo is perfectly located just 3 minutes from Sapporo Odori Park and is close to the shopping precinct and nightlife.
Facilities include 4 restaurants & bars, shops for local products and essential items, paid sports club (indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym) and convention halls.
Your Exceed Twin Room offers a view of Sapporo from the upper levels of the hotel (18-19th floor) and features 2 x 120cm width single beds, free in-room Wi-Fi, mini fridge, kettle/coffee & tea, hair dryer, shower over bath, flat-screen TV, nightwear and complimentary amenities. A non-smoking floor has been requested for your stay.
Check-in 15:00 / Check-out 11:00

Inclusions

  • 5 nights accommodation: Toya (2 nights) & Sapporo (3 nights)
  • Meals: Daily Breakfast, 3 x Lunch, 4 x Dinner
  • English-speaking tour guide throughout the tour
  • Transportation: Private coach, and return private airport transfers
  • Meet & Greet at the Asahikawa airport by a tour guide
  • Admission fees and activity fees detailed in the itinerary

Exclusions

  • Flights
  • Transfers outside the tour itinerary
  • Hotel incidental charges
  • Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, shopping
  • Drinks during meals (Exception: Soft drinks and alcoholic beverage are included on the Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 dinner)
  • Entrance fees to places of personal interests or other attractions not detailed in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa not included if required (note: Visa to enter Japan is not required for Australian citizens for trips less than 90 days)

Dates & Prices


Start Date – End Date

Accommodation

Twin-Share Base

Price per person

(Standard Price)

Availability

Booking closed

Group size: Min 7 people / Max 20 people

*This tour is for travellers aged 15 years old and up.

Book your perfect Japan holiday in 3 easy steps!

Follow the easy steps and let us take care of the details!

Get 5% off your next tour!

Join our newsletter and get a 5% discount promo code.

Make your holiday count with our Japan travel tips, inspiration and offers.

Important Information

  • Please kindly note that, due to COVID-19, the schedule is subject to change.
  • There will be a moderate amount of walking during the tour.
  • Due to the physical requirements of the activities, unfortunately we are unable to welcome pregnant guests on this tour.
  • Travel restrictions are constantly changing. Please check the latest travel advice before you book and before you travel.

Terms & Conditions

Why book Japan tours with us?

Small groups, BIG Experiences

From sushi-making class to watching sumo wrestlers in action, a small group tour gives you access to experiences you might not otherwise see in Japan. All Kintetsu Japan tours are limited to just 20 people, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.

Japan tours by Japan experts

We know Japan! As a Japanese company, each one of our carefully curated itineraries taps into our team’s vast local knowledge and network of partners. We know where to go, where to stay and everything in between.

Great peace of mind abroad

Go beyond the major sights and immerse yourself in the unique culture – all while our expert staff show you the way! Travel abroad can be overwhelming, but with everything taken care of, the only thing you need to decide is when to go!

About Kintetsu

In Australia

Kintetsu International Express (Oceania) is an ATAS accredited travel agent in Australia, a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. In Australia, we specialise in arranging Corporate and Group Travel for businesses, schools, religious groups and cultural organisations. We have Travel Centres in Sydney serving our Australian customers and offices in Cairns, Gold Coast and Auckland handling Japanese inbound tours. We are also an authorised travel agent to sell Japan Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass in Australia

In Japan and Worldwide

Kintetsu International belongs to the travel arm of the Kintetsu Group, a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate which operates a major Japanese rail system, bus & freight forwarding companies, department stores, restaurants & hotel chains. We have more than 150 offices in Japan and more than 40 overseas offices worldwide. Utilising our global network, we guide our customers to every location around the globe with quality and dependable services.