Eastern Hokkaido Summer Journey

Private transfer service between Sapporo and CTS airport

In 1964, Hokkaido Jingu enshrined Emperor Meiji with the permission of Emperor Showa, and currently enshrines four gods. The guardian deity who watches over the development of Hokkaido and the happiness of its people is still deeply involved in the lives of the people of Hokkaido, starting with the New Year's visit to the shrine, exorcising evil spirits, setsubun, and weddings. The precincts are rich in nature, and wild Ezo squirrels can be seen on the grounds.Shiroi Koibito is the name of the famous European-style biscuit manufactured in Hokkaido. It is a popular sweet that everyone knows as a souvenir from Hokkaido. Shiroi Koibito Park is a theme park with this Shiroi Koibito theme as its main theme. You can see everything about chocolate, such as the history of chocolate, a valuable art collection, and the production line of Shiroi Koibito.The Otaru Canal is a waterway that supported the maritime transportation of the port city of Otaru, which supported the development of Hokkaido. Along the Otaru Canal, there are many historic brick buildings and warehouses, creating a nostalgic scenery unique to Otaru.

Departing Sapporo with your private driver, today’s journey leads into the pastoral heart of Hokkaido, beginning at Farm Tomita in Furano, where rolling fields are quilted with lavender and around a hundred other flower varieties—poppies, gypsophila, and vivid red salvia—offering a sensory immersion in color and fragrance.  Continuing through the patchwork hills of Biei, the drive traces the Patchwork Road, a landscape of undulating fields and solitary trees that evokes a European idyll, perfect for pausing to absorb the serene, painterly vistas.  Nearby, the Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-oka unfold across 15 hectares, with seasonal waves of lupine, cosmos, and sunflowers framing sweeping views over the countryside.  A short drive brings you to the ethereal Blue Pond, its surreal cobalt hue created by natural minerals suspended in the water, set against a backdrop of birch forest and the distant Tokachi mountains.  The day concludes with arrival in Asahikawa.

Departing from your hotel in Sōunkyō, journey eastward through the scenic landscapes of northern Hokkaido toward Abashiri. En route, stop to admire the majestic Ginga Waterfall—one half of Sōunkyō’s famed ice waterfall duo—still dramatic in summer with its powerful cascade tumbling down volcanic cliffs. Continue to Lake Abashiri, a serene coastal lake where you can enjoy views of the Okhotsk Sea and spot local waterfowl. In the afternoon, visit the historic Abashiri Prison Museum, a faithfully preserved Meiji-era penal colony offering fascinating insights into Japan’s correctional history through original buildings and engaging exhibits. Then, explore the unique Okhotsk Ryuhyō Museum (Drift Ice Museum), where you can experience sub-zero temperatures, walk through an actual ice tunnel, and learn about the rare sea ice phenomenon that defines this region—even in summer! Conclude your day by checking into your hotel in Abashiri, ready to rest after a full day of nature, history, and Arctic wonders.

Departing from your hotel in Abashiri, travel east along the rugged coastline of northeastern Hokkaido to the remote Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.  Begin your immersion in this pristine wilderness with a 4-hour Shiretoko Sightseeing Ship cruise along the “Secret Shiretoko Cape Route”—a breathtaking voyage past towering sea cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic rock formations, where you may spot brown bears foraging on shore, Steller’s sea eagles soaring overhead, and seals or dolphins playing in the Sea of Okhotsk.  After disembarking in Rausu, visit the Shiretoko World Heritage Conservation Center to deepen your understanding of the peninsula’s unique ecosystem, conservation efforts, and indigenous Ainu heritage through interactive exhibits and panoramic views.  Then, take a short drive to the tranquil Lake Rausu, nestled at the foot of volcanic peaks, where a peaceful lakeside walk offers reflections of misty mountains and chances to observe native birds in their natural habitat.  Conclude your day by checking into your charming hotel in Rausu, perfectly positioned for further exploration of Shiretoko’s untamed beauty.

Departing from your hotel on the Shiretoko Peninsula, journey southwest through the wild heart of Akan-Mashu National Park to the geothermal paradise of Lake Kussharo—Japan’s largest caldera lake. Begin your exploration at Sunayu (Sand Bath) on the lake’s western shore, where you’ll experience Hokkaido’s only natural sand sauna: lie back as warm volcanic sands envelop you in a soothing, full-body heat therapy—a unique wellness ritual beloved by locals and travelers alike. Next, visit the otherworldly Mount Io (Iō-zan), an active volcano whose slopes hiss with steam vents and glow with yellow sulfur deposits; walk along viewing paths for dramatic photo opportunities amid this lunar-like landscape. In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle 1- to 1.5-hour hike along the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail, a scenic loop winding through boreal forest, past bubbling fumaroles and steaming hot springs, with panoramic views across Lake Kussharo’s turquoise waters. Conclude your day by checking into your lakeside ryokan or hotel near Kussharo, where you can soak in mineral-rich hot springs and savor a seasonal kaiseki dinner under the vast Hokkaido sky.

Free Time or self-arrangment by your own.

Private transfer service between Sapporo and CTS airport