Colourful and Tasty Summer Hokkaido

Day 1: Chitose > 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 2: Toya
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 3: Toya > 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.

Day 4: Sapporo > 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 5: Sapporo
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 6: Sapporo
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!