Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and head to a 6 pm welcome meeting where you'll meet other travelers and your local leader. After that, there's an option to explore Shinjuku's nightlife with the group if you're interested. Omoide Yokocho is a narrow alley packed with restaurants and small bars that date back to the 1940s, so it's a good spot to try some local street food and get a feel for the city.
Optional Activities
- Optional dinner with group
- Explore Tokyo's nightlife
- Walk down Shinjuku's Omoide Tokocho (Memory Lane) and try local street food
Landmarks Shinjuku's Omoide Tokocho - Day 2
Tokyo to Aomori
You'll take the bullet train north to Aomori this morning, passing through countryside along the way. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk once you arrive. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. The Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site shows what prehistoric Japanese life looked like, or you can check out the Aomori Museum of Art which mixes contemporary work with local heritage pieces. There's also Aomori Nokkedon market if you want to try fresh local seafood using their ticket system.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Aomori
Optional Activities
- Visit Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site
- Visit Aomori Museum of Art
- Sample local seafood at Aomori Nokkedon market
Landmarks Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site Aomori Museum of Art Aomori Nokkedon 
- Day 3
Aomori to Hirosaki
Start with your final morning game drive, then enjoy breakfast and check out. You'll transfer to White River with a scenic route through the Panorama Route, stopping at God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Three Rondavels, and Blyde River Canyon. After checking in at your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the facilities and surrounding area at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Tsugaru Neputa Village
- Hirosaki Castle tour
Landmarks Tsugaru Neputa Village Hirosaki Castle - Day 4
Aomori to Hakodate
You'll travel by bullet train to Hokkaido Island, arriving in Hakodate. Your leader guides you on an orientation walk and stops at a famous fish market for lunch where you can try fresh local options like oysters or seafood donburi. From there, you'll head to Goryokaku Tower for views of the historic star-shaped park below. The evening is free to explore Hakodate on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local seafood at fish market - kaisuke (oysters) or kaisendon (seafood donburi))
Included Activities
- Leader-led city walking tour
- Goryokaku Tower and Fort Goryokaku
Optional Activities
- Sample kaisuke (oysters) or kaisendon (seafood donburi) at fish market
Landmarks Goryokaku Goryokaku Tower 
- Day 5
Hakodate to Noboribetsu
You'll take a train to Noboribetsu, a hot spring town in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. At Jigokundani, you'll see the volcanic activity that heats nine different types of hot springs in the area. Tonight you're staying in a traditional ryokan with various hot spring baths, which is a great way to relax after travel.
Included Activities
- Noboribetsu - Hell Valley (Jigokundani)
Landmarks Jigokundani (Hell Valley) - Day 6
Noboribetsu to Shikotsuko
You'll travel by train and bus through rural Hokkaido to reach Lake Shikotsu, a volcanic crater lake with clear water. In the afternoon, you'll paddle out on a canoe to explore the lake and the forest around it. Back at another ryokan this evening, you can soak in the hot springs again and have a kaiseki dinner, which is a traditional Japanese multi-course fine dining experience.
- Meals
- Dinner (Kaiseki dinner - traditional Japanese fine dining multi-course experience)
Included Activities
- Lake Shikotsu canoe
- Kaiseki dinner
Landmarks Lake Shikotsu - Day 7
Shikotsuko to Asahikawa
You'll head to Asahikawa, Hokkaido's second largest city in the heart of the island. If it's winter, bring layers as this is one of Japan's coldest places. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk. You can browse the Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum to learn how sake is made and sample it, walk down Heiwa Dori Shopping Street which was Japan's first permanent pedestrian shopping street, or check out casual dining and izakaya spots at Alley Furarito.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Asahikawa
- Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum
- Ainu dumpling making demonstration
Optional Activities
- Visit Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum
- Walk along Heiwa Dori Shopping Street
- Dine at Alley Furarito
Landmarks Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum Heiwa Dori Shopping Street Alley Furarito - Day 8
Asahikawa
You'll visit the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum, Hokkaido's first Ainu museum, established by an Ainu family in the 1930s to preserve their culture and still run by them today. You'll get a guided tour and might have a family member lead it. There's a cooking demonstration showing how to make Ainu dumplings, and you'll get to sample them after.
Included Activities
- Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum
- Ainu dumpling making demonstration
Landmarks Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum - Day 9
Asahikawa to Furano
You'll travel by private transfer to Asahidake Ropeway and ride up Mount Asahi, Hokkaido's tallest mountain, so you get the elevated views without having to hike it. Next you'll see the Blue Pond, a striking body of water with deep blue color from natural minerals. You'll drive to Furano for the night and try local things like Furano wine and cheese for dinner.
Included Activities
- Asahidake Ropeway (Mt. Asahi)
- Blue Pond (Aoike)
Optional Activities
- Try Furano wine and cheese for dinner
Landmarks Asahidake Ropeway Mount Asahi Blue Pond (Aoike) 
- Day 10
Furano to Sapporo
You'll start at Tomita Farm in the morning to see the famous lavender fields if visiting late June through early August, or other colorful crops year-round. Then you'll take a train to Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital, which is known for winter sports and has an easy grid-based street layout for getting around. The evening is yours to explore, and grabbing a Sapporo beer and miso ramen at a local restaurant is a good idea.
Included Activities
- Tomita Farm
Optional Activities
- Try Sapporo beer and miso ramen at a local restaurant
Landmarks Tomita Farm 
- Day 11
Sapporo to Otaru and back to Sapporo
You'll take a day trip to Otaru, a scenic town with a canal area and lots of historic charm. You have free time to walk around and can visit the Otaru Music Book Museum if you're interested, which has 25,000 music boxes. If you're visiting in February, there's a chance to see the Snow Light Path Festival with lanterns and ice sculptures. You'll return to Sapporo for a farewell dinner of Genghis Khan roasted lamb and toast to your trip with the group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner of Sapporo's signature Genghis Khan roasted lamb)
Included Activities
- Otaru city walking tour
- Genghis Khan lamb dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Otaru Music Book Museum
Landmarks Otaru Music Book Museum - Day 12
Sapporo
Your trip ends this morning after breakfast. You're free to leave whenever you want before checkout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
