Imagine paddling a canoe through the vast Kushiro Marsh, where you might spot a fox or a crane along the way. Or standing on the Sea of Okhotsk coast in winter, watching drift ice along the shore. Hokkaido is full of moments like these, and how many of them you actually get to enjoy depends a lot on how you choose to travel.
Broadly, there are two ways to go about it. A package tour is easy. A guide looks after you, and you visit the recommended spots efficiently. But the itinerary and length of stay are fixed, so you might not get to the places you really want to see. Planning everything yourself gives you freedom, but you’ll be booking every stop, hotel and transfer on your own, and in rural areas some destinations are difficult to reach by public transport.
There’s a third way worth considering: a fully customised private tour. It’s a trip built from scratch around you, planned together with a local travel designer. Throughout your journey, a dedicated driver and an English-speaking guide are by your side.
At Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc., we design these tours for travellers who want a comfortable trip but find that off-the-shelf packages just aren’t enough. That includes families and groups who’d like to enjoy every moment at their own pace, honeymooners hoping to lose themselves in a world of their own, and discerning independent travellers.
In this guide, we’ll look at how this style of travel works, why it suits Hokkaido so well, and what real trips planned by our travel designers have looked like.
Table of Contents：
1. What Is a Fully Customised Private Tour in Hokkaido?
2. Why Are Many Seasoned Travellers Choosing Customised Tours?
3. Why Hokkaido Is a Special Destination for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip
4. Meet Four of Our Hokkaido Travel Designers
5. Real Trip Examples: How Our Travel Designers Shaped Each Journey
6. FAQ: Planning a Private Tour in Hokkaido
1. What Is a Fully Customised Private Tour in Hokkaido?
Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel offers fully customised private tours for those who want to enjoy their trip to the fullest. These are special tours where you work with a travel professional—known as a travel designer—to create a meticulously tailored itinerary, and where a dedicated driver and an English-speaking guide provide support throughout your trip.
A travel designer is an expert who designs a trip tailored exclusively to you from scratch, starting with your vision of how you want to spend your time in Hokkaido. They handle everything from the initial consultation to itinerary design, arrangements, and the execution of your trip.
What we design isn’t a list of destinations, but the actual experience of spending time in Hokkaido itself. We connect your wishes with the charms of Hokkaido, transforming your “I want to go here” into an experience where you feel, “I spent a special and unique time in Hokkaido”.
This is a trip designed by you. From the number of people, the season you want to visit, your interests, the accommodation you’d like to stay in, your culinary preferences, to considerations for restrictions due to allergies or religious beliefs—you’ll get a trip tailored exactly to your wishes, something that’s hard to achieve with a package tour.
Your very own Hokkaido hasn’t been created yet. Let’s build it together.
2. Why Are Many Seasoned Travellers Choosing Customised Tours?
With the number of foreign visitors to Japan reaching a record high of an estimated 42,683,600 in 2025, customised travel accounts for 68% of the Japanese travel market. Furthermore, the global private tour market is valued at $98.5 billion and is growing rapidly at an annual rate of 8.2%, making customised travel a global megatrend.
Behind this trend lies a shift in mindset: as the internet has become more widespread, travellers have gained easy access to a wealth of information, and those with diverse travel experiences are no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter tours. According to one survey, 86% of travellers said they want to incorporate cultural experiences into their itineraries. As travellers change, the way trips are designed should change as well.
If you’re planning a customised tour of Hokkaido—a vast region roughly the same size as Austria—it’s wise to rely on professionals who know the area inside out. They can connect the dots between different points of interest to propose a more efficient and immersive travel experience. While you’re on your trip, a dedicated driver and an English-speaking guide will be there to support you. Working with a travel designer brings your ideal trip to life.
3. Why Hokkaido Is a Special Destination for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip
① Every Season Has Its Own Story
Hokkaido boasts cultural and natural environments that are vastly different from other regions of Japan. You can experience the exotic cityscapes of Otaru and Hakodate, where Japanese and Western cultures blend, as well as the culture of the Ainu, Japan’s indigenous people. The Ainu have lived since ancient times in the northern part of the Japanese archipelago, particularly in Hokkaido. Their culture encompasses a diverse range of traditions that have been passed down through the generations, including language, their relationship with nature, daily life, music, dance, and crafts.
Every season in Hokkaido has its own story: winter festivals unique to the region’s extreme cold, such as the Sapporo Snow Festival; drift ice that appears on the coastlines of Abashiri and Monbetsu along the Sea of Okhotsk; early summer in Furano, with its expansive fields of beautiful purple lavender in flower; and the magnificent autumn foliage of the Daisetsuzan Mountains, where the leaves turn colour earlier than anywhere else in Japan. This is a special place not only for Japanese travellers but also for visitors from overseas.
② Authentic Experiences Are Found Beyond the Clichés
Simply visiting the tourist spots featured on the covers of guidebooks is not enough to truly experience the spirit of Hokkaido. It is only by stepping beyond the boundaries of the usual tourist routes that you’ll find authentic encounters that stir the intellectual curiosity of seasoned travellers. With a private tour, you can venture off the beaten path.
Have conversations with local kombu (kelp) fishermen and learn the best ways to cook kelp. Listen in private sessions to stories from custodians of Ainu culture that are deeply rooted in the land. Experience Ainu culture through activities like embroidery or woodcarving. Enjoy a special farm experience where you can interact with animals and the soil on a vast farm. Savour a meal at a little-known restaurant where a local chef showcases their culinary skills. It’s not just about sightseeing—the profound sense of connection you feel by immersing yourself in the daily lives of the local people is the greatest reward that a fully customised trip can offer.
③ Food Becomes the Purpose of the Trip
In Hokkaido, food is not merely an optional part of a trip—it is the main purpose of the journey itself. Surrounded on all sides by the bountiful sea and blessed with vast lands that yield a wealth of fresh ingredients, Hokkaido never ceases to captivate food lovers from around the world.
With our fully customised trips, we can cater to your every culinary craving. From exquisite sushi savoured at a sophisticated counter in Sapporo to sweets enjoyed in Otaru’s retro atmosphere, our fully customised trips also accommodate specific dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian and halal. These personalised gastronomic experiences, where travellers can simply relax together and share the bounty of the North, will make your travel memories even more vivid.
④ Vastness and Tranquillity Add Depth to Your Journey
Hokkaido covers an area of approximately 83,424 km², roughly the same size as Austria. With an expanse equivalent to an entire European country, you’ll encounter completely different landscapes and cultures in each region. It is this vastness that creates a luxurious tranquillity found nowhere else, giving your journey a sense of profound space and freedom.
On the tranquil shores of Lake Toya, completely cut off from the hustle and bustle of the city, take time to simply listen to the sound of the wind and the chirping of birds. Paddle a canoe down the rivers flowing through the vast Kushiro Marsh, where you can hear birdsong and experience the luxury of a moment that makes your heart race at the sight of wildlife—such as foxes and cranes—that occasionally appear.
With a fully customised trip where the journey itself is designed as a private space, even long distances transform into a high-quality, relaxing experience—one where you can discuss your future with loved ones while gazing at the beautiful scenery through the car window. Enjoy nature on an overwhelming scale, undisturbed by anyone, and the silence that flows through it. Navigating this vast landscape stress-free, beautifully, and efficiently will be deeply fulfilling and you’ll experience what true luxury is.
4. Meet Four of Our Hokkaido Travel Designers
Travel designers are partners who work with you to design a trip tailored just for you. We have several travel designers, each with extensive knowledge and a wide network of contacts, who will offer unique travel proposals that leverage their individual strengths. Here we introduce four of our travel designers.
Mari
Born and raised in Osaka. While on a working holiday in Toronto, Canada, she worked at a vegan restaurant and learned how people have different preferences and backgrounds. Drawing on that experience, she is able to support people from a wide variety of backgrounds. After returning to Japan, she travelled throughout the country and was so captivated by Hokkaido’s beautiful nature and warm-hearted people that she decided to move here. She now maintains connections with people across Hokkaido and uses those networks to create tour proposals.
Kentaro
Grew up in Sapporo, and studied abroad in Portland, Oregon. After returning to Japan, he worked as a food writer for a Hokkaido television station for two years. He is knowledgeable about a wide variety of Hokkaido cuisine and provides information on delicious restaurants. He also excels at meeting customers’ needs through attentive communication with them.
Miwa
Born and raised in Kushiro, in eastern Hokkaido. After participating in working holiday programs in Canada and the United Kingdom and travelling to countries around the world, she came to appreciate the splendour of her hometown’s natural environment. She realises just how precious her daily life as a high school student was—cycling through the Kushiro Marshes and frequently encountering deer and foxes. She hopes to share the charms of Hokkaido with as many people as possible.
Maki
Grew up in Sapporo, studied in the United States during high school and college, and worked at Disney World in Florida after graduating from college. Through her experience working at a Japanese restaurant, she came to appreciate the depth and richness of Japanese culture. Now that she has returned to Hokkaido, she looks forward to introducing visitors to the region’s delicious local cuisine, stunning scenery, and numerous activities.
5. Real Trip Examples: How Our Travel Designers Shaped Each Journey
Winter. Travel Designer: Mari
Themes: Wildlife, local experiences, off the beaten path
Group tour for seven people (men and women from their 50s to 70s)
Destinations: Eastern Hokkaido, including Kushiro, Rausu, and Cape Kiritappu
The group observed wildlife and interacted with local fishermen in the bitter cold of Eastern Hokkaido. They saw cranes in the Kushiro Marsh, enjoyed birdwatching in Rausu—including sightings of the Steller’s sea eagle and white-tailed eagle, both designated as endangered species and Natural Monuments of Japan—and observed wildlife such as sea otters in Shiretoko and Kiritappu. Although it was so cold and the wind was very strong at Cape Kiritappu, they described the experience itself as priceless.
They received a lecture on kombu (kelp) from a local fisherman and experienced at firsthand how the flavour of dashi (stock)—an essential ingredient in miso soup—varies depending on the ingredients used, such as kelp, bonito flakes, and dried sardines. They also enjoyed a lunch of hot pot made with local kelp.
The group also visited the Rausu Geyser, a lesser-known sightseeing spot. They said the guide and dedicated driver were kind and cooperative, willingly accommodating their every request.
Thanks to Mari’s planning—which leveraged her strengths of local knowledge and connections—they were able to have a deeper, more unique experience than they could have had anywhere else.
Spring. Travel Designer: Kentaro
Theme: Muslim-friendly travel for families with young children
A family of four consisting of a couple and their two young children, visiting Japan for the first time.
Destinations: Furano, Asahikawa, Otaru, Lake Toya, Sapporo
They began planning their trip six months in advance and worked out the itinerary through numerous email exchanges with their travel designer, Kentaro. While it can be difficult to find Muslim-friendly restaurants in Japan, Kentaro arranged halal dining options for them throughout the entire trip. Experiences such as goat milking, pizza-making, and soba noodle-making also became unforgettable memories.
With a private car and driver at their disposal, they were freed from the burden of managing luggage—a common hassle on trips—and were able to enjoy a much more relaxed journey.
On their free day in Sapporo, thanks to his helpful advice, they used various modes of transportation on their own—including the subway, streetcars, and the ropeway—to visit tourist spots in Sapporo and enjoy the food stalls at a local shrine festival.
They are extremely satisfied with the trip, which was made possible by Kentaro’s thoughtful communication and meticulous attention to detail.
Autumn. Travel Designer: Miwa
Theme: Multigenerational family trips that include senior citizens
A family of four adults
Destinations: Lake Toya, Lake Onuma, Hakodate, Jozankei Hot Spring, Sapporo
The group had many experiences with local people that would be difficult to arrange on an independent trip, such as making ice cream and paper crafts, taking a short walk through the beech forest in Kuromatsunai—the northernmost limit of beech forests—and making washi (Japanese paper) using wood from Hokkaido.
The driver was extremely kind, coming to pick them up when they got lost and staying with a family member who wasn’t feeling well. Of course, the driving was also very careful, ensuring a comfortable trip.
This truly showcases Miwa’s ability to tailor trips to travellers’ wishes.
Autumn. Travel Designer: Maki
Themes: Honeymoon, deeply relaxing, a luxury experience unique to Hokkaido
A couple on their honeymoon
Destinations: Niseko, Otaru, Sapporo
This couple from the Philippines was visiting Hokkaido for the first time and hoped for a trip where they could enjoy Hokkaido’s natural beauty and Japanese culture. Maki designed a trip where they could completely switch off, centred around luxurious experiences such as ryokan stays, kaiseki cuisine, and hot springs. Maki’s expertise in designing high-quality experiences and relaxation—which perfectly answered the couple’s request for “relaxing and romantic moments”—truly shines through.
6. FAQ: Planning a Private Tour in Hokkaido
Q1: How much can I customise my itinerary?
We can customise every part of your daily itinerary—from morning until the end of the day—to meet your specific requests. Even if you simply ask us to make suggestions because you don’t have any specific requests, our travel designers will work with you to propose a personalised itinerary, taking into account factors such as travel distance and feasibility.
Q2: What is the minimum number of people for a trip?
We can accommodate trips for as few as one person.
Q3: How far in advance should I start planning?
If you’d like an itinerary that closely matches your preferences, ideally more than six months in advance. However, even if you contact us just one month in advance, we’ll propose an itinerary based on your requests.
Q4: I’m worried about my English. Will there be any language barriers during the trip?
We have connections with guides who speak various languages, so please feel free to consult with us. Even if we don’t have a guide who speaks your preferred language, rest assured that our experienced staff, drivers, and guides will assist you.
Q5: What is the approximate cost?
For a 7-day trip for two people, including a guide and a private charter car and a driver, you’ll need about 1 million yen per person. Since many areas in Hokkaido require a car to get around, cutting your budget will limit the scope of your trip. Even so, if you let us know which requests are essential to you and which are not, we’ll make proposals to ensure you keep within your budget.
Q6: Can you accommodate specific dietary restrictions or allergies?
We’ll do our best to accommodate them. While some requests may be difficult to fulfil, we’ll explain the situation clearly and suggest alternatives.
Tell us your dream. The shape of your journey starts there
A trip has value that lasts a lifetime because it creates memories just for you and your loved ones. Why not order a fully customised private tour to experience the vastness of Hokkaido luxuriously and stress-free?
You can contact us with questions or requests even after you arrive in Hokkaido, and even if your schedule is set, we can flexibly accommodate your needs on the day of your trip.
From trip planning to overcoming language barriers and handling the finer details on-site, we’ll take care of all the hassle. All you need to do is look forward to the next beautiful scenery and focus on enjoying your trip.
Let us help you create your very own Hokkaido adventure. Work with a travel designer to create a trip that’s just for you!
