The Art of Japanese Craftsmanship and the Flowers of Summertime Central Hokkaido

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

1. DAY

   01

   New Chitose Airport - Tokachigawa

   Welcome to Hokkaido: Your Tokachigawa Onsen Escape!

   

   Welcome to Hokkaido, where the early summer season offers beautiful landscapes and wonderfully pleasant weather, perfect for your japan tour! Upon your arrival at New Chitose Airport, we’ll head directly to Tokachigawa Onsen, a renowned hot spring resort in Eastern Hokkaido.
   Tokachigawa Onsen is famous for its unique “moor hot springs,” rich in organic plant matter, which are celebrated for their incredibly smooth, skin-beautifying properties and natural moisturizing effects. It’s a truly rare and luxurious experience! Today is about unwinding and relaxing at your own pace, setting the perfect tone for your exciting 8-days hokkaido summer tour ahead. Prepare to enjoy the tranquility and comfort that awaits you here.

2. DAY

   02

   Tokachigawa - Tokachigawa

   Tokachi Immersion: A Taste of Local Life on Your Hokkaido Summer Tour

   

   Today, we’ll immerse ourselves in the heart of the Tokachi area, focusing on authentic interactions with local communities. Tokachi is renowned as Hokkaido’s breadbasket, a vast agricultural region celebrated for its fertile lands and abundant produce. Here, the landscape is dominated by sprawling fields, showcasing the incredible scale of Hokkaido’s farming heritage.
   Our hokkaido summer tour brings you to a special place: a family farm that has been cultivating the land for over 100 years, spanning four generations! This incredible family not only grows staple crops like potatoes and soybeans, but they also welcome visitors to experience their daily life. You’ll embark on a fascinating farm tour, learning about their sustainable practices and the passion behind their produce. The highlight of your visit will be a hands-on imomochi (potato mochi) making experience, where you’ll learn to prepare this delicious local specialty directly from the family. This unique summer tour offers a profound connection to Hokkaido’s agricultural soul, providing insights and memories far beyond typical sightseeing.

3. DAY

   03

   Tokachigawa - Furano

   Journey to Central Hokkaido: Furano & Shikaribetsu Lake Adventure

   

   Leaving the relaxing waters of Tokachigawa Onsen, we journey towards Central Hokkaido, with our destination being the beautiful Furano area! This region is a heartland of hokkaido summer adventures.
   In the morning, prepare for an exhilarating canoe experience on the pristine waters of Lake Shikaribetsu. As the early hokkaido summer heat begins to warm the land, the lake offers a refreshing escape, providing a wonderful coolness that makes canoeing incredibly enjoyable. Glide across the tranquil surface, surrounded by lush local forests and the serene beauty of this hidden gem. This local adventure truly highlights the refreshing side of hokkaido summer, allowing you to connect deeply with nature.

4. DAY

   04

   Furano - Furano

   Furano's Hidden Blooms: A Real Hokkaido Summer Experience

   

   As we reach the midpoint of this captivating Hokkaido summer itinerary, today is dedicated to experiencing the breathtaking floral beauty of the Furano area. However, our service offers a distinct difference from typical package tours, providing a truly unique japan tour experience.

   Instead of crowded, well-trodden paths, you’ll embark on an immersive journey with a local guide, comfortably exploring the less-inhabited, authentic corners of Furano on electric bicycles. This allows you to effortlessly traverse the rolling hills and discover picturesque spots where the stunning flowers bloom in serene tranquility, far from the usual tourist bustle. You’ll feel the gentle Hokkaido summer breeze and fully experience the vibrant landscapes that make this region so special.
   This unique approach ensures you fully experience the “real Hokkaido” with all your senses, connecting deeply with its natural charm and local essence. It’s an unparalleled way to appreciate the true spirit of Hokkaido summer, providing memories that go beyond the ordinary sightseeing of a typical japan tour. This is your chance for a truly personal and authentic exploration of Hokkaido.

   Sweet Delights: A Hokkaido Melon Farm Experience

   

   A visit to a local melon farm is another highly recommended experience during your Hokkaido summer adventure! Here, you’ll discover the renowned Furano melon, celebrated for its exceptional sweetness, incredibly juicy flesh, and distinctive aroma. These melons are a true symbol of Hokkaido’s agricultural excellence.
   It becomes clear that cultivating these exquisite melons requires immense specialized knowledge and meticulous handwork, skills deeply mastered by the local farmers. You’ll gain insight into their dedication and the intricate processes involved in growing such high-quality produce. This hands-on experience offers a delicious and authentic taste of Hokkaido summer, connecting you directly with the region’s rich farming heritage.

5. DAY

   05

   Furano - Otaru

   Biei's Charms & Otaru's Evening Glow: A Hokkaido Journey

   

   Today, we’ll enjoy a classic Biei sightseeing experience, immersing ourselves in its picturesque landscapes and charming rural beauty. This is a quintessential part of exploring central Hokkaido, where rolling hills meet artistic vistas.

   In the afternoon, a delightful seasonal treat awaits: fruit picking! Cherry picking is highly recommended during this time. Imagine strolling through orchards, plucking ripe, juicy cherries directly from the trees, and savoring their fresh sweetness. It’s a wonderfully refreshing and interactive experience for all ages, truly capturing the essence of Hokkaido’s summer bounty.

   After this sweet adventure, we’ll make a short journey to the charming Otaru area, your accommodation for the night. Otaru is a city rich in Japanese history, particularly known for its picturesque canal and glass craft. As evening falls, you can check into your hotel and relax, or take a leisurely stroll along the beautiful Otaru Canal, admiring its gas lamps and historic warehouses.

6. DAY

   06

   Otaru - Otaru

   Otaru - the city of artisans - and a private tour to an inspiring sake brewery

   
   

   The city of Otaru, not far from Hokkaido’s largest city Sapporo, is a heaven for exploring Japanese craftsmanship. You might already have heard of Sakaimachi Merchants’ Street, full of charming glass and music box artisans’ boutiques. Besides basic sightseeing attractions, there are also many other interesting artisans worth getting to know, such as traditional Japanese “wagashi” confectionery makers and even a rubber boot factory that will blow you away with its enthusiasm.
   For lunch, let’s enjoy a hands-on sushi making experience! You’ll learn the delicate art of preparing this iconic Japanese dish, creating your own delicious masterpieces.

   One of today’s highpoints is a private tour to the petite but totally inspiring Tanaka Sake Brewery. The team spirit and dedication of the staff is just astonishing. How does it sound to taste some cool and fresh Japanese sake which has just been squeezed out, direct from the tank?

   Local craftsmanship: Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkougura

   

   – Tanaka Sake Brewery is one of the most famous sake breweries in Hokkaido, but they actually have the second smallest sake cellar on the island.
   – Many sake producers can only make their products during the cold season, but a small cellar like Tanaka Sake Brewery’s keeps the temperature just right even in summer. This method is called “Shikishuzo” literally “four-seasons brewing” and it means that fresh sake can be enjoyed at the brewery all year long.

    

7. DAY

   07

   Otaru - Sapporo

   Sapporo's Natural Embrace: Forest Therapy & City Delights

   

   Today, we journey to Sapporo, Hokkaido’s vibrant capital! In the morning, we’ll immerse ourselves in a serene experience: Forest Therapy, right within the city’s naturally rich outskirts. This isn’t just a walk; it’s a guided practice of engaging all your senses in nature, designed to reduce stress, improve mood, and refresh both mind and body. Guided by a certified forest therapist, you’ll discover the unique healing power of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), a practice deeply rooted in Japan. This tranquil experience offers a profound connection with Hokkaido’s natural beauty, leaving you revitalized.
   In the afternoon, we recommend indulging in Sapporo’s renowned culinary scene, enjoying gourmet delights personally recommended by our travel consultants. Following your delicious meal, take time to explore Sapporo’s diverse city attractions. As the largest city in Northern Japan, Sapporo offers a wide array of sightseeing and cultural experiences, from bustling shopping districts to historic landmarks. Should you have any specific interests or requests, your travel consultant is always ready to provide personalized suggestions to enhance your Sapporo exploration.

8. DAY

   08

   Sapporo - New Chitose Airport

   Summer festivals in Sapporo

   

   This is the last day of your incredible hokkaido itinerary, but there is still time to enjoy some local specialties before your hokkaido itinerary concludes. Summer is the season of festivals in Japan! If your timing is lucky, we recommend popping by Odori Park before departure to see if the Sapporo Beer Garden or Hokkai Bon Odori (traditional Hokkaido folk dancing) is on, a vibrant end to your summer itinerary.

   We hope this vacation turned out to be inspirational and that you met some individuals you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Each season in Hokkaido has its own unique peculiarities, making every visit a new discovery. We highly recommend paying a visit some other time too to see a completely new side of Hokkaido on your next summer itinerary!