Self-Guided Adventure
Tailor-made
Wild Hokkaido
14 Nights: from US$4953 per person (twin share) Trip Code: WDH
We designed this trip to celebrate Japan's newest bullet train line, linking Aomori in northern Honshu with Hakodate in southern Hokkaido. Making full use of planes, trains, and automobiles, this summer trip is a fabulous introduction to the multitude of charms of Japan's northern reaches. Read more >
Hokkaido is the second-largest of Japan's four main islands, and yet it is very rarely visited by foreigners. Most Japanese have never even been there! You might assume from this that there is not much up here to see, but you'd be absolutely wrong. Hokkaido is one of the wildest, most rugged parts of Japan, offering sweeping landscapes of smoking volcanoes, steaming hot springs, mist-covered lakes and vast national parks.
Unlike the rest of Japan, Hokkaido is not particularly well served by public transport, so this trip includes the use of a hire car. If the thought of driving abroad terrifies you - relax! The roads in Hokkaido are extremely quiet, and having your own set of wheels will give you the freedom to travel at your own pace, stopping to admire the views and getting you to places that are inaccessible by public transport.
Wild Hokkaido is perfect for those with an interest in rural Japan: its little villages, its fascinating wildlife, and its spectacular scenery. But this doesn't mean you have to miss out on city life either! The trip begins and ends in Tokyo, the prototypical "big city", where you'll have a chance to see the bright neon and skyscrapers that modern Japan is famous for.
Please note: This Self-Guided Adventure works best if you travel in July, August or September when the high roads are open and the scenery's at its best.
What's included
- 14 nights' accommodation
- Breakfast every day and seven evening meals
- All transport between destinations, including airport transfers and domestic flights
- IC transport card with 2,500 yen credit for transport in Tokyo
- 10-day car hire (pick-up at Memanbetsu Airport, drop-off in Hakodate)
- Eight-hour private guide service in Tokyo
- Six-hour private guided hike up Mount Asahi
- Two-hour cruise around the Shiretoko Peninsula
- Pocket WiFi device
- Your personalised InsideJapan Info-Pack
What's NOT included:
- International flights
- Any entrance fees (including temples, shrines and museums) unless otherwise specified
- Any local transport (buses, subways, taxis) unless otherwise specified
- Baggage handling and luggage forwarding
Trip Highlights
- Hike through the beautiful Daisetsuzan National Park
- Take a cruise on the Sea of Okhotsk
- Soak in steaming natural hot spring baths
- Explore the wilds of Hokkaido by car
- Explore Tokyo with the help of a knowledgeable guide
- Ride Japan's newest bullet train between Hokkaido and Tokyo
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: 303 952 0379
What, where, when and how...
Wild Hokkaido - 15 Days

Destinations
Wild Hokkaido - 15 Days - Day by Day
Wild Hokkaido - 15 Days - Accommodation
Wild Hokkaido - 15 Days - Experiences
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Day 1-2
Your trip begins in the vast metropolis that this Tokyo, Japan's capital city.
A shared shuttle transfer will take you from the airport to your hotel in the centre of the city, where you will have the rest of day one to relax and get used to the new time zone. For those with the energy (we applaud you), you will be well placed to begin your exploration of the city. Perhaps you'd like to begin your journey in the traditional Asakusa district of Tokyo, home to Senso-ji Temple and the towering Skytree.
On day two, you will have the full day with a private local guide to make the most of Japan's energetic capital. There is far too much to see for one day, so your guide will tailor the day's itinerary to suit your preferences. We recommend stopping to peruse the high-tech gadgets at Akihabara “electric town”, and making time for a cup of green tea in beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens.Overnight: Villa Fontaine Shiodome
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Day 3-4
Your northern adventure begins in Rausu, gateway to the rugged Shiretoko Peninsula.
On day three you will be driven by private car from your hotel to Haneda Airport, where you will board a plane for the short domestic flight to Memanbetsu in Hokkaido. Here, you will pick up your hire car for the next 10 days and drive the 135 kilometres (78 mi) to Rausu. Hokkaido offers an extremely pleasant location for driving, and we are sure you will have no trouble getting used to the differences! The remainder of day three will be at leisure.
On day four you will enjoy a two-hour cruise around the Shiretoko Peninsula, one of the wildest reaches of Japan. This is a fantastic opportunity to spot some of Hokkaido's wildlife, from whales and dolphins to a wide variety of rare birds. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore – and with a car at your disposal, Rausu is your oyster.Overnight: Dai-ichi Hotel
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Day 5
Today you will move on to Lake Kussharo, in the beautiful Akan National Park.
On day five you will drive the 125 kilometres (78 mi) from Rausu to Kussharo under your own steam, enjoying the beautiful countryside on your way. In the summer months, Lake Kussharo is a fantastic base for watersports, canoeing and fishing – so depending on what time you arrive, you might have time to partake in one of these. Your hotel will be able to help you organise an activity of your choice.
Another popular pastime at Lake Kussharo is to soak in one of the local hot spring baths, or to dig your own from the lakeshore!Overnight: Kussharo Prince Hotel
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Day 6-7
Moving westwards across Hokkaido, today you will arrive at Mount Asahi in Daisetsuzan – another of Hokkaido's beautiful national parks.
Mount Asahi, or Asahi-dake, is the tallest mountain in Hokkaido, and the surrounding national park is famous for its excellent hiking opportunities and spectacular scenery. On day five you will drive the 257 kilometres (160 mi) from Lake Kussahro to Mount Asahi. The drive usually takes around four hours, and is the longest journey of the itinerary. We're sure you'll find plenty of spots of interest along the way to break up the day.
On day seven you will have the services of a local guide for a hike up Mount Asahi itself – a great opportunity to enjoy the fabulous views and ask any questions you might about about Hokkaido's distinctive culture.Overnight: Asahidake Onsen Hotel Bearmonte
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Day 8
On day eight you will make the short 40 kilometre (25 mi) to Biei, famous for its rolling fields of brightly coloured flowers.
If you are visiting Hokkaido in July, at Biei you will be greeted by the “patchwork road” – a landscape of rolling hills and wide fields of flowers more reminiscent of Provence than Japan. In summer, this area is awash with brightly coloured flowers – most famously lavender – and has been used in countless advertising campaigns and used on packaging for all kinds of products across Japan. This is a lovely, laid-back place to stop for a night and soak up the pretty surroundings, whether on foot, by bike, or by car.
Overnight: Resort House BIBI
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Day 9-10
Sapporo is Hokkaido's capital – a cosmopolitan city that offers a refreshing contrast to the rural destinations you have visited so far.
The drive from Biei to Sapporo is a very manageable 145 kilometres (90 mi), so you can choose whether you'd like to while away more time in Biei or head straight on to the city today. Either way, you will have the rest of day nine at your leisure.
On day ten, you will have a full day to enjoy Sapporo, famous for its buttery ramen noodles and beer! In the summer, Odori Park at the heart of the city is transformed into a vast beer garden, providing the perfect spot to enjoy the mild (comparatively to mainland Japan) weather and mix with the locals, whose eagerness to make friends after a couple of tipples may surprise you! We also highly recommend trying the Hokkaido speciality, “Genghis Khan” (lamb strips cooked on a dome-shaped hotplate), and making time to visit the Ainu Museum, which is dedicated to the culture of Hokkaido's native people.Overnight: Richmond Sapporo Eki-mae
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Day 11
Toya Onsen is one of Hokkaido's premier hot spring resorts, and the perfect place to enjoy the traditional Japanese pastime of onsen-bathing.
Today you will drive the 125 kilometres (78 mi) from Sapporo to Toya Onsen, a lovely hot spring town famous for its unpredictable seismic activity. It is home to Japan's youngest volcano, Showa-shinzan, which was only formed in the 1940s – and to next-door Usu-zan, which last erupted in the year 2000. But don't worry, the chance of any untoward activity is highly unlikely during your stay!
This high level of volcanic activity means that Toya Onsen is an excellent place for hot spring bathing, one of Japan's most cherished cultural pastimes. There are many baths throughout the town, including some foot baths (ashi-no-yu) for those who aren't prepared to bare, but our favourites are overlooking Lake Toya.Overnight: Nonokaze Resort
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Day 12-13
Your northern odyssey concludes in Hakodate, your last destination on the island of Hokkaido before you zip south to Tokyo on the bullet train.
Hakodate is famous throughout Japan for the wonderful night views from Mount Hakodate, showing the city's twinkling lights laid out below with the blackness of the sea on either side. It's a fittingly spectacular vista to round off your experience of Hokkaido, and certainly not to be missed!
The journey from Toya Onsen to Hakodate is roughly 155 kilometres (96 mi). On arrival, you will drop off your hire car in the city and have the next two days to enjoy Hakodate's many attractions. We recommend a visit to the local fish market, where we suggest you try the shio ramen: a noodle dish prepared with squid ink stock. The town's star-shaped Goryokaku Fort, a Western-style citadel built in the dying days of the Edo Period (1603-1868), is another of its famous attractions – and is most impressive when viewed from above at the Goryokaku Tower.Overnight: Mystays Hakodate Goryokaku
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Day 14-15
Your trip finishes with a bang as you arrive back in Tokyo, where you'll have a final night in the fast-paced Shinjuku district.
On day 14 you will hop aboard Japan's newest bullet train line, opened in March 2016, and shoot through the Seikan Tunnel to Honshu. Enjoy the impeccable service aboard the train as you watch the countryside of northern Japan whizz past, finally arriving back in Tokyo in time to enjoy a final evening in the city. Your hotel is in the exciting Shinjuku district, packed with bars, restaurants and shops, so you will certainly not be at a loss tonight. We suggest a final-night meal at an izakaya (a kind of Japanese pub with tapas-style food) then heading out to a karaoke booth for a really Japanese end to your trip.
Unfortunately your adventure comes to an end on day 15, and you will travel by shared shuttle bus to the airport in time for your flight home.Overnight: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Wild Hokkaido
Read more >Great service, and a wonderful, magical holiday
Self-Guided Adventure Wild Hokkaido
Read more >Excellent service from Bruno and the team. Loved the trip very much and driving was easy in Hokkaido
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Wild Hokkaido
Read more >Great service, and a wonderful, magical holiday
Self-Guided Adventure Wild Hokkaido
Read more >Excellent service from Bruno and the team. Loved the trip very much and driving was easy in Hokkaido
5.0 out of 5 from 1 review Show all Wild Hokkaido Reviews
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