Wild Hokkaido Nature & Onsen Tour 2026
Discover the majestic, remote Shiretoko Peninsula!
Enchanting Nature + Wondrous Wildlife await you in Hokkaido
Journey across pristine eastern Hokkaido and revel in a multitude of memorable wildlife experiences with our Wild Hokkaido Tour! Home to some of Japan’s most beautiful nature reserves, including the mystical Shiretoko Peninsula, you’ll have the chance to encounter iconic species such as the impressive tanchо̄ red-crowned cranes, majestic Steller’s sea eagles, and even the powerful Hokkaido higuma brown bear. Don’t worry, it will be at a safe distance! These unforgettable encounters with rare animals, combined with premium onsen hot springs, regional culinary specialties, and unique activities like a “night safari”, make this a dream destination for anyone searching for a world far away from the blinding lights of Tokyo.
You’ll enjoy everything from immersive experiences like river canoeing (no experience needed!) and a guided nature walk around Shiretoko’s gorgeous “Five Lakes” region, to activities like cherry picking at a local orchard and a hands-on milking + ice cream making experience at a working dairy farm. If you love animals and brilliant natural vistas then this is the tour for you!
Destination Highlights for the Wild Hokkaido Tour
Furano – Obihiro – Lake Akan – Kushiro – Lake Mashu – Lake Kussharo – Shiretoko Peninsula – Abashiri – Asahikawa – Sapporo – and more!
One special highlight is a “night safari” wildlife experience, which lets you see the many nocturnal creatures that populate this region up close in their natural habitat. Look out for owls, foxes, deer, and more!
In addition, this tour includes SEVEN NIGHTS of superb onsen, so it is perfect for hot springs aficionados! Combined with carefully selected restaurants to provide you with exceptional dining each and every day, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Dive into the details below, then reserve your spot today!
What’s included on the Wild Hokkaido Tour:
- Start your journey in peace, away from the airport crowds, with a chance to relax at HIS Hawaii’s exclusive LeaLea Lounge at Honolulu Airport before your flight.
- Expert English-speaking local guides and a professional tour escort from Honolulu
- A private professional driver and full-sized bus to spread out and relax in transit between adventures
- Outdoor activities for all ages like Kushiro River canoeing, a small-group guided nature walk around Shiretoko Five Lakes, picking your own succulent fresh fruit at a local orchard, and more!
- Relaxing stays at exceptional hotels and onsen (hot springs) resorts
- 26 fantastic meals, featuring regional and seasonal delicacies, including the regional specialty Genghis Khan barbecue alongside succulent king crab!
- Portable Pocket WiFi to stay connected to family and friends back home (an HIS exclusive!)
Key Highlights:
- Explore one of Japan’s last great nature reserves in the Shiretoko Peninsula. This remote environment is a first-class wildlife viewing destination and offers pristine vistas everywhere you look.
- Enjoy a guided nature walk (3 km) around the complete Shiretoko Five Lakes trail. This area can only be accessed in small groups with a licensed guide during the summer, making this a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquil interior of Shiretoko’s verdant forest.
- Experience a unique “Night Safari” activity where you’ll have the chance to come face-to-face with animals most active at night, such as foxes and owls, in their natural habitat.
- Pick exceptionally sweet cherries right off the treee at a local orchard. Japanese fruit is famous for its superior quality and you’ll see why with this activity!
- Paddle down the smooth Kushiro River on a relaxing canoe tour. This winding stream snakes its way through unspoiled wetlands and provides prime opportunities to view wildlife wandering on shore.
- Savor specialty seasonal and regional cuisine with 26 included exceptional meals, including a farewell dinner with all-you-can-eat of the region’s famous Genghis Khan barbeque, plus an added order of tasty King Crab. Hokkaido is especially well-known for its seafood and its dairy products, and you’ll get your fill of both!
- Feel the richness of the country’s culture through hands-on activities that let you interact with local residents and learn from their experiences. Enjoy an educational forest stroll around Lake Akan’s bokke (small mud volcanoes), try your hand at milking gentle cows and make your own delicious ice cream at a working dairy farm, and marvel at the Shiretoko-Shari Neputa Festival, the area’s most significant summer matsuri event.
- Relax with a full free day in Sapporo to do any last-minute shopping or enjoy certain foods you’ve always wanted to try, all at your own pace! You can also add an optional day tour if you’d prefer. Ask us for suggestions!
Tour Itinerary
10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS IN JAPAN
Click here to see the full tour schedule!
Day 0 – July 12 (Sunday): Departure from Honolulu
- Your journey to Japan begins at Honolulu International Airport. Relax in the exclusive LeaLea Lounge before boarding your nonstop flight with Japan Airlines (JAL). Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Day 1 – July 13 (Monday): Arrival in Japan
- Arrive at Haneda International Airport, pass through immigration and customs, then have some time to relax and eat dinner while waiting for your short domestic flight to Hokkaido. Upon arrival at New Chitose Airport, walk to your hotel directly connected to the terminal. Rest up and enjoy hot springs!
- Hotel: Portom International or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Two meals served onboard the international flight
Day 2 – July 14 (Tuesday): Furano and Obihiro
- Head to Furano area in central Hokkaido, enjoy sightseeing at Farm Tomita (Japan’s most famous lavender farm!), then move to Sahoro “Bear Mountain” for an up-close look at these powerful but oh-so-cute furballs.
- Hotel: Hokkaido Hotel or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3 – July 15 (Wednesday): Journey to Lake Akan
- Stop by Akan International Crane Center to observe rare Red-crowned Cranes, then try a Kushiro River canoeing activity (no experience needed!) while watching for wildlife on shore. Check out a “Lost Kamuy” traditional Ainu music and dance performance this evening.
- Hotel: Yuku no Sato Tsuruga or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 – July 16 (Thursday): Lake Akan and surroundings
- Sightsee around “Five Color” Lake Onneto (changes appearance according to the weather and time of day), then enjoy a short stroll around the Bokke Walking Trails with a specialist nature guide. Try your hand at milking and make your own ice cream, gaze at the azure blue of Lake Mashu from the observatory, and experience an illuminated forest evening adventure with the Kamuy Lumina Night Walk.
- Hotel: Yuku no Sato Tsuruga or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5 – July 17 (Friday): To Mystical Shiretoko
- Enjoy shopping and sightseeing around Mt. Io (Sulfur Mountain), drink your fill of refreshing spring water at Raiun Shrine, then immerse yourself in the magic of the Shari Neputa Festival (the region’s largest summer matsuri) departure ceremony.
- Hotel: KIKI Shiretoko Natural Resort or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6 – July 18 (Saturday): Shiretoko Splendor
- Walk the restricted Shiretoko Five Lakes trail (3 km) with a specialist nature guide, ride a cruise ship around the peninsula’s coast and look for wildlife on shore, then enjoy a super-unique “Night Safari” guided tour to discover nocturnal animals when they are most active in their natural habitat.
- Hotel: KIKI Shiretoko Natural Resort or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 – July 19 (Sunday): Shiretoko to Abashiri
- Check out the towering Oshin Koshin waterfalls, then move toward Abashiri and wander the colorful fields of Koshimizu Wild Flower Park. Pick your own succulent cherries at a local orchard before heading to the Abashiri Prison Museum to admire the impressive wax figurines at this historical site.
- Hotel: Hotel Abashiri Koso or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8 – July 20 (Monday): Return to Central Hokkaido
- Head west toward Asahikawa and sightsee around Ueno Flower Garden (an idyllic English-style garden), tasting & shopping at the Otokoyama Sake Museum, then browse local sweets and omiyage at Tsuboya Kibana no Mori, one of Hokkaido’s oldest confectionaries.
- Hotel: Art Hotel Asahikawa or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9 – July 21 (Tuesday): Asahikawa and Sapporo
- Start the day with a visit to Asahiyama Zoo, especially famous for its penguins, but don’t miss other standouts like the Blakiston’s Fish Owl and even a timber world enclosure! Stop by Sunagawa Highway Oasis for omiyage shopping, then tour the Sapporo Beer Museum. End with a farewell dinner of all-you-can-eat Genghis Khan barbecue, plus premium king crab.
- Hotel: Fairfield Marriott Sapporo or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10 – July 22 (Wednesday): Free Day in Sapporo
- Full free day to explore Sapporo at your own pace. Shop, dine, or just enjoy the sights. Need suggestions? Just ask!
- Hotel: Fairfield Marriott Sapporo or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11 – July 23 (Thursday): Return to Honolulu
- Relax in the morning and early afternoon, then fly back to Hawaii via Tokyo-Haneda with Japan Airlines. Welcome home!
- Hotel: —
- Meals included: Breakfast, plus two meals served onboard the international flight
This magical summer journey takes care of every detail, so you can fully relax and immerse yourself in Japan’s exceptional nature-filled beauty, plus cultural experiences, gourmet cuisine, and comforting onsen (hot springs) retreats.
Pricing
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$5,190.00*
$4,290.00 **
$1,600.00
**international & domestic airfare not included
**customer must provide flight details to travel consultant for confirmation
Early-booking Special Offer:
SAVE $100 by being one of the first ten participants!
Here are just a few of the sights and activities you’ll enjoy:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Hokkaido’s summer usually has a pleasant, temperate climate. Average high temperatures for Sapporo in the middle of July are about 78 degrees during the day, with a low of around 64 degrees at night.
Q: Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?
A: Absolutely! While the tour includes a few activities that require moderate walking, such as the Shiretoko Five Lakes nature walk, all experiences are optional so we can accommodate all types of guests on this tour.
Q: Will there be free time to explore on our own?
A: Yes. There are periods of unstructured time built into the itinerary, including a full free day in Sapporo.
Q: Are all meals included in the tour?
A: The tour includes 26 premium meals: 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 8 dinners. Meals during free time are on your own so you can explore local specialties at your own pace.
Q: What kind of accommodations are included?
A: You’ll stay in a mix of upscale, modern hotels and traditional onsen (hot springs) resorts, all carefully selected for comfort, location, and atmosphere.
Q: Are flights included?
A: Yes, roundtrip international airfare from Honolulu to Japan, plus the domestic flights to/from Hokkaido, are included in the Full Package. If you would like to arrange your own airfare or are interested in extending your dates in Japan, you can select the Land Package.
Q: How big are the tour groups?
A: This group is limited in size (30 participants) to ensure the best accommodations and restaurants, a comfortable pace, and personalized service from your guide and escort.
