9 Day Far East Hokkaido Itinerary – Adventure, Wildlife, and the Ainu

There’s a whole facet to Japan that you simply haven’t seen and only a few get to expertise it. The far east area of Hokkaido shines brightly with its unspoilt nature. If swaths of wilderness, primeval forests, volcanic mountains, and caldera-filled lakes sound like your cup of tea, it is advisable to come right here.

On this 9 day Far East Hokkaido itinerary, you’ll get to really recognize the island’s treasures by seeing its huge vary of ecosystems, feeling the therapeutic energy of its many scorching springs, tasting its vary of contemporary and delectable seafood, getting near awe-inspiring wildlife, and extra.

9 Day Hokkaido Itinerary within the Far East

Hokkaido is globally generally known as a winter ski and snowboard vacation spot however it’s a lot extra. Its attract additionally comes from the way you get to go to locations that almost all travellers don’t get to see and have cultural encounters which are at its utmost uncooked and genuine.

From land to sea, there’s an unbelievable range of surroundings, wildlife, and tradition that’s really deserving of the moniker of Japan’s wild frontier.

A query we’ve gotten quite a bit is, “isn’t this much like Canada?”. To that, we are saying that we’ve a better appreciation for such a panorama due to a few of its similarity however extra importantly, all the pieces you possibly can expertise right here in 9 days simply wouldn’t be doable in Canada (or New Zealand which we draw quite a lot of parallels to). The defining distinction is how Far East Hokkaido’s open air completely dovetails with Japanese tradition, which means you get to have scrumptious seafood, soak in an onsen virtually on a regular basis, and really feel that heat and hospitality of locals which is unmatched in some other a part of the world.

How you can use this Hokkaido itinerary

We created this itinerary with you, our readers, in thoughts. How you employ it’s as much as you.

For the impartial traveller, you should use that is a precise blueprint of what you wish to do in Far East Hokkaido or as a place to begin that you simply tweak to your personal.

Should you would fairly be part of a gaggle, this itinerary additionally intently mirrors Journey Hokkaido’s personal 9 day itinerary so you possibly can simply enroll with them. Ensure to scroll to the underside on my ideas about them.

On this information, you’ll discover day-by-day breakdowns, bins labelled “What it is advisable to know” which has the important particulars you want for major actions with restaurant and lodging suggestions.

Ensure to get to the top as properly the place we’ve the extraordinarily helpful journey map for these which are visible planners.

At Going Superior Locations, we’re obsessed about constructing journey itineraries as a result of that’s how we do our journey planning and its the form of element that’s onerous to seek out lately. You’ll see quite a lot of similarities with different ones we’ve created such because the 6 day Banff within the winter itinerary, 9 day Easter Island itinerary, 10 days in Patagonia, and 10 day Egypt itinerary.

The place is the Far East of Hokkaido?

Whereas Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest island protecting 20% of the nation’s land space, it’s only 5% of its inhabitants. This speaks to how a lot open house there may be in comparison with different elements of Japan which are sometimes tightly compacted.

The dearth of urbanization and air pollution mixed with conservation efforts results in a spot that has been allowed to thrive in its commodity of pure treasures, a key draw to most guests that resolve to go to Hokkaido.

As you begin shifting to Japanese Hokkaido (Okhotsk, Tokachi, and Kushiro), the panorama turns into a mixture of volcanic mountain ranges, hills, extensive open plains, wetlands, and coastlands that stretch out to the ocean.

Whereas not formally a geographic time period, Far East Hokkaido refers to cowl furthest jap reaches of the island the place you’ll discover a actually magnificent cluster of pristine surroundings and wildlife habitats. As well as, you’ll discover 3 nationwide parks right here – Kushiro-Shitsugen Nationwide Park, Akan–Mashu Nationwide Park, and Shiretoko Nationwide Park.

This itinerary of the far east of Hokkaido is a main instance that this huge and secluded nook of Japan is the perfect place for those who wish to expertise the outside in a means that’s uniquely Japanese.

Why Did We Go to Far East Hokkaido?

This journey was a part of a a lot bigger journey all through Japan that began in September and only one a part of what we managed to do in Hokkaido. For this specific phase, I used to be travelling alone.

Inside Hokkaido, I needed to separate our time time by doing all your typical vacationer route however I additionally needed to go off-the-beaten-path that would match my itch to do one thing a bit extra adventurous and would enable me to delve into the unbelievable open air that the island is understood for.

Whereas the usual Hokkaido journey to Sapporo, Furano, Biei, Otaru, and Noboribetsu was simpler to plan, I instantly felt out of my depths with Japanese Hokkaido once I realized that 1) there isn’t quite a lot of English-based data on-line, and a pair of) I wanted severe native experience if I needed to ebook issues.

That’s once I found firms like Hokkaido Treasure Island and Journey Hokkaido. Each have been extraordinarily useful however we ended up touchdown on the 9 Day Japan’s Far East Wildlife Journey Tour that was already assured to run and match our timeline.

Logistically, I ended up beginning our Hokkaido journey with the far east after which related it with every week in Sapporo (coming quickly), adopted different standard elements of the island.

Day 1 – Kushiro to Kiritappu

Your first day in Far East Hokkaido is primarily a transit day. For some, this’ll imply coming instantly from your private home nation and for others, you could be connecting from one other a part of Japan or Asia.

The biggest metropolis on this area is Kushiro so it is smart to begin your journey by flying into Tancho Kushiro Airport (airport code KUH).

TIP: Should you’re coming straight from outdoors of Japan, your best connection shall be from Haneda (HND) in Tokyo which is serviced by ANA, JAL, and Air Do, providing you with loads of continuous choices. Because of this you don’t have to make an pointless hop in Sapporo in the event you don’t have to.

From right here, be part of your tour group or decide up your automotive rental.

Alternatively, you can too take the prepare to Kushiro in the event you’re already in Sapporo or in the event you’ve determined to take the longer scenic means all the best way from Tokyo.

Drive 1.5 hours from Kushiro to the Kiritappu Peninsula which juts out into the Pacific Ocean. The jap facet of the peninsula is a well-known cape that’s formally named Cape Tofutsu however is extra generally known as Cape Kiritappu (Cape Tokkari within the Ainu language)

This can be a table-shaped level that sprawls out into the ocean and is highlighted by a lighthouse, campgrounds, and loads of wildlife. A well-laid path lets you stroll all the best way out to shut to the sting of the cape, which has an ideal view of the fowl colonies on the small islands in entrance.

Not too long ago, sea otters have made this cape their house in 2018 and so this space has turn into a preferred viewpoint to identify these cute otters floating on their backs.

Your resting spot for the evening is Kurimoto. Settle into this conventional Japanese ryokan and clean up by having your first onsen expertise of this journey.

For dinner, you’ll stroll over to the native neighbourhood sushi restaurant, Sushi Hirano, the place you’ll have a sampling of a few of the freshest seafood in Japan.

Day 2 – Wetland Exploration

On your first day on this 9 day journey by means of Far East Hokkaido, you’ll be leaping, or fairly paddling proper into the guts of the marsh that’s house to an unlimited number of wildlife. Afterwards, as you observe the coast, you’ll additionally get to see one other extremely various are with seashores, tidal flats, grasslands, marshes, and forests.

However first…breakfast!

It’ll really feel overwhelming at first however you’ll be taught all through the journey that that is how Japanese breakfasts at are completed. In contrast to Western breakfasts, its mixture of textures, umami flavors, and vitamin that begins your mornings off proper.

Kurimoto’s choice is full of omega-rich proteins, grains, greens, and pickles.

Since marsh areas are by its nature troublesome to traverse on foot, one of the simplest ways to get an intimate view of the Kiritappu Wetland is by grabbing a canoe and paddling proper in.

With the native paddle guides, you’ll float in your Canadian canoes by means of the slim river channels of Biwase River which then opens up, providing you with an actual sense of how expansive the wetland is.

This traditional out-and-back route can also be superior for birdwatching so ensure that to maintain your eyes peeled for eagles and red-crowned cranes. Should you’re fortunate, you may additionally see deer and bears within the distance.

For lunch, you’ll make a go to to the Kiritappu Wetland Heart, an intensive interpretive heart that does an ideal job at explaining and exhibiting by means of fashions and diagrams the geology and wildlife. Set at the next elevation, in addition they have an ideal view of the wetland space itself and is understood to be an ideal spot to see red-crowned cranes.

On the higher flooring is the Kiritappu Cafe which serves hearty dishes made with native substances. We suggest you get their Japanese curry which is totally incredible.

Within the afternoon, you’ll head drive up alongside the jap coast of Hokkaido in direction of the Nemuro Peninsula. On the base of the peninsula is Shunkunitai, an 8km lengthy and 1.3km extensive sandbar that successfully divides the Nemuro Bay with Lake Furen.

In your go to, you’ll see a ecosystem that could be a distinctive mixture of forests, marshlands, grasslands, and tidal flats that’s finest seen from the elevated wood boardwalk that you simply’ll stroll by means of.

This a birdwatcher paradise, the place you’ll have alternatives to see cranes, sea eagles, small birds of the forest and grassland, and quite a lot of migratory birds. There’s additionally a very good probability that you simply’ll see deer right here as properly.

Settle into Lodge Nemuro Kaiyoutei for the evening the place you’ll have ample time to benefit from the onsen earlier than your dinner at Osakana Shokudo.

Day 3 – Whale Watching Journey

Whale watching is well one of many prime highlights of this itinerary so that you’re in for a deal with at this time as whales and porpoises await!

To get a head begin to the day, you’ll have an early breakfast on the resort after which hit the highway, driving north in direction of the city of Rausu.

The right cease alongside the best way to stretch your legs is the Pogawa Historic Grassland, an expansive outside museum the place tradition, historical past, and nature meet.

Not solely is that this an ideal stroll however as you head deeper into the wetland woodland space, you’ll get to see quite a few pit dwellings that have been constructed by the folks that inhabited this space earlier than the Indigenous Ainu. You’ll want to make use of a little bit of your creativeness however they have been constructed close to this plateau to be proper subsequent to the seashore in historical occasions.

By the customer heart, you’ll additionally see an interesting reconstruction of what an historical village used to seem like.

Proceed driving as much as the fishing city of Rausu on the jap coast of Shiretoko Peninsula. That is the right time to have lunch the place it solely is smart to have beneficiant parts of seafood for lunch at Shiretoko Shokudo.

You’ve made all of it the best way up right here due to the particular traits of Nemuro Strait. Sandwiched between the peninsula and Kunashiri Island is a deep trench that’s stuffed with vitamins that make it a really perfect house for marine wildlife.

Pushing again from the Rausu port, your whale watching cruise heads out into the strait the place the captain and naturalists scan the waters for marine mammals.

Keep affected person as there’s a little bit of a gradual build-up to the expertise. It normally begins with a number of sightings of leaping tuna, adopted by porpoises easily popping out and in of the water. Your elation crescendos if you see that sudden burst of mist from one whale, which then rapidly dominoes into a number of extra. The grand finale after all is at all times the elevating of the tail fin earlier than the whale goes for a protracted and deep dive.

Whereas it isn’t a assure, there’s a very good probability of sightings as a result of there are typical a number of boats within the water they usually use hydrophones to attempt to triangulate their location.

To get a fair higher sense of your bearings, after your cruise, you’ll make your strategy to the Shiretoko Rausu Customer Heart. Similar to the Kiritappu Wetland Heart, these are an underrated a part of the expertise in Hokkaido the place these are constructed to be like mini pure historical past museums.

You’ll typically discover deer roaming round this space and if there’s time, you can too stroll to the Rausu Geyser which is simply behind. You’ll discover the precise eruption occasions posted within the customer heart.

After an action-packed day, you’ll be checking into the sea-side resort, Shiretoko Serai. Take pleasure in their proximity to the water, strolling distance to city in case you have time, and dinner at their fusion restaurant.

Day 4 – Bear Watching Shock

From whales, we go to bears as our focus on your fourth day within the far east of Hokkaido earlier than slicing throughout the peninsula to achieve the western facet of Shiretoko.

After breakfast, you’ll pack up, load the automotive or bus, and take the highway north so far as you possibly can from Rausu. It’s at this finish of the highway that you simply’ll discover Aidomari Fishing Port.

For this bear watching cruise, you’ll take to the ocean in an area fishing boat and make your means as much as the tip of Cape Shiretoko.

This can be a thrilling expertise because the speedy craft lets you see the grandeur of its cliffs, the natural world, fowl colonies, hovering eagles, deer, foxes, and naturally, Ussuri brown bears. You may additionally style a little bit of salt water too from the splashes that come your means.

Just like the whale watching cruise, each tour is totally different and there’s no telling the place the bears is likely to be however because the fisherman is often out on the water a number of occasions a day, she or he has a fairly good thought of the place to concentrate on.

In some circumstances, a bear will seem one second, and within the subsequent, run away. In different circumstances, you would possibly get fortunate and a bear will resolve to plop down on a rock to take a nap.

Earlier than departing Rausu, you’ll have lunch at Jun No Banya, an area eatery that appears like a fisherman’s shack outdoors, is embellished like one inside, and delivers on all of its seafood bowls and set meals.

Proper earlier than you cross over to the Western facet of Shiretoko Peninsula, you’ll have a chance to do both a hike to Kumagoe Waterfall, the general public Kumanoyu onsen, or each.

At roughly the halfway level of the peninsula is Shiretoko Move. On a transparent day, you’ll have spectacular views of Mount Rausu and Nemuro Strait the place you simply got here from.

Subsequent up is the Shiretoko Nature Heart, which has data and displays about Shiretoko Nationwide Park, a restaurant, and memento store.

From simply behind the character heart is the trailhead to a brief 40 minute spherical journey hike to Furepe Waterfall.

The hike begins within the forest after which opens out to grassland that results in a wood remark deck. From this elevated viewpoint, you’ll be capable to see the waterfall that’s fed by groundwater, a lighthouse within the distance, and the crashing of waves under.

Utoro is the key city on the western coast of Shiretoko, and also you’ll be glad to listen to that you simply’ll be spending 2 nights in a single location.

Not solely will you be capable to keep in a single place for longer, you’ll additionally expertise probably the most well-rounded properties of the itinerary.

Lodge Kifu Membership Shiretoko will simply be your favorite due to its each private and non-private onsens, trendy and spacious rooms, and opulent eating expertise.

For one among your two nights right here, you’ll have probably the most exceptional Kaiseki-style meal that has you dipping quite a lot of greens, cheese, and seafood in batter and cooking your personal tempura. I simply thought this was the best factor.

Day 5 – Shiretoko 5 Lakes

You gained’t be saying goodbye to the Ussuri brown bears or Shiretoko Peninsula simply but. On your fifth day, you’ll be spending time in probably the most well-known park within the area, adopted by a change of tempo with free time in Utoro.

Brown bear watch is at all times on if you’re driving by means of the highway that connects Utoro with Rausu. Everybody must be watching out for bears as you drive to your first vacation spot of the day.

Confidently in your facet, you would possibly encounter a bear alongside the best way. The one factor is that in the event you do, you aren’t allowed out of the car and technically, you possibly can’t cease on the facet of the highway. There are park rangers that patrol this space and can implement this with a view to hold everybody protected.

In our case, we have been extremely fortunate as a result of we simply occurred to see this one bear by the river under whereas crossing a bridge. From the bus, I used to be capable of snap an incredible sequence of images because the bear moved alongside the lake after which keep completely nonetheless on a rock, seemingly posing for us.

Essentially the most accessible strategy to go deeper into Shiretoko Peninsula is at Shiretoko Goko Lakes (absolutely interprets to Shiretoko 5 Lakes) the place there are 5 lakes nestled within the primeval forest and backed up towards the the Shiretoko Mountain Vary and the Okhotsk Sea.

It’s right here that you simply’ll be capable to traverse on foot and see the abundance of nature and wildlife with the rustling of deer skittishly leaping away, brown bear scratches, and holes within the timber from hardworking woodpeckers.

As this can be a prime space for brown bears, Shiretoko Nationwide Park takes security very critically. Along with filling out an utility type, you’ll additionally have to attend a ten minute lecture to find out about current bear sightings and extra importantly, what it is advisable to do in the event you see a bear. Throughout mating season, you’ll additionally want a compulsory information.

To see all 5 lakes, take the complete lengthy loop of the bottom pathway. There’s additionally a brief loop in the event you don’t wish to do as a lot strolling.

For our journey right here, we received to expertise first-hand what occurs when bears are noticed close to the path. Inside the first 5 minutes of the stroll on the lengthy loop, we noticed folks turning again in what is meant to be a one-way path. We instantly knew that there have been bears up forward, unceremoniously slicing our hike quick.

Fortunately, there may be the elevated wood path that was constructed for the needs of conservation but in addition to maintain guests protected from bears due to its electrical barrier.

This wood boardwalk uniquely undulates and swirls with the topography of the land, offering you quite a few vantage factors and views of the wild nature that surrounds you.

After your morning at Shiretoko 5 Lakes, you’ll take the highway again down into city and also you’ll get dropped off within the city of Utoro. As a pleasant change of tempo midway by means of your journey, you’ll have free time to do as you’ll.

For lunch, our advice is to go to Kumanoya which is correct by the roadside station and has a pleasant collection of ramen, seafood bowls, grilled fish, and extra.

For the remainder of the afternoon, you possibly can select between heading over to the Shiretoko World Heritage Heart to be taught extra concerning the UNESCO World Pure Heritage Website, mountaineering up Oronko Rock subsequent to the harbor for excellent views of the city and coast, strolling across the city and soak within the small fishing village vibes, or heading again to the resort for extra time within the onsen, sipping craft brews, nap, or atone for your emails.

Together with your final evening at Lodge Kifu Membership Shiretoko, completely reap the benefits of the non-public onsen and their particular eating expertise.

Day 6 – From Volcanoes to Rivers

You don’t get all the unbelievable onsens and untamed landscapes in Hokkaido with out volcanoes. Begin your day seeing it first hand from the steaming Mt. Io and funky off on the calm waterways of Kushiro River.

Departing Utoro, you’ll be exiting Shiretoko Nationwide Park and coming into a brand new one, Akan-Mashu Nationwide Park – a land of forests, lakes, and volcanoes that span a large 91,413 hectares in measurement.

Essentially the most dramatic proof of this volcanic exercise is at Mt. Io which can also be named Atosanupuri within the Ainu language. In Japanese, this actually interprets to sulphur mountain and was as soon as extensively mined within the nineteenth century. In Ainu, it interprets to “Bare Mountain”.

It’s fairly the dramatic scene if you arrive with its plumes of steam from afar and neon vibrant yellow fumaroles up-close. You’ll have time to stroll across the otherworldly and barren panorama on the base of Mt. Io, permitting you to listen to, scent, and see the energetic volcano.

From right here, you’ll instantly join with the Tsutsujigahara Nature Path. This can be a 2.5km stroll the place you’ll see the setting change in entrance of your eyes.

In the beginning of the path, you’ll solely see burnt branches and the hardiest of crops that may survive within the acidity of the soil equivalent to Japanese stone pine and Labrador tea tree. Steadily, this offers strategy to azaleas and bigger conifers equivalent to Sakhalin spruce. The trail finally winds right into a mossy broad-leaf forest the place the bottom turns into magically bouncy.

The path ends on the Kawayu Customer Heart (previously Kawayu Eco Museum Heart) which is price a go to to see the scope and scale of the place you might be in comparison with the Akan Caldera.

What higher strategy to calm down these drained ft than to take a dip into the soothing waters of the Kawayu Onsen Foot Bathtub. This public and free pure scorching springs is only a quick distance away from the museum.

This onsen measures at pH 1.5, which is smart since it’s so near Mt. Io. The advantages of acidic water is that it has pure sterilizing properties and is nice for the pores and skin.

Kushiro River is one among Japan’s well-known rivers that begins from the Lake Kussharo within the north, winding its means by means of quite a few cities and the Kushiro Wetland, earlier than emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

With a negligible elevation distinction throughout its size, the present is light, making it the right location for a simple canoe tour.

Ranging from Lake Kussharo, you’ll be capable to paddle in your Canadian canoe downriver one-way to Biruwa Bridge. Alongside the best way, you’ll see what the river is famend for – pristine waters and an abundance of uncommon wildlife equivalent to Blakiston’s fish owls, deer, red-crowned cranes, and mink.

For tonight, you’ll be staying at Gasthof Papilio, a comfy woodland retreat. It’s not your typical resort or ryokan however you’ll rapidly really feel the attraction from its quirky decor, pleasant innkeepers, and scrumptious Western-inspired meals.

The resort is provided with a pure onsen indoors and likewise a non-public outside onsen produced from an enormous wood barrel.

Day 7 – The Ainu

Day 7 is devoted to the Ainu, the Indigenous folks of Hokkaido that inhabited this land lengthy earlier than the Japanese. By spending time within the Lake Akan space, you’ll have the chance to be taught extra about their historical past, tradition, and lifestyle.

Earlier than you go, with Gasthof Papilio being proper throughout the highway from Lake Kussharo, begin your morning with a rejuvenating stroll alongside its shores.

Inside Akan Mashu Nationwide Park is the attractive Lake Akan. It’s right here that you simply’ll discover Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, an Ainu settlement of 120 folks in 36 residences, centered on preserving and selling its tradition by means of arts and crafts.

Higher than strolling by means of a museum, you’ll recognize a nature stroll with an area Ainu information by means of the forest the place you’ll find out about how the Ainu lived in concord with the encompassing nature and wildlife.

The stroll begins off by coming into sacred grounds of the Ainu and collaborating in a ritual known as kamuy-nomi earlier than coming into the forest. Alongside the best way, you’ll see examples of how they made shelter, the crops they gathered for meals and medication, wooden and bark used for carvings and clothes, and at last you’ll be taught to play the mukkuri (Jew’s harp).

After your guided nature stroll, you’ll have a chance to discover the assorted handicraft outlets that line the primary strip of Lake Akan Ainu Kotan.

On the identical avenue is a restaurant known as Poronno, the place you’ll be capable to attempt conventional Ainu dishes for lunch.

Within the afternoon, you’ll be capable to see extra examples of volcanic exercise within the area by taking a stroll behind the Akankohan Eco-museum Heart to one thing known as a bokke.

That is the stays of a small crater close to the lake the place volcanic gases are gently launched, creating bubbles within the mud. They’re not as energetic as what you’ll discover within the north island of New Zealand however an fascinating function nonetheless.

You’ll settle in at Lodge Akankoso proper alongside the lake, the place you’ll have time to benefit from the sundown and the onsen.

After dinner on the resort, you’ll head again to the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor to look at a present transformative efficiency known as Misplaced Kamuy that tells the story of the Ezo wolf, additionally revered because the Ainu god (kamuy) of looking, that was pushed to extinction. It’s a touching reminder of the significance of dwelling in nature with concord.

Day 8 – Kushiro-Shitsugen Nationwide Park

At this time is a deep dive into the third nationwide park that you simply’ll get to see on this 9 day Far East Hokkaido itinerary, Kushiro-Shitsugen Nationwide Park. As Japan’s largest marshland, it may be tough to see on land however you’ll get to go to two areas that may present you what makes this space so particular.

A standard strategy to see the nationwide park is to go to the Kushiro Marsh Observatory. It supplies an ideal panoramic view however it’s typically fairly full of folks.

We predict that the higher means is to enter the wetland’s interior sanctum by mountaineering to Cape Kirakotan. This a extremely protected zone that only a few get to see and requires particular permission to enter (one thing Journey Hokkaido has). By coming into on foot, you’ll be capable to join with the pure rhythms of the panorama.

From right here, you’ll be capable to get a deep take a look at the meandering capillary wetland rivers that weave by means of the nationwide park. You’ll additionally be taught concerning the many remnants of human exercise which have been discovered on this space and the way this was the primary place that the red-crowned crane was found once more after they have been thought to have gone extinct.

After your off-the-beaten-path hike, get picked up and head to your lunch spot, Coronary heart’n Tree Farm Cottage. Utilizing native substances, produce from their very own farm and incorporating their freshly-baked items and home made cheeses, you’re in for a deal with.

Within the afternoon, you’ll discover a totally different strategy to entry the nationwide park. This time, you’ll be coming into in from Onnenai Customer Heart. This gives you a wonderful overview of wetland and the wildlife that inhabit it.

From right here, you’ll set stroll the boardwalk loop that takes you into the wetland itself.

At first, a boardwalk doesn’t sound too spectacular. In spite of everything, you’ve walked many wood walkways thus far. Nonetheless, if you attain the purpose within the stroll the place you get to push a pole so far as you possibly can under the boardwalk, you understand how deep the marsh goes and the work that was put into creating this path.

On your closing evening, you’ll be staying at Lodge Taito situated in Tsurui in Far East Hokkaido. This can be a standard resort and infrequently a house base for these eager to see red-crowned cranes within the winter.

Whereas Lodge Taito’s dinner and breakfast are each glorious, what you’ll actually love is their onsen. The perfect half are the outside swimming pools for women and men.

Day 9 – Farewell To The Far East

As you rely all the wildlife sightings, marvellous vistas, nice hikes, new mates, and new reference to Ainu and Japanese tradition, you’ll understand that you simply’ve had fairly the epic 9 days in Far East Hokkaido.

Packing up your issues, and having your final breakfast at Lodge Taito, earlier than making your strategy to both the Kushiro prepare station or the Kushiro airport.

Say your goodbyes and also you’ll be on to the subsequent a part of your journey by means of Japan, your subsequent nation, or making your means house.

Map of Far East Hokkaido Itinerary

The under is an interactive Google Map that’ll enable you visualize precisely the place you get to go to on this Far East Hokkaido itinerary. We at all times create these maps for our readers as a result of it helps with journey planning and likewise if you’re really there, you should use it to assist navigate as properly.

HOW TO USE THE MAP: You should use the map as is however in the event you’d love to do extra with it, broaden the map and create a replica in your logged-in Google account. With this copy, you’ll be capable to entry it in your Google Maps app beneath the Saved tab. Scroll to the underside and search for the “Maps” circle.

Our Expertise Touring with Journey Hokkaido

As a lot as I’d’ve beloved to have completed this absolutely independently, looking back, I’m so glad that I used to be capable of journey by means of Far East Hokkaido with Journey Hokkaido.

General, I had an incredible time with Journey Hokkaido who have been extremely skilled, educated, and simply enjoyable to be with. The 9 day Far East Hokkaido itinerary is an superior mix of out of doors exercise, wildlife viewing, and cultural experiences.

It’s price mentioning that we had two guides on our journey – Kazu and Yuka. That is the case when the group is nearer to the utmost of 8 folks. For smaller teams, it’s normally simply 1. That stated, having seen each of them work, I used to be very proud of each of their guiding expertise.

Listed here are the massive the reason why I beloved touring with Journey Hokkaido:

This area of Japan is difficult to ebook – Whereas there are bits and items of it that may be booked on-line by yourself, there are a big variety of lodging, actions, and eating places that may’t be booked except you’re capable of name and converse Japanese. For instance, many lodges aren’t on the key reserving platforms equivalent to Reserving or Agoda. Most of the actions on this itinerary mainly can’t be booked by somebody that’s non-Japanese talking and the identical may be stated for eating places as properly.
Dealing with the surprising – We encountered a mixture of shock situations equivalent to heavy rain, poor climate cancelling cruises, and bears blocking mountaineering paths. Journey Hokkaido’s guides have been capable of deal with all of them by adapting the schedule and discovering alternate options that the group was proud of. Understanding how this required making telephone calls on-the-fly, this could have been unattainable if we did this journey independently.
Misplaced in translation – Whereas there’s actually one thing to be stated for generally stumbling by means of Japan with out talking the language, it was additionally fairly good to have most of that taken off of our plate by being with a gaggle tour.
Your very personal naturalists – With an itinerary that’s so wildlife centered, it makes a distinction to guided by folks that may let you know concerning the animals that you simply’re seeing, the plants that you simply’re strolling by, and the ecosystem that surrounds you. They’re additionally actually good at recognizing animals.
Guides makes a distinction – Past being English-speaking and knowledgable naturalists, the Journey Hokkaido guides convey one other layer to the expertise as form and pleasant folks, at all times keen to assist and consistently in search of at methods to make the expertise higher. Plus, they might help take your images too!
Each day briefings – Each night earlier than or after dinner, the guides would stroll by means of the subsequent day’s plans and this was at all times useful to assist us pack for the subsequent day.
A snug tempo – You’ll recognize that this isn’t the form of bus tour that has you dashing from one place to a different. There’s a pleasant circulation to the day, providing you with time to maneuver at snug tempo, time to mirror and recharge (actually and figuratively), and most significantly, time to go to the onsen earlier than dinner.
Bear security – When within the Shiretoko Peninsula, bear security is a severe factor. Whereas most of it comes down to a couple fundamentals, there’s further layer of consolation if you’re with guides which have been professionally educated and are additionally geared up with bear spray.

Now for these which are desirous about becoming a member of Journey Hokkaido, listed here are a number of ideas that I believe that will be useful to know:

The mini buses they use are fairly snug and conveniently have a USB-A port on the seat in entrance of you which is able to let you cost your gadgets as you go. Nonetheless, for smaller teams, we’ve been informed that they use smaller 10-seater vans which aren’t geared up with USB chargers.
As talked about earlier, these are small group excursions with a most of 8. For bigger teams, they normally have two guides however for smaller teams, it’s only one.
The onsens you’ll encounter in Far East Hokkaido are all conventional which signifies that they’re separated by gender. In two circumstances, they’ve non-public onsens the place you’ll have the ability to enroll in time slots (free) – Gasthof Papilio and Lodge Kifu Membership Shiretoko.
For many of this itinerary, you’ll be altering lodges each evening. It should make your life simpler in case you have a very good group system in your suitcase so you possibly can rapidly discover what you want and you may pack up with none effort. That’s why we suggest packing cubes equivalent to those from Peak Design.
On the subject of packing, you’ll additionally need a good system of the way you shift issues between your day pack that you simply’ll with you on the bus and what goes into your suitcase which shall be behind the bus. Each evening, you’ll wish to take into consideration the kind of stuff you want for the subsequent day (i.e. binoculars, waterproof layers, and so on.). Should you don’t wish to carry all the pieces in your backpack each time you head off of the bus, a hack we’ve is to convey a packable tote by your seat or carabinered to the deal with in entrance.

I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest Journey Hokkaido for anybody searching for a tour operator in Hokkaido.

As a heads up, it’s price noting that the Japan’s Far East 9 Day Wildlife & Journey Tour itinerary from Journey Hokkaido is topic to vary because of seasonality, climate, and group preferences. Should you watch our YouTube Far East Hokkaido video, you’ll discover some variations in what we lined and that’s as a result of we have been on a barely totally different model of the tour.

Should you’re searching for one thing extra customized, Hokkaido Treasure Island is one other firm we suggest that you simply take a look at. They specialise in creating extremely curated itineraries for personal teams and are recognized to have entry to areas, actions, and people that different firms don’t have in Hokkaido.

5 Journey Ideas for Far East Hokkaido

Whereas we’ve lined lots of the particular ideas and methods for various elements of the 9 day itinerary, there are a variety of further insights that’ll enable you be higher ready.

1 – Dietary restrictions

From our group journey with Journey Hokkaido, we observed that it wasn’t at all times the simplest to accommodate dietary restrictions for company. Eating places will attempt their finest however the fact is that they’re not geared up to deal with particular requests, particularly in rural areas.

The benefit of travelling with an area information firm is that they might help work out alternate options for you forward of time as a substitute of stumbling by means of eating places. We’ll admit, the alternate options aren’t at all times the best in Japan however they’ll attempt their finest.

2 – How you can onsen

Your information will stroll you thru the right steps for utilizing the onsen however it’s price studying this information on easy methods to take an onsen tub.

You’ll rapidly fall into a snug rhythm with onsens because it’ll mainly be a part of your each day bathing routine the place you possibly can both go to the onsen proper earlier than dinner or within the morning earlier than breakfast.

Most ryokans you’ll be staying at additionally present a yukata (Japanese bathrobe) and it’s completely acceptable to put on this to the breakfast and dinner.

3 – Zoom lens and binoculars

Wildlife viewing is a big a part of this itinerary so ensure you pack a zoom lens for the digicam you’re bringing or a very good pair of binoculars.

Typically, the bears, whales, deer, and birds gained’t be near you so that you’ll need the attain of a very good lens or binoculars to see them.

Should you’re travelling with Journey Hokkaido, the guides may have a pair that you simply’ll be capable to use however they gained’t have one for everybody so we suggest bringing your personal if you wish to see.

What can we suggest? Should you shoot with OM System like we do (ensure that to learn why micro 4 thirds is the right journey digicam system), the 40-150mm or 150-400mm lenses are glorious. For different techniques, the 70-200mm full-frame equal vary is what you’re searching for. For binoculars, we’re an enormous fan of Celestron TrailSeeker 8×42 Binoculars as a result of they’re a very good steadiness of high quality, magnification, and worth level.

4 – Convey money

As a lot as folks will let you know which you could get by with merely bank cards in Japan, they’re mendacity. Whether or not it’s an enormous metropolis like Tokyo or the small cities you’ll be visiting in Japanese Hokkaido with this itinerary, there are many outlets which are nonetheless cash-only.

Additionally, it’s price noting that we found that many level of gross sales techniques in Japan aren’t suitable with bank card contactless fee (each bodily and digital pockets). Don’t anticipate to have the ability to faucet together with your bank card in every single place you go.

5 – Put together for adjustments in climate

Hokkaido within the non-winter season may be fairly fickle the place you possibly can encounter a variety of climate. and also you don’t wish to be caught of guard.

Spring (March to Could) – Issues begin warming up however anticipate it to be chilly when out of the solar. Layering is vital.
Summer time (June – August) – With lack of humidity, summers are fairly nice and may be loved with t-shirts and shorts. That stated, as soon as the solar goes down, it may well get a bit chilly so a lightweight jacket is at all times a good suggestion.
Fall (September – November) – September is the wettest month of the yr and earlier within the season, you’ll undoubtedly need additional layers in case the chilly sweeps in. From October onwards, you’ll undoubtedly wish to take into consideration extra winter-oriented clothes.

Along with total Hokkaido climate, keep in mind a number of distinct issues from this itinerary:

You’ll be out on the open water for the bear and whale watching cruises so it is going to be windy and may get chilly.
You’ll even be doing 2 separate paddling journeys. Whereas the possibilities of you getting moist shall be low, if it’s mosquito season, you’ll wish to keep lined up and also you’ll wish to use good repellent. You’ll additionally wish to hold your issues dry so a very good 5L dry bag must be in your suitcase.
Equally, you’ll be strolling by means of wetland areas that would get buggy.
Even outdoors of September, rain may hit at anytime so we advise having waterproof layers in case. For us, we at all times journey with an Arc’teryx shell and lightweight waterproof pants.

How A lot Did This Journey Value

To present you an thought of how a lot you’ll spend on these 9 days, right here’s a desk of my bills from the journey.

You’ll discover that many of the cash was put into the tour itself which was inclusive of all meals, lodging, actions, and transportation. The extra prices got here from extra discretionary spending for issues like snacks and presents.

CategoryAmount (JPY)Tour¥531,000Food¥8,346Laundry¥500Souvenirs¥3,270Tips¥9,425TOTAL¥552,541

Utilizing alternate charges from the date of publishing, this comes out to $3,879 USD and a each day spend of $431 USD/day.

Ideas aren’t anticipated in Japan however since Kazu and Yuka have been so nice, our group determined to pitch in collectively for a present.

As a degree of comparability, per particular person, our 1 month in Chile averaged out to $308 USD/day, 3 weeks in New Zealand was $353 USD/day, and 10 days in Egypt was $204 USD/day. Because of this that is actually dearer than different journeys we’ve completed.

Closing Ideas On 9 Days In Far East Hokkaido

The one thought that stored repeating again and again on this journey was “Wow, I by no means anticipated Japan to seem like this.” Japan isn’t all skyscrapers, 4-way pedestrian crossings, shrines, and Shinkansens. This quiet nook of Hokkaido is really nature at its best.

Should you have been to ask us what was the perfect a part of seeing this area on Hokkaido, we’d pick these 3 experiences.

Shut wildlife encounters – Wildlife is never on the prime of the checklist when planning a visit to Japan so you possibly can think about our shock if you’d have brown bears at some point, sperm whales one other, after which the near-extinct red-crowned cranes serendipitously on the facet of the highway.

Understanding onsen tradition – Practically each single lodging we stayed at had an onsen and since we had the steerage of our guides from Journey Hokkaido, we rapidly caught on that onsen tradition is admittedly engrained in Japanese tradition, successfully changing showering in your room earlier than you will have dinner.

Dynamic panorama – There was such a range in ecosystems that we received to discover. From the wetlands to dramatic shoreline, sandspits, and barren moon-lake volcanoes, you understand that the Far East of Hokkaido has just a little little bit of all the pieces – by no means what you anticipate when you consider Japan.

By means of this journey within the Far East of Hokkaido, we received to see how really particular this nook of Japan is. Should you’re an outside and wildlife lover, you NEED to come back right here.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions