Travel through Hokkaido’s magnificent natural landscapes aborad a bus equipped with a multilingual guidance system in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.
Lake Shikotsu was once ranked No. 1 in Japan for water quality for 11 consecutive years, and is known for having some of the clearest water in the country. Step off the bus and take in the lake’s deep blue waters, shimmering as they reflect the surrounding light. Near the shore, the Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center is a place where sightseers can learn more about the area’s dramatic volcanic history as well as the plants and animals that inhabit the surrounding landscape.
After enjoying Lake Shikotsu, the tour continues on to Lake Toya, with a rest and shopping stop along the way at Kinoko Oukoku Otaki Main Store. With more than 2,000 kinds of souvenirs on offer, it is a great place to browse, especially for specialty mushroom products, just as the name suggests.
Lake Toya is a caldera lake formed by a volcanic eruption around 100,000 years ago. Lunch will be served at Toyako Kohantei on the lakeshore*. Enjoy a set meal generously prepared with locally sourced seafood, vegetables, pork, and other regional ingredients, for a true taste of Hokkaido’s abundant nature. As the planned stay here is approximately 70 minutes, those wanting some fresh air can also enjoy a stroll along the lakeside after lunch.
*During certain periods, lunch will be at the traveler’s own discretion instead, with approximately 60 minutes allotted for the stay and meal at Kinoko Oukoku.
After taking in the scenery at Lake Toya, head to Mount Usu, the first site in Japan to be recognized as a Global Geopark, a natural heritage designation for areas of major geological significance. Ride the Usuzan Ropeway for a scenic journey through the air, then admire the dramatic natural vistas from the summit terrace and walking trails. As an optional stop, visitors can also go to the Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch, where the bears play and relax, and even enjoy a feeding experience.
This course is perfect for becoming immersed in the natural beauty created by Hokkaido’s lakes, forests, and mountains. Sit back, relax, and set out on a grand Hokkaido journey in comfort with a professionally operated bus tour!
Category Archives: 2024夏
Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka and Blue Pond Tour (With Lunch, Multilingual Audio Tour)
Travel by bus equipped with a multilingual guidance system in four languages, Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, as you explore the highlights of Furano and Biei, where colorful flower fields and rolling hillscapes stretch as far as the eye can see.
The first stop is Furano Wine House, a hilltop restaurant with sweeping views over Furano City. Dine while taking in lavender fields, vast pastoral scenery, and a panoramic view of the Tokachidake mountain range. Here, diners can enjoy a set meal featuring a petit fondue made with Furano cheese and a hamburger steak made with Kamifurano pork. Savor the flavors of Furano and Biei through a meal made with local ingredients.
True to its name, the Wine House also offers a wide selection of products, including wine, 100% natural grape juice, and lavender-themed goods.
After a meal, continue to Farm Tomita, a sightseeing flower farm that has been cultivating lavender since 1958. Centered around lavender, its 14 flower fields create a vibrant landscape filled with seasonal blooms. The grounds also feature shops stocked with original items such as soaps, perfumes, and massage oils, along with a café, gallery, and lavender distillery, offering plenty to see and enjoy.
Passing along the dramatic Roller Coaster Road, the next destination is Shikisai-no-Oka. More than 30 varieties of flowers are planted here, blooming one after another from May through late October. The best season is from late July to late September. The sight of the gently sloping hills painted in patchwork colors is truly breathtaking.
A ride on the tracor bus, the Shikisai Norokko-go, is also recommended for a leisurely 15-minute tour around the grounds (optional, extra charge). Shikisai-no-Oka is also home to alpacas, and as an optional activity, visitors may enter the farm area. Enjoy meeting animals up close and even feeding them.
On the return journey to Sapporo, enjoy views from the bus of the Patchwork Road and the famous Seven Stars tree. The final highlight of the tour is the Shirogane Blue Pond. Now one of the most iconic and sought-after sights in the Biei area, it draws visitors from across Japan and beyond. Its cobalt-blue waters, paired with the stark silhouettes of standing dead larch trees, create a dreamlike, almost painterly scene. The way its appearance shifts with the weather and the angle of the light makes it feel truly mysterious.
In the Furano and Bieo area, gently rolling hills unfold beneath a tapestry of colorful flower fields. From the bus window and at each stop along the way, unforgettable scenery awaits at every turn.
Highland Furano, Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka, and Blue Pond Tour (With Lunch, Multilingual Audio Tour)
Travel by bus equipped with a multilingual guidance system in four languages, Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, as you explore the highlights of Furano and Biei, where vibrant flower fields and rolling hillscapes stretch across the landscape.
Departing from Sapporo Station, your first stop is Highland Furano, a nature-rich hot spring resort surrounded by expansive forests and lavender fields. The vivid purple stretching across the landscape truly feels like a “sea of lavender.” Walking paths are also available, allowing visitors to enjoy bathing in the air of the forest and observing seasonal plants and wild birds.
Lunch here features a set meal with a petit fondue made from Furano cheese and a hamburger steak made with Kamifurano pork. Savor the flavors of Furano and Biei through a menu crafted with local ingredients.
After a meal, continue to Farm Tomita, a sightseeing flower farm that has been cultivating lavender since 1958. Centered around lavender, its 14 flower fields create a vibrant landscape filled with seasonal blooms. The grounds also feature shops stocked with original items such as soaps, perfumes, and massage oils, along with a café, gallery, and lavender distillery, offering plenty to see and enjoy.
Passing along the dramatic Roller Coaster Road, the next destination is Shikisai-no-Oka. More than 30 varieties of flowers are planted here, blooming one after another from May through late October. The best season is from late July to late September. The sight of the gently sloping hills painted in patchwork colors is truly breathtaking.
A ride on the tracor bus, the Shikisai Norokko-go, is also recommended for a leisurely 15-minute tour around the grounds (optional, extra charge). Shikisai-no-Oka is also home to alpacas, and as an optional activity, visitors may enter the farm area. Enjoy meeting animals up close and even feeding them.
On the return journey to Sapporo, enjoy views from the bus of the Patchwork Road and the famous Seven Stars tree. The final highlight of the tour is the Shirogane Blue Pond. Now one of the most iconic and sought-after sights in the Biei area, it draws visitors from across Japan and beyond. Its cobalt-blue waters, paired with the stark silhouettes of standing dead larch trees, create a dreamlike, almost painterly scene. The way its appearance shifts with the weather and the angle of the light makes it feel truly mysterious.
In the Furano and Bieo area, gently rolling hills unfold beneath a tapestry of colorful flower fields. From the bus window and at each stop along the way, unforgettable scenery awaits at every turn.
【Sapporo Afternoon Tour】The Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium and Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)
Travel in comfort aboard a bus equipped with a multilingual guidance system in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. We will introduce you to some of Sapporo’s most distinctive highlights in a short amount of time.
Discover Sapporo’s top attractions with this well-rounded itinerary, which features scenic city views from the bus and guided stops at two major highlights: Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium and the Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill.
From the elevated vantage point of the bus, take in sweeping views of Odori Park—the green corridor running east to west through the heart of the city—the stately Hokkaido Governor’s Official Residence nestled among trees, the Toyohira River beloved by locals and host to summer fireworks displays, and the striking Sapporo Dome with its graceful, silver, curved silhouette.
Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium, an active venue on the eastern slope of Mt. Okura at an elevation of 307 meters. From the summit observation deck, take in a sweeping panorama of central Sapporo and the vast Ishikari Plains beyond, framed dramatically by the steep approach slope below. Gazing down from the ski jump start point, the 145.0-meter hill record distance is truly breathtaking. See the scale for yourself and experience the thrill from above.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is home to the famous statue of Dr. William S. Clark, depicted with his right arm outstretched toward the horizon. In summer, sheep graze across the lush green lawn, with the cityscape of Sapporo stretching out in the distance, a scene that captures the very spirit of Hokkaido. Strike the same post beside Dr. Clark and snap a memorable photo as you embrace his inspiring message, “Boys, be ambitious.”
Let our scheduled sightseeing bus take you to the iconic landmarks that every visitor to Sapporo wants to see.
【Sapporo Morning Tour】Shiroi Koibito Park, the Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium and Central Wholesale Market Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)
Travel in comfort aboard a bus equipped with a multilingual guidance system in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. We will introduce you to some of Sapporo’s most distinctive highlights in a short amount of time.
Our first stop is the Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium. Often associated with Prince Chichibu Yasuhito, affectionately known as the “Prince of Sports,” the facility traces its origins to 1932, when Baron Kishichiro Okura commissioned its design from Lieutenant Helsel of Norway at the Prince’s suggestion. In 1970, it was renovated in preparation for the Sapporo Olympic Games and later served as the venue for the 90-meter ski jumping competition at the 11th Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo 1972.
From the observation deck at the 307-meter starting point of the jump hill, enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view stretching beyond the approach slope to the cityscape of Sapporo and across the vast Ishikari Plain.
Once we depart Mt. Okura Ski Jump Stadium, our journey continues to Shiroi Koibito Park. This popular attraction features the Chocotopia Factory, where visitors can observe the production process of Hokkaido’s iconic confection, Shiroi Koibito, as well as the Tudor House, a charming recreation of medieval English architecture.
In summer, the park’s Rose Garden comes alive with vibrant English roses and old garden varieties in full bloom. Adjacent to the park is the Miyanosawa Shiroi Koibito Soccer Stadium, where onlookers may even catch a glimpse of FC Consadole Sapporo’s training sessions.
Following our visit to Shiroi Koibito Park, we continue to our final stop, the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market, Outer Market. Here, seafood, vegetables, and fruits from across Hokkaido are gathered in one lively marketplace. Numerous local eateries serve fresh seafood bowls and set meals made with the day’s best catch, and lunch is at your leisure.
After enjoying delicious cuisine and picking up plenty of souvenirs, guests may choose to disembark at one of Sapporo’s most iconic landmarks, the Sapporo Clock Tower, conveniently located near Odori Park.
Though compact in duration, this course is rich in experiences and reasonably priced, a satisfying and efficient way to explore Sapporo aboard a scheduled sightseeing bus.
Hike through autumn colors at Hokkaido’s highest peak.
Asahidake “Garden in the Sky” Walking Tour (with Lunch)
At 2,291 meters, Asahidake is the highest mountain in Hokkaido. After a scenic 190-kilometer drive from Sapporo, enjoy a hike in this “garden in the sky” near the center of Hokkaido.
The journey from Sapporo takes about three hours, with a rest stop along the way Upon arrival at the Asahidake Ropeway, enjoy lunch at the Sugatami Shokudo on the second floor. The menu features a hearty stewed hamburger steak topped with chunky locally grown Higashikawa vegetables. Made with 100% Hokkaido beef, it’s juicy and well-balanced, perfect for fueling up before your hike.
After lunch, take the ropeway at your own pace up to Sugatami Station at 1,600 meters. From the station, set out on a scenic hike. A 1.7-kilometer walking loop (about one hour) leads past alpine plants such as chinguruma, the reflective Sugatami Pond that mirrors Asahidake on calm days, and occasionally wildlife such as the Ezo pika.
On the return journey, stop at Sunagawa Highway Oasis, where products from across Hokkaido come together. Brows Oasis Plaza for famous sweets, local sake, and regional specialties, or visit Soraichi Market for fresh produce and local goods from the Sorachi area. The site also features the first shop of the popular confectionery maker Kitakaro, offering exclusive items you can only find here.
With about three hours each way and roughly 400 km in total, this comfortable journey is made easy by the sightseeing bus. Don’t miss the chance to experience these seasonal views that can only be enjoyed for a short time each autumn.
