Category Archives: Nature of Hokkaido courses

Scenic Shakotan Autumn Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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This tour takes you to Cape Kamui which is a headland in Shakotan Peninsula. Drive route 229 and see spectacular view of cliff as well as strange and rough rocks. Visit “Shimamui Coast” and “Cape Kamui”, which are the highlights of Shakotan Peninsula. The view from the Shimamui Coast, which is listed among the best 100 coasts of Japan, is said to be the greatest one in Shakotan Peninsula. You will walk through the 30-meter tunnel to access the view point, which is an open-cut tunnel built by hand for herring transport in the 28th years of the Meiji Period (1895).
Local legend has it that any ship, which has women on board, will sink if it tries to sail past the Cape Kamui, which prohibited the presence of women in early times. This is also the subject of Yoshitsune’s lost love story.

 

We will make a stop at Misaki-no-Yu Shakotan, a hot spring and public bath house for lunch and a dip in the hot springs.
Enjoy the magnificent view of the Sea of Japan from the outdoor hot tubs. On the way back to Sapporo we will stop at Tanaka Sake Brewery where we will enjoy tasting sake. Passengers also have the option of getting off at Otaru Station.

Shikisai-no-Oka, Blue Pond and Farm Tomita Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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*Farm Tomita : Enjoy the beautiful flowers in season at Farm Tomita, a historical tourist attraction and lavender farm in Japan. In the gift shops on site seasonal flowers, soaps, perfume and other original products made of lavender.
　
*Shikisai-no-Oka Hills: We will take about 110 minutes here to so passengers can enjoy a leisurely lunch and explore the area. The vast fields of flowers that bloom over the hills of Shikisai-no-Oka make up the beautiful patchwork scenery of Biei. Between 30 to 40 varieties of flowers are planted in the fields that were once owned by farmers, which bloom every year between May and late October. Peak season is between late July and late September. The sight of rolling hills covered in colorful flowers is absolutely spectacular! The first Alpacas to be raised in Hokkaido, are being raised on Shikisai-no-Oka. They are quickly becoming popular mascots to children who visit from all over the world.
　
*Blue Pond : In recent years, the Blue Pond has become a super popular site in the Biei area. The dead Japanese larch trees that stand amidst the milky blue water of the pond create a mysterious atmosphere.

Niseko Panorama Line & Shinsen Marsh, La villa Lupicia, and Milk Kobo Course (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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●Kinoko Kingdom Niki Store In addition to the popular “mushroom soup” and “mushroom rice ball fillings” and other mushroom souvenirs, they also sell a wide variety of handmade chiffon cakes and Hokkaido specialty sweets.
　
●Niseko Panorama Line [Route 66] The Niseko Panorama Line, which runs from Iwanai Town to Niseko Town, is a very popular driving spot where you can enjoy the spectacular seasonal scenery of the mountains surrounding Niseko while driving. On a clear day, you can see Mount Yotei, the Ezo Fuji, and the Sea of ​​Japan.
　
●Shinsen-numa Located on a plateau more than 750 meters above sea level, Shinsen-numa is in a quiet environment surrounded by primeval forests of Japanese stone pine, red pine, and Yezo spruce. It is said to be the most beautiful and mysterious swamp in the Niseko mountain range, and has a mysterious charm. Depending on the time of year, the swamp shows different faces through the four seasons, and everyone can enjoy a walk to Shinsen-numa.
It takes about 20 minutes one way from the entrance of the Shinsen-numa Trail to Shinsen-numa.
　
●Niseko Distillery Niseko Distillery is a group company of Hakkaisan Brewery, which mainly produces sake Hakkaisan in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Taking advantage of the characteristics of the naturally blessed region of Niseko, we aim to develop together with this land, and to create a clean, elegant, delicate, and well-balanced Japanese whiskey that is typical of Japan. We are working on malt whiskey and gin using high-quality underground water from Niseko Annupuri and barley malt as ingredients. Niseko Distillery is located 3 to 4 minutes on foot from the Ikoi no Yuyado Iroha parking lot, and those who wish can visit the distillery by walking along the promenade where you can enjoy the nature of Niseko.
　
●Niseko Milk Factory Our store is located at the foot of Niseko Annupuri, overlooking Mt. Yotei, amid the colorful scenery of the four seasons. Every morning we bring in freshly squeezed raw milk from cows raised in the great outdoors of Niseko and use it to make our products. We offer simple, safe and authentic products that make the most of the ingredients.
　
●Villa Lupicia Villa Lupicia in Niseko, Hokkaido, produced by Lupicia, a tea specialty store from around the world, is a complex that includes restaurants, boutiques, and sweets shops. It is filled with delicious food made with an abundance of fresh ingredients from Hokkaido.

Asahidake Sky Garden and Shikisai-no-Oka Hill Course (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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Taisetsu National Park (230,000 ha) located in the heart of Hokkaido is a mountain range 50 kilometers long, comprising Asahidake, the highest peak (elevation 2,291 meters), and connecting peaks averaging around 2,000 meters in elevation.
The Asahidake Ropeway connects the foothills (elevation 1,100 meters) with the Sugatami station (elevation 1,600 meters). The ropeway offers sweeping vistas of the Asahidake Mountain Range, the Sugatami Pond (at elevation 1,670 meters), as well as other beautiful views of the flower-covered fields in the sky.

 

The leaves begin to turn color around mid September, spreading a welcoming carpet of vibrant colors across the mountainside.
From the “”Sugatami”" summit station, visitors will make their way through the alpine vegetation to the “”Sugatami Pond,”" which is about 1.7 kilometers round-trip.
The pond is an emerald green pond about 50 meters in diameter, with a circumference of about 400 meters. The pond is named “”Sugatami,”" which translates to “”mirror,”" due to the beautiful reflection of Mt. Asahidake that can be seen on the surface of the lake.
For lunch we will convene at the Asahidake Ropeway Sugatami restaurant, where we will enjoy a meal made with delicious local ingredients.
It is only a 3-minute walk from the hotel to the ropeway, so after your meal you can enjoy a ride on the ropeway and the epic scenery of flower gardens in the sky.

One-day tour to visit Farm Tomita Lavender Fields, Shikisai-no-Oka Hills, and the Blue Pond, Hokkaido’s popular tourist attractions.Farm Tomita, Shikisai-no-Oka and Blue Pond Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)

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*Campana Rokkatei : The Taisetsu Mountain Range and vineyards that spread across the vast premises of 7.9 hectares, sets the perfect stage. From the glass windows of the store, the entire Tokachidake Mountain Range can be seen. Enjoy the lovely scenery while you shop.
　
*Farm Tomita : Enjoy the history of lavender and flowers in season at Farm Tomita, a tourist lavender farm in Japan. In the gift shops on site seasonal flowers, soaps, perfume and other original products made of lavender.
　
*Shikisai-no-Oka Hills: The vast fields of flowers that bloom over the hills of Shikisai-no-Oka make up the beautiful patchwork scenery of Biei. Between 30 to 40 varieties of flowers are planted in the fields that were once owned by farmers, which bloom every year between May and late October. Peak season is between late July and late September. The sight of rolling hills covered in colorful flowers is absolutely spectacular! The first Alpacas to be raised in Hokkaido, are being raised on Shikisai-no-Oka. They are quickly becoming popular mascots to children who visit from all over the world.
　
*Blue Pond : In recent years, the Blue Pond has become a super popular site in the Biei area. The dead Japanese larch trees that stand amidst the milky blue water of the pond create a mysterious atmosphere.
　
*Furano Wine House: The Furano Wine House is located on a hill overlooking the city of Furano, the lavender fields, vast pastoral landscapes and the panoramic view of the Tokachidake Mountain Range. It is a “”local production for local consumption,”" restaurant where guests can enjoy delicious Western food while taking in the amazing view. The 100% Furano Grape Juice, the brainchild of wine-making experience, products made with lavender, and many other original items are sold.
Lunch menu consists of Furano Wine House famous “”Petite Fondue + Hamburger Steak + Rice + Coffee or Tea.

“All of Shakotan” Scenic Cape Shakotan Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)

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This tour takes you to Cape Kamui which is a headland in Shakotan Peninsula. Drive rout 229 and see spectacular view of cliff as well as strange and rough rocks. Visit “Shimamui Coast” and “Cape Kamui”, which are the highlights of Shakotan Peninsula. The view from the Shimamui Coast, which is listed among the best 100 coasts of Japan, is said to be the greatest one in Shakotan Peninsula with sweeping vistas of emerald green waters.
In Bikuni you will have the option of boarding the Glass bottom boat cruise, the “”New Shakotan.”" The cruise takes 78 passengers along the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Quasi-National Marine Park, where passengers can view the spectacular underwater world from the bottom of the boat. If the water is clear enough you will see sea urchins, and tons of fish. Passengers can also feed the many seagulls that follow the boat.
Local legend has it that any ship, which has women on board, will sink if it tries to sail past the Cape Kamui, which prohibited the presence of women in early times. We will enjoy a lunch of local dishes.

“Experience the majestic beauty of water “Lake Shikotsu” and the spectacular nature of Lake Tōya”Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)

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“Lake Shikotsu” is well known for the clarity of its water and was once listed on “the Best Water in Japan” by the Ministry of Environment.
There will be an opportunity to take “Lake Shikotsu Cruise” and enjoy the scenic beauty from the deck.
This is a caldera lake, the remains of a very large volcanic eruption a hundred thousand years ago. The rich nature surrounding the lake provides habitat for many fauna and flora.
For lunch we will dine at the Toya Kohantei hotel located on the Toyako lakeside (independent dining on May 16, 19, Jun 18 – 20, 22, 23, Aug 10 – 15, Oct 5, 15 – 19), and enjoy the refreshing view of the lake side. After lunch we will then head to Mt. Usu, the first mountain area in Japan to be designated as a Global Geopark in August 2009, by Global Geoparks Network supported by UNESCO. There are 58 Global Geoparks in 18 countries and Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Geopark is recognized as the 59th of these. We will view Mt. Usu from the windows of the ropeway.

This is a reasonable 1-day tour which allows you to experience two famous lakes of Hokkaido.