This course takes you through flower fields that decorate Hokkaido’s vast landscapes. Set out under the summer sun to admire vibrant blooms in full display.
Hokuryu Sunflower Village is one of Japan’s largest sunflower fields, spanning about 23 hectares with around 2 million sunflowers in bloom. During peak season, from July 20 to August 18, the Sunflower Festival takes place, featuring a giant sunflower maze, guided tours, and daily events. This tour operates during the festival period, so be sure to check the event schedule in advance.
Before visiting the sunflower fields, the tour stops at Sunagawa Highway Oasis for a break. This spot gathers the best of the Sorachi area, truly a “highway oasis.” The included light meal bento is specially prepared here, featuring local favorites such as minced cutlet made with premium Jinai Wagyu beef and Akabira’s signature hot leg chicken. Enjoy these local flavors while taking in the sunflower views.
On the way from Hokuryu to Biei, enjoy views of the Patchwork Road and the iconic Seven Stars Tree from the bus. Then, stop at Hokusei-no-Oka Observatory Park, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Daisetsuzan mountains and rolling hills. A perfect chance to take photos while taking a short rest.
The final stop is Shikisai no Oka, where more than 30 types of flowers bloom in succession from May through late October. The peak season runs from late July to late September, when the gently sloping hills transform into a patchwork of color. A 15-minute ride on the tractor bus “Shikisai Norokko” is highly recommended. The site also has alpacas, and visitors can enter the farm area as an optional activity to interact with and feed them.
Breathe in Hokkaido’s refreshing summer air beneath wide-open blue skies, where colorful flowers paint the vast landscape. This tour offers a full Hokkaido experience brought to you by a comfortable sightseeing bus.
Category Archives: Nature of Hokkaido courses
Find yourself surrounded by Hokkaido’s flower fields on a journey across its vast landscapes.
A Classic Summer of Shakotan Blue and Seafood Bowls
“All of Shakotan” Scenic Cape Shakotan Tour (With Lunch, Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
Stretching out into the Sea of Japan, the Shakotan Peninsula is known for its jewel-like “Shakotan Blue” waters, dramatic cliffs, and striking rock formations. This scheduled sightseeing bus offers an ideal way to experience this remarkable region.
This tour visits Cape Kamui, Shimamui Coast, and the Shakotan Underwater Observation Boat “New Shakotan-go” at Bikuni Fishing Port.
Cape Kamui lies at the northwestern tip of the peninsula, with a 770-meter walking path leading to its edge. From the cape’s tip, a sweeping panorama of the open sea and a gently curving horizon unfolds.
Shimamui Coast, selected as one of Japan’s 100 best shores, is reached through a 30-meter tunnel originally carved to transport herring. Emerging from the dim passage, a vivid emerald sea opens up, revealing a truly breathtaking view.
The New Shakotan-go at Bikuni Fishing Port is one of the few underwater observation boats in Hokkaido. Views through onboard windows reveal the sea below, including emerald waters, unique rock formations, and fish swimming close by. On the return journey, a seagull feeding experience is also available.
*Boarding the New Shakotan-go is optional and requires payment on-site.
A seafood bowl lunch is included. On weekdays, it is served at Kaisen Ajidokoro Shinsei, and on weekends at Misaki no Yu Shakotan, offering a taste of Hokkaido’s fresh seafood.
The roadside station Space Apple Yoichi, visited both outbound and inbound, is another highlight. Apple pie made with locally grown Yoichi apples and rich, creamy soft-serve ice cream are especially popular.
Traveling along a dynamic coastal route, the scenery from the window becomes part of the experience. A succession of stunning views unfolds throughout the journey.
Scenic View of Biei’s Rolling Hills and the Iconic Seven Stars Tree from the Window
Best-of Asahikawa and Biei Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
This premium sightseeing course brings together two of Hokkaido’s signature attractions, Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa and the Shirogane Blue Pond, in a single day.
The journey begins in Sapporo, traveling to Asahiyama Zoo for approximately two hours of exploration, followed by a visit to the Shirogane Blue Pond. While the route covers a considerable distance, the experience remains engaging aboard a guided sightseeing bus. A stop is also included at Sunagawa Highway Oasis, offering time to rest and shop. This hub for Sorachi specialties is an excellent place to pick up local souvenirs and sweets.
Asahiyama Zoo is designed to showcase the animals’ natural abilities and behaviors to their fullest. Known as “behavioral exhibits,” these features allow close observation of dynamic scenes, from orangutans crossing overhead ropes to polar bears diving and swimming in pools, all in environments that closely resemble their natural habitats.
After the zoo visit, the tour continues to the Shirogane Blue Pond in Shirogane, a scene of striking, almost painterly beauty. Depending on the weather and angle of light, the water shifts between cobalt and emerald blue, with standing larch trees rising from its surface, creating a truly mesmerizing natural landscape.
The return journey features sweeping views of Biei’s hills, the Patchwork Road, and the iconic Seven Stars Tree, offering classic Hokkaido scenery from the window.
Covering nearly 320 km, this route would be demanding to drive independently. A scheduled sightseeing bus allows the journey to unfold comfortably under the care of professional drivers. Discover Hokkaido’s green season with ease and comfort.
Visit Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya, both famed for their beautiful waters, plus Mount Usu, part of a UNESCO Global Geopark, all in one day!Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya Tour (Multilingual Audio Tour)
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!
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.
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.
