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Tag Archives: Dam・Marsh・Lake
Crystal-clear waters and lush green forests… Experience Hokkaido’s great outdoors up close!
Lakes and Mountains of Hokkaido: Lake Shikotsu, Niseko, and Mt. Yotei Tour (With Lunch, Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
This guided bus tour takes you through the stunning summer landscapes of Niseko and Lake Shikotsu.
The first stop is Kyogoku Fukidashi Park, one of Japan’s most renowned natural spring sites. Around 80,000 tons of snowmelt from Mt. Yotei flows here daily, earning recognition as one of the Ministry of the Environment’s “Top 100 Waters” and a designated “Hokkaido Heritage” site. The park features scenic walking paths and numerous water-drawing points, where visitors can drink or take home the fresh spring water. Bringing a bottle is recommended. The adjacent roadside station, Meisui-no-Sato Kyogoku, is also popular for treats like spring-water coffee and coffee jelly.
Lunch is served at Niseko Nook Annupuri, located at the base of Mt. Niseko Annupuri. The highlight is a sukiyaki-style hot pot set featuring herb-fed pork from nearby Makkari Village. Raised on herb-infused feed, the pork is known for its rich flavor and natural sweetness, fully brought out in this hearty sukiyaki dish.
After lunch, visit the Niseko Distillery, established in 2019 and specializing in whisky and gin. It is part of the Hakkaisan Group, a long-established sake brewery from Niigata. Its high-quality gin has won top honors at international competitions. Tastings are available, including gin, plum wine, and shochu.
Niseko Milk Kobo, set against the backdrop of Mt. Yotei, is known for its sweets made with fresh milk from the nearby Takahashi Farm. Enjoy a wide range of treats, including soft-serve ice cream, drinkable yogurt, cream puffs, pudding, and roll cakes, all highlighting the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Leaving the Niseko area, the final stop is Lake Shikotsu, one of Japan’s clearest lakes. Step off the bus and take in the deep blue waters shimmering with reflected light. The nearby Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center offers insights into the lake’s volcanic origins and surrounding wildlife. Optional activities include sightseeing boat cruises with underwater viewing and swan boat rides across the lake.
With over 230 kilometers of travel, this tour offers a safe and comfortable journey with professional drivers. A relaxed way to explore Hokkaido’s vast landscape, this bus tour lets you experience nature at your own pace.
Niseko Nature Discovery Tour: Hidden Gem Shinsen Marsh, Local Flavors, and Kyogoku’s Famous Spring Water (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
● Experience Breathtaking Nature at Shinsen Marsh
Shinsen Marsh is a mystical pond nestled in pristine wilderness. Walk the well-maintained boardwalk through untouched wetlands and enjoy the vibrant alpine flora. The still waters of the marsh reflect the surrounding trees and sky, creating a picture-perfect view of serenity. As “”Shinsen”" means “”a marsh where gods and sages play,”" it offers a soul-cleansing, peaceful retreat. The marsh’s beauty transforms with the seasons: lush greens in early summer, delicate blooms in midsummer, and vivid autumn leaves. A must-see.
● Indulge in Premium Pork: “”Makkari Herb Pork Sukiyaki Set Meal
For lunch, enjoy the “”Makkari Herb Pork Sukiyaki Set Meal”" at Restaurant NISEKO Nook Annupuri, with a view of Mt. Annupuri and plenty of fresh local ingredients. The herb-fed pork from Makkari Village is delicate, with a fine texture and deliciously sweet fat. Paired with Hokkaido-grown vegetables in a steaming sukiyaki pot, this premium pork will refresh your spirit and satisfy your appetite. Savor a blissful lunchtime surrounded by the grandeur of Niseko’s nature.
*On days when the Niseko Annupuri Gondola operates, you can also ride the gondola (optional, extra fee).
● Delight in Farm-Fresh Milk Sweets at Takahashi Dairy Farm
Welcome to Takahashi Dairy Farm, popular for sweets made from fresh milk drawn from cows raised in the lush pastures of Niseko. From rich yet refreshing gelato and soft serve to Camembert cheesecake, you’ll find a variety of exclusive, mouthwatering treats. Enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth sweets while gazing out over the vast farm landscape. A wide selection of dairy products makes for great souvenirs, too.
● Taste the Blessings of Mt. Yotei at Kyogoku Fukidashi Park
End your journey at Kyogoku Fukidashi Park. Snowmelt from Mt. Yotei filters underground for decades before springing forth as one of the “”100 Famous Waters of Japan,”" selected by the Ministry of the Environment. The Yotei Spring Water is cold and refreshing, with a mild sweetness that captivates every visitor. Bring a bottle and take some home—a gift from the rich land of Niseko.
Autumn Hoheikyo, Red Leaves Gondola and Exploring Otaru Tour (Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
You will first visit Hoheikyo Dam.
As it is located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the entry of cars and motorcycles banned for environmental conservation.
So, you will ride the electric bus to the dam for a splendid view.
The electric car runs at the speed of 30km/h passing through the 1km length of Reisui tunnel, and you will see a huge rock “Senjoiwa” on your right and a waterfall “Kudan-no Taki” which forms nine steps waterfall like a silken threads.
The water from the dam with 100m height glow with the colors of rainbow reflecting the sunlight.
You can enjoy the green scenery of Sakhalin fir and the autumn foliage
Move on to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort via Asari mountain pass, ride on a gondola at the foot of Asari-dake (heights: 1,100m), which takes you to the station at the peak which is located at 2km above the ground.. Enjoy the sky walk for about 10 minutes seeing beautiful colors of trees. You can see Otaru area, Ishikari Gulf and Ishikari Plain from the top. Enjoy the panoramic view which is awash with the color of autumn foliage.
You will have free time to dine where you like for lunch, and if you show your bus ticket stub at Kitano Ryoba Otaru Branch, or Annex, or Otaru No. 5 branch, you can receive a discount. You can discover the beautiful sightseeing spots in the outskirts of Sapporo.
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!
