Things to do in

Hokkaido

Take the hassle out of your vacation transportation with the Japan Rail Pass. Explore the whole country with just one ticket and ride the famous Shinkansen bullet train. Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka to Hiroshima, and Hokkaido to Kyushu – Japan's your oyster with a 7, 14, or 21-day pass. Get your voucher mailed to your home or office address, then exchange this for your actual Japan Rail Pass at a major train station or international airport in Japan and start traveling. Use the free guide booklet to make the best of your Japan trip, thanks to insider tips and train details. Travel as much as you like for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. The pass includes: • All Japan Rail Group shinkansen bullet trains, except the Nozomi and Mizuho departures • All Japan Rail Group limited express, express, rapid, local, trains, and Bus Rapid Transit in Tohoku • Tokyo Monorail between Haneda airport and Hamamatsucho station (no service to Narita) • Aomori Railway services between Aomori and Hachinohe (some exceptions) • Ishikawa Railway services between Kanazawa and Tsubata (local, limited departures only) • Ainokaze Toyama Railway services between Toyama and Takaoka (local departures only) • All Japan Rail Bus local lines (some exceptions, no express services), including services from JR Hokkaido Bus, JR Bus Tohoku, JR Bus Kanto, JR Tokai Bus, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, and JR Kyushu Bus • JR-West ferry service between Miyajima and Miyajimaguchi (JR station near the pier with ferry services for Miyajima)

Explore the region of Hokkaido in the winter on this adventurous day trip from Sapporo. Marvel at the internet-famous trees of Biei, visit the magical Furano's Ningle Terrace, and, depending on the season, see the roaring Shirahige Falls. Begin your day tour by meeting your driver in Sapporo. Head to Asahiyama Zoo and spend about 1.5 hours exploring and eating lunch. Renowned Asahiyama Zoo, Japan's northernmost zoo and a must-visit in winter. Unlike many other zoos, here the animals don't hide away during the cold season See adorable penguins take a walk in the snow (from December to March), clumsy raccoons crawl on top of their heads to make faces, curious seals play up and down in the glass column, and monkeys snuggle with each other to keep warm.On days when the zoo is closed, visit other attractions instead. Biei Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls (Apr.1th to Nov.30th) Between April 1 and November 30, your next stop is Biei Aoike. Spend around 30 minutes exploring this pond formed to intercept volcanic magma. Take a picture of the stunning blue water and compare it to the famous default Macbook photo. Next, continue to the Furano area，visit the roaring Shirahige Falls. It is 600 meters above sea level, located in the white gold hot spring town of Miei Town. It is named "White Beard Falls" because of the white whisker-like water that pours down from the crevasses in the rocks. Water gushing from the ground, lapping against the rocks, created a blue glow of spray. Here the mountains are green in summer and the snow is white in winter, and you can enjoy the contrast between the two seasons. If you're traveling between December 1 and March 31, 2024, marvel at the internet-famous trees of Biei instead. See the Ken & Merry Tree. Then visit Four Seasons Hill (approx. 40 minutes),When the winter is covered with snow, this time the four seasons color hill becomes a snow paradise, there are snowmobiles, sledding and other entertainment, even novice can enjoy the snow and nature. Finish your tour with a visit to the iconic Ningle Terrace (close from 4th Nov to 29th Nov) in Furano. Explore this workshop built by a character in the novels of Japanese writer Satoshi Kuramoto. Stroll through the chalets and small shops and buy a handmade souvenir to remember your Hokkaido adventure. After finding your perfect souvenir, return to Sapporo.

Join a Hokkaido tour from Sapporo, exploring the wonders of Noboribetsu Hell Valley, Oyunuma Pond, and Shikotsu Toya National Park. Witness the spectacle of Showa Shinzan's volcano, enjoy panoramic views of Lake Toya, and delve into the charm of Otaru with its canal, glass arts, and winter festival. Start your tour from Sapporo, making your way to the first stop of the day, a relic of a crater in that was formed about 10,000 years ago in Noboribetsu. See Jigokudani, also known as Hell Valley, with its boiling sulfuric hot springs and volcanic steam plumes. Visit the Oyunuma Pond, the remains of a volcanic crater formed by the eruption of Mt Hiwa. Head to an observation deck to see the steaming lake. Walk to see its blue-green waters up close. As you take a stroll around the lake, smell the sulfur and see the steam rise from the source of hot springs. Watch yellow spherical sulfur floating on the surface of the water. If you wish to unwind at the outdoor foot bath, follow a long mountain road along a hot sulphur river in the woods (closed due to road reasons in winter). At noon, continue to the Lake Toyako area, a volcanic caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Get 2 hours of free time for lunch and sightseeing. Then, it’s onward to Showa Shinzan, an active volcano that erupted in the early years of the Showa era (20th century). Witness white smoke and sulfurous fumes erupting from the reddish-brown mountains. While you cannot enter the mountain, you can feel the overwhelming energy of the earth simply by looking at it. Then, make a stop at Lake Touyako Observatory. Gaze out over a broad panorama encompassing the entire volcanic lake and the surrounding natural wonders scattered throughout Shikotsu Toya National Park, including Mt. Usu, Mt. Yotei, Mt. Showa, and Nakajima Island. Continue to Otaru, an atmospheric port town with a romantic canal. Take a stroll through the ancient canal streets, surrounded by warehouses built from red bricks and gray tiles from the Meiji era. Visit Kitaichi Glass workshop to see the exquisite glass arts and crafts that the city is famous for. Explore Otaru Music Box Museum, Japan's largest music box store with thousands of music boxes from all over the world on display. Taste Hokkaido's famous cheesecake at the LeTAO Head Store. In the winter, check out the Otaru Snow Light Path festival which lights up the city with shimmering lights and glowing snow statues (about 10 days in early February from 5 PM-9 PM). Additionally, many locals put lantern displays in front of their shops and homes, adding to the festive spirit. Also around February is the season of snow drifting for thousands of miles. You can see glass floats (floating balls) that used to be tied to fishing nets floating down the Otaru Canal. The mirror-like water of the canal shines with candles, lending a romantic ambience with the snowy scenery. After a day full of exploration, head back to Sapporo.

Experience a safe and reliable private airport transfer with 24-hour service between New Chitose Airport and your accommodation in Sapporo City. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting for you in the arrival hall, holding a sign with your name. They will monitor your flight status, ensuring you are not inconvenienced by any delays. Avoid the hassle of carrying heavy luggage and navigating public transportation. Rest assured that all vehicles are regularly maintained to high standards, providing you with a comfortable and secure journey.

Asahiyama Zoo, located in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, is Japan's northernmost zoo. Here, visitors can see adorable penguins strolling in the snow, clumsy raccoons climbing around, curious seals frolicking in glass enclosures, and monkeys huddling together for warmth. The zoo's unique feature is its emphasis on providing animals with a relatively free-range environment, allowing visitors to observe them up close through clever exhibits. Next, we'll head to Shikisai-no-oka in Biei, which in winter transforms into a snowy playground. Activities like snowmobiling and sledding are available, catering to both beginners and enthusiasts. Don't miss the iconic Christmas tree standing alone in the snowy fields of Biei, attracting many visitors for its artistic charm. Finally, we'll visit Ningle Terrace in Furano, inspired by a character from Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa's novels. This forest workshop features small cottages housing unique handmade crafts such as glassware, paper art, and lavender-themed souvenirs exclusive to the area. Each shop is quaint and offers items that are meticulously crafted and only available here. The terrace is particularly romantic in the evening when it lights up. After purchasing souvenirs, we'll return to Sapporo, concluding our day trip.

Gather at the designated meeting point in Osaka or Kyoto in the morning to begin your journey to explore Shiga. Embark on your first stop to the Miho Museum, a remarkable creation by the renowned architect Mr. I.M. Pei, inspired by the "Tale of the Peach Blossom Spring." Nestled deep in the mountains, this architectural marvel offers you a serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle. In summer, lush forests surround it, while winter blankets the mountains in snow, prompting the museum's closure. Its collection features artworks from ancient civilizations spanning Japan, China, South Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Visiting the Miho Museum feels like embarking on a journey of discovering a hidden paradise, with scenic surprises at every turn. Please refer to the link of the museum's official website for the closure time : https://www.miho.jp/calendar/ During the closure of the art museum, venture to Hachimanbori, a historically rich canal and ancient district located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Here, ancient buildings and styles abound, with preserved traditional Japanese architecture lining both sides of the canal. You have the option to take a boat ride through Hachimanbori, immersing yourself in the scenic beauty along the banks. In the afternoon, explore Kyu-Chikurin-in, a serene place once a hermitage for a high-ranking monk. Highly recommended by Japanese photographers, it shares the same architectural layout as the Rurikoin, offering you opportunities to capture identical mirror-like reflections. The moss-covered garden presents a constantly changing and breathtaking landscape throughout the seasons, designated as a national scenic garden. Continue your journey to Lake Biwa, where you visit the Shirahige Shrine and its iconic torii gate standing peacefully in the water. Considered a symbol of Japan, Lake Biwa is the country's largest lake and a designated national park. The Shirahige Shrine, built approximately 1,900 years ago, is one of Omi's oldest shrines and a crucial element of Japan's heritage. The scenery is enchanting, with Chikubu Island forming a captivating backdrop, fishing boats gliding between the torii gates, and the ever-changing beauty of the lake. The waterborne Torii Gate of the Shirahige Shrine stands serenely in Lake Biwa, adapting to the changing times and offering you different views throughout the day and night. It has become a favorite subject for countless photography enthusiasts. Conclude your delightful day of exploration and begin your journey back around 4:00 PM.

Your driver will pick you up from the Shin Chitose Sapporo Airport terminal to Sapporo City dropping you right at the doorsteps of the address where you want to go. You need to go to the “Meeting Point” which is indicated in your reservation confirmation or service voucher. Your driver will hold a ‘Cherry Tomato’ Sign Board to meet and greet you. If you are going to your destination from a hotel, please wait at the hotel lobby. Your pick-up time will be indicated in the Departure Notice that was sent to you/your hotel by email/fax one day before (around 5pm) the service date. If you're collected from an apartment or your home, please wait outside by your main door. If your apartment or home is unreachable due to the narrow streets and the vehicle size, a meeting point nearby will be found. The supplier accept bookings 13 months in advance, for last minute travelers, it is recommended to book at least 72 hours in advance to ensure there is enough time to process your request. However, the supplier will do their best to accommodate last minute requests even before your flight takes off.

Experience a safe and reliable private airport transfer with 24-hour service between New Chitose Airport and your accommodation in Niseko City. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting for you in the arrival hall, holding a sign with your name. They will monitor your flight status, ensuring you are not inconvenienced by any delays. Avoid the hassle of carrying heavy luggage and navigating public transportation. Rest assured that all vehicles are regularly maintained to high standards, providing you with a comfortable and secure journey.

Explore Sapporo in your own way with a private licensed guide. Choose the 6 or 4-hour option depending on what fits with your schedule. Let the guide know what special requests you have for the day and they will tailor your itinerary accordingly. All guides hold the nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification. It is issued by the Japanese government and requires a good understanding of Japanese culture and history. Sapporo City, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, may be more famous for its winter activities, but with your guide, you will see how is a destination that can be enjoyed year-round. This tour feature a morning pickup at your hotel in Sapporo, then a visit to any number of possible sites. You can customize your itinerary according to the places you want to visit. See a suggested itinerary below.  This tour begins with your local guide greeting you at your accommodation or the nearest train station. You will then proceed to Okurayama Viewing Point. Take in the great panoramic view and experience the steep slope of a ski jump from 307 meters above sea level. Next, visit the historical village of Hokkaido. The village has a unique history and is home to 60 typical buildings from all over Hokkaido, dating back to the Meiji and Taisho Periods (1868 to 1926), the era when Hokkaido developed quickly.  Then, have lunch at Nijo Ichiba Market, with all its delicious seafood. Enjoy a kaisen-don bowl made from freshly-caught seafood, a local specialty. After lunch, visit the Sapporo Beer Museum. Sapporo Beer is one of the best premium beers in Japan. You can taste a reissued version of the beer that was produced 130 years ago.

Spend the day skiing at Sapporo International Ski Resort. Take the hassle out of your experience with transportation, ski gear rental, and a day pass to the slopes, all included. Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland as you ski through premium powder snow, stopping for snacks and drinks as needed. Meet your driver and board the bus to Sapporo International Ski Resort in Hokkaido. On arrival, get help from your driver to complete the necessary rental procedures for the ski resort before picking up your pre-booked skis, poles, snowshoes, and other gear, depending on the chosen option. Start your day of skiing in an area renowned for its abundant snowfall and high-quality powder snow, providing excellent skiing conditions. Explore a variety of slopes of different difficulties, catering to skiers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, so you can find the right slope for you. You can also explore other snow activities, such as snowshoe hiking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing, allowing you to enrich your skiing adventure and fully enjoy the pleasures of winter. Relax at restaurants, cafes, and cozy resting areas during breaks, savoring delicious local cuisine. Admire the beautiful natural surroundings of Hokkaido, with spectacular snowy landscapes and forests all around, for a full day before returning your equipment to the service desk and meeting your driver at the ski resort's main gate to head back to the meeting point.