Upon arrival New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Sapporo. It takes approx. one hour by driving. Once arrival and after check-in, you will get free time on your own. Commonly, the check-in time is after 15:00pm in Japan.

Sapporo is all about outdoor happiness, delicious foods and well-know beer. Today, you will have a full day tour in Sapporo, including visit to Hokkaido University, HokkaidoTyou Kyuuhontyou Sya and Sapporo Odori Park.

Hokkaido University – The Hokkaido University is like a large garden. It was built in Meiji 9 and retains the architecture of the Meiji period. The scenery is wonderful in all seasons, including spring, summer, autumn and winter. The comprehensive museum in the university is worth visiting. It is recommended to visit for 1-2 hours but please note that it is closed on Mondays. 

HokkaidoTyou Kyuuhontyou Sya – HokkaidoTyou Kyuuhontyou Sya is an American architectural style. This place is affectionately known as the ‘Red Brick House’. It was built by the Hokkaido Development Envoy in 1888. There is some exhibition related to Hokkaido’s history that you can take a look at.

Sapporo Odori Park – Sapporo Odori Park is a green area which located in the center of Sapporo city. Every February, the Sapporo Ice and Snow Festival is held as scheduled, with various lifelike ice sculptures in the venue, crowds rubbing against each other, and small stalls selling snacks everywhere, creating a lively atmosphere. Never miss it!

Today, you will be driven to Tsurui Village to visit Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary. It takes approx. 3 hours by driving. After visiting, you will be transferred to Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. Later on, you will be transferred to Seafood Market to explore and have a good experience on the delicious foods. Free on your own.

Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary – The Red crowned Crane Conservation Area is operated by the Japan Wild Bird Association. During winter, the cranes feeding time is around 14:00 every day. You can observe the posture of about 300 red crowned cranes then. The natural center in front of the feeding area showcases the knowledge of the natural background in Kushiro Wetland area.

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park – It is the largest wetland located in the city of Kushiro, Japan. There is total area of 27000 hectares and famous for its habitat of red crowned cranes, the home to approximately 2000 species of wildlife. To protect the natural environment, although the interior area cannot be freely accessed, there is a walking path about 2.5 kilometers away. You could walk along there in one hour. Before walking on the trail, you can first visit the Kushiro Wetland Observatory to learn about the history of the wetland. There are also several observation decks near the wetland, where you can overlook this boundless and magnificent green landscape.

Today, you will be driven to Shari Cho to visit Shiretoko. It takes approx. 2 hours by driving. After visiting, you will be driven to Abashiri. It takes approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes by driving. Upon arrival in Abashiri, you will have free time on your own.

Shiretoko – It is known as Japan’s last wilderness. The endless wildness highway stretches out into the distance along the magnificent coastline of Shiretoko. Hiking deeply into the national park and entering the territory of wild deers, this is the wilderness nature that Japanese dream of.

Abashiri is located in the northeast of Hokkaido, near the Okhotsk Coast. This city is renowned for its beautiful beaches, spectacular natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine……Today you will have a full day to explore the city, including visiting 
Abashiri Prison Museum and Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum.

Abashiri Prison Museum –The Prison Museum consists of five radiating wooden bungalows, cells, bathrooms and spacious corridors. The thick wooden doors and cold iron windows recreate the living environment of prisoners in prison. There is also a data center where people can learn more about Hokkaido during the pioneering period.

Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum – It is an ice science museum with the theme of drift ice. There is a minus 15 degree drift ice experience room by displaying huge ice blocks with actual drift ice. You can experience the low temperature and coldness of drift ice all year round. In the TV screen of the theater, you can enjoy the three-dimensional four season images of Okhotsk through three screens. You can also operate the icebreaker simulator to experience the feeling of the icebreaker crushing the ice.

In the morning, you will be driven approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Kamikawa cho. Once there, you will pay a visit to Sounkyo Gorge in Kamikawa district.

Sounkyo Gorge – It belongs to the Great Snow Mountain National Park with a series of canyons surrounded by 100 meter high cliffs, many waterfalls inside, especially the popular waterfall and the Milky Way waterfall. The autumn scenery in this area is particularly charming. In winter, waterfalls freeze into ice, which is very magnificent. People can hike possibly for most of the year. The eponymous hot spring resort hides in this valley……There people can take the round-trip cable car up and down. It takes around 7 minutes for one way.

In the morning, you will be driven approx. 1 hour to reach Asahiyama Zoo. After 3-hour visiting, you will be driven to Otaru Asarigawa Onsen Hotel. It takes around 2 hours by driving. The hotel is set in a prime location of Otaru, there you can take advantage of the hotel’s recreational facilities, including hot spring bath, skiing, massage, tennis courts. Enjoy your own time!

Asahiyama Zoo – This is the northernmost zoo and also the largest polar zoo in Japan. It is known for its unique way of displaying animal behavior. Through the unique design of the exhibition hall, animals can showcase their instinctive behavior in a free breeding state. At the Seal Pavilion, visitor can observe spotted seals swimming vertically in a huge cylindrical water tank. At the Polar Bear Pavilion, visitor can not only see polar bears hovering on the ground, but also see their energetic swimming in the water. At the Penguin Pavilion, visitor can watch penguins swim by 360 degrees in the water. In winter, visitor can see penguins walking outdoor. It is really interesting and make a lot of fun.

Otaru is a port city that served as the commercial and trade center of Hokkaido during the Meiji and Taisho periods (1868-1926). Many solemn stone buildings still exist, such as banks, trading companies built at that time and forming a romantic urban landscape around the Otaru Canal. Some of these historical buildings have been transformed into hotels, restaurants and shops. Otaru is famous for its fresh seafood and abundant hot springs. 

Today, you will pay a visit to The Site of Temiya Line, Otaru Comprehensive Museum and walk along The Otaru Canal, The Kitaichi Glass and Otaru Orgel Doh.

The Site of Temiya Line – In 1880, the Horonai Railway connecting Sapporo and Handomiya was opened, becoming the earliest railway in Hokkaido. Afterwards, the section between Handomiya and JR Minami Otaru Station was called the Handomiya Line, which was discontinued in 1985. The railway and pedestrian crossings have preserved their original appearance. While strolling the site, there is a sense of time traveling back. During the Snow Lantern Festival held every February, snow candles are lit up, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Otaru Comprehensive Museum – The branch along the Otaru Canal utilizes a part of the old Otaru warehouse built in 1893, divided into two exhibitions. The first exhibition explains Otaru’s history and the second exhibition explains Otaru’s nature. It provides visitors with a comprehensive understanding of Otaru.

The Otaru Canal – It is a major landmark of Otaru and even Hokkaido. On one side of the river is a long pedestrian walkway with a Victorian style kerosene street lamp standing at regular intervals. It is very nostalgic. Many artists can also be seen painting live here. On the other side of the river is a row of warehouses with brick and stone exterior walls, exuding a touch of exoticism. Against the backdrop of blue sky, white clouds, and reflections in the water, the photos taken are very flavorful.

The Kitaichi Glass– Otaru is well-known as the City of Glass. During the period of Meiji and Taisho, the thriving herring fishing industry in Otaru used glass to make floats, oil lamps, and other items. Nowadays, there are many shops selling glass products. The Kitaichi Glass has the earliest history and dated back to 1901. It showcases various glass crafts and workshops. Visitors can see the manufacturing process and experience on the manufacturing process.

Otaru Orgel Doh – It is not only a popular souvenir shop in Hokkaido, but also a music box museum with multiple branches. It is one of Otaru’s famous products. Here, you can not only enjoy precious antique music boxes, but also buy one as a souvenir if you like. There are many styles and prices available.

At the appointed time, you will be transferred by your driver to Airport to catch up your flight. End of your memorable travel in Hokkaido!