Tokachi Sahoro Resort, Shirogane Onsen, Asahiyama Zoo, Otaru Canal & Sapporo
5 nights & 6 days (24W-5N6D-01A)
Date of Departure: Jan. 04, Jan. 07, 2024
Enjoy a digital detox
amidst the pristine nature of Hokkaido.
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is a captivating tour destination for foreign travelers. Renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and delectable cuisine, Hokkaido offers a unique and immersive experience. Those looking for a break from bustling cities will appreciate Hokkaido’s tranquility. Its vast open spaces, including rolling hills and expansive farmlands, create a sense of serenity.
The charming countryside in winter offers opportunities for skiing and snowboarding with Hokkaido’s world class powder snow and relaxing hot spring baths. For a unique experience, imagine yourself soaking in an open-air bath made of ice on a frozen lake, the highest lake in Hokkaido.
New Chitose Airport = (1h53m, 131.4km) = Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Full day: Enjoy snow activities Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Tokachi Sahoro Resort = (1h9m, 68.3km) = Furano & Biei = (45min., 38.4km) = Shirogane Onsen
Shirogane Onsen = (55min., 43.9km) = Asahiyama Zoo = (1h55m, 138.2km) = Sapporo
Sapporo = (48min., 38.3km) = Otaru Canal = (28min., 27.3km) = Shiroi Koibito Park = (23min., 8.3km) = Sapporo
Sapporo = (54min., 49km) = New Chitose Airport
Hotel accommodation for this tour:
Tokachi Sahoro Resort (or similar), Shirogane Onsen Hotel Parkhills (or similar), Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu (or similar)
Note: The order of the itinerary may change depending on the departure and arrival times of the flights and the duration of stay at stopover locations. Please also be advised that winter roads may take longer than the estimated time mentioned above. The above program is suitable for small groups.
Highlights of the Tour
Day 1 & 2
Tokachi Sahoro Resort 十勝サホロリゾート
A high-quality resort hotel for adults filled with relaxation. You can enjoy a serene atmosphere, adorned by a lush natural forest, reminiscent of a hidden retreat. Please indulge yourself and spend a leisurely time enveloped in comfort. Also, savor the Hokkaido ingredients, with a focus on the flavors of Tokachi.
Welcome to Sahoro Resort, a breathtaking destination boasting an astonishing 60% powder ratio. Situated on the north side of the resort, all five courses remain ungroomed, providing a thrilling experience for winter enthusiasts. With 21 meticulously designed courses, including a steep area with a challenging 39-degree slope angle, Sahoro Resort harnesses the natural landforms to create slopes that demand skill and technique, ensuring even the most seasoned riders are entertained to the fullest. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure in the winter wonderland.
Indulge in the joys of fair weather at Sahoro Resort, located inland in the picturesque Tokachi area. Here, you can revel in the delight of the remarkable 50% chance of sunny skies, surpassing the rates of resorts in the Sapporo and Niseko areas. Throughout the extended 110-day '20-21 season, an impressive 56 days - equivalent to half the entire season - were blessed with clear, blue skies. Capitalizing on this splendid weather, Sahoro Resort offers a plethora of exhilarating snow-related activities. Embark on snowshoe tours, explore the snowy landscapes on snowmobiles, gaze at the stars during nighttime stargazing snow groomer tours, observe brown bear hibernation, and even try your hand at frozen lake ’wakasagi’ fishing tours. Sahoro Resort truly is an exceptional destination to savor the vibrant blue skies and pristine white snow that Hokkaido has to offer.
Day 3
Furano and Biei 富良野＆美瑛
In the Furano and Biei areas, you can find expansive rural landscapes where the grandeur of nature and the activities of the local people coexist. The beauty of these landscapes has captivated many people, leading to the filming of numerous movies, dramas, and commercials in the region. Visiting the Furano and Biei areas allows you to encounter nostalgic scenery that you may have once seen on screens or television.
Shirahige Falls 白髭の滝
The view from the bridge is a magnificent panorama, where the Aquamarine-colored, transparent Biei River flows below and creates splashes as it hits the rocks. There, numerous white streams flow down the steep rock face and merge with whooshing sounds. This landscape is even more dynamic than any photograph could capture. It's called "senryu-baku" (A waterfall where underground water drops from cracks of rocks.), and it's a rare waterfall in Japan.
Shirogane Onsen 白金温泉
When the hot springs were successfully developed, it was said that the hot water that sprang from the underground could be considered as precious as platinum (shirogane). Hence, the name "Shirogane Onsen" was given.
Shirogane Onsen Hotel Parkhills
Situated in the beautiful mountains and surrounded by untouched nature, Shirogane Onsen Hotel Park Hills features natural hot spring baths and sauna, a heated pool (available during the summer), Karaoke rooms and meeting rooms. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the hotel. Breakfast and dinner are served at the buffet restaurant "Marche Dining", which has been renewed in Feb. 2023, with a design based on wood that allows you to feel the nature of Biei. You can enjoy the various dishes featuring seasonal ingredients sauced from Hokkaido. All 174 non-smoking rooms are simple and cozy, decorated in natural tones and equipped with flat-screen TVs and refrigerators. The private rooms come with toiletries and a hairdryer. Japanese yukata robes are also provided.
Please note that the main building is scheduled to undergo renovation work in November 2023, and the hotel is planned to operate with 56 twin rooms in the new building and 16 Japanese-Western style rooms in the annex.
Don’t miss ‘Shirahige no Taki’ Falls, which is just a minute’s walk from the hotel. The name Shirahige Falls comes from its appearance, resembling a white beard. The waterfall has a drop of about 30 meters, and groundwater seeping through natural rocks flows down vigorously into the river, creating a cobalt blue, sparkling effect, which is one of the tourist attractions in the Biei Shirogane Onsen area, where visitors can see the splashing water up close. It is a rare type of waterfall in Japan classified as a "subterranean explosion". The view from the bridge, also known as the "Blue River," is highly recommended. In winter, the contrast between the white snow and the rock surface of the waterfall becomes more striking. Water splashing from the falls and steam create hoarfrost on the trees, resulting in a more fantastic and magical scenery.
Day 4
Asahiyama Zoo 旭山動物園
The secret to the popularity of Asahiyama Zoo lies in its interactive exhibits, which allow visitors to observe the animals' natural behaviors and movements, providing an experience close to their natural habitat.
Sapporo 札幌
Sapporo, the fifth-largest city in Japan in terms of population, combines urban functionality with the surrounding natural landscapes. The harmonious coexistence of the city and nature is a distinctive feature and charm of Sapporo.
Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu
Sapporo Excel Hotel Tokyu offers a convenient location, just a 3-minute walk from Nakajima Koen Station and 8 minutes from Susukino Station on the subway Namboku Line. The hotel provides spacious and comfortable rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, cable TV, a refrigerator, and a hairdryer. All rooms are furnished with cozy duvet-style beds and feature air purifiers for added comfort.
For guests' convenience, nightwear and slippers are provided during their stay. The hotel also offers vending machines and a dedicated skier's locker room. In the lobby, guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi access, and there are coin-operated computers with internet access available as well. Additionally, the hotel offers an optional tour to Moiwa Mountain, which departs from the hotel at an extra charge.
When it comes to dining, the hotel's restaurants serve a variety of Western and Japanese cuisines, catering to different tastes.
Total 382 rooms. Check-in 14:00, Check-out 11:00
Day 5
Otaru 小樽
Otaru, which developed through herring fishing in the latter half of the Edo period and port development since the Meiji era, is known for its nostalgic atmosphere with historical buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods standing side by side. It is one of its appealing features.
Shiroi Koibito Park 白い恋人パーク
At Shiroi Koibito Park, which represents Sapporo, you can observe the manufacturing process of the famous local confectionery "Shiroi Koibito" and participate in the Sweet Workshop at Dream Kitchen, where you can create your own original cookies.
Comments