(24W-8N9D-01)
Date of Departure 2024: Jan. 04 (Thu), Feb. 05 (Mon) & Feb. 28 (Wed)
Snow Kingdom Awaits:
Experience the Thrills of Winter in 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
Enjoy skiing and snow activities at Sahoro Resort, Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Enjoy skiing and snow activities at Sahoro Resort, Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Enjoy skiing and snow activities at Sahoro Resort, Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Enjoy skiing and snow activities at Sahoro Resort, Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Tokachi Sahoro Resort = (1h7m, 68.3km) = Furano Ski Resort = (44min, 38.4km) = Shirogane Onsen
Shirogane Onsen =(44min., 38.4km) = Furano Ski Resort = (2h3m., 113.7km) = Sapporo
Sapporo = (47min., 38.3km) = Otaru = (47min., 38.3km) = 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 - 5
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.
Tokachi Sahoro Resort
Welcome to Tokachi 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, Tokachi 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 Tokachi 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, Tokachi 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. Tokachi Sahoro Resort truly is an exceptional destination to savor the vibrant blue skies and pristine white snow that Hokkaido has to offer.
Day 6
Furano Ski Resort 富良野スキー場
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Hokkaido, Furano stands tall as a paradise for ski enthusiasts, with its impressive vertical drop of over 950 meters. Renowned for hosting the prestigious FIS Ski World Cup, this captivating destination has been chosen as the venue for the Ski and Snowboard World Cup a remarkable 12 times, a testament to its status as Japan's unrivaled skiing hotspot.
The ski season at Furano stretches from the end of November to the beginning of May, allowing visitors ample time to revel in the winter wonderland. With a staggering eight meters of the lightest and driest powder snow blanketing its 24 runs, Furano offers a skiing experience that ranks among the very best in Japan.
Facilitating seamless access to the abundant skiing opportunities, ten lifts operate throughout the resort, including Japan's fastest cable car, whisking 101 skiers up the hill at a remarkable speed of 10 meters per second. This efficient transport system opens up access to over 25 kilometers of meticulously designed runs, catering to skiers of all levels. A well-balanced distribution of 40% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 20% advanced runs ensures that everyone, from novices to seasoned pros, can savor the joys of Furano's diverse terrain.
Whether you're an adrenaline-seeking expert or a newbie eager to learn, Furano beckons with a plethora of slopes perfectly tailored to your skill level. So, if you're seeking an unforgettable skiing experience in Japan, look no further than Furano, where snow-capped mountains and thrilling descents await you.
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 Parkhills 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.
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.
Day 8
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.
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
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