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執筆者の写真Apro Travel Japan

Hokkaido’s Green Season Extravaganza 2024 ★★★

更新日:5月5日

Unwind in Hokkaido’s lap of luxury, where the soothing onsens, cultural treasures, and natural wonders invite you to escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.


Tokachi Millennium Forest

Tokachi Millennium Forest


Introduction


Hokkaido's green season, especially in spring and summer, weaves a magical spell on the hearts of international tourists, beckoning them towards an enchanting destination. During this period, the landscape undergoes a mesmerizing transformation into a verdant wonderland. Trees adorned with fresh greenery create a captivating spectacle of nature, painting a lush and picturesque backdrop against the landscapes of Daisetsuzan National Park and central Hokkaido, eliciting admiration from passionate nature enthusiasts.


Naitai Terrace


Adding to the allure, the green season in Hokkaido marks a time of abundant growth and harvest, inviting visitors to indulge in a diverse array of fresh and delectable culinary delights. The region's celebrated seafood offerings take center stage, presenting a tempting array from succulent sushi to flavorful seafood bowls. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Hokkaido by savoring its exceptional dairy products and vegetables, renowned for their outstanding quality and taste. Treat your taste buds to creamy soft-serve ice cream and relish in corn-based dishes that authentically capture the essence of Hokkaido's vibrant green season.


Naitai Terrace


Furthermore, envision a journey of ultimate relaxation amidst Hokkaido's green season by immersing yourself in the renowned hot springs of Biei Shirogane Onsen. Stepping into the soothing waters, a profound sense of tranquility washes over you, creating a haven of peace. The onsen experience becomes a harmonious complement to the natural beauty, allowing you to unwind and rejuvenate amidst the enchanting scenery.


Naitai Terrace



Rough Itinerary - Revised 05May24



Day 1 HND/CTS - Tokachi Millennnium Forest - Obihiro Sweets Shop - Tokachi Sahoro Resort (or similar ★★★)


Day 2 Hotel - Lake Shiakribetsu (Experience Canadian Canoeing) - Naitai Terrace - Tokachi Bokujo White Birch Avenue - Tokachi Sahoro Resort (or similar ★★★)


Day 3 Hotel - Mikuni Toge Pass - Sounkyo Gorge - Blue Pond - Shirahige Falls - Shirogane Onsen Hotel Parkhills (or similar ★★★)


Day 4 Hotel - Furano & Biei - Kan Yasuda Sculpture Museum Arte Piazza Bibai - Sapporo Prince Hotel (or similar ★★★)


Day 5 Hotel - Otaru (Otaru Canal - Kitaichi Glass Warehouse - Otaru Music Box Museum) -- Shiroi Koibito Park - Mitsui Outlet Park Kita-Hiroshima - Sapporo Prince Hotel (or similar ★★★)


Day 6 Hotel - Sapporo Odori Park - Hokkaido Jingu Shrine - CTS/HND


Lake Shikaribetsu

Lake Shikaribetsu

Lake Shikaribetsu


Point of Interest



Tokachi Millennium Forest 十勝千年の森


The Tokachi Millennium Forest boasts four meticulously crafted gardens designed to endure for a millennium. These gardens, conceived with the collaboration of the British Society of Garden Designers, harmonize seamlessly with the surrounding verdant landscape. Among them are the Meadow Garden, evoking a pastoral utopia, and the Earth Garden, adorned with soft, undulating grasses.




Tokachi Sweets 十勝スイーツ

The Tokachi region is abundant with ingredients essential for delicious sweets, including ‘azuki’ red beans, beet sugar, delicious milk from being a dairy power, wheat with the highest production volume in Japan, the delicious water of the Satsunai River which has been selected as the best river in Japan eight times.



Lake Shikaribetsu 然別湖


Lake Shikaribetsu is the only natural lake within the Daisetsuzan National Park and is situated at an altitude of 810 meters, making it the highest lake in Hokkaido. With a maximum depth of approximately 100 meters and a circumference of 13.8 kilometers, the lake completely freezes over during winter, forming a one-meter-thick layer of ice.




Naitai Terrace ナイタイテラス


Naitai Terrace, offering breathtaking green scenery, was completed in 1972. It is Japan's largest public pasture, covering approximately 1,700 hectares, equivalent to 358 Tokyo Domes. Around 2,000 cows graze on the pasture. "Naitai" means "deep ravine" in the Ainu language.




Tokachi Bokujo Shirakaba Namiki  十勝牧場白樺並木


The avenue of approximately 660 white birch trees that stretches for about 1.3 kilometers from the entrance of Tokachi-bokujo Ranch is popular as a photo spot. The white birch avenue on a clear, blue day is a breathtaking sight.





Mikuni-toge Pass 三国峠


Mikuni-toge Pass (elevation 1,139 meters) boasts the highest altitude among the mountain passes on national roads in the region. Fully paved and open year-round, the pass offers a breathtaking view of the vast sea of trees and the majestic peaks of the Daisetsuzan Mountains in the background. The autumn foliage, at its peak from late September to early October, creates a stunning contrast with the Matsumi Ohashi Bridge (330 meters in total length). Furthermore, the approximately 600-meter altitude difference between the vicinity of Lake Nukabira and Mikuni-toge Pass allows visitors to savor the gradual transformation of colors as they ascend.


Matsumi Ohashi Bridge

Ginga Waterfalls, Sounkyo


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.




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.


The name Furano originates from the Ainu language ‘fura-nui,’ meaning a place with a sulfur smell. It was given this name due to the presence of many hot springs near Mount Tokachi, an active volcano located on the border between Kamifurano Town and Biei Town. On the other hand, Biei Town, which is situated to the south of Asahikawa City, derives its name from the Ainu word ‘piye,’ which means "oily." It is said that the name was inspired by the Biei River, which appears blue and cloudy due to the presence of dissolved sulfur and other elements.




Biei Blue Pond


Kan Yasuda Sculpture Museum Arte Piazza Bibai アルテピアッツァ美唄


Welcome to the Kan Yasuda Sculpture Museum – Arte Piazza Bibai, an enchanting open-air art park where the harmony of nature and artistic brilliance converge. Within these serene surroundings, visitors find solace from the bustle of the modern age, allowing them to immerse themselves in a world untouched by external worries. At this extraordinary museum, over 40 magnificent marble and bronze sculptures, crafted by the internationally acclaimed artist Kan Yasuda, grace the landscape. Despite spending most of his time in Italy, Kan Yasuda's roots lie in Bibai, where his birthplace has become a living testament to his artistic legacy.





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 Odori Park

Lilac and Sapporo TV Tower

Sapporo Tanuki-koji Shopping Arcade

Miso Ramen at Kiraito


Hokkaido Jingu Shrine 北海道神宮


Hokkaido Jingu Shrine, which is considered the most prestigious shrine in Hokkaido, attracts the highest number of visitors for New Year's visits in the region. Upon stepping into the grounds, many people feel a mysterious atmosphere, and it is also famous as a power spot. It is said that passing through the "Third Torii Gate," which is believed to be calculated according to feng shui principles, enhances one's financial luck. Known as a cherry blossom viewing spot, the shrine boasts beautiful autumn foliage and snowy winter landscapes, with frequent sightings of Hokkaido squirrels within its picturesque grounds.


Hokkaido Jingu Shrine


Hangan-sama 判官さま


The long-established Japanese and Western confectionery shop, "Rokkatei Jingu Chaya," is located within the grounds of Hokkaido Jingu Shrine and serves as a resting place for shrine visitors. The specialty of this place is the baked mochi confection called "Hangan-sama." It is named after the first chief pioneering judge, Yoshitake Shima, who was a contributor to the construction of Hokkaido Jingu Shrine. This item is exclusively available at the Jingu Chaya shop and cannot be purchased anywhere else.


Hangan-sama (Sweets)


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.



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.


Otaru Canal

Le TAO



Please be informed that the tour itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted according to your preferences. If you are interested in obtaining detailed information about the tour and the land quotation, we encourage you to get in touch with us.





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