Adventure Hokkaido Japan’s Far East 9 Day Wildlife & Adventure Tour Instructions
- May 15, 2024
- Adventure Hokkaido
Table of Contents
Japan’s Far East
9 DayWildlife & Adventure Tour
Japan’s Far East 9 Day Wildlife & Adventure Tour
An intrepid journey covering the three National Parks in Eastern Hokkaido. Experience the best of our outdoors, wildlife & culture on this multi-day guided hiking, canoeing& wildlife tour.
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Prepared by Adventure Hokkaido LLC.
Travel Agency Licence No. 2-789
Email: info@adventure-hokkaido.com
Tel: +81-50-3528-8243
About the Tour
Start | Finish | Grading | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Kushiro | Kushiro | 2, Easy Active | May to Oct |
About Japan’s Far East
Hokkaido’s far east region is often described as the last unexplored frontier
of Japan. The area is an ideal place to get in touch with mother nature and
observe the flora and fauna unique to Hokkaido. On this tour, we travel
through all three National Parks found in eastern Hokkaido; the wild Shiretoko
Peninsula, Akan–Mashu- home to caldera lakes- and the marshy Kushiro Shitsugen
Wetland national park. Shiretoko National Park is also designated as a UNESCO
Natural World Heritage Site. During the journey, we will also introduce you to
local treasures, including the cuisine enjoyed by local fishermen and the
culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people, who have lived here in harmony
with nature, surviving as hunter-gatherers, long before Japanese colonists
arrived.
Tour highlights
-
Venture deep into Japan’s Far East region, home to three national parks:
Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park, Akan–Mashu National Park, and Shiretoko National Park. -
Search for Brown Bears, seabirds and marine mammals off the Rausu coast on a wildlife cruise.
-
Take in the contrast between serene caldera lakes, Lake Akan and Lake Mashu, and active volcanoes.
-
Learn about the Ainu, Hokkaido’s indigenous people, directly from the people themselves.
Who is this tour for?
- Active travellers who enjoy walking for 3 to 5 hours a day.
- Curious travellers who enjoy a mixture of activities& sightseeing and learning about the regions they visit.
- Adventurous travellers who enjoy rural hospitality staying in Japanese style accommodations with natural hot springs on site.
Itinerary at a glance
Day | Activities | Meals¹ |
---|---|---|
1 | Meet in Kushiro, Hokkaido& Transfer to Kiritappu | D▼ |
2 | Guided Canoeing on the Kiritappu Wetland, Explore Shunkuni-tai Sand Dunes& | |
Transfer to Nemuro | B, L, D ▼ | |
3 | Explore Po-gawa Historical Forest Park, Transfer to Rausu& Marine Wildlife | |
Watching Cruise | B, L, D ▼ | |
4 | Bear Watching Cruise in Rausu& Transfer to Utoro via Shiretoko’s | |
Waterfalls | B, L, D ▼ | |
5 | Guided Walk of Shiretoko Five Lakes | B, D ▼ |
6 | Guided Walk at Mt. Io, Guided Canoeing on Kushiro River& Transfer to Kawayu | |
Onsen | B, L, D ▼ | |
7 | Transfer to Lake Akan, Guided Walking at Lake Akan& Evening Ainu Cultural | |
Performance | B, L, D ▼ | |
8 | Explore Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park& Transfer to Tsurui | B, L, D ▼ |
9 | Transfer to Kushiro& Farewells | B ▼ |
- B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Accommodation
Day| Type| Location| Ensuite Toilet| Ensuite Shower|
Onsen| Laundry
---|---|---|---|---|---|---
1| Ryokan ▼| Kiritappu| ✔| | ✔|
2| Hotel ▼| Nemuro| ✔| ✔| ✔| ✔
3| Lodge ▼| Rausu Shiretoko| ✔| ✔| |
4| Hotel ▼| Utoro Shiretoko| ✔| ✔| ✔| ✔
5| Hotel ▼| Utoro Shiretoko| ✔| ✔| ✔| ✔
6| Lodge ▼| Lake Kussharo| ✔| ✔| ✔| ✔
7| Hotel ▼| Lake Akan| ✔| ✔| ✔| ✔
8| Hotel ▼| Tsurui| ✔| ✔| ✔| ✔
We may change the facility options if our preferred accommodation is unavailable.
Travel style
This tour includes a series of active experiences that while easygoing will
still allow you to experience the great outdoors and work up a bit of a sweat!
Although not as active as some of our other tours, you will still need to make
sure you have the right clothes and footwear to deal with possible changes in
the elements and several hours on your feet. Your luggage will stay in our
van, freeing you up to enjoy the day’s adventure with only a light day pack.
There is also a focus on the region’s wildlife and you will have multiple
chances to catch a glimpse at some of Hokkaido’s incredible creatures.
Adverse weather
While we try to organise everything, mother nature is out of our control. If
the weather is too bad to safely hike, such as a typhoon or sudden storm, we
will travel to the next inn in our support vehicle. Along the way we will
still stop at local restaurants and visit indoor facilities, so you can still
experience the charm of the area while travelling safely and comfortably.
What’s included
- 8 nights accommodation on a twin share basis
- 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners
- Guided canoeing tour on the Kiritappu Wetland
- Marine wildlife watching cruise in Rausu
- Brown Bear watching cruise in Rausu
- Admission to Shiretoko Five Lakes
- Guided canoeing tour on Kushiro River
- Guided walking& Ainu culture tour at Lake Akan
- Evening Ainu cultural show at Lake Akan Ainu settlement
- All transport as described in the itinerary
- English speaking local guide(s)
What’s not included
- Airfare
- 3 Lunches
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Drinks with included meals
Whendoyou run this tour?
We run this tour from May to October, and any time during these months is the
perfect time to visit! This is one of the prime seasons for wildlife watching
in eastern Hokkaido and for outdoor activities that will offer you a chance to
see said wildlife! Brown Bears are well awake after hibernation in May and
roam the peninsula throughout the tour’s season. The highlight is the salmon
run in September, when the hungry bears sit at the mouth of rivers and try to
snap up lively salmon as they begin their upstream journey. If we are lucky,
we may catch a glimpse of one from the sea on our wildlife cruise! There is
also a variety of marine wildlife to see during the tour’s full run, including
Orcas during the months of June-July. That’s even before we get talking about
the marvellous scenery, which starts off as lush and green from May through to
August, turning to dazzling oranges, reds and yellows in September and
October.
Why Adventure in the World of Hokkaido’s Wildlife?
Unique & Diverse Species
Once connected to the Sakhalin Peninsula, Hokkaido is today separated from
mainland Japan by the Tsugaru Strait, also known as Blakiston’s Line. This is
a unique point in the world where the local ecosystem shifts from Asian
species to Eurasian. As such, Hokkaido is home to a number of flora and fauna
that can only be found here in the whole of Japan! Its location just south of
Siberia also makes it a migratory spot for many birds and aquatic mammals.
A Spiritual Connection
Eastern Hokkaido is a region that remains an important residential and
spiritual ground for the indigenous Ainu. Many have set up shops, restaurants
and workshops in the area to introduce Japanese to their way of life. The Ainu
have a deep connection to the wildlife in Hokkaido, believing them to be gods
and guardians. The large Brown Bear, for example, is deeply respected and
revered by the Ainu as a god of the mountains. The Orca is thought of as the
guardian of the oceans, and the Blakiston’s Fish Owl is the protector of Ainu
villages. Seeing these animals up close and in their natural habitats will
imbue you with the same sense of awe and respect that the Ainu have for them
and will give you a deeper connection with this land.
The Great Outdoors
The abundance of wildlife here in Eastern Hokkaido makes it quite easy to
spot. In fact, you are very likely to see more deer than people on a visit!
However, it’s one thing to see animals from afar and quite another to see them
at close-quarters engaging in natural behaviours. This is only possibly by
journeying off the beaten path, straight into their habitat. On our tours,
you’ll not only watch the wildlife but you’ll also have the chance to hike,
canoe and walk through their world and see them in situations and areas that
most tourists may not.
How to book this tour?
We will send you a link to our online sign up form, where we ask for the
travel information of all the members travelling with you.
Once we receive this, we will send you an invoice for your tour deposit, which
is JPY 50,000 per person. We will confirm your booking upon receipt of your
deposit payment.
The deposit is treated as a part of the tour price. Payment of the balance
will be reminded by email, which is generally 5 weeks prior to the tour
departure date.
We can accept payment via wire-transfer from local banks in a number of
countries including but not limited to the US, UK, Australia, and Singapore.
Payment will be made in your own currency via Wise (Wise’s transaction fees
will apply).
For credit card payment, we use Flywire, which will incur an additional
transaction fee of 1.5%.
By paying for a deposit or full amount, you confirm that you have read,
understand and agree to these Termsand Conditions.
What is the minimumnumber of people for this tour?
This is a mixed group tour and we accept bookings for this tour from one
person up. However, our scheduled group tours require a minimum number of
bookings for us to guarantee the departure of the tour, and to offer the tour
at the price quoted. The minimumnumber of booked guests to guarantee this tour
is four people.
If you book with less than four people, we will hold your place on the tour
and wait for another group to join the tour. If the number of guests has not
reached the minimum number by 30 days prior to departure, we will give you the
option to cancel or to upgrade to a private departure.
If you choose to cancel, we will refund the amount you have paid us. You’re
welcome to check with us at any time about the status of bookings.
Please be advised that we will not be liable to compensate for any
inconvenience or incidental expenses that might have incurred to you,
including airline tickets.
Single Supplement
Our tours are priced on a twin share basis. Those travelling by themselves
will need to pay an additional supplement for use of a single room. If you are
happy to share a room with another guest- of the same gender- then let us know
at the time of booking. If we match you with another solo traveller then we
can discount the single supplement for both of you.
Travel Insurance
All guests joining our tours are required to have travel insurance. Please
make sure you have a valid travel insurance, covering the kind of activities
you are undertaking during our tour, cancellations, loss of personal
belongings, and any unforeseen circumstances while travelling.
Travel to the Meeting Point
We will meet at either Kushiro Station or Kushiro Airport (KUH) between 1:00
pm and 2:00 pm on the first day. If you wish to stay in Kushiro the night
before, we are more than happy to assist you with booking your pre-tour
accommodation.
If you are flying into Kushiro Airport (KUH) from Tokyo on the first day,
please make sure you reserve an early morning flight that arrives at KUH
before 12:30 pm, which will allow us to pick you up from the airport on the
day. If you are arriving earlier, there is an airport shuttle bus for downtown
Kushiro scheduled to connect with all incoming flights, departing within 10 to
25 mins of arrival. The bus costs 950 yen per person, and it takes 45 mins to
Kushiro Station.
An alternative to flying is to travel by train (Japan Railway, abbr. JR).
There are trains 6 times a day between Sapporo and Kushiro. The best
connecting train to join this tour is the 8:51am Sapporo departure, arriving
at Kushiro at 1:20pm. . The cost is 9,990 yen for a reserved seat.
Upon booking, please let us know your travel plans, and we will confirm in
detail where and what time we will meet on the first day.
You can search train timetables in English on Japan Transit Planner
website.
Tour map
To view the route on Google My Maps, click here.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 – The group assembles in Kushiro City
Welcome to Hokkaido! After the group gathers in Kushiro city, we’ll set off
to our first destination, Cape Kiritappu, chatting and getting to know each
other along the way. Journey time is about 1.5 hours. After we reach
Kiritappu, we’ll have the option to head to the nearby cape where we will see
if we can catch sight of Sea Otters floating on the waves below. The otters
are quite the adorable sight and, in the right season (the summer months of
June -July), you might be lucky enough to catch sight of a baby otter curled
up on its mother’s tummy!
We’ll enjoy a group meal in the township this evening, where our guide will
also talk us through the upcoming tour.
Meals | Activity | Distance | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
D | – | – | Ryokan in Kiritappu |
Day 2 – Guided Canoeing on the Kiritappu Wetland, Explore Shunkuni-tai
SandDunes & Transfer to Nemuro
Today we have an easy morning as we’ll take a short drive inland towards the
Biwase River for canoeing on Kiritappu Wetland. Although the scale of the
wetlands in Kiritappu is not as significant as those in Kushiro, its narrow
river channels are fantastic for canoeing. We will float peacefully through
the wetland and experience the ecosystem up close.
After we enjoy canoeing, we’ll enjoy a local lunch before heading over to
Shunkunitai sand dunes and the brackish lake, Lake Furen, both part of the
Ramsar Convention, a 20 min drive away. This important ecological area is home
to many species of wild birds. It is also the one place in Hokkaido where
spruce trees grow so close to the ocean— usually they are found inland only!
After exploring the wetlands, we will continue on to Nemuro, our base for
tonight. Your evening and dinner is at leisure today. We recommend the local
seafood!
Meals | Activity | Duration | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
B, L, D | Canoeing | 2 hours | Hotel in Nemuro |
Day 3 – Explore Po-gawa Historical Forest Park, Transfer to Rausu & Marine Wildlife Watching Cruise
After an early breakfast, we will head to Rausu on the eastern side of the
Shiretoko Peninsula. Enroute, we can stop off at Pogawa Historical Grassland
to stretch our legs with a short stroll..
When we reach Rausu, we’ll head to port to board a whale-watching cruise. The
ocean on this side of the Shiretoko Peninsula features a deep trench, making
it an ideal home for marine mammals such as Sperm Whales and Dall’s Porpoises.
We will head offshore to try and spot these sea mammals and sea birds.
Back on dry land we will head to an informative visitor centre in Rausu where
we’ll be able to learn more about the region’s fascinating ecosystem.
Afterwards, we will check in to our accommodation and enjoy a delicious meal
prepared with local ingredients.
Meals | Activity | Duration | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
B, L, D | Boat Cruise | 2.5 hours | Lodge in Rausu Shiretoko |
Day4- Bear Watching Cruise in Rausu& Transfer to Utoro via Shiretoko’s
Waterfalls
This morning we travel 30 minutes up the coastline to the end of the road,
where we will board a small fishing boat. The smaller boat lets us hug the
shoreline where we may spot Brown Bears searching for food along the water’s
edge or high up on the cliffs.
After our 2.5 hour cruise is finished, we will return to Rausu for
lunch.After
lunch, we will take a short 1km return walk through the forest by the visitor
centre we visited yesterday to either Kumagoe Waterfall or, if you are a
little tired out today, we can take a dip in Kumanoyu Hot Springs instead, a
wild hot spring overlooking the Rausu River, lovingly maintained by locals.
We’ll then hop in the car and make our way through the Shiretoko Pass— the
only public road linking both sides of the peninsula. The road is only open in
the snow-free months and the views from the top are beautiful.
Once we reach the Utoro side, we will head to Furepe Waterfall, where we can
enjoy a short, 2km walking course through the heart of Shiretoko grasslands to
a viewpoint where you can look out over the falls from above. On the way we
may see local wildlife like Japanese Deer and various species of birds. We’ll
then check in to our accommodation in central Utoro before we enjoy a
delicious evening meal.
Meals | Activity | Duration/ Distance | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
B, L, D | Boat Cruise& | ||
Walking | 2.5 hours | ||
2km/ 1.2 miles | Hotel in Utoro Shiretoko |
Day5- Guided Walk of Shiretoko Five Lakes
Surrounded by the Sea of Okhotsk, most of the Shiretoko Peninsula has been
preserved as a National Park since 1964 and was also designated as a Natural
World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005.Approximately 7,000 people live on the peninsula,
but their homes are concentrated in two towns: Utoro on the western side, and
Rausu on the eastern side. The rest of the peninsula remains untouched and is
a habitat for wildlife, such as Brown Bears, Japanese Deer, Red Foxes and
Eurasian Red Squirrels. Needless to say, the area’s marine and bird life is
also rich in diversity.
This morning, we will explore Shiretoko on foot, walking amongst the Shiretoko
Five Lakes. The area is home to a large population of brown bears. We will aim
to complete the entire walkway and to visit all five of the lakes, unless the
walkway is closed due to a bear sighting on the trail.
In the afternoon you are free to explore the town of Utoro, or relax in your
hotel. We recommend stopping by the Shiretoko World Heritage Centre to learn
more about what makes Shiretoko’s ecosystem unique, walking up to Miharashi
bridge for ocean views, or both! We will regroup in the evening for dinner in
town/at our hotel.
Meals | Activity | Duration | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
B, D | Walking | 3 km/ 1.9 miles | Hotel in Utoro Shiretoko |
Day6- Guided walking to Mt. Io, Guided canoeing on Kushiro River & Transfer
to Lake Kussharo
After breakfast, we travel on to Kawayu Onsen. In Japanese, kawa means river
and yu means hot water and, true to its name, there is a hot water river
running through the centre of the village. We will hike to the source of the
thermal springs that feed the river, Mt. Io, on an easy 2.5 km/1.6 mile trail
from Kawayu village.A
young and active volcano, Mt. Io is constantly jettisoning steam from its
fumaroles, providing spectacular views. Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people
named this mountain Atosanupuri, which means ”naked mountain” due to no
vegetation growing on its slopes.
Returning from the hike, we’ll spend a little time at the nearby Visitor
Centre before we return to our vehicle and head for the starting point of our
canoeing adventure on the Kushiro River, which feeds into the Kushiro
Wetlands. We will jump on our Canadian canoes on the shores of Lake Kussharo
and start floating leisurely down the pristine waters until we reach the
Biruwa Bridge.
This area is a habitat for wild birds, including the Grey Heron and Crested
Kingfisher, which are occasionally seen while paddling down the river.
After canoeing, we will drive a short distance to our accommodation on the
edge of Lake Kussharo. We will enjoy a meal and bathing in hot springs at our
accommodation tonight.
Meals | Activity | Distance | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
B, L, D | Walking& | ||
Canoeing | 2.5 km/ 1.6 miles | ||
2.5 hours | Lodge in Lake Kussharo |
Day 7 – Transfer to Lake Akan, Guided Walking at Lake Akan& Evening Ainu
Cultural Performance
After breakfast, we’ll drive 1 hour to Lake Akan where we will meet up with a
local Ainu guide who will tell us folklore stories and explain the culture and
customs of Ainu as we walk through the woods. The Ainu worship wildlife and it
is enlightening to learn about how they have lived in harmony with nature for
centuries.We’ll then be treated to an Ainu lunch at a local cafe, where
we can appreciate the cuisine of the Ainu. For the afternoon, depending on the
group’s interests, we’ll enjoy a leisurely walk to bokke, a spot where we can
see the bubbling mud on the shore of Lake Akan.
After dinner at our hotel, we dive head first into Ainu culture at a night
concert at the Lake Akan Ainu Kotan. Like many other indigenous cultures, the
Ainu did not have forms of writing; their folklore is deeply embedded in song
and dance that varies from region to region. Tonight we will appreciate the
traditions presented by the Akan Ainu.
Meals | Activity | Distance | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
B, L, D | Walking | 2.5 km/ 1.6 miles | Hotel at Lake Akan |
Day8- Explore Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park & Transfer to Tsurui
On our last full day, we will take this opportunity to explore the beautiful
Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park. We’ll begin by heading to Cape Kirakotan
after breakfast.
The cape is considered to be the inner sanctum of Kushiro-Shitsugen National
Park and its tip is designated as a National Natural Monument. It is a
beautiful network of rivers and spring water latticing the marshland.
Being such a heavily-protected area, visitors are not allowed to enter the
marshland here without prior special permission. We are fortunate enough to
have been granted this, and so we will be able to enjoy a beautiful 5km walk
to the tip of the cape. Along the way, we may see deer and, of course, the
graceful Red-crowned Crane, whose numbers have surged back from the brink
thanks to local conservation efforts. In fact, this area was the first place
the crane was spotted in Japan after it was thought to have gone extinct, so
it is something of a sacred ground for fans of the bird! We’ll then drive to the nearby village of Tsurui to enjoy a
local lunch before heading to our next destination, Onnenai. We’ll stop by an
informative visitor centre to learn more about Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park
before we head out to enjoy a walking course. There are several course
options, from 0.5km up to 3km, and we will choose one based on the weather and
the group’s preferences on the day. There are a number of beautiful
wildflowers that you can enjoy along the way in spring and summer and in
autumn, the marsh is ablaze in beautiful colours.
After enjoying the walk, we will make our way to Tsurui, where we’ll check
into our last hotel. We’ll enjoy a group meal in the hotel’s wonderful
restaurant to celebrate the end of our tour and reflect on all we’ve achieved.
Meals | Activity | Distance | Accommodation |
---|---|---|---|
B, L, D | Walking | 8 km/ 4.9 miles | Hotel in Tsurui |
Day 9 – Transfer to Kushiro & Farewells
We will say goodbye to our hosts and then drive 45 mins to Kushiro City to
complete the tour. We can drop you off at either Kushiro Airport at around
9:30 am or Kushiro Station at 10:00 am.
Meals
B
Our recommended reading
Hokkaido Wildlife Guide
Hokkaido Guide Stories- Japan’s Far East
What to pack for Hokkaido?
Preparing for Your First Hokkaido Adventure Holiday
How to onsen (like a local!)
Vegan& Vegetarian in Hokkaido
Hokkaido Travel Tips& Common Questions
The Ainu, from a Hokkaido local’s perspective
Page 18 of 18
Information correct as of 19 Feb 2024
Documents / Resources
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Adventure Hokkaido Japan's Far East 9 Day Wildlife & Adventure
Tour
[pdf] Instructions
Japan s Far East 9 Day Wildlife Adventure Tour, Far East 9 Day Wildlife
Adventure Tour, East 9 Day Wildlife Adventure Tour, 9 Day Wildlife Adventure
Tour, Wildlife Adventure Tour, Adventure Tour, Tour
---|---
References
- hokkaido.com - Hokkaido Resources and Information.
- 訪日外国人向け多言語版乗換案内 | Japan Transit Planner
- Hiking, Cycling & Adventure Tours in Hokkaido - Adventure Hokkaido
- Hokkaido Guide Stories – Japan’s Far East with Ayaka - Adventure Hokkaido
- On the Ainu Journey with Adventure Travel - Adventure Hokkaido
- Hokkaido Travel Tips & Common Questions - Adventure Hokkaido
- How to Onsen (Like a Local!) - Adventure Hokkaido
- Preparing for Your First Hokkaido Adventure Holiday - Adventure Hokkaido
- Vegan & Vegetarian in Hokkaido - Adventure Hokkaido
- Hokkaido Wildlife Guide - Adventure Hokkaido
- Japan's Far East 9 Day Wildlife & Adventure Tour - Adventure Hokkaido
- Japan's Far East 9 Day Wildlife & Adventure Tour - Adventure Hokkaido