8 DAYS SOUTH HOKKADIO PRIVATE TOUR

A hot spring town that can be easily reached from downtown Sapporo, taking less than an hour in a car. Surrounded by rich nature, this hot spring town is located along the tranquil waters of Toyohira River. The scenery is beautiful in all seasons, but particularly so in autumn when the valley is painted with the hues of red foliage. The bright red Futami Suspension Bridge straddling Toyohira River, is also a popular photo-taking spot.

Otaru is full of historical architecture and time-old traditions; the Kitaichi Glass Sangokan Kitaichi Hall, a repurposed stone warehouse, is one of the best examples. Now used to house spectacular Hokkaido-made glassware, the warm glow of lamps fills the interior with an ethereal, almost cinematic, atmosphere. You can admire the many marvelous glass artworks, from kitchenware to lamps to writing utensils. And if you want to take a souvenir home, there’s a museum shop on site too. 

The Main Building of the Otaru Orgel Doh is emblematic of Western colonial architecture and still stands as a landmark of the Marchen Crossroads today. The famous sight of the tall clock outside discharging steam every 15 minutes, accompanied by a distinct five-note melody, is one of Hokkaido’s most enduring scenes.

 Otaru Art Base occupies four historical buildings dating back to the early 1920s when the once prominent port town was at its peak. Formerly bustling banks and warehouses, these buildings have been repurposed and now house an art collection that ranges from traditional Japanese to Art Deco.

The port town of Otaru became a center for business and trade in Hokkaido during the Meiji and Taisho periods (1868–1926). Many of the stately stone buildings of the banks and trading companies built in those days remain, forming a romantic cityscape around Otaru Canal.

Cape Kamui is located at the northwestern tip of the Shakotan Peninsula, extending into the Sea of Japan. It is the only area in Hokkaido designated as a marine park. Due to its rugged terrain, women were once prohibited from entering. From the tip of Cape Kamui, you can see the panoramic view of the sea, known as “Shakotan Blue.” Walking from the parking lot to the right side of the pedestrian path, you will reach a high platform. On the right stands a withered rock, and on the left is the undulating scenic view of Cape Kamui.At the Niseko Takahashi Farm, you can enjoy various delicious sweets made with milk from the local cows freshly squeezed that morning, or refined Western Cuisine. There are various different shops on the premises including renowned dessert specialists, Milk Kobo, and the chic restaurant and bar, PRATIVO. You can interact with charming ostriches at the Ostrich Arishima 2nd Farm. Many ostriches are grazing freely in the spacious farm. Watching the ostriches run around freely with their adorable expressions is endlessly entertaining. You can also feed the ostriches. A bag of feed costs 100 yen. Standing near the ostriches with a bag of feed in hand, you’ll be surprised by their cute small faces and impressive size! It’s a rare and valuable experience to feed ostriches.Kanamori Red Brick Warehouse is a popular spot in the Bay Area. The exotic atmosphere of the red brick warehouses facing the harbor is one of Hakodate's most representative landscapes. The 19 slopes of the Motomachi area in Hakodate stretch from the mountain to the sea and make for some incredible photo opportunities. Don’t miss Hachiman-zaka, which has famously been used in TV commercials, movies, and postcards! The most popular route begins at the foot of Motoi-zaka and heads towards Motomachi Park.Mt. Hakodate is the symbol of Hakodate and is a spectacular spot for viewing beautiful night views and sunsets. Visitors can reach the observatory at the top of the mountain by ropeway or bus. From the observatory at the top of the mountain, visitors can enjoy a wonderful view of Hakodate Bay and the city surrounded by the Tsugaru Straits. The night view is especially beautiful, being one of the three best night views in the world, with the lights of the city shining like jewels. Hakodate Ward’s Old Public Hall looks over Hakodate Port and is a Nationally Important Cultural Property designed in a distinctive symmetrical style. This blueish-grey and yellow building, completed in 1910, is a glamorous sight to behold from the bottom of the Motoizaka Slope. Our Lady of the Angels Trappistine Monastery is Japan’s first women’s monastery and was established in 1898. The building’s architectural design combines both Gothic and Romanesque styles with vaulted arched ceilings and stained glass accents that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Even to this day, the nuns of the abbey spend their lives at work and in prayer. 

The tropical botanical garden in Yunokawa Hot Springs is home to 3,000 plants of about 300 species. The garden has a monkey hill, foot baths, a toddler playground, battery-powered cars, and a water plaza always crowded with children, making it a popular spot for families.The Goryokaku Ruins, designated as a special historic site by the national government, is Japan's first Western-style fortress. It has been developed as a park and is renowned as a cherry blossom viewing spot, where as many as 1,500 cherry trees bloom in summer. 

Few nations do gardens like Japan, and Kosetsuen in Miharashi Park, Hakodate, is a perfect example. This landscape-style garden was built as a villa by the wealthy Iwafune merchant family in the 1890s and is now the only garden in Hokkaido to have been nationally designated as a cultural property. Around 150 species of trees are on show, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn colors blazing across the foliage in fall, creating incredible atmospheres across the seasons.

Designated a Quasi-National Park in 1958, Onuma Park includes the picturesque Onuma, Konuma, and Junsainuma lakes, and the beautiful Mt. Komagatake.

Mount Usu and Mount Nishiyama Base Crater Walkway - Traverse Mount Usu and Mount Nishiyama’s Base Crater Walkway to see a site frozen in March 2000. This 1.6-kilometer walkway has been left as it was found when Mount Usu last erupted at the turn of the century. Witness for yourself the destructive power of nature. The land beneath your feet looks cracked and uneven, destroyed buildings dot the area, and knocked-over electric poles litter the path. At the end of the trail lies the beautiful Nishishinzan Pond, created through a collection of rainwater in one of the volcano’s remaining craters. Gazing upon the pond’s watery depths will leave a lasting impression. Located between Sapporo and Hakodate, Lake Toya is a natural oasis resting in a caldera created millions of years ago by the still-active volcano, Mount Usu. Nowadays, Lake Toya has become a popular power spot for those looking for an energy boost during their time in Hokkaido, as well as a fantastic site for nightly firework displays and Winter illuminations. In the center of the lake are four islands known as “Nakajima”. You can travel to the largest of the Nakajima islands via ferry and wander around the trails surrounded by massive coniferous trees.

Noboribetsu Hell Valley - Boiling springs rise up from Jigokudani, known as Hell Valley. The otherworldliness of the bleached rocks, steaming pools, and sulfuric odor create a hellish landscape, reminiscent of demons. Oyunuma River Natural Footbath in Noboribetsu Onsen, one of Hokkaido's most popular hot spring resorts, is a charming healing spot. A 30-minute walk along the promenade from Noboribetsu Park Service Center, located next to Jigokudani, while enjoying forest bathing, will lead you to the cobalt blue natural footbath. The unique healing time in the river with hot spring water flowing through it will be a wonderful memory of your trip. The Noboribetsu Bear Park, located a quick ropeway ride from Noboribetsu Hot Spring, is home to around 70 Ezo brown bears, the biggest bears in Japan. There are two large bear enclosures where the animals roam freely within, and a third enclosure called the “human cage,” which lets you get up close and personal with the bears. Do not leave the park without feeding the bears yourself! They raise their hands, roll over, and even make adorable poses in the hopes of being fed. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a bear cub during the birthing season in May. Be sure to stop by the Bear Museum to learn more about the history of these majestic creatures in Hokkaido, as well as the Bear Mountain Restaurant for a quick bite to eat before heading home.  

 The whole family will enjoy a visit to the Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe, an aquarium with a uniquely regal atmosphere. The building, which looks like a castle, is modeled after Egeskov Castle in Denmark and boasts over 400 different kinds of aquatic creatures. Strolling through the Aqua Tunnel gives visitors the feeling that they’re walking along the bottom of the ocean. If that’s too romantic, younger patrons will love the dolphin performance and the adorable penguin parade that takes place every day.