Hokkaido 7 Days Itinerary-V

９：００

The mileage is about 180-200km. We recommend heading directly to Asahikawa on the expressway(E5).

Because of long driving, please take a rest at Service Area(SA) along the express way. “Sunagawa SA” is recommended.

１１：３０

Firstly, you will visit Taisetsu Ji Beer, where you can enjoy various Hokkaido gourmet foods. The building here is an old brick warehouse that has been renovated and has a very nice atmosphere, where you can enjoy Hokkaido’s famous Genghis Khan barbecue. However, alcohol is absolutely prohibited for drivers (drink driving is severely punished in Japan).

１２：５０

After that, you will head to the biggest highlight of the day [Asahiyama Zoo]. There are many winter-friendly animals, such as penguins, seals, polar bears and arctic foxes. Asahiyama Zoo is located about 30 minutes from the city center.

There are the following parking lots.
Main gate 1st parking(Free 65 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 856
Main gate 2nd parking(Free 125 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 856
East gate parking(Free 300 slots) MAPCODE:79 357 881

１５：１５

Afterwards, you will take a sake factory tour at the Otokoyama Sake Brewery. It is one of Hokkaido’s representative sake brewers and is also famous as a popular tourist facility.

１６：２０

Asahikawa, where you will stay on this day, is the second largest city in Hokkaido. You can enjoy various gourmet foods such as Genghis Khan and Asahikawa ramen. There are many shops within walking distance that are open until late at night, so check in before exploring the city.

９：００

The mileage is 230km, which is the longest on this trip, so we recommend leaving Asahikawa before 9:00 at the latest. You will be driving on the expressway (E39) for the first half and on the public road for the second half.

１１：３０

After driving a long distance on the expressway, please enjoy lunch at a sushi restaurant. This is a revolving sushi restaurant, but you can eat very fresh sushi at a more reasonable price than in Sapporo.

１４：１５

Next, you will head to Cape Notoro, which is a scenic spot where you can enjoy the beautiful and mysterious drift ice and the white world of icefalls. Road Abashiri Park Line, also known as the “Misaki Line”, is a scenic road where you can enjoy a comfortable drive even in winter. Drift ice can usually be seen from early February to early March.

１５：３０

After that, you will go to the Okhotsk drift ice museum and learn about drift ice, preparing for tomorrow’s drift ice cruise.

１６：３０

Abashiri, where we stay on this day, is a hot spring resort. Since the number of restaurants is quite limited, it is recommended to make a reservation at a hot spring inn with a plan to half board. Make sure you arrive at the inn by 5 pm at the latest.

８：５０

The mileage is about 90km. You must have checked in for Abashiri Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora by 9:15 on this day, so please leave the hotel by 8:50 at the latest. Also, the departure time of the Icebreaker Aurora may change depending on the season, so please check the information on the website (https://www.ms-aurora.com/abashiri/en/).

９：００

The first destination is [Abashiri Sightseeing Icebreaker Aurora], which is the biggest highlight of the day. This is a large ship that sails on the sea while breaking ice. You can see the ice floes that arrive every year off the coast of Abashiri Port up close, and you can enjoy a thrilling cruise as the vibrations and sounds of breaking the ice are transmitted directly to the boat.

Icebreaker Aurora departs at 9:30 most days. Please arrive at the platform by 9:00 and complete her check-in procedures. Also, the departure time of the Icebreaker Aurora may change depending on the season, so please check the information on the website (https://www.ms-aurora.com/abashiri/en/). The cruise time is a little over an hour.

１１：００

After enjoying a winter sea cruise, you will head to The Abashiri Prison Museum, where the Abashiri Prison buildings made in the Meiji era (1868–1912) are preserved and open to the public. 

１２：００

Please enjoy delicious seafood in Abashiri. We recommend “Okhotsk direct market Kaniya”.

１４：１０

After lunch, you will head to [Road to the Sky].  While driving on the road, it provides a terrific view of itself. Originally known only to local bikers, the name comes from the sight of a 28km straight road leading to the sky. Must see.

１５：４０

Next you will head to Yuhidai Observatory. Here, the surface of the sea, which is covered with drift ice, turns a golden color, creating a beautiful and impressive impression.

１６：２０

Shiretoko, where you stay on this day, is a hot spring resort. Since the number of restaurants where you can have dinner is very limited, it is recommended to make a reservation at a hot spring inn with a plan with half board. Make sure you arrive at the inn by 5 pm at the latest.

８：００

The mileage on this day is 20km and you hardly drive a car. However, if you participate in the “Winter Shiretoko Five Lakes Tour”, you need to leave the hotel at 8:00 and wake up early in the morning. On the other hand, if you choose the RYUHYO (Drift Ice) Walk, the morning will be a little more leisurely.

８：００

Winter in Shiretoko, which is rich in nature, can be severely cold with drift ice drifting, but you can enjoy activities unique to winter to your heart’s content. A couple of options are shown below.

(Option 1) There are guided tours of the Shiretoko Five Lakes during the harsh winter season, where you can enjoy a walk in the wetlands and lakes that are not accessible during the summer season. In particular, [Winter Shiretoko Five Lakes Tour] by Shiretoko Nature Office is recommended. Reservations are required (please go to https://en.activityjapan.com/publish/plan/3379 for booking in English).
Depending on which Shiretoko tour you book, normally your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8:00. The tour guide will then take you to the activity location and drop you off at your hotel after the activity. The duration of the tour is approximately 5 hours.

(Option 2) Drift ice lands on the coast of Okhotsk in Hokkaido from around the end of January. Especially around Utoro on the Shiretoko Peninsula, the sea is covered with ice like a pure white land during the peak season. [RYUHYO (Drift Ice) Walk] is an activity unique to Utoro where you can experience such phenomena and sights like those in the Arctic Circle. You can see the activity in action in the video below.
https://youtu.be/XLZNBYvNYFY
Reservations are required (please go to https://shinrashiretoko.wixsite.com/shinra/ice-walking for booking in English).

１３：３０

For lunch on this day, we recommend [Roadside Station Utoro Shirietoku]. You can easily enjoy a wide variety of meals.

１４：３０

After lunch, please enjoy the spectacular drift ice views from the Oronko Rock Observatory. You can go there on foot or by car. It takes about 10 minutes if you walk.

However, the path leading up to the observatory is narrow and steep, so if you think it is dangerous due to accumulated snow, please skip this observatory and enjoy the drift ice near the next waterfall. Please put safety first.

１５：３０

This spectacular waterfall, located just next to the coastal main road heading toward Shiretoko, provides visitors a unique experience. After a short walk up some stairs, you can enjoy the waterfall in all of its glory. An observatory is located at the top of the falls and provides a view of the Sea of Okhotsk.

There is also a sidewalk on the opposite side of the road from the parking lot. From there you can enjoy the drift ice of the sea of Okhotsk.

１６：３０

On this day you will stay at a hotel in Shiretoko following yesterday. Please spend a relaxing time in Shiretoko, a World Heritage site.

９：００

The mileage is long and about 185km, and there is no expressway section. Also, since there are many highlight sites, we strongly recommend that you leave around 8 to 9 o’clock.

１０：４０

Your first destination of the day is [Lake Kussharo Sunayu]. This is a popular destination for photographers due to the abundance of swans and the stunning backdrop. Sunayu on the shores of Lake Kussharo is a natural hot spring. Therefore, the center of the lake is covered with ice in winter, but the lakeside is not frozen and becomes an open-air bath for swans. There is also a footbath here, so you can relax while watching the swans from the footbath.

１２：００

Next, you will head to [Mt.Iou]. It is an active volcano covered in solidified lava and emits a great deal of smoke.

１３：３０

For lunch on this day, Teshikaga Ramen Main branch is recommended. Ramen is perfect for lunch on a cold winter trip.
We recommend trying the Seafood soy sauce(魚介たまり醤油) Ramen and Miso(味噌) ramen.

１４：３０

After enjoying lunch, you will head to [Lake Mashu]. The north side of Route 52 is closed in winter, so you will head to Lake Mashu No. 1 Observatory from the south side. Lake Mashu is famous as a beautiful lake with highly transparent water. Especially from the end of January to around February 20th every year, Lake Mashu is in the freezing season. It is especially beautiful to see the frozen ice in progress. The sapphire blue surface of the lake shines with the white frozen ice.

１７：００
After that, it is a long drive of 85km to Lake Akan, about an hour and a half.
Because of long distance, please take rest at the road sidestation along the way.

Lake Akan, where you stay on this day, is also a famous hot spring resort. Relax in the hot springs and rest your body.

１９：３０

One of the highlights at Lake Akan is [Akan AINU Kotan]. A place where you can experience the culture of the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido, you can not only see their traditional dances every night in the theater but also do shopping in various woodcraft shops.
The theater and shops open till night and you can visit them after dinner.

９：００

The mileage is long and about 195km to Obihiro or 245km to Tomamu. Depending on the weather in Hokkaido in winter, road conditions can deteriorate, and road regulations may be tightened. Please be careful when driving.

Before checking out of the hotel, it is recommended to enjoy the natural phenomenon of the frigid Lake Akan. You may be able to see Frost Flowers, Diamond Dust, Kearashi (Frost smoke), etc. if the weather conditions are good in the early morning.

１０：００

Next, you will head to [Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary]. You can see red-crowned cranes here. Winter here is a photographer’s paradise. During the feeding season from November to March, photographers gather along the fence to capture the beauty of the red-crowned cranes in the viewfinder. Here you will find the scenery that symbolizes Hokkaido in winter.

１２：００

After seeing the red-crowned cranes, you head to the [Kushiro Marsh Observatory]. This is a representative base where you can see, learn about, and explore the Kushiro Marsh. From the observation room on the 3rd floor and the rooftop, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the wetlands, the city of Kushiro, and the mountains of Akan.

１５：００

Next, you will head to “Ikeda Wine Castle” via Expressway (E38). This is the most famous winery in Hokkaido, and you can see the inside of a brewery that imitates a castle in medieval Europe.

Obihiro is one of the leading cities in Hokkaido. There are many restaurants and food stalls on the north side of the station, so please enjoy dinner while strolling after checking in at the hotel. In particular, Obihiro is famous for pork rice bowls as a local gourmet. Please try it.

１７：００

１０：００

The mileage is about 170-210km. Depending on your fright schedule, Please adjust the time for snow activities for this day.

１１：２０

On this day, please enjoy some light snow activities at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. Firstly, please take the gondola from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain and enjoy Muhyo (rime) Terrace. This place becomes Unkai (sea of clouds) Terrace in the summer. You can experience the superb view of Tomamu in winter. Enjoy the snow-covered trees and the majestic view of the snowy mountains.

You can also enjoy snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVksREPIKKk

If you want to enjoy more snow activities such as skiing and snowboarding in Tomamu, we recommend staying another night in Tomamu.

１６：３０
This concludes your Hokkaido road trip.

①Returning a car in Sapporo
When you return to Sapporo, refuel, and then return the car to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest rental car stores and gas stations near Sapporo Station.
Sapporo offers a wide variety of culinary delights! For dinner, try Sapporo Miso ramen, Soup curry, Crab, and Sushi.

②Returning a car at New Chitose Airport
When heading to New Chitose Airport, the distance from Sapporo is about 60 km, about 1 hour. Make sure you arrive at the car rental company branch 3 hours before your flight. You need to take the shuttle bus from the company branch to the airport. In addition, New Chitose Airport is the best in Japan. There are restaurants where you can enjoy all kinds of Hokkaido gourmet food and countless souvenir shops, so the waiting time for your flight feels short.