Day 1
Tokachi Ranch Shirakaba Trees & JEWELRY ICE (Tokachi)
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Tokachi Ranch Shirakaba Trees
Tokachi Ranch is a ranch in Otofuke town located in the northern part of Obihiro city. The birch tree-lined avenue, which runs straight about 1.3km from the ranch entrance, is a popular spot known as a shooting location for the NHK morning serial drama "Massan" (2014). In the midwinter, the birch branches that had lost their leaves were covered with hoarfrost, and white flowers (snowflakes). The contrast between the pure white straight road and the blue sky is beautiful, and you definitely want to take a picture of it.
JEWELRY ICE
"Jewelry Ice" is a unique phenomenon only in the midwinter on the Otsu coast in Toyokoro town facing the Pacific Ocean. A natural phenomenon in which the water of the Tokachi River freezes and flows into the sea before hitting the coast. As time goes by, the sand polishes each block gradually and turn them into shiny and bright on surface! It can be seen from mid-January to late February, depending on the weather of the year.
Day 2
Tokachi Winter River cruising (Tokachi), Shikisai-no-oka & Blue Pond (Biei)
Tokachi Winter River cruising
The Obihiro River is a river that flows through the city, but in winter you can see swans flying from Siberia. The boat is close to the surface of the water, and it is attractive to be able to experience the scenery close to your eyes of waterfowl. While sitting in the boat, you will be enjoying the perfect combination of wonderful landscape and blue surface of water that leaves you calmness and relaxation. *Available from December to March.
Shikisai-no-oka
Shikisai-no-oka is a 7-hectare flower field spreads out against the backdrop of the magnificent heavy snowfall mountain range and hills, and the view is simply extraordinary. You can see about 30 species of flowers from spring to autumn. In winter, you can experience buggy snowmobiles and enjoy the charm of winter hills, which is quite different from the green season.
Blue Pond
Blue Pond is a mysterious pond where the water surface displays various hues of blue depending on the season and weather. In different seasons, it creates different stunning atmosphere that leave all visitors remarkable memories. Although Blue Pond is one of the key elements, the surrounding forest also play an important role in contributing to this breath-taking scenery. When there is no wind, the sky and trees are reflected on the surface of the water, creating a mysterious mirror-like scene.
Day 3
Asahiyama Zoo, Hokkaido Ice Pavilion & Asahikawa Ramen Village (Asahikawa)
Asahiyama Zoo
At Asahiyama Zoo, you’ll stand a chance to meet more than 150 kinds of animals. Apart from the animals that we understand in general, this zoo consists of variety of wild animals including Artic creatures like penguins and polar bears, other species including capybaras, orangutans and many more that are typically live in the wild. It is famous nationwide for its "behavioural exhibition" which creates a comfortable space for animals and allows the visitors to truly see the ecology and behaviour that those animals originally have.
Hokkaido Ice Pavilion
The Ice Pavilion is the world's first and largest scaled facility where you can enjoy the cold experience all year round. The ice hall is kept at -20 ℃ throughout the year, and the icicles that have created over 40 years and the nature has boast a scale of 600m2 ice wall and 1000-ton ice volume and you can also have your photo taken with the sea angel, Clione. Besides, never forget to visit the 25 years old giant icicles and still counting!
Asahikawa Ramen Village
Asahikawa Ramen Village is one of a kind must visit spot for ramen lovers, mainly to promote the culture of Asahikawa's delicious ramen noodles. At here, there are 8 ramen shops with their unique recipes and original tastes, and offering customers a variety of choices. In addition, there is also a shop in Ramen Village, where you can buy a wide range of Asahikawa ramen as souvenirs. Aside from the delicious ramen, you can visit Ramen Village Shrine for blessings and there are Instagrammable spots such as benches that were customized in the shapes of chopsticks and giant ramen bowls.
Day 4
Former Hokkaido Government Office, Sapporo Factory & Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium (Sapporo)
Former Hokkaido Government Office
The Former Hokkaido Government Office, often known as the “red brick building” was built according to the American neo-baroque style in 1888. It is also an iconic symbol of Hokkaido and the color of the building has attracted the attention of many. This “red brick building” has various facilities such as historic exhibitions, museum shop, conference room and even tourist information office. Aside from the indoor facilities, you can explore and walk around the front yard and every corner of this wonderful place.
Sapporo Factory
Sapporo Factory is categorized as a large-scale shopping and entertainment complex with over 160 establishments. There are restaurants, lifestyle products, cinema, fashion, hotel and many more available in this complex. Even though Sapporo Factory was the former Sapporo Beer Factory, but a small and functioning brewery is still operating in the building that offers visitors tour services at the beer brewery.
Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium is a place that you can actually go to the starting point of the "Okurayama Jump Stadium" jumping platform exactly where the jumping competition was held at the 1972 Winter Olympics Sapporo Tournament. During winter time, visitors can get to take nice photographs with their friends and family with snowy white background, and also experience the amazing view of Sapporo City at the top of observatory platform.
Day 5
Moerenuma Park & Mt. Hakkenzan (Sapporo)
Moerenuma Park
Moerenuma Park is located in Higashi-ku, Sapporo and was designed by the world-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi. With an area of about 188.8 hectares, the park itself is a huge campus where nature and art merge together. A comprehensive park with seasonal attractions such as cherry blossoms in spring, playing in the water in summer, coloured leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter available for its patrons.
Mt. Hakkenzan
If you are a beginner for mountain climbing, Mt. Hakkenzan is definitely one of the best spots for you. As the simple formation and structure, it is easier for all mountain climbers to enjoy their hiking session. You will notice the top of the mountain is filled with sword-like rock formations and that’s where the name “Mt. Hakkenzan” was created. Besides, the climate in the area is warm and sunny. So, it is a great location to grow fruits such as cherry, apple, grape and even strawberry. Visitors are able to experience fruits picking here too!
Day 6
Snow Activities (Snowshoeing) & Yukemuri Lumina (Sapporo)
Snow Activities (Snowshoeing)
You can enjoy the scenery of winter mountains with snowshoes, and you can walk on the powder snow with ease where no experience required. Modern spiked snowshoeing is considered as the common option at ski resorts, but alternatively, visitors also can opt for a unique Japanese experience by strapping on a pair of traditional kanjiki snowshoes too. Also, you can enjoy the snowy mountains of Jozankei from a different angle than usual that gives you the feeling of nature trekking.
Yukemuri Lumina
At Yukemuri Lumina, a number of illuminations are set up throughout the year, including Jozankei Gensen Park in the center of the hot spring town and a huge tree next to the souvenir shop. There are many spots available where you can see the illuminations while taking a footbath and take pictures in the hot spring town. Collectively, they are called "Yukemuri Lumina". *Available throughout the year
Day 7
Otaru Art Base, Sakai-machi Street & OTARU TIMES GARTEN (Otaru)
Otaru Art Base
Otaru Art Base is renowned for their marvellous arts and crafts across entire Japan and the world. In each of the four buildings and 3 facilities consisting of a stained-glass museum, the former Mitsui Bank Otaru branch museum, and the Nitori Museum, which has been renovated from a historic building. If you’re an art lover, this is the place that gives you cultivation and sensitivity toward the beauty of arts and culture.
Sakai-machi Street
Sakaimachi Street is a historical and attractive well-preserved merchant street. Many Western style buildings were built along Sakaimachi Street as the offices and shops of trading and shipping companies in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Nowadays, these buildings have since been converted into restaurants, cafes, museums, etc. to attract more visitors. Tourists can also enjoy DIY experience at some of the local Otaru glassware shops along the street and bring back your own one of a kind glassware as a special souvenir. Visitors often shop while walking along Sakaimachi Street and enjoy desserts made from Hokkaido fresh milk.
OTARU TIMES GARTEN
OTARU TIMES GARTEN is a food-themed garden consisting of three pavilions: the meat specialty store "ONIKU NO HITOTOKI", which boasts Genghis Khan, the Hokkaido wheat bakery "PAN TIME", and the hammock cafe "OCHA BIYORI". This the exactly the spot where you can enjoy food in the historic stone warehouse of the Otaru Canal.
Day 8
UPOPOY (Shiraoi), Usuzan Ropeway & The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa (Toya)
UPOPOY
Upopoy is a national center that serves as a base for the reconstruction and development of the Ainu culture, which is a precious culture of Japan but is in danger of survival. It is also a symbol for the future to build a vibrant society that respects the dignity of indigenous peoples and has a diverse and prosperous culture without discrimination.
Usuzan Ropeway
The Usuzan Ropeway brings you close to the volcano's summit. The upper station's observation deck offers panoramic views of Lake Toya and neighboring Showa Shinzan. From the second observation deck, with a short walk away, there are views of the ocean and Mount Usu's largest crater, which was formed in an eruption in 1977. A 7-minute walk will take you to the crater observatory, where you can see a large crater that raises water vapor.
The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa
The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa is located on the summit of Mt. Poromoi at an altitude of 625m. It offers a beautiful view of Lake Toya from their unique Western style rooms, spa area, onsen and golf course too! They even pamper their guest with BVLGARI bath sets. If you are feeling hungry, there will be eight restaurants ranging from Japanese and French restaurants that was awarded two stars from the prestigious Michelin Restaurant Guide.
Day 9
Jigokudani - Hell Valley & Noboribetsu Bear Park (Noboribetsu)
Jigokudani - Hell Valley
Jigokudani is an explosion crater with a major axis of about 450m in the northeast of Noboribetsu Onsen Town. Visitors often find the natural hot spring is a relaxing attraction, but have you ever wondered where is the source of the water? Let me reveal the answer for you, these waters were actually flow up from the underground and more than 10,000 tons of water mixed with natural elements flow directly to the hot springs in town.
Noboribetsu Bear Park
Noboribetsu Bear Park is a ranch on the summit of Mt. Shikatamine, raising about 70 brown bears. It was equipped with a brown bear museum and an observatory. In Hokkaido, brown bears are the largest species of animals but it was reported that the population has been declining and it is believed that there were 2,000 brown bears left. Thankfully, brown bears were worshiped by the native Hokkado people, Ainu and they were contributing and the numbers of bears are growing steadily from eight to sixty now!
Day 10
Chitose Winery & Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium (Chitose)
Chitose Winery
Chitose Winery is a place where you can participate yourself in the tour about this brewery that manufactures wine. While enjoying the wine tasting session, you can shop for your favourite wines at here. "North Wine Kellner" is very popular as a souvenir from Hokkaido as well as the specialty Hascup wine which is made from indigenous fruits is also available here! Let’s share this with your wine buddies and try these amazing flavors together.
Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium
Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium is an aquarium with one of the largest aquariums in Japan for freshwater species, and you can observe various freshwater creatures from all over the world, mainly salmon friends and freshwater fishes from Hokkaido. Above all, a flock of salmon that goes up the river for spawning in the fall is a must-see.
