Explore more curated experiences in Sapporo
View all Sapporo tours6-Day Hokkaido Nature Tour: Wetlands and Heritage Sites in Sapporo
6-day tour in Sapporo, taking in Kushiro, Kushiro Marsh and Lake Akan. Run by Kansai Holiday, booked direct rather than through a reseller.
Highlights
- Kushiro
- Kushiro Marsh
- Lake Akan
- Lake Mashu
- Runs 6 days
- Pickup and drop-off within the selected New Chitose Airport
6-Day Hokkaido Nature Tour: Wetlands and Heritage Sites in Sapporo: Key Facts
| Price | From $5155 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 days |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Choose from 1 available option
6-Day Hokkaido Nature Tour: Wetlands and Heritage Sites in Sapporo
Full description
This is a 6-day experience in Sapporo, built around Kushiro, Kushiro Marsh and Lake Akan. It is run by Kansai Holiday, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.
Hokkaido is Japan's northern island, a different climate and a different scale: Sapporo is its city, with the beer museum, the ramen alley and the February snow festival; Otaru, 40 minutes away, has the canal and the glass and music-box shops; Noboribetsu is the hell-valley hot springs; Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu are caldera lakes; and Biei and Furano in the centre are the flower fields and lavender of July. Winter brings two metres of snow to Sapporo and the powder that made Niseko famous. Distances are long and trains are few, so day tours from Sapporo are mostly by bus and run eight to ten hours.
The price covers Pickup and drop-off within the selected New Chitose Airport, Air-conditioned private vehicle, Fuel fees for the arranged route, Highway tolls for the arranged route and Parking fees for the arranged route. It does not cover Admission tickets, Meals and drinks, Accommodation and Personal expenses, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.
Hotel pickup in Sapporo. Kansai Holiday confirms your pickup time and the exact spot once the booking is in. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with Kansai Holiday before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Kushiro
Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport, and we will then head directly to Kushiro. If the timing allows, the tour guide can take you to browse the local seafood market, or you may choose to go straight to your hotel to rest.
Kushiro Marsh
First, the guide will take you to the Hosooka Observatory and provide a detailed introduction to the wetland. Next, we have arranged a canoeing experience that allows you to venture deep into the wetland and observe wildlife up close.
Lake Akan
Lake Akan is a crater lake where you can see rare spherical green algae, learn about the indigenous Ainu culture, and experience their traditional dance, handicrafts, and cuisine.
Lake Mashu
Once the lake with the highest water clarity in the world, Lake Mashu is renowned for its exceptional transparency and the mist that frequently shrouds it. We will have lunch here, after which you can use your free time to take photos, enjoy your meal, or sample seasonal specialties such as soft-serve ice cream.
Lake Kussharo
Upon arriving at Lake Kussharo, your guide will help you dig a shallow pit in the sand, allowing warm spring water to well up; you can then enjoy a foot bath while taking in the view of the lake with your family and friends，or take a relaxing walk around Wakoto Peninsula.
Lake Akan
After today's itinerary concludes, you will stay at a hotel at Lake Akan, where you can enjoy the hot springs and wash away the day's fatigue.
Abashiri
The Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum features a drift ice experience room maintained at a constant -15°C, allowing you to touch real drift ice even in summer. Here, you can also see the "Ice Angel" (sea butterfly) and taste the museum's signature drift ice salted caramel ice cream.
Cape Notoro
Built in 1917, the black-and-white lighthouse on the cape is the oldest surviving reinforced concrete lighthouse in Hokkaido; it remains in use today and serves as a local landmark.
Cape Kamui
Next, your guide will lead you on a walk along Cape Kamui, where you will be surrounded by 360-degree ocean views. As you reach the tip—facing "Kamui Rock," which stands isolated amidst the sea—the path feels like a journey to the edge of the world; on clear days, the azure sky and the crystal-clear waters merge seamlessly at the horizon.
Shiretoko
After the sightseeing, the driver will take you to your scheduled accommodation in the Shiretoko area.
Shiretoko Five Lakes
First, the guide will lead the group along the elevated wooden boardwalk to admire the magnificent scenery of the Shiretoko Mountain Range reflected in the lake and the view of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Furano
As the distance between Shiretoko and Furano is quite significant, the morning itinerary will focus on just one of these locations, and the driver will drop you off at the designated location in Furano.
Farm Tomita
The first stop is Farm Tomita, renowned for its vibrant flower fields and lavender during the warmer seasons. After a guided tour of the flower fields, we will visit the Fragrance Workshop, where you can explore five different types of lavender essential oils and even try your hand at making your own. Finally, you will visit the Dried Flower House—Japan's largest exhibition space dedicated to dried flowers.
Ningle Terrace
Continue to Ningle Terrace, a forest setting of small wooden craft houses surrounded by trees. You will try your hand at woodworking, carving a unique memento under the guidance of an instructor and your tour guide. Afterward, the guide will lead you on a stroll along the forest boardwalk; in summer, the lush greenery makes you feel as though you have stepped into a fairytale forest, while in winter, the interplay of snow and warm light creates a magical, snowy wonderland.
Sapporo
After the tour, the driver will drop you off at your hotel in Sapporo or another designated drop-off point.
New Chitose Airport
Meet your driver at your Sapporo accommodation and travel directly to New Chitose Airport. If time permits, the tour guide can also take you to visit Shiroi Koibito Park and the Sapporo TV Tower; whether these visits take place depends on your flight schedule. Please provide your flight number and departure time in advance so sufficient travel and airport check-in time can be planned.
Detailed Itinerary
Kushiro
Kushiro Marsh
Lake Akan: Lake Akan is a crater lake where you can see rare spherical green algae, learn about the indigenous Ainu culture, and experience their traditional dance, handicrafts, and cuisine
Lake Mashu
Lake Kussharo
Lake Akan: After today's itinerary concludes, you will stay at a hotel at Lake Akan, where you can enjoy the hot springs and wash away the day's fatigue
Abashiri
Cape Notoro: Built in 1917, the black-and-white lighthouse on the cape is the oldest surviving reinforced concrete lighthouse in Hokkaido; it remains in use today and serves as a local landmark
Includes
- Pickup and drop-off within the selected New Chitose Airport
- Air-conditioned private vehicle
- Fuel fees for the arranged route
- Highway tolls for the arranged route
- Parking fees for the arranged route
- Standard Furano–Biei route or confirmed adjusted route
- 30 minutes of free waiting from the scheduled pickup time
- One baby seat free of charge when requested in advance
Excludes
- Admission tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Accommodation
- Personal expenses
- Extra stops not confirmed in advance.
- Out-of-area pickup or drop-off.
- Overtime: JPY 5,000/hour for up to 14 seats; JPY 10,000/hour for 18 seats vehicles.
- Night service from 22:00 to 07:00 incurs an additional fee of JPY 2,000 for all services.
- Professional licensed guide service, unless separately booked and confirmed.
- Driver’s ticket if guests ask them to enter paid attractions or join paid activities
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Sapporo. Kansai Holiday confirms your pickup time and the exact spot once the booking is in.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts