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Lake Shikotsu and Jozankei: Small-Group Spring and Summer Escape in Sapporo

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Activity provider: AsiaByLocals
Lake Shikotsu and Jozankei: Small-Group Spring and Summer Escape
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A small-group spring and summer day trip from Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu and Jozankei, with kayaking, a cruise, rafting, hiking or a day-trip onsen to choose from.

Highlights

  • Small-group travel with up to nine guests
  • Two hours at the clear waters of Lake Shikotsu
  • Choose kayaking, a cruise or a lakeside stroll
  • Rafting, hiking or a day-trip onsen at Jozankei
  • Generous free time built into the day
  • Convenient round-trip transfer from Sapporo Station

Lake Shikotsu and Jozankei: Small-Group Spring and Summer Escape: Key Facts

PriceFrom $120.47 per person
Duration9.5 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

This is the warm-weather counterpart to Hokkaido's famous winters, a nine-and-a-half-hour day that takes a small group out of Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu and the onsen valley of Jozankei. Lake Shikotsu is one of the clearest lakes in Japan and the first stop of the day, with a couple of hours to spend there. What you do with that time is up to you: get out on the water by kayak, take the cruise, or simply walk the lakeside and let the day slow down. The group is capped small, at up to nine guests, which keeps the whole thing flexible in a way a coach tour cannot be. From the lake the vehicle continues to Jozankei, a hot-spring town tucked into a river valley within Sapporo's own city limits, where the options open up again. You can go rafting on the river, take a hike through the surrounding forest, or use one of the day-trip onsen and soak for an hour or two before the drive back. Free time is deliberately generous throughout, so the day is built around choices rather than a fixed procession of stops. Round-trip transfer from Sapporo Station is included, which matters here because both destinations are awkward to reach and combine using public transport. The result is a day that shows you the green, watery side of Hokkaido that the winter reputation tends to obscure, without the rigidity of a large organised tour.

Tour Itinerary

Itineraries are customisable as per your request

The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

8:00 AM

Depart Sapporo Station

Meet the group and set off south towards the lake.

10:00 AM

Lake Shikotsu

Two hours at the lake for kayaking, the cruise or a lakeside walk.

12:00 PM

Drive to Jozankei

Travel by van through the hills towards the hot-spring valley.

1:30 PM

Jozankei

Free time for rafting, a forest hike or a soak at a day-trip onsen.

3:30 PM

Return leg

Board the van for the drive back towards the city.

5:30 PM

Arrive back at Sapporo Station

The tour finishes where it began.

Detailed Itinerary

8:00 AM - Depart Sapporo Station: Meet the group and set off south towards the lake.

10:00 AM - Lake Shikotsu: Two hours at the lake for kayaking, the cruise or a lakeside walk.

12:00 PM - Drive to Jozankei: Travel by van through the hills towards the hot-spring valley.

1:30 PM - Jozankei: Free time for rafting, a forest hike or a soak at a day-trip onsen.

3:30 PM - Return leg: Board the van for the drive back towards the city.

5:30 PM - Arrive back at Sapporo Station: The tour finishes where it began.

Includes

  • Professional local guide, all fees mentioned in the itinerary

Excludes

  • Personal expenses, meals unless specified, gratuities

Important information

Meeting point

Sapporo (details confirmed with operator on booking)

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 9.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $120.47
$120.47
Tour Type
Guided Tour
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Traveler Reviews

5/5
based on 3 reviews
Guide
5/5
Value for money
5/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
B
Beverly
February 6, 2026

Ellie was a great driver in all the snow fall. we enjoyed the onsen and lunch at Yunohana Onsen. the Ice sculptures were magnificent, even tho' there was snowing and windy. it was extremely cold but lots of fun and areas to get a warm drink.

5
G
GetYourGuide traveler
February 13, 2026

5
G
GetYourGuide traveler
February 3, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

It is designed as a spring and summer escape, showing the green, watery side of Hokkaido that the island's winter reputation tends to obscure. The activities on offer at both stops, from kayaking to rafting, depend on warm-weather conditions.
It is capped small, at up to nine guests, which keeps the day flexible in a way a coach tour cannot be. Boarding is quick and the group can adjust how long to spend somewhere rather than running to a rigid schedule.
At Lake Shikotsu you have around two hours and can kayak, take the cruise or simply walk the lakeside. At Jozankei you can go rafting on the river, hike through the surrounding forest, or use one of the day-trip onsen and soak before the drive back. Free time is deliberately generous throughout.
Tattoo rules vary between Japanese bathhouses and some day-trip onsen still refuse entry to visibly tattooed guests. If this applies to you, raise it with the operator when you book so they can confirm the policy at the facility used or suggest an alternative activity at Jozankei.
Yes, round-trip transfer from Sapporo Station is included, which matters here because both destinations are awkward to reach and combine on public transport. The day runs about nine and a half hours; meals, personal expenses, optional activity fees and gratuities are not included.
Professional local guide, all fees mentioned in the itinerary
The duration of the Lake Shikotsu and Jozankei: Small-Group Spring and Summer Escape is typically 9.5 hours. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
February for deep snow and the Snow Festival, or late June to mid-July for Furano's lavender. Note that Sapporo's cumulative snowfall of 4.7–5 m is often misread — actual ground depth peaks around 80–100 cm in February. Full month-by-month detail in our best time to visit Sapporo guide.
The 2027 festival runs 4–11 February across Odori, Susukino and Tsudome, and entry to all three sites is free. Hotels sell out 6–9 months ahead and rates run 2–3× normal — our Snow Festival guide covers whether that premium is worth paying.
The subway covers most of the city at ¥210–380 a ride, and the weekend Donichika pass is just ¥520 — far better value than the ¥830 weekday version. The airport train is ¥1,230 (33–37 min). See getting around Sapporo.
Yes — it's 30 minutes and ¥800 by JR, making it the easiest day trip in Hokkaido. The canal, glassworks and sushi street fill a comfortable day. Timing tips and the Snow Light Path dates are in our Otaru day trip guide.
Miso ramen (invented here around 1954), jingisukan lamb BBQ, soup curry, and Nijo Market seafood. Bowls run ¥900–1,500. Where locals actually eat — and which famous spots to skip — is in our Sapporo food guide.
Niseko has the deepest snow (~15 m a season) but the highest prices — a 2026-27 peak day pass is ¥13,500. Rusutsu, Kiroro and Sapporo Teine (¥8,400 online) offer similar powder for less. Honest comparison in our Niseko and Hokkaido ski guide.
Three days works well: one for the city, one for Otaru, and one for a day trip or ski day. Our Sapporo 3-day itinerary has winter and summer variants with realistic timings.
Starting from$120.47