Step into the enchanting beauty of northern Japan with our new Hokkaido Spring tour — a breathtaking 14 day journey that blends vivid seasonal blooms, unforgettable wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, scenic walks and natural wonders. From the kaleidoscopic tulip fields of Kamiyubetsu to the surreal pink moss phlox at Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park, this tour is a celebration of nature in full bloom. Cruise the World Heritage Shiretoko Peninsula in search of brown bears and orca whales, relax in traditional hot springs, and marvel at mystical landscapes like the Biei Blue Pond and volcanic Jigokudani Hell Valley. You’ll stay in a traditional ryokans, walk along pristine crater lakes, meet local artisans in Higashikawa and Furano, and dive into Ainu heritage through immersive experiences like the Kamuy Lumina Night Walk. Whether you’re rolling soba with a local master, watching orcas breach in Rausu Bay, or wandering historic streets in Otaru, every moment of this adventure is steeped in the natural magic and deep traditions of Hokkaido.
- Visit the Kamiyubetsu Spring Tulip Festival in full bloom
- Ride cable-cars to enjoy half day mountain walks on both the stunning Sugatami Highland and Mt Usu Plateaus
- Wander Kushiro Marsh to search for rare tancho, red-crowned cranes
- In Akan-Mashu National Park, enjoy lakeside walks & cruises
- Explore the coastline of World Heritage listed Shiretoko Peninsula on whale watching and wildlife cruises & walk the unspoilt Five Lake trail
- Explore the artistic hub of Higashikawa known for its photographic galleries, woodwork and pottery workshops
- Visit the northern Sea of Okhotsk & taste the seafood of Abashiri
- Explore the geothermal sightseeing of the Jigokudani Hell Valley, known for its jagged terrain and hot steam vents; resembling the Japanese culture’s depiction of the underworld
- Visit the huge Oyunuma hot springs lake, along with its river and waterfalls, and experience the therapeutic benefits of the natural foot bath set amid lush green forest
- Participate in DIY workshops where you can roll up your sleeves to learn how to make handmade soba, sushi and traditional mochi taught by local masters
- Soak in Japanese hot-springs (onsen), stay in traditional ryokan plus western hotels
Tour date: 22 May – 04 June 2026
Price: Twinshare / person (starts Memanbetsu, ends Chitose) *HURRY! Only 2 places left!
Advanced Early Bird Price: A$11,850 until 19/12/2025
Early Bird Price: A$12,050 until 28/02/2026
Regular Price: A$12,350
Single Supplement: A$1,100
Note: For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate.
Minimum Group size: 13 guests
Special Interest: Culture, Cuisine, History, Geography, Wildlife, Birding, Botanical
Walk rating: Easy to Moderate: 2-10km per walking day with shorter or longer options (moderate options are due to ascent and descent on some walk days). This trip is for almost anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
Inclusions
- 13 night’s twin share accommodation: 3-4 star hotel / traditional inns / onsens / ryokan with some shared facilities
- Meals include – 13 Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L), 12 Dinners (D)
- Airport transfers for the tour start/end dates
- All transfers and activities as listed in itinerary
- National park and museum entry fees (where noted)
- Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides
- Basic group tips where required
- Pre-departure material including background & personalised A-Z tour information
Exclusions
- Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour
- Passport & visa expenses
- Heavy or excess baggage
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses e.g. drinks (water, alcohol, tea & coffee), laundry, telephone, or optional tours / excursions
★★★★★
Wow, what an awesome introduction to Japan!
Hokkaido – the second largest and northernmost island of Japan.
We joined the Spirit of Spring Tour and savoured every minute of it. This was a first for us in many ways: our first trip to Japan and our first group tour, and we're so glad we chose Park Tours. The coach was spacious and luxurious (literally three seats per person!), our driver was exceptional, Yuichi was a knowledgeable and engaging local guide, and Luke was an outstanding Park Tours leader who engaged us with his colourful storytelling of past travel experiences and gave us thoughtful (but fun!) challenges during the longer bus rides between destinations.
The itinerary was packed with a wide variety of activities and attractions across the island. We wandered through stunning fields of pink phlox and tulips in every imaginable colour, learnt about and experienced Ainu culture, and visited the Drift Ice Museum, where several large chunks of drift ice from the most recent winter had been transported and preserved in a walk-through cold-room exhibition. Oh, and don't leave without trying the Drift Ice Soft Serve ice cream—it was delicious... and blue! 😊
We walked through misty, snow-laden tracks to volcanic crater rims and lakes, and cruised around the spectacular Shiretoko Peninsula hoping to encounter whales, dolphins and orcas. We felt as though we'd hit the jackpot. Not only did the weather cooperate, allowing the cruises to go ahead, but we were treated to three orcas making gentle appearances through the mist in incredibly calm conditions. We also spotted three brown bears wandering the shoreline and rocky cliffs from the safety of the boat. Other unexpected wildlife highlights included red-crowned cranes standing in a farmer's paddy field (they'd apparently missed their migration call!), a raccoon dog, wild foxes and an impressive variety of birds.
One of my favourite parts of the tour was the hands-on cultural experiences. We made soba noodles in a local community hall and kitchen, then watched and participated in traditional mochi making at a local farm using an usu (a deep wooden mortar) and kine (a large wooden mallet). Timing is definitely everything during this process! Best of all, on both occasions we got to enjoy the fruits of our labour—yum!
The accommodation was varied, with both traditional Japanese and Western-style options. Wherever possible, we chose traditional Japanese rooms to complete the experience. Most of the hotels provided yukatas (light cotton robes) for guests to wear to breakfast, dinner and the onsens.
Ahhh... the onsens! I very quickly became a fan of this wonderful Japanese tradition. Soaking in steaming hot pools, both indoors and outdoors, many designed as natural rock pools nestled within beautiful gardens, was incredibly relaxing. Some even had private outdoor baths where you could simply sit, listen to the trees swaying in the breeze and gaze up at the star-filled night sky. It was magical.
There's so much more I could say about this trip, but one comment from Yuichi has stayed with me. He said that once you've experienced one season in Hokkaido—as we did with spring—you'll inevitably want to return to experience the others, because each season has its own unique character and beauty.
I can honestly say he was right. I'm already planning my next adventure.
Thanks, Luke, for a wonderful experience. And if I can offer one piece of advice to anyone considering a Park Tour—anywhere—don't think about it... JUST DO IT!!
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★★★★★
We have recently returned from a 14-day 'Japan, Spirit of Spring - A Journey in Hokkaido's Landscapes, Wildlife and Culture 2026’ walking holiday with Park Tours. We absolutely loved the trip!
We were attracted to this tour by the opportunities to experience the local cultures, including that of the indigenous Ainu people, and to get off the beaten tourist track and explore National Parks, World Heritage areas and Ramsar Wetlands with a small group of like-minded people. As first time travellers to Hokkaido, we were pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of landscapes, from volcanic peaks with the last of the winter snows, to steaming fumeroles and bubbling hot mud and springs, to fresh green birch forests, wide open seascapes, and rich farmlands. There were many highlights, not the least being walking up close to these fumeroles and sulphur deposits on extinct volcanoes, walking among old forests next to crater lakes, learning about the Ainu culture and experiencing some of their folk dances and music, the local foods and learning how to make some of our own, and seeing wild bears and orcas. We stayed in a range of accommodation styles, almost all with onsens so we could soak in the warm waters at the end of the day. And wearing kimonos, supplied by our accommodation, to breakfast and dinner was a great touch.
Our experiences were enhanced by our Japanese tour leader, Yuichi, and Park Tours' owner, Luke. We learned so much more than we would have as independent travellers, with Yuichi's enthusiasm for all things Hokkaido and explanations of culture, food and wildlife, and Luke's love of the outdoors and experiences in natural and unspoilt environments.
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★★★★★
I had a wonderful time in Hokkaido with guides Luke and Yuichi our local Hokkaido tour guide, both of whom had good senses of humour which is very important on a trip. Hokkaido is truly beautiful and as a dairy farmer’s daughter I loved the dairy farms, the crops and the forests’ brilliant green spring leaves. Then there were the lakes and fascinating Sea of Okhotsk, the museums, and the varied hikes. Thrills like the sulphur pools, walks in the snow and rafting (both novelties). The sight of bears from the safety of a boat, orcas, a snake, cranes, and unexpected fumeroles. The tulip farm and pink moss phlox were curiosities. I must say that Japanese food is not my favourite but the variety ensured that there was enjoyment to be found. Ice cream and beer were winners. Attempts to concoct noodles, sushi and mochi were a bit of a nightmare. Our hotels were varied and wearing a kimono to dinner was a great idea because it saved dressing up. All in all, I had a fantastic time and wouldn’t have missed it for quids.
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★★★★★
I had a fabulous trip and really enjoyed the opportunity to discover the wilder side of Japan in Hokkaido. Highlights were the cruises to see bears and orca, unexpectedly walking in the snow on the mountaintop (with steaming volcanic vents as a backdrop), and learning about the Ainu culture and the winter landscapes with sea ice in northern Hokkaido. It was also wonderful to stay in onsen resorts and enjoy donning a kimono and soaking in the hot springs most days - my knees have never felt better! Our Hokkaido guide Yuichi and ParkTours leader Luke were fantastic and enthusiastic guides, and shared my interest in the appreciation and understanding of wild places and biodiversity.
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Luke Christiansen
Luke Christiansen is driven by a lifelong passion for discovering the world’s diverse cultures and natural wonders. His career has spanned a variety of fields, including roles as a musician, carpenter, environmental educator, corporate trainer, and adventure guide gaining valuable experience with both national and international tourism companies, including some of Australia's iconic names. As the owner of InterNational ParkTours, Luke is truly "Living the Dream." He is enthusiastic about sharing his love for travel and curating unforgettable tours to breathtaking destinations across the globe.
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