Japan – Autumn in Hokkaido 2025

Experience Autumn colours, seasonal food and scenic walks on a 2 week journey to Hokkaido’s mountains, lakes and peninsulas. After meeting at Asahikawa, we explore waterfalls, forests and geology on easy trails at Sounkyo and Tenninkyo Gorges. Continuing to the imposing ‘roof of Hokkaido’, half day walks highlight the early Autumn hues within Japan’s largest national park, Daisetsuzan. Cable cars whisk us to mid mountain walks at Kurodake and the Sugatami Highlands at the foot of Mt Asahidake. At the base of Mt Tokachi, we walk on the hardened lava of past eruptions before tasting gourmet products and meeting local artists near Furano. Further south, the gardens, galleries and farm fresh produce are a highlight of our time at Tokachigawa onsen near Obihiro. From our base at Kushiro, we follow marshland boardwalks to see the magnificent tancho, Japan’s enchanting red-crowned cranes. At Lakes Akan and Onneto, bubbling mud spring and lake walks contrast with Ainu fire festival and a cruise to view marimo, rare algae that form into beautiful green balls. Driving to the edge of Mashu crater lake, we experience a taste of the Hokkaido backcountry without a huge climb to get there. Continuing to the sand peninsula of Notsuke, we spot for birds, deer and fox. Crossing the pass onto the World Heritage Listed Shiretoko Peninsula, we take a morning cruise looking for sealife & brown bears eating salmon on the shore. Waterfall and lake walks feature more wildlife opportunities and wide sea views. On the northern coastline, we explore Abashiri Quasi-National Park, known for its drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. We finish the tour at Memanbetsu airport where you can connect with flights to Sapporo or Tokyo.

• Watch the first Autumn leaves colour the Hokkaido national parks & lakes
• Walk in Sounkyo & Tenninkyo Gorges
• Take cable-cars to enjoy half day mountain walks on Kurodake & Asahidake
• Hike at the base of active stratovolcano, Tokachidake
• Visit forest parks & gardens near Tokachigawa onsen
• Wander Kushiro Marsh to search for tancho, rare red-crowned cranes
• In Akan-Mashu National Park, enjoy lakeside walks & cruises
• Explore the coastline of World Heritage listed Shiretoko Peninsula & walk the Five Lake trail
• Visit the northern Sea of Okhotsk & taste the seafood of Abashiri
• Soak in Japanese hot-springs (onsen), stay in traditional ryokan plus western hotels

Price: Twinshare / person (ex Asahikawa, ends Memanbetsu) A$11,480
Single Supplement: Not available
Note: For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate.
Minimum Group size: 6 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).

Inclusions

• 14 night’s twin share accommodation:  3-4 star hotel / traditional inns / onsen / ryokans with some shared facilities
• Meals include – 14 Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L), 11 Dinners (D)
• Airport transfers for the tour start/end dates
• All transfers as listed in itinerary
• All activities as listed in the 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 and destination tour companion

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