THIS TOUR IS A CONFIRMED DEPARTURE!
FINAL 2 PLACES STILL AVAILABLE! **Bookings MUST close this Friday 4th September**
LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER – Book your place by 4 September 2026 and receive $250 off your tour (per person).
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. Near Furano we have the opportunity to taste gourmet products and meeting local artists, we then experience visionary artwork at the Goto Sumio Art Museum. 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 red-crowned cranes. At Lakes Akan, we experience bubbling mud springs and lake walks 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
- Visit forest parks & gardens near Tokachigawa onsen
- Wander Kushiro Marsh to search for rare tancho, red-crowned cranes
- In Akan-Mashu National Park, experience bubbling mud springs and lake walks and a cruise to view marimo, rare algae balls
- Experience the active volcanic area of Mt. Iou, where sulfur vents billow from the ground
- Explore the coastline of World Heritage listed Shiretoko Peninsula on a wildlife spotting cruise & walk the unspoilt Five Lakes trail
- Meet local artisans in Furano and visit the Goto Sumio Art Museum to view the artworks of this visionary Japanese-style painter
- Dive into Ainu heritage through immersive experiences like the Kamuy Lumina Night Walk and a visit to the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples
- Visit the northern Sea of Okhotsk & taste the fresh seafood of Abashiri
- Participate in a DIY workshop where you can roll up your sleeves to learn how to make handmade soba taught by a local master
- Soak in Japanese hot-Springs (onsen), stay in traditional ryokan plus western hotels
THIS TOUR IS A CONFIRMED DEPARTURE!
FINAL 2 PLACES STILL AVAILABLE! **Bookings MUST close this Friday 4th September**
LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER – Book your place by 4 September 2026 and receive $250 off your tour (per person).
Regular Price: Twin share/person A$14,990 (starts Asahikawa, ends Memanbetsu)
Advance Earlybird Price: Twin share/person (if booked and deposited by 30 April 2026) A$14,490
Earlybird Price: Twin share/person (if booked and deposited by 30 June 2026) A$14,690
Single Supplement: A$1,980
Note: For guests who request a single room the single supplement will be charged. For single people who prefer to share, we will try to find a suitable roommate, but if this is not possible the single supplement surcharge will apply.
Minimum Group size: 10 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
- 15 night’s twin share accommodation: 3-4 star hotel / traditional inns / onsens / ryokan with some shared facilities
- Meals include – 15 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L), 13 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
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.