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Autumn Colours of Hokkaido
Autumn transforms the Hokkaido landscape into a sea of intense red, orange and yellow. We journey into the kaleidoscope of colours uncovering the mesmerizing hue, exceptional cuisine and the harvesting of the migratory salmon where we tuck into the revered ikura.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience fine lodgings with exquisite cuisine
Admire amazing Autumn season landscapes
Experience less trodden towns and villages
Visits to local artisans and craftman studios
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE CHITOSE / LAKE SHIKOTSU / JOZANKEI ONSEN
Arrive this morning into New Chitose Airport where a short drive away arrives us for a stop at the caldera Lake Shikotsu, one of the clearest and beautiful lakes in Hokkaido, surrounded by the backdrop of the Tarumae Mountain. Admiring our first glimpse of autumn fall colours, we enjoy a stroll soaking in the idyllic fall scenes. Thereafter, continue to Jozankei Onsen, perhaps the most beautiful hot spring town in Hokkaido, nestled in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park where you not only have the opportunity to immerse in some of the most incredible autumn spots in Japan but also admire stunning nature in abundance such as the Shiraito no Taki waterfall, the Jozankei Dam and downstream park and the visually-spectacular Futami Jozan Road and the Tsuribashi bridge with mesmerizing autumn foliage. We then arrive at the beautiful environments of the Kasho Gyoen, where you will spend the next 2 nights.
Overnight: Kasho Gyoen, Jozankei Onsen
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: JOZANKEI ONSEN (EXCURSION TO SAPPORO & ISHIKARI)
A pleasant morning begins with a visit to the Ashiribetsu Falls, nestled in the Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park not far from Sapporo. Renowned for its gorgeous beauty in all seasons, experience a kaleidoscope of colors that thrills the senses as well as an amazing array of autumnal plants and flowers decorating the forests. Not far away, we stop to admire spectacular varieties of maple at the Hiraoka Center for Arboriculture where there are more than 800 maple trees spanning over 2.9 hectares blanketed in a sea of bright red. From here, we continue to Sapporo to continue our pursuit of autumn's wonders. Consider a stop at the Nakajima Park in the heart of the city, one of the most popular autumn viewing spots with excellent views of Mount Moiwa on a clear day. Next, we visit the Gingko Avenue where rows of gingko trees line on each side of the gate avenue of Hokkaido University decked out in a hue of golden yellow.
Thereafter, we head nearby to the small city of Ishikari, close to Ishikari Bay and home to the annual salmon festival in autumn. We will enjoy an experience of "ikura" salmon roe-making with a chef demonstrating the process of opening the salmon egg sack and removing the roe with a copper mesh and then marinating the salmon roe with soya sauce. The experience is then complete with your deserved ikura don and Ishikari Nabe lunch served in the freshest possible way. We will also visit the Salmon Factory, showcasing a huge variety of salmon products where you can shop to your heart's content.
Overnight: Kasho Gyoen, Jozankei Onsen
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 3: JOZANKEI ONSEN / YUBARI / TOKACHI / NUKABIRA
We leave Jozankei Onsen as we begin our day with a pleasant drive to Yubari, renowned for its melon fame. Our first of the day is the impressive Chidori Waterfall, nestled in the outstanding beauty of the Yubari River formed by continuous erosion of river flow creating a natural spectacle of stunning cascades, surrounded by the decorative hues of red, orange and yellow in autumn. Thereafter, we continue to the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, blessed with fertile lands for cultivation of crops as well as sheep and cattle farms. Visit the Country Farmers Fujita Farm in the Shikaoi area of Tokachi where it produces some of the most sought-after dairy products in Hokkaido as well as the renowned Shikaoi wagyu. Thereafter, we make a visit to a working crops farm where we meet with the lovely Fumiko Ida, Director of Itadakimasu Company - an agricultural initiative to educate and create awareness of Tokachi's exceptional high quality crops. Enjoy a walkthrough of the crop fields in autumn where we have the chance to harvest sweet corns and long yam while enjoying an outdoor picnic lunch set up to enjoy the breeze and wonderful surroundings.
Our day then culminates with our arrival to Nukabira Onsen Nakamuraya where we will enjoy a relaxed stay in a homely-styled ryokan.
Overnight: Nukabira Onsen Nakamuraya
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: NUKABIRA / DAISETSUZAN / KAMIKAWA
Another splendid day of autumn viewing as we leave Nukabira Onsen Nakamuraya making a stop at the Taushubetsu Bridge standing proudly on the beautiful Lake Nukabira with its iconic multiple arches. From here, we head north to the Daisetsuzan Mountains, perhaps the most spectacular autumn spectacle in all of Hokkaido with its fall foliage-covered peaks. Enjoy an ascend via the Sounkyo ropeway to the summit of Mount Kurodake with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Later, we make a visit to the Ginga and Ryusei waterfalls with some of the most iconic views of Hokkaido. Thereafter, continue towards Kamikawa where we arrive and check into the beautiful surroundings of Fratello di Mikuni, owned by Michelin-star chef Kiyomi Mikuni which specializes in fusion French-Japanese cuisine. Enjoy a splendid stay accompanied by fine cuisine!
Overnight: Fratello di Mikuni, Kamikawa
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5: KAMIKAWA (EXCURSION OF ASAHIDAKE)
Today, we enjoy a beautiful day as we ascend by a combination of ropeway and gentle hiking to the summit of Mount Asahidake, the tallest peak in Hokkaido. Autumn provides a sensory experience with wonderful scenes of contrasting colours. We take our time to explore and hike the length of the walking course marvelling at spectacular geological features that include the breathtaking Sugatami Pond and fumeroles.
In the second half of the day, we return to the surroundings of Fratello di Mikuni where there is an opportunity to explore the beautiful Daisetsu Mori no Garden decorated with artworks and blooming flowers in season.
Overnight: Fratello di Mikuni
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6: KAMIKAWA / DEPARTURE ASAHIKAWA
Our autumn sojourn in Hokkaido comes to an end as we transfer to Asahikawa Airport for your flight to Tokyo. Alternatively you may continue your exploration of Hokkaido and beyond.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Kasho Gyoen, Jozankei Onsen
The Kasho Gyoen is located in the stunning environments of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Jozankei Onsen, densely verdant with primeval forest. Inherited through generations, the large pond, the unspoilt landscape of Hokkaido and the
well-matched natural environment that embodies the Japanese spirit, all intertwine to create a season of time that you can only experience here.
Fratello di Mikuni, Kamikawa
Savour to the exquisite cuisines of Chefs Kiyomi Mikuni and Hideki Horikawa at the Fratello di Mikuni, a villa-restaurant nestled against the magnificent scenery of the Daisetsuzan Mountains in the town of Kamikawa on a journey of culinary and appreciation of the the countryside life.