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Summer Splendors & Gastronomy
Summer transforms much of Hokkaido into vivid green and the season of harvest for much of Hokkaido's amazing food produce and seafood. In Hokkaido's cooler climate, adventurous pursuits are the norm while the majority goes in search of inspiration in Hokkaido's stunning landscapes, filled with blooming flowers.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience fine lodgings with exquisite cuisine
Admire amazing Summer season landscapes
Experience less trodden towns and villages
Visits to local artisans and craftman studios
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE CHITOSE / YUBARI / FURANO / BIEI
Arrive this morning into New Chitose Airport and be greeted by your host as we hop onboard the revolutionary Cool Star private bus as we begin a sweet start to the journey with a drive to the rustic countryside town of Yubari, renowned as the "Mecca of Melons" for its highly-revered sweet Yubari King Melons. Carefully growned in greenhouses in this region, enjoy a Beyond X Boundaries exclusive visit to a melon farm where we will learn about the process of cultivation and a sampling of the melon. We then visit the melon distribution centre, also a Beyond X Boundaries exclusive experience to learn about the process of melon assessment, packing and distribution. Later, we continue our drive to Furano, the land of lavenders on the "Hanabito Kaido" Flower Road. We visit the less-crowded farms of Saika no Sato which grows 8 different varieties of lavenders including the earlier-blooming okamurasaki variety. Another farm we will visit is the Kanno Farm where lavenders bloom in harmony with other fields of summer flowers. We then continue on a short drive to the town of Biei where we will spend the night in a countryside lodge.
Overnight: Auberge Adagio, Biei
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: BIEI / ASAHIKAWA / KAMIKAWA
A pleasant morning begins with a visit to the Shirogane Blue Pond, renowned for its minerals-rich deep blue waters which cast an amazing sight in all seasons. Later, we continue our journey north towards Asahikawa where stop at the famous Asahikawa Ramen Village is a must to enjoy the various flavours unique to this region. We then make a visit to the traditional Takasago Sake Brewery with a sake making tradition since 1909. Enjoy remarkable sampling of its range of exquisite sake before continuing our drive to the Fratello di Mikuni, where you will enjoy a remarkable stay surrounded by stunning scenery of the Daisetsuzan Mountains and an evening of gastronomy awaits. Spend time to explore the beautiful Daisetsu Mori no Garden decorated with artworks and blooming flowers in season.
Overnight: Fratello di Mikuni, Kamikawa
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3: 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. In Summer, snow is still melting with alpine plants and flowers scattered around providing a wonderful scene with 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. Return later to the Fratello di Mikuni for a second evening of gastronomy.
Overnight: Fratello di Mikuni
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4: KAMIKAWA / TOKACHIGAWA ONSEN
A splendid day begins as we travel south to the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, blessed with fertile lands for cultivation of crops as well as sheep and cattle farms. En route, we make a stop at the Taushubetsu Bridge standing proudly on the beautiful Lake Nukabira with its iconic multiple arches. Thereafter, continue our journey to 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 including potatoes and corns while we experience a outdoor picnic set up to enjoy the breeze and wonderful surroundings. Finally, we arrive at the mesmerizing Tokachigawa Onsen Sanyoan with therapeutic hot spring waters to rejuvenate and sumptous kaiseki-styled cuisine to tuck into.
Overnight: Tokachigawa Onsen Sanyoan, Tokachi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5: TOKACHIGAWA ONSEN / SAPPORO / OTARU
Today, we travel west to Sapporo past charming countryside where on arrival, we enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Hokkaido's largest city with a variety of sights and experiences to thrill. Recommended sites include the renowned Curb Market, consisting of more than 80 stores and restaurants lined up showcasing fresh seafood such as crabs, sea urchin, salmon, scallops and more. Spend some time here to enjoy a wonderful lunch perhaps. Other recommended sites include the Sapporo Beer Museum where you can learn about the production process of perhaps Japan's most beloved beer. Worth a visit as well is the Shiroi Koibito Park, a themepark by the famous Hokkaido chocolate company, Ishiya where you not only able to see the production process of its famous chocolate cookies but also a wonderful place in summer to enjoy the colourful flowers surrounding the complex. We then continue on to the canal town of Otaru where we will stay at the stunning Ryotei Kuramure, created by designer Makoto Nakayama
Overnight: Ryotei Kuramure, Otaru
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6: OTARU (EXCURSION OF THE SHAKOTAN PENINSULA)
Today, we enjoy an excursion to the spectacular Shakotan Peninsula - undoubtedly the sea urchin mecca of the world. Our journey takes us to the spellbinding Cape Kamui, a wondrous headland with some of the most amazing sea cliffs views and coastal formations. Later, we will sit down in a local restaurant to enjoy a sea urchin feast that are freshly-harvested from mid June. Thereafter, we visit the Nikka Whisky Distillery in Yoichi, founded by Masataka Taketsuru in 1934 which produces some of the finest whisky in the world. Enjoy a tour of the distillery to learn about its legendary status and a sampling of fine aged whisky. Return back later to Otaru where you have time to enjoy the delightful Otaru Canal area and the Sakaimachi Street area famous for its preserved merchant street with western-styled buildings of the late 19th to early 20th Century. Worth visiting is the Music Box Museum where you can make your very own music box and the Kitaichi Glass, which produces some of the most amazing glasswares in Japan.
Overnight: Ryotei Kuramure, Otaru
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: OTARU / CHITOSE
Our journey comes to an end where we make a drive to New Chitose Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
The Auberge Adagio epitomise the countryside living in the forested hilly town of Biei - home to an array of food produce farms, artisan studios, refined lifestyle and a perfect base to explore the lavender fields in Furano as well as the flower fields present in Furano and Biei.
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.
Enjoy a therapeutic stay at the stunning Tokachigawa Onsen Sanyoan, surrounded by abundant nature, relaxing rooms with private rotenburo onsen and exquisite traditional kaiseki-styled cuisine.
Boasting 19 rooms, the Ryotei Kuramure is designed by famed designer and architect, Makoto Nakayama to combine traditional Japanese elements with modern minimalistic design for the modern traveler to enjoy a relaxing stay with contemporary-styled cuisine.
