Hokkaido Mountains & Islands
15 Day Self-Guided Adventure Tour
Self-Guided Hiking Tour from Sapporo to Hakodatefrom
Explore the best of Hokkaido’s breathtaking alpine and island landscapes on this incredible self guided hiking adventure through Japan’s northernmost island.
We are no longer taking bookings for this tour
We are currently reviewing our self-guided tours and plan to launch a number of new self-guided tours before the end of May 2023. This tour itinerary will also be updated then.
In the meantime this itinerary provides a taste of the travel style you will experience on an Adventure Hokkaido self-guided tour.
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Tour Duration
15 Days -
Minimum Travellers
1 Person -
Accommodation
14 Nights -
Tour Starts
Sapporo, Hokkaido -
Included Meals
14 Breakfasts
10 Dinners -
Tour Finishes
Hakodate, Hokkaido
Tour Highlights
- Hike the diverse natural settings of Daisetsuzan National Park.
- Explore the high moors of Kogen Onsen, habitat for Ezo brown bears.
- Hop between the twin islands of Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park.
- Stay in a range of accommodation from city hotels, Japanese-style mountain lodges to traditional ryokan with thermal springs.
- Experience first-hand the warm hospitality of Hokkaido’s rural communities and the enchanting indigenous world of the Ainu.
Who is this tour for?
- Active travellers who enjoy walking & hiking for more than 5 hours a day.
- Curious travellers who enjoy a mixture of activities & sightseeing and learning about the regions they visit.
- Adventurous travellers who enjoy rural hospitality staying in Japanese style accommodations with natural hot springs on site.
- Independent travellers who like being your own guide and touring at your own pace.
Hokkaido Mountains & Islands Self Guided Tour
Itinerary at a Glance
*B: Breakfast D: Dinner
Day 1 Lake Shikotsu, Shikotsu-Toya National Park (D)
Day 2 Lake Shikotsu (B, D)
Day 3 Asahidake Onsen (B, D)
Day 4 Asahidake Onsen (B, D)
Day 5 Kogen Onsen, Daisetsuzan National Park (B, D)
Day 6 Kogen Onsen (B, D)
Day 7 Wakkanai (B)
Day 8 Rebun Island, Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park (B, D)
Day 9 Rebun Island (B, D)
Day 10 Rishiri Island (B, D)
Day 11 Rishiri Island (B, D)
Day 12 Sapporo (B)
Day 13 Shiraoi (B)
Day 14 Hakodate (B)
Day 15 Finish after breakfast (B)
Tour Inclusions
Items that are included in the cost of tour price.- 14 nights accommodation on a twin share basis
- 14 breakfasts and 10 dinners
- GPX data for the suggested hiking routes
- Detailed instructions on how to use public transport as outlined in the itinerary
- Full English speaking phone support
Not included
Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.- Any activity fees
- Any entrance fees
- Transportation costs
- Lunches
- Guide
- Airfare
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Drinks with included meals
Sample of a day-to-day guide
Travel to Hokkaido
The closest airport to the start location of this tour is Sapporo New Chitose Airport (CTS). You can fly into this airport from several major international airports on Mainland Honshu: Tokyo Haneda (HND), Tokyo Narita (NRT), Osaka Kansai (KIX), and Nagoya Chubu Centrair (NGO).
From our neighbouring Asian countries such as South Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, there are also direct flights into CTS. For further information on how to get to Hokkaido please refer to our blog post.
You can search train timetables in English on the Japan Transit Planner website.
Hokkaido Mountains & Islands Tour Accommodation
DAY 1 & 2 | Hotel in Lake Shikotsu | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
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DAY 3 & 4 | Ryokan in Asahidake Onsen | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
DAY 5 & 6 | Ryokan in Kogen Onsen | Shared bathroom | Onsen spa |
DAY 7 | Hotel in Wakkanai | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
DAY 8 & 9 | Minshuku on Rebun Island | Shared bathroom | Heated spa |
DAY 10 & 11 | Hotel on Rishiri Island | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
DAY 12 | Hotel in Sapporo | Ensuite | No spa |
DAY 13 | Hostel in Shiraoi | Shared bathroom | No spa |
DAY 14 | Hotel in Hakodate | Ensuite | Onsen spa |
What to Bring on your Hokkaido Mountains & Islands Adventure Tour
Essentials
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Adequate footwear for hiking
- Footwear that you don’t mind getting wet for canoeing
- Fleece or down jacket (even in the summer the temperature can drop below 10℃)
- Base layers top & bottom
- Gloves, beanie, and items to keep you warm
- Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
- Water bottle or hydration system of more than 1.5L
- Quick-dry hand towel
- Toiletries
- Personal medications
- First aid kit
- Rain cover for backpack
- Backpack with enough capacity to carry all of the above
- Travel insurance
- Passport
- Cash in Japanese yen. Small restaurants and shops in rural parts of Japan do not accept credit cards. Lunch in general costs 1,000-1,500 yen and dinner 2,000-3,000 yen. You can withdraw cash from an ATM at a post office and 7-eleven convenience stores.
Recommended
- Walking poles
- Motion sickness pills for the boat rides (available to purchase locally)
- Cellphone power bank
- Travel SIM
- Snacks which you’re used to eating during the activities
- Camera
Please note that you will be asked to show your passport when checking in accommodation in Japan. It is a requirement for accommodation providers to take a photocopy of the passport of non-Japanese guests.
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Canoeing on Lake Shikotsu, Shikotsu-Toya National Park
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Canoeing from Lake Shikotsu to the Chitose River is highly recommended
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Lake Shikotsu and Mt Eniwadake
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Aerial view of Asahidake Onsen & Mt Asahidake Photo courtesy of Yukinori Otsuka
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Sugatami Pond at the foot of Mt Asahidake
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Hiking to Hokkaido's tallest peak Mt Asahidake
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Trail from Sugatami to Nakadake Onsen, Daisetsuzan National Park
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Kagami Pond (Mirror Pond) on the Sugatami Walkway
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Hikers resting while dipping their feet in Nakadake Onsen
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Kogen alpine tarn trail, Daisetsuzan National Park
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Higuma Brown Bear Information Centre at Kogen Onsen, Daisetsuzan National Park
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Midori Numa (Green Pond) Kogen Walkway, Daisetsuzan
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View of Wakkanai, the northern-most city of Hokkaido
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Rishiri Island captured from the ferry
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West coast of Rebun Island, Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park
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Cape Sukoton, Rebun Island
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View of Rishiri Island from Rebun
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Aerial view of Rebun Island's capes and trails
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Misaki Meguri walkway near Cape Sukoton, Rebun Island
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Itsukushima Bentengu Shrine, Rishiri Island
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Rocky beach near Cape Peshi, Rishiri Island
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Trying the seafood is a must-do in Hokkaido's Northern Islands
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Rishiri-Fuji reflecting on the surface of Himenuma
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Hiking towards the top of Mt Rishiri-Fuji
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Sea kayaking is a fun way to explore the coast of Rishiri
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Descending down to sea level, Rishiri-Fuji hiking trail
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Sapporo City, the capital of Hokkaido
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National Ainu Museum & Park Upopoy, Shiraoi
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Night view of Hakodate City from Mt Hakodateyama
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Hakodate Port