Japan's Far East 8 Day Wildlife & Adventure Tour
Multi-day Guided Hiking, Canoeing & Wildlife Tour in Eastern Hokkaidofrom
An intrepid journey covering three National Parks in Eastern Hokkaido. Experience the best of our outdoors, wildlife & culture on this multi-day guided hiking, canoeing & wildlife tour.
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Tour Duration
8 Days -
Minimum Travellers
4 People -
Accommodation
7 Nights -
Tour Starts
Kushiro, Hokkaido -
Included Meals
7 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
7 Dinners -
Tour Finishes
Kushiro, Hokkaido
Tour Highlights
- Explore deep into Japan’s Far East region, home to three national parks: Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, Lakes Akan & Mashu, and Shiretoko Peninsula.
- Wildlife cruises with a chance to sight Ezo brown bear & marine birds & mammals off the Rausu coast
- Canoeing around Kushiro to observe volcanic hot spots & unique wetland ecosystems up close
- Meet and share meals with local fishermen, nature guides & conservation activists
About Japan’s Far East
Hokkaido’s far east region is often described as the last unexplored frontier of Japan. The area is an ideal place to get in touch with mother nature and observe the flora and fauna which are unique to Hokkaido.
On this tour we travel through a trio of National Parks that stand in eastern Hokkaido:, Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, Lakes Akan & Mashu and Shiretoko Peninsula, the latter is also designated as a Natural World Heritage Area by UNESCO.
During the journey we will also introduce you to local treasures, including the cuisine enjoyed by local fishermen and the people who devote their lives to conserving the wetland and its inhabitants. Come join us on this tour to meet the wildlife and the charms of people who live in harmony with nature.
Who is this tour for?
- Active travellers who love cultural exploration, water activity & wildlife encounters
- Adventurous travellers who enjoy staying in off the beaten track accommodation with rural hospitality
Japan’s Far East Wildlife & Adventure Tour Itinerary at a Glance
*B: Breakfast D: Dinner
Day 1 Meet your group in Kushiro City (D)
Day 2 Guided canoeing on Lake Kussharo & the Kushiro River (B, L, D)
Day 3 Walk to Mt Iouzan & transfer to Utoro Shiretoko (B, L, D)
Day 4 Walk to Shiretoko Five Lakes & brown bear cruise in Rausu (B, L, D)
Day 5 Marine birds & mammal watching cruise in Rausu (B, D)
Day 6 Transfer to Yoroushi Onsen & hike to Mt Moanyama (B, D)
Day 7 Seafood lunch & guided canoeing in Kiritappu Wetland (B, L, D)
Day 8 Transfer to Kushiro & farewells (B)
Tour Inclusions
Items that are included in the cost of tour price.- 7 nights accommodation on a twin share basis
- 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 7 dinners
- Guided canoeing tour on Lake Kussharo & the Kushiro River
- Brown bear watching boat cruise in Rausu
- Marine bird & mammal watching cruise in Rausu
- Admission to Shiretoko Five Lakes
- Guided canoeing tour on the Kiritappu Wetland
- All transport as described in the itinerary
- English speaking local guide(s)
Not included
Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.- Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Drinks with included meals
- Day 1 Meet your group in Kushiro City
- Day 2 Guided canoeing on Lake Kussharo & the Kushiro River
- Day 3 Walk to Mt Iouzan & transfer to Utoro Shiretoko
- Day 4 Walk to Shiretoko Five Lakes & Brown bear cruise in Rausu
- Day 5 Marine bird & mammal watching cruise in Rausu
- Day 6 Transfer to Yoroushi Onsen & hike to Mt Moanyama
- Day 7 Seafood lunch & guided canoeing in Kiritappu Wetland
- Day 8 Transfer to Kushiro & farewells
Tour Meeting Point
We will meet at either Kushiro Station or Kushiro Airport (KUH) between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm on the first day. The airport shuttle bus for downtown Kushiro is scheduled to connect with all incoming flights, departing within 10 to 25 mins after arrival. The cost is 950 yen per person, and it takes 45 mins to Kushiro Station. If you wish to stay in Kushiro the night before, we are more than happy to assist you with booking your pre-tour accommodation.
If you are flying into Kushiro Airport (KUH) from Tokyo on the first day, please make sure you reserve an early morning flight that arrives at KUH before 12:30 pm, which allows us to pick you up from the airport on the day.
An alternative to flying is to travel by train (Japan Railway, abbr. JR), which travels 6 times a day between Sapporo and Kushiro. The best connecting train to join this tour is the one which departs Sapporo at 8:51 am and arrives at Kushiro at 1:20 pm. The cost is 9,990 yen for a reserved seat. Upon booking, please let us know your travel plans to Kushiro, and we will confirm in detail where and what time we will meet on the first day.
You can search train timetable in English on Japan Transit Planner website.
Japan’s Far East Wildlife & Adventure Tour Accommodation
DAY 1 | Hotel | Ensuite | Onsen spa | |
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DAY 2 | Ryokan | Ensuite | Onsen spa | |
DAY 3 | Hotel | Ensuite | Onsen spa | |
DAY 4 | Lodge | Ensuite | NA | |
DAY 5 | Lodge | Ensuite | NA | |
DAY 6 | Ryokan | Ensuite | Onsen spa | |
DAY 7 | Minshuku | Shared bathroom | Spa |
What to Bring on your Japan’s Far East Wildlife & 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℃)
- Thermal layers top & bottom
- 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 1L
- Quick-dry hand towel
- Toiletries
- Personal medications
- 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
- Binoculars
- Dry bag
- Motion sickness pills for the boat ride (available to purchase locally)
- Cellphone power bank
- Extra snacks which you’re used to eating during the activities
- Camera
We supply
- First aid kit
- Safety equipment
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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Cape Kiritappu, Hamanaka
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Mount Iouzan
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Canoeing on the Kushiro River
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Ezo brown bear trying to catch salmon in Rausu Shiretoko
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Shiretoko Five Lakes in the autumn colours
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Mt Moan near Yoroushi Onsen
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Sunset in Utoro on the Shiretoko Peninsula
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An active volcano with yellow lumps of sulphur
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Whale watching off the Rausu coast, Shiretoko
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Killer whales spotted off the Rausu coast, Shiretoko
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Chance to spot brown bear
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Blakiston's fish owl at Yoroushi Onsen
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Boat cruise along the Rausu coast, Shiretoko National Park
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Shiretoko bears like to hang around on the beach in autumn
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Kushiro River winding through vast Kushiro Marshland
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Shiretoko Pass Road, with view of Kuril Islands
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Shiretoko Five Lakes and Shiretoko Mountain Range
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We'll enjoy bathing in some of Rausu's community hot springs looked after by residents