An intrepid journey covering the three National Parks in Eastern Hokkaido. Experience the best of our outdoors, wildlife & culture on this multi-day guided hiking, canoeing & wildlife tour.
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 unique to Hokkaido.
On this tour, we travel through all three National Parks found in eastern Hokkaido; the marshy Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland national park, Akan–Mashu - home to caldera lakes - and the wild Shiretoko Peninsula. The latter is also designated as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
During the journey, we will also introduce you to local treasures, including the cuisine enjoyed by local fishermen and the culture of Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu people, who have lived here in harmony with nature, surviving as hunter-gatherers, long before Japanese colonists arrived.
Visit Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park - home to the Red-crowned Crane, Akan–Mashu National Park - a land of lakes and volcanos, and Shiretoko National Park - a wild peninsula with a unique ecosystem.
Taking to the sea is the best way to search for wildlife that calls the Shiretoko National Park home.
The calm caldera lakes of Lake Akan and Lake Kussharo stand in stark contrast to their violent formation. We can still see volcanic activity in the area now.
Meet local Ainu and learn first hand how they use their knowledge of Hokkaido's flora passed down over generations.
We will meet between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm in Kushiro City. We can arrange to pick you up from the airport at around 1:00 pm or from the railway station at around 1:30 pm.
Once the group assembles in Kushiro, we’ll spend some time getting to know each other and discuss the program for our upcoming adventure then set off for a short hike on the Kushiro Wetland walkway.
Registered as a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance), Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland is the largest wetland remaining in Japan today. With an area of 22,070 ha (54,500 acres), it is larger than our capital city Tokyo! After we enjoy the views of the vast wetland, we will travel by van for half an hour to Tsurui Village, where we spend our first night.
After breakfast at our hotel, we will head for Lake Akan in the Akan–Mashu National Park. Lake Akan, located between the majestic Mt. Oakan and Mt. Meakan volcanic peaks, is a hot spot for hiking, fishing and bathing in hot springs. It is also a cultural hub for Ainu, the indigenous people of Northern Japan, and you can find a variety of handicraft shops and galleries on the main street of the village.
Here we will be joined by a local Ainu guide who will take us for a leisurely walk destined for a bokke , a spot where we can see the bubbling mud on the shore of Lake Akan. As we enjoy the 5 km return walk, we will hear folklore stories and learn about the culture and customs of Ainu who worship wildlife and have lived in harmony with nature for centuries.
After lunch in Akan village, we travel on to Kawayu Onsen. In Japanese, kawa means river & yu means hot water and, true to its name, there is a hot water river running through the centre of the village. We will hike to the source of the thermal springs that feed the river, Mt. Iozan, on an easy 2.5 km trail from Kawayu village.
A young and active volcano, Mt. Iozan has steam constantly jetting out from its fumaroles, providing spectacular views. Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people named this mountain ” Atosa-nupuri ”, which means ”naked mountain” due to no vegetation growing on its slopes.
We will return on the same trail back to our vehicle in Kawayu Onsen, and drive 10 mins to our accommodation at Lake Kussharo. We will enjoy a meal and bathing in hot springs at our accommodation tonight.
Bidding farewell to our hosts, we will head for the starting point of our canoeing adventure on the Kushiro River, which feeds into the Kushiro Wetlands. We will jump on our Canadian canoes on the shores of Lake Kussharo and start floating leisurely down on the pristine water until we reach the Biruwa Bridge. This area is a habitat for wild birds, including the Grey Heron and Crested Kingfisher, which are occasionally seen while paddling down the river.
In the afternoon, we will transfer to Utoro Shiretoko (1.5 hours drive) and have lunch on the way. Shiretoko, in the Ainu language means ”the land’s end”. Situated at the far east region of Hokkaido, Shiretoko is often described as one of the last vestiges of true wilderness in Japan. Enroute, we call in at the Shiretoko World Heritage Centre to learn about what makes Shiretoko’s ecosystem unique, before settling into our accommodation.
Surrounded by the Sea of Okhotsk, most of the Shiretoko Peninsula has been preserved as a National Park since 1964 and was also designated as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005.
Approximately 7,000 people live on the peninsula, but their homes are concentrated in two towns: Utoro on the western side, and Rausu on the eastern side. The rest of the peninsula remains untouched and is a habitat for wildlife, such as Brown Bears, Japanese Deer, Red Foxes and Eurasian Red Squirrels. Needless to say, the area’s marine and bird life are also rich in diversity.
This morning, we explore Shiretoko on foot, walking amongst the Shiretoko Five Lakes. The area is home to a rich population of Brown Bears. We will aim to complete the entire walkway and to visit all five of the lakes, unless the walkway is closed due to a bear sighting on the trail.
In the afternoon, we cross over the Shiretoko Pass to Rausu, a thriving fishing village. We’ll board on a local fisherman’s boat for 2.5 hours to explore the southern coast of the peninsula from the sea. If we are lucky we may spot a Brown Bear or two wandering in search of food, often salmon in the autumn months. We will make Rausu our home for the next two nights.
The Rausu coast also features a deep ocean trench, making it an ideal home for marine mammals such as Sperm Whales and Dall’s Porpoises. This morning we will board a larger boat than yesterday to journey further offshore to try and spot these sea mammals and sea birds.
The afternoon is at leisure for everyone to enjoy some free time: relaxing in your room or exploring Rausu town on foot. If you are an onsen lover, we can head out together to either Aidomari Onsen or Kuma-No-Yu, which are free outdoor onsens looked after by the local communities. We regroup in the evening and dine out in town.
After dinner we have the option to drive 5 minutes to Washi-no-Yado (Admission ¥3,000), where we can try our luck at seeing a Blakiston’s Fish Owl. This is a great way for keen birders to end the day!
This morning we travel 1 hour down the coast from the Shiretoko Peninsula, heading for Notsuke Peninsula. This is Japan’s largest sand spit, extending over 26km into the Sea of Okhotsk. Registered under the Ramsar Convention, the peninsula is of ecological significance to the migrating birds and wildlife of Hokkaido. The area is one of few places where Red-crowned Cranes and White-tailed Eagles breed over summer.
We will explore the area on foot hopefully to see some Hokkaido’s iconic land mammals such as Japanese Deer and Rex Fox. The shallow bay of Notsuke is also home to Harbour Seals, so be sure to take binoculars with you.
After the walk, we head back to the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Centre for lunch, and then check into our accommodation near the Odaito Port. The area is known for its fresh scallop and shrimp, so we will enjoy seafood oriented local cuisine tonight.
Today we have an easy morning as we travel south in the van for 1.5 hours to Hamanaka Town, a prosperous fishing and dairy farming town located on the southern coast of Hokkaido. We call into scenic Cape Kiritappu, where we can spot wild Sea Otters if we are lucky.
After lunch in the township of Kiritappu, we’ll head towards the Biwase River for canoeing on Kiritappu Wetland.
Although the scale of the wetlands in Kiritappu is not as significant as those in Kushiro, its narrow river channels are fantastic for canoeing. We will float peacefully through the wetland and experience the ecosystem up close.
We say goodbye to our hosts and then drive 1.5 hours to Kushiro City to complete the tour. We can drop you off at either Kushiro JR Station at around 11:00 am or Kushiro Airport at 11:30 am.
This tour includes a series of active experiences that while easygoing will still allow you to experience the great outdoors and work up a bit of a sweat! Although not as active as some of our other tours, you will still need to make sure you have the right clothes and footwear to deal with possible changes in the elements and several hours on your feet. Your luggage will stay in our van, freeing you up to enjoy the day’s adventure with only a light day pack. There is also a focus on the region’s wildlife and you will have multiple chances to catch a glimpse at some of Hokkaido’s incredible creatures.
