Japan's Far East
8 Day Wildlife & Adventure Tour

We will spend the whole day exploring by canoe today, at Lake Kussharo in the morning and onto the Kushiro River in the afternoon. We will get started at the foot of Wakoto Hanto, a small peninsula that was once an island floating in the lake.

It is easy to imagine the Wakoto Peninsula being formed by volcanic activity, as we explore the peninsula in our canoes we will witness steam vents and hot springs surging from the ground on the shore. We will have morning tea when we land near ”Oyakotsu Jigoku”, where we will enjoy eggs cooked in geothermal steam!

After we enjoy outdoor lunch, we will head for the start of the Kushiro River, the water source which feeds Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland. We will enjoy a leisurely canoe downstream on the pristine water until we reach the Biruwa Bridge, where we bid farewell to the canoes and transfer by van to Kawayu Onsen. (B, L, D)

Activity – Canoeing
Estimated duration – 5 hours

This morning, we will set off from our accommodation on foot to explore the village of Kawayu. In Japanese kawa means river & yu means hot water and as true to its name, there is a hot water river running through the village centre. We will then hike to the source of the thermal springs that feed the river, Mt Iōzan, on an easy 2.5 km/1.6 miles trail from Kawayu village.

A young active volcano, Mt Iōzan has steam constantly discharging from its fumaroles, which provide spectacular views. Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people named this mountain ”Atosanupuri”, 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 1.5 hours northeast to Shiretoko, which in the Ainu language means ”the land’s end”. We call into the Shiretoko World Heritage Centre in Utoro before settling into our accommodation.
(B, L, D)

Activity – Walking
Distance – 4.5km/2.8miles
Estimated duration – 2 hours

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 World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005.

Approximately 7,000 people live on this Peninsula, but their homes are concentrated in two towns: Utoro on the northern side, and Rausu on the southern side. The rest of the peninsula remains untouched and is a habitat for wildlife, such as brown bears, sika deers, red foxes, squirrels. Needless to say, the marine and bird life are also rich in diversity.

This morning, we explore Shiretoko on land, walking to Shiretoko Five Lakes. We will receive a mini-lecture before heading into the territory of Ezo brown bears. We aim to complete the entire walkway to visit all five of the lakes, unless the walkway is closed due to a bear 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. We will try our luck in spotting a brown bear or two wandering in search of food, often salmon in the autumn months. We make Rausu our home for the two nights. (B, L, D)

Activity – Walking
Distance – 3km/1.9miles
Estimated duration – 1.5 hours

The Rausu coast also features a deep ocean trench, making it a favourite home for marine mammals such as sperm whales and Dall’s porpoises. This morning we board on a larger boat than yesterday to journey further offshore to try and spot those sea mammals and sea birds.

The afternoon is free 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. (B, D)

Activity – Boat cruise
Estimated duration – 2.5 hours

This morning we travel by van for 1.5 hours down the southern coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula, heading for Yoroushi Onsen. Yoroushi is a peaceful hot spring village nestled in the forest. You can enjoy soaking in the outdoor onsen listening to the sounds of the river and surrounding nature.

We start our hike near Mt Moanyama (356m / 1,168ft) and head in the direction of Yoroushi Onsen. This section of trail is maintained by the local farming community and provides a unique walking experience amid the ranches. We have lunch at the Saeki Farm, whose owner is the key person for the ranch trail building and always welcomes hikers with open arms.

Tonight’s accommodation will be popular with bird lovers, as Blakiston’s fish owls turn up from time to time to feed along the river running by our accommodation.
(B, D)

Activity – Hiking
Distance – 4.5 km/2.8 miles
Estimated duration – 3 hours

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. We will then meet up with local fishing families and share a hands-on lunch with them. *

We will try our hands at preparing sea urchin, as well as making ”dashi”, kelp stock used for making miso soup. We will enjoy this seafood lunch with the local families, fuelling up for our afternoon canoeing on the Kiritappu Wetland. *

* Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic we are unable to have the social lunch and will instead enjoy a seafood lunch at Kiritappu in our group.

Although the scale of the wetlands in Kiritappu is not as significant as those in Kushiro, Kiritappu offers an attractive setting for canoeing with narrow river channels. We will float peacefully and experience the wetland ecosystem up close.

Tonight we either overnight at a lodge in Hamanka or at a hotel in Kushiro depending on the room requirements of the group. (B, L, D)

Activity – Canoeing
Estimated duration – 2 hours

We say goodbye to our host 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. (B)

No Activity