Known for creating immersive cultural and nature-based journeys across Japan, Oku Japan is expanding its offerings on Hokkaidō, known for its vast wilderness, with a brand-new self-guided itinerary: Hokkaidō Highlights: Sapporo and Beyond. With departures available between June and October, this six-day trip combines urban exploration, self-guided hikes, and off-the-beaten-track adventures in and around Sapporo, the vibrant capital of Japan’s northernmost island.
On this journey, travelers will have the opportunity to discover how Sapporo blends modernity and nature, with green sanctuaries like Maruyama Park and sweeping views of the city framed by the surrounding mountains. From there, the adventure continues westward to witness the island’s remarkable volcanic landscapes, shimmering lakes, and moss-covered forests.
“This new tour opens the gateway to western Hokkaidō and enables our guests to experience both the urban charm of Sapporo and the wild beauty just beyond it,” says Hiroshi Kawaguchi, General Manager for Oku Japan. “By expanding our self-guided portfolio here, we are providing even more ways for travelers to connect deeply with the landscapes and cultural heritage of this remarkable region.”
Trip highlights include:
- Explore the vibrant city of Sapporo, from 19th-century government buildings and Hokkaidō University’s botanical gardens to the ski jump used in the 1972 Winter Olympics and stunning Maruyama Park, home to a primeval forest that is a designated natural treasure.
- Hike up Mount Shioya Maruyama where, on a clear day, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Shakotan Peninsula and the surrounding mountains.
- Located at the foot of Mount Tarumae, close to Lake Shikotsu, discover the Kaedesawa Moss Corridor, a volcanic canyon and natural wonder that – as the name suggests – is covered in emerald-green moss.
- Visit the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in the town of Shiraoi where you will learn about the Ainu people, Hokkaidō’s Indigenous people.
- Witness the power of nature at Lake Tōya where a series of eruptions on Mount Usu in March 2000 led to the creation of several new craters and crater trails.
- Explore Lake Tōya’s quiet and serene Nakajima Island and experience the area’s onsen hot springs.
- Throughout the trip, enjoy incredible regional cuisine and welcoming accommodations throughout, along with rewarding hiking and chances to spot wildlife unique to the island.
