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Red-crested crane mating ritual

Wildlife & hot springs of Hokkaido

15 days from £5,495pp
Red-crested crane mating ritual
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Tour highlights

  • Hiking in the Daisetsuzan National Park.

  • Skiing in Furano or Niseko on world-class powder.

  • Seeing the Snow Festival in Sapporo in February.

  • Watching the red-crested crane mating rituals in Kushiro.

  • Keeping an eye out for bears in Shiretoko.

Price includes:

  • Scheduled international and domestic flights
  • Fully insured vehicle hire
  • All accommodation
  • 24-hour support while you travel
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Itinerary idea in detail

Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  • Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Tokyo.

  • After passing through customs and luggage collection, you're met by an airport guide who will give you your trip documents and direct you to the shared shuttle service which takes you to your hotel. After checking in, spend the rest of the day at leisure, resting and relaxing after your flight. If you want to explore, you may wish to walk around the Imperial Gardens.

    • Streetlife, Tokyo
      Streetlife, Tokyo
    • Shinjuku district, Tokyo
      Shinjuku district, Tokyo
    • Tsukiji Market, Tokyo
      Tsukiji Market, Tokyo

  • Have a day to acclimatise and sightsee in Tokyo before your rural adventure begins. You might like to visit the Imperial Palace gardens in the heart of the capital or explore the Edo-period area of Asakusa to see the impressive Sensoji temple.

    • Asakusa shrine, Tokyo
      Asakusa shrine, Tokyo
    • Tokyo, Japan
      Tokyo, Japan
    • Palace gardens, Tokyo
      Palace gardens, Tokyo

  • This morning, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Kushiro, where a rental car will be waiting for you. From Kushiro, drive through the wetlands, stopping at the Crane Centre, and go to the Akan National Park.

    • Lake Masshuko, Akan-ko National Park
      Lake Masshuko, Akan-ko National Park
    • Japanese red crown crane courtship dance, Japan
      Japanese red crown crane courtship dance, Japan
    • Akan-ko National Park, Japan
      Akan-ko National Park, Japan

  • Explore the lake today — take a boat trip or stroll around the shore. You can also use your hire car to explore further afield.

    • Akan-ko National Park, Japan
      Akan-ko National Park, Japan
    • Akan-ko National Park, Japan
      Akan-ko National Park, Japan
    • Winter mating ritual of Japanese cranes
      Winter mating ritual of Japanese cranes

  • Head to the far eastern Shiretoko Peninsula today, stopping at Lakes Kussharo and Mashuko as you go. If you are short on time Mashuko is the more accessible and beautiful of the two.

    • Waterfalls, Utoro
      Waterfalls, Utoro
    • Shiretoko Peninsula, Utoro
      Shiretoko Peninsula, Utoro
    • Utoro Harbour
      Utoro Harbour

  • Explore Shiretoko's rugged, wild coastline today by boat, looking out for bears and other wildlife along the way. There are plenty of walking possibilities around the town centre.

    • Five lakes, Shiretoko National Park
      Five lakes, Shiretoko National Park
    • Mt Rausu, Shiretoko National Park
      Mt Rausu, Shiretoko National Park
    • Shiretoko National Park, Japan
      Shiretoko National Park, Japan

  • Drive back into the heart of Hokkaido, via Abashiri — there is an interesting indigenous peoples or Ainu museum here — to Sounkyo.

    • Views from the foot of Mount Kurodake, Sounkyo, Japan
      Views from the foot of Mount Kurodake, Sounkyo, Japan
    • Daisetsuzan mountain range, Sounkyo Gorge
      Daisetsuzan mountain range, Sounkyo Gorge
    • Views from the foot of Mount Kurodake, Sounkyo, Japan
      Views from the foot of Mount Kurodake, Sounkyo, Japan

  • Explore the gorge in the morning and then drive to Asahidake, another mountainous and scenic town.

    • Tenninkyo, Daisetsuzan National Park
      Tenninkyo, Daisetsuzan National Park
    • Red leaves in Asahidake
      Red leaves in Asahidake
    • Asahidake, Hokkaido
      Asahidake, Hokkaido

  • Explore the mountain today, there are several short walks or some longer hikes in the area.

    • Hagoromo Waterfall, Tenninkyo
      Hagoromo Waterfall, Tenninkyo
    • Hokkaido, Japan
      Hokkaido, Japan
    • Hokkaido sunset, Japan
      Hokkaido sunset, Japan

  • Drive south to Biei, a pretty town with rolling hills and abundant flowers in the spring and summer. Return to your hotel in the evening.

    • Asahidake, Hokkaido
      Asahidake, Hokkaido
    • Asahidake, Hokkaido
      Asahidake, Hokkaido
    • Asahidake, Hokkaido
      Asahidake, Hokkaido

  • Drive to the capital city of Hokkaido today, Sapporo. The city is very cosmopolitan and has some interesting architecture and a lovely atmosphere.

    • View from Mount Moiwa Ropeway
      View from Mount Moiwa Ropeway
    • Sapporo Snow festival
      Sapporo Snow festival
    • Odori Koen Park during annual Ice Festival
      Odori Koen Park during annual Ice Festival

  • Explore the city today. We recommend a visit to the Historical Village of Hokkaido, which features replicas and original buildings dating back to the 1800s.

    • View of Sapporo
      View of Sapporo
    • Sapporo, Japan
      Sapporo, Japan
    • Twin room
      Twin room

  • Drive to the airport for your flight back to Tokyo and your final afternoon at leisure in Japan. Enjoy your final day last-minute sightseeing or shopping.

    • Ginza nightlife, Tokyo
      Ginza nightlife, Tokyo
    • Palace bridge & Keep, Tokyo
      Palace bridge & Keep, Tokyo
    • Sponsor's lanterns, Asakusa
      Sponsor's lanterns, Asakusa

  • Take the airport shuttle bus directly from the hotel to the airport for your flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

    • Sensoji Temple
      Sensoji Temple
    • Gotokuji temple, Tokyo
      Gotokuji temple, Tokyo
    • Temple, Akaskusa
      Temple, Akaskusa

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

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When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°C) Monthly rainfall (mm)
Tokyo
 
Kushiro
 
Akan-ko National Park
 
Utoro
 
Shiretoko National Park
 
Sounkyo
 
Asahidake
 
Sapporo
 

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