Upon renting a car, leave New Chitose Airport and take Routes 36 and 16 toward Lake Shikotsu.

The 7th Station of Mt. Tarumae, an active volcano south of Lake Shikotsu, can be reached by car, and from there the hike to the summit of the eastern peak takes about 50 minutes. The ascent is suitable even for beginners and you can enjoy a magnificent view of Lake Shikotsu from the trails and peaks.

After descending, you can learn about the Lake Shikotsu area at the Shikotsuko Visitor Center, take a stroll along the lakeshore, or participate in watersports before staying the night at a lakeside hotel.

On day two, take Route 453 from Lake Shikotsu to Lake Toya. Along the way, you can pick fruit in Sobetsu, known for its fruit farms. Sobetsu Fruit Village (Sobetsu Kudamonomura) is a tourist farm with many orchards where you can pick plums, grapes, and apples depending on the season.

After picking fruit, head to the gorgeous Usuzan Ropeway!

From the large windows of the Usuzan Ropeway’s gondolas and the mountain top observation deck, you’ll be presented with a spectacular panoramic view of the vast natural scenery and the local landmarks, Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya. Make sure you get some rest nearby – a great place to stop is at Toyako Onsen.

The third day of the trip centers around Lake Toya. Rent a bike to do some cycling or go canoeing. We also highly recommend the sightseeing boat to Nakajima, at the center of the lake.
There are many stylish cafes near “Toyamizu Station,” perfect for lunch or tea time. Or, if you like hot springs, it's fun to visit a few around the lake and spend the day comparing bath hopping!

An instalment of the “Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Festival” is held every evening from late April to October - you can't miss this beautiful show!

Depart Lake Toya from the Uchiura Bay side, and drive along the sea on National Highway No. 37/Route 779 towards Muroran.

Then, cross the beautiful 1,380-meter Hakucho Bridge (Swan Bridge) to see the curving horizon from Cape Chikyu and the cliffs of Tokkarisho Lookout.

As a manufacturing town, Muroran’s steel and shipbuilding industries create a uniquely fantastic “factory night view” which can be appreciated on a night cruise.

A must-try is “Muroran Yakitori,” which is made with pork instead of chicken.

The next morning, take Route 36 to Noboribetsu, one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring areas. There you’ll also find Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village – a popular theme park that recreates the townscape and culture of the Edo period.

There you can spend the day watching ninja and oiran shows in the village’s theaters, strolling through the elegant town in rented costumes, and throwing shuriken or painting wooden kokeshi dolls.

Staying at Noboribetsu Onsen overnight, you can also explore the hot spring town and find Oni (demon) statues everywhere. Jigokudani and Noboribetsu Bear Park are two of the area’s other recommended destinations.

On day six, drive east along the coast from Noboribetsu to neighboring Shiraoi, and head to the National Ainu Museum and Park – Upopoy – to learn about the history and culture of the Ainu People, through traditional Ainu dances and performing arts, food, and craft making.

Enjoy a lunch featuring the local specialty, Shiraoi beef, then head back to Noboribetsu and the popular Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe aquarium.

After taking in dolphin and sea lion shows, the penguin parade, the huge sardine-filled aquarium, stay one more relaxing night at Noboribetsu Onsen.

On the seventh morning, leave Noboribetsu Onsen and head east, stopping by green, moss-covered Tarumae Gallo on the outskirts of lush Tomakomai for some photos of the gully’s mysterious beauty. (For a shot like the one above, you’ll need boots and waterproof clothing.)

After a satisfying meal of Tomakomai's famous hokki (clam) curry, take Route 36 to Chitose. There you can observe salmon and other fish from around the world at Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium, one of Japan's largest freshwater aquariums, and stay overnight in Chitose.

The day before leaving Hokkaido, relax near the airport in the Chitose area. At the Northern Horse Park, you can go horseback riding and watch delightful pony shows. The park’s restaurant also serves delicious barbecue lunches.

The Kirin Brewery Hokkaido Chitose Factory is another worthwhile stop. You can learn about the beer making process from the raw ingredient stage all the way to packaging, and, at the end, try a sample!

There is a parking lot, so it’s possible to come by car, but of course if you plan to drink, you’ll need to use public transportation. You can walk from JR Osatsu Station, or use the free shuttle bus that departs from JR Chitose Station on weekends and holidays.

Having arrived at the last day of your trip, head to New Chitose Airport a bit early to check out the variety of shops and restaurants, museums, and hot springs. Or, if you have a later flight, you may want to do some of your Chitose-area sightseeing before departing.

There are many attractive spots throughout Hokkaido. Traveling around the island can take a long time, but that just means you can enjoy a leisurely-paced sightseeing tour!


Text by:minna no kotoba sha