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Red-crested crane mating ritual

Wildlife & hot springs of Hokkaido
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:
15 days from £5,495pp

The specialist who creates your trip

Shannon in Italy
"Plan your trip with an expert who’ll get to know you, listen to you, and guide your plans around exactly what trip you want to take."
Shannon, Country Specialist
01993 838 210 or START PLANNING
Price:
15 days from £5,495pp

What's included in your Audley booking?

By booking one of our bespoke tours, you can rest assured that our experts will consider every aspect of your trip. We make sure that everything runs smoothly so you spend less time planning and more time living!
Flights
Scheduled international and domestic flights
Flights
Flight offers available
Self Drive
Fully insured vehicle hire
Accommodation
All accommodation
Support 24/7
24-hour support while you travel
Shannon in Italy

Knowing we’ve taken care of everything

“We know that the small details make all the difference. It’s why we won’t stop finessing your trip until you say it’s just right. From the outset, we’ll focus on bringing the experience you want to life, down to the finest detail."

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.

    • Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Tokyo
      Shibuya Scramble Crossing, 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 Akan, Akan-ko National Park
      Lake Akan, Akan-ko National Park
    • Japanese red-crowned crane courtship dance, Japan
      Japanese red-crowned 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.

    • Shiretoko Peninsula in autumn
      Shiretoko Peninsula in autumn
    • Five lakes, Shiretoko National Park
      Five lakes, Shiretoko National Park
    • Mt Rausu, Shiretoko National Park
      Mt Rausu, Shiretoko National Park

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

    • Sounkyo ravine, Hokkaido
      Sounkyo ravine, Hokkaido
    • 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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Contact a Japan specialist

The specialist who designs your trip to Japan will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

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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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