Hokkaido Hike

In common with Walk Japan's Nakasendo Way, Kunisaki and Shogun Trail, Hokkaido Hike provides a unique experience of Japan. This time, though, the emphasis is on nature. Hokkaido was only settled by the Japanese in the 19th Century and there is little of the history commonly associated with Japan. Not that this matters as Hokkaido more than makes up for its lack of cultural monuments with the grand scale and beauty of its scenery and quality of its food.

The tour begins at Lake Akan before journeying to central Hokkaido and the Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest and perhaps most beautiful in Japan. We spend the next five days exploring the Park and hike some of Hokkaido's highest mountains, including Mt. Asahidake and Mt. Tokachidake. Our final few days are spent in the Lake Shikotsu area for hikes to the nearby volcanoes and finally soothing baths in natural hot spring overlooking the lake.

In short, the trip reaches the natural highlights of Hokkaido while keeping transfers to a minimum. The distances walked and heights ascended are challenging, but do not require the stamina of a high alpine trekker. Maximum height is 2,290 metres. We have chosen hikes that generally include some 'horizontal' sections or rolling countryside. This is a good trip for those who walk regularly and enjoy spectacular sights. The hikes are detailed in the itinerary.

Price: US$4,312 per person. The single supplement is US$300 (Please see below).

What is included and not included? Local travel from tour meeting point to finishing point, accommodation, all breakfasts and nine evening meals, baggage transfers, and entrance fees are included. Not included are flights, all lunches, one evening meal and drinks with meals.

Single room supplement: The single room supplement is US$300 per person and guarantees a single room in hotels on one night. Please note that while we cannot guarantee to do so we will endeavour to provide single accommodation on the nights we stay in traditional Japanese accommodation. No additional charge is made for any single accommodation provided in traditional inns.

Group size: The small, intimate nature of the inns makes the maximum group size 14 people. We have no minimum size. If we accept a booking we guarantee to run the tour.

Please see the Itinerary for this tour and Tour Dates for dates and availability. These tours start on a Thursday and finish on a Saturday.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and to book this tour.

The tour starts at beautiful Lake Akan, a Ramsar Convention site. Our accommodation, which is close by the Lake, includes an onsen, hotspring.Everyone meets at 18:00 in the tour hotel lobby for a briefing and equipment check before enjoying the first of many sumptuous meals during the tour. Afterwards, a foray into Akan town for the rest of the evening.

Dinner provided.

Flights by JAL, ANA and AirDo to Kushiro from Haneda Airport, Tokyo's domestic airport, and Itami, Osaka's domestic airport. JAL also flies from Nagoya's Chubu Airport, which handles both domestic and international flights. Connecting express buses to Haneda and Itami run at regular intervals from Narita Airport and Kansai Airport, respectively Tokyo's and Osaka's international airports. Both journeys are approximately 60 minutes each.

We start early and begin our ascent of Mt. Me-Akan (1,499m), an active volcano. At the top we take in the views of Lake Akan and Daisetsu-zan, the mountain range at the heart of Hokkaido and our destination for the evening. We descend Me-Akan by a different route to return to Lake Akan. An express bus then takes us to Sounkyo Onsen (hot springs), our gateway to the Daisetsuzan National park, and our base for two nights. Sounkyo is an impressive gorge a hundred metres deep that stretches for 24 kilometres. Many hot springs provide a plentiful supply of hot water to relax in. Stay in Sounkyo. 5-6 hour hike.

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Mt. Me-Akan (1,499m) Ainu name: Ponmachi-neshiri
Mt. Me-Akan towers over Lake Akan affording views to its nearby 'twin', Mt. O-Akan and beyond to Daisetsuzan, the high mountain area at the centre of Hokkaido. Mt. Me-Akan is the first of several active volcanoes we climb on this tour.

A taxi ride to the beginning of today's hike, the first of several we will enjoy in the spectacular Daisetsuzan National Park. After reaching the peak of Mt. Akadake (2078m) there is an optional excursion to Mt. Hakuundake (2229.5m), but only for the very energetic. We then continue our hike back to Sounkyo. En route, we briefly skirt Ohachi-daira, a spectacular two kilometer wide caldera, before cresting Mt. Kurodake (1,984m) and descending to Sounkyo. A chair lift and cable car take the strain for us on the last leg of today's hike. 7-8 hour hike. Stay in Sounkyo.

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Daisetsuzan National Park & Mt. Kurodake (1,984m)
Daisetsuzan is Japan's largest national park, covering 230,000 hectares and containing 15 mountains reaching 2,000 or more metres in altitude. It is a rugged, beautiful area that the Ainu call Kamui-mintara, or 'Playground of the gods'. Here the northerly latitude creates an alpine environment found only at an elevation of 3,000 metres in the rest of Japan. Snow is found near the mountain summits even at the height of summer, a season when many alpine plants bloom. The steep sided Mt. Kurodake is our first climb in Daisetsuzan and, at its summit, provides grandstand views of Ohachi-daira, the caldera at the centre of the Daisetsuzan National Park and beyond to Mt. Asahidake.

Early morning start. We reverse our journey of yesterday on the cable car and chair lift up from Sounkyo to the beginning of our walk for the day. A steep, one hour climb brings us back to the crest of Mt. Kurodake (1,984m). Here the landscape suddenly changes from the deep gorge of Sounkyo to an almost Shangri-la like land of Ohachi-daira, an enormous caldera ringed by a series of mountains. Our route takes us around one side of the caldera, still spuming smoke and steam, to Mt. Asahidake, Hokkaido's tallest peak. En route, we pass through alpine flower meadows. On the far side of Mt. Asahidake another cable car saves our energy and legs and brings us down to Asahidake Onsen. 8 hour hike. Stay in Asahidake Onsen.

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Mt. Asahidake (2,290m) Ainu name: Nutakukamu-ushuppe
We climb the park's tallest peak, Mt. Asahidake, which is also Hokkaido's highest peak and an active volcano. Steam continuously venting from the side of the mountain provides a spectacular sight as we descend from the peak. On the lower slopes is verdant forest that turn into rugged, lava rock slopes that are carpeted by alpine flowers in full bloom from mid-June through the summer. A hot spring welling up between rocks in a valley provides a welcome spot to refresh oneself.

Today we ride the cable car again to the high plateau at the foot of Mt. Asahidake. Our hike, to Aizankei Onsen, is a less demanding trek that takes us through fields of alpine flowers, over residual snowfields and past marshy ground. Many of the alpine flowers are in their full glory and are all the more striking with Mt. Asahidake, smoking fumeroles and the snow providing a fabulous backdrop. 5~6 hour hike depending on route chosen.

From Aizankei Onsen we make our way to our hotel in Furano by train, arriving in time for dinner at a restaurant in town. Dinner is not provided this day so you may choose your own restaurant and style of meal. Your guide will provide ideas of where you may like to eat and settle you into the restaurant of your choice. Or, you are welcome to join your guide for dinner. Stay in Furano.

Breakfast provided.

Day 6

An early morning transfer to the start of today's climb of Mt. Tokachidake (2,077m), another volcano and one of the most active in Japan. It most recently burst into life in 1988 and climbing was prevented until 1990. At the top, on a clear day, we will be afforded views right across the Daisetsuzan National Park to Mt. Asahidake. We descend to our lodgings at Tokachidake Onsen, where we will stay for two nights. Tokachidake Onsen is at 1,270 metres making it an ideal base to hike from. 6-7 hour hike depending on route chosen. Stay in Tokachidake Onsen.

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Today we continue our exploration of the south-western part of Daisetsuzan National Park, including a climb of Mt. Furanodake (1,893 metres) before returning again to our lodgings in Tokachidake Onsen. Stay in Tokachidake Onsen.

Breakfast & Dinner provided.

Time to relax until mid-morning when we begin our transfer to Lake Shikotsu-ko, the deepest and one of the most beautiful lakes in Japan. We will spend two night here. Stay in Shikotsu-ko Onsen.

Breakfast & Dinner provided.

Early morning taxi transfer (30 minutes) to start of the climb of Mts. Fuppushidake & Tarumaezan. Minibus pick-up for return to our lodgings in Shikotsu-ko Onsen and where we stay the night. Hike 4 hours for Tarumaezan; 6 hours for Tarumaezan and Fuppushidake. Stay in Shikotsu-ko Onsen.

For those who would rather not walk, pleasure boat tours, fishing for rainbow trout and scuba diving activities on Lake Shikotsu-ko are available at extra cost. These tours and activities are provided by local companies not affiliated with Walk Japan. Walk Japan cannot assume any responsibility in respect of these tours.

Breakfast & dinner provided.

Mt. Tarumaezan (1,041m, climb to 1,023m) and Mt. Fuppushidake (1,102.5m). Ainu names: respectively, Taoro Mai and Fuppu Ushi
Tarumaezan is on the south side of Lake Shikotsu-ko, a 360m deep, sparklingly clear water lake formed in a calder created over 30,000 years after a gigantic volcanic explosion. Its beauty is enhanced by being ringed by three active volcanos, including Tarumaezan. This mountain was most recently active in 1981. Another explosion in 1909 created the Tarumaezan's lava rock dome, an impressive and imposing sight, that distinguishes the mountain. A relatively easy walk and climb over volcanic rock. The lower slopes are particularly abundant in alpine plants and flowers.

Adjacent to Tarumaezan is Fuppushidake. Unlike the former, Fuppushidake is dormant and has not been active since ancient times and its slopes are covered in forest. Given enough time and energy we can walk over both peaks of Fuppushidake and Tarumaezan. Spectacular views are provided from both mountains over Lake Shikotsu to Mt. Yotei, and the low lands across to Sapporo, Chitose Airport and the North Pacific Ocean. There are a number of routes between and around the two mountains and our route will reflect the interest of the group, the weather, time available, etc.

The tour finishes after breakfast in Shikotsu-ko Onsen. Travel to Shin-Chitose Airport, Hokkaido's main airport, is by direct express coach from Shikotsu-ko Onsen. Onward travel from here to elsewhere in Japan by air or, in Hokkaido, by rail. Please note that the first bus to depart for the airport leaves Shikotsu-ko Onsen at 09:45 arriving at 10:36. If you have an early morning flight a taxi to the airport will be necessary.

Breakfast provided.

This itinerary is subject to change.

Please see Tour Dates for scheduled tours and their availability. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and to receive the booking form.

The following travel tips are intended to be helpful advice for our Hokkaido Hike tour. In addition, please refer to your own past experiences and make adjustments or amendments as necessary. If you require any further advice please contact us.

We hike in some high and remote areas, and proper clothing is essential. This includes quality hiking boots (please make sure these are worn-in before the tour), spare laces and socks, packable waterproof and wind-resistant jacket with hood, packable waterproof over-trousers, gloves, hat, comfortable hiking back pack with waterproof cover, water bottle, whistle and small medical kit. Other items you should consider are a walking pole, gaiters, some high-energy food, pocketknife, insect repellent and small torch. Summer temperatures fluctuate from hot to cold (particularly at higher altitude) during the day to warm to cool at night. It is advisable to bring a variety of layers ranging from t-shirts to a top with long sleeves and perhaps a lightweight sweater/fleece. Shorts are acceptable in Japan for both men and women. However, we recommend long trousers for most, if not all, of the hiking itself. We recommend you also bring some comfortable casual shoes sneakers, sandals, etc. for use in town. The sun's rays will be strong and we recommend a sun hat, sun screen, etc. Some individuals find Japanese pillows uncomfortable and you may like to bring your own inflatable pillow. Yukata, evening gowns for sleeping in, are provided at each lodging. However, we recommend leggings, a top, etc. to wear underneath. This will provide a degree of modesty and help ward off any cold air. Laundrette facilities, available in most lodges, will help to reduce the volume of clothing required. Note, if you intend to buy clothing in Japan, large sizes are not easily available.

While hiking during the day we will each carry our own food for lunch and snacks and drinks. These will provided at the beginning of the day. (Food of a variety of kinds fruit, breads, meats, salads, etc. or a bento lunch box will be made available by the guide or our lodging.) Unlike much of the rest of the country, will we not find vending machines en route. Dinner in our lodgings is Hokkaido-style, that is, a feast of sea food, meat and seasonal vegetables. Breakfast will be more Western in style. Tap water is nearly always drinkable your guide will advise.

Some medicines and cosmetics with which you are familiar may not be available in Japan, although there are usually similar products. Prescription medicines in Japan may differ from foreign medicines in minor, but possibly unacceptable, ways. If you require a specific medicine or cosmetic, either for health or comfort, please bring sufficient quantities with you.

Exchanging foreign currency or travellers' cheques in major currencies is only possible at large bank branches in Japan. If you wish to exchange cash this will only be possible either before or after the tour as we will be far from a suitable bank branch on the tour. Please note that changing at a bank can be a time-consuming exercise. Instead, we recommend alternatives including arriving in Japan with some Japanese currency, using credit cards, and withdrawing cash from post office ATMs. Japan is still a society based on cash payments. Given that the crime rate is quite low, there is not a great deal of risk in carrying around relatively large amounts of cash.

Credit card payments are sometimes possible, but do not rely on it as credit cards are not universally acceptable in Japan, particularly in rural areas. ATMs at Japanese post offices, which are ubiquitous in Japan, and Seven-Eleven stores provide cash against the following credit cards - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club International, PLUS, Maestro, Cirrus and JCB.  Most Japanese bank ATMs, though, do not accept debit cards or provide access to foreign bank accounts.

Making international telephone calls and using the internet outside of major urban areas can be difficult or impossible. Please bring a telephone charge card issued by your local telephone company, such as AT&T, BT and Telstar. These can be used almost anywhere.

The Japanese cell, or mobile, phone system uses a specialized CDMA technology which is incompatible with most overseas systems. Some G3, Blackberry smartphones and iPhones operate in Japan, however, please confirm with your provider whether your phone set will work. If your phone does not work in Japan you may like to rent a cell phone from providers such as NTT Docomo, Cellhire, Mobalrental, Worldroam, Vodafone, etc.

For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The following is an indication of what level of activity to expect on our tours. The itineraries for all our tours provide specific details of each day's walking.

Please note that one person's expectations of what is easy or hard can be very different. Whilst age, physical ability and fitness are factors in deciding what a person is capable of, often a seemingly less fit person completes our tours with no problem. Another factor to consider is the weather, which can affect people differently.

Since 1992 we have taken many thousands of people of many nationalities, all ages and abilities on tour in Japan. We have good experience and knowledge about what most, if not all, people can achieve so please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information and advice related to your abilities.

Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few flights of stairs and walk up to 5 km a day on mainly even ground.

Participants must be in reasonable health, mobile and able to participate in 4~6 hours of walking at a moderate 2kph to 4kph pace. The terrain is mainly even ground, with occasional short but steep climbs.




Participants must be in reasonable health, mobile and able to participate in 4~6 hours of walking at a 2 kph to 4 kph pace. The terrain includes more uneven ground than Level 2 with some short, occasionally longer, steep climbs.




Participants must be in good health, mobile and used to a reasonably active lifestyle. Walking may require up to six hours of moderate-paced activity per day, at a 2 kph to 4 kph pace over varied terrain. Ascents and descents can sometimes be steep,    necessitating the use of arms for support.