Wild Lands of Eastern Hokkaido

Hokkaidō is the second-largest of Japan’s islands, long regarded as a remote wilderness by other residents of the Japanese archipelago. Known in feudal times as Ezo, Hokkaidō was originally inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people. Today it attracts nature lovers and is a pristine paradise of mountain ranges, lush forests and indescribably beautiful crater lakes produced by volcanic activity.

Join Oku Japan’s small-group guided tour on a wonderful journey from Kushiro on Hokkaidō’s eastern Pacific coast, through to the Shiretoko Peninsula stretching out into the Sea of Okhotsk. See untouched nature, visit UNESCO wetland nature reserves, experience spectacular landscapes formed by volcanoes, and enjoy flora and fauna unique to Hokkaidō. You have the chance to spot abundant wildlife as we walk the trails – watch out for foxes, deer and numerous species of birds.

After each day's walk, we relax in onsen hot springs, a delightful by-product of the region’s geothermal activity. Another highlight of the tour is Hokkaidō’s wonderful regional cuisine, some of the freshest in Japan with local specialties found at every stage of our journey. Hokkaidō covers too large an area to explore on just one visit, but Oku Japan’s itinerary brings you to the very best locations on the island.

Our adventure begins in the fishing port of Kushiro, famous for some of the best seafood in Japan and home to a unique fishing culture which invented the robatayaki style of cooking on an open grill. From Kushiro, we visit Hokkaidō's largest marshland area and continue to Lake Akan, the only place where the famous spherical Marimo algae can be spotted. At Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, home to the largest remaining Ainu community in Hokkaidō, we view a traditional dance performance.

Our journey also brings us to Lake Mashū, one of the clearest lakes in the world, and finally onwards to the onsen town of Utoro on the Sea of Okhotsk. If the weather is kind, we take a boat ride from the Shiretoko Peninsula with the chance to glimpse waterfalls visible only from the sea and Hokkaidō brown bears searching for fish with their cubs. Shiretoko is the very end of Japan – a remote area of truly untouched nature.

Due to the schedule of the airport limousine bus, Oku Japan is only able to arrange airport transportation for guests with flights departing Memanbetsu Airport in the afternoon or later. Guests with early flights will need to arrange their own transportation.

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