Adventure Travel in Nissho Peninsula, Hokkaido

Plan1

Searching for the Great Nature of the North where time flows slowly
Three days experiencing the rare wonders and abundant blessings
of the sea in the Mount Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark

Searching for the Great Nature
of the North where time flows slowly
Three days experiencing the rare
wonders and abundant blessings
of the sea in the
Mount Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark

Searching for the Great Nature
of the North where time flows slowly
Three days experiencing the rare
wonders and abundant blessings
of the sea in the
Mount Apoi UNESCO Global Geopark

Hokkaido’s Hidaka Mountains were formed by the collision of two continental plates about 13 million years ago and reveal sections of the earth’s crust to be seen above ground. When climbing Mount Apoi, you will make your way through a variety of peridotite rock formations that is unparalleled in the world, and be able to admire the unique alpine flora that has flourished in these distinctive soil conditions. During the visit to the Mt. Apoi Geopark Visitor Center on the day before, you will learn more about the Geopark’s special value, which will give you a greater understanding and appreciation of the history of the land and the Geopark’s wonders. Cape Erimo offers a superb view of reefs extending out into the open sea, allowing you to see with your own eyes how the mountain range continues directly into the ocean. At the "windy polar region," one of the windiest areas in Japan, you can watch out for sea birds or some of the about 1000 harbor seals living in the waters during a cruise or with a telescope. The Pacific coast with its thriving fishing industry was once deserted due to the logging of natural forests around Cape Erimo, which resulted in kelp and fish disappearing from the waters. With the start of afforestation activities in 1953, marine products could be harvested once again, and these activities are still ongoing today in order to protect the local industry. The barfin flounder, a high-grade fish that can be caught mainly along the Pacific coast, nearly became extinct in the 1980s due to overfishing. Since 2006, fishermen's cooperatives and municipalities have started with the large-scale release of juvenile fish to continue protecting marine resources. You will be able to enjoy the fresh local seafood that is the product of these efforts.
Nakasatsunai, a town full of flowers, greenery and art and part of the "Most Beautiful Towns in Japan" Association, is the starting point of the Hokkaido Garden Road and forms a picturesque backdrop for visitors to view some of Japan's best-known artworks or enjoy shopping at a popular roadside station.
It's a special three-day experience where you can feel the heartbeat of the earth and the breath of nature with all five senses through activities.

DAY1

Meeting at New Chitose Airport

Lunch at Ajidokoro Sannosuke
(Urakawa)

Enjoy a Barfin Flounder Sashimi Meal (may not be available at certain times of the year). The barfin flounder, a high-grade fish, is found mainly along Hokkaido’s Pacific coast and nearly became extinct in the 1980s due to overfishing. Since 2006, fishermen's cooperatives and municipalities have started with the large-scale raising and release of juvenile fish in the Pacific west of Erimo to continue protecting marine resources.
Enjoy the fresh local seafood that is the product of these efforts.
*The pictures of the dishes are for illustration.

Apoidake Geopark Visitor Center
(Samani)

Learn about the mountain and its valleys, made up of a variety of peridotite rock types that is unparalleled in the world and that have become exposed from the earth’s mantle deep underground, the unique alpine flora that has flourished in these distinctive soil conditions, and the history and culture of the area, which has long served as a trading centre due to its special coastal topography and natural harbours.

Dinner and overnight stay at Apoi Sanso
(Samani)

A hotel to warm your body and soul surrounded by the green of hills and forests and right next to the Apoidake mountain trail head. For dinner, enjoy local seafood delicacies (Japanese-style meal).

DAY2

Departure from the hotel

Mount Apoi mountain climbing
(Samani)

Mount Apoi is made up of peridotite, a rock found only very rarely on land above water that appears at the surface when the earth’s mantle underground cools and hardens. Although it is a low mountain with a peak at 810 m above sea level, you can see many alpine plants here.

Bath and Lunch at Apoi Sanso
(Samani)

Relax in an open-air bath overlooking the endless Pacific Ocean horizon and enjoy local seasonal delicacies from the mountains and sea for lunch, such as the "Whelk and Egg Donburi" made with local whelks.
*The pictures of the dishes are for illustration.

Cape Erimo Konbu Boat
Cruise
(Erimo)

Erimo, a town situated at the southeast tip of Hokkaido, in one of Japan areas with the strongest winds, suffered through deforestation in the past, which led to dwindling numbers of fish and decaying seaweed roots, creating a harsh environment for the people whose daily lives and livelihoods depended on fishing. Plants and trees were replanted over many years to increase greenery, regenerate forests and restore the sea to its current resource-rich state. Board a kelp fishing boat with local fishermen and observe the ecosystem with wild harbour seals and seabirds from up close.

*In case the cruise is cancelled, we will visit the Cape Erimo "Wind Pavilion" to learn about the history of the efforts to protect the habitats of fish and other sea creatures. You can also do seal-watching with large telescopes and experience the strong winds of Cape Erimo, lso called the "Land of Extreme Winds."

Dinner and overnight stay at Glamping Resort Feriendorf
(Nakasatsunai)

You will stay in a cottage or glamping facility in the middle of the forest. Dinner is a char-grill barbecue of local produce from the mountains, sea and fields. You can also enjoy a "Moor hot spring" and authentic Finnish sauna.
(Depending on the season, you can also try harvesting vegetable and collecting eggs.)
*The pictures of the dishes are for illustration.

DAY3

Departure from the hotel

Kelp drying activity
(Hiroo)

In Hiroo Town, kelp fishing to harvest natural kelp is still done with a method handed through the generations. Try your hand at kelp drying while being instructed by a professional fisherman.

Lunch at Bay Lounge Coffee
(Hiroo)

This café is run by a local fishing company. They use seafood brought in from the local harbour. Enjoy dishes made with fresh seafood.
*The pictures of the dishes are for illustration.

Rokka Forest
(Nakasatsunai)

Rokka forest is a garden managed by local confectioner Rokkatei. Take a stroll through 100,000 m² of seasonally blooming wildflowers and view the galleries scattered throughout the grounds.

Iwanai Fairyland
(Nakasatsunai)

A deep gorge created by the eroding force of the Iwanai River flowing through Obihiro. One of the best places in Hokkaido to admire the colors of the autumn leaves.

Road Station Nakasatsunai
(Nakasatsunai)

Enjoy a selection of restaurants using fresh local produce from Nakasatsunai or take-away gourmet foods and desserts. Local specialities and souvenirs typical for Hokkaido are also on offer for you to shop.

Arrival at Tokachi Obihiro Airport

Schedule

DAY1

New Chitose Airport (departure 10:00) → Urakawa (13:10~14:10: Lunch) → Apoidake Geopark Visitor Center(14:50~16:20) → Overnight stay at Hotel Apoi Sanso(arrival 16:30)

DAY2

Hotel → Mount Apoi Mountain Climbing(6:00~12:00:On foot, accompanied by a mountain guide) → Hotel Apoi Sanso(12:30~14:00:Lunch/Bath) → Erimo(14:40~ Cape Erimo Konbu Boat *In case the cruise is cancelled due to the weather, we will visit the Cape Erimo "Wind Pavilion" to experience the strong winds.) → Overnight stay at Glamping Resort Feriendorf(arrival 17:30)

DAY3

Hotel (departure 8:45) → Kelp gathering activity at Hiroo(9:45~11:15) → Hiroo Town(11:30~12:30: Lunch) → Rokka Forest(13:30~15:30) → Iwanai Fairyland(15:45~16:25) → Road Station Nakasatsunai (16:45 ~ 17:35) → Tokachi Obihiro Airport (arrival 17:50)

Plan2

Agritourism & Gastronomy
Three days experiencing the pioneering spirit and horse culture
in the Tokachi and Hidaka area and getting entranced
by the treasure trove of ingredients and the area’s gourmet food

Agritourism & Gastronomy
Three days experiencing the pioneering spirit and horse culture
in the Tokachi and Hidaka area and getting entranced
by the treasure trove of ingredients and the area’s gourmet food

Agritourism & Gastronomy
Three days experiencing
the pioneering spirit and horse culture
in the Tokachi and Hidaka area
and getting entranced
by the treasure trove of ingredients
and the area’s gourmet food

This is a tour of the Nissho Peninsula centered on "Horse culture and Agriculture."
Tokachi has come to be called the nation's food hub due to the part of horses in its history of being settled.
Visitors can walk through the fields, see how farmers cultivated the land with horses, and make pizza using crops gathered from the fields. The tour also offers a chance to see Ban'ei racing, which evolved from the "Draft horse festival" in which settler let their horses they had shared their joys and sorrows with during settling compare against each other in a contest of strength.
In Hidaka, visitors can learn about the history of one of Japan's leading thoroughbred horse breeding farms and enjoy interacting with the horses.

POINT

  • - Learn about the history of how the land was settled together with horses, and experience the world’s only "Ban’ei horse race" preserving the customary work of Banba horses, which were a indispensable partner in people’s lives not only as farm cultivation animal but as traction horses that carried baggage, lumber, or people
  • - Walk through fields that were settled and cultivated with horses together with a guide
  • - Slip through time into the pioneer era and experience farming with horses
  • - Learn about the inheritance of the pioneer spirit and the 40-year long challenge to develop a "space town"
  • - Interact with different horse breeds such as the Ban’ei horse (heavy breed) and thoroughbreds (light breed)
  • - Taste pork donburi, the local specialty created as stamina food for the pioneers
  • - Make pizza with 100% Tokachi wheat flour and savor the taste from Japan’s food hub
  • - Enjoy fresh seafood in a fishing town
See here for detailed itinerary and destinations

Plan3

5 days to enjoy the Nissho Peninsula
A 5-day trip around the two themes
of "Horse Culture and Agriculture"
and "Nature and food" on the Nissho Peninsula

5 days to enjoy the Nissho Peninsula
A 5-day trip around the two themes
of "Horse Culture and Agriculture"
and "Nature and food" on the Nissho Peninsula

5 days to enjoy the Nissho Peninsula
A 5-day trip around the two themes
of "Horse Culture and Agriculture"
and "Nature and food"
on the Nissho Peninsula

This full course lets you learn, hear about, and experience all that the Nissho Peninsula has to offer.
Visitors can enjoy both PLAN 1 "Nature and Food" and PLAN 2 "Horse culture and Agriculture."

See here for detailed itinerary and destinations