South Hokkaido Private Winter Tour: Niseko Powder Snow and Hokkaido Classics

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Chitose Airport - Noboribetsu

Welcome to the winter wonderland of Hokkaido! Meet your driver and get ready for a life-changing adventure. Our first stop is Noboribetsu, a small onsen town where you’ll be amazed at how the local people embrace and utilize the powerful volcanic activity. You’ll also be visiting the best hot springs in Noboribetsu! Experience the healing power of the all-natural volcanic hot springs and be ready to wake up tomorrow feeling rejuvenated.

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Noboribetsu - Hakodate

Our first stop today is, “Hell Valley,” a spectacular sight thriving with hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other mysterious volcanic activity. Take a walk and feel like you’re on another planet! Get ready for an ultimate rural experience in the town of Yakumo! You’ll visit the Chiba farm known for its homelike atmosphere and farm-life experience. Mr. Chiba is the fourth generation to take care of this 130-year-old farm. They mainly harvest rice and “Mochi” (sticky rice). Today you’re going to try Mochi Pounding, a classic countryside experience! The “Mochi-Pounding” is called “Aidori”, done in pairs, with one person folding the rice mound while another hammers it: a rhythmical process that requires focus, teamwork and prefect timing! After a fresh and delicious homemade lunch with the Chiba family, you’ll make your way to the Goryokaku Tower in Hakodate. Enjoy the contrast of the historical layout of the land and the snow white accented beauty.

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Hakodate - Hakodate

After checking out of your hotel, have fun exploring the romantic Motomachi area of Hakodate for shopping, coffee and lunch of your choice. We recommend the morning market where you’ll find about 250 stores selling various delicacies of Hakodate, such as fresh seafood, vegetables, fruit, sweets and much more! Take a walk through the hilly historical village of Motomachi, one of the first port towns in Japan to open its doors to foreign trade, some 150 years ago. You’ll see beautiful churches, big Victorian-style houses and old consulate buildings, all while enjoying spectacular views of the port. Finish the day on the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway overlooking a nightscape that is so stunningly beautiful it’s been honored as one of Japan’s three great night view sites.

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Hakodate - Niseko

Make your way to Shikabe Town and drive past the foot of the majestic Mt. Komagatake in Onuma Quasi National Park. This area is famous for its mysterious volcanic landscape and powerful backdrop, providing breathtaking photo opportunities! Seafood is the local specialty! Today you’ll have a memorable social experience with a seafood cooking activity organized by a local group of Fisherman’s mothers. Have fun getting to know each other and learn how to cook fresh seafood dishes and enjoy an exquisite lunch together. Don’t forget to have a look at the local Geysers, known to shoot up 500 liters of water about 15 meters high approximately every 10 minutes! The surrounding all natural footbaths are refreshing too!

DAY

Niseko - Niseko

Wake up in Niseko, the most famous ski resort in all of Japan, known for having endless amounts of light powder snow. Make your way down the slopes with a breathtaking picturesque panoramic view of Mt. Yotei, a nearly perfect volcanic cone off in the distance. It’s your day to explore this winter activity fantasy land as you wish! We can help design your day depending on your winter activities of interest. You can choose from a variety of unforgettable activities including, snow shoeing activities in the winter beach forest, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow rafting, vast long ski or snowboarding runs, and much more! Private or group ski lessons can also be arranged. Get ready for a life-changing, deep Niseko powder experience that will have you returning every year!

DAY

Niseko - Otaru

As we make our way to Otaru, we’ll stop by the Nikka whiskey distillery known for its beautiful architecture and award-winning Hokkaido made whiskeys. Explore the nostalgic port town of Otaru! Enjoy lunch at a famous grilled chicken restaurant and get ready to be served a whole half a chicken! Have fun walking around the old port town decorated with a warm Christmas atmosphere and make sure to check out the famous Otaru Canal, Sakai Machi Street, Music Box Museum, glass blowing shops, the LeTAO Cheesecake headquarters, and many more one-of-a-kind spots. The romantic Christmas atmosphere comes to life in the evening when the gas lanterns and streetlights illuminate the city in style. Have dinner at a local restaurant of your choice.

DAY

Otaru - Sapporo

Visit the Tanaka Sake Brewery, the most famous local sake brewery in Otaru! The building was built during the Meiji era in 1905 and is designated as a historical piece of architecture by Otaru City. This award-winning sake is traditionally brewed and made with 100% Hokkaido rice and Otaru spring water. There’s a fun factory tour where you can taste as many as 10 types of sake, too! Our next stop is the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway for a magical view of Sapporo City. This breathtaking viewpoint will most definitely create feelings of awe and inspiration. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee from the café located at the peak of the mountain! As we make our way back to your hotel in the heart of downtown Sapporo, you’ll visit the majestic Hokkaido Shrine, a massive sacred structure built in 1869. We’ll take you on a quick car tour of the city before dropping you off to explore the shopping areas and have dinner as you like. Enjoy some city night exploration too!

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Sapporo - Sapporo

Merry Christmas! Have fun exploring the beautiful city of Sapporo at your leisure and enjoy the festive Christmas atmosphere. Apart from the abundance of shopping facilities in Sapporo Station, Tanukikoji and the underground walkways, you can also visit some local sightseeing spots all within walking distance or just a few stops away on the foreigner friendly public transportation. Enjoy having some local favorites for lunch: Ramen, Genghis Khan, Yakitori and Soup Curry are highly recommended! Make sure to stop by Odori Park in the evening, which becomes the main venue for the Sapporo White Illumination Festival! Here you’ll find a breathtaking contrast of white snow and colorful lights illuminating objects centered on cosmic and Christmas themes, as well as a beautiful Munich Christmas Market. Come prepared to take spectacular pictures!

DAY

Sapporo - Chitose Airport

Even your last day can be enjoyed to the fullest! Go shopping in downtown Sapporo, or stop by one of the popular outlet malls on the way to the airport. Lots of seafood and Hokkaido delicacies are available at the recently revamped Chitose Airport, which is actually an impressive destination on its own. Have fun exploring and doing some last-minute shopping! We hope you had a wonderful experience here on Treasure Island and look forward to adventuring with you again soon!