Tour map
After a smooth transfer from the International to Domestic terminal at Haneda Airport, tour members enjoyed their Bentos as we waited for our flight from Haneda to Chitose.
First stop on day one was Shiraoi Ainu Museum in Shiraoi, Japan.
Our local guide Nori educated all about the Ainu history on the 40-minute bus ride to the Museum. Here is the group at the entrance.
After walking through the museum, we then had reservations at their Cultural Exchange Hall to see their traditional performing arts show featuring songs, dances and musical performances from various rituals and daily life.
Also known as for a delicious apple pie, a few members enjoyed a quick “dessert” desire heading to lunch!
Next stop, Shiraoi Beef BBQ for lunch!
What a feast with Shiraoi beef ribs and Wagyu beef belly!
Then it was on to Shiraoi Mother’s + for dessert!
Tour members enjoyed ice cream, cream puffs and egg pudding!!!!
Then came the dyeing fun and everyone learning how to dye using indigo.
Our instructor Etsuko helped us all create our indigo scarf souvenir.
The finished scarf!
It started to rain as we headed to Noboribetsu and our next stop, “Hell Valley”.
But the rain didn’t stop us from climbing a short way to the overlook to take a group picture before getting back on the bus and heading to our hotel.
On our first night in Noboribetsu we all enjoyed our first onsen hotel experience at Dai-ichi Takimoto Kan.
After a delicious group buffet dinner, all dressed up in our yukata robes and slippers, most tour members relaxed in the grand bath.
In Sapporo, we went to the top of Mt. Okura via the Observatory Chair Lift.
The view at the top!
Our “live” crab lunch was AMAZING!!!
Picking out “live” crabs from the tanks!
Some tour members had their fish grilled, while the others all enjoyed their raw fish over rice!!!
The crab legs were delicious and huge!!!
Then came dessert…. a visit to the Royce Cacao and Chocolate Town.
What a fun experience!
Lots of interactive things to do while walking though the museum.
Five of our tour members went to the “Royce Workshop” and created their own dessert.
We took a short city tour then headed to the Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo. Here is the Tokyo Tower.
After checking in, a few tour members decided to visit the Sapporo Autumn Festival.
Sapporo Autumn Festival
The food and drink was delicious.
On Saturday we left Sapporo and enjoyed our ride through the beautiful countryside before arriving at our first stop, Yuni Gardens.
The flowers are absolutely beautiful and everyone enjoyed a nice stroll through the different flower areas.
I’m pretty sure that several “Christmas card” photos were taken at the top of the Garden Hill.
Yuni Gardens
Yuni Gardens
Yuni Gardens
Our Japanese set lunch at Tokachi Sahoro Resort was delicious!!
Next stop was Sahoro Bear Mountain. We all boarded our “fortified caged bus” to travel through the “Jurassic park like” area to see the bears.
We were not disappointed! Everyone was so excited when we saw our first bear!!
We all stood up and looked on both sides as the bears appeared and we captured them on film.
We saw several of them up close and even saw one sleeping soundly and snoring!!
Sahoro Bear Mountain
We briefly stopped at the Fukuhara Sanso garden.
The fall foliage isn’t quite happening yet, but we did have a nice walk around the pond and took a nice group photo.
Tokachigawa Onsen Hotel was very nice. We all dressed up again in our Yukata robes and slippers for our group dinner.
The hotel staff made up our futon beds while we were at dinner. Almost every tour member enjoyed the onsen (both after dinner and again before breakfast)!
Sunday, we traveled from Tokachigawa to Lake Akan. First stop was at Boya Farm and we enjoyed a sheepdog show.
The dogs were amazing in herding and managing the sheep.
They even mingled with the crowd after their performance.
Next, a tour of Ikeda Wine Castle and lunch.
Touring the factory was very interesting, not only do they produce wine, but also brandy.
Lunch was delicious and included a glass of white and red wine! Here we are toasting to Non-Stop Travel!
Our next stop Ryugetsu Sweetpea Garden, was “dessert” after lunch!!!
Lake Onneto in Akan National Park, Hokkaido.
On Monday, before heading to Shiretoko, we enjoyed a beautiful 90-minute boat cruise on Lake Akan.
Tour members started out in the open air section of the boat, then most moved inside as it was pretty chilly and windy outside. Beautiful views of the lakeside and autumn foliage.
Next came a winding road to Lake Mashu Observatory. It lived up to its name of “Foggy Lake Mashu”, as it was very foggy at the top and we couldn’t see the true “Mashu Blue” lake water.
Tour members enjoyed Hokkaido snacks and even some blue ice cream!
Enjoying an outdoor foot bath, which a few of our tour members enjoyed before getting back on the bus.
Continued our drive to see “The Road to Heaven” . We stayed about 15 minutes for pictures and about half of the group climbed to the lookout.
Last stop for the day was Shin Koshin Waterfalls.
We walked up the hill to view the waterfalls. Absolutely beautiful.
Next stop, Shiretoko National Park Nature Center. We had about 1 1/2 hours to hike and walk around the Shiretoko Five Lakes Wooden Pathways.
Our guide Nori handed out a map and gave guidance on the hiking trail.
Lunch was delicious… Chan Chan Yaki (Miso Butter Salmon).
Bonus stop when our driver pulled into a Deer Farm for a quick photo stop on our drive to Abashiri.
Omagari Sunflower Park
Tour members enjoyed walking through the fields and climbing up to the Observatory area to take panoramic pictures of the fields.
ake Notoro Samphire Field “Sango Coral Grass”. Quick stop to look at the “sea asparagus” field.
Engaru Cosmos Flower Park
We all took the optional tram ride (¥300) to the top of the park.
After a brief education of all the flowers, most members walked back and had either their free soft serve or coffee.
We all made our own Cosmos Flower Park postcard before we left!!!!
We arrived at Hotel Taisetsu Onsen Resort and enjoyed an Ainu performance after dinner.
Ginga Ryusei Waterfall
We walked along the path to view the two waterfalls.
Next stop, Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum.
We all enjoyed the sake tasting which included 2 free tickets for tasting. Additional tasting ¥200 + glass.
Most members bought sake to bring home and some went into the museum.
Lunch was on our own at Asahikawa Ramen Village.
Tour members broke off in small groups to enjoy lunch together. Perfect day for ramen!!!!
Last stop of the day, Asahidake Ropeway.
Group took the cable car up to the observatory.
Most took pictures at the lookout.
Fall foliage at Asahidake Ropeway
Asahikawa Hotel
After dinner and returning to the hotel, we enjoyed “welcome” drinks in the lobby and arts and craft’s activities.
Blue Pond in Biei, Hokkaido. We learned that the deep blue color of the pond is due to natural minerals dissolved in the water.
The food shop had lots of “blue” things. A few tour members tasted the blue soft serve ice cream and blue-filled cream puff!
Tour members all decked out in raincoats and umbrellas walked to the lake.
Next stop, Shirahige Falls, a beautiful waterfall above the town of Biei.
Last stop before lunch, Shikisai-no-oka.
Most tour members walked to the top of Flower Hill and took panoramic pictures of the beautiful varieties of flowers.
Lunch at Ferme La Terre.
Celebrating three birthdays on this trip!
Arrived back at Keio Plaza Hotel and ready for some shopping.
A few tour members headed to the famous Kitakaro pastry store and enjoyed a delicious cream puff.