Northern Japan, Adventure in Hokkaido

Welcome to Hokkaido ! Head to your hotel where you will collect your transport cards and pocket Wi-Fi devices. Free time follows, at your leisure. Why not explore the surroundings of your hotel and take a stroll through Odori Park or along the many nearby streets such as Susukino Street?

Begin your exploration of Hokkaido with a visit to Sapporo city center. Wander along the paths of Odori Park, which runs through the district. You will then have the opportunity to climb to the top of the Sapporo TV Tower and the Clock Tower, two iconic landmarks of the city. Running parallel to Odori Park, Susukino Street offers all kinds of entertainment: karaoke, cinema, nightclubs, pachinko, and more. For dinner, treat yourself to some seafood, a speciality of the region.

Continue your visit of Sapporo by starting at Nijo Market, renowned for its seafood donburi. Then make a detour to Hokkaido-jingu Shrine, the city's main shrine, for a moment of spirituality. In the afternoon, ascend Mount Moiwa by cable car. At the summit, magnificent landscapes and the most stunning viewpoint over Sapporo and its surroundings await you. If you feel like it, round off your day with a visit to the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art before heading out for dinner.

Just one hour by train from Sapporo lies the coastal town of Otaru. A charming small town crossed by a canal, perfect for a leisurely stroll along its banks. Sakaimachi shopping street offers numerous shops, restaurants and museums, including the Music Box Museum, the Bank of Japan Museum and the Venus Art Museum. The Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, home to one of Japan's finest whiskies, is another worthwhile visit. Why not take the opportunity to savour a glass before heading back to Sapporo?

Today, leave Sapporo and head towards the centre of the island, to Asahikawa. The city is home to a small village entirely dedicated to ramen, Asahikawa Ramen Village, made up of 8 restaurants where you can treat your taste buds. Depending on the season, you may also stop by the magnificent Ueno Farm, to admire its vast stretches of flowers. At the end of the day, head to Heiwa-dori to find a good restaurant for dinner.

From Asahikawa, the towns of Furano and Biei are easily accessible. In summer, head to Furano and its magnificent flower fields, stretching as far as the eye can see. Admire this superb palette of colours on foot or from a chairlift. In winter, it is the perfect opportunity to hit the ski slopes of Biei. Make a detour to the beautiful Shirahige Waterfall and the magical "Blue Pond", which takes on a turquoise blue colour thanks to the minerals it contains. Return to Asahikawa for the night.

Pick up your rental car and leave Asahikawa for a wild immersion. Marvel at the power of Ryusei Waterfall before making a charming stop at the Karakuri Clock Tower. Your journey then leads you to the Kami no Ko Ike basin: a pond of an unreal cobalt blue, whose legendary clarity seems to suspend time in the heart of the forest.

Begin your morning at the powerful Oshinkoshin Waterfall, whose waters cascade majestically down towards the Sea of Okhotsk. Then immerse yourself in the raw nature of Shiretoko National Park, a UNESCO-listed wildlife sanctuary of dense forests and rugged cliffs, you may even be lucky enough to spot some bears!

Leave Shari and make your way to Kushiro along a wild and little-known coastline. Make a fascinating stop at the Notsuke Peninsula, a narrow strip of land suspended between sea and lagoon with its otherworldly landscapes. Continue towards Cape Aikappu, the "lovers' cape", to admire its spectacular cliffs overlooking the Pacific, before ending your day in Kushiro.

Explore Kushiro National Park, a land of mystery home to Japan's most expansive marshlands. This is where you will have the chance to observe Japan's majestic cranes, symbols of longevity, in their natural habitat. Continue on to Lake Akan, renowned for its volcanic landscapes and Ainu culture, offering a serene interlude on the shores of its pristine waters.

Leave Kushiro and head towards the breathtaking peaks of Daisetsuzan National Park, the "rooftop of Hokkaido". Cross stunning high-mountain landscapes where nature reigns supreme between volcanoes and alpine plateaus. After this final wild immersion, make your way back to Asahikawa to return your rental car, bringing your journey through Japan's great wide open spaces to a close.

Head back to Sapporo for your final day. Take the opportunity to visit the famous Sapporo Beer Museum and discover the secrets behind the brewing of this world-renowned beer. Also visit the Historical Village of Hokkaido, a truly immersive journey into Japanese life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Then stop by Moerenuma Park and admire its unique design, conceived by the renowned Japanese-American architect Isamu Noguchi. At the end of the day, make your way to Shiroi Koibito Park which, beyond its beauty and originality, is famous for its crispy cookies.

The time to return to France has unfortunately come. After enjoying your last breakfast on Japanese soil, and depending on your departure time, make your way to the airport. This marks the end of your trip through northern Japan, in Hokkaido. We wish you a pleasant flight home and hope to see you again soon on the roads of Asia.