Eastern Wilderness 7 Day Self-Guided Tour

Irankarapte! Your Eastern Hokkaido adventure begins in Kushiro before taking a bus to Lake Akan - a trip that takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once at Lake Akan, your accommodation is just a short 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop. After checking in, you can relax in the hot springs at your hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner that evening. This is a perfect way to unwind after your journey and prepare for the adventures ahead.

You start your morning with a fascinating guided walk through the forest with a local Ainu guide. The 1.5 km walk takes about 1.5 hours, giving you insights into Ainu culture and the local environment.

After lunch, you can explore the Akan Ainu Kotan where local families run souvenir shops and restaurants serving traditional Ainu food. In the afternoon, take an optional walk to see bubbling mud pools at Bokke, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife like squirrels and woodpeckers.

End your day with a choice of traditional Ainu performances at the Ainu Theatre Ikoro - either a traditional dance or a modern cultural fusion show.

Your day starts with a taxi journey through Akan-Mashu National Park to Lake Mashu, one of the clearest lakes in the world.

You'll enjoy views of this beautiful caldera lake from two different observation points before visiting Mt. Io, an active volcano with bright yellow sulphur deposits. From here, you take an easy walk on a well-maintained path to the Kawayu Visitor Centre (2.6 km).

Your reward for the day's walking is a visit to Sunayu Onsen on Lake Kussharo's shore, where you can dig your own footbath in the sand!

After dinner at your accommodation, you can relax in the hot springs - just remember to remove any jewellery first, as the sulphuric waters will turn them black.

Your day starts with a scenic taxi ride to the Kushiro River for a peaceful canoeing experience. Gliding along in a Canadian canoe with your guide, you float through pristine waters while watching for wildlife. Keep your eyes open for Grey Herons, Crested Kingfishers, and even deer grazing near the river.

After canoeing, you return to Kawayu Onsen where you can explore the township for lunch. Spend your afternoon relaxing in the hot springs before enjoying dinner at your accommodation.

You will take a 2-hour taxi journey from Kawayu Onsen to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shiretoko Peninsula. Surrounded by the Sea of Okhotsk and covered in mountains, this unique area is home to Brown Bears, Japanese Deer, Sperm Whales, and Dall's Porpoises.

After lunch at Utoro Roadside Station, you join a local guide for a hike around Shiretoko Five Lakes. This beautiful trail takes you past five pristine lakes and on clear days, you'll enjoy stunning views of the Shiretoko Mountain range. The Five Lakes area is also home to many Brown Bears, and your guide will be on the lookout for signs of activity. Your guide will drive you to your accommodation after the hike.

You start your day with a morning coastal boat cruise where you might spot Brown Bears - Japan's largest land mammal and sacred to the Ainu people who call them kim'un kamuy (God of the mountains). Keep your eyes peeled for bears roaming the shoreline, sometimes with cubs!

After the cruise, you take a bus journey over Shiretoko Pass to reach Rausu, a fishing village famous for its seafood. You have free time to explore this charming town before enjoying a seafood feast at your accommodation.

On your final day, you'll embark on a morning whale-watching cruise along the Shiretoko Peninsula. The deep ocean trench here attracts Sperm Whales and Dall's Porpoises, plus unique marine birds. After returning to land, enjoy a delicious local lunch in Rausu - try the salmon roe rice bowl if it's salmon season!

Then take a bus to Kushiro (about 4-hour journey). If you have extra time in Kushiro, you can visit the Kushiro City Museum or Kushiro Marsh Wildlife Conservation Centre, or take a peaceful walk along the Kushiro River.