Shikotsu-Toya 5 Day Hiking Tour

Our tour begins in central Otaru. Once everyone is assembled this morning, we’ll head off to our first hike, the Otamoi-Akaiwa Nature Trail, a beautiful coastal walk running through Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park. We’ll ascend through lowland forest to the clifftops, where we’ll be greeted with magnificent views of the Sea of Japan and Hokkaido’s dramatic, rugged coastline. The view is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the forest bursts into colour. After we’ve enjoyed the walk, we’ll make our way to Niseko, where we’ll be staying this evening.

After breakfast, we’ll make our way to the first hiking route of the day, Kagami Pond in Niseko (4.2 km). Although Niseko is renowned as a popular skiing destination in winter, it offers some wonderful hiking opportunities in summer, too. This is a well-maintained and relatively short trail. We’ll then enjoy a local lunch before travelling to Lake Toya, a beautiful caldera lake created by explosive volcanic activity which continues to this day. We’ll walk the Konpira & Nishiyama routes this afternoon (4.9 km), which will allow us to see some of the damage caused by an eruption that took place in 2000.

After appreciating the more forceful side of tectonic forces, we’ll head to our accommodation for this evening where we can enjoy the more gentle aspect of these eruptions… natural hot springs!

This morning we’ll catch a ferry to the island of Nakajima in the centre of Lake Toya. Other than the well maintained trails, museum and dock, Nakajima is untouched by humans, making it an oasis for wildlife… except for Hokkaido’s brown bears, which do not live on the island! Phew! Once there, we’ll explore the loop hike around the island which takes roughly 3 hours (8.4 km) and passes through the beautiful Daiheigen, where you may have the chance to see Mt. Yotei in the distance on a clear day. 

After taking the ferry back to the mainland, we’ll continue to our next destination, Noboribetsu Onsen. Upon arrival, we’ll set off for a 3.2 km walk through the Noboribetsu Hell Valley, where we'll explore volcanic lakes and steaming volcanic craters.

After our hike, we’ll head to our hotel for dinner and relax in the famous hot spring waters of Noboribetsu.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll make our way to Shiraoi, a coastal town home to a number of prominent Ainu sites as well as the Upopoy National Ainu Museum, Japan’s first national museum dedicated to the Ainu indigenous group.

Lake Poroto is a small but bountiful lake, surrounded by a lush forest through which runs a leisurely walking route. Animals have made their homes here too and as we explore the forest, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for wild birds and cute squirrels. After the hike, we’ll spend some time exploring the Upopoy National Ainu Museum, dedicated to preserving Ainu heritage and culture. Here you’ll be able to learn about the indigenous people who lived in Hokkaido long before it became a part of modern Japan.

We’ll leave Shiraoi with a much more profound understanding of the region’s history as we head to our destination tonight - Lake Shikotsu, a stunning caldera lake surrounded by active volcanoes (and of course, hot springs!)

Today is our last day together and we’ll end this tour with a challenge, Mt. Ichankoppe! The 829m mountain is located on the edge of Lake Shikotsu’s caldera, which means that it offers some pretty stunning views of Lake Shikotsu and its surrounds. Fresh verdures make the trail a delight in spring while in autumn, stunning red foliage transforms the landscape. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at the summit before we descend the mountain and return to our van.

We’ll say our goodbyes enroute to Chitose, where the tour will disband. Make sure you haven’t left anything in the van and have a safe onward journey!