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Hokkaido Drift Ice, Icebreaker & Northern Onsen — 8 Days
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Hokkaido Drift Ice & Onsen — 8 DaysWinter8 days / 7 nights

Hokkaido Drift Ice, Icebreaker & Northern Onsen — 8 Days

Break through Okhotsk drift ice, watch the penguin walk, and soak in northern hot springs.

New Chitose · Tokachigawa · Lake Akan · Abashiri · Sounkyo · Asahidake · Sapporo · Otaru · Jozankei· Drift ice · Icebreaker · Onsen

Multi-Day Tours

Hokkaido Drift Ice, Icebreaker & Northern Onsen — 8 Days

An eight-day winter Hokkaido itinerary: Tokachigawa and Lake Akan onsen stays, Lake Shikaribetsu ice village and ICE BAR, the Abashiri AURORA icebreaker, Sounkyo’s ice waterfall festival, Asahiyama Zoo’s penguin walk, the Asahidake ropeway, then Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Canal, and Jozankei Onsen.

Abashiri icebreaker AURORALake Shikaribetsu KOTAN ice village · ICE BARAsahiyama Zoo winter penguin walkLake Akan ice activities · Lake Kussharo swansSounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival at nightAsahidake ropeway · Sapporo / Otaru / Jozankei Onsen
Route
New Chitose → Tokachigawa Onsen → Lake Akan → Abashiri → Sounkyo → Asahidake → Sapporo → Otaru/Jozankei → New Chitose
Travel style
Drift ice · Icebreaker · Onsen

Multi-Day Tours

Itinerary

8 days / 7 nights · New Chitose · Tokachigawa · Lake Akan · Abashiri · Sounkyo · Asahidake · Sapporo · Otaru · Jozankei

  1. 1

    Day 1

    New Chitose Airport / Tokachigawa Onsen

    Arrive at Hokkaido's New Chitose Airport, drive to Tokachigawa Onsen, and check in to rest.

    New Chitose Airport arrival

    New Chitose Airport arrival

    Arrive at Hokkaido's New Chitose Airport. After immigration, private transfer begins your winter Hokkaido journey.

    Tokachigawa Onsen

    Tokachigawa Onsen

    Drive to the Tokachigawa Onsen area, check in at an onsen hotel, settle into the northern pace, and rest for the days ahead.

    Meals

    B · Not included

    L · At leisure

    D · At the hotel

    Stay

    Tokachigawa Onsen hotel

    Tips

    • Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism limits daily driving to 10 hours (measured from actual departure from the garage).
  2. 2

    Day 2

    Lake Shikaribetsu KOTAN ice village / red-crowned crane spotting / Lake Akan Onsen

    Visit the Lake Shikaribetsu ice village, try ice-cup DIY and ICE BAR, look for red-crowned cranes, and overnight at Lake Akan Onsen.

    Lake Shikaribetsu KOTAN — ice village

    Lake Shikaribetsu KOTAN — ice village

    Lake Shikaribetsu is a natural lake formed by a volcanic dam about 30 million years ago, ringed by peaks such as Mt. Tenbo and Mt. Hakuun, with Ezo spruce and fir along the shore. In winter the ice village builds igloos on the frozen lake for snow experiences unlike anywhere else; ice blocks cut into neat cubes form open-air baths in the snow — the thrill of about 42°C source water against bitter cold.

    Ice-cup DIY

    Ice-cup DIY

    Carve your own ice cup in the ice-cup workshop, then drink from it — a one-of-a-kind experience.

    ICE BAR

    ICE BAR

    A vast ice house (free entry) like a fairy-tale ice palace: ice tables, ice counter, and screening room. Sit on ice chairs for a film about Lake Shikaribetsu and enjoy a special drink at the ice bar.

    Red-crowned crane spotting

    Red-crowned crane spotting

    A flash of red crown and white wings — the Ainu "god of the marsh" (SARORUNKAMUI) is Japan's auspicious red-crowned crane, only about a thousand of which live in Hokkaido. Legend says glimpsing their grace in a snow-white world brings good luck.

    Lake Akan Onsen

    Lake Akan Onsen

    Overnight at a Lake Akan onsen hotel; relax amid lakeside snow and rising steam.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · At leisure

    D · At the hotel

    Stay

    Lake Akan Onsen hotel

    Tips

    • The ice village usually runs from late January to late March; check official announcements for exact dates.
    • Ice-cup DIY is an optional paid experience, about ¥1,200.
  3. 3

    Day 3

    Lake Akan ice activities / Lake Kussharo ~ Sunayu / Abashiri

    Try ice activities on Lake Akan, visit Lake Kussharo and Sunayu swans, explore Library "Komin," and overnight in Abashiri.

    Lake Akan — home of marimo · ice activities

    Lake Akan — home of marimo · ice activities

    Lake Akan's forests are rich in species. In winter, "frost flowers" appear: morning ice crystals and thin lake ice meet vapor to form silver flower fields, typically December to early March. Optional banana boat and snow ATV rides leave laughter trails on the ice; mini ATVs suit elementary-school children too.

    Lake Kussharo

    Lake Kussharo

    A caldera lake in Akan National Park with a 57 km shoreline — Hokkaido's second-largest lake. In winter the surface freezes, but geothermal heat keeps some areas open; about 400–500 swans rest here each year. Free open-air onsen spots line the shore.

    Sunayu — swan watching

    Sunayu — swan watching

    Dig into the lakeside sand and hot water is said to rise; ready foot baths are also available. From November to the following May, whooper swans from Siberia gather — soak while watching them glide, a peaceful scene.

    Library "Komin"

    Library "Komin"

    In a sea of books with light music, explore the mysteries of ancient Okhotsk; a collection of classic pop-up books for children lets imagination travel far with the journey.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · At leisure

    D · At the hotel

    Stay

    Abashiri hotel

    Tips

    • Banana boat and snow ATV: may be cancelled by venue or weather; refund or alternative site applies.
  4. 4

    Day 4

    Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum ~ Mt. Tento Observatory / Abashiri icebreaker / Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival nightscape / Sounkyo Onsen

    Visit the Drift Ice Museum and Mt. Tento Observatory, board the Abashiri drift-ice sightseeing icebreaker, enjoy the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival at night, and stay at Sounkyo Onsen.

    Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum

    Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum

    Beside the Sea of Okhotsk with views of the Tento range and Hokkaido nature. The experience room holds Okhotsk drift ice at about −15°C; try flash-freezing and see creatures that live under the ice.

    Mt. Tento Observatory

    Mt. Tento Observatory

    Look down over Abashiri Port and the Okhotsk coastline — wide ice sea and winter Hokkaido scenery.

    Abashiri drift-ice sightseeing icebreaker

    Abashiri drift-ice sightseeing icebreaker

    The icebreaker AURORA sails the roughly 1.53 million km² Sea of Okhotsk, pushing through drift ice more than a meter thick. About a one-hour circuit; lucky days bring eagles overhead and seals resting on the ice.

    Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

    Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

    A famous Hokkaido winter festival along the Ishikari River bed (about 10,000 m²), with ice sculptures, ice décor, ice slides, and giant snow forts. On columnar joint cliffs, ice falls form huge pillars; night rainbow lighting turns the grounds dreamlike.

    Sounkyo Onsen

    Sounkyo Onsen

    Overnight at a Sounkyo Onsen hotel for easy access to the ice festival nightscape, resting in a gorge onsen town.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · At leisure

    D · At the hotel

    Stay

    Sounkyo Onsen hotel

    Tips

    • Abashiri drift-ice sightseeing icebreaker: roughly late January to mid-March, about one hour aboard. If cancelled by weather or unavailable for booking, a ¥3,500 refund applies plus a visit to Kita no Daichi Aquarium.
    • Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival: open evenings 17:00–21:30 from January 24 to March 8, 2026 (subject to official notice). Weather may end it early; night visit usually requires staying in the Sounkyo Onsen area.
  5. 5

    Day 5

    Asahiyama Zoo — miracle zoo / silver-world snow play / Asahidake Onsen

    Visit Asahiyama Zoo and the winter penguin walk, enjoy snow play, and overnight at Asahidake Onsen.

    Asahiyama Zoo

    Asahiyama Zoo

    One of Japan's three most popular zoos, with open habitats that let animals move naturally and visitors get close. Watch penguins swim in the underwater tunnel and polar bears dive — a place that encourages care for wildlife.

    Penguin walk

    Penguin walk

    A hugely popular winter-only event: penguins stride and waddle head-on, meeting your eyes up close — a cute winter miracle.

    Silver-world snow play

    Silver-world snow play

    Build snowmen, have snowball fights, or try various snow activities in the northern white landscape — great for families, friends, and couples.

    Asahidake Onsen

    Asahidake Onsen

    Overnight at an Asahidake Onsen hotel on the slopes of Daisetsuzan; warm up in the baths and rest for the next day's ropeway.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · At leisure

    D · At the hotel

    Stay

    Asahidake Onsen hotel

    Tips

    • Asahiyama Zoo penguin parade runs only in snowy winter (expected until mid-March) and may end early depending on snow and penguin molt timing.
  6. 6

    Day 6

    Daisetsuzan Asahidake ropeway / Sapporo Snow Festival ~ free time in Sapporo

    Ride the Daisetsuzan Asahidake ropeway for snow views, then head to Sapporo for the Snow Festival or Odori Park and stroll Tanukikoji and other shopping areas.

    Daisetsuzan Asahidake ropeway

    Daisetsuzan Asahidake ropeway

    The gondola climbs gently into Daisetsuzan, called the "Garden of the Gods" by the Ainu. Powder snow dances and branches turn white; Asahidake powder is soft as diamond dust. Rime and wind patterns peak in winter; at sunset, light can form a "sun pillar" on the ice.

    Former Hokkaido Government Office — Red Brick Office

    Former Hokkaido Government Office — Red Brick Office

    Built in 1888 in American Neo-Baroque style with red brick. The red star atop is a Hokkaido symbol; roof windows, curved glass, and arches show Western influence. Used as offices for 80 years and designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1969.

    Sapporo Snow Festival / Odori Park

    Sapporo Snow Festival / Odori Park

    In snow season, see giant snow sculptures and lights at the Sapporo Snow Festival; outside the festival, stroll and photograph Odori Park freely.

    Tanukikoji shopping street

    Tanukikoji shopping street

    A must-visit Sapporo arcade with over 120 years of history. From 1-chome to 7-chome, about 200 shops include drugstores, izakaya, and craft stores. Your guide may arrange Odori shopping or Sapporo Station area depending on traffic that day.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · At leisure

    D · At leisure

    Stay

    Sapporo city hotel

    Tips

    • Daisetsuzan Asahidake ropeway: snow on the mountain — snow boots recommended. If weather or force majeure stops service, another site is substituted with a refund.
    • Sapporo Snow Festival: about February 4–11 (confirm with that year's official notice); outside snow season, visit Odori Park.
  7. 7

    Day 7

    Hokkaido Jingu / Otaru / Jozankei Onsen

    Pay respects at Hokkaido Jingu, stroll romantic Otaru Canal, and overnight at Jozankei Onsen.

    Hokkaido Jingu

    Hokkaido Jingu

    Hokkaido was once called Ezo and holds a unique Ainu culture. The shrine, built in the late 19th century, enshrines the guardian deities of Hokkaido's development; Emperor Meiji was added in 1964. The grounds cover about 180,000 m² and are also famous for cherry blossoms.

    Romantic Otaru

    Romantic Otaru

    The name Otaru comes from the Ainu for "river in a sandy shore." The canal, built from 1914 over nine years, was partly filled; the remainder supports sightseeing boats, and warehouses became shops. In winter, snow covers paths and roofs — a romantic snow town.

    Jozankei Onsen

    Jozankei Onsen

    Known as "Sapporo's backyard," springs rise from the Toyohira River bed; more than half of Jozankei's 56 sources lie in the onsen street. Free hand and foot baths abound — perfect for warming up in colorful winter.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · At leisure

    D · At the hotel

    Stay

    Jozankei Onsen hotel

  8. 8

    Day 8

    New Chitose Airport souvenir shopping / international flight home

    Shop for souvenirs at New Chitose Airport, then board your international flight home, ending the Hokkaido eight-day journey.

    New Chitose Airport souvenir shopping

    New Chitose Airport souvenir shopping

    The airport shopping arcade gathers specialty stores and Hokkaido food gifts. Shop and taste before departure, and take full memories home.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · In-flight / at leisure

    D · In-flight / at leisure

    Stay

    End of tour

    Tips

    • Confirm meeting and transfer times in advance; allow buffer for security and boarding.