June 27, Sun. Leave Los Angeles. We will cross the International
Date Line, losing one day.
June 28, Mon. Arrive Tokyo/Narita – Sapporo. On arrival in
Japan and after entry procedures, we will transfer to our domestic flight
to Sapporo.
June 29, Tue. Sapporo. Our morning city tour will include
Sapporo Brewery; the Clock Tower- which is the symbol of the city;
and the old Hokkaido Government Building.
(B,D)
June 30, Wed. Sapporo – Sounkyo. Today we travel to
Sounkyo Gorge, greatest of the many gorges in Daisetsuzan National
Park.
(B D)
July 1, Thu. Sounkyo – Kawayu Spa. Today we will travel to Kawayu Spa. En route we visit the city of Kitami, known for their cultivation of peppermint. We will also visit the Taiho Memorial House, dedicated to sumo champion, Yokozuna Taiho Kokichi, who is from this area.
(B D)
July 2, Fri. Kawayu Spa – Kushiro. This morning we will go to Kushiro via Lake Mashu, known as the clearest lake in the world.
Weather permitting we will cruise across Lake Akan, known for
“marimo”, a green weed, shaped like balls, designated as a Special Protected Plant.
(B D)
July 3, Sat. Kushiro. Today we visit the Kushiro Shitsugen (Marshlands) National Park, home of the red-crested white cranes.
We will go to the observation building for views of the area.
Afterwards we will visit Fisherman's whart, located near our hotel.
(B)
July 4, Sun. Kushiro – Ikeda - Obihiro. We will travel to the
city of Ikeda, famous for their winery, then to the agricultural center
of Obihiro.
(B)
July 5, Mon. Obihiro – Lake Toya. Today we leave for
Lake Toya, a circular caldera lake, the highlight of Shikotsu-Toya
National Park, en route we visit the Salmon Aquarium in Chitose.
(B D)
July 6, Tue. Lake Toya. Today we will go to Mt. Showa Shinzan,
an active volcano, formed by a series of earthquakes that caused the
farmlands to rise, and is now 1,340 feet high. We will visit the Volcano Museum and then continue to Shiraoi Poroto Kotan, a composite of Ainu
dwellings, which were restored to introduce their way of life.
Return to the hotel.
(B)
July 7, Wed. Lake Toya - Hakodate. We leave for Hakodate,
the gateway to Hokkaido. Our sightseeing includes Goryokaku, Japan’s first Western-style fortification. This evening a special “farewell dinner”
is planned.
(B D)
July 8, Thu. Hakodate – Tokyo – Los Angeles. This morning
we fly from Hakodate to Tokyo/Haneda, then transfer by airport
limousine to Tokyo/Narita Airport for our non stop flight back to
Los Angeles, returning home the same day.
(B)
* * *
Hotels:
Sapporo Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo (2)
Sounkyo Sounkyo Prince Choyotei (1)
Kawayu Misono Hotel (1)
Kushiro ANA Kushiro Hotel (2)
Obihiro Hotel Northland Obihiro (1)
Lake Toya Toyako Manseikaku (2)
Hakodate Hakodate Kokusai Hotel (1)
Land only cost: $4,995.00 per person, based upon two people
sharing a twin bedded room.
Single room supplement is $695.00, for single room occupancy.
Airfare: Airfare will be provided separately. The current economy
class fare with restrictions is: $1,592.00 per person (subject to change).
Tour Guide: Mr. Masaaki “Mike” Yokura
Tour Escort: Mrs. Peggy Mikuni, Pres., Yamato Travel Bureau
Note: Itinerary is subject to change without notice.