Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Okushiri Island is located in the westernmost part of Hokkaido and has been greatly
influenced by Russia‘s Far East and Primorsky Territory. As a result, trade with thecontinent has been conducted since ancient times. We will feel a particular atmosphere,
different from the rest of Hokkaido, while enjoying the scenery created by the uniquevegetation and culture of this island. This island is known for its virgin beech forests thathave continuously contributed to and regenerated the natural cycle of life.
In 1993, Okushiri Island was severely damaged by a massive tsunami caused by the
Nansei-Oki Earthquake. It took five years to the island to rise up and regain its originallife.
Experience a deep adventure in a corner of Japan that tourists never visit while enjoying
outdoor recreation such as hiking, kayaking and biking.

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Highlights:• Enjoy an island-hopping adventure while hiking and kayaking on Hokkaido's
westernmost island.
• Comprehend the beech forests that support the island's vitality.
• Enjoy the beautiful breezy coastline and the little fishing towns rebuilt after thetsunami.
• Explore the local food culture and taste fresh seafood.
• Soak into Kamuiwaki Onsen, a unique hot spring cure experience.

Location:Okushiri island, Esashi, Southern Hokkaido

Main Activity:

Hiking, Kayaking, Cycling

Difficulty:

3Tour Dates:

From the end of May to the middle of September

Pax:

Minimum 4

Price:From

Maximum 10

JPY 275,000

Route map
Day-by-day Itinerary
What’s included
We provide & What to bring
About usInformation and Requirements
Reservation & Cancellation policy2

Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Route map
DAY4:
Beech forest hiking

Day 2.3.4.:
Guest House Imacoco

DAY1:
Hotel Terakoya

DAY 2 & 5:
Ferry ride

DAY 1:
Hakodate Airport

DAY3.4:
Sea kayaking andcycling

DAY 2:
Experience a Zen Buddhist
retreat

DAY 1:
Seagull island and Inishie Kaido

Source: Google My Map
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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided TourDay-by-day Itinerary

Day 1
Meeting in Hakodate airport and walking tour in the historical town Esashi
Upon arrival at Hakodate airport, we will drive 2 hours to Esashi, the gateway to Okushiri
island.
At Esashi town, we will first visit Kamomejima (Seagull Island. Its name referring to its
seagull-like shape), which is protected as a part of the Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park. It
is not an exaggeration to say that the history of Esashi began with Kamomejima. Today,
this beautiful natural island is the symbol of Esashi and is loved by Japanese and visitors.
In the late Edo period, Esashi prospered as Hokkaido's representative commercial port
and was a prosperous merchant town back when Kitamaebune, trading cargo vessels
bound to the north (literally ‘north-bound ships’), sailed from southern Japan to trade for
local products, such as herring. The town still retains the atmosphere of the oldendays. We will spend some time at "Inishie Kaido" the main street of Esashi to feel theflourished history of the town through historical buildings.
For our fist meal in Hokkaido, we will eat oden, a type of simmered dish in Japanesecuisine consisting of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, daikon, konjac and processedfishcakes stewed in a soy-flavored dashi broth.

Accommodation - Esashi| Private room with ensuite
Included meals - Dinner at a Local Restaurant
Activity◆Historical town walking
Location : Esashi, Inishie Kaido
Time Required: 2 hours
Difficulty: 2

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided TourDay 2
Experience a Zen Buddhist retreat and visit Okushiri Island
We will start the day with a Zen practice at Shogakuin Temple, found 350 years ago
and belonging to the Sōtō Zen sect. This historical temple also holds memorial services
for maritime disasters.

The Sōtō school, the largest of the three traditional sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism, isdevoting to feel the Zen spirit in all aspects of the daily life even while eating. As part ofthis Zen practice, we will eat meaningfully a "morning porridge.”
We will enjoy a 2 hours ferry journey heading from Esashi to Okushiri Island, the “floatingisland of the beech forest.” From the port, we will go directly to the beech primeval
forest, which play an important part in Okushiri Island by providing the water necessary
for the land. During our walking tour, we will experience the water cycle, necessary tosustaining life on island, from the land to the sea. At end of the tour, we will see thebeautiful sunset.
Having dinner at a local tavern (Izakaya) and staying at a local guest house will make us
feel like belonging to Okushiri !

Accommodation - Okushiri| Shared room with shared toilet and bath
Included meals - Breakfast, Lunch box, dinner at the local tavern
Activity◆Experience a Zen Buddhist retreat
Location: Esashi, Shougakuin
Time Required: 4 hours
Difficulty: 1◆Beech forest walking
Location: Okushiri
Time Required: 2 hours
Difficulty: 2

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided TourDay 3
Sea kayaking on the blue ocean of Okushiri Island
Okushiri Island is geographically located at the junction of the warm Tsushima Current
moving northward and the cold Liman Current moving southward from the coastal states.
It is also a place visited by rare wildlife from the continent. We will spend a whole day sea
kayaking in the warm waters of Okushiri. Kayaking on the quiet and blue ocean it might
be difficult to imagine that this beautiful island was once hit by a tsunami.
We will enjoy a wild BBQ lunch on the beach on the west coast of island.
In the afternoon, we will return to our sea kayaking activity and continue to enjoy theisland's nature. We will have a second occasion to see the sunset.
After cooling off in the waters of the Sea of Japan, we will warm up in the unique
Kamuiwaki Hot Spring located in a fishing port.
Again, tonight we will explore the island enjoying the night life mingling with the locals.
There is no better way to immerse ourselves in the culture of this distant island!

Accommodation - Okushiri| Shared room with shared toilet and bath
Included meals - Breakfast, BBQ Lunch, dinner at the local tavern
Activity◆Sea kayaking
・ Time Required: 5 hours
・ Location: Okushiri
Difficulty: 3

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided TourDay 4
Cycle around the island and acknowledge with its painful memories
On July 12, 1993, at 10:17 p.m., an earthquake hit the seabed of the Sea of Japan off thenorthern coast of Okushiri Island. With a magnitude of 7.8, it was the largest earthquake
to occur on the Sea of Japan since modern times. The earthquake caused widespread
damage from fires and tsunamis, especially in Okushiri Island near the epicenter, andresulted in 202 deaths and 28 missing persons. It was about a year and a half before theGreat Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. It took five years to the island to recover from thisdisaster.
We will cycle through the Aonae district, where the disaster prevention city planning has
been carried out to prepare for future disasters and trace the process of reconstruction.
On our way to the ryokan for dinner, we will visit the Okushiri Tsunami Museum. The roleof this facility is to pass on to future generations the painful memories and lessons of thistsunami disaster, as well as the gratitude for the support received from all over Japan.
We will enjoy our last supper of the freshest ingredients at a traditional Japanese ryokan
before go back to the guest house.
Accommodation - Okushiri| Shared room with shared toilet and bath
Included meals - Breakfast, BBQ Lunch, dinner at the ryokan
Activity◆Cycling
Location: Okushiri
Time Required: 5 hours
Condition: 40km on paved and flat road
Difficulty: 2

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Activity◆Cycling
Location: Okushiri
Time Required: 5 hours
Condition: 40km on paved and flat road
Difficulty: 2

A:Guest house Imacoco
B:Camp site
C:Okushiri Airport
D:Aonae
E:Matsue
F:Unimaru monument
G:Inaho
H:Tamaura
I: Road 39
J:Yunohama

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided TourDay 5
Farewell to the island and transfer to Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station
We will leave the inn at 7:00 a.m. and take a ferry to Esashi.
From Esashi Ferry Terminal, we will take a private van to Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station toconclude our trip to Hokkaido.

Included meals – Breakfast box

Accommodations :Dates

Location

Type

Room

Spa

Day1
Hotel Terakoya

Esashi Town

Hotel

Private room withensuite/wifi

NoneDay2.3.4
Guest house
ImacocoOkushiri Town

Guest house

Shared room withshared toilet andbathOnsen in 2
min onfoot9

Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Food & Accommodation
Breakfast & Dinner
All of breakfasts on this tour will be served at our accommodation. The meals will be set
menus or buffet, containing traditional Japanese dishes beautifully presented in separate
plates & bowls. If you are a master of chopsticks, these skills will be handy, otherwise
western utensils are usually available on request. For most of the dinner on this tour, we
will take you to the local restaurant to taste authentic local food, including seafood,vegetables followed by local Japanese Sake.
We will do our best to make arrangements for any dietary requirements so please be sure
to let us know your needs in advance.

What’s included• 4 nights accommodation, single occupancy basis on Day1, shared room on Day 2,3,4(Due to limited capacity, we may ask you to share a room with another guest of thesame gender In this case we will inform you in advance)• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners• Ferry ticket, Entrance fee, all the activities• All transport as described in the itinerary• Snacks and refreshments• English speaking Japanese guide(s)Not included• Airfares• Personal expenses• Alcoholic drinks with included meals
Please note that you will be asked to show your passport when checking into
accommodation in Japan. It is a requirement for accommodation providers to take aphotocopy of the passport of overseas guests.

10Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided TourWe provide & What to bring
We provide
・ Life jacket for sea kayak
・ Bike, Helmet and gloves for cycling
・ First aid kit

What to bring
Make sure you bring long trousers and a warm sweater for evenings, as well as covered
shoes.

Essentials
・Warm/ Wind proof/ Waterproof jacket
・Comfortable walking shoes and backpack
・Comfortable clothing that is easy to move with and a change of clothes for the walking
・Water bottle
・Sunscreen
・Sunglasses
・Energy Food

・Camera・Personal Medications
・Travel insurance
・Passport
・Cash in Japanese yen. Small restaurants and shops in rural parts of Japan do not accept
credit cards. You can withdraw cash from an ATM at a post office and Seven Elevenconvenience stores.

Recommended items
・Binoculars

11Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

About us
Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

About usTour Guides:
Koichi Toba (Tobaji)​Qualified mountaineering
guide stage II by Japan
Mountain Guides Association

Tobaji is one of the most experienced guides in
Hokkaido with over 20 years in outdoor education &mountain tourism. Born in Chiba, near Tokyo, he spent
his childhood and youth exploring the countryside.
Being member of the Explorer’s Club of his University,
give him opportunities to explore the outdoors andtravel overseas, including a trip to Nepal, where hetrekked Annapurna and rafted down the Karnali river.
He was once the typical Japanese “salaryman” but
decided to change career and work for an outdoor
education provider before to become a certified

mountain guide. When he is not guiding, he can befound canoeing or helping rice farmers and beekeepers
during spring and autumn in Higashikawa.

Yuto Sotozaki

After traveling in Japan as a backpacker, he worked as a

​Qualified Hokkaido

rickshaw driver and high school teacher before moving

outdoor nature guideto Okushiri Island in 2018. After few months, he opened

The owner of Guest housea guesthouse based on his belief that encounters andImacocoemotional experiences enrich one's life. He is engaged
in educational activities from elementary school to highschool on the island as a "nature instructor." He also
welcomes 30 university students a year from all overJapan to learn about Okushiri Island and become fans of
the island and is continuing his activities for the future.

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Information and Requirements
Dietary Restrictions
We believe that eating like the locals is the best way of experiencing Hokkaido’s uniqueculture. However, we understand that it’s not possible for everyone to do this and we’remore than happy to cater for food allergies, dietary restrictions, and special
requirements. If you have any diet restrictions or preferences, please tell us in theRegistration Form at the time of booking, and we will do our best to accommodate yourdietary needs.
In some rural areas particularly, we may ask you for some flexibility. For example, if you
require halal food, we may be able to substitute for a vegetarian option instead. Pleasealso be aware that for those who are allergic to MSG we may struggle to arrange a goodalternative at every meal in Japan. Some of our overseas guests in the past found it
difficult to find ready-made foods completely free of MSG, especially when buying fromconvenience stores. Most Japanese supermarkets sell simple foods like plain bread,boiled eggs, vegetables and fruits, so you should always be able to find something
suitable. The most important thing about dietary requirements is to let us know inadvance so we can prepare and organize the foods you need.

Emergency Response PlanYour safety is our top priority, closely followed by fun and comfort! All our tour guides
have years of guiding experience in the outdoors under their belt. The activity guide hastaken a 40-hour Wilderness First Aid or Advanced Firefighting Lifesaving Course. At all
times, our guides will carry a first-aid kit, as well as have an extra kit in our vehicle andhold an Emergency plan with the nearest emergency hospital for any severe accident. In
case of heavy rain, strong winds or other unsafe weather conditions for walking and Sea
kayaking, there may be times when we have to change our tour plan. In such cases, wewill try to substitute the original activity with other alternatives such as sightseeing,
visiting museums or hot springs. We are here to turn a bad day around into a fun day!

Weather Conditions
Hokkaido‘s pleasant summer attracts many visitors from the other regions of Japanescaping from the unbearable summer heat and humidity. The end of May is a still spring
season in Hokkaido, and Mid September is the beginning of autumn. During May to
September the highest temperature is approximately 25.5℃ / 77.9℉. The lowest one isapproximately 8℃ / 46℉ in May. The highest rainfall is 153mm(6.1inches) in August. The
weather in Japan in September and October can bring typhoons. Although they are not as
frequent as on Mainland Honshu, occasionally Hokkaido is hit by a cyclone (a weakened
typhoon as it has travelled over Honshu to Hokkaido). Be prepared for variable weather;warm, cold, and wet, to ensure your comfort and safety while on traveling.

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

What you better to know about Japanese style hotel
In this tour, some of the hotel feature Japanese style rooms with tatami mats with rice
paper partitions and futon (sleeping mattresses). Here are some good-to-know facts
about Japanese style hotel to avoid unwelcome surprises.
• You are sleeping on the floor. A traditional Japanese room does not have western beds,
instead futon bedding is provided. Often hotel staff enter your room and prepare yourfuton while you are out for dinner.
• Hotel provide "yukata", which is a traditional night robe that looks like a kimono. You
can wear it to the public spa and also to dinner in Hotel, basically anywhere within the
hotel facility. Our guides will explain how to wear yukata properly if you are unsure.

What is a Japanese Onsen
On Okushiri island, you may enjoy natural hot spring called Onsen. Please keep in mind
that there are certain protocols that go with bathing in a public Spa, however they’resuper simple!
• You bathe in your birthday suit, that's right, no clothes or swimwear is allowed in thebath. Don’t worry, no one is looking!
• Take a shower before you enter the water. It’s important for the waters to stay cleanso make sure to rinse all soap off and long hair should be tied up. You can take a small
towel in if you’re feeling shy, but the towel cannot touch the waters.
• Be respectful of others. Do not run, talk too loudly, drink alcohol, or splash around
while in the spa. Don’t forget to take in a hand towel, so that you can lightly dry yourself
before returning to the changing room. We’re quite fussy about keeping the floors of thechanging room dry. Last but not least, relax and enjoy yourself!

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Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Reservation & Cancellation Policy
Reservation
When we receive your reservation request, we will send you an email with a link to apage on our website, where it asks you to fill in the Registration Form. We will ask foryour contact details and personal information such as your height and dietaryrequirements etc., in order for us to adequately organise and arrange the tour service.
Once the Registration Form is completed, you will be taken to the Shopping cart to review
your booking, and finally onto the Check Out page to make the payment (Deposit/Full) tosecure the booking.

Payment Methods
We will send a booking confirmation by email with an invoice requesting a deposit* A 20% Deposit is required for the confirmation of the booking.
* The remaining cost(Balance Payment) is due 21 days before your arrival.
* Payment is acceptable by Credit card or Bank Transfer:
A. Credit card
* We will send you a link with a form to fill in your credit card details
B. Bank Transfer* Please process the payment from your local bank in Yen.
* All Transaction Fees will be paid by remitter.

Cancellation• 20% of the tour price will apply 20 days prior to the travel starting date•

30% of the tour price will apply 7 days prior to the travel starting date•

40% of the tour price will apply 1 days prior to the travel starting date•

50% of the tour price will apply on the travel starting date•

100% of the tour price will apply after the start of the tour or the traveler does notparticipate in the Tour without notice16

Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Disclaimer
Assumption of risk and safety declaration
Travelers are advised that all activities are undertaken entirely at their own risk and theymust behave in a fit and proper manner at all times in accordance with Hokkaido Treasure
Island Travel Inc’s guidelines. All adventure tours and outdoor activities carry inherent
risks and Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc nor its partners do not assume any
responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or caused by factors outsideof human control.
With the purchase of your trip you acknowledge that:
By its very nature, adventure travel, hiking and cycling tours are more challenging anddemanding with a significantly higher level of risk, and involve potential exposure to injury
and possibly death.
Additional dangers and risks associated with adventure travel may include difficult anddangerous terrain; high altitude; extremes of weather, including sudden and unexpectedchanges; political instability; remoteness from normal medical services and from
communications; and evacuation difficulties in the event of illness or injury.
You must follow our guide’s instructions and use any safety equipment provided at all
times. For the above reasons you accept the inherent and increased dangers and risks
associated with the proposed adventure and the accompanying risk of injury, death orproperty damage or loss.

Our Responsibilities and Exemptions from Responsibility
All Travelers are required to acknowledge the Terms and Conditions that we provide tothem before contracting with us. The Traveler acknowledges that he or she understands
the Terms and Conditions, as well as the following information about exemptions fromour responsibility.
・We shall be responsible for compensating any damage caused to the Traveler
intentionally or negligently by us or by our agent in the performance of this Contract.
However, this shall be limited to cases when we have received notice within two years
from the time when the accident occurred.
・Except as provided in the preceding Paragraph, we will not be responsible forcompensation in the following cases:(1) Acts of providence(2) Maelstrom of war or civil commotion(3) Suspension of Tour Services including transport and accommodation facilities(4) Orders from government and public agencies(5) Other causes beyond our control or the control of our agents17

Hike & Kayak in Okushiri Island: 5-Day Guided Tour

Tour Operator / Contact
Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc.
9F Daito Bldg, Minami 2-jo Higashi 2-chome 8-1,
Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan

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