Eastern Hokkaido Tourism Seminar
THE VALUE OF FOUR DISTINCT SEASONS

It’s a amazingly diverse climate in Eastern Hokkaidothat brings new experiences with every season.

2Overview of Eastern Hokkaido◎Hokkaido takes up 22.1% of land in Japan.
◎Eastern Hokkaido covers approximately 45% of land in Hokkaido.

Manila → Sapporo
5 hours 10 minutes
by Philippine Airlines
Operations begin:
September 10, 2018

HOKKAIDO

HOKKAIDO

EasternzHokkaido
Area 31,016㎢

SapporoEastern Hokkaido

Tokyo → Eastern Hokkaido
Approx. 1 hour 35 - 50 minutes by airTokyoJapanManila → Tokyo
Approx. 4 hours 20 minutesby airManilaPhilippines

Manila(Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya)Tokyo3

Calendar of the Four Seasons (Eastern Hokkaido)
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Winter

Apr.

May

Jun.

Spring

Jul.

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Summer Autumn

Dec.

WinterMonthly survey concerning visitors from Malaysia (2017) *Source: JNTO
School Holidays
Summer (Late March - June)

WinterSpringChristmas Holidays(December)

AutumnEaster Sunday(Late March)

Winter4November

Nov. 2

School Holidays

DecemberChristmas Holiday

Dec. 11Autumn to Early WinterNov. 22

Dec. 21

5KUSHIROKushiro Wetlands National Park

Canoeing on Kushiro River

KushiroTokachi

TOKACHITokachigawa Nature Tour
＜Period: November - March 10, April 28 - October 31＞
Combined tour of rafting and nature observation.
Experience salmon-watching in the fall, and eagle-watchingin the winter.

＜Period: Year-round＞
Canoe gently down the Kushiro River, which meanders throughthe Kushiro Wetlands National Park. A remarkable experience thatwill make you forget the cold.

Tokachi Nature center http://www.nature-tokachi.co.jp/

Kushiro - LakeAkan Travel Guide http://en.kushiro-lakeakan.com/

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SHIRETOKOShiretoko Snowshoe tour

SHIRETOKO

Shiretoko
Guided Walk

Shiretoko＜Period: Early April - Late November＞*Tour dates will differ depending on the condition of snowpack.

Seasoned nature guides will take you on a walkthrough the vast nature of Shiretoko.
Enchanting encounters with wildlife is very
probable early in the morning; who knows
you may even see an Ezo deer.

＜Period: Early December - Late March＞

Shiretoko Shari-cho Tourist Association https://www.shiretoko.asia/

Put on pair Western snowshoes, magical shoes that allow you
to walk anywhere on the snow at ease, and hike deep into the forest!

Snowshoe*Tour dates will differ depending on the condition of snowpack.

7KUSHIRO

Natural Monument of Japan
Natural Monument of Japan
Natural Monument of Japan

Red-crowned Crane
Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane
Kushiro - LakeAkan Travel Guide
http://en.kushiro-lakeakan.com/

Wild Japanese red-crested cranes are
fed during the winter. At peak season,over 300 cranes alight, showing off theirbeautiful forms.
<Feeding: November - March>

Kushiro8TESHIKAGALake Mashu
Star Watching Tour< Period: Year-round >At night, there is nothing around Lake Mashu
to block the scenery, and on an especially clear night,
you can find yourself staring up at a sky full of stars,
as far as the eye can see.
Stars are especially visible during the winter,when the air is cold and clear,making them appear like diamonds in the sky.

TESHIKAGA

Sand Bath at Lake Kussharo
Swans alight on the shores of Lake Kussharo
between late November and April.
The sand baths along the sores are createdby hot springs, and are warm even during winter,and swans can be seen resting their wings
in the warm water.
Teshikaga Navi
http://www.masyuko.or.jp/pc/english/

Teshikaga

Tourism Teshikaga http://www.tourism-teshikaga.co.jp/

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MOMBETSU

MOMBETSU

Okhotsk Tokkari Center

Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum GIZA

http://www.gomaland.com/

http://giza-ryuhyo.com/

Dozens of seals, such as spotted, ringed
and ribbon seals can be seen here.
During feeding time, which takes place 5 times a day,you can enjoy watching the cute seals eat and perform.

A museum on a theme of drift ice, situated right near the Seaof Okhotsk. There is plenty to “see,” “touch,” and “experience,”in the many exhibit rooms, such as the extreme cold roomthat is set at minus 20 degrees Celsius; a taste of what midwinteris actually like.

Pet the seals!

Ice Aquarium

MOMBETSU

Blow bubbles
that freeze

10ABASHIRIABASHIRI

Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

Abashiri Prison Museum

http://www.ryuhyokan.com/

http://www.kangoku.jp/

Welcome to where sound andlight transport you to the wonderfulworld of drift ice.
Wet towels will freeze!

An outdoor museum, based on the history pertaining to thecolonization of Hokkaido, and the role the prisoners played.

ABASHIRI

Jail made out of snow!

11SAHORO

Tokachi Sahoro Resort

Ski and Snow Fun
http://www.sahoro.co.jp/winter/w_ski■Season: Dec. 1, 2018 – Apr. 8, 2019 (tentative schedule)

Skiing and snowboarding are not the only ways
to have fun in the winter.
We have a great lineup of winter activities
that include everything from fun
in the snow for first-timers,
to more fresh and stimulating activities.
Sapporo 166km/ approx. 2 h 40 min.
Obihiro 54km/ approx. 60 min
New Chitose Airport 154km/ approx. 2 h 30 min.
Tokachi Obihiro Airport 77km/ approx. 80 min.

Rent everything you need to play, from skis and snowboards to boots and ski wear.
Experience skiing and snowboarding without the hassle!

SAHORO

Sahoro Resort ⇔ JR Shintoku Station
Free shuttle bus service (tentative schedule)◼︎In service between Dec. 3 – Mar. 31

12OBIHIRO

Kita-no Yatai
A collection of Japanese cuisine and kushiyaki (charbroiled foods)restaurants,
pubs, Italian and French restaurants.
http://www.kitanoyatai.com/

Obihiro13KUSHIRO

Robata Grill

Take a stroll through the market and pick outa little bit of each kind of seafood you like,then have it prepared over a bowl of rice,and you have your original seafood donburi!

KUSHIRO
Fresh seafood is best cooked over charcoal.
The delicious flavor can be tasted especiallywhen it is piping hot.

Washo MarketKushiro

Katte-donWasho Market http://www.washoichiba.com/

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January - February

Chinese New Year’s

Real Winter(Midwinter)

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MOMBETSU

Icebreaker Cruiser Garinko II◎Season/ Late January – MarchThe Icebreaker Cruise Boat Garinko II is an impressive red vessel.
The large screw breaks the ice as the vessel progresses throughthe icy waters.

Mombetsu
http://www.garinko.com/

ABASHIRI

Sightseeing Icebreaker Cruiser Aurora◎Season/ Late January - early April
The cruise boat chases the drift ice as it flows,so passengers experience a thrilling ride
through the drift ice.
Sunset cruises are also available.

https://www.ms-aurora.com/abashiri/

Abashiri

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SHIRETOKO

Shiretoko-Utoro Drift Ice Walk®
◆Season/ early Feb. – late Mar.
You can enjoy walking on drift ice in a special dry suit which is not usually
allowed. Feel the power and mystery of nature on the field of drift ice.
◎Shiretoko Naturalist Association http://www.shinra.or.jp/Shiretoko

BETSUKAI

Walk toward the horizon on Notsuke Peninsula◆Activity period: January - mid March
During the harsh winter, when Hokkaido is enveloped in a blanket of white snow,
take a walk across the frozen ice. Beautiful panorama views of an icy world can be seen.
◎Betsukai Tourist Association http://betsukai-kanko.jp/index_en/

Betsukai17SHIRETOKODrift ice and Bird-watching Cruise◆Cruises available: Late January - early AprilThere is a higher chance of Steller’s sea eagle and white-tailed sea eagle sightings
between February and March.
Shiretoko Rausu-cho Tourism Association http://www.rausu-shiretoko.com/

Eastern Shorelineof Shiretoko<Rausu>18

Lake AKAN

Frost Flowers◆Season/ Dec. – late Jan.
Frost flowers that bloom on the surfaceof the frozen lake can only be seen on areally cold day during winter.
Frost flowers only appear under severe
cold conditions where the temperaturedrops below - 15 degrees Celsius,and when there is no wind.
Kushiro-Akanko Tourism
http://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/TESHIKAGA

Lake Mashu

Rime◆Season/ Jan. – Feb.
Winter transforms Lake Mashu into awonderland of frozen mist.
When winter arrives, the moisture from fog
or mist clings to the trees and freezes,
covering the trees in a beautiful blanket
of frozen ice known as “rime.”
Tourism Teshikaga

https://tourism-teshikaga.co.jp/

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TOYOKOROJewelry Ice＜Season/ mid Jan. – Feb.＞
Ice shot into the sky is illuminatedby sunlight and appears like sparkling jewels…
Jeweled Ice can be seen between mid-January
and February.

Smooth ice rocks that have been washed ashore glitterand sparkle like jewels in the sunlight.

Toyoko Tourism Guide http://www.toyokoro.jp/tourism/Toyokoro

20Lake AKAN

Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan (Ice Village )Outdoor bath made of ice◆Period/ Late January - late March, 2019
The only outdoor bath in the world,
made out of ice on a frozen lake, is super liberating!
http://www.nature-center.jp/kotan/

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Winter Events in Eastern Hokkaido

Sounkyo Hyobaku Festival（January 25 - March 17, 2019）

Sairinka Tokachigawa Swan Festival in Otofuke（Late January – late February, 2019）

Shiretoko Drift Ice Festival（Late January – late February, 2019）

Diamond Dust in Kawayu（February, 2019）

Fuyu-hanabi Lake Akan Ice Festival（Early February – early March, 2019）

Mombetsu Drift Ice Festival（Late January - early March, 2019）

22

RAUSU

Fresh Sea Urchin
Season/ mid-Jan. - June
Sea urchin harvesting takes place
Between mid January and Junein Rausu, so you can enjoy delicious
sea urchin in the middle of winter,
As Middle as January.

AKKESHIRausu

Oysters
Akkeshi is the only placein Japan where you can enjoy
succulent fresh oysters all year long.
Akkeshi Mikaku Terminal Conchiglie
http://www.conchiglie.net/Akkeshi

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MayJune - July

May. 3

School Holidays

Ramadan BreakJune. 1

Spring to Early Summer

May. 18

July. 10

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Shiretoko

SHIRETOKO

Natural World Heritage Site

Shiretoko

Inscribed into UNESCO World Heritage in 2005,
Shiretoko is home to invaluable fauna andflora that inhabits some of the most beautiful wilderness left in the world.

Lingering snow around the Shiretoko Five Lakes (Season/ May)
Shiretoko is a sanctuary for wildlife such as Ezo brown bears, Ezo deer, Northern fox,
Steller’s sea eagles, white-tailed sea eagles, Blakiston’s fish owl, sea lions, orca and much more.

25SHIRETOKO

Utoro cruise（West coast）＜Season：April - October＞
Take in the remarkable view of the Shiretoko Peninsulafrom the cruiser. See unusual rock formations, waterfalls,
wild brown bears, deer, and white-tailed sea eagles,
scenery which cannot be seen by land.

SHIRETOKO

Rausu cruise（East coast）＜Season：April - October＞
See sperm whales, dolphins,
and Procellariidae (seabirds)
up close!

Shiretoko Shari-cho Tourist Association http://www.shiretoko.asia/

Shiretoko Rausu-cho Tourism Association http://www.rausu-shiretoko.com/

26

ABASHIRI Area

Higashi Mokoto Shibazakura(moss phlox) Park (Ozora)
http://www.shibazakura.net/◎Season/ mid May - mid June
Blooming season: mid May to mid June. A pink blanket of dainty
moss phlox flowers covers the hillside, approximately one-hundred
thousand square meters in area.

MOMBETSU Area
Takinoue

Takinoue Shibazakura(moss phlox) Park
Takinoue-cho Tourism Association
http://takinoue.com/Ozora

The total area of the park situated on a small hill,covers approximately one-hundred thousandsquare meters.
Flowers bloom between early May and mid June.

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MOMBETSU Area

Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park
Between May and early June, 1.2 million tulips made upof 120 varieties and every imaginable color, bloom all at once.
Kamiyubetsu Tourism Association
http://www.yubetsu.gr.jp/

AbashiriKamiyubetsu

Abashiri

Hana Tento
Flower Gardens
Blooming season：June - mid-OctoberOver 42 thousand flowers bloom at once
across the 3.5 hectares of land during peakseason.
Abashiri City Tourist Association
https://www.abakanko.jp/

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http://hokkaido-garden.jp.e.ua.hp.transer.com/

Hokkaido Garden Road

Tokachi Millennium Forest

Manabe Garden

The Hokkaido Garden Road,
250 kilometers long,connects eight signature gardens of Hokkaido.
Five of the eight gardens are locatedwithin the Tokachi-Obihiro area.
＜Opens in late April＞

Shichiku Garden

Tokachi Hills

Rokka-no Mori

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Eastern Hokkaido

Nature experience programs available
in Eastern Hokkaido＜Activity period: April - October＞
There are tons of nature activity programs,
such as hiking and canoeing, waiting
to be experienced in Eastern Hokkaido.

HikingCanoeing

Horse Trekking

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Teshikaga

TESHIKAGA
Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu

Cloudsea Tour
(June - October)
Impressive encounters are reserved
for those who wake up early in the morning.
Tourism Teshikaga
http://www.tourism-teshikaga.co.jp/

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MOMBETSU and ABASHIRI

Okhotsk Marine Products

Fresh Caught Horsehair Crab
Horsehair crabs raised on rich nutrientsthat are available under the drift ice are firm,rich and succulent, and unbelievably delicious!
(April - May)

Mombetsu

Abashiri
Abashiri spring crab/ April 20 - June 20
Mombetsu spring crab/ Early March - mid May32

ABASHIRI

Fruit-picking
http://www.shibazakura.net/
Late June yields strawberries, and in July,cherries and blueberries are ripefor picking.

Strawberry: late June

ABASHIRI

Cherries, blueberries: July

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Information on exclusive deals for our FIT customers

By AirBy JR Train

Quick and Convenient! Flights to major cities
in Hokkaido take only 45 to 50 minutes!

The Hokkaido Rail Pass, available only to foreign
tourists, is a great way to travel across Hokkaido
at a reasonable price. This pass allows unlimited
rides on JR trains with Hokkaido, as long as it iswithin the valid period.

JAL offers limited discount flights
for foreign visitors!
Each¥5,400 one way.

3-day ¥16,500(adult fare)

JAL Japan Explorer Passflexible 4-day or 5-day

New Chitose = Memanbetsu,
Sapporo-Okadama = Kushiro¥22,000(adult fare)
7-day ¥24,000(adult fare)

http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/201705/004282.html

JR HOKKAIDO http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/

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Eastern Hokkaido Bus route search
http://en.visit-eastern-hokkaido.jp/eastbus/

EAST HOKKAIDO EXPRESSBUS
Operation Period/ Late January - early March

Eastern Hokkaido Sightseeing BusOperation Period/ Early December - mid March35

http://en.visit-eastern-hokkaido.jp/

We hope you will utilize this information for creating travel products to eastern Hokkaido.

East Hokkaido Sightseeing Development Council