Day 1: Arrival Memanbetsu Airport – Abashiri

Hokkaido is so large that they have several airports and you can choose one of them according to your plan.

Memanbetsu Airport has the most flights from Tokyo or Sapporo, most tourists visiting eastern Hokkaido use this airport. Upon arrival, pick up your car hire and drive to Abashiri. Japanese people know Abashiri by the prison used over 100 years ago. Due to the harshest climate, said that the most serious criminals were imprisoned here. The prison is now open as a museum, you can learn the history of the prison.

Accommodation in Abashiri

Day 2: Abashiri – Rausu (Shiretoko)

Other than the prison museum, Abashiri also has a lot of museums to learn about the culture and traditions of the locals. Okhotsk Ryu-hyo (drift ice) Museum shows you the world of drift ice and nature in Okhotsk. Another museum popular among tourists is the Hokkaido Museum of Northern People, you can learn about the lifestyles of northern people including Ainu, the indigenous people in Hokkaido. Regarding food, crabs, salmon, and scallops are famous here thanks to the ocean environment.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the World Heritage nature Shiretoko Peninsula. You can meet a lot of wildlife in Shiretoko throughout a year such as orcas, whales, birds, and bears. Among plenty of nature attractions, drift ice watching in winter is the most popular. Shiretoko is known as the southernmost point where drift ice reaches from the north pole.

Accommodation in Rausu

Day 3: Shiretoko – Teshikaga

Enjoy nature sightseeing depending on which season you go to Shiretoko. There are onsens near Mt. Rausu, great sceneries around the Shiretoko Five Lakes, and Oshinkoshin Waterfalls observatory. Also, as Hokkaido has been developed by the industry of local seafood, fishery cultures in this area are worth experiencing. You can enjoy the fish port tour in Rausu, the kombu (seaweed) fishing experience, or the salmon fishing watch cruise.

After enjoying the cultures of Shiretoko, we’ll drive inland to the well-known caldera lakes in Hokkaido. Beautiful nature and hot springs gushing from the mountains in this area attract tourists from different countries.

Accommodation in Teshikaga

Day 4: Lake Akan, Mashu, Kussharo

Today will visit three beautiful lakes and mountains in Akan Mashu National Park. In Summer, Lake Mashu shows us the clearest deep blue of the water in the world and the dynamic nature of the surrounding mountains, and Lake Akan is known for the moss ball in the lake. Moss ball lives only in a certain latitude and clear water, Lake Akan is the only place where they live in Japan and they are designated as a national natural monument. Also, around the lakes are a popular destination for the onsen gushing from the mountains.

In winter, they show us a completely different face. Mountains turn beautiful white and the surface of the lakes will be frozen. Ice fishing on the lake, snow walking, or swans coming from Siberia to pass winter are the attractions.

Accommodation in Teshikaga

Day 5: Kushiro Marsh & Kushiro City

Today’s highlight is the spectacular nature of Kushiro Marsh, the largest march in Japan, and the beautiful cityscape of Kushiro City. Kushiro is popular among birdwatchers as this area is the habitat of Japanese red-crowned cranes. Other than the cranes, you’ll meet many kinds of wildlife in this area, such as deer, foxes, or eagles. You can take a stroll in the vast landscape or enjoy the panoramic view of the extensive marsh from the observatory.

After enjoying the refreshing natural experience, we’ll drive to Kushiro City. People visit Kushiro for fresh foods as this city is a gate port city of eastern Hokkaido. Seafood, dairy, and livestock all around Hokkaido arrive in Kushiro Washo Market, this night , enjoy the whole range of seafood around Hokkaido.

Accommodation in Kushiro

Day 6: Drive back to Memanbetsu and Return Flight

The last day of nature driving. You can stop by Lake Akan again, there is an Ainu village on the west side of the lake, it remains the culture of indigenous people in Hokkaido. Experience of cultures such as the traditional dance or the costume is popular among tourists and if you look for souvenirs, crafts such as embroidery, woodcrafts, or accessories here are recommended.

Driving approximately 2 hours in total will get you to the airport. Take a flight to your next destination. Doto is just the eastern area of Hokkaido, you can explore the other areas of this vast island, or you can back to the mainland of Japan and experience the completely different cultures.