Active Japan: Hokkaido in Winter, Sea Ice to Onsens

Arrive at any time and meet your group and CEO for a welcome meeting in the evening.

After a filling breakfast, depart the hotel en route to the Primeval Forest area of Shiretoko National Park. Strap on some snowshoes and hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shiretoko Peninsula awaits. Embark on a guided four hour snowshoe trek through the Primeval Forest area of the park. Be sure to bring binoculars if you are a keen animal enthusiast, as there is ample opportunity to spot various species from the Steller's sea eagle to Japanese deer and maybe even a flying squirrel. The scenery is equally as dramatic as you witness the cliff edges hang over the turquoise water of the sea. In the afternoon, join a local guide for an incredible adventure across the ice. Walk safely over the drift ice that forms on top of the sea during the winter months and float in the water if you dare. Head back to Abashiri in the evening for dinner.

Discover the unique history of Hokkaido's wild frontier with a visit to the notorious Abashiri Prison Museum. Marvel at the beautiful architecture and explore the world’s oldest surviving five-winged wooden prison house. Inside, realistic life-sized displays bring the past to life, illustrating daily inmate routines, grueling frontier labor, and legendary prison breaks. The museum offers a profound look at how these convicts helped build Hokkaido's infrastructure under extreme winter conditions. You can even sample an authentic replica of a traditional prison meal at the onsite cafeteria if you wish. In the afternoon, take a fat bike tour along the beautiful Okhotsk Coastline, spanning from Siberia down to Hokkaido.

Depart Abashiri this morning and head inland towards Lake Akan. En route, stop at the shore of Lake Kussharo, where you can take a moment to get your hands dirty digging into the sandy shore and actually hitting hot spring water. Dig your own personal Onsen! A sign of the volcanic activity still present underground in this area. The next stop is a visit to the active volcano, Mt Lo, which sits inside the Kussharo caldera. Watch the sulfurous smoke and steam rise from the craggy landmass. Make a final stop at the observatory deck to take in views of Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu before continuing on your overnight stay at a Ryokan. After a dinner with your fellow travelers, enjoy a cultural performance in tribute to the history of the local Ainu people of the region. Akan Yukar Lost Kamuy is a presentation of Ainu ancient ceremonial dance, contemporary dance and digital art.

Enjoy a leisurely start to the morning to spend the morning hours enjoying the Ryokan hot springs a second time. Or choose to join your CEO for a walk around Lake Akan. Then make your way towards Asahikawa. Leave room for dinner, because this evening we'll try the famous Asahikawa ramen. This ramen is famed throughout Japan as one of the best in the country.

It's time to rise and shine and strap on those hiking boots once again. This morning, head to the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway. Board the ten minute gondola ride up to the start of the walk. Spend a couple of hours exploring the area on foot, and hope for glimpses of the mountain ranges as the fog comes and goes.

Sapporo, the capitol of Hokkaido, is home to some of the island's most interesting spots. With a day at leisure, choose to join your CEO to visit the Hill of the Buddha, a incredible and huge shrine. Or, choose to explore the Hokkaido Jingu shrine, a shinto shrine honoring 4 deities.