- Winter Miracles: Biei Snowshoe Tour and Okhotsk's Impressive Drift Ice Landscape
- Hokkaido , Japan
- Experience the Otherworldly Drift Ice Walk and Spectacular Biei Hills Snowshoe Stroll
- Price
- JPY288,000～
- Period
- 4nights 5days
- Departure
- Feb 20th, 27th, 2023
Highlights
- Enjoy the Snow-covered landscape of Hokkaido with experiences you can only have in the wintertime
With 2 nights in Furano, you will have plenty of time to take in the beautiful scenery from a hot air balloon ride, and up close you can take part in the snowy and icy world of Biei. Winter in Hokkaido is synonymous with drift ice. So, an ice-breaker cruise will get you closer to the drift ice, and a guided drift ice walk amongst the ice will invigorate you. This full 5 day tour will make you rethink what Hokkaido is like compared to the other winter tours you might see. - We will take you to experience the Blue Pond all the fantastic illuminations of Biei
The Biei river forms a striking scenic spot at the Blue Pond. In the winter, this pond is covered with the white snow and illuminations make it into a stunning dream world. - This is the only season to experience the drift ice!
This tour is only available Feb - Mar when the drift ice forms, so you can get the full experience of the Sea of Okhotsk for this limited time.
The Best Winter Season! Stunning scenes of Biei and Furano
Biei is famous for its patchwork fields in the summer to autumn seasons, but the silvery white landscape covered in snow is said to be the best season to visit Biei. After the bird's eye view from a hot air balloon, and seeing it up close in the snowshoe experience, we will also take you to see the Shirahige Waterfall, a natural wonder created by the Biei River. The Blue Pond, with the lights will be a fantastic experience that you cannot have anywhere else. Please come see what is only available during this time of year.
You have not experienced drift ice until you have tried this activity!
Drift ice forms in the places like the Russian Far East's Amur River, flowing to the Sea of Okhotsk from February to March every year. It is said that the Sea of Okhtsk is the southern limit of drift ice in the Northern Hemisphere. On this tour, we offer two ways that you can fully immerse yourself in the overwhelming beauty of the icy world floating on the surface of the sea.
Drift Ice Walk®
At Utoro, change into a special dry suit and experience a Drift Ice Walk, where the ship will allow you to get out onto the drift ice. Depending on the amount of light, you might be able to see where the color of the ice changes, and in the gaps among the drift ice, in the sea near the surface, you may be able to observe the 'sea angels of the drift ice' Cliones (sea slugs aka Gymnosomata).
The equipment you'll need to enjoy winter in Eastern Hokkaido
The winter in Eastern Hokkaido, can see morning and evening temperatures that can drop to negative 20°C or colder, so it is necessary to properly prepare the right equipment for the cold.
・ Warm undergarments, thick shirts, fleece or down jackets and warm rain gear (top and bottom).
・ Pants/shorts for both swimming and for the snowy mountains. Wearing warm tights underneath will keep you warmer.
・ It is convenient to have separate inner and outer gloves. For more detailed tasks, use the thinner inner gloves.
・ Flaps that covers your ears and/or knit caps are also a must-have item. A neck warmer or scarf are also a must-have in the cold air.
・ Heat-retaining water bottle that can be refilled.
・ Portable kairo body warmer (available in local stores).
・ Polarized sunglasses help manage the reflection of sunlight from the snow.
・ Waterproof hiking shoes or snow boots will help keep your feet dry.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asahikawa Airport Furano |
Gather at Asahikawa Airport at 1PM. Take a private car to Furano. On the way, visit Shirahige Waterfall, which is a famous scenic spot in Biei. Please enjoy the mysterious winter scenery created by the Biei River called the Blue River/Blue Pond. Accom:Taisetsuzan Shiroganekanko Hotel or similar | Meal Included: Dinner |
| 2 | Furano |
In the morning, we will take a hot air balloon flight (flight time: about 20 minutes) that overlooks the silvery scenery of Furano. If the weather is nice, you might see the mountains Daisetsuzan and the Tokachi Volcanic Group. In the afternoon, experience snowshoeing at Biei Hill with a professional guide (about 1 hour). You can experience 'the most beautiful season' of Biei in the winter. After that, we will guide you to the extraordinary blue pond. Accom:Taisetsuzan Shiroganekanko Hotel or similar | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 3 | Furano Lake Abasiri |
Transfer to Abashiri by private car. After arriving in Abashiri, you will enjoy fishing for Wakasagi - Japnese pond smelt at Lake Abashiri. After fishing, you will be served with tempura.
Accom:Hotel Route Inn Abashiri-ekimae or similar | Meal Incuded: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 4 | Abashiri Lakeside Hot Spring Utoro |
Enjoy the drift ice cruise (1 hour) on the ice breaker ship Aurora. Enjoy the magic of the drift ice floating from the ship. Afterwards, enjoy a Drift Ice Walk (about 1 hour) with a professional guide. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and unique feeling of walking on ice floating on the Sea. While out on the ice, you may be lucky to see the white-tailed eagles or in the water, the Cliones (sea angels) might be visible in the gaps between the drift ice. After that, Utoro Onsen can help you get warmed back up again. * For customers aged 75 and over or those customers who do not wish to do the Drift Ice Walk, we can also provide information on an alternate "Winter Wildlife Watching Tour" (about 1.5 hours). Accom:Shiretoko Daichi Hotel or similar | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner |
| 5 | Utoro Memanbetsu Airport |
Take a private car to Memanbetsu. On the way visiting Kitahama Station, a wooden station building closest to the Sea of Okhotsk along the way. There, you may see the floating drift ice from the observatory of the station. After that, head to Memanbetsu Airport where the tour ends. Meal Included: Breakfast |
Price
| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| [ 4nights 5days ] Feb 20th - Feb 28th, 2023 Feb 27th - Mar 4th, 2023 |
JPY288,000 *For 4 to 8 participants |
| JPY22,000 Single room supplement |
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms.
** This tour requires a minimum number of 4 participants. Please do not book your airline reservations until you receive confirmation that the minimum number of tour participants has been reached.
** Some hotel (Japanese style hotel) only offers futon style bedding, where people will sleep on a mattress laid out on the floor.
Including :
4 nights of Accommodations | English Speaking Guide | Private Transportation in 10-Seater Van | Meals (Breakfasts, Dinners) |Activities mentioned in program | All entry feesExclusive of :
Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic flight within Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance (Mandatory) | Daily Lunches & Additional Snacks | Personal Expenses (Souvenirs and Alcoholic Beverages, etc.)About Activity
■ Hot Air Balloon Flight
The flight time is about 20 minutes. Since the maximum number of passengers is 5 at a time, the group may be divided into 2 flights. In that case, the flight order will be decided by lottery on that day. There is a chance that the second flight may be canceled, in which case we will refund the price of the flight to the participants. These flights cannot be held in strong winds, or on snowy or rainy days. The local balloon company will judge the weather and decide in the morning if flights will be canceled or not. In the event the flight is cancelled, we will guide you to alternative sightseeing opportunities.
■ Biei Snowshoe Experience
For the Biei snowshoe experience, you can locally rent snowshoes and overshoes/gaiters. However, you will need to have your own gloves, hat, earmuffs, and layered warm clothes. Additionally, it is advisable to use lightweight hiking shoes when using snowshoes.
■ Lake Abashiri Wakasagi - Japnese pond smelt Fishing
The fishing gear will be provided at the site. The location may be changed or canceled according to the conditions on the lake. In that case, we will inform you of an alternative schedule for local activities.
■ Drift Ice Walk
Dedicated dry suits and boots will be provided. The pre-conditions for being able to participate in the Drift Ice Walk are: age 74 years old or younger, height 130-190 cm, and weight 110 kg or less. Group members who opt out will be guided to "Winter Wildlife Watching" (about 1.5 hours) with a local guide. Depending on the conditions of the drift ice, this activity might be cancelled, in which case, we will inform you of the alternative schedule.
■ Ice Breaker Ship Aurora
The running of the cruise ships will be cancelled if high waves or bad weather is forecasted. Additionally, the condition of the drift ice is also a factor. If this happens, an alternative schedule, such as a guided tour of the Ryuhyokan in Abashiri City will be conducted. If the cancellation is due to bad weather such as high waves, we will refund the price of the drift ice cruise (around 3,000 yen) to the participants.
Other
** In winter, the maximum temperature in Central Hokkaido and Eastern Hokkaido is as low as around 5°C, but on cold days it can reach around -10 to -20°C. During the hot air balloon flights and drift ice cruises, the wind will be stronger, so please be sure to bring your own warm clothes, thick outer gloves, scarf, and a warm hat. Since freezing is expected in various places, and there is also a snowshoe experience, it is best to use light hiking shoes that have a solid, non-slip sole. There are some activities where you can rent warmer clothes but be sure to prepare for various conditions.** The lodging is listed in the itinerary; however, changes can be made to the accomodations to your preferences.
** All lunches during the tour are not included. We will make time for you to purchase food from local markets or eateries. Each participant should be prepared to pay these costs individually.
Customize Your Tour?
If you wish to extend your stay or make domestic flight arrangements, contact us to start discussing your custom tour! We'll carefully create an itinerary based on your budget, your choice of destinations, accommodations, and focus it on your interests.
Contact us about this tour
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda, jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
