Summary
Day 1: Singapore - Hakodate Airport – Check in Hotel Hachimanzaka - Hakodate Dining Gaya
Day 2: Hakodate Morning Market - Ikura Tei - Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse - Lucky Pierrot- Onuma Quasi-National Park - Check-in Granvillage Toya Daiwa Ryokan Annex - Dinner at Ippontei
Day 3: Lake Toya - 岡田屋 - Fujimori Fruit Farm– Jozankei Hoheikyo Dam -Arrive in Sapporo – Suage 2 – Shopping at Sapporo – check in at Hotel Sunroute New Sapporo
Day 4: Nijo Fish Market - Farm Tomita – Bluepond – Check in Ys Hotel Asahikawa Ekimae – Dinner at Aeon MallDay 5: Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum - Daisetsuzan National Park - Set off to Shari – Dinner at 焼肉工房くりから知床斜里店– Check in Hotel Route Inn Grantia Shiretoko Shari Ekimae
Day 6: Lake Notoro – Lunch at Shiretoko Satomi– Hiking at Shiretoko Five Lake – Check in Hotel Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
Day 7: Shiretoko Goko Lake - Kaminoko Pond – Forest of Akan Tsuruga Resort HANAYUUKA – Explore Lake Akan area
Day 8: Lake Akan - Lake Akan Eco Museum Center - Lake Onneto - Butadon no Tonta Michelin Bib Gourmand – Rokkatei flagship - Kangetsuen Hotel
Day 9: Buta Don Pancho - Shopping in Sapporo - HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Nakajima Park
Day 10: Sapporo - Singapore
Read the summary of our 10 Days 9 Night Hokkaido Itinerary here
Read more about tips of self-drive in Hokkaido here
Read more about Hakodate here
Read more about Lake Toya here
Read more about Asahikawa & Daisetsuzan National Park here
Read more about Shiretoko here
Read more about Lake Akan here
Read more about Obihiro here
Shiretoko
After a long drive from Daisetsuzan National Park, we arrived at the Shiretoko Shari late at night. Shiretoko, the eastern of Hokkaido, is one of Japan’s most beautiful and unspoiled area. We spend 2 days in Shiretoko and explore at our own place in this beautiful town. Plus, we even saw wild animal during our drive at Shiretoko! Shiretoko is definitely the highlight of our trip.
Day 6: Lake Notoro – Lunch at Shiretoko Satomi – Oshinkoshin Falls- Hiking at Shiretoko Five Lake – Check in hotel Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
Lake Notoro
The next morning, we grab a quick bite along the way while making a visit to Lake Notoro. The Coral grass in Lake Notoro is said to turn into deep red in autumn. So we were pretty excited and was prepared to be impressed by the red grass. We even took a detour and an hour drive from the hotel for the red grass. Unfortunately, we were not that lucky. Most of the grass was dried up. Instead of the red field, we were greeted with a brownfield. Better luck next time!
Shiretoko Satomi
We return to Shiretoko Satomi for lunch. To be honest, this meal is truly one of the best meal we had. The Japanese home-style restaurant has the best Kakiage! It was prepared with soft shellfish and fried with vegetables! It’s so crispy and tasty! Also, we ordered sashimi don and it was really fresh and delicious! Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to try their dinner menu! This restaurant is definitely a gem!
Shiretoko Satomi
Address: Hokkaido Sharigunsharichou Shinkouchou 64
Opening hours:
11:00-14:00 Daily except for Monday
16:30-20:30 (L.O. 20:00) Daily except for Monday and Thursday
Oshinkoshin Falls
After lunch, we stop by Oshinkoshin Falls before visiting Shiretoko Five Lake. It wasn’t on our itinerary but we still stop to enjoy this beauty. Designated as one of the best 100 waterfalls in Japan. This twin beauties waterfall was given a nickname as beauties waterfall as the stream is separated into two falls. I thought it was a pretty good place to stop over for a toilet break!
Shiretoko National Park - Shiretoko Five Lake
Before entering the national park, we had to go for a briefing session to prepare ourselves if we encounter any wild animal. The walk at the lake was easy and there is even wooden plank on the ground for us to walk. Besides, there is a wooden elevated boardwalk build that allows one to enjoy the view of the lake. We were lucky to witness sunset while we were there! This national park is truly beautiful.
Do visit the official website for updates. If wildlife is spotted, the national park will close due to safety reason. Also, you are not allowed to bring any food into the park.
Afterwards the walk, we check into our hotel - Shiretoko Daiichi hotel and proceed to have our half-board dinner there. Our stay in the hotel is amazing!
Shiretoko Five Lake
Address: Onnebetsumura, Shari, Shari District, Hokkaido 099-4100, Japan
Opening Hours: Depends on season, check the official website for updates.
Day 7: Shiretoko Goko Lake - Kaminoko Pond – Forest of Akan Tsuruga Resort HANAYUUKA – Explore Lake Akan area
Shiretoko Goro Lake
Photo credit: Brother Low
In the morning, we visited Shiretoko Goro Lake and took a 90-minute cruise to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The cruise took us around Mount Io course. From there, we were able to enjoy the magnificent view of Shiretoko. We were not as lucky and didn’t manage to see much wildlife (dolphins, whales, sea lions) but the view was enough. However, we felt 90 minutes was a little too long.
Other things to do in Shiretoko
Kamuiwakka Hot Waterfall
Credit: Photo source
Credit: Photo source
After the visit to the Five Lake, one can visit Kamuiwakka Hot Waterfall that is located near to the five lakes. The waterfall used to be one of Japan’s popular hot spring destination. However, the hot spring is closed due to the danger of falling rocks. Today the waterfall is open and one can only walk to 140m long of the river. Nonetheless, I think wadding through the hot water sounds pretty fun too!
Drift Ice
Credit: Photo Source
One of the popular activities people do during winter is Drift Ice. Unfortunately, we were there during autumn and could not witness the beauty of it. It is said that during good condition, it can be enjoyed from the coastal road. One can join ice walk tour or ice swimming tour if there are less solid ice available.
Read the summary of our 10 Days 9 Night Hokkaido Itinerary here
Read more about tips of self-drive in Hokkaido here
Read more about Hakodate here
Read more about Lake Toya here
Read more about Asahikawa & Daisetsuzan National Park here
Read more about Shiretoko here
Read more about Lake Akan here
Read more about Obihiro here
Hi Gladys,
ReplyDeleteThe website states it peaks in Mid sept. So we were just trying our luck! Sadly, the grass were dried up plus there was typhoon a few days before we arrive in Hokkaido. So yup, we didn't catch the red field.
Cheers,
Joanne