Tours
Hokkaido: A Tour Exploring Ainu Culture and Meiji-Era History
Stories lie dormant beneath the snow. A journey to retrace, on foot, the northern lands that the pioneers once traversed. Meiji-era architecture, Ainu culture, the scent of herring—the history of Hokkaido lives on here.
- Travel Type: Model Plan for Individuals and Small Groups
- Best time to visit: All year round
- Number of days: 5 days
- Areas: Noboribetsu, Shiraoi, Sapporo, Otaru
Tours
Hokkaido: A Tour of Ainu Culture and Meiji-Era History Tour
A 4-night, 5-day trip to Hokkaido packed with history, Ainu culture, hot springs, and gourmet cuisine
The Gateway to Hokkaido: A Night at the Hot Springs
You’ll be picked up by a private car at New Chitose Airport. The drive to Noboribetsu takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes. Relax and unwind from the fatigue of your journey at a hot spring inn filled with the scent of sulfur, and get ready for the adventures that await the next day.
Hell's Valley and the Souls of the Ainu
Feel the breath of the volcano at Jigokudani in Noboribetsu, encounter an Ezo brown bear, and then head to Shiraoi. At Upopoi, the National Ainu Cultural Center, spend the afternoon immersing yourself in the culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous people through song, dance, embroidery, and musical performances.
Walking Through a Meiji-Era Building
Head to the Pioneer Village, where 53 buildings dating from the Meiji era to the early Shōwa era stand side by side. This place, where the way of life in Hokkaido of yesteryear remains intact, is a truly spectacular experience for history buffs. In the afternoon, after lunch at the former Aoyama Villa—built with wealth amassed from the herring fishing industry—head to the Otaru Canal.
A Stroll Through Sapporo, Where the Spirit of the Meiji Era Lives On
Take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Sapporo, dotted with Meiji-era architecture that preserves the atmosphere of the Hokkaido Development Commission era—such as the Clock Tower, the Red Brick Government Building (former Hokkaido Government Headquarters), and the tree-lined avenue at Hokkaido University. As you wander at your own pace, let your thoughts wander to the pioneers of that era.
A Visit to Hokkaido Shrine, Then the Journey Home
We head to Hokkaido Jingu, founded in Meiji 2 (1869) to pray for the safety of Hokkaido’s settlement. Surrounded by lush greenery, the shrine grounds invite us to reflect on the history of settlement that began over 150 years ago. After paying our respects, it takes about 50 minutes to travel from Sapporo to the airport. With the memories of Hokkaido’s history in our hearts, we begin our journey home.
