Hokkaido Autumn Journey

Day 00 (Thu, 16 Oct’25) 

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda. 

 

Day 01 (Fri, 17 Oct’25) 
Singapore – Haneda – Wakkanai 
(-/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Surfeel Hotel Wakkanai or similar 

Flying into Wakkanai this afternoon, make a trip to the easternmost tip of Japan, Cape Nosappu, where the waters of the Okhotsk Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. Take in the sights of the stunning coast, the oldest lighthouse in Hokkaido, and fields of grazing cows and horses at this windy cape. 

Day 02 (Sat, 18 Oct’25) 
Wakkanai – Rishiri – Wakkanai 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Surfeel Hotel Wakkanai or similar 

Travel over to Rishiri Island this morning and learn about Rishiri’s sea urchin, a sought after delicacy believed to be the most delicious sea urchin in Japan. At the Sea Urchin Seed Production Center, baby sea urchins are grown and released into the sea, and harvesting sites are managed to ensure a thriving population. Go behind the scenes of their efforts and see how they nurture sea urchins on a visit to the centre today. 

Then, head over to Himenuma Pond at the base of Mt Rishiri. Both the reflection of Mt Rishiri in the water and the actual mountain can be seen at the same time from the path that goes round the pond and is one of Rishiri’s iconic sights. 

 

Day 03 (Sun, 19 Oct’25) 
Wakkanai 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Surfeel Hotel Wakkanai or similar 

Today, visit the northernmost tip of Japan, Cape Soya! Marked by the Monument of Japan’s Northern Most Point, you can look across the sea to Russia on a clear day. While here, pay a visit to the Tower of Prayer, a monument in the shape of a paper crane erected in memory of the victims of plane and ship crash incidents off the coast. Behind the cape, the rolling Soya Hills beckon with 57 windmills, gentle hills that showcase periglacial landforms and grazing Soya Black Cattle.  

 

Day 04 (Mon, 20 Oct’25) 
Wakkanai – Chitose – Jozankei 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Chalet Ivy Jozankei (Private Hot Spring) or similar 

Leaving northern Hokkaido, fly down to Chitose where you will head first for a delicious meal of barbequed meats at the cosy Log House Wagyu Bibi Restaurant. Feast on juicy, tender wagyu beef and more at this table barbeque restaurant, guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds. 

Move on to the Sapporo Art Park, a 40ha facility for all things art and culture. Boasting a large museum of artworks, a sculpture garden with over 70 installations, and workshops and facilities for creation, this is where art and creativity is cultured and enjoyed in harmony with the seasonal beauty of Sapporo’s natural surrounds. 

Admire the autumn foliage from the comfort of your private hot spring bath in your suite at Chalet Ivy Jozankei. Nestled in the rich natural surrounds of Jozankei Valley, relax in the mineral-rich hot spring waters and enjoy the serenity you will find here.  

 

Day 05 (Tue, 21 Oct’25) 
Jozankei – Otaru – Jozankei 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Chalet Ivy Jozankei (Private Hot Spring) or similar 

Spend the morning wandering round the quaint streets of Otaru today. A former major herring centre and the terminal station for Hokkaido’s first railroad, the charming buildings that line the streets now house whimsical music box museums, patisseries selling mouth-watering creations, and intricate glassware ornaments. 

Hoheikyo Dam is a beautiful arched dam surrounded by primeval forest that can only be accessed by riding an electric bus through a one kilometre tunnel. This place is rich with stunning scenery and especially popular for autumn foliage viewing. Vibrant reds and yellows of the season create a wonderful juxtaposition against the sombre grey concrete that can be viewed through gaps in the dam wall. 

After dark, go on a night walk at Jozankei Nature Luminarie. See the beauty of Jozankei Onsen made even more magical by the harmony of nature with lights and projection mapping shows in a special limited time event. 

 

Day 06 (Wed, 22 Oct’25) 
Jozankei – Hanazono 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Chalet Ivy Weiss (Private Hot Spring) or similar 

Start the day with a visit to Jozankei Farm, a unique fruit orchard, garden and activity space where you can enjoy nature to the fullest. Do some fruit picking and indulge in freshly picked apples and grapes which are in season at this time. 

Move on to Fukidashi Park and sample the sweet spring water that flows down from Mt. Yotei, Hokkaido’s Mt. Fuji. Nestled at the foot of the mountain, 80,000 tons of water filtered down from the peak gushes out each day. Don’t forget to do as the locals do and bring an empty bottle to collect some of it!  

After lunch, take a walk out to Kagami Numa, a wetland marsh on the mountainside in Niseko. Trekking through forests and past mountain streams, you will be treated to a stunning sight of Mt Annupuri and the surrounding silver birches and maples perfectly reflected on the surface of the pond on a clear day. 

 

Day 07 (Thu, 23 Oct’25) 
Hanazono 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Chalet Ivy Weiss (Private Hot Spring) or similar 

Connect with the locals and get an in depth look into a side of Japan you would not normally see in a special FMJ Local Activity today! Listen to the stories of the locals and share in their culture as you are welcomed into their slice of Japan life. 

 

Day 08 (Fri, 24 Oct’25) 
Hanazono – Hakodate 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Borou Noguchi Hakodate (Private Hot Spring) or similar 

Take in the sights at Onuma Quasi-National Park on your way down to Hakodate today. Selected as one of Japan’s New Three Best Views, the sight of Mt Komagatake reflected on the still waters of the lake on a clear day is sure to take your breath away. This is all the more so when the surrounding trees are awash in the red and yellow hues of this season. 

The unique star-shaped, western-style citadel of Fort Goryokaku was built during the Edo Period and now serves as public park. Ascending the Goryokaku Tower next to it, get an aerial view of the fort along with panoramic views of Hakodate and its surrounds painted with the colours of the season. 

 

Day 09 (Sat, 25 Oct’25) 
Hakodate 
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) 
Hotel: Borou Noguchi Hakodate (Private Hot Spring) or similar 

Take part in a special Hakodate Activity today! The gateway of Hokkaido and one of the first places in Japan to open to international trade, Hakodate has a unique history which melds Japanese, foreign and native Ainu influences. Connect with some of the locals here and experience their hospitality! 

Later, take a stroll around the sloping streets of Motomachi, the former foreign settlement area. The historical buildings here bear testament to the varied backgrounds of their builders with old churches and consulates creating a picturesque landscape.   

As the sun sets, take a ride up Mt Hakodate on the Hakodate Ropeway to see one of the three best night views in the world! Enjoy the aerial views of the bay and colourful trees covering the mountain on your way to the breath-taking panorama from the top.   

 

Day 10 (Sun, 26 Oct’25) 
Hakodate – Haneda – Singapore 
(Breakfast/-/-) 

Flight back to Singapore