Departure date:04 May, 2023 (Thu) Drive Tour
Day 00 (Thu, 04 May'23)
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda.
Day 01 (Fri, 05 May'23)
Singapore – Haneda – Chitose
(-/-/-)
Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose or similar
(Car pick up at Chitose Airport)
Start your Hokkaido holiday with 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.
Hokkaido is well known for salmon and at the Chitose Aquarium located right at the Chitose River, you can see wild salmon swimming upstream through a special observation tank in the river itself in autumn. In spring, the young salmon which were hatched here can be seen getting ready for their migration to the ocean.
Day 02 (Sat, 06 May'23)
Chitose – Noboribetsu
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Noboribetsu Daiichi Takimotokan (Hot Spring) or similar
Take a trip to Lake Shikotsu this morning to enjoy scenic views around the second deepest lake in Japan. This caldera lake’s crystal-clear waters often act as a mirror reflecting the mountains that surround it. Take a relaxing stroll along its shores, or paddle a canoe out into the lake, and surround yourself with the grandness of nature at this photogenic location.
Opened in 2020, the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park is a facility for preserving and sharing the indigenous Ainu culture of Hokkaido through exhibits, shows and activities. Admire the beautiful artefacts and crafts and catch a traditional Ainu dance performance when you stop by here this afternoon.
Meaning ‘plenty of trees’ in the Ainu language, Oniushi Park, is just that. With around 500 cherry trees blooming in spring, this is a popular local spot for cherry blossom viewing. Take a walk and enjoy the pretty blooms in the park this morning.
Take in the sights at Onuma Quasi-National Park next. 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.
The unique star-shaped, western-style citadel of Fort Goryokaku was built during the Edo Period and now serves as public park. Ascend the Goryokaku Tower next to it to get an aerial view of the fort filled with cherry blossoms along with panoramic views of Hakodate and its surrounds.
Day 04 (Mon, 08 May'23)
Hakodate
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hakodate Umi no Kaze (Hot Spring) or similar
This morning, head over to Matsumae Castle, Japan’s northernmost castle and the only one in Hokkaido. Designated as a National Treasure in 1941, the castle is also ranked as one of the top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan as over 10,000 cherry trees of more than 250 different varieties stand in the castle grounds.
One of the activities enjoyed by locals during the cherry blossom season is to picnic under the trees while enjoying hanami (flower viewing). Do as the locals do in a specially arranged Hanami Lunch and partake in food and drink as you enjoy the beautiful blossoms.
Make a stop at Cape Saraki, best known as the site where the Kanrin Maru, a Dutch-built Japanese warship, was shipwrecked in 1871. Thankfully, the locals rescued all the ship’s passengers and to commemorate the event, a tulip garden was planted here. Now, there are over 50,000 tulips of over 60 varieties which bloom here each spring.
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 05 (Tue, 09 May '23)
Hakodate – Niseko
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Chalet Ivy Hirafu (Hot Spring) or similar
Begin your morning with a trip to the Hakodate Morning Market. Over 250 shops and restaurants offer fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, and souvenirs at this lively market. Try some of the specialties such as fresh sashimi from squid which you catch yourself!
Located at the base of Mt Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Distillery was opened in 2021 by Hakkaisan Brewery, a renowned sake brewer from Niigata. Reaping the benefits of the area’s clear spring water and locally sourced ingredients, the distillery produces gin and whiskey, the latter of which will only be ready in 2024 after aging. Taste some of their products on a visit here this afternoon.
Niseko – Sapporo
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo or similar
(Car return in Sapporo City)
Start the day at 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!
Spend some time wandering round the quaint streets of Otaru this afternoon. 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.
Sapporo
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo or similar
A free and easy day in Sapporo awaits you! As Japan’s fifth largest city, Sapporo has developed rapidly into a bustling metropolis. Options for shopping are abundant, both above and underground, with multi-storey department stores such as Daimaru and Esta lining the streets, and a network of stores offering souvenirs, apparel, footwear, cosmetics, electronics, and more, underground. When you are satisfied with your shopping spree, stop by at the Ramen Republic for a steaming bowl of Hokkaido’s signature miso ramen to complete your Hokkaido experience.
Sapporo – Chitose – Haneda – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)
Flight back to Singapore
DRIVE TOUR
Assemble date: 04 May 2023, Thu (SO14787)
Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
04 May SQ 636 Singapore - Haneda
2250 / 0645+1
05 May NH 59 Haneda - Chitose
1000 / 1135
12 May NH 76 Chitose - Haneda
1830 / 2005
12 May SQ 635 Haneda - Singapore
2255 / 0455+1
1st & 2nd passenger
S: Vitz / Passe / Tank / Roomy / Yaris
Adult twin $5,250; Adult single $6,950
A: Aqua / Axio / Corolla / Fielder
Adult twin $5,350; Adult single $7,150
B: Prius / Fielder HV / Yaris HV / Corolla Touring HV
Adult twin $5,450; Adult single $7,350
WS: Sienta / Wish / Sienta HV
Adult twin $5,550; Adult single $7,550
WB: Estima / Vellfire / Alphard
Adult twin $5,850; Adult single $8,150
3rd & 4th passenger
(sharing same car with 1st & 2nd passenger)
Adult twin $4,850; Adult triple $4,650
Child twin $4,850; Child W/Bed $4,150; Child N/Bed $1,750
Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Meals as stipulated in itinerary
FMJ driving guidebook (1 per car)
ETC card and Japan Handphone (1 per car)
Car rental with insurance coverage
Tour price excludes:
Air ticket
Airport taxes & fuel charges
Parking & Entrance fees to sightseeing spots
Petrol or Oil refilling
Application fee for IDP
Visa application fee (if any)
Beverage during meals (own payment)
Corkage charge (if any)
Any other charges not stated as included
Remarks:
Flower-viewing, sightseeing and activities are subject to weather conditions.
English Voice-over GPS Navigation system subject to availability.
The prices are subject to change upon fluctuations of currency exchange rates.
Flight schedule and the sequence of the itinerary are subject to change with or without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour.
Minimum group size to confirm tour is 10 adults/children with bed.
Child no bed will be served simple meals.
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.