Sumo in Tokyo
Peek behind the scenes of Japan’s national sport, Sumo, with a chance to see the wrestlers in training.
For those keen on train travel, this fun and varied holiday to Japan showcases the ease and speed in which you can travel to the northernmost parts of the country, in comfort and style.
Combine the capital city of Tokyo with the natural beauty and volcanic landscapes of Hokkaido.
Peek behind the scenes of Japan’s national sport, Sumo, with a chance to see the wrestlers in training.
Combine travel on public transport from the super fast bullet train to local tramways and river boats.
Discover the pretty city of Hakodate, rich in history with breathtaking views.
Experience the amazing hot springs at Noboribetsu.
Hokkaido is a scenically spectacular part of Japan. National Parks, wetlands, mountains, rivers and volcanoes offer plenty of opportunities to get back to nature with hiking, fishing, cycling, rafting and even skiing during the winter months. A Shinkansen bullet train links Tokyo and Hakodate on the island making a holiday here incredibly easy. This is a great trip for a second visit to Japan or anyone seeking wilderness landscapes, wildlife, great food and rich culture.
Day 1
Tokyo
Day 2 - 3
Tokyo
Day 4
Tokyo - Sendai
Day 5
Sendai - Hakodate
Day 6
Hakodate
Day 7
Hakodate - Noribetsu
Day 8
Noribetsu
Day 9
Noribetsu - Sapporo
Day 10 - 11
Sapporo
Day 12
Sapporo - Tokyo
Day 1
Tokyo
Day 2 - 3
Tokyo
Peek behind the scenes of Japan’s national sport, Sumo, with a chance to see the wrestlers in training.
Day 4
Tokyo - Sendai
Day 5
Sendai - Hakodate
Day 6
Hakodate
Discover the pretty city of Hakodate, rich in history with breathtaking views.
Day 7
Hakodate - Noribetsu
Day 8
Noribetsu
Experience the amazing hot springs at Noboribetsu.
Day 9
Noribetsu - Sapporo
Day 10 - 11
Sapporo
Visit Sapporo famed for its beer, ramen noodles and annual snow festival.
Day 12
Sapporo - Tokyo
Capital of the mountainous north, Sapporo is famous for its beer, ramen noodles and its annual snow festival. It became world famous in 1972 when the Olympic Winter Games were held there. During your visit, join the locals to browse the stalls of fresh seafood at the 100 year old fish market, dine on ramen noodles and seafood at a local restaurant and sample locally brewed beers.
Alternatively time your trip to coincide with the snow festival in February when the city is filled with huge snow sculptures which are lit at night – a magical time to visit and hugely popular with the locals.
Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japans four main islands and most of the countries volcanoes are found there. As a result it is also the home of many hot springs which are a key symbol of Japanese culture. Dating back some 3,000 years the mineral rich steaming waters are proven to have health benefits, plus it is a wonderful way to engage in a pastime that is quintessentially Japanese. Hot springs or onsen baths can be found in hotels and outdoors in more natural environments. During this trip, take a dip in the thermal waters at Noboribetsu.
Flower fields can be found across Hokkaido between the months of April and October. Furano is well known for its lavender fields, but there are many more flowers that begin blooming in springtime, welcoming visitors to the area. In May there are lupines and tulips. In June, there are blue salvia and poppies. From late June the early lavender begins to bloom, and by mid July reaches its peak season. August brings sunflowers and cosmos, and from September to October yellow mustard and dahlias decorate the refreshing fall season.
It is also fun to search for wildflowers that bloom in the mountains, wetlands and highlands.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
The weather is generally cool, dry and sunny in many parts of the country. In the north, there is heavy snowfall, making for excellent skiing conditions.
Ski season is in full swing in the north. Winter continues to bring some of the coolest but driest conditions to the rest of the country.
The start of the cherry blossom in southern Japan, as the weather warms. A popular time to visit Japan, especially towards the end of the month.
Perhaps the busiest month, as the cherry blossom spreads northwards across the country. A stunning time, but expect to plan accommodation and excursions in advance.
The cherry blossom reaches the far north of the country around Sapporo at this time, and temperatures are generally warm. It is generally dry in most parts, with vegetation vibrant and lush. It is worth avoiding Golden Week, a national holiday during the first week of May.
Many parts become hot and humid, with the rainy season occurring in Okinawa. A consequence of the rain is that the countryside and most gardens are at their best.
It can get very hot and humid in many parts of the country at this time, making it the perfect time to escape to the mountains. In particular, this time of year has the best conditions for the hike up Mount Fuji.
There are many festivals at this time and locals are on holiday, making it a busy time of year for travel. It is a great time to explore the Sapporo area, with cooler and less humid conditions.
September brings a quieter time for travel, with most locals back at work. The temperatures start to cool off a little, but the humidity generally remains.
The start of autumn for the majority of Japan, showcasing a wonderful array of autumn colours across the countryside. The weather is still pleasantly warm, with less rain.
Across the country, this is the best month to see the beautiful autumn colours. There are fewer visitors, and the temperatures remain mild, especially in the south.
The first couple of weeks of December are some of the quietest times to travel, and you can enjoy the natural thermal hot springs with snow on the ground.
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