Trekking & Culture Tour of Japan's largest national park, "Hidaka Mountain Range Erimo Tokachi National Park."

At the Hidaka Mountains Museum, you will learn about the formation and geological characteristics of the Hidaka Mountains, deepening your understanding of the region’s nature and geology. After that, you will move to the nearby Saru River for a “Beautiful Rock Hunting” activity. In this activity, you can search for stunning stones such as Hidaka jade and amethyst. The stones you find can be evaluated by a museum curator for identification.

Visit the Nibutani area in Biratori Town and take a stroll through the Ainu Kotan, a traditional Ainu settlement. Here, you can explore traditional Ainu crafts, architecture, and museums while learning about the unique Ainu culture of the Hidaka region.

Mt. Apoi, located in Samani Town, Hokkaido, stands at an elevation of 810.5 meters. It is a unique mountain formed by the uplift of peridotite, a mantle-derived rock from deep within the Earth. This distinct geology has created an environment where rare alpine plants, such as Apoi-giku and Hidakasou, thrive in abundance. From the summit, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the vast Hidaka Mountains. This special place offers a rare opportunity to experience both the power of nature and the dynamic forces shaping our planet.

Gold panning in the Rekifune River dates back to the Edo period and reached its peak from the Meiji era to the early Showa era. In this experience, you will use specialized tools modeled after traditional mining techniques to search for gold along the clear waters of the river. The moment you discover a shimmering piece of gold, you will not only feel the romance of the past gold miners but also gain a deeper connection to Hokkaido’s pioneering history. You can even take home the gold you find as a souvenir.

After learning about the Tokachi Ainu at the Obihiro Centennial Hall, you will have the opportunity to watch a traditional Ainu dance passed down by the Ainu people of the Tokachi region. This dance performance is highly regarded for its immersive atmosphere and close interaction with the audience. One of the highlights of the program, “Battaki-Upopo,” symbolically portrays the struggles of the people in the Tokachi region during the Meiji era, when swarms of locusts devastated their crops. This is a rare and invaluable cultural experience that can only be enjoyed here.

This is a free-flight hot air balloon tour that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the majestic Hidaka Mountains and the vast Tokachi Plain. Conducted in the early morning when the air is crisp and clear, the tour provides a serene and liberating experience. As the sound of the gas burner echoes through the quiet sky, you will drift gently with the wind, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a truly special and unforgettable journey.

Tokachi is one of Japan’s leading food production regions, with a food self-sufficiency rate exceeding 1,200%. To conclude the tour, you will enjoy a farm picnic, exploring the vast fields and uncovering the secrets behind this agricultural abundance. While savoring freshly harvested ingredients, you will experience a special moment of gratitude for the blessings of the land.