Echoes of Heritage – Ainu Culture, Nature Walks and Canoe Moments
4-DAY
DIFFICULTY
SNOW SEASON
4 Days 3 Nights
Min. 2, Max. ９
River Canoe
- HIGHTLIGHTS
-
- Enjoy a sense of unity with nature while feeling the cold winter air and the pure river flow
- Sulfur Mountain MOKMOK Base ：Take a small walk (self-walk) at Sulfur Mountain, an active volcano where you can feel the earth’s breath.
- AnyTime AinuTime (Ainu Lifestyle Experience):Through a snowshoe walk in the forest, get close to Ainu ways of life and learn how they have coexisted with nature.
- Akan Lake Ainu Theater “Ikor” (Watching Lost Kamuy)：An important place to learn about Ainu culture and watch traditional Ainu performing arts
- Return to the land with Hot Springs and Cuisine at “Tsuruga Stay” ーImmerse yourself in locally rooted hospitality and hot spring culture, savoring Akan’s blessings with all your senses.
- LOCATION
-
Akan, Mt. Iou (Iouzan) in Teshikaga
OVERVIEW
The journey starts at the source of the Kushiro River in Ainu land. On a misty winter morning, paddle a canoe into a frost-covered world. Enjoy freshly roasted forest coffee during the peaceful “Morning Café Tour. ”In the evening, experience Ainu culture through traditional dance at “Ikoro” and the digital show “Lost Kamuy.” Then, walk the forest with an Ainu guide on “AnyTime AinuTime,” gaining insight into nature and modern Ainu life. This trip invites reflection on how humans can live in harmony with nature, blending culture and daily life.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival in Akan – Gateway to Ainu Heritage
13:20 Kushiro Airport
14:05-14:30 Visit Akan Lakeside Visitor Center
16:00-17:00 Transfer to Hotel
17:30-19:00 Dinner at Hotel
19:15-19:45 Stroll Akan Onsen Town (Footbath & Shops)
20:00-20:30 Experience Traditional Ainu Dance
21:00-21:30 Show Lost Kamuy
Stay:Akan Yukyu-no-sato Tsuruga
DAY 2
Morning Serenity – Café Moments and River Adventure
06:20-08:00 Experience① Morning Café Tour
08:00-09:00 Breakfast at Hotel (on your own)
09:00 Depart Hotel
10:00-12:30 Experience② Winter Canoe Tour on Kushiro River
13:00-14:00 Lunch at local restaurant (Pocket)
14:00-15:30 Stroll Iouzan MOKMOK Base
16:30-18:30 Hotel (Rest & Free Time)
18:30-20:00 Dinner at Hotel
Stay: Akan Yukyu-no-sato Tsuruga
DAY 3
Final Steps in Akan – Ainu Walk and Sapporo Nights
08:45 Depart Hotel
09:00-11:00 Experience③ AnyTime AinuTime (Snowshoe Walk: if snow is enough)
11:30-12:30 Lunch at BAR DE PAN
12:30-13:30 Transfer to Kushiro Airport (Approx. 1 hour)
13:30-15:30 Flight: Kushiro Airport → Okadama Airport
16:20-16:45 Transfer by car (Approx. 30 min)
17:30-18:20 Check-in HTL in Sapporo city
18:30-20:30 Dinner Sapporo Izakaya
Stay: HTL in Sapporo city
DAY 4
End of tour – free to leave individually
MEAL
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ✕ | ○ | ○ |
| 2 | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| 3 | ○ | ○ | ○ |
| 4 | ○ | ✕ | ✕ |
ACCOMMODATIONS
| Area | Facility Type | Room Type | Onsen / Spa | WiFi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akan Yukyu-no-sato Tsuruga | Hotel | Western style / Japanese style | Onsen |  |
| 2 | Akan Yukyu-no-sato Tsuruga | Hotel | Western style / Japanese style | Onsen | |
| 3 | Sapporo | Hotel | Western style | Onsen | |
Tour Operator / Contact
JTB Corp. HOKKAIDO Branch
- Address
Urban Net Sapporo Bldg, 1-2, North 1 West 6, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0001 Japan
- Website
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