Travelling through the sparkling, snowy sceneries of East Hokkaido on the local train lines Arrive at Tancho Kushiro Airport and depart from Memanbetsu Airport

Your exciting trip begins even before you land at Tancho Kushiro Airport. The magnificent view from the window of the plane as it descends for landing will heighten your anticipation for the trip. Upon arrival, you will first take a bus to JR Kushiro Station. From here, you will take the SL Winter Marshland Train to Kushiro Marsh. The SL will offer immaculate views from the window as it runs over the marshland. During the winter months when the area is devoid of leaves and grasses, you can see the beautiful shape of the waterfront with wild birds swimming by. After arriving at Toro, ride the canoe to enjoy the marshland closer to the surface of the water.

Return to Kushiro Station and watch the beautiful Kushiro sunset from Nusamai Bridge, one of the world's three best sunsets, along with Bali and Manila Bay. In the evening, enjoy seafood at the famous Robatayaki (charcoal barbecue) restaurant.

For the second day, we will take a local train on the Hanasaki Line to Nemuro City. You will be able to see the idyllic scenery of the eastern part of Hokkaido from the windows of the train as it runs along the coast, which will make you recognize the pleasures of traveling by train. After arriving in Nemuro, the easternmost city of Hokkaido, we will take a bus to Cape Nosappu. This cape has a charming lighthouse, and on a clear day, you can observe the four northern islands out afar. During the severe winter season, usually from late January to February, drift ice comes in, creating a majestic landscape. After enjoying lunch in Nemuro City, we will then move on to Shunkunitai Native Wild Bird Park. Shunkunitai is a sandbar surrounded by the sea and lakes. From the boardwalk, enjoy the bountiful views of nature. You can gather more at the nature center within the vicinity. On the second day, we will stay overnight in Nemuro City.

On the third day, we will take the Hanasaki Line again to Kushiro. We will stay at Kawayu Onsen, near the mysterious Lake Mashu, known by the tagline "The Lake of Mystery." Lake Mashu is one of the largest caldera lakes in Japan. Its water is known to be one of the clearest in the world. One of the popular winter activities you need to try here is the Lake Mashu Starlight Tour. With clear night skies ideal for stargazing, you can see the incredible view of stars from the observatory. The guide will explain the stars and constellations as he points them with a laser pointer. If the conditions are right, you can even see the starlight reflected on the surface of the lake. You will be able to take in the sparkles of the stars reflected on Lake Mashu, in tranquility, with no city lights in sight. Be refreshed by a mystical environment that shows a different face from that of the daytime.

On the last day of the tour, visit the Shari area, the gateway to Shiretoko, and enjoy the Sea of Okhotsk from the window of the Ryuhyo Monogatari Train, a sightseeing train that operates only during the winters. The train operates on JR Hokkaido's Senmo Line during the period when the drift ice approaches the coast. You can see the Sea of Okhotsk covered with drift ice while observing the wildlife of Hokkaido from the comfort of your seat. At Kitahama Station, where the train stops along the way, you can view the drift ice from the observatory, and stop for some shopping at the roadside station adjacent to Hama-Koshimizu Station. On the one-hour train ride from Shiretoko Shari Station to Abashiri Station, you will be able to take in the magnificent snowy scenery and say your farewells to your four-day journey through the great wonders of wintertime nature.