Discover Magical Sights on a 4-Day Autumn Trip to Tokachi, Kussharo, Shiretoko, and Kushiro Arrive at Tokachi Obihiro Airport and depart from Tancho Kushiro Airport

After arriving at Tokachi Obihiro Airport, rent a car and drive to Tokachi’s central area, Obihiro City. Try the city’s specialty called Butadon, or Pork Bowl, to charge the energy you will need to enjoy the trip to the fullest. The barbecued pork smells and tastes incredible with the sweet, salty sauce and goes perfectly well with the rice. Next, at the top of the Tokachi Ranch Observation Deck, take a deep, refreshing breath as you look over the peaceful landscapes of farms and the lined white birch trees. After that, head to Lake Onneto in Ashoro Town. Located at the western edge of the Akan-Mashu National Park, the lake is surrounded by virgin forests. Stroll along the lakeside path, and you will be enchanted by the water changing colors according to the time. Your final stop of the day is Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan. You will stay the night in the hot spring area near the lake.

On the second day, the highlight of this itinerary of exploring the Shiretoko area begins. Make a stop at a rest area before taking the Road to the Sky, a straight road of about 18 kilometers with multiple ups and downs. Stop by the observatory to see the vast expanse of the Sea of Okhotsk. Then, drive past a station in Shari Town and head to the Oshinkoshin Waterfall, a stone's throw away from Utoro, where you will stay while seeing around Shiretoko. The roughly 30-meter-high waterfall is an impressive sight. You can go up the stairs and reach around the middle of the waterfall. After having lunch at the Utoro Fishing Port, board on a cruise to enjoy the view of the Shiretoko National Park from the sea. With nature reserves covering much of Shiretoko, many areas can neither be traversed by car nor on foot, making some of the landscapes only observable from the sea. After the cruise, visit the Shiretoko Nature Center and learn about the area to enjoy the next day's nature exploration even more.

For the third day, explore the nature of Shiretoko on land. Starting at the Shiretoko Goko Lakes Field House, visit the Five Lakes of Shiretoko. Taking the trail to complete all the five lakes takes about an hour and a half. You may also opt to enjoy only the first lake from atop the elevated wooden boardwalk of about 800 meters, where you can catch a glimpse of Shiretoko’s beauty, such as the Shiretoko mountain range reflected on the lake. If you are lucky, you may even see Ezo deer. After the hike, back in the car, drive along the National Route 334 to the other side of the Shiretoko Peninsula, in the direction of Rausu, to visit Todowara on the Notsuke Peninsula. The desolate landscape here makes an otherworldly sight. After enjoying the scenery, it is time to satisfy your appetite. Savor the oysters, an Akkeshi specialty, and try robatayaki (charcoal barbecue) in Kushiro, where you will stay the final night of the trip.

On the last day, you can enjoy Hokkaido’s dynamic nature until the very last moment before your flight. After checking out, head to Lake Toro, where you will join a tour to canoe the Kushiro Marsh. Choose a course based on your level and the time you have for the activity. When the leaves fall off the trees in fall, it is easy to spot wild birds and animals while canoeing. Listen to the soothing sound of the river and the songs of the birds, and let yourself go with the gentle flow of the water, which is quite relaxing. Before finishing your four-day itinerary full of the undisturbed natural beauty of Eastern Hokkaido and Shiretoko, stop by the Kushiro Washo Market to buy some souvenirs, including seasonal seafood. Make sure to look outside of the window of your plane departing from Tancho Kushiro Airport. Enjoy the magnificent landscapes once more and say goodbye to the majestic nature of Hokkaido.