Japan – Ski touring trip to Hokkaido

Day 1-2: Travel to Otaru
We travel to Japan together or individually. On arrival in Sapporo, we first pick up our rent cars and drive to Otaru, a beautiful coastal town also known for its distinctive sushi culture. The perfect place for a first taste of Japanese cuisine and culture.

Day 3-4: Freeriding near Otaru
Thanks to its proximity to Sapporo, there are several very beautiful freeride areas around Otaru that are ideal for getting to know Japan’s unfamiliar ski culture and, hopefully, for making our first acquaintance with the much-praised powder snow. This area also offers some shorter touring options with relatively short driving times. The fact that we are staying in Japan’s unofficial sushi capital will delight our taste buds too, especially in the evenings after our days in the snow.

Day 5-8: Niseko and volcanoes
After two days of getting used to the snow, we move on to Niseko, an area with some of Japan’s best freeride terrain packed into a small space. In fine weather, there is also the chance to climb one of the volcanic summits. The summit tour on Yotei is an absolute highlight of this trip. And of course, none of our tours would be complete without the brilliant descents through open birch forests in the finest “Japow”. In the evenings, we recharge our batteries in the onsen for the next day. Niseko is one of the best-known freeride areas on earth. Don’t expect peace and solitude here - but going freeriding in Niseko is a very special experience.

Day 9: Transfer to Furano
Having spent a week letting off steam west of Sapporo, it is now time to head some way east. Our area for the coming days lies in Daisetsuzan National Park. The drive takes around four hours, leaving us plenty of time on this ski-free day to visit sights along the way. After six days of skiing from morning to evening, this transfer day comes at just the right time.

Day 10-12: Daisetsuzan National Park
There are several wonderful summits here that we will climb in good weather, among them Hokkaido’s highest, Asahi-Dake - an active volcano with an impressive view. Further options include Tokachi Dake and Furano Dake. If we have less luck with the sun but plenty of fresh snow, we simply head back to one of the many freeride areas in the region. Either way, our skiers’ hearts will beat faster here too, while our taste buds are spoilt by the unfamiliar but wonderful cuisine and our bodies relax in the hot springs. Daisetsuzan National Park is the largest in Japan and, thanks to its many active volcanoes, is particularly famous for its numerous onsen.

Day 13: Flight to Tokyo
It is time to say goodbye to Hokkaido and the deep Japanese winter. We fly on south, as we don’t want to miss Japan’s capital. Here, Japan’s history-steeped culture with its many customs and temples meets high tech and modernity. After our domestic flight from Sapporo to Tokyo, we get a first overview of this enormous city in the evening.

Day 14: Experience Tokyo
We spend a full day in Tokyo - far too short, given the countless sights, the unfamiliar culture, the culinary scene and the vibrant city itself, but absolutely worth a visit. There is no fixed programme here: everyone can follow their own interests or explore the city together in small groups. Tokyo’s underground network is one of the most efficient in the world. It is amazing how much you can see in Tokyo thanks to the underground and trams - provided you don’t get lost in Shinjuku station. Optionally, thanks to our contacts, we are happy to arrange a private guided city tour in German on request, for anyone interested or for the whole group. If you would like to drive a go-kart through the streets of Tokyo, you should obtain an international driving permit in Europe beforehand. But Tokyo has so much to offer - there is something for everyone here...

Day 15: Journey home
It is time to say goodbye to Japan, its incredibly friendly and courteous people, its fascinating traditions, its delicious food and, of course, its unique powder snow, and to set off for home. But the grin from the last few days will stay carved on our faces all the way through the long flight home.