The Official Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide

Master Irresistible Gan-Wu : Stargazing, Climbing, Kayaking

3-DAY

DIFFICULTY

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GREEN SEASON

  • 3days 2nights

  • Min.2, Max.7

  • Climbing

    Climbing

  • Kayak

    Kayak

HIGHTLIGHTS
  • Natural (Sky) Charms/appeal:Stargazing at Shinsen Marsh
  • Natural(Mountain) Wonders: Mountain Climbing on Mt.Iwanai
  • Natural(Ocean) Wonders: Experience Sea Kayaking at Shakotan Blue
  • Culinary wonders: Michelin Guide Sushi and Barbeque with locally produced foods
  • Local works : Brewery (Iwanai Kogen Hotel), Ezo Scallop Shelling Sazazuki Terrace
LOCATION

Gan-Wu is located in the Southwestern Hokkaido Area. It is blessed with both mountain and oceanic scenery, Iwanai Town has a long local history . Sapporo, the Largest city in Hokkaido is nearby and the popular tourist destination Otaru is only a 1 2 hour drive away . This area was previously not well known as a tourist destination . But the less crowded, outdoor venues and natural setting are attracting attention as the world faces the COVID 19 pandemic.

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OVERVIEW

Enjoy guided tours through the Gan-Wu area of Hokkaido, a hidden gem among tourist destinations known for its natural scenery. Satisfy your five senses as you enjoy high quality food, local culture and lodgings.
See the starry vistas as you stargaze at a mysterious marsh without artificial lights. Enjoy 360 Degree views of the ocean and a highland marsh as you hike a mountain trail. Seaside cliffs, ocean vistas will show their many sides as you pass by on a Kayaking tour along the blue coasts of Shakotan Penninsula . We invite you to explore the natural wonders unique to this area.
Enjoy local foods fresh from local mountains and the nearby ocean. Experience sushi expertly crafted by an itamae chef. Feel ocean breezes as you feast on the local barbeque. Shelling Giant Ezo Scallops, drink local beers brewed with hops grown in the region, there are so many local goods to experience.
Round Trip travel with Japan Railways lowers your carbon footprint. The local trains will show you a slice of local life, and you will experience the pleasure of this journey full of the feeling of people.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Mysterious marshside stargazing

13:15 Meet at the Shin-Chitose Airport. Join with the tour guide that will stay with you for threedays. 13:30 Ride JR Airport Limited Express (Reserved seats) Arrive at Otaru Station at 14:46. Transfer to the JR local line. 15:05 board the Hakodate Line.16:17 Arrival at Kozawa Station. From Kozawa Station take a taxi to Iwanai Kogen Hotel. Arrive at the hotel around 17:00. After checking in, dine at the hotel.Enjoy dining on cuisine made from Locally-grown foods.

After eating, depart for the stargazing tour.(Departure times vary from 18:30-19:00) Using a private car,travel about 30 minutes to ShinsenMrashRest House Parking Area. From the entrance of the walking course, walk over the raised wooden pathways to Shinsen Marsh. (One-way about 30 minutes on level ground)Travel with renown local cameraman, who will point out and explain the amazing views you will see along the way.

There are absolutely no artificial lights used near Shinsen Marsh so it is quite dark, the high-elevation and clear mountain air allows you to enjoy a starry panorama, which is also eflected in the surface of the marsh. The illusory star-scape within the marsh will you’re your breath away.After viewing at the Marsh for about 30 minutes, travel back along the wooden walkway to the parking area.After that, return to the hotel by a private car.

21:00-21:30 arrival at the hotel.After arrival, please try the hotel Onsen Hot Springs.

Dinner

Iwanai Kogen Hotel, Japanese Dinner Course.
You will enjoy fine cuisine made using Locally produced vegetables and seafood.

DAY 2

Mt.Iwanai Mountain Climbing and Dinner at Famous Local Sushi Restaurant

7:00-8:00 Eat Breakfast at the Hotel. 8:00 Meet in the Hotel Lobby. Meet your dedicated Tour Guide and Guide for the Mountain Climb. Before Departure clothing and supplies will be checked. You will receive a Lunch Box to eat during the hike.
(The lunch contains two rice balls and fruit). Everyone will fill a drink container to use during the hike. 8:15 you will depart from the hotel by a private car to the trailhead (Niimi Pass Parking Area). The mountain climb begins at 9:00.

Breakfast:Iwanai Kogen Hotel Japanese style semi buffet Breakfast.

The hike begins at an elevation of 744m. The morning is a mostly ascending route and the climbing guide will give you explanations of the mountain vistas and the plant life along the way. After about two hours (around 11:00) you will arrive at the summit of Mt. Mekunnai. From this 1220m high mountain peak you can take in a panoramic 360 degree view of the ocean and surrounding mountains while enjoying your lunch box. The hike down begins at 12:00.

Lunch:2 rice balls and fruit you will receive a lunch box at the hotel in the morning.)

The afternoon route begins with a descent through a highland marsh Panke Mekunnai Marsh,where you can see unique high altitutde vegetation. After that the course ascends again for the summit of Mt. Iwanai.After arriving at the summit and enjoying the view, you will hike back to Iwanai Kogen Hotel. From the summit it is a mostly descending course. After passing through the Iwanai Campground you will head back toward the hotel. (218m)
Arrive at the hotel around 15:00. Rest and enjoy the hotel hot springs.

The afternoon route begins with a descent through a highland marsh Panke Mekunnai Marsh,where you can see unique high altitutde vegetation. After that the course ascends again for the summit of Mt. Iwanai.After arriving at the summit and enjoying the view, you will hike back to Iwanai Kogen Hotel. 218m From the summit it is a mostly descending course. After passing through the Iwanai Campground you will head back toward the hotel. (218m) Arrive at the hotel around 15:00. Rest and enjoy the hotel hot springs.16:00 17:00

Visit the Arai Art Museum located on the hotel grounds.Enjoy paintings by renowned local Gan wu artists Nishimura Keiyu and Kida Kinjirō.Take in the character and fascination of the locale.17:00 18:00. Enjoy beer at the first local brewery, opened by the hotel in 2022. Take in sights of local beer production and enjoy tasting the three craft brews produced here.A little known fact about Iwanai is that hops, vital to the production of beer, are grown here. 18:00 take a taxi from the hotel to dinner at Takezushi,a local sushi restaurant. 18:15 arrive at Takezushi. Takezushi was selected to appear in the 2017 Michelan Guide to Hokkiaido and is famous in the area. 20:30 Finish Dinner. Return to the hotel by taxi. Arrive at the hotel at 20:45.

Dinner:At Takezushi try the daily recommended sushi platter (Extra Special with 12 different kinds of sushi)+appetizer+soup+dessert. Enjoy watching it being prepared fresh in front of you by the Itamae sushi chef.

DAY 3

Shakotan Blue Sea Kayaking and Barbeque

7:30-8:30 Eat Breakfast at the Hotel. After checking out gather in the Hotel lobby at 8:30. Meet your dedicated tour guide and travel by taxi to Sakazuki Terrace in Tomari Village. Enjoy the Japanese style semi buffet at Iwanai Kogen Hotel.

Breakfast:Iwanai Kogen Hotel Japanese style semi buffet Breakfast.

Arrive at Sakazuki Terrace at 9:00. After arrival there will be a briefing. You will change into wetware in Sakazuki Terrace and bring your kayak to the edge of the beach. At 9:15 an instructor will teach you how to row your kayak After that the kayaking route and safety points will be shared. At 9:30 begin kayaking ..(usually a kayak seats 2, this is ocean kayaking The course will be in the calm waters of the bay and kayaking around Benten Island counterclockwise. While kayaking enjoy not only views of the coastal cliffs but also the crystal clear waters through which you can watch fish and sea life.

Try fishing a bit as you row around the island. While you get used to handling your kayak pass through an area that was once the center of fishing in the area. You can get a taste of what fishing used to be like in olden times. Around 11:30 return to the start to end your sea Kayaking tour. Pull the
Kayak ashore and get changed. For those interested there is a Scandanavian Sauna available to use and you can bring your body temperature up and feel refreshed. 12:30 gather on the beach and for a barbeque (It can be held indoors in the event of inclement weather) Also before lunch try shelling Giant Ezo Scallops to experience a taste of the modern fishing industry here. 13:30 Lunch is concluded.

Lunch:Beginning with locally caught seafood (Giant Ezo Scallops, squid, shrimp, seasonal fish), meat and locally grown vegetables will be barbecued on a charcoal grill.

13:30 Take a taxi from Sakazuki Terrace to JR Kozawa Station. 14:00 arrive at Kozawa Station. 14:22 Change to the JR Hakodate Line bound for Otaru Station. Arrive at JR Otaru Station at 15:26. 15:33 Take the Airport Limited Express Train departing from JR Otaru Station. 16:50 arrive at Shin Chitose Airport. (The tour can be ended at Sapporo upon request)

ACCOMMODATIONS

Area Facility Type Room Type Onsen / Spa WiFi
1 Iwanai Ryokan Bedroom Onsen WiFi
2 Iwanai Ryokan Bedroom Onsen WiFi

Tour Operator / Contact

JTB Corp. HOKKAIDO Branch

Address

Urban Net Sapporo Bldg, 1-2 Nishi 6-Chome,
Kita 1-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 060-0001

TEL

+81 (0)11-221-4800

email

jtb-mice@jtb.com

Official web site

https://www.jtbgmt.com/luxury

JTB — “Perfect moments, always.”
The JTB Group traces its roots back to 1912 when “Japan Tourist Bureau” was formed to attract international travelers to Japan and assist with their travel needs. While our activities and clientele have expanded greatly since then, the JTB Group remains aligned around a core purpose: bringing people,
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