9 D 7 N Hokkaido/Tokyo Driving Tour

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1 9 D 7 N Hokkaido/Tokyo Driving Tour 1

2 Sightseeing Spots *Subject to change Obihiro City Obihiro was founded by settlers from Honshu (Japan s main island) in It is the only designated city in the Tokachi subprefectural area, and in 2008, it was designated as a model environmental city in Japan in Its urban centre is to the north, but 30 minutes from there reveals vast agricultural farmlands, blue skies and outstanding food. Obihiro City Government officials will be showing us around, so be prepared to learn about the city from the people most familiar with it! *Actual tourist spots to be visited are subject to change based on schedule. Midorigaoka Park This 50ha park is home to the Green Park with its famous Long Bench, as well as museums and other places of interest that showcase the culture and history of Obihiro and Hokkaido. Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall This exhibit room houses historical materials ranging from prehistoric times to agricultural history. It is a great opportunity for visitors to learn about the Ainu people, who inhabited the region now known as Hokkaido long before the first Japanese settlers came. Green Park This is a green, recreational Park with a 400 m long bench to sit on, which was once the longest bench in the world. Obihiro Museum of Art This museum mainly houses modern print art as well as art works by eastern Hokkaido artist. Obihiro Zoo & Mr. Naomi Uemura s Memorial Hall The perfect place to view animals especially at feeding time. Within the zoo ground, you will find a memorial hall which exhibits the personal belongings and achievements of the great explorer Mr. Naomi Uemura. Aikoku Station A former Hiroh train line of Japan s National Railway, it has a preserved steam locomotive on display. Kofuku Station 2

3 Kofuku means Happiness in Japanese. Famous for Tickets to Kofuku ~ Passport to happiness. Visit to Kofuku station for many happy and wonderful memories. Yachiyo Farm There are 1,400 cows that are reared in Yachiyo Farm. There are also various facilities like restaurants and an observatory. Obihiro City To Tokachi Manabe Garden Manabe Garden is Japan first conifer garden with a tea house in the Garden. It is worth visiting to see hundreds different kinds of trees imported from Northern Europe, Canada etc. Iwanai Senkyou Iwanai Senkyou is famous for stunning autumn leaves. Surround yourself with magnificent nature here! Banei Horseracing The horserace where powerfully-built horses called Banba pull heavily-weighted sleds originates from horse power contests in the Pioneer Days of Hokkaido. Ryugetsu Tokachi Sweetpia-Garden Approximately 200 kinds of high-quality, freshly made sweet stuff is offered and one can observe the sweet-making process. Lake Shikaribetsu A lake in the sky. Lake Shikaribetsu is located at the highest altitude of all lakes in Hokkaido. Tokachi to Sounkyo Daisetsuzan National Park Situated side-by side, Shooting Star Falls and Milky Way Falls can be viewed from the car park or from the observation deck. Shooting Star Falls gushes powerfully while Milky Way Falls flows like silver white threads. One can also ride up on a gondola known as Sounkyo Ropeway to have a majestic view of Mount Kurodake. After descending from Mount Kurodake, take a walk around the small pleasant village centre to dip your feet into the complimentary hot spring footbath. Bathing Tour Enjoying bathing at 2 different hotels ~ Choyo Restort Hotel and Choyo-tei (Optional. Shuttle bus fees apply.) 3

4 Sounkyo to Asahikawa Asahiyama Zoo Asahiyama Zoo s popularity lies in its unique enclosures which allow visitors to observe the animals from various angles. Highlights include a glass tunnel through the penguin pool that allows visitors to observe the birds underwater flights and small glass domes in the middle of the polar bear and wolf enclosures that can get visitors right among animals Biei A beautiful small town surrounded by pleasant hilly landscape. To enjoy the charm of Biei is by driving or cycling through the hills and to visit some of the extensive flowers fields. At Takushinkan, one is able to enjoy drop dead gorgeous photos of patchwork fields of Biei in the 4 seasons. Ashahikawa Ramen Village Ashahikawa is famous for its Ramen, especially Shoyu broths Ramen. Eight famous ramen restaurants from Ashahikawa have opened their branches at Ashahikawa Ramen Village. Ashahikawa to Furano Farm Tomita Enjoy the lavender flavoured desserts and admire the flower fields. Furano Wine House & Winery Grape Juice Factory This is a Winery on the hill above Furano town. Local wine has been produced in Furano since Visit Furano Wine Factory and enjoy free wine tasting. Not far from the factory stands the restaurant winehouse where you can try the wines in combination with western dishes. Near the winery stands the Grape Juice factory where visitors can observe the production process from behind a window and try the tasty grape juice. Furano Cheese Factory Visitors are able to observe the production process of the local camembert type cheese from behind windows. Cheese samples, including those of black cheese coloured by squid ink, can be tasted in the factory shop. There is also an ice cream parlor (ice cream factory) and pizzeria (pizza factory) as well as hands on workshops for making butter, ice-cream, bread and cheese. 4

5 ********* Tokyo After 6 days of vast open spaces, mountains, agricultural land and bountiful natural scenery in Hokkaido, we now head for the weekend to Tokyo--the largest city not just in Japan but in the world. You are free to explore the city on your own, but in the meantime, here are a few suggestions: Odaiba Odaiba is a manmade island in Tokyo Bay in Southern Tokyo. Our intended hotel, the Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba, is located here. The landmark two-storey Rainbow Bridge that links the island with the mainland is a magnificent sight at night, as is the giant Ferris Wheel at Palette Town. Those who love shopping may be spoilt for choice between Decks, Aquacity, the 18 th century themed Venus Fort, and the recently opened DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. Fans of TV dramas will love attempting to catch a glimpse of celebrities in the Fuji TV building. Those in search of more masculine forms of attraction may check out Toyota Megaweb and the Panasonic Center. There is certainly something for everyone! Shimbashi/Ginza/Yurakucho/Tokyo Station area For those who love the buzz of a business district and upmarket shopping. The Imperial Palace is a 10min walk from Tokyo Station. How to get there: Take the Yurikamome monorail to Shimbashi. From there, the upmarket Ginza district as well as the Tokyo Station and Imperial Palace are somewhat nearby. Hopping onto the JR Yamanote line to Yurakucho or Tokyo is the most convenient, but walking may just open your eyes to some interesting (and delicious) sights! Monjayaki at Tsukishima Osaka and Hiroshima have their respective versions of okonomiyaki. Tokyo has its monjayaki, a slightly more watery version of the okonomiyaki. Why not head to the quaint district of Tsukishima, where you can find a large concentration of monjayaki restaurants on Nishinaka Street near Tsukishima station? How to get there from Odaiba: Take the Yurikamome to Toyosu station and change to the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho subway line. Tokyo Tower/Roppongi Area Observatory Decks/Nightlife/Upmarket shopping The Roppongi area is home to Roppongi Hills, a building complex that is best described as a city within a city. It has over 200 retail shops, cafes and restaurants as well as an observation deck and art museum. Those who cannot resist clubbing and nightlife may also want to explore the clubs and pubs in the area. And of course, who can forget the Tokyo Tower, the symbol of Tokyo, which is only a couple of stations away on the Toei Oedo Line? How to get there from Odaiba: Take the Yurikamome to Shiodome To Roppongi: At Shiodome, take the Toei Oedo line to Roppongi station To Tokyo Tower: At Shiodome, take the Toei Oedo line to Akabanebashi. The Tower is a 10-15min walk away. Asakusa/Ueno Old Tokyo. Temples, market street, river. Asakusa, home of the Sensoji Temple and Kaminarimon with its big red lanterns and near the Tokyo Skytree, is accessible by train like the rest of Tokyo. But why get there the boring way? Tokyo Water Bus operates boats between Odaiba Seaside Park and Hinode Pier every half to one hourly. From Hinode Pier, there are connections to Asakusa. (Direct boats are available much less frequently.) From Asakusa, Ueno, with its museums, famous park and the Ameyoko market street are a few train stations away or 30min walk away. But those who are game for a stroll will find their efforts worth it check 5out the interesting buildings lining Kappabashi Street, which is lined with stores specializing in restaurant wares. 5