After picking up your rental, ease into Hokkaido rhythm with a stroll along Kushiro Riverside Kotan where wooden boardwalks and riverside cafes set a gentle pace; grab a roast coffee and watch local fishing boats glide by. Head to Kushiro Washo Market to sample fresh seafood bowls (kaisendon) and grilled scallops at stall counters, then pop into Moo Plaza for regional sweets and a quick purchase of Tokachi dairy treats before driving on toward Tokachi.
After the morning market, drive a short way to Kushiro Tanchozuru Observation Tower for sweeping views of the wetlands and a chance to spot red-crowned cranes in their natural habitat, then follow with a leisurely walk through Kushiro City Museum grounds to learn about local Ainu culture and ecology. Finish the afternoon with a relaxed visit to Teraoka Shopping Arcade to browse specialty food stalls and try regional snacks like marinated herring or freshly baked melonpan at a family-run bakery before settling into your accommodation.
As dusk falls, unwind with a waterfront walk along Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO where illuminated canals and craft shops create a mellow atmosphere, then dine on hearty Hokkaido fare at Kushiro Harbor View Restaurant-try local crab or a steamed seafood platter paired with Tokachi dairy cheeses. Finish the night with a relaxed drink and live music at the cozy Bar Heiwa or pick up artisanal sweets at Moo Night Market stalls (seasonal) before returning to your lodging to rest for tomorrow's drive to Tokachi.
Set out from Kushiro after breakfast and head toward Tokachi with a first stop at Obihiro Food Center (Ekimae Ichiba) to browse fresh produce, local pickles and sample pork skewers from the famed Butadon stalls. Continue to Rokujizo Farmer's Market to pick up seasonal asparagus and dairy treats, then enjoy a relaxed late-morning café break at Miel de Tokachi where honey, cheese tarts and specialty coffees showcase the region's agricultural bounty.
After your morning market rounds, unwind with a soak at Kawanishi Onsen (Manpei Hot Springs) where milky alkaline waters and a riverside rotenburo ease travel fatigue; pair the soak with a light onsen ryori set featuring local vegetables and Tokachi dairy. Later, drive to Nakasatsunai Village Craft Center to browse handmade ceramics and seasonal flower displays, then stop at Sapporo Milk Kobo (farm shop) for freshly churned ice cream or a rich milk flan before checking into your Obihiro-area lodging.
As twilight settles, head into town for a relaxed dinner at Ajidokoro Saika, where seasonal Tokachi vegetables and slow-braised pork are paired with local craft sake; follow with a short stroll to Obihiro Train Station Plaza to enjoy street-food snacks from evening vendors. Finish the night with a cozy dessert stop at Hokuto Gelato Atelier for dairy-rich gelato flavors made from nearby farms, or linger over a nightcap at Cafe & Bar Mameya, a warm local spot favored by residents.
Leave Obihiro after an early breakfast and head into the patchwork landscapes: wander the terraced fields and photo spots around Shikisai-no-oka, then taste seasonal farm goods at Farm Tomita's shop-try their lavender/seasonal jam on fresh bread and a creamy milk soft serve. Continue to Akanuma Flower Patch (seasonal blooms permitting) for a short walk among spring flowers and stop at Nakafurano Morning Market to sample local cheeses, yakitori-style skewers and hand-made pastries before driving on to Biei's rolling hills.
After the morning markets and Farm Tomita, enjoy a relaxed drive through scenic backroads to Ningle Terrace in the woods for craft shopping and artisanal souvenirs, then head to Furano Cheese Factory to tour the small production area and sample fresh cheeses and a signature onion-flavoured pizza. Finish the afternoon with a gentle stroll and photo stop at Blue Pond (Aoiike)-its surreal hues are perfect as light softens-and swing by Akechi Farm Stall on the way to your evening lodging for seasonal vegetables, homemade jams and warm pastries to enjoy later.
As the light softens, settle into the mellow atmosphere of Kami-Furano Town with a visit to Kanno Farm for a guided tasting of seasonal cheeses and a warm soup made from local produce, then enjoy an early-supper of comforting regional fare at Kura no Sato where slow-cooked pork and vegetable plates highlight Tokachi-Furano ingredients. After dinner, take a short drive to Shirogane Onsen for a restorative soak under the stars, followed by a twilight stroll around the illuminated ponds near Shirahata Lookout to capture the gentle evening hues over Biei's rolling hills before returning to your lodging.
Set out from Biei and head to Asahikawa Morning Market (Heiwa-dori) to graze on freshly grilled seafood skewers and sample local ramen toppings while chatting with stallholders about seasonal produce; then pop into Asahikawa Ramen Village for a short tasting flight of different local broths to compare styles. After refueling, take a scenic detour to Tokiwa Park for a peaceful riverside walk among early-spring greenery and stop at Asahikawa Farmers' Cooperative (JA Shop) to pick up hand-made jams, spring vegetables and regional dairy snacks to enjoy later on the drive toward Kamikawa and Horokanai.
After a morning in Asahikawa, take the scenic route north through Kamikawa and stop for a riverside break at Kamikawa Forest Rest Area, where short walking trails and picnic benches offer a quiet spot to sample the jams and pickles you picked up earlier. Continue toward Horokanai and visit Horokanai Sunflower Road Farm Stall (seasonal) to taste freshly baked corn buns and locally milled flour snacks, then stretch your legs with a brief detour to Chubetsu Dam lookout for wide valley views before resuming the drive south to Sapporo for the evening.
As twilight settles, slow the pace with dinner at Ramen Santoka (Asahikawa branch) to savour a comforting bowl of pork shio ramen before the evening drive; nearby try a sake pairing flight at Kura no Sake Bar to taste Hokkaido breweries. Once on the road toward Sapporo, stop for a late-night pastry and coffee at Horokanai Bakehouse (open late on weekends) and stretch your legs with a short riverside walk at Shinmei Riverside Park before arriving in Sapporo and checking into your hotel.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Kushiro Riverside Kotan (riverside walk, cafes) | Free |
| Kushiro Washo Market (kaisendon / grilled scallops) | ¥1,500 |
| Moo Plaza (shopping, dairy treats) | ¥800 |
| Kushiro Tanchozuru Observation Tower | ¥300 |
| Kushiro City Museum (grounds & exhibits) | ¥450 |
| Teraoka Shopping Arcade (snacks / melonpan) | ¥600 |
| Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO (evening walk / shops) | Free |
| Kushiro Harbor View Restaurant (seafood dinner) | ¥3,500 |
| Bar Heiwa (drink, live music) | ¥1,200 |
| Moo Night Market (seasonal stalls) | ¥800 |
| Obihiro Food Center / Ekimae Ichiba (market grazing, butadon stalls) | ¥1,200 |
| Rokujizo Farmer's Market | ¥700 |
| Miel de Tokachi (cafe - honey/cheese tarts) | ¥900 |
| Kawanishi Onsen (Manpei Hot Springs) - onsen entry | ¥1,000 |
| Onsen ryori (light set meal) | ¥1,800 |
| Nakasatsunai Village Craft Center | Free |
| Sapporo Milk Kobo (farm shop - ice cream) | ¥500 |
| Ajidokoro Saika (dinner) | ¥2,800 |
| Hokuto Gelato Atelier (gelato) | ¥500 |
| Cafe & Bar Mameya (drink/dessert) | ¥900 |
| Shikisai-no-oka (flower hill - entrance to flower area) | ¥500 |
| Farm Tomita (shop / lavender jam / soft serve) | ¥600 |
| Akanuma Flower Patch (seasonal walk) | Free |
| Nakafurano Morning Market | ¥600 |
| Ningle Terrace (craft shopping) | Free |
| Furano Cheese Factory (tour & tasting) | ¥500 |
| Blue Pond (Aoiike) - viewing | Free |
| Akechi Farm Stall (vegetables / jams / pastries) | ¥700 |
| Kanno Farm (cheese tasting / guided tasting) | ¥800 |
| Kura no Sato (dinner) | ¥2,500 |
| Shirogane Onsen (evening soak) | ¥800 |
| Shirahata Lookout (evening stroll / viewpoints) | Free |
| Asahikawa Morning Market (Heiwa-dori) | ¥1,000 |
| Asahikawa Ramen Village (tasting flight / ramen bowl) | ¥1,100 |
| Tokiwa Park (riverside walk) | Free |
| Asahikawa Farmers' Cooperative (JA Shop) | ¥600 |
| Kamikawa Forest Rest Area (break / short trails) | Free |
| Horokanai Sunflower Road Farm Stall (seasonal - corn buns) | ¥400 |
| Chubetsu Dam lookout | Free |
| Ramen Santoka (Asahikawa branch) - bowl of ramen | ¥1,100 |
| Kura no Sake Bar (sake tasting flight) | ¥1,200 |
| Horokanai Bakehouse (late-night pastry & coffee) | ¥500 |
| Shinmei Riverside Park (riverside walk) | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ¥35,150 |