Panda Travel Tours!

Panda Travel’s escorted tours will allow you to discover the world.

Hokkaido Great Northern Summer Highlights, including Rebun and Rishiri Islands 2025

July 18 – 28, 2025 (9 nights/11 days) escorted from Honolulu

Haneda - Otaru - Furano - Biei - Asahikawa - Nayoro - Wakkanai - Rebun - Rishiri - Sapporo

$5,398 per person double/triple occupancy; $6,698 single occupancy

J.D. Bisignani has written that “Hokkaido is the adopted child of modern Japan.” For 1,300 years, it was a mysterious orphan called Ezo, “alien people of the North”. Nobody knew much about it and few cared. Today, Hokkaido is the “go to” destination when you are “templed-out” and need a break from the crowds of Japan’s larger cities.

Our tour begins in Otaru, a romantic port town steeped in a rich history that dates from its glory days as a major herring center. From there, the tour moves to Furano and Biei, charming central Hokkaido towns. Furano boasts vibrant lavender fields, while Biei showcases picturesque hills and rustic farmlands.

We then explore Hokkaido’s second largest city, Asahikawa, home to a wealth of touring spots and some of the best rice in Japan. In addition to sampling fine sake, your tours will visit the “Fields of Dreams”, rice paddy art among the rice fields. Here villagers create their own dramatic scenes and attract scores of visitors each summer.

Continuing our exploration, we journey to Dohoku, Hokkaido’s Great North, where we delve into the wonders of Hokkaido’s northernmost city, Wakkanai. We will also visit Rebun Island, nicknamed “the floating island of flowers” due to its unique ecosystem, and Rishiri Island, a round-shaped island floating in the Sea of Japan with Mt. Rishiri at its center.

Our trip concludes with two nights in Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital and a dynamic urban center that offers everything you would want from a Japanese city: a thriving food scene, stylish cafes, neon-lit nightlife, shopping galore – and then some.

Besides daily sightseeing of Hokkaido’s treasures, the tour includes viewing fields of lavender and sunflower, cherry picking, ice cream making experience, visits to a winery and a sake brewery, 2 fish markets, 5 natural hot springs hotels, ferry rides, uni opening and tasting experience, the best omiyage shopping spots, and a free day to explore on your own in Sapporo.

Your Hokkaido Great Northern Summer Highlights, including Rishiri and Rebun Islands 2025 - includes:

Round trip airfare via Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu to Haneda.
Round trip airfare via All Nippon Airways from Haneda to Chitose.
One way airfare via All Nippon Airways from Rishiri Island to Chitose.
Note: Airline baggage fees are additional and paid directly to the carrier.
9 nights’ accommodations in centrally located hotels.
All sightseeing with a local English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
Admission fees included based on itinerary.
Inflight meals, breakfast daily at your hotel, 6 lunches and 4 dinners.
All transportation via private charter bus.
All tour related taxes included in the price.
Panda Travel® escorts throughout your tour.
Reserve with $75 per person deposit, refundable by May 4, 2025.
Final payment due by May 16, 2025. Package is non-refundable after this date.
Special Assistance: You must inform us of any disability/impairment that requires special attention at the time of your making the reservation. We reserve the right to cancel the reservation(s) if the disability/impairment is unsuitable for the tour. You are also responsible for any costs and/or accommodations related to your disability/impairment, such as providing your own travel companion.

Not included in the tour:

Gratuities for local English-speaking guide.
Additional baggage fee charges from the airlines.
Alcohol and soft drinks with meals.

Please note:

A minimum of 16 participants is required for the tour to operate.
A valid passport is required of all U.S. citizens & must be valid at least 6 months from the return tour date. Non-U.S. passport holders must check with the Japanese Consulate to see if a visa is required.
Land tour costs are based on current currency conversion rates, which are subject to change.
Air ticket fare is guaranteed, but taxes, fees and fuel surcharges are subject to change until tickets are issued.
We highly recommend the purchase of trip insurance. Please ask our representatives for more information.
Land Tour Operator is Nippon Travel Agency.

Click here for Tour Itinerary

From $5,398* per person-double/triple occupancy

From $6,698* single occupancy

Space is limited!

Flight Schedule:

07/18/25 – Depart Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines flight 863 at 1:45 pm and arrive in Haneda at 5:10 pm on 07/19.

07/20/25 – Depart Haneda on ANA/Air Nippon Airways flight NH51 to New Chitose Airport.

07/26/25 – Depart Rishiri Airport on ANA/Air Nippon Airways flight NH4930 to New Chitose Airport.

07/28/25 – Depart New Chitose Airport on ANA/Air Nippon Airways flight NH66 to Haneda Airport.

07/28/25 – Depart Haneda on Hawaiian Airlines flight 864 at 8:15 pm and arrive in Honolulu at 9:05 am (same day)

Group #13331