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Hokkaido Great Northern Summer Highlights, including Rebun & Rishiri Islands 2027

July 16 – 26, 2027 (9 nights/11 days) escorted from Honolulu

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

JAL economy class: $5,888 pp double/triple occupancy; $7,188 single occupancy

JAL premium economy class: $7,088 pp double/triple occupancy; $8,388 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, shopping galore – and then some.

Besides daily sightseeing of Hokkaido’s treasures, the tour includes viewing fields of lavender, cherry picking, ice cream making experience, visits to a winery and a sake brewery, fish markets, 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 2027 - includes:

Round trip airfare via Japan Airlines from Honolulu.
One way airfare via All Nippon Airways from Rishiri Island to Chitose.
9 nights of centrally located accommodations are included.
7/17-7/18 (1 night) – Air Terminal Hotel
7/18-7/19 (1 night) – New Furano Prince Hotel
7/19-7/21 (2 nights) – JR Inn Asahikawa
7/21-7/22 (1 night) – Surfeel Hotel Wakkanai
7/22-7/23 (1 night) – Rebun Kanko Hotel Saryo
7/23-7/24 (1 nights – Island Inn Rishiri
7/24-7/26 (2 nights) – Mercure Hotel Sapporo
Inflight meals, breakfast daily at your hotel, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.
All sightseeing with a local English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
Admission fees included based on itinerary.
All transportation via private charter bus.
All tour related taxes included in the price.
Panda Travel® escorts throughout your tour.
To secure your reservation, a $200 per person deposit is required. The deposit can be refunded until April 15, 2027. Any changes made after this date will be subject to additional fees.
Final payment is due by May 17, 2027. 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 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

JAL economy class:

$5,888 pp double/triple occupancy

$7,188 single occupancy

JAL premium economy class: (call to book)

$7,088 pp double/triple occupancy;

$8,388 single occupancy

Flight Schedule:

7/16/27 – Depart Honolulu on Japan Airlines flight 73 at 12:45 pm and arrive in Haneda at 3:55 pm on 7/17.

7/17/27 – Depart Haneda on Japan Airlines flight 527 at 6:40 pm and arrive at New Chitose Airport at 8:15 pm.

07/24/27 – Depart Rishiri Airport on ANA/Air Nippon Airways flight NH4930 at 2:05 pm and arrive at New Chitose Airport at 2:55pm.

7/26/27 – Depart Chitose on Japan Airlines flight 514 at 3:15 pm and arrive in Haneda at 4:55 pm.

7/26/27 – Depart Haneda on Japan Airlines flight 74 at 9:05 pm and arrive in Honolulu at 9:45 am (same day).

Group #13721