1-Day Tour from Sapporo: Learn of The Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido & Jozankei walking tour

The Ainu Cultural Center is a real hidden gem. Tucked away in lush natural surroundings an hour or so outside of Sapporo, this center/museum is sure to please. It is very informative with tons of artifacts of The Ainu. The center is well curated and visitors are encouraged to hold and touch the many authentic Ainu handcrafts. The outdoor village with traditional handcrafted Ainu houses and canoes are very cool to experience as well. This is a “must go” sight for those interested in indigenous groups. Led by your locally based native English-speaking guide, who will provide tour members with more in-depth information of The Ainu, to complement the abundant information gleaned from the center/museum tour.

Your tour will continue on to nearby Jozankei Hot spring(Onsen) Village. There are 56 hot spring sources in Jozankei, concentrated around both the Tsukimibashi and Takayamabashi bridges along with The Toyohira River which flows throughout the village. The waters of most of these hot spring baths average temperatures ranging from 60(140F) to 80 degrees Celsius(176F). As a member of this tour, you will experience a two hour hot spring bath at one of Jozankei’s most reputable hot spring hotels. Your tour guide will guide you through the delicate rules and intricacies of how to properly bathe and enjoy a traditional Japanese hot spring bath.

Highlights

• Learn of The Ainu, an Indigenous ethnic group who reside in northern Japan, including Hokkaido.

• Tour The Ainu Culture Promotion Center, which showcases Ainu arts, their unique architectural style, offering a glimpse into their daily lives. At the Ainu Culture Center, visitors will be able to explore various facilities including traditional wooden canoes and houses constructed entirely in the Ainu style. 

• Explore the quaint hot spring(onsen) resort village of Jozankei. Just under an hour from Sapporo, it is easily accessible. Enjoy a breathtaking walking tour of Jozankei and see firsthand its rich nature and the allure of its hot springs. Wonderful scenic nature in all seasons. 

• After your walking-day-tour of Jozankei village has concluded, rejuvenate your weary feet in one of the several public free footbaths.

• Experience a 2 hour hot spring bath at a very well established Jozankei hot spring hotel. 

• Experience the perfect getaway which is Jozankei. Good food(i.e. Miso ramen), scenery, fresh air and a hot spring bath for total physical and mental relation. A tour sure to please!

Description

This tour will start at Sapporo Station in front of “Myomu”(The Circular Stone Structure) in front of the South Exit doors of Sapporo Station. Kindly meet here at exactly 9a.m. Your guide will be there to greet you. After brief introductions and smiles, we will start to embark on our wonderful tour starting at The Ainu Cultural Center.

The tour will begin here at The Ainu Cultural Center. Your guide will take you through the 1 hour tour of the Ainu Center Museum(exhibition room). Here, you will learn of the lifestyle, history, and art of the Ainu people, the indigenous people who first settled Hokkaido and developed a unique culture. This facility is the first of its kind in Japan to focus on original inhabitants and allows visitors to actually feel, touch and experience first-hand traditional Ainu craftworks(over 300 items) made by Ainu artisans. Your guide along with the knowledgeable Ainu museum guides, will surely be able to answer in-depth, any questions you may have while touring The Ainu Cultural Center.

After leaving The Ainu Cultural Center, you will be heading (by bus) to the very nearby quaint little hot spring village known as Jozankei. Jozankei is located within the lush green Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This area is characterized by topography and phenomena created by hundreds of years of volcanic activity.Thus, this volcanic activity has created numerous natural hot springs that dot the entire area of Jozankei Village.

Upon arrival, your guide will show you around the area and make sure you see all the popular sights that Jozankei offers. These will include both the Jozankei Shrine and Temple, Gesen Park and footbath, Futami Park and Futami Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge. This guided walking tour of Jozankei is breathtaking any season of the year.

Your tour will conclude on a physically soothing “high note”.  Your guide will escort you to the Hotel Shika no Yu hot spring. Here, you will enjoy the very popular 2 hour day-bath experience. 

Of course, hot springs(“onsen” in Japanese) are an integral part of Japanese culture and have been enjoyed for centuries for their therapeutic and relaxing properties. Visitors to Japan, would be amiss not to experience an onsen bath. You will have the chance on this tour! Your guide will help you through the whole process of bathing amongst others and to inform each tour member of the rules and bathing etiquette that must be adhered to. After a rejuvenating hot bath, we will then return to Sapporo and conclude our tour. This tour is sure to please and tour participants will have long lasting memories for years to come. 

TOUR MEETUP POINT

SAPPORO STATION @ 9:00 A.M.

After exiting the main JR gates of Sapporo Station TURN LEFT. Walk towards the
South Exits(南出口) of Sapporo Station. After a very short walk(in the near distance)
you will surely notice “MYOMU”(The Circular White Stone Structure/see above picture). Your guide will be standing in front of this stone structure wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. You are kindly asked to be at this meetup point at 9a.m.

NOTES

Included

• English speaking tour guide
• Transportation fee from Sapporo Station to all listed destinations and activities as stated on each tour itinerary
• All entry/admission tickets to each attraction/sightseeing spot listed on the tour itinerary

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation

Other Information

• Please check the weather forecast before heading to the meetup point and prepare umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• Clothes worn should be appropriate for the given season. Otaru(being a port city) gets windy at times, so a good coat and/or windbreaker is recommended.
• In winter, ice and snow will be prevalent on the ground. Thus, caution is advised to all  guests while walking on the tour.