All Reviews for Top Hokkaido Attractions

Tsurumidai, Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu, Mount Iwo, Lake Akan, and the nearby Ainu Kotan are all packed with content that left me very satisfied. I highly recommend this for those with a short stay.

The bus was clean and comfortable, and we enjoyed our lunch in a relaxed setting. I am especially grateful for the contributions of the guide and the driver's long hours of safe driving.

This tour sparked my interest in the history of Hokkaido and the Ainu, so much so that I reviewed it the next day at the Kushiro City Museum. I noticed some reviews mentioning concerns from international travelers, but I had no issues at all.

鶴見台、屈斜路湖、摩周湖、硫黄山、阿寒湖、その付近のアイヌコタンなどとにかく盛沢山で大満足の内容です。滞在日数が短い方には非常におすすめです。
バスも綺麗で快適、お弁当も落ち着いた会場でいただけます。とにかくガイドさんの貢献と、ドライバーさんの長時間の安全運転に感謝です。

このツアーによって北海道の歴史とアイヌが気になり、翌日に釧路市立博物館で復習してしまったほど。他のレビューで海外の方が、、というものも散見されますが、気になることはありませんでした。

We were blessed with good weather and had a wonderful day. It was great to visit tourist spots that are difficult to navigate efficiently on our own. I was surprised that only 4 out of 34 participants were Japanese.

天候にも恵まれ楽しい1日を過ごす事が出来ました。個人ではなかなか効率良く回れない観光地に行く事が出来てとても良かったです。34人中4人しか日本人が参加していなかったのにはびっくりしました。

You can easily get from Sapporo Station to the zoo entrance, which is convenient. I was just in time to see the penguin parade, and it was awesome!

札幌駅前から動物園入口まで行けるので、楽ちんです。ギリギリペンギンパレードも見られてサイコーでした！

I was able to efficiently explore Biei in winter. The guide was kind and gentle, providing explanations before we arrived at each destination, which made the experience even more enjoyable. I was able to create wonderful memories. If I travel to Hokkaido again, I would like to join a tour with the same company.

冬の美瑛を効率的に回ることができました。ガイドの方も親切で優しくて、目的地に着く前に説明してくださるので、より楽しむ事ができました。素敵な思い出を作ることができました。また北海道に旅行に来たら、同じ会社のツアーに参加したいと思います。

I went on a Saturday in February, and the weather was great, it was the best.
I stayed for about three and a half hours and was able to see everything at a leisurely pace.
It's wonderful that they take you without having to drive yourself.
The tour guide also explained a lot about Hokkaido.
If I had to say something, it would have been reassuring if the bus had a restroom.

2月の土曜に行きましたが、天気も良く最高でした。
3時間半くらいの滞在でしたがゆっくりみながら全部回れました。
自分で運転せずに連れて行ってくれるって言うのが最高です。
添乗員の方もたくさん北海道について説明してくれました。
強いて言えばバスにトイレが付いていれば安心でした。

I participated in this tour on February 23, 2025. The explanations provided by the bus guide at key points were very helpful. We were fortunate with the weather we were worried about and were able to see the drift ice at just the right time. The drift ice from the Aurora was breathtaking. I was moved by the transformation of the sea surface from lotus-shaped ice to rugged drift ice as we set sail. The view of the ship moving through the expanse of drift ice was so stunning that I almost forgot the cold and spent most of the time outside watching.

We were also able to efficiently visit places like Abashiri Prison and the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum! I was scared to drive a rental car in winter, so I was glad to use this service. It’s a recommended tour that allows you to enjoy sightseeing in Abashiri in just one day!

2025年2月23日利用しました。このツアーは、バスガイドさんの要所要所での説明が有難いです。
心配していた天候にも恵まれ流氷をタイミングよく見ることが出来ました。オーロラ号からの流氷は圧巻です。出航すると海上面が、蓮状の氷から、ゴツゴツした流氷へと姿変わっていく様子に感動しました。一面流氷の中を船で進んでいく景色が絶景すぎて寒さ忘れて外でほぼ見ていました。
その後の網走監獄、オホーツク流氷館なども効率よく周ることができます！冬はレンタカー借りて運転するのは怖かったので、利用して良かったです。1日で網走観光が足早に楽しめる！そんなおすすめツアーです。

If you want to visit the famous spots in Eastern Hokkaido, this is it!
At this price, I really can't complain, haha.
The guide was really working hard to introduce various things.
The scenery is incredibly beautiful and will be a lifelong memory.

道東釧路の名所を回りたいのならば、「これ！」ですね。
この値段はさすがに文句言わたくないです笑
ガイドさんもめっちゃ頑張って色々を紹介していました。
景色もめっちゃ綺麗で一生の思い出になります。

My first time in Abashiri.
I joined this tour aiming to see the drift ice.
The weather was great, and I was able to see the drift ice, so it was fantastic.
I would like to participate again.

初めての網走。
流氷を目指してこのツアー参加させていただきました。
天気が良くて流氷も見れたので最高でした。
また参加したく思います。

私たちにとって素晴らしい体験でした。ドライバーはいつも笑顔で親切でした。どうもありがとうございました。

Great experience to us.
The driver was always smiling, kind.
Thank you so much.

I was very impressed by the kind response from VELTRA when I asked a few questions before the tour. Thank you very much. Since it was winter, the objects at the Silo Observation Deck were not set up, and the sofas on the terrace of Mount Usu were covered in snow, but I had a great time until the end.

ツアー前にいくつか質問させていただいた時のVELTRAさまの対応がとても親切で感動しました。本当にありがとうございました。冬季なのでサイロ展望台のオブジェが設置されていなかったり有珠山のテラスのソファが雪に覆われていたりしましたが最後まで楽しくすごせました。

The guide was bilingual, speaking both Japanese and Chinese. Before our arrival at each destination, they announced recommended ways to enjoy the sights, allowing us to make the most of our limited time for sightseeing. When we got off at photo-worthy spots, the guide helped us take pictures. 🫶🌲 The short storytelling during travel time was sure to make us laugh, which made the tour even more enjoyable. There were no significant delays, and we were able to conclude the tour about five minutes earlier than scheduled.

日本語•中国語どちらも話すことができるバイリンガルのガイドさんでした。
到着前に、各目的地でのおすすめの楽しみ方をアナウンスしてくださるので、限られた下車時間を有効に使って観光できました。写真映えスポットで下車した際には、ガイドさんが撮影を手伝ってくださいました🫶🌲
移動時間中の短いエピソードトークは爆笑必至で、ツアーがより楽しいものになったと思います。
大幅な遅れは無く、帰りは予定時刻よりも5分ほど早く解散することができました。

I recommend visiting Abashiri in winter. Driving a rental car can be dangerous during the winter season, so I participated in a tour. I was satisfied because I was able to visit Cape Notoro, which is difficult to access individually. The time spent at the Abashiri Prison was a bit short. For lunch, we were close to the current Abashiri Prison, so we were able to visit the shop as well.

冬の網走観光でお勧めです。冬季はレンタカーの運転も危ないので参加しました。
個人ではアクセスしずらい、能取岬先にも行けたので満足です。
網走監獄での見学時間はやや短めです。
ランチは現在の網走刑務所の近くなので、売店にも行くことができました。

The winter of 2025 saw a late arrival of the drift ice, and before participating in the tour, I was a bit anxious, thinking, "Maybe I won't be able to see the drift ice..." However, on the day of the tour, I was lucky enough to see the drift ice, making it a truly fortunate experience.

I boarded the morning cruise of the Aurora icebreaker, but I had seen reviews mentioning that "there are many foreign tourists, and it's lively," which made me a little concerned. However, since it was the morning cruise, the atmosphere was relatively calm, and I was able to enjoy the drift ice cruise. I suspect that if it had been a later cruise, there would have been more group tourists, making it quite lively.

Additionally, there were many foreign tourists on the sightseeing train, the Drift Ice Story, and among the tour participants, everyone was well-mannered, allowing us to visit the sightseeing spots on schedule, which left a good impression. It seemed that transportation methods like buses were quite crowded due to the influx of tourists, so I felt it was the right decision to book a tour that allowed for smooth sightseeing without the hassle of transportation.

The view of the drift ice from Cape Notoro was particularly breathtaking. It was a magnificent sight, as if the drift ice was packed all the way to the horizon, making me forget the cold as I gazed at it. The visits to the Abashiri Prison Museum and the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum were also fulfilling, providing a valuable opportunity to learn about history and nature.

It was a highly satisfying tour that allowed me to fully enjoy the charm of winter in Abashiri!

2025年の冬は流氷の到着が遅く、ツアー参加前は「もしかしたら流氷が見られないかも…」と不安に思っていました。しかし、当日は運よく流氷を見ることができ、まさにラッキーな体験となりました。

流氷砕氷船おーろら号の朝イチの便に乗船しましたが、乗船前に「外国人観光客が多く賑やか」という口コミを見かけていたので少し気になっていました。ただ、朝の便だったこともあり、比較的落ち着いた雰囲気で流氷クルーズを楽しむことができました。おそらく、もう少し遅い時間の便だと団体客が増え、かなり賑やかになっていたのではないかと思います。

また、観光列車の流氷物語号やツアーの参加者にも海外からの観光客が多くいましたが、皆さんマナーが良く、スケジュール通りに観光地を巡れた点も好印象でした。インバウンドの影響でバスなどの移動手段はかなり混雑していたようなので、移動の手間なくスムーズに観光できるツアーに申し込んで正解だったと感じました。

特に圧巻だったのは能取岬からの流氷の景色です。まるで水平線までびっしりと流氷が詰まっているような壮大な光景が広がり、寒さを忘れて見入ってしまいました。博物館網走監獄やオホーツク流氷館の見学も充実しており、歴史や自然について学べる貴重な機会でした。

冬の網走の魅力をたっぷり堪能できる、大満足のツアーでした！

The highlight is the Biei Shirahige Waterfall in the snow. With a relaxing tour guide and a group of quiet tourists on the bus, we can unwind and enjoy the snowy scenery during the ride. The guide is a young Japanese man, and we are fortunate to have him. He speaks English very well. The buffet lunch is average but sufficient. It's better to include the buffet lunch since there aren't many other options around.

美瑛白ひげの滝 in snow is our highlight. Relaxing tour guide with a group of quiet tourists in the bus, we can relax and enjoy the snow along the bus ride. The guide is a Japanese young man, we are lucky to have him. He speaks English very well. Buffet Lunch is average but adequate. Better to include buffet lunch as not much other choices around.

I had a very meaningful day filled with places I wanted to visit around Sapporo. The lunch was plentiful and delicious, and the view of Lake Toya from the restaurant was also very beautiful.

1日で札幌近郊の行きたかった場所が満載でとても有意義な1日になりました。
昼食も量も多く美味しくレストランからも洞爺湖の景色もとても綺麗でした。

I found a tour that included Asahiyama Zoo, Blue Pond, and Shirahige Falls, and I participated in it. The zoo is compact, but the exhibits were creatively arranged and enjoyable. The Blue Pond was bluer than I expected. Shirahige Falls was beautiful, even though we viewed it from a bridge a bit away. The Yubari melon was very sweet and delicious, and I ended up eating a lot. It was a pity that the flowers in Biei were finished and the weather wasn't perfectly clear, but it was a trip that satisfied both my eyes and my stomach.

旭山動物園・青い池に白ひげの滝がついていたツアーを見つけ参加しました。
動物園はコンパクトですが、展示が工夫されていて楽しかったです。
青い池は思っていたよりも青かったです。白ひげの滝は少し離れた橋の上からでしたが
とても綺麗でした。
夕張メロンはとても甘くておいしくお腹いっぱいに食べてしまいました。
美瑛の花が終わっていたのと天気が青空といかなかったのが残念でしたが
目もお腹も満足な旅行でした。

I participated on February 23rd. I was so happy to have beautiful weather with clear skies and no wind. I took the bus from Abashiri Station at 8:30 and first boarded the Aurora. This year, the drift ice arrived later than usual, and I was very anxious about whether I would see it when I went to Abashiri, but it arrived on February 15th, and I was able to see it safely. I was able to witness the beauty of nature. The Aurora moves through the ice, and this is an experience you can only have on the ship. There were many international visitors on board as well. It was moving, and it was worth coming to the Okhotsk region. I think it's a landscape you should see at least once in your lifetime.

Next, I went to Abashiri Prison, but there wasn't enough time. The way the exhibits were presented was good, but time was limited. I would like to see it again if I have the chance. I also rode the Drift Ice Story train from Kitahama Station to Abashiri, and I could see the drift ice from the train. I visited the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum and Cape Notoro, and the seafood bowl for lunch was delicious. It was a perfect tour. The bus guide, Mr. Nanbu, was very nice, and at the end, he sang "The Sea of Okhotsk" by Chiharu Matsuyama a cappella. Thank you, Abashiri Bus.

私が参加したのは2/23。
本当に快晴で風もなく良いお天気に恵まれて嬉しい限りです。
8時半に網走駅くらバスに乗り、まずはおーろら号に乗船。今年は例年になく、流氷の着岸が遅く、私が網走に行くときに流氷はあるのかとても不安でしたが、2/15に着岸し、無事に見ることができました。自然の素晴らしさを見ることができました。流氷を砕氷しながら進むおーろら号。船に乗らないと体験できないです。海外の方もたくさん乗られてました。感動的でオホーツクに来た甲斐がありました。一生に一度は見てみたい風景だと思います。
次に行った網走刑務所は時間が足りなかった。展示の仕方も上手ですが、時間が足りない。きかいがあればまた見てみたい。
北浜駅→網走駅の流氷物語号にも乗れて、列車からも流氷が見えました。オホーツク流氷館、能取岬も回ってもらえてお昼の海鮮丼も美味しかったし、いうことなしのツアーでした。バスガイドの南部さんがとてもよい方で、最後にアカペラで松山千春の「オホーツクの海」を歌って下さりました。網走バス、ありがとう。

It was really great overall because there were various places to explore. I wish I could have arrived a little later; I would have liked another 30 minutes at Abashiri Prison.

色々と見て回れるので、全般的にすごく良かったです。
到着をもう少し遅らせて網走監獄は後30分欲しいかな。

This time, I was disappointed that there were no signs of drift ice. I guess late February to mid-March might have been better. The Aurora was operating on a shortened schedule, so there was no refund. While I would be excited just to ride the Garinko, the Aurora is more like a ferry that circles the bay, so the scenery wasn't that impressive, and the shortened time left me a bit dissatisfied, but since I had already made the reservation, it couldn't be helped. I enjoyed the atmosphere while drinking drift ice beer from the onboard shop. The tour was satisfying as it efficiently covered various places, not just the Aurora. The tour guide's explanations and highlights were excellent, making my time in Abashiri enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour without any disappointments.

今回は流氷には影も形もお目に描かれず残念でした。やはり2月下旬から3月半ば辺りが良かったのかな。オーロラ号には乗船短縮運航となりましたので返金は無し。ガリンコ号とかなら乗るだけでもワクワクしますがオーロラ号はフェリーのようなもので湾内をまわるのて景色もそれほどでもなく時間短縮なのでちょっと不満感つのりますがそれもアリで予約してるので仕方ありません。船内販売の流氷ビール飲みながら雰囲気だけでも味わいました。ツアーにはオーロラ号だけでなくいろんなところが効率よく回れるので満足でした。ツアーガイドのお話や見どころ案内が非常に良く網走を楽しく回れました。ハズレのないおすすめツアー。

The day I participated, the weather was nice, and I was very satisfied because I could see the drift ice. When the weather is good, you can enjoy the views from the Drift Ice Museum's observation deck and Cape Notoro. I recommend the seafood bowl for lunch.

私が参加した日は天気が良く、流氷も見れたので非常に満足度が高かった。天候が良いと流氷館の展望台や能取岬での景色を楽しむことが出来る。昼食は海鮮丼がおすすめ。

We are foreigners and even though we don't understand Japanese, we were able to communicate smoothly using a translation app. They also showed us great spots for taking photos. In particular, they arranged our visit to the Takushinkan to coincide with its opening hours, allowing us to enjoy the less crowded museum at a leisurely pace. They took photos of my companions and me at each spot, so thank you very much! Thanks to the driver of bus number 483, we made wonderful memories in Biei and Asahikawa. Please convey my gratitude to the driver of bus number 483 whom we met at Biei Station at 9:30 AM on February 1st!

私たちは外国人で、日本語がわからなくても、翻訳アプリを使ってスムーズにコミュニケーションをとっていただきました。また、写真を撮るのに良いスポットも教えていただきました。特に、タクシン館のオープン時間に合わせて行ってくださり、人が少ないタクシン館をゆっくり見学できました。同行者と私の写真もスポットごとに撮っていただき、本当にありがとうございました！ 483号車の運転手さんのおかげで、美瑛と旭川で素晴らしい思い出ができました。2月1日午前9時30分、美瑛駅でお会いした483号車の運転手さんに感謝の気持ちをお伝えください！

If you're visiting Abashiri in winter for the first time, I recommend this tour. You don't have to drive on winter roads yourself, and taking the train (Ryuhyo Monogatari) one way is something you can only do on a bus tour. The destinations cover the classic tourist spots, and the guide's explanations were enjoyable, making for a fulfilling day.

冬の網走に初めて行く人ならこのツアーがオススメです。自分で冬道運転しなくていいですし、片道だけ列車（流氷物語号）に乗るなんてバスツアーでないとできません。行き先は定番の観光地がしっかり押えられていて、ガイドさんの解説も楽しく、充実した一日になりました。

The weather was nice up to the red-crowned cranes, and it was great to see them flying. After that, it turned into a snowstorm, and the scenery wasn't very good anywhere. There were two buses, and one seemed to be mostly Japanese people, while I was on the bus with many Asian travelers. At Lake Akan, it was mixed with snow, and it was tough to kill an hour there. I thought it would be helpful if the Eco Museum could be the destination and if the bus could come closer. Do we really need an hour at Lake Akan?

丹頂鶴までは、天気も良く、飛ぶような姿も見れて良かったです。
その後、吹雪みたいになり、どこも景色がイマイチでした。
2台バス構成で、1台は日本人ばかりだったようで、私はアジア系の人の多いバスでした。
阿寒湖も吹雪混じりで、１時間を潰すのが大変でした、可能ならば、エコミュージアムを目的にしていただき、バスも近く迄来てくれたら助かるなぁ、と思いました。阿寒湖１時間いりますか？

For the people of Hokkaido, it felt like spring had arrived, with temperatures and clear skies no different from those in the Kanto region, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

From the top of Mount Usu, I was moved by the grandeur of Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya, the miracles of the Earth, and the local efforts to coexist with active volcanoes.

Usually, the temperature is significantly lower when getting off the ropeway compared to the base of the mountain, but this time I didn't mind at all and was able to fully appreciate the scenery from the heart.

I sat next to someone of the opposite sex who was also traveling alone on the bus, and our conversation picked up along the way, making me feel the joy of travel once again.

北海道の人にとって、春が来た？というほどの、関東と変わらぬ気温と快晴の空のもと、美しい景色を堪能しました。
有珠山の上から見た、昭和新山、洞爺湖の雄大さ、地球の奇跡、活火山と共存する地元のかたの取組の展示など、全てに感動です！
いつもならロープウェイ降りるとかなり山の下より気温が低いらしいのが、全く気にならず心から景色を堪能できました。
バス席は一人参加で、同じく一人参加の異性の方のとなりでしたが、途中から話が盛り上り、旅の楽しさを改めて感じました。

The drift ice has a different landing date every year, and this year I was lucky to see it on the second day of its landing, with beautiful weather. I want to go see it again next year.

流氷は毎年接岸の日が違い、たまたま今年は接岸2日目で、天気にも恵まれラッキーでした。来年も見に行きたいと思います。

I participated on February 17 from Osaka to see the penguin walk. The weather was favorable and the highway was smooth, so I was able to enjoy the park for a full three and a half hours. There was no wind, so it wasn't as cold as I had worried it would be, and I didn't need a hat or earmuffs. It was also good that I adjusted my timing, as I had no trouble finding a place for lunch. I enjoyed the break and shopping at the Sunagawa Service Area along the way. The bus guide's stories were interesting, and I enjoyed the unique information from a Hokkaido resident and the scenery from the bus without getting bored during the trip. Thank you very much.

ペンギンの散歩を見るため、大阪から2月17日に参加しました。
天候に恵まれ高速もスムーズだったので、園内3時間半たっぷり楽しめました。風もなかったので心配していたほど寒くもなく帽子や耳当ては不要でした。時間をずらしたのがよかったのか昼食休憩場所にも困りませんでした。
途中の砂川サービスエリアでの休憩＆買い物も楽しめました。
バスガイドさんのお話も興味深く、北海道民ならではの情報や車内からの景色など道中飽きることなく楽しめました。
ありがとうございました。

I thought it would be quite difficult to travel around the Eastern Hokkaido region using public transportation, but then I learned about this tour. I believe it's very valuable to be able to visit so many sightseeing spots in just one day. It's also recommended for those who have a rental car but don't want to drive on snowy roads, as it's something they're not used to.

道東はなかなか公共交通機関での移動が厳しいと思っていた矢先にこのツアーを知りました。
一日でこれだけの観光地を回れるのは非常に価値があると思います。
レンタカーがあっても雪道の運転など慣れないことはやりたくない方にもおすすめです。

This was my second visit to the zoo. The last tour I participated in didn't have enough time because it stopped at other sightseeing spots, so this time I chose a tour with plenty of time. However, there was also a penguin walk, so in the end, we still didn't have enough time...
I think it can't be helped since the blizzard made the road conditions worse.
But once again, I was healed by the cute animals and I was very satisfied.
I'm thinking of going for my third visit in the summer.
The bus guide also taught us various things, and there was plenty of time for breaks, so it was great to be able to buy souvenirs and snacks!

２回目の動物園でした。前回参加したツアーは他の観光スポットも寄るため時間が足りなかったので、今回はたっぷり時間があるツアーを選択しました。でも、ペンギンのお散歩もあったので、結局時間は足りなかった…。
吹雪で道路事情も悪くなってしまったので、仕方がないかなと思います。
でも、今回も可愛い動物たちに癒されて大満足です。
３回目は夏にしようかなと思います。
バスガイドさんもいろいろ教えてくれたり、途中の休憩も十分時間があって、おみやげや軽食が買えて良かったです❗

Since there was no observation of the drift ice, I thought it might be a shopping voucher, but there was a 40-minute boat ride, and it was not eligible for a refund. That's a bit disappointing... However, I enjoyed spending more time at the Abashiri Prison. It was very spacious, and I had so much fun that I didn't have enough time. For lunch, I recommend the seafood bowl. It was delicious and left me full. I was lucky to get a seat on the Ryuhyo Monogatari. There were people standing. At Notoro Cape, the driver spotted birds and deer, which made it very enjoyable.

流氷は観測すらなかったからお買い物券かなと思ったけど、40分間の乗船があり、返金対象にはなりませんでした。ちょっと残念…。その分時間を網走監獄で多めに取って楽しみました。とても広くて時間が足りないくらい楽しかったです。昼食は海鮮丼がオススメ。美味しくてお腹いっぱいになりました。流氷物語号は座れたからラッキー。立ってる人もいました。能取岬では運転手さんが鳥や鹿を見つけてくれてとても楽しめました。

The guide was strictly providing information only in Japanese, but when I asked, they mentioned, "There are usually many people from China." The content of the tour was good, but on the bus, there were no other Japanese people besides my husband and me, which made it feel more like an overseas trip and added unnecessary pressure.

ガイドさんは割り切って日本語でのみ案内をしていましたが、聞けば「いつも中国の方が多いんですよ」とのこと。ツアーの内容は良かったが、バスの車中では私たち夫婦以外に日本人がおらず、まるで海外旅行のようで余計な気を使うことになってしまいました。