Hokkaido Panaromic Lakes & Ocean (PLO) is a 7-day guided & fully-supported cycling tour that takes you to the eastern region of Hokkaido including Abashiri, Akan-Mashu National Park & Shiretoko peninsular.
This cycling tour offers superb cycling on quiet countryside roads in the more remote parts of Hokkaido.
It is especially recommended for the experienced avid cyclists who prefer longer distance with some challenges of climbs.
You start from Abashiri, a city on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, well-known for drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Over the next few days, you cycle inland towards Akan-Mashu National Park, well known for its three beautiful lakes: Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu & Lake Akan.
Our itinerary covers the bigger eastern part contains Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, Mount Io (Sulphur Mountain) an active andesitic stratovolcano & the centrally located Kawayu onsen.
You cycle up the scenic vista point on top of Bihoro pass for a panaromic view of Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan to freeze over completely in winter.
The 2nd mountain pass takes you up to another vista point for a breath-taking view of Lake Mashu, a pristine caldera lake with deep blue water formed some 7000 years ago.
Our cycling route continues to Nakashibetsu, enroute to Rausu town along the coastal route. Here you stay 1 night before the final climb of the trip, 800m Shiretoko pass over 14km, for a nice view of Mount Rausu, a stratovolcano on the Shiretoko Peninsula. It is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan
After this last climb, it is all the way downhill & flat as we complete the loop back at Abashiri along the scenic Sea of Okhotsk.
As with all our cycling tours, Hokkaido PLO comes fully-supported with our SSV (Support Sweeper Vehicle), following 100% behind the group. Daily accommodation is a balanced mix of hotels and Japanese-style ryokans for that traditional cultural experience, almost all the time with hot-spring onsens.
Our itineraries are meticulously planned and crafted with years of experience operating cycling tours directly.
Sufficient time has been taken into consideration for photos stops, lunch break, one morning & afternoon coffee breaks.
Highlights
+ Cape Notoro & lighthouse
+ Red Coral grass in Lake Notoro (seasonal)
+ Abashiri prison
+ Scenic view of Lake Kussharo & Lake Mashu (Akan National Park)
+ Mt Iozan sulphur mountain
+ Mt Rausu in Shiretoko National Park
+ Scenic & quiet countryside roads around Eastern Hokkaido
+ Taste local sweets such as Furano melon & lavender soft-serve icecream
+ Good quality Kawayu onsen accommodation
Information
Hokkaido Panaromic Lakes & Ocean Loop (PLO)
Event Grade: 4 (Challenging, with full-support vehicle)
Discipline: Road tarmac / undulating / 3 main climbs
No. of Cycle Days: 5
Cycle Distance: est. 400km (ave 100km/day) Ascent: 2900m
Highest altitude: 780m
Longest day: 115km
7D Land Cost: est. S$3190/pax (twin-share)
Single sup: S$570
(average price for 7-8D full-support cycling tours in Japan is SGD4000)
Includes:
1) 6 nights accommodation (mix of hotels/ryokans with onsens)
2) Almost Full-board: 6 breakfasts + 5 lunches + 2 dinners (except rest-day)
3) water/isotonic drinks & snacks during cycling
4) 2-way airport transfers (main group arrival/departure)
5) All land transfers / luggage transfer
6) Very Experienced Cycling guide & Bike Mechanic Support
7) SSV (Support Sweeper Vehicle) support 100% during rides
8) Detailed Pre-Departure Briefing & Trip Preparation
* Excludes International airfares & other meals
Add-on: S$250 for rental of bike (GIANT road/hybrid)
International flights to Sapporo connecting to Abashiri will be advised after you have signed up the trip.
>>> HOW TO SIGN UP <<<
2. We will contact you to follow up & you will be added to the event Whatsapp group for further comms thereafter.
PM/Email us for more details
ShangrilaCyclingTours@gmail.com
Detailed itinerary
Day1 - Arrival Hokkaido / Abashiri - Cape Notoro loop (43km ^457m)
Pick up from the airport in Abashiri for your transfer to hotel. Rest & prepare your bike. In the afternoon, we go for a scenic loop 43km ride to Notoro Lake,, Cape Notoro & lighthouse. In the evening, gather for welcome group dinner with briefing on the next day ride.
Day2 - Abashiri / Lake Kussharo (90km ^939m)
Skirting along Lake Abashiri & Memambetsu airport as we cycle out of Abashiri towards the south.
You cycle up to the scenic vista point on top of Bihoro pass 493m for a panaromic view of Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan to freeze over completely in winter. A sight not to be missed!
We turn off from main trunk road, as we cycle along the lake to our onsen hotel.
Day3 - Lake Mashu / Nakashibetsu (85km ^1065m)
The 2nd mountain pass takes you up to another vista point for a breath-taking view of Lake Mashu, a pristine caldera lake with deep blue water formed some 7000 years ago. Enjoy a coffee or soft-serve at the scenic observation deck before we descent down for lunch. We continue to cycle on quiet countryside roads with vast agricultural farms before reaching Nakashibetsu for the night.
Day4 - Nakashibetsu / Rausu / Shiretoko (107km ^715m)
The 1st part of today's ride is relatively easy, as you cycle through the flat farmlands of Nakashibetsu on quiet countryside roads. A special section awaits as you ride towards the Beisukai Peninsula with the Nemuro Straits & the bay on both sides of the narrow road. The nature centre offers a close-up view of the sensitive Northern Territory (Kunashir island). A wonderful experience!
Day5 - Rausu / Shiretoko / Abashiri (109km ^1200m)
Today is the 3rd & final climb, 780m Shiretoko pass that connects the Rausu on the eastern coast to Utoro on the western coast. After 14km on twisting mountainous road, you are rewarded with a superb view of Mount Rausu, a stratovolcano on the Shiretoko peninsula. It is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. From here, it is all the way downhill to Shari as we complete the loop back along the scenic Sea of Okhotsk.
We make a stop at Kitahama station, a nostalgic JR train station popular with tourists for IG shots, & Koshimizu Gensei Kaen, a natural flower garden before arriving back to Abashiri.
Day6 - Abashiri / coach back to Sapporo via Sounkyo Gorge (for visit & lunch)
Day7 - departure from Hokkaido / SIN ( * or own extension)
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