Japan Rail Pass Now - Japan Travel Guide

14 DAY PASS - WINTER EXPLORER
ITINERARY
Day 8 – Explore Asahikawa
With another full day to do some more sightseeing in Asahikawa, why not visit the Asahiyama Zoo? With its diverse collection of animals,
including eagles, wolves, deer, penguins, giraffes, apes, big cats, seals, lesser pandas, leopards and polar bears, it is a must-visit if you love
nature or if you are travelling with kids.
Also, do not forget to try Asahikawa ramen, which you can find in restaurants throughout the city, most particularly at the Asahikawa Ramen Village.
It is made with shoyu based broth, ramen noodles that are hard, wavy, and thin, and topped with pork, eggs, bamboo shoots, and green onions.
Day 9 – Asahikawa to Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan (Spend 3 nights Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan)
A freshwater lake considered to be the highest in Hokkaido at 800 metres, Lake Shikaribetsu is a scenic destination that is surrounded by
imposing mountain ranges. During the winter, when the lake freezes over, the area observes a festival called Shikaribetsu Kotan, which features
a snow and ice village consisting of igloo-like houses.
To get there from Asahikawa Station, take the Ltd Exp Lilac line to Sapporo Station and then transfer to the Ltd Exp Super Ozoro line going to
Obihiro Station. This part of the journey is covered by your JR Pass and takes four and a half hours. At Obihiro Station, look for the route bus
that goes to the lakeside. The ride takes about an hour and forty minutes.
Day 10 – Explore Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan
Spend a day checking out the snow buildings and houses built on the frozen lake. You can actually enter and see the walls and foundations of these
structures up close, with their pillars, interior design, ceilings, and so on. The exhibition takes place every year from mid-January up until the end of March.
Day 11 – Explore Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan
There is an outdoor bath with hot, high quality onsen waters by the banks of the lake, so take a dip to relax and calm your tired and sore
muscles, while enjoying the gorgeous views of the virgin forests and snowcapped mountains.
Day 12 – Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan to Morioka (Spend 2 nights Morioka)
Iwate Prefecture’s capital city, Morioka, is a beautiful city encircled by mountains and features several rivers.
From Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan, take the bus back to Obihiro Station. From there, with your JR Pass, catch the Ltd Exp Super Tokachi line to
Minami-Chitose Station, and then transfer to the Ltd Exp Super Hokuto line to get to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. At Shin-Hakodate-
Hokuto Station, catch a Shinkansen headed to Morioka Station. The whole journey takes about ten hours.
Night view of Morioka
Iwate Snow Festival
166 - Japan Travel Guide