Arrive at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido in the morning and pick up your rental car. Your first destination will be the Oji-seishi (Oji Paper Corporation) Chitose Dai-ichi Power Station. This hydroelectric power station was built in 1909 by the Oji Paper Corporation, and uses water from Lake Shikotsu and the Chitose River. Enjoy views of Lake Shikotsu after you explore this important industrial heritage site. Continue to Lake Shikotsu Visitor Center and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the region, as well as the history of Lake Shikotsu as an industrial waterway.

The Oji Light Railway, known as the Yama-sen (“Mountain Line”), was established in the early twentieth century to facilitate the transportation of resources from the Lake Shikotsu area to the mill of the Oji Paper Corporation in the port city of Tomakomai. Explore the history of the area’s modernization at the Keiben-tetsudo (“Light Railway”) Museum and the Yama-sen Bridge, which is the oldest existing steel bridge in Hokkaido. For lunch, there are some restaurants near the visitor center.

In the afternoon, you can enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters of the Chitose River with an experienced guide. The Chitose River is the only river that flows out of Lake Shikotsu, a lake with distinctive blue coloration known as “Shikotsu blue”. The river has abundant aquatic life, such as freshwater shrimp and kokanee. All snorkeling equipment is provided on the tour, which also includes photos of your underwater adventure.

After a day of exploration, go to your hotel around Shikotsu Onsen and unwind with dinner and a visit to the hot springs.

Start your day with a private canoe tour on the Chitose River, where the tranquil waters provide an ideal environment for a gentle adventure. You can opt to have your guide paddle for you, leaving you free to appreciate the verdant surroundings.

Return to Shikotsu Onsen for lunch before traveling to the Jozankei region, northwest of Lake Shikotsu. There are over 200 species of wildflowers in the Jozankei Valley. Take a walking tour with an expert guide to spot birds like the great spotted woodpecker along the forested banks of the valley’s Toyohira River, and learn about the history and culture of the area.

Following the walking tour, check into your hotel in nearby Jozankei Onsen, a hot spring town dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Its waters are rich in sodium chloride and are believed to alleviate skin conditions and minor ailments.

On your final day, explore the Jozankei Valley on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour along the Toyohira River. The gentle current of the river assures stability and safety, making this activity suitable for all experience levels. You can request photos or videos to be taken with GoPro equipment for an additional fee.

Return to the Jozankei Onsen area for lunch, before continuing your journey. Sapporo city center is less than an hour’s drive east and is an ideal base for further adventures.