RtG Islands of Japan 25 Brochure (web) - Flipbook - Page 7
there are plenty of those along
with active volcanoes. After three
days we arrive in the Shiretoko
National Park. The Shiretoko Pass
is regarded as one of Japan’s
most scenic roads and from
the summit there are views of
the Russian-controlled Kuril
Islands to the east. We will have
an early non-driving day on the
peninsula. A nature cruise will be
an attractive option and we are in
peak season to see killer whales,
while brown bears may be visible
on the shore.
Refreshed, we head southwest
towards Obihiro with a passage
control in the Kushiro Wetlands,
home to numerous species of
birds, including the red-crowned
white crane, a traditional symbol
of Japan. Then an international
race circuit is on the agenda
before we overnight on the shores
of Lake Toya, a perfectly round
volcanic lake whose southern
shore is dominated by Mount Uzu
which last erupted in 2000.
Our final night on Hokkaido
is spent in historic Hakodate
before we take the morning
ferry to Honshu after seven
exhilarating days.
Northern Honshu
Days 8 to 13:
Hakodate to Karuizawa
After our 3 hour, 40 minute ferry
crossing, we land in Aomori.
Following a visit to a local
raceway we will tackle a couple of
mountainous regularities on the
way to our hotel. Our first night
on Honshu is spent by Towada-ko,
the main island’s largest crater
lake, and a location renowned for
its peaceful atmosphere.
Heading south and west
towards the Sea of Japan, the
competition will increase as
regularity and test opportunities
abound. One of the highlights
is our run over the Hachimantai
Mountains passing some of the
country’s best rustic hot springs
and volcanic landscapes. Day
10 we will follow the west coast
of Honshu with frequent loops
inland into the hills to tackle
scenic regularities and a kart
track.
On Day 11 we travel down
the central spine of Honshu,
destination Nikko. Nikko is one
of Japan’s major attractions and
a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and is renowned for its stunning
autumn colours and abundant
Buddhist and Shinto shrines and
temples.
Leaving Nikko we head into
the Japanese Alps, destination
Karuizawa, an upmarket
mountain resort noted for its
splendid autumn colours. We will
have a rest day here and some
may be tempted to take the onehour journey on the Bullet Train
into central Tokyo, while others
enjoy the massive, upmarket,
outlet centre in town.
Central Honshu &
The Japanese Alps
Days 14 to 20:
Karuizawa to Kyoto
Leaving Karuizawa we stay
in the Alps and tackle some
excellent regularities on the way
to Nagano. The city will mark
the end of Day 14 and along
the way we expect to cross
Japan’s highest public road near
Yokoteyama, at 2,200 metres,
visit the Snow Monkey Park and
traverse part of the country’s
fabled Romantic Highway.
Heading south of Nagano
we start to see in the distance
Japan’s most iconic image, Mount
Fuji. Fujiyama dominates the
area, and we hope to spend the
night in a splendid hotel close
to its base. Our accommodation
is part of the Fuji Speedway
complex and a morning’s
activities on the various circuits
available to us is planned.
After Fuji we explore the
Izu Peninsula, renowned for its
lush greenery, rugged coastline
beloved of surfers, and numerous
hot springs. We spend the night
overlooking the ocean after a
spectacular day’s driving.
The next morning we head
to Hamamatsu near the Pacific
coast where our lakeside hotel
is built in the style of a ship.
Most of the days route will be on
traffic-free roads in the hills of
Shizuoka Province.
