Daisetsuzan National Park and Kurodake Ropeway Autumn Tour
Description
Escape the city and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Hokkaido’s autumn season on this full-day tour from Sapporo. Travel comfortably by coach to the heart of Daisetsuzan National Park, home to some of Japan’s earliest and most vibrant fall foliage. Known as one of the earliest spots in Japan to welcome the autumn season, this tour takes you to five breathtaking locations where fall colors paint the landscape in brilliant shades of gold, crimson, and amber. Ride the scenic Kurodake Ropeway for a bird’s-eye view of golden valleys and colorful mountainsides. Walk through peaceful river gorges, marvel at dramatic canyons framed by fiery leaves, and relax beside a quiet mountain lake mirrored with autumn hues. At the twin waterfalls of Ginga and Ryusei, witness the mesmerizing contrast of white water flowing through a forest ablaze with color.
Tour Options
Itinerary
After meeting your friendly tour conductor, you’ll board a comfortable coach and begin your 3-hour journey deep into the heart of Hokkaido's stunning Daisetsuzan region. Your first destination is Mt. Kurodake, one of the most iconic peaks in the Daisetsuzan mountain range. Here, you’ll take the Kurodake Ropeway for a sweeping aerial view of the colorful tapestry below. As you glide up the mountain, you'll be surrounded by a sea of vibrant foliage—yellow birch, fiery maple, and golden larch trees blanketing the slopes in all directions. From the observation deck, the panoramic vistas stretch across rugged valleys and peaks, offering one of the most unforgettable views of Hokkaido’s fall season. (Best viewed mid-September to early October) Since lunch is not included, please be sure to prepare your own meal in advance before coming to the meeting place.
Next, you’ll stroll through the serene Sounkyo Gorge Garden, a peaceful riverside area perfect for enjoying the crisp mountain air and reflective beauty of the season. The quiet trails are lined with deciduous trees that burst into shades of deep orange and ruby red, with the majestic cliffs of the gorge rising dramatically on either side. This lesser-known gem offers a more intimate encounter with nature’s transformation. (Best viewed late September to late October)
At Sounkyo Obako, the foliage takes on a dramatic tone as jagged rock formations rise above the colorful trees below. The gorge, carved over centuries by the Ishikari River, becomes an autumn masterpiece during the fall season. This area is especially popular among photographers for its raw natural beauty and the interplay of light and shadow on the stone walls and foliage. (Best viewed late September to late October)
Taisetsu Lake, a scenic reservoir nestled between the mountains, is your next stop. Here, the surrounding forest glows in the autumn sun, and the calm waters reflect the brilliant colors like a mirror. The combination of open sky, crisp air, and pristine natural beauty makes this an ideal spot for a short walk or simply a peaceful moment of reflection. (Best viewed mid-September to early October)
Your final stop is at the famous twin waterfalls of Ginga (Milky Way) and Ryusei (Shooting Star). Set against the backdrop of towering cliffs and vibrant foliage, these cascading falls offer one of the most picturesque autumn views in the region. The sight of white water streaming through a fiery forest is nothing short of magical, and the sound of rushing water adds to the immersive natural experience. (Best viewed mid-September to mid-October) After a full day immersed in the beauty of Japan’s northern wilderness, your bus returns to Sapporo Station around 17:30.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is operated for both Japanese and foreign customers. A Japanese tour conductor will accompany the group and provide key information using a translation app. Please note that the tour conductor is not a tour guide and will focus on sharing essential information during the tour.
- Infant (0-2 years old) are free of charge with no arrangement. Child (3-5 years old) rates apply, only bus seat is included
- Lunch is not included on this tour. Please prepare your own meal in advance or purchase food at a service area during the trip. You may eat on the bus or during your free time while exploring Mt. Kurodake.
- The best time to view autumn leaves varies depending on the weather and temperature of the season. The tour schedule is based on the condition of the autumn leaves in the past years. However, there are some cases where you are not able to enjoy the scenery as in the photo. Please note there will be no refund regardless of the conditions of the autumn leaves. If the conditions of the autumn leaves are poor, visiting times may be shortened. If access is closed, the activity will be skipped.
- Regarding the Kurodake Ropeway: Service may be suspended due to inclement weather or other conditions. In case of suspension, we will guide you to an alternative sightseeing spot Sounkyo Mt. Daisetsu Photo Museum (admission required), and the ropeway fare included in the tour price will be refunded (the refund amount will be the ropeway fare minus the admission fee of the substitute facility). Please note that the alternative destination is subject to change.
- This tour includes outdoor sightseeing. Please wear comfortable shoes such as sneakers that you are used to walking in, as some areas may have uneven paths. We also recommend bringing rain gear in case of bad weather and a backpack.
- The order of the itinerary is subject to change. Delays or omissions made to the itinerary due to circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator are not subject to a refund
- Delays due to transportation issues or non-participation will be subject to cancellation fees. The tour will depart at the time indicated.
- Operated by Club Tourism, a leading Japanese travel company with over 70 years of experience, this high-quality tour offers a safe and reliable travel experience in Japan. Accompanied by a tour leader known for excellent hospitality, it has received high praise from travelers of many nationalities. The tour is conducted in Japanese, but many non-Japanese speakers join comfortably, making it suitable even for first-time visitors.
- Not recommended for travelers with leg problems as this tour includes a lot of walking.
Reviews(2)
Never buy from Viator. They cancelled the tram ride with no refund. Went to only 2 of 4 stops. No translation. Total rip off
Thank you for your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. The Kurodake Ropeway was suspended due to inclement weather, which is clearly stated as a possibility in both the Important Information section of the tour listing and on the ticket. In such cases, the tour includes a visit to an alternative sightseeing spot (Sounkyo Mt. Daisetsu Photo Museum), and the difference in admission fees is refunded. This policy was followed, and we have received confirmation from Viator that a partial refund has already been processed. The tour visited Sounkyo Gorge, Obako, and Ginga & Ryusei Falls as scheduled. At Taisetsu Lake, the bus stopped at the parking area, but due to poor weather and dense foliage, no participants chose to disembark. Regarding language support, as noted in the tour description, our tours are conducted in Japanese and led by a local tour conductor, not a guide. The conductor used a translation app to provide essential information to non-Japanese-speaking guests, which was done on this tour. As for the autumn foliage, we sincerely apologize if the scenery did not meet your expectations. We do our best to plan the tour schedule based on the typical peak periods from past years, but as this is a natural phenomenon, the timing can vary depending on the weather and temperature each season. Unfortunately, there may be cases where the scenery differs from the photos. In such cases, no refund is provided, and if conditions are poor, visiting times may be shortened or skipped. This is also explained in the Important Information section. We understand that weather-related changes and natural variations can be disappointing, especially when traveling from abroad, and we are truly sorry for any frustration caused. The tour was operated in accordance with the stated terms, and we appreciate your understanding. We hope you were still able to enjoy some of Hokkaido’s natural beauty.
Spectacular view of the national park at the observatory point with active crater showing smoke. An observatory office explaining the national park and the surroundings is definitely worth a visit
Thank you very much for your great review. We are pleased to know that you could enjoy our tour! We have wide varieties of tours in each seasons, so it would be appreciated that you could check our website at time, and we wish to see you again in Japan. Sincerely,
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