6 Days Hokkaido’s Floral Symphony Tour by UME Travel – Reviews & Prices

Hokkaido’s appeal is its variety: one day you’re walking beside Otaru’s old canal, the next you’re among Furano’s flower fields, and later you’re looking across volcanic lakes. This six-day route links the island’s headline sights by private vehicle, with an English-speaking guide for sightseeing days.

I like the contrast between flower country and coastal scenery, and the ease of having a driver and guide handle the long distances. I also like the planned stops at Hokkaido Jingu and Shiroi Koibito Park, which add local culture to the outdoor highlights. The main consideration is timing: the flowers are best from June to August, and several days involve substantial time on the road.

Key points before you book

• June to August is flower season: Shikisai-no-oka and Farm Tomita are at their most relevant when flowers are in bloom. Ask how the schedule changes if you travel in another month.
• Sightseeing days are private: UME Travel says you have a private guide and driver from days two through five, rather than sharing the tour with other customers.
• The route covers a lot of ground: Otaru, Cape Kamui, Furano, Asahikawa, Lake Toya, and Lake Shikotsu make for full days in the vehicle.
• Breakfast is included: Other meals are not listed as included, though vegetarian, vegan, and halal food options can be requested.
• The displayed price assumes at least two people: Solo travelers pay a single supplement, which can make the per-person cost much higher.

A six-day sampler with a lot of road in it

This tour is built for variety, not for lingering in one town. You start and finish in Sapporo, with a night in Furano between two stretches based in the city. A private, air-conditioned vehicle makes the distances easier to manage, and the guide joins you for sightseeing on days two through five.

That format is useful in Hokkaido, where major sights are spread far apart. You can cover more ground than you likely would by relying on public transport, but you’ll also spend a fair share of each day in the vehicle. If your ideal holiday means slow mornings, long café stops, and plenty of unscheduled time, this plan may feel packed.

The tour is described in some places as a group tour, but UME Travel’s answers to booking questions clarify that this itinerary is operated privately. You won’t join a group of strangers or share your room. The stated group size of two to ten is best understood alongside that clarification: confirm the exact arrangements for your dates before paying.

Day 1: Sapporo arrival and a quiet start

A private car meets you at Sapporo’s airport and takes you to HOTEL MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park, or a similar hotel. The first day has no sightseeing scheduled, which is a sensible choice after an international journey or a domestic connection.

The hotel is described as centrally located, with restaurants and transport nearby. That should make it easier to find dinner or take a short walk without turning arrival day into another excursion. Your room is based on two people sharing; solo occupancy requires a supplement.

Day 2: Shrine, chocolate, canal, and Cape Kamui

The day begins at Hokkaido Jingu, a Shinto shrine set among trees and quiet grounds. It was established in 1964 and is associated with four deities. The calm setting is a useful counterpoint to the more commercial stops ahead, and you may spot Ezo squirrels in the grounds.

Next comes Shiroi Koibito Park, centered on Hokkaido’s well-known biscuit and chocolate. You can learn about chocolate’s past and see how the biscuits are made. It’s a playful stop, though visitors looking for an entirely traditional experience may find it more themed attraction than local institution.

Otaru Canal brings a different mood. Brick buildings line the historic waterway, once part of the port’s transport network. A walk here offers a glimpse of the city’s maritime past, with time to take in the old warehouses and waterside setting.

The day continues to the Shakotan Peninsula and Cape Kamui. A roughly 20-minute walk leads out toward views over the Sea of Japan, with the coastline’s blue water a major draw. The path and open headland make this the day’s most physically active stop, so bring shoes you’re comfortable walking in. The scenery depends on conditions, and a windy or wet day can change the feel of the walk.

This is a broad day, combining Sapporo, Otaru, and the peninsula. Private transport is a real advantage here, but expect time in the car between stops.

Day 3: Furano’s flower fields and Biei’s hills

Day three shifts inland to the rolling agricultural country around Biei and Furano. Patchwork Road is named for the changing colors of fields and crops across the hills. The plan mentions cycling or driving as ways to explore, but cycling is optional, not stated as an included activity. Ask your operator what the day’s transport and stops will look like.

At Hokusei-no-oka Observatory Park, a pyramid-shaped viewing platform looks toward the Taisetsu mountain range. Lavender and sunflowers are among the flowers associated with the park. Shikisai-no-oka is larger, with more than 30 flower varieties across a broad garden, including lavender, cosmos, lupine, and sunflowers.

Farm Tomita adds another flower stop, with around 100 species, including lavender, poppies, gypsophila, and red salvia. The displays change with the season, so don’t expect every variety to be in bloom at once. June through August is the recommended period for this itinerary; if you travel outside those months, ask what will replace or change.

The day ends at Ningle Terrace, a small collection of wooden shops in a forest setting. The 17 houses sell handmade items such as wood and paper crafts, glassware, and candles. Evening lighting gives the stop a different feel from the daytime gardens, though shopping here is optional and any purchases are extra.

You stay overnight at Furano Natulux Hotel or a similar property. This overnight stop is practical: it breaks up the route rather than sending you back to Sapporo after a full day among the fields.

Day 4: Asahiyama Zoo, Blue Pond, and Shirahige Falls

Asahiyama Zoo is the centerpiece of the day. Its polar bears, wolves, big cats, and apes offer plenty to see, while the glass tunnel gives you a view of penguins swimming underwater. The zoo is a popular family stop, but it takes a full day to combine it with the other sights on the schedule.

After the zoo, the route heads to Shirogane Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls. The pond is known for its unusual blue appearance, while Shirahige Falls adds a waterfall stop to the day. These sights are in the Biei area, so the combination with Asahiyama Zoo means another long outing from Sapporo.

The tour description places you back in Sapporo for the night. Since no visit durations or exact driving times are provided, ask UME Travel how much time is planned at the zoo and at each natural stop. That detail matters if you want a relaxed zoo visit rather than a quick look between drives.

Day 5: Cape Chikyu, volcanic country, and two lakes

Cape Chikyu opens the day with coastal views and a walk around the headland. The route then turns toward Mt. Showa Shinzan, an active volcano formed after an eruption of Mt. Usu. Its distinctive red volcanic slopes and visible volcanic activity make this a striking change from the flower gardens and city stops.

At Sairo Observation Deck, you can look over Lake Toya and Nakajima. The deck also has a souvenir corner with local sweets, including yogurt and limited-edition pudding. Treat the tasting and shopping as optional extras, not part of the included meals.

The day ends at Lake Shikotsu, known for clear water and its setting among mountains. It is described as Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake. The plan offers a quieter finish after the volcano and observation deck, though the route again covers a wide area. Cape Chikyu and the Lake Toya area are not close to central Sapporo, so the private vehicle is central to making this itinerary possible.

Day 6: Airport transfer and departure

Your last morning is free, then a driver takes you to the airport. The first and final days are transfer days rather than guided sightseeing days. If you have a late flight, ask whether the hotel checkout and transfer time leave room for anything else; no additional activity is specified.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The advertised starting price is from $3,180 per person, based on the cheapest room and at least two people sharing. The price includes five nights of accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, a private vehicle, and an English-speaking guide for sightseeing days. Basic insurance is also included, and the tour information says tickets and internal transport mentioned in the plan are covered.

International flights are not included. Only breakfast is clearly listed as included in the daily meal plan, so budget separately for lunch and dinner. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal options can be requested; let the operator know your preference in advance.

This is not a low-cost way to see Hokkaido. Its value comes from private transport, a guide, hotel arrangements, and the ability to connect distant sights without planning each leg yourself. If you’re comfortable using trains and buses and want more time in fewer places, you may get better value by planning independently. If you value convenience and want a guided overview, the higher price can make sense.

Solo travelers should pay close attention to the pricing. UME Travel states that the displayed rate is based on at least two people, and a solo traveler pays a single supplement. The exact total depends on the date and room arrangement, so request a full quote before booking.

The guide and hotel experience

An English-speaking local guide and private driver are provided for days two through five. One guest specifically praised a guide named Jenny for her conversations and help understanding the area. Jenny is not guaranteed for every departure, so think of her as an example of the personal service the tour can offer, not a promised assignment.

The two short reviews available give high marks to the guide, transport, itinerary, accommodation, and food. One guest described the schedule as flexible enough to see a lot without feeling rushed all the time, and valued having both guided visits and some time to explore independently. Another praised the professionalism of the guide and driver and found the hotels well chosen. Those comments point to the tour’s strongest reported qualities: thoughtful routing, comfortable transport, and attentive service.

Accommodation is listed as four-star, with HOTEL MYSTAYS Premier Sapporo Park or a similar hotel in Sapporo, and Furano Natulux Hotel or similar in Furano. The room is private for your booking, not shared with other customers. Exact hotels may vary, so check the final confirmation for property names and room arrangements.

Who will get the most from this Hokkaido trip?

This tour suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Hokkaido without handling the driving and logistics themselves. Families may appreciate the zoo and the relatively light activity rating, while couples or friends can balance gardens, coastal walks, local shops, and scenic viewpoints.

It is a particularly good fit if you’re traveling between June and August for the flower displays. Outside those months, the itinerary may need changes because some floral stops are seasonal. For example, the operator says a winter visit may be adjusted to include a Noboribetsu Onsen day instead. Confirm the exact plan for your dates rather than assuming the summer route runs unchanged year-round.

This is not the best match if you want a small group experience with new companions, despite the tour’s group-tour label in some descriptions. It is presented as a private trip, and the cost reflects that. Nor is it ideal if you dislike long drives or prefer to spend several nights in each place.

Should you book the Hokkaido Floral Symphony Tour?

Book it if you want a private, guided introduction to Hokkaido’s flowers, coast, wildlife, and volcanic scenery, and you’re happy to pay for the convenience of a driver and arranged hotels. The combination of Otaru, Cape Kamui, Furano, Asahiyama Zoo, and the lakes gives you a varied first visit.

Before you commit, confirm the exact price for your party, hotel names, meal coverage, and seasonal substitutions. If your dates fall outside June to August, ask which flower stops will still be worthwhile. Those answers will tell you whether this packed, private route matches your budget and the kind of Hokkaido trip you want.

FAQ

Is this a group tour or a private tour?

UME Travel describes this itinerary as a private tour, with a private guide and driver for sightseeing on days two through five. You do not share the tour or your room with other customers.

When is the best time to take the tour?

June through August is recommended for the flower displays in Sapporo and nearby areas. The itinerary may need to change outside those months, and a winter version may include a Noboribetsu Onsen day instead.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included at the hotels. Lunch and dinner are not listed as included. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal food options can be requested.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes. A private car transfers you between the airport and your Sapporo hotel on arrival and departure days.

Is a private room included?

The tour provides accommodation based on two people sharing a room. UME Travel says bookings have their own room and bathroom, not a room shared with other tour customers. Solo travelers pay a single supplement.

How much walking is involved?

The tour is rated low intensity, but there are walks at places such as Cape Kamui and Cape Chikyu, as well as sightseeing on foot at the gardens, zoo, and other stops. Cape Kamui includes a roughly 20-minute walk to the viewpoint.

Are international flights included in the price?

No. International flights are not included. The tour price covers the listed accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, guided sightseeing, and transport described in the package.