Travellers to Japan rarely venture out of its cities. Kyoto, Hiroshima and Tokyo may well have a wealth of historic and cultural sights, but do take some time to visit the other side of Japan - rural Japan and in particular Hokkaido.
I stayed in the Akan-ko national park in North-Eastern Hokkaido. There are plenty of hiking opportunities. The lakes are beautiful, especially Oneto ko near Akan-ko.
You must not leave without the sublime experience of soaking in an outdoor onsen (geothermal pool). Stay warm and toasty in the onsen even in the cooler months while you enjoy the view of Hokkaido's mountains.
Also not to be missed while you are in the area is a bowl of rice topped with crab, uni (sea urchin roe) and salmon roe fresh out of the sea of Okhotsk - every town on Hokkaido's north and eastern coasts will have several little cafes serving this.

Air - fly from Tokyo (Haneda) to Kushiro (1 hr 20 mins), rent a car here and drive out to Akan-ko national park (about 70km) - easy pleasant drive.
Rail - Train from Ueno (Tokyo) to Sapporo (9 hours), change here and catch a train to Kushiro (4 hours), change here and take a train to Kawayu onsen (2 hours). Kawayu onsen is in the heart of the Akan-ko national park.
Google map: bit.ly/auoBut
en.visit-hokkaido.jp/

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