Discover the Untouched Beauty of Hokkaido

A Special Journey with HAC and Picchio

The true beauty of Hokkaido lies beyond the cities, in the vast stretches of untouched wilderness that define the island. For travelers who have begun to settle into life in Sapporo during a longer stay, there is a journey worth taking—one that begins just a short distance from the city itself.

Only a few dozen minutes from downtown Sapporo is Okadama Airport, a small but remarkably convenient gateway to the wider landscapes of Hokkaido. From here, a flight with Hokkaido Air System (HAC) carries travelers to eastern Hokkaido in about an hour, opening the door to some of the island’s most extraordinary natural environments.

In winter, eastern Hokkaido becomes a stage for one of nature’s most captivating spectacles. The region draws wildlife photographers from around the world, eager to capture scenes that feel almost timeless. Alongside iconic species such as the elegant Red-crowned Crane and the powerful Steller’s Sea Eagle, travelers may also encounter Ezo deer and red foxes, animals that quietly inhabit Hokkaido’s forests and wetlands.

A Travel Shortcut Next to Sapporo

The Appeal of Okadama Airport

Your journey begins at Okadama Airport, located about 6 kilometers from central Sapporo and reachable in roughly 30 minutes by car or bus.

Unlike New Chitose Airport, which handles large jet aircraft and heavy passenger traffic, Okadama Airport offers a far more relaxed experience. As a compact urban airport, the process from check-in to boarding is surprisingly smooth, allowing travelers to begin their journey without the crowds typically associated with major airports.

A One-Hour Air Network Across Hokkaido

From Okadama Airport, direct flights connect Sapporo with eastern Hokkaido destinations including Kushiro, Memanbetsu, and Nakashibetsu. Operated by Hokkaido Air System (HAC) and JAL, these routes bring travelers to their destination in around one hour or less.

All three routes operate daily, and flights to Kushiro run particularly frequently—three to four times per day, with a travel time of just about 45 minutes.

Traveling by car from Sapporo to eastern Hokkaido can take five to six hours or more, and in a region as vast as Hokkaido, transportation alone can easily consume half a day.

Flying from Okadama Airport dramatically shortens travel time, allowing visitors to spend more of their journey experiencing nature rather than simply reaching it. It is a travel style that makes the most of Hokkaido’s immense landscapes.

A Friendly Local Atmosphere

Okadama Airport also offers a welcoming, local atmosphere. From the observation deck, visitors can watch turboprop aircraft take off and land up close. Inside the terminal, travelers can even sample dishes made with local specialties such as “Sapporo Yellow” onions, offering a small taste of Hokkaido before departure.

A Panorama from the Sky

HAC’s aircraft fly at relatively low altitudes, allowing passengers to enjoy sweeping views of Hokkaido’s dramatic landscapes. On clear days, the Tokachi Mountain Range and Daisetsuzan National Park unfold outside the window, turning the journey itself into part of the adventure.

For ticket reservations and information on other routes, visit the official site:
https://www.info.hac-air.co.jp/en/flydeephokkaido/

The Elegant Lady of the Snowfields

Red-Crowned Crane Watching Tour (Kushiro)

From Okadama Airport near central Sapporo, a 45-minute flight on an HAC local route brings travelers to Kushiro Airport (KUH), the gateway to the vast wetlands of Kushiro Marsh, protected under the Ramsar Convention.

Tour Overview

Known in English as the Red-crowned Crane, this graceful bird is revered in Ainu culture as “Sarurun Kamuy,” the god of the marshlands.

In winter, pairs of cranes call to one another across the snowy plains and perform elegant courtship dances. Against the white landscape, their movements appear almost like a living ink painting—quiet, poetic, and unforgettable.

Eastern Hokkaido in winter offers one of the rare opportunities in the world to observe these birds up close in their natural habitat.

The wetlands are also home to other wildlife such as Ezo deer and red foxes, allowing visitors to witness the diversity of animals that inhabit Hokkaido’s forests and marshlands.

How the Tour Works

The tour includes transportation from hotels in Kushiro City or Kushiro Station, making participation easy even for travelers unfamiliar with winter driving conditions.

Professional guides provide English-language explanations, sharing the remarkable story of how the red-crowned crane recovered from near extinction while also introducing visitors to the ecology of the region.

This experience offers more than beautiful scenery—it provides insight into the natural history and conservation efforts that continue to protect these landscapes.

Tour reservations:
https://shiretoko-picchio.com/en/distinations/red-crowned-crane/

Encounter the Kings of the Drift Ice

Steller’s Sea Eagle & White-tailed Eagle Tour (Shiretoko)

From Okadama Airport near central Sapporo, a 50-minute flight on an HAC route brings travelers to Memanbetsu Airport (MMB), the gateway to the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

Tour Overview

Winter in Shiretoko offers encounters with two of the most powerful birds of prey in the northern hemisphere.

The Steller’s Sea Eagle, with a wingspan exceeding two meters, and the sharp-eyed White-tailed Eagle.

Watching these massive raptors resting on drift ice or soaring across the winter sky is an unforgettable sight. Surrounded by frozen seas, primeval forests, and rugged coastlines, Shiretoko provides a dramatic natural stage found nowhere else in Japan.

If conditions are favorable, visitors may also encounter Ezo deer, red foxes, and other wildlife that form part of Shiretoko’s rich ecosystem.

How the Tour Works

Participants are picked up directly from hotels in the Utoro area.

Traveling with an experienced guide, visitors explore areas where wildlife is likely to appear. Guides carefully select routes according to daily conditions and provide English commentary explaining the behavior and ecology of the animals encountered.

Tour reservations:
https://shiretoko-picchio.com/en/distinations/eagle-and-wildlife-watching-tour/

Supporting Nature Conservation

The tours are operated by Picchio, a pioneering organization dedicated to protecting the boundary between wildlife and human communities.

By participating in these tours, travelers directly contribute to conservation efforts that help protect Shiretoko’s fragile ecosystem. This sustainable approach has gained strong support from environmentally conscious travelers around the world.Beyond these tours, a wide range of seasonal wildlife and nature experiences are available throughout eastern Hokkaido. Each season brings new opportunities to encounter the island’s unique ecosystems. With HAC’s convenient flights from Sapporo, discovering Hokkaido’s natural beauty has never been easier.

Planning Your Journey

From Sapporo to the wilderness of Hokkaido.

With HAC’s local flights departing from Okadama Airport, this journey becomes surprisingly simple.

You could finish work in Sapporo and be watching eagles in Shiretoko the following morning.

Because Okadama Airport sits so close to central Sapporo, travelers can easily combine urban exploration with immersive wilderness experiences within a single itinerary.

For more details on routes and ticket reservations:
https://www.info.hac-air.co.jp/en/flydeephokkaido/

Tour Reservations

To maintain a high-quality small-group experience, reservations must be made by 6:00 PM the day before the tour.

During peak seasons, tours may fill up several weeks in advance, so early booking is recommended once your travel schedule is decided.

What to Wear

Winter in eastern Hokkaido can fall below −10°C (14°F).

Recommended gear:

• High-quality down jacket
• Thermal innerwear
• Thick socks
• Insulated winter boots
• Gloves and a warm hat

Proper winter gear ensures you can comfortably enjoy wildlife observation even in the region’s harsh winter climate.

Wings That Know the Northern Sky

What makes this journey special is not simply the speed of travel or the beauty of the landscapes.

It is the meeting of two perspectives.

The wings of HAC, connecting communities across Hokkaido’s skies.

And the guiding eyes of Picchio, dedicated to understanding wildlife and protecting the delicate balance between humans and nature.

When you board an HAC flight from Okadama Airport and stand on the snowy plains beside a Picchio guide, you are no longer simply a visitor.

You become a witness to the quiet drama of life in the northern winter.

Whether as a highlight of a longer stay in Sapporo or a journey of its own, this experience invites travelers to cross the northern skies and discover a deeper side of Hokkaido.

For ticket reservations and route information:
https://www.info.hac-air.co.jp/en/flydeephokkaido/