Bihoro is a town located about a 15-minute drive from Memanbetsu Airport, the gateway to Eastern Hokkaido (Doto). Surrounded by places like Abashiri, Kitami, and Shari—home to the World Heritage Site of Shiretoko—this town is where "Pikan Planning" offers eco-tours and outdoor programs to fully enjoy nature. Popular activities that bring you closer to the nature of Eastern Hokkaido include sea of clouds trekking, SUP and canoeing on Lake Kussharo, and birdwatching tours to find the "snow fairy," the *shima enaga* (long-tailed tit). Join us as we introduce the unique natural experiences offered in Bihoro, guided by someone who has traveled around the world.

Posing with the sea of clouds seen from Mount Mokoto in the background

Pikan Planning offers activity tours based in Bihoro Town. It was founded in 2023 with the desire to "create tours that value the feeling of connecting with nature." The founder, Akimasa Takikawa, is an experienced mountaineer who began a round-the-world journey at age 23, trekking through mountains across the globe, including Sagarmatha National Park, the Caucasus Mountains, the Tatra Mountains, the Santa Cruz Valley, and the Patagonia region.

Mr. Takikawa during his round-the-world trip

Inspired by the kindness he received from people on his travels, he thought, "Now I want to be the one to welcome travelers." After returning to his hometown of Sapporo, he began working for a company that managed guesthouses and guide services. However, with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, tourism-related businesses came to a halt. It was then that Mr. Takikawa came across a job posting for Bihoro Town's Local Vitalization Cooperator program, seeking someone to become a guide utilizing the region's assets.

Hoping to "put down roots in a community and share the charm of its local nature," Mr. Takikawa immediately applied and was hired. He moved to Bihoro in April 2020 and has been living there ever since, "excavating" the town's natural attractions by seeing them with his own eyes.

So, what exactly is the charm of Bihoro's nature?
Mr. Takikawa explains it using the phrase "70% nature."

On the Lake Kussharo Wakoto Peninsula SUP Tour

Pikan Planning offers activities based in Bihoro. Its main fields are Lake Kussharo, a caldera lake formed when a crater from a volcanic eruption filled with water, and Mount Mokoto, the highest peak among the mountains surrounding the lake. A variety of eco-tours and outdoor programs are available, including trekking, canoeing, SUP, and birdwatching.

But you might be wondering, "How is this different from outdoor programs in other areas?" Let's explore the unique appeal of the programs offered by Pikan Planning!

The sea of clouds viewed from the summit of Mount Mokoto

First up is the Mount Mokoto trekking tour. The main attraction of this eco-tour is, without a doubt, the sea of clouds visible from the summit. A view like this is sure to make you forget all your fatigue!

Wake up early for the "Mount Mokoto Sea of Clouds & Sunrise Tour" and you might witness a magical scene like this!

About a 15-minute walk down from the summit, at the 8th station, there's a mountain hut where you can even stay overnight. It's also recommended to refresh yourself with a drink of spring water called "Ginreisui." When there are few people around, Mr. Takikawa sometimes brings bamboo poles to do *nagashi somen* (flowing noodles) using the spring water. This kind of fun is perhaps unique to a "70% nature" environment, where people can actively engage with their surroundings.

When the trails and trees are buried in snow, it becomes a completely different world from summer.

Furthermore, the "Mount Mokoto Snow Trekking Tour" held in winter offers a completely different landscape. In summer, you walk on maintained trails, but in winter, the paths and low shrubs are buried in snow, which has the advantage of allowing you to walk freely wherever you want to go.

You can fully enjoy the charm of Mount Mokoto as it changes its expression with the seasons, from summer to winter.

Lake Kussharo, fed directly by spring water from the surrounding mountains

Another major field for Bihoro-based Pikan Planning is Lake Kussharo. They offer eco-tours where you can enjoy canoeing and SUP on Lake Kussharo, which is Japan's largest caldera lake and said to be the second largest in the world.

A magical view from the canoe

You might even spot deer from the water

Just riding a canoe or SUP on the beautiful lake allows you to feel at one with nature, but on calm days, you can also visit "Oyakotsu Jigoku," a hot spring at the tip of the Wakoto Peninsula. This spot is inaccessible by land, making it a true "hidden hot spring." Of course, you can soak in the onsen, and sometimes they even make boiled eggs to eat.

Onsen-tamago (soft-boiled eggs) made with the power of nature are exceptionally delicious

Making boiled eggs in a natural hot spring is a rare experience, even at tourist spots. This is another one of the precious experiences unique to Pikan Planning's activities.

Pikan Planning also holds birdwatching tours in both Bihoro Town and on the Wakoto Peninsula. On either tour, you have a chance to see the *shima enaga*, also known as the "snow fairy." Although this bird inhabits all of Hokkaido, it can be difficult to spot if you're not used to looking for it, making the "Find the Shima Enaga! Bihoro Town Birdwatching Tour" particularly popular.

White-tailed eagle

Common kingfisher

You're also likely to encounter woodpeckers like the black woodpecker and the great spotted woodpecker, as well as the Japanese green pigeon, known for its vibrant colors. Focus your eyes in the forest and try to find these beautiful wild birds.

Japanese green pigeon

They also offer a "Mountain Bike Tour to the Headwaters of Bihoro."

Mr. Takikawa, who has experienced a round-the-world trip himself, says, "Eco-tours and outdoor programs might seem expensive at around 10,000 yen for a 2-3 hour trip, but I believe that 'experiences' like travel and activities become irreplaceable."

Bihoro Town is conveniently located, about a 30-minute drive to Abashiri where drift ice arrives in winter, a 40-minute drive to Akan-Mashu National Park, and a 90-minute drive to Shiretoko. You can wake up early to see the sea of clouds on Mount Mokoto and then head to another area, or you can try out several of Pikan Planning's activities.

It might be difficult to experience everything if your schedule is tight, but we hope you'll choose the activities that interest you and share a wonderful time with your family and friends!

Pikan Planning

■Price: Half-day tour from ¥8,000 / Full-day tour from ¥12,000
*Prices vary depending on the tour.
Click here for details on "Pikan Planning"

■Pikan Planning's Special Offer: 25% off the tour participation fee (applies to groups of 3-5 people per tour).

For more details on the "DOTO Youth Discount," please see this feature page.