Located about a 15-minute drive from Memanbetsu Airport, the gateway to Eastern Hokkaido, is the town of Bihoro. Surrounded by areas like Abashiri, Kitami, and Shari Town—home to the World Heritage site of Shiretoko—Bihoro is where you'll find "Pikan Planning," a company offering eco-tours and outdoor programs to enjoy nature to the fullest. 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 for the "snow fairy," the Shimaenaga. Here, we introduce the charm of Bihoro's unique nature experiences, guided by a man who has traveled the world.

A photo taken with the sea of clouds from Mt. Mokoto in the background

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

Mr. Takikawa during his round-the-world trip

Thanks to the kindness he received from people on his travels, he felt, "This time, I want to be the one welcoming travelers." Upon 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 the Bihoro Town Community Development Cooperation Team, which read: "Recruiting guides to utilize the Bihoro region."

Mr. Takikawa, who had been thinking, "I want to put down roots in a community and share the charm of its local nature," immediately applied for the position and was hired. He moved to Bihoro in April 2020 and has since been living there, personally "discovering" the allure of Bihoro's nature with his own eyes.

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

On the Lake Kussharo Wakoto Peninsula SUP Tour

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

For those wondering, "But how is it different from outdoor programs in other areas?" let's dive into the unique appeal of the programs offered by Pikan Planning!

The sea of clouds viewed from the summit of Mt. Mokoto

First up is the Mt. Mokoto Trekking Tour. The main attraction of this eco-tour is undoubtedly 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 "Mt. Mokoto Sea of Clouds & Sunrise Tour," and you might see a magical view like this!

At the 8th station, about a 15-minute descent from the summit, there's a mountain hut where you can stay overnight. It's also recommended to refresh yourself with a drink of spring water called "Ginreisui." When there are few people, they sometimes bring bamboo poles to make nagashi-somen (flowing noodles) using the spring water. This kind of fun is perhaps unique to "70% nature," 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

The "Mt. Mokoto Snow Trekking Tour" held in winter offers a completely different landscape from the summer. 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.

You can fully enjoy the charm of Mt. Mokoto as its expression changes with the seasons, in both summer and winter.

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

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

A magical view from the canoe

You might even see deer from the lake

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

Onsen 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 might have the chance to see the Shimaenaga, also known as the "snow fairy." This bird inhabits all of Hokkaido, but it can be difficult to spot if you're not used to it, making the "Find the Shimaenaga! Bihoro Town Birdwatching Tour" particularly popular.

White-tailed eagle

Kingfisher

You can also frequently encounter woodpeckers like the Black woodpecker and the Great spotted woodpecker, as well as the vibrantly colored White-bellied green pigeon. Peer intently into the forest and try to find these beautiful wild birds.

White-bellied green pigeon

They also offer a "Bihoro Headwaters Mountain Biking Tour."

Mr. Takikawa, who has traveled the world 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 for visiting any nearby area: about 30 minutes by car to Abashiri, where drift ice arrives in winter; about 40 minutes to Akan-Mashu National Park; and about 90 minutes to Shiretoko. You can wake up early to see the sea of clouds at Mt. Mokoto before heading to another area, or you can experience several of Pikan Planning's activities.

It might be difficult to experience everything if your schedule is limited, but be sure to choose the activities that interest you most and share a wonderful time with your family and friends!

Pikan Planning

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

＜DOTO Young Discount × Pikan Planning＞

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

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