+81-80-9611-9635
info@yourtravelhokkaido.com
+81-80-9611-9635
info@yourtravelhokkaido.com
Traveling is one of those things that can throw up a ton of questions, make you a little nervous, and leave you wondering what’s right for you. If you’re in the place where you’re worryied about choosing a trip, wondering about activity levels or concerned about visas or insurance, this is the spot to read through.
For questions regarding payment options, please refer to our payment page for further information.
For questions regarding legalities and technicalities, please refer to our terms and conditions.
All kinds of people! Anyone who is looking to get off the beaten track when they travel in Hokkaido. Except for the ALP and BTC study abroad programs, we don’t have an upper age limit and we welcome any travelers who have a sense of adventure and exploration. In our trip or tour information you can read about the specific activities or required fitness level for days or packages, but as you take a look around our site we hope you’ll realise that there’s something for everyone.
Although there is some overlap, we offer 4 different kinds of tours to suit budgets and aims of travel.
Shoestring tours are aimed at travelers who are on a budget, backpackers and those wanting to see Hokkaido as cheaply as possible.
Nomad tours have a little bit of overlap, but because they include adventure and cultural activities, there are times where the price jumps above budget level. But these tours are recommended for those really wanting to get out and about in Hokkaido through the great outdoors, meeting local people, or learning through Japanese culture.
Study abroad options are for those looking to study Japanese whilst traveling.
Discovery tours are more focused at those coming with a family or group, but still wanting to meet new people and have a bit of an adventure.
Yes! Please check the minimum age requirement for different tours and activities. Some of our travel plans are specifically designed for families, whilst others have 15+ or 18+ age restrictions.
We believe that the best trips give you the chance to meet new people as you travel and make your way through communities and local places and restaurants without huge groups of people. For this reason, we cap our maximum travel group at 20 people, with an average of 10. If you are looking for a private tour for your own party it’s also possible to reserve this – but we encourage solo travelers or very small groups to join with a larger group and enjoy the experience!
Of course! One of the things we love most about Travel Hokkaido is that it enables solo-travelers or small groups to travel together easily and have a great experience.
Yes. Wherever possible we try to make our travel packages as accessible as possible, although we ask for your flexibility regarding particular activities or changes to schedules. Please contact us directly if you are in any doubts and let us know as much information as possible. Wherever we can, we will work with you to make your travel hopes come true.
Wherever possible, we will try and make arrangements for you in advance. Please let us know your specific hopes as soon as you book a tour, and then we’ll do our best to ensure that you can a suitable option available. In some particular rural areas we also ask for your flexibility – for instance, if you require halal food, it might be that we have to substite for a vegetarian option instead. If you have allegies, please let us know as much detail as possible.
Yes. We ask that all Travel Hokkaido travelers have their own travel insurance policy and that this is valid to cover all activities included on the trip itinerary. At a minimum, we suggest that your travel insurance should be ‘comprehensive’, providing cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum coverage of 200,000USD. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
There are many ways to come to Japan, and Travel Hokkaido will support you in every way possible as we are able. The following information is a summary of details found on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website, and you are also advised to check out the MOFA website for up to date guidance.
In many cases, travelers do not require a visa to come to Japan under what is called the visa waiver program.
If your country has a visa waiver arrangement with Japan, the longest you can stay without a special visa is 180 days out of a year in two 90 days segments.
When you arrive in Japan, Immigration will check your passport and visa status, and will normally give you a 90-day landing permit
Travelers from the following countries do not need a visa for entry to Japan, and so can easily participate in any tours through Travel Hokkaido (Information valid as of January 2018. Please see the MOFA website for up to date information)
Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia (15 days or less. For stays of longer than 15 days, please apply for a tourist visa)
Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan (90 days or less)
Canada, United States (90 days or less)
Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Surinam, Uruguay (90 days or less)
Mexico (6 months or less)
Australia, New Zealand (90 days or less)
Israel, Turkey (90 days or less)
Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (former Yugoslavia), Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden (90 days or less)
Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, United Kingdom (6 months or less)
Lesotho, Mauritius, Tunisia (90 days or less)
It is possible, if your period of stay is of 90 days or less, to leave Japan once, return and be issued with a new visa waiver. It is legal to leave Japan once before your visa waiver expires and then return to Japan, receiving a second 3-month visa waiver, as long as your purpose in Japan is for sightseeing, traveling or a study abroad option.
However, in these situations you may be selected for extra questioning by immigration and be required to present additional information to prove you are not committing crime, working illegally in Japan or overstaying. If you answer these questions honestly then you should have no problems. However, in the occasion that you are refused entry, Travel Hokkaido cannot be responsible for additional charges or costs incurred, so please check with your own Japanese embassy if you have any other questions at all.
Travelers coming to learn Japanese from countries not listed above can apply for a tourist or short-stay visa from the Japanese Embassy in their home country. Travel Hokkaido can provide a letter of invitation and full tour documentation to assist with the application process. However, we are unable to become guarantors. It is generally not possible to receive a tourist visa for periods of longer than 3 months, and we recommend applying to your embassy as early as possible, as in some cases the application process can take some time.
Working Holidays Visas are available for a limited number of countries. Working Holiday is a one-year visa designed to give young adults the chance to experience life in Japan. It gives them the right to study or work, as long as the job itself is not seen as the main purpose of their stay. The visa is only open to people up to 30 years old (or 35 in some countries), and you have to be able to show proof of minimum funds – usually about 2000 USD – as well as the money to buy a plane ticket back to your home country. If you need more information, ask the Japanese Embassy in your country, as application procedures vary. You can also check out our guidebook for working holiday travelers HERE.
You are responsible for applying for and ensuring your own visa is valid before you travel, however we are happy to help with support if you require this.
