Coastal Discovery
Mashike Day Trip
We'll visit the wonderful coastal town of Mashike, where we can experience the town's rich history, tied to the Sea of Japan.
Asahikawa City
May ~ Late Oct
09:00~ 8hrs
Have you ever heard of Mashike? It's no surprise if you haven't - this small, coastal town is often overshadowed by nearby Rumoi City. But after this day tour from Asahikawa, you're sure to remember it for the rest of your life!
One thing you will notice about Mashike is how its architecture more closely resembles mainland Japan than the rest of Hokkaido. While much of the rest of Hokkaido was only founded around the beginning of the 20th century, Mashike's history dates back to the start of the 1700s! It was founded as a fishing town, one of its principal industries to this day. Naturally, we will make the most of this by visiting a fish market as soon as we arriv and enjoying "sashimi-don", a rice bowl topped with sashimi of your choice.
After lunch, we will take a little stroll along the town's high street, where you'll be able to appreciate its uniquely Japanese architecture. We'll start with the remains of Mashike Station, where we can learn a little about Mashike's past, before walking past the Sengokugura, an old stone warehouse that is now a museum dedicated to Mashike's fishing history. We'll then drop into Kunimare Sake Brewery - the northernmost sake brewery in Japan! We can learn a little about the brewery's history and how it relates to Mashike and appreciate the old stone warehouse architecture that stands to this day. And, of course, you can expect to taste some sake too!
After visiting the brewery, we will visit an Important Cultural Property of Japan - the home of Maruichi Honma, who founded Kunimare, before we return to Asahikawa.
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Not available on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
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This tour departs from Asahikawa City only. If you are staying elsewhere (e.g. Biei or Furano) please make your way to Asahikawa to participate in this tour.
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Toilet stops between Asahikawa and Mashike are limited. Your Dohoku Local will give you a heads-up when you are about to pass the last toilet for a little while!
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Participants under the age of 20 may not take part in sake tasting.
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We can provide you with rental sun hats and rain ponchos if you do not have your own.
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Mashike's speciality is seafood, meaning this tour may not be well-suited to vegans or vegetarians. Please inform us of your dietary requirements at the time of booking.
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The tour will take place in rain but will be cancelled free of charge in the event of typhoons, thunderstorms or other extreme weather.
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If you are staying in Rumoi and would like to enjoy this tour, please let us know - it is possible to arrange pick-up / drop-off in Rumoi!
Price (Per Group)
¥50,000
*Maximum 3 People. Minimum age 6 y/o.
Included
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Services of your Dohoku Local
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Complimentary bottled water
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Per person entrance fee to Maruichi Honma's house
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Sun hats and or ponchos if needed (please request in advance)
Not Included
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Lunch (pay on the day)
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Any additional drinks or snacks or souvenirs that you may wish to purchase.
*Please make sure you wear comfortable shoes for this tour. Non-cotton socks are also advised to prevent blisters.
Terms & Conditions
We know, it's boring.
But if you'd like to join an experience, there are some particulars.
We appreciate your taking the time to read this before booking!
1. The minimum age for this experience is 6 years and above but your child must be happy to walk fairly long distances without sitting down and walk around museums and attractions without becoming bored. If your child is small enough to be carried, that's no problem! 2. If you are feeling unwell during the tour, please notify your Dohoku Local and we will immediately return to Asahikawa. Refunds cannot be given for experiences terminated partway through by your instruction. 3. This tour cannot take any detours to other cities or towns (e.g. Fukagawa, Rumoi etc). 4. If you require pick-up / drop-off in Rumoi, please inform us at the time of booking. Your Dohoku Local will have to come to you from the Asahikawa area however, so note that a supplementary fee of +10,000yen applies. 5. Bookings are accepted a minimum of 3 days in advance. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings later than this. 6. Please let us know if you have any health or mobility issues that may affect you on this experience. 7. Aggressive or threatening behaviour towards your Dohoku Local or Mashike townspeople will not be tolerated. 8. The participant accepts that they bear responsibility for any accident or injury, except for those caused by negligence or poor behaviour on the part of their Dohoku Local. 9. We reserve the right to cancel the reservation on the spot with no refund given if any of the T&C are breached. 10. Cancellation Policy: Full refund if cancelled by you, the participant, more than 24 hours before the experience. 100% cancellation fee if cancelled within 24 hours of the experience. Unfortunately we do not accept illness or injury as mitigating circumstances. If we have to cancel the experience due to unforeseen circumstances on Dohoku Local's end, a full refund will be given.