Japan Winter Discovery

14 days
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From incredible snow sculptures and rare birds in Hokkaido to snow monkeys and cultural treasures on Honshu; this tour demonstrates the myriad attractions of the enchanting winter season on Japan's two largest islands. Take an icebreaker cruise amongst the creaking floes of the Okhotsk Sea and in Yudanaka you'll witness the Japanese macaques as they stave off...
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Overview

Trip type
Operator does not provide
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star

What's this trip about?

    From incredible snow sculptures and rare birds in Hokkaido to snow monkeys and cultural treasures on Honshu; this tour demonstrates the myriad attractions of the enchanting winter season on Japan's two largest islands. Take an icebreaker cruise amongst the creaking floes of the Okhotsk Sea and in Yudanaka you'll witness the Japanese macaques as they stave off the cold in the mountain hot springs. Experience Japan's winter delights, whilst discovering her unique culture, fascinating history and contradictions.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

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Itinerary

Day 1 : Tokyo

On arrival in Tokyo, transfer to your hotel and immerse yourself in the energetic atmosphere of the city. Meet your fellow travellers and Tour Leader (or local guide), and enjoy your first taste of Japanese cuisine. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington (or similar)

Day 2 : Tokyo City Tour

Join a walking tour of Tokyo and visit Yanesen, home to one of the most important Shinto shrines in Tokyo, Nezu-jinja. Wander through the maze-like alleyways of Yanaka and participate in a ‘shodo’ class – a traditional style of calligraphy art. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington (or similar)

Day 3 : Shunka-en

Travel to Shunka-en, home to a 1000-year-old bonsai pine tree. Visit Ueno Park, Tokyo’s most significant cultural centre. Discover Ameyoko-cho, a street market that began as a black market during post-war Tokyo. Finish your day at Tokyo National Museum, Japan's oldest and largest museum. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington (or similar)

Day 4 : Tokyo to Matsumoto

Spend the morning at leisure before taking the train to Matsumoto, a beautiful castle town situated in the Japanese Alps. Hotel: Matsumoto Tokyu Rei (or similar)

Day 5 : Matsumoto

Discover Matsumoto’s highlight attractions including Japan’s largest wasabi grower, Matsumoto City Museum of Art filled with Yayoi Kusama’s work, and Matsumoto castle. Hotel: Matsumoto Tokyu Rei (or similar)

Day 6 : Matsumoto to Yudanaka

Travel by train to Nagano and visit Zenko-ji temple, a 7th century national treasure. Continue to Obuse and visit Hokusai Museum. See snow monkeys frolicking in the natural springs at Yudanaka. Spend a special evening at a ryokan, enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner, soak in the onsite onsen, and sleep on a futon bed in a tatami-floored room. Hotel: Yorozuya Ryokan (or similar)

Day 7 : Yudanaka to Sapporo

Travel by train to Haneda airport and fly to Sapporo. Hotel: Cross Hotel Sapporo (or similar)

Day 8 : Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido is famous for its beer, skiing and the annual snow festival featuring enormous ice sculptures. Spread across three sites, the festival is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a fantasy world of glistening beauty and pure-white fu...

Day 9 : Sapporo

Explore the historic village of Hokkaido, an open-air museum in the suburbs of Sapporo. The museum exhibits approximately 60 typical buildings from all over Hokkaido dating from the Meiji and Taisho Periods. Enjoy free time at the festival. Hotel: Cross Hotel Sapporo (or similar)

Day 10 : Sapporo to Kushiro

Travel by train to Kushiro City to explore the Tancho Crane Reserve. The area was designated as a national park in 1987 in order to preserve the country's largest wetland and marsh habitat, which supports the only known population of endangered Japanese cranes in the country. Hotel: Hotel Ana Crown Plaza Kushiro (or similar)

Day 11 : Kushiro to Lake Akan

Explore Akan National Park filled with large volcanic caldera lakes, thick forest, and rejuvenating onsen. Savour a sumptuous Japanese dinner at your traditional hotel before driving to Ainu Kotan village, home to one of the largest remaining Ainu communities in Hokka...

Day 12 : Abashiri

Board your icebreaker cruise for an unforgettable experience as the ship carves its way through the Sea of Okhotsk, smashing through blocks of drifting sea-ice. Visit the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum to learn the science behind the sea ice and the small animals that inhabit ...

Day 13 : Abashiri to Sapporo

Visit Sounkyo, one of the largest canyons in Japan and see two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the canyon – Ginga No Taki and Ryusei No Taki, which freeze into enormous ice pillars in winter. In Asahikawa city, visit Otokoyama Sake Brewery to learn about the sake ...

Day 14 : Sapporo

Transfer by private taxi to Sapporo Bus Station for your onward journey. Tokyo Sapporo 14 Days

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Dates & Availability

Price From $9,275
Price per day$663
Last Updated: 10/30/2019

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Insider Journeys.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Since 1993 we have been creating experience and culturally focused journeys across 11 destinations in Asia. Hear from our travelers, staff in Asia and learn more about our flexible small group tours and tailor-made vacation programs.

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Trip ID
insider-insider-journeys-44366

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