Winter Landscapes of Japan

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 - Kyoto

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Day 2 - Kyoto

Surrounded on three sides by snow-covered mountains, Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital. Hidden within its maze of winding old streets is a collection of some 1,500 religious temples and shrines, geisha scurrying to tea ceremonies, and dinky bars serving steaming bowls of ramen. Our tour takes us to Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, and Ryoanji Temple. We’ll also stroll over to the Nishiki Market; a long, narrow street lined by more than 100 shops and restaurants. Known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’, the stalls all specialize in food that is typical to Kyoto, like dried seafood, sushi, pickles, and sweets.

Day 3 - Nagano - Yudanaka

Japan holds a world record that impresses train spotters and speed addicts alike. Some of the world’s fastest trains whizz through the countryside at speeds of 198mph and today, you’ll experience this engineering marvel for yourself. Step aboard for our journey from Kyoto to Nagoya, from where we’ll connect to Nagano. On arrival, we’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour that takes in the Zenkoji Temple, one of the most important and popular temples in Japan. You’ll have some free time for lunch; Nakamise is one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, where you can find traditional snacks and souvenirs. Our final stop of the day is Yudanaka where we check into our hotel; a traditional Japanese Ryokan surrounded by spectacular - and often snow-covered - mountain scenery. Known as the world’s oldest hotels, some inns have been around since the 7th century when they were built for nomadic samurai traders. Think rice-straw tatami matting flooring, low tables, and fusuma screens as doors. This promises to be a very special experience.

Day 4 - Yudanaka - Tokyo

When you think of snow holidays, you wouldn't necessarily think of Japan - but today, we’ll appreciate glorious snowy landscapes as we take a walk to the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) live, completely unrestricted by fences. Keep your camera at the ready to snap away at families of monkeys warming up in hot springs. Late morning, we depart for the neon lights and skyscrapers of Tokyo.

Day 5 - Tokyo

Arriving in Tokyo is undoubtedly a surreal experience. This is a city that is always on the move; it dazzles with shiny new things, whilst keeping one foot firmly rooted in its traditions and culture. We’ll spend the whole day today learning all about this fascinating city. We’ll take in the Tokyo National Museum and colorful Ameyoko Shopping Street and enjoy a short walking tour of Yanaka; one of the few districts in Tokyo that still holds the city’s traditional rustic charm. We’ll also take in the view of the whole city from the top of the Skytree, a 634m-tall communications tower (and one of the world’s tallest structures).

Day 6 - Tokyo

Today is free for you to explore Tokyo, with many sights to choose from and innumerable shrines to find, including the exquisite Senso-ji Temple. There are also several excellent theatres, including the historic Kabuzi-za, where you may see a traditional, highly skilled Kabuki performance. For a different experience that will leave you in no doubt that you’re in Tokyo, head to the intersection in front of Shibuya Station, famously known for the scramble of hundreds of pedestrians simultaneously crossing the road in all directions. Or for a moment away from the city bustle, Ueno Park is the city’s largest green space.

Day 7 - Hakodate

We take the bullet train once again today - this time up to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, traveling to Hakodate. Once we arrive and settle in at our hotel, we will spend some time at leisure until this evening, when we ascend Mount Hakodate by coach. The views from here are simply incredible - especially at night when the city lights stretch for miles in front of you.

Day 8 - Hakodate

We have a busy morning ahead of us today and we’ll start it off with some early morning seafood at the renowned Hakodate morning market. Here, 300 stalls prepare and serve all manner of fresh fish dishes; giant squid flattened into pancakes, crab grilling over hot coals, and dried scallops al to the sound of the sing-song call of vendors. We ascend Goryokaku Tower for fabulous views across the city, and head to the Bay Area, where red brick warehouses stand as symbols of the shipping industry that thrived here as Japan opened up to international commerce. We’ll also visit Motomachi, an area that also flourished with the influx of trade and the influence of Western culture is apparent in the old consulate buildings and pretty, foreign churches.

Day 9 - Hakodate - Sapporo

Our day starts with a visit to Onuma Quasi-National Park, a beautiful area that includes serene lakes marked by small islands and the majestic snow-smothered dormant volcano, Mount Komagatake. We also visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley), a small town surrounded by countless onsen (hot springs), before arriving in Sapporo. After checking into our hotel, we’ll head out to explore the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. This festival of flickering lights and glowing snow statues lights up the port town every winter; the canal is particularly charming, dotted with lanterns along its whole length.

Day 10 - Sapporo

The Sapporo Snow Festival is the most famous of the Japanese winter festivals. It started in 1950 with just six statues carved from snow by school students. Today it is an incredible display of around 250 imaginative snow and ice sculptures of giant proportions illuminated by candles and coloured bulbs. Wander the collection and watch some of the works in progress, enjoy a local tipple at the ice bar, and perhaps even glide down the giant snow slide. A true highlight of our winter wonderland Japan holidays, it's a day you won’t soon forget.

Day 11 - Sapporo

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Please note: Exact itineraries may vary slightly depending on the departure date - your full itinerary will be shown on your confirmation invoice.

Book by 31 March 2025 & Save 15%

Departing on 27 January 2026 from Kyoto, Japan

• Twin Share from $8,263 $7,024 per person*
• Single from $10,714 $9,107 per person *

Call our team today to find out more on 1300 414 198. O​ur team can also assist with booking International flights and accommodation as part of your overall travel plans.

• Kyoto Hotel Okura
• Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku, Yudanaka
• Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo
• La Vista Hakodate Bay
• Sapporo Stream Hotel 

Important Notes

This tour includes many must-see destinations and typical days have early starts and early evening arrivals at hotels. The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival isn't guaranteed, as the dates are confirmed just a few months prior and may not coincide with your departure. Should this excursion be unavailable, you'll visit the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival.

This tour has been classified as: Level 2 - a moderately paced holiday with more days that are longer and excursions may require moderate walking at a steady pace. You might be required to walk further distances, including over mixed terrain and up and down stairs.