Sapporo Snow Festival & Japan Winter Highlights
13 days from Tokyo to Sapporo
From $ 5299
Duration13 days

This 13-day trip brings together two Japanese islands to create one unforgettable experience that covers some of the major winter events this country has to offer. From the famous onsen hot springs throughout Japan that make the country so inviting in winter, to the free time to discover new and historical districts in Tokyo and Kyoto, to the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival in Hokkaido, this tour is the best answer for anyone looking for a different sort of adventure.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 13 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Tokyo
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Sapporo
    Ages: 12+
Sapporo Snow Festival & Japan Winter Highlights - Tour Map

Itinerary

Expand all
Day 1: Tokyo
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Tokyo
Enjoy a morning tour of some of the city's highlights. With a free afternoon, opt to explore more of Tokyo's diverse districts.
Day 3: Tokyo/Shirakawa-go

Start place: Tokyo

It's a long travel day to reach the scenic village of Shirakawa-go. View the unique architecture before settling into a local style inn for the night. Enjoy a traditional dinner. Traditional dinner at the farmhouse.

End place: Shirakawa-murayakuba

Meals: D
Day 4: Shirakawa-go/Kanazawa

Start place: Shirakawa-murayakuba

Enjoy a traditional breakfast before travelling to Kanazawa by bus. Wander through the samurai village on a short guided walk and take a guided tour of the Ninja Temple. Opt to visit the impressive 21st Century Museum, the geisha district, or Kenrokuen garden.

End place: Kanazawa

Meals: B
Day 5: Kanazawa/Kawayu Onsen

Start place: Kanazawa

It's a long, but scenic, travel day to reach the Wakayama prefecture. Kawayu Onsen is known for its large, outdoor onsen bath dug every winter into the river bed.

Dress in the yukata (cotton kimono) provided by the inn and stroll over to the seninburo (large public hot spring) to enjoy an unforgettable soak in the steamy natural hot spring water.
Travel to Kawayu Onsen in the Kii mountains and settle into the traditional inn for the evening. Visit the seninburo onsen, dug into the riverbed, and soak in the natural hot spring. Savour a traditional dinner at the inn.
Meals: D
Day 6: Kawayu Onsen/Osaka
Spend a free morning in the area. Opt to walk along the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail or visit the Hongu Taisha Shrine and giant torii gate of Oyu No Hara. Travel to Osaka in the late afternoon and opt for a night out in buzzing Namba. Traditional breakfast at the minshuku.

End place: Osaka

Meals: B
Day 7: Osaka

Start place: Osaka

Osaka has heaps to offer including Osaka Castle Park, Shinsaibashi shopping street and Dotombori Bridge. Be sure to try "takoyaki" the city's famous squid snack. Osaka is a unique culinary destination – opt for a group meal of "kushikatsu".
Visit the Instant Ramen Museum and create your own instant noodles. Explore this vibrant city with free time, opting to visit Osaka Castle Park or browse Shinsaibashi's trendy shops.

End place: Osaka

Day 8: Osaka/Kyoto

Start place: Osaka

Continue on to nearby Kyoto and enjoy a morning city tour. With options like a tea ceremony, a traditional costume photo shoot, and visits to temples or museums, there's tons to see and do.

End place: Kyoto

Day 9: Kyoto/Sapporo

Start place: Kyoto

Catch a flight from Osaka to the island of Hokkaido. Enjoy some free time in Sapporo with an optional welcome meeting for any new travellers joining the group here.

End place: Sapporo

Day 10: Sapporo

Start place: Sapporo

Take an orientation tour of the city before spending the day at the Sapporo Snow Festival. In the evening, depart for Otaru to experience this town's Snow Light Path Festival. Head back to Sapporo for the night.

End place: Sapporo

Day 11: Sapporo/Noboribetsu

Start place: Sapporo

Travel to nearby Noboribetsu. Go for an easy hike through Jigokudani Park to view the scenery and geysers, or opt to visit the onsen town's spas. Enjoy a stay at a traditional inn for the night, complete with dinner dressed in a provided yukata (cotton kimono). Savour a traditional Japanese meal at the inn.
Meals: D
Day 12: Noboribetsu/Sapporo
Experience more of Sapporo with options to visit the Sapporo Beer Museum for a tour and tasting (complete with an optional all-you-can-eat-and-drink meal in the Beer Hall) or travel to the top of the Sapporo TV Tower for a new vantage point.
Enjoy a free day to visit the snow festival or explore more of Sapporo.

End place: Sapporo

Meals: B
Day 13: Sapporo

Start place: Sapporo

Can't get enough snow? Book post accommodation and head to Niseko to experience Japan's world-class skiing and snowboarding.
Depart at any time.

End place: Sapporo

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Wellness Moment: Seninburo Hot Spring Visit, Hongū
  • CEO-led city tours of Tokyo and Kanazawa
  • Ninja Temple visit
  • Minshuku stay with traditional meals
  • Instant Ramen Museum visit (Osaka)
  • CEO-led city tour of Kyoto, including entrance to Nijo Castle and Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion
  • Orientation walks in Osaka and Sapporo
  • Sapporo Snow Festival visit
  • Snow Light Path Festival visit (Otaru)
  • Jigokudani Park visit
  • Traditional inn stay (Noboribetsu)
  • Internal flight
  • All transport to/from included activities and between destinations
  • Transport

    Train, Public bus, Subway, Plane, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Hotels (9 nts), Farmhouse (1 nt), Traditional inns (2 nts)

Save up to 50% on tours! Get exclusive access to members-only deals by email.

Subscribe to our newsletter