Active Northern Japan: Winter in Tokyo & Hokkaido

About Japan - From $4,999.00 USD

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Winter in Japan is pure magic — crisp air, glowing cityscapes, and landscapes dusted in snow. Imagine the iconic red of Asakusa Temple peeking through a fresh white blanket, or Tokyo’s streets twinkling with festive lights. Now, trade the crowds for Hokkaido’s pristine wilderness, where untouched powder makes it feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Trek through national parks on snowshoes, dive into the rich traditions of the Ainu Indigenous community, and warm up with some of the best food you’ve ever tasted after a day of adventure. If Japan in winter isn’t on your bucket list yet, it absolutely should be.

Travel Style

Active

Service Level

Standard

Physical Grading

3 - Average

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Ryokan Stay, Akan-ko
Your Foodie Moment: Ramen Dinner in Asahikawa, Asahikawa. Asakusa Sensō-ji Temple. Nakamise shopping street. Imperial Palace visit. Free time in Tokyo. Snowshoeing in Shiretoko Five Lakes.Primeval Forest & to Furepe Waterfall. Free time in Shiretoko & Sapporo. Sulphur Mountain Visit. Lake Kussharo Hot Spring Beach. Lake Mashu Observatory Deck visit. Traditional Ryokan stay and onsen hot spring. Local Ramen speciality dinner. Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway & Hike. Nijo Market Visit. Sapporo beer tasting. Transport to/from included activities. Internal airfare.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Adventure through bright and bustling Tokyo during the winter, Snowshoe through pristine snow in Hokkaido's untouched landscapes, Sample Japan's world renowned food like local specialty ramen and the oldest beer in Japan in Sapporo.

How large will the group be?

Max 16, avg. 14

What meals are included in this trip?

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners

What are the modes of transportation on my trip?

Plane, private vehicle, local train, walking, snowshoes.

Where will we stay during the trip?

Hotels (9nts), Ryokan stay (1nt).

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

Itinerary

  1. Tokyo

    Welcome to Japan! Arrive at anytime. Then meet your group and CEO this evening for a welcome meeting.

  2. Tokyo

    Today you have the chance to see the biggest city in Japan on a tour with your CEO. See highlights of this amazing city like Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Asakusa neighbourhood, Nakamise shopping street and the historic Meiji Shrine. In the afternoon, spend your time in Tokyo how you'd like. Opt to visit cool neighborhoods like Akihabara or Harajuku. Or find some green space in the famous Ueno Park.

  3. Tokyo/Shiretoko

    There's no time to waste as you join your fellow travelers in the morning and head towards the airport to board your flight to Memanbetsu airport in Hokkaido. Upon arrival, head to your hotel outside Shiretoko National Park and enjoy dinner together with your CEO and travel mates.

  4. Shiretoko

    After a filling breakfast, depart the hotel en route to the Five Lakes area of Shiretoko National Park. This area is famous for its namesake five lakes that were formed years ago by the eruption of Mount Lo. In the winter, this park is completely blanketed in perfectly white snow and the lakes freeze over. Strap on some snowshoes and hike through the park and over the lakes. In the evening, enjoy a free afternoon to explore Shiretoko.

  5. Shiretoko

    Another morning snowshoe hike in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shiretoko Peninsula awaits. Embark on a guided four hour snowshoe trek through the Primeval Forest area of the park. Be sure to bring binoculars if you are a keen animal enthusiast, as there is ample opportunity to spot various species from the Steller's sea eagle to Japanese deer and maybe even a flying squirrel. The scenery is equally as dramatic as you witness the cliff edges hang over the turquoise water of the sea. In the afternoon, join a local guide for an incredible adventure across the ice. Walk safely over the drift ice that forms on top of the sea during the winter months and float in the water if you dare.

  6. Shiretoko/Akan-ko

    Depart Shiretoko this morning and head slightly inland towards Lake Akan. En route stop to visit active volcano Mt Lo, which sits inside the Kussharo caldera. Watch the sulfurous smoke and steam dramatically rise from the wintery craggy landmass. From there, continue on to the shore of Lake Kussharo, where you can take a moment to get your hands dirty digging into the sandy shore and actually hitting hot spring water. Dig your own personal Onsen! Yet another sign of the volcanic activity still present underground in this area. Make a final stop at the observatory deck to take in views of Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu before continuing on your overnight stay at a Ryokan. After a dinner with your fellow travelers, enjoy a cultural performance in tribute to the history of the local Ainu people of the region. Akan Yukar Lost Kamuy is a presentation of Ainu ancient ceremonial dance, contemporary dance and digital art.

  7. Akan-ko/Asahikawa

    Enjoy a leisurely start to the morning to spend the morning hours enjoying the Ryokan hot springs a second time. Or choose to join your CEO for a walk around Lake Akan. Then make your way towards Asahikawa. Don't fill up too much during the day, because dinner this evening is the famous Asahikawa ramen. This ramen is famed throughout Japan as one of the best in the country.

  8. Asahikawa

    It's time to rise and shine and strap on those hiking boots once again. This morning, head to the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway. Board the ten minute gondola ride up to the start of the walk. Spend a couple of hours exploring the area on foot, and hope for glimpses of the mountain ranges as the fog comes and goes. It's important to note that in the winter, you can expect snow on the ground at Asahidake, so itinerary adjustments may be made. Cold weather clothing should be packed during this season.

  9. Asahikawa/Sapporo

    Sapporo, the capitol of Hokkaido, is home to some of the island's most interesting spots. With a day at leisure, choose to join your CEO to visit the Hill of the Buddha, a incredible and huge shrine. Or, choose to explore the Hokkaido Jingu shrine, a shinto shrine honoring 4 deities.

  10. Sapporo

    Spend today getting well acquainted with the city of Sapporo, home of the world famous beer. Begin your day with a visit to the Nijo Market. Walk through the stalls full of fresh seafood, most caught right of the coast of Hokkaido. You'll see crabs, fish and things you may have never seen before like fresh urchin and fish eggs. Afterwards, head to the home of the first Japanese made beer, Sapporo Beer Museum, and sample beer that can only be found at this location.

  11. Sapporo

    Depart at any time.

Active Northern Japan: Winter in Tokyo & Hokkaido

Is travel insurance required for my trip?

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Contact our travel experts for more details

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