Winter Wonders, a sparkling journey through Japan’s winter wonderland

Travel to Tokyo by Wednesday January 26th, 2022. Arrive at Narita International Airport (NRT) by own arrangements. Craig will meet you at the airport and assist you with the transfer to your hotel in central Tokyo. Once you have checked in to your hotel you will have free time to relax, or enjoy some local sightseeing, shopping, dinner, etc.

Enjoy a full day tour of Tokyo, taking in both the old and the new of one of the largest cities in the world. First we will visit the old downtown area of Tokyo (Ueno and Asakusa). In Ueno we will explore the Ameya Yokocho Markets, one of Japan's best street markets, and then enjoy a relaxing walk through Ueno Park, one of the largest and most famous parks in Tokyo. We will then travel to Asakusa, where we will walk down the famous Nakamise Shopping Street to the Asakusa Kannon Temple (otherwise known as Sensoji Temple), the oldest and most visited Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Next we will visit two of the most modern places in Tokyo, the Tokyo Sky Tree and Odaiba. The Tokyo Sky Tree was completed in 2012, and is the tallest building in Japan. We will go to the first observation deck (350 m) to enjoy spectacular views of the Tokyo metropolis and Mt. Fuji. We will finish the day by going to Odaiba, an ultramodern area on Tokyo Bay. Here you can enjoy pleasure cruising, shopping, and spectacular views of Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Bay, and the Tokyo skyline. At night we will enjoy a lovely welcome dinner together at a local izakaya (Japanese-style restaurant/bar).

Travel from Tokyo to Nagano by shinkansen. Once we arrive in Nagano we will visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park to see the adorable snow monkeys bathing in natural mountain hot springs. This stunning place is home to a troop of wild Japanese macaques who go about their daily lives here, including the unique behavior of bathing in onsen (natural hot springs). This particular troop of monkeys, which was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1970, is the only troop in the world known to enjoy this relaxing human activity. At night we will stay at a traditional hot spring inn in the small hot spring resort town of Shibu Onsen. Dress in traditional Japanese attire (yukata and geta) and walk through the streets of this wonderful little town entering the local public hot springs as you go. This is a unique Japanese experience that you will never forget! At night we will enjoy a delicious Japanese dinner at our ryokan. You can even try wearing a traditional yukata (summer kimono) to dinner like the locals do!

Travel from Nagano to Kanazawa by shinkansen. Once we arrive in Kanazawa we will visit the magnificent Kenrokuen Garden, which is justifiably classified as one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens. The spacious garden used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and was constructed by the ruling Maeda family over a period of nearly two centuries. After enjoying a leisurely stroll through these magnificent gardens we will then explore the sprawling grounds of Kanazawa Castle itself. This castle was the seat of the powerful Maeda clan from 1583 to the end of the Edo period. We will finish the day by exploring Kanazawa's famous Nagamachi Samurai District. This district, located at the foot of Kanazawa Castle, was where the ruling samurai and their families used to live. The area preserves a historic atmosphere with its remaining samurai residences, earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow lanes, and water canals.

Travel from Kanazawa to Karuizawa by shinkansen. Once we arrive in Karuizawa you will have free time to hit the slopes, relax in the hot springs, or go shopping at Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, one of Japan's largest outlet shopping malls. Karuizawa is an upmarket resort town located at the foot of the active volcano Mt. Asama in Nagano Prefecture. Karuizawa's convenient location, abundance of nature, beautiful scenery, ski resorts, and large number of natural hot springs has made it an extremely popular weekend getaway destination for many people living in the Greater Tokyo Area. Alternatively, you can join Craig on a half day tour of Karuizawa and visit the beautiful Shiraito Waterfalls as well as explore Kyu-Karuizawa - a former post town along the famous Nakasendo Route

Travel from Karuizawa to Sendai by shinkansen. After we arrive in Sendai we will then make the short trip to Matsushima Bay to enjoy a relaxing cruise around the bay. Matsushima Bay is dotted with hundreds of pine clad islets, and has been ranked as one of Japan’s three most scenic views for centuries. After enjoying the beauty of Matsushima Bay from the water, we will then walk to a couple of islands and explore black and red pine forests and ancient temples and shrines.

Travel from Sendai to Hakodate by shinkansen. Once we arrive in Hakodate we will travel through the streets of this beautiful port city by streetcar until we reach the historic Goryokaku Fort. This massive, star shaped, western style fort was built approximately 150 years ago and was the first of its kind in Japan. It is now designated as a special historic site due to its historical significance. In the late afternoon we will make our way to the very top of Mt. Hakodate by an aerial ropeway gondola to enjoy the sunset and stunning night views. The view from Mt. Hakodate is highly acclaimed, gaining the highest possible three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

Travel from Hakodate to Sapporo by limited express train. Once we arrive in Sapporo we will then head to the center of the city to experience the wonder of the world famous Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan’s largest winter events. The Sapporo Snow Festival began in 1950 when a small group of high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park in downtown Sapporo. It has since turned into a spectacular annual event featuring breathtaking snow and ice sculptures, and attracting more than two million visitors each year from throughout Japan and all around the world.

Enjoy a free day to hit the slopes in Sapporo or take in more of the Sapporo Snow Festival. A number of world famous ski resorts such as Kiroro and Niseko are located only a short distance from Sapporo, and can be easily accessed by train or bus. The Sapporo Snow Festival is staged at three different sites, the Odori Site, the Susukino Site, and the Tsu Dome Site. At the main Odori Site you can see the festival's famous large snow sculptures, some of which measure more than 25 meters in width and 15 meters in height. The Susukino Site, located in the middle of Sapporo's largest entertainment district, exhibits approximately one hundred beautiful handmade ice sculptures. The Tsu Dome Site is a family oriented site with three types of snow slides, snow rafting, and more amazing snow sculptures. At night the ice and snow sculptures on display at the Odori Site and Susukino Site are lit up, creating some of the most spectacular winter scenery you will see anywhere in the world. You can also watch high-tech laser mapping displays while enjoying delicious local cuisine from one of the many street stalls that line the streets of Sapporo during the entire festival. Alternatively, you can join Craig on a half day tour of Sapporo and visit the lively Nijo Markets, the historic Sapporo Clock Tower, Maruyama Park, and beautiful Hokkaido Jingu Shrine.

Enjoy a leisurely day trip to Otaru. We will travel from Sapporo to Otaru on a local train which meanders along the beautiful coastline of western Hokkaido. On this train ride you will see some of the most spectacular winter ocean views you are ever likely to come across. You may even be lucky enough to spot some of the local wildlife as well. Hokkaido is a wild animal paradise, featuring bears, deer, foxes, cranes, swans, and even orcas. Once we arrive in Otaru we will visit the city's beautiful canal area and take a leisurely stroll up to the Otaru Suitengu Shrine. The small port city of Otaru is often referred to as the Venice of Japan because of its historic and picturesque canals which are lined with brick warehouses and gas lights. The Venice connection has also been expanded to include a new focus on glass-blowing in the city. Not only can you enjoy the beauty of the canals, but you can also enjoy locally brewed beers and ciders at one of the local breweries, or try some of the best sushi in Japan on Sushi Street. Sushi Street is lined on both sides with dozens of delicious sushi restaurants, some of which have been in business for more than 100 years. At night we will enjoy a lovely farewell dinner together at a local izakaya (Japanese-style restaurant/bar).

Relax in Sapporo before transferring to New Chitose Airport (CTS) for your return flight. Depending on your flight time you may be able to enjoy some more of the Sapporo Snow Festival, or some last minute local sightseeing or shopping in Sapporo.