The first two days of our Japan tour are spent in Tokyo's historic Asakusa area and include a chance to visit the city highlights of Hama Rikyu gardens, Sensoji temple and Meiji shrine as well as marvelling at the view from atop the Metropolitan Government building. Kabuki theatre, fantastic arts and crafts and restaurants to die for make this vibrant capital city a fantastic introduction to our tour of Japan.

As we travel by plane to the northern island of Hokkaido we contrast one capital city with another. Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido and a real gem; spacious boulevards and parks, a fantastic atmosphere and great food to enjoy. The annual Sapporo Snow Festival will be just about to start and we will catch the first full day of events! A fantasia of ice sculptures awaits us!

From Sapporo our winter tour of Japan heads to Kushiro (eastern Hokkaido) where, at the nature reserves of Tsurui, there is the opportunity to watch Red-crowned Cranes performing their graceful winter dances at sunset. A guided tour with a local bird watching expert will introduce us to many more of Hokkaido's feathered friends!

Onwards to the remote Shiretoko peninsula where we will stay overnight in Rausu. Here we will take an incredible boat trip crashing through the spectacular drift ice, a chance to get up close and personal with Steller's sea eagle. As at many of our night stops, sumptuous evening meals are included - as well as the chance for some karaoke if you wish! Or a wonderful Onsen Hot Spring bath if you would rather!

Our final destination in Hokkaido is Abashiri, home to some amazing and unique museums.

From Hokkaido we'll fly down to Kansai airport and transfer to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan. Winter is a perfect time to explore the World Heritage temples and gardens without the crowds.

From Kyoto, we journey into the Japan Alps. The bullet train and a scenic local train ride will take us on to Yudanaka Onsen - a hot springs town with a difference; it's all about the famous snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs! Of course, our Japanese style accommodation here has hot spring baths for humans too!

The Winter Highlights tour of Japan finishes in the bright lights of Tokyo's Shinjuku district with a last night to enjoy the sights, sounds and food of this great city.

Pricing Information

2012
Tour Price:	Ł3250
Extra Nights
Pre-Tour:	Twin Share pp Ł50 Single pp Ł60
Post-Tour:	Twin Share pp Ł80 Single pp Ł110

2013
Tour Price:	Ł3250
Extra Nights
Pre-Tour:	Twin Share pp Ł50 Single pp Ł60
Post-Tour:	Twin Share pp Ł80 Single pp Ł110

Start Dates 2013

2013
Mon 4 Feb - NOW BOOKING

Prices:
2013: Ł3250

Prices are excluding international flights.

What’s Included:

14 nights accommodation - enjoy the hot spring baths in Tsurui and Yudanaka Onsen
All transport between destinations in Japan including airport transfer on arrival and departure and internal flights
Meet and Greet upon arrival at Narita Airport
Tokyo transport pass
Sumida River boat cruise in Tokyo
A mix of Western and traditional Japanese style breakfasts everyday
7 quality evening meals
Ice Breaker Cruise in Rausu
Private minibus transport & local guide in Tsurui
Guided walking tour of the Gion Geisha district in Kyoto
Luggage forwarding between Sapporo & Tsurui and Kyoto & Tokyo
Full time services of your Tour Leader
InsideJapan Tours' complimentary Info-Pack

What’s NOT Included:

International flights
Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) unless otherwise specified
Any entrance fees including those for shrines,temples and museums unless otherwise specified
Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip except where specified

Important Practical Information

Maximum Group Size: 14

Single Supplement: This tour does NOT have a single supplement. Single travellers are guaranteed a single room in all accommodation except for in Tsurui (1 night), Rausu (1 night) and Yudanaka (2 nights). For these 4 nights singles will be asked to share a room with a group member of the same sex.

Transport: Please note that all transfers are by public transport making use of Japan's first-rate transport network. All the hotels and ryokan have been chosen for their location close to the nearest station. However, you will have to carry your bags for short distances and some stations do not have escalators. We highly recommend that to make your stay more enjoyable you pack reasonably light. Large suitcases will be an inconvenience to you. A small case or bag with wheels or a rucksack are most appropriate for this tour. Clothes washing machines are available in Rausu and Tsurui.

Weather and clothing: We will be spending 6 days in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido and you should be aware that it will be extremely cold here. Night-time temperatures can get below minus 20 degrees centigrade. There are many days on which the temperature drops below 0 degrees centigrade all day long. You will need heavy overcoats, caps, gloves, scarves, etc. in addition to sweaters and jackets. Our accommodation will of course be heated but for the outdoors you will also need shoes that are suitable for walking on snow or ice.

Accommodation: All of the accommodation except for in Yudanaka and Tsurui are equipped with full en-suite facilities (attached bath, shower and toilet). The hot spring spa ryokan in Yudanaka and the hotel in Tsurui have shared facilities (single sex).

International Flights: This tour starts and finishes in Tokyo for arrivals and departures at Tokyo Narita Airport.

Please note that the included meet-and-greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available up to 2 days in advance of the tour and if you are staying extra nights pre-tour it is only available if those nights are booked through InsideJapan Tours.

Check-in: Please note that rooms at the Tokyo hotel are only available from 3pm. (You can however securely leave your luggage at the front desk at any time).

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

Meals: Dinner

The tour group convenes in Tokyo. Your Tour Leader will be available for up to two days before the start date of the tour to meet you at Tokyo Narita Airport and escort you back into Tokyo and on to our hotel the historic Asakusa area. We are in the centre of this fascinating area meaning just a short walk for tonight’s included welcome dinner.

Day 2 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

A full day in Tokyo today with a tour of the city highlights included. We’ll be sure to visit Hamarikyu gardens and Senso-ji temple as well as the important Meiji shrine. Other options include heading out to the bay area and taking in views of the city from the art gallery at the Mori building.

Day 3 Sapporo

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Today we take a direct subway to Tokyo Haneda Airport and fly to the capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo. Wide open avenues and a fresh northerly breeze greet us. This evening we will enjoy an included meal at a local restaurant.

Day 4 Sapporo

Meals: Breakfast

Today is a full day to explore the highlights of Sapporo on the eve of the Snow Festival. We recommend the Botanical Gardens, Nijo Fish Market and Ainu museum - Hokkaido’s native population. The TV Tower meanwhile has some great views over the whole city. The sake brewery also makes for a fantastic visit - and they are quite generous with the free samples too!

Day 5 Sapporo

Meals: Breakfast

Today is the first day of the famous Sapporo Snow Festival and it is our chance to see the Ice Sculptures and parades up close. Perhaps in the afternoon we will visit some sites out of town for some Winter Wonderland themed activities, an ice maze, toboganning and sledge rides. To top it all off, how about a drink at the Ice Bar?!

Day 6 Tsurui

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Today we will take a train onwards to Tsurui, possibly one of the most spectacular journeys in Japan. We have timed our arrival to see the famous dancing cranes at sunset.

Day 7 Rausu

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

This morning we will have a guided birdwatching tour with a local expert. Don't forget to bring your camera as we get up close and personal with our feathered friends! After lunch we will transfer to Rausu by Minibus. Our inn has fantastic onsens and delicious included meals.

Day 8 Abashiri

Meals: Breakfast

This morning we will climb aboard the Ice Breaker Boat and see some of this spectacular scenery and wildlife up close. We will then transfer by Minibus to Abashiri, perhaps visiting the Northern People's Museum, Prison Museum or Ice Float Museum.

Day 9 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Today we will fly back to the mainland and transfer directly to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital city. A treasure trove of temples, shrines and gardens Kyoto is a must-see destination – and even more atmospheric in the winter when there are fewer crowds and the chance of snow covered temples.

Day 10 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Included on Day 10 is a walking tour of the Gion geisha area followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 11 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Kyoto is a great city in which to sight-see on foot and has hundreds of things to see. There are several walking tour routes all of which have many different places of interest along the way and your Tour Leader will be on hand to make sure you get to see the things you want to. Alternatively, you could take a day trip to Nara, Himeji Castle, Osaka or Kobe if you wished.

Day 12 Yudanaka

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Today’s train journey will take us up into the mountains in Nagano prefecture for a two night stay at Yudanaka Onsen. It’s our first chance to take the bullet train and there is some great scenery on the way. Dinner is included at our ryokan tonight.

Day 13 Yudanaka

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

A full day in Yudanaka gives us the chance to see the famous Snow Monkeys as they enjoy the hot spring baths. There are also some lovely baths for humans as well! An afternoon visit to a sake brewery is one way to keep warm!

Day 14 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

We will be taking the bullet train again today as we return to Tokyo for a final night's stay. This time we’ll stay in the bustling Shinjuku area – home to the bright lights Tokyo is famous for and fantastic for last minute souvenir shopping!

Day 15 Depart

Meals: Breakfast

Sadly the tour is over and we all have to say our farewells and go our separate ways. Your transfer ticket back to Narita airport is included and your Tour Leader will check out the times for you to make sure you're in good time for your flight home.