Japan boasts great snow fall, modern resorts and a unique culture. Our Winter Sports & Culture package combines 5 nights in the fantastic resort of Niseko, a chance to see Yudanaka’s famous snow monkeys, time in the exciting capital city of Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan’s cultural and historic heart.

You will start your trip in the vibrant Shinjuku area of Tokyo; bright lights and fantastic restaurants as well as easy access to the more historic areas of the city. On Day Two an 8 hour private guide service is included, a great chance to see the highlights of the city in the company of a local. With so much to see and do in Tokyo your final night stay will also be back in the capital.

On Day Four you'll transfer by aeroplane from Tokyo to the north island of Hokkaido, the very best destination for winter sports in Japan. Our resort of choice is Niseko, known for its fantastic powder snow and huge variety of runs as well as a great village atmosphere. Transport from the airport and ski lift passes are all included.

Kyoto is the cultural centre of Japan and here we have included a full day with a private guide as well as plenty of time to explore this fascinating city independently. The temples, shrines and gardens are particularly beautiful in winter, and pleasingly quiet too! An included Japan Rail Pass also means that you can take a day trip from Kyoto if you wish; Himeji Castle, Osaka or
Nara are all excellent options.

Before heading back to Tokyo, you will spend a night Japanese-style with a sumptuous evening meal included in the hot spring town of Yudanaka, home to the snow monkeys. Your ryokan has its own hot spring baths for you to indulge in.

The shinkansen ?Bullet Train? will whisk you back to Tokyo for your final night and a bit of souvenir shopping in the historic Asakusa district.

Destinations:
Tokyo | Niseko | Kyoto | Yudanaka | Tokyo

Prices:
2012
Standard:
Twin: Ł2500 Single: Ł3060

Upgrade:
Twin: Ł3000 Single: Ł3980

Click for full details of pricing including extra nights

What's Included:

13 nights accommodation (1 night Japanese-style)
InsideJapan Tours Info-Pack
Meet and Greet upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Breakfast each morning
1 evening meal
Most transport between destinations including domestic flights (some airport transfers not included)
Tokyo Pasmo card for use on subway
8 hour private guide service in Tokyo & Kyoto
Excursion day from Kyoto (using included Japan Rail Pass)
Lift-passes for time in resort

What's NOT Included:

International Flights
Local transport (buses, subways, taxis)
Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums
Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip
Airport transfer for domestic flight to / from Tokyo Haneda Airport

*International Flights from the UK*
For January and February departures we are currently offering direct international flights from London from Ł650 per person (including taxes) when purchased in conjunction with this package. Ask us for more details.

Snow season in Japan: We highly recommend travelling between December 25th and March 15th to be sure to get the best ski and 'boarding conditions - the snow is amazing! We are happy to arrange travel outside of these dates but cannot guarantee snow conditions.

HAKUBA OPTION

Hakuba resort (instead of Niseko)
Home to the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hakuba is another world class resort with a great variety of runs and fantastic snow. A dramatic train journey takes you from Shinjuku station in Tokyo direct to Hakuba for your 5 night stay. You will then visit Yudanaka for a night before moving on to Kyoto.

STANDARD
Twin share: from Ł2205 per person
Single room: from Ł2796 per person

UPGRADE
Twin share: from Ł2941 per person
Single room: from Ł4377 per person

SUPPLEMENTS
*For the Niseko package a seasonal supplement of Ł273 per person applies for packages starting 29th Nov to 2nd Jan and 25th Feb to 28th March. For both packages black out dates are 29th December to 4th January. Please contact us for availability and pricing if your booking will
include any night stays falling during these periods.

Included evening meals are in Yudanaka (1).

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

Meals: None

Welcome to Japan! You will be met on arrival at Tokyo’s Narita Airport and be provided with tickets for the Airport Limousine Bus. If you are bringing your own ski gear you may like to take advantage of Japan’s fantastic luggage forwarding facility to send this on to your accommodation in Niseko – it will be waiting for you when you check-in! The airport bus will transfer you to the heart of the exciting Shinjuku district, where your Japan adventures will begin. Shinjuku is the perfect place to celebrate the start of your trip, with some of Tokyo’s best dining and nightlife options, just follow the neon signs!

Day 2 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Today you will have a full day to explore this amazing city in the company of a private guide. The itinerary for the day is not fixed, giving you full flexibility to see only the sights that interest you. Just let the guide know the sort of things you enjoy and they will be happy to plan a suitable itinerary for the day. The package includes a transport card to use on local trains and the subway network, so getting around Tokyo will be a breeze!

Day 3 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Today is a free day to further explore Tokyo and its wealth of sights. The key to understanding and appreciating Tokyo is to visit as many of its different districts as possible, each with its own atmosphere and character. From the upmarket boutiques and grand kabuki theatre of Ginza to the teenage fashion hubs of Shibuya and Harajuku, Tokyo is all about sharp contrasts and unexpected surprises! Getting around the city is simple with your included transport pass, which lets you jump on almost any overland and subway train in the city. In the evening you will be spoilt for choice with more visits than you could visit in a lifetime, from streetside beer and snack stalls to a range of Michelin-starred restaurants – Tokyo has twice as many as Paris!

Day 4 Niseko

Meals: Breakfast

Off to Hokkaido today in search of the world’s best powder snow! You will transfer from your hotel to Tokyo’s domestic Haneda Airport and fly north to Sapporo New Chitose Airport, where you will be met on arrival and given the tickets for your bus transfer to the Niseko resort. Here you can either relax and settle in, or get straight out onto the slopes!

Day 5 to Day 8 Niseko

Meals: Breakfast

You have 4 full days to explore the huge range of runs across the whole of the Niseko resort. Your included All-Mountain Pass covers the three mains areas of Niseko, Higashiyama, Hirafu and Annupuri. In the evenings the resort comes alive with a wonderful mixture of traditional Japanese style izakaya (pubs) and restaurants, and more international bars and clubs. In between piste and bar don’t forget to indulge your aching limbs in that most Japanese of activities; hot-spring bathing!

Day 9 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Farewell to Niseko today and off to Kyoto, the cultural and historical capital of Japan. A domestic flight and then short train ride will get you to Kyoto in time to spend the evening exploring some of Kyoto’s interesting and varied nightlife.

Day 10 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

As in Tokyo you have the service of a private guide for a day to help you get your bearings and to help you choose from the hundreds of temples, shrines, traditional gardens and other attractions that Kyoto has to offer. Among the most famous are Kiyomizu-dera, the ‘pure water’ temple, the peaceful zen rock garden at Ryoanji and the elaborate Golden Pavillion of Kinkakuji.

Day 11 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Today you have another full day to explore Kyoto or you may like to use the included Japan Rail Pass to make a day trip to another destination. Nara, lying just 40 minutes south east of Kyoto is always a popular choice with its UNESCO World Heritage sights, sacred deer and huge bronze statue of Buddha. The vibrant city of Osaka, the peaceful town of Ohara and the tragic historical monuments of Hiroshima are just some of the enticing day trip options available.

Day 12 Yudanaka

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Wave goodbye to Kyoto as you head up into the Japan Alps mountain range by train, on your way to the charming old town of Yudanaka, home to Japan’s famous snow monkeys! Here you can take a short hike to the hot pools where these elusive creatures sit and soak themselves to see them through the harsh winter. Back in town you will get a taste of traditional Japanese hospitality with a stay at a wonderful ryokan (Japanese inn) where you have a fantastic included dinner banquet of the very best in local winter cuisine. Of course the ryokan also offers hot-spring baths so you can do as the very sensible moneys of Yudanaka do – keep warm!

Day 13 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Today you will head down through the Japan Alps and back to Tokyo, where you started your adventure. Your final day and night will be spent in the traditional Asakusa district, home to Tokyo’s most famous temple and a host of excellent souvenir shopping options. In the evening there are plenty of local restaurants to choose from, so you are sure to find a suitable place to toast the end of what is sure to have been a fantastic trip!

Day 14 Depart

Meals: Breakfast

Sadly your time in Japan has come to an end. You will transfer by express train to Narita Airport in good time for your flight home. We hope you had a fantastic time in Japan – have a safe journey home!

Photos

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Pricing Information

2012
Standard Price:		Ł2500 (Single Price: Ł3060)
Upgrade Price:		Ł3000 (Single Price: Ł3980)

Extra Nights:
Standard Grade
	Start: Twin Share pp Ł65 Single pp Ł80 End: Twin Share pp Ł65 Single pp Ł65
Superior Grade
	Start: Twin Share pp Ł115 Single pp Ł175 End: Twin Share pp Ł90 Single pp Ł110

Accommodation

Standard

Upgrade

Asakusa Blue Wave Inn

Tokyo

Moderate Hotel

The Blue Wave Inn is located just a stone's throw from Sensoji Temple, the oldest and most venerated in Tokyo. Rooms are modern and bright and fully en-suite. The Ginza and Asakusa subway lines are just a short walk away meaning access to the rest of Tokyo is easy and the nearby Tobu line provides direct trains to Nikko.

Pension Locomotion

Niseko

Pension

Pension Locomotion is a small family run inn located in Niseko village. The lifts are a very short (free) shuttle bus ride away and there are convenience stores nearby. Rooms are western style with en-suite.

Hotel De L'aille

Hakuba

Moderate Hotel

Hotel De Laile is a small, friendly hotel located on the slopes of Happo One; the hotel comprises of only 35 rooms. The property itself is a very clean, comfortable and charming hotel and has a ski-in ski out location, being only a 3 minute ski or walk to the ticket office & lift access. The restaurant within the hotel offers a first class selection of Japanese, French and Italian meals, combined with a good array of wines and other beverages. From this year the hotel is adding a new indoor and outdoor natural hot spring, which will further add to the experience of this hotel. There is a free to use internet PC in the front lobby as well as laundry facilities.

Karasuma Kyoto Hotel

Kyoto

Moderate Hotel

The Karasuma Kyoto Hotel is located right in the centre of Kyoto and enjoys easy access to all of the city's main sights. There are also numerous shops and restaurants on the doorstep here. Rooms are moderately sized but clean and comfortable and fully en-suite. The hotel features its own restaurant, Starbucks coffee shop and bar. English speaking staff are usually available.

Shimaya Ryokan

Yudanaka Onsen

Ryokan (JP)

This friendly Japanese-style inn located just a short walk from Yudanaka station. The owners offer a free shuttle bus service to the jigokudani hot springs where you can see Japanese macaque monkeys enjoying the waters. The ryokan also has its own hot spring baths for you to enjoy and serves delicious home-cooked food.

Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza

Tokyo

Moderate Hotel

The Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza is conveniently located on the south side of Shinjuku station and opened in late 2007. The building has a sleek and modern design throughout, from the spacious lobby area to the well-appointed guestrooms, which offer flatscreen TV with video-on-demand and spacious bathrooms. The hotel has its own restaurant and bar and also a guest lounge providing internet access and complimentary hot drinks. The hotel is in a fantastic location in the lively Shinjuku district of Tokyo, with an endless choice of shopping, dining and entertainment options within a few minutes' walk. The hotel is also just two minutes on foot from Shinjuku station, offering easy access to other areas of the city.

Asakusa View Hotel

Tokyo

Superior Hotel

Located in the heart of Tokyo's most traditional district, the Asakusa View Hotel offers 5 star accommodation and friendly service. Directly outside the hotel is Tokyo's newest subway line, the Tsukuba Express which links Asakusa with Akihabara electronics district. The View Hotel is the best hotel in this area and as the name suggests, the upper floors command great views over Tokyo, with the sky bar a great place to unwind at the end of the day whilst enjoying a drink and the spectacular view. The hotel has a pool and fitness centre (extra charge applies).

Prince Hotel Hirafutei

Niseko

Moderate Hotel

This is one of the best hotels in the resort for both location and standard of rooms. The hotel has ski-in ski-out facilities and is close to one of the main lifts of the Hirafu Ski Area. As well as the indoor and open air baths there is a sauna so you will be able to relax completely after a hard day on the slopes. The hotel has a restaurant where you can sample some of Hokkaido's famous sea food as well as a variety of western cuisine. You are able to rent ski's from the hotel and there is a locker room available.

La Neige Higashi-kan

Hakuba

Superior Hotel

The luxurious La Neige Higashi-kan is one of the best hotels in the area. Featuring antique furniture and luxurious, individually designed guest rooms, and a lovely lounge with open fire. The hotel is renowned for its fine cuisine and the location is great - just 5 minutes on foot to the nearest slope. The staff speak a little English and service is top class. The hotel only has 25 rooms and so personal care is taken of each and every guest.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Kyoto

Superior Hotel

Located at Kyoto Station in what is most of the amazing buildings you will see anywhere in the World, the Granvia has a reputation as being amongst the best hotels in the city offering modern style and luxury along with first class service. The rooms are a good size and the interiors stylish and well designed. The location at the bustling hub of Kyoto Station is an ideal base from which to explore the city as all city buses and the subway come to Kyoto Station, as well as being the perfect location when making a day trip outside the city.

Jinpyokaku

Yudanaka Onsen

Superior Ryokan (JP)

Jinpyokaku is an unassuming, quiet ryokan in Yudanaka's Kanbayashi onsen, not far from the Jigokudani monkey park famous for the wild macaques that love to partake of the hot springs there. The check-in desk is a traditional room with a chest of drawers, rather than being a hotel-like reception counter. The alcove in each guest room is decorated not with a hanging scroll but a Japanese-style piece of tapestry, and instead of an urn there sits a doll made of old cloth. You can enjoy a view of the elegant and restrained Meiji-era building from the outdoor bath, and there's a gentleness and naturalness about the surrounding Japanese-style garden.

Century Southern Tower

Tokyo

Superior Hotel

Located just 5 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku Station on the southern terrace opposite Takashimaya Times Square department store, the Southern Tower makes for the perfect base from which to explore not just Shinjuku but the whole of the central Tokyo and beyond. The hotel lobby is to be found on the 20th floor of a building which also houses Microsoft's Japan HQ. The lobby offers great views of the city and on clear days you can see Mt Fuji towering up in the distance. All rooms are stylishly decorated with modern earthy tones and high quality bed linen. The bathrooms have a range of beauty products provided and rooms come with flat screen TVs, direct dial phones and a free high speed internet connection. In the evenings you will have a choice of dining in the hotel with a superb Tepanyaki restaurant, an excellent Chinese, a French influences restaurant and a cafe bar for light refreshments.