Japan in Winter

Day 1  Fly to Tokyo      

Days 2-3  Tokyo    
Begin in Japan’s energetic capital with a local expert guide on a city tour. Explore sites such as Meiji Jingu shrine and Senso-ji temple, as well as the interesting neighbourhoods of Harajuku and Asakusa, all while learning the ropes of ‘life in Japan’ from an English speaking local.                

Day 4  Fujikawaguchiko          
In winter you can see the unmistakeable Mount Fuji from as far away as Tokyo, but to fully grasp the scale of this perfectly shaped volcano, today take a bus journey to Fujikawaguchiko to get up close and personal with the iconic Fuji-san.    

Days 5-6  Tokyo to Nagano    
Today take your first Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano, the ‘roof of Japan’ in the Japanese Alps, a compact and walkable city surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Discover the impressive Zenko-ji Temple, home to supposedly the first Buddha statue brought to Japan.  

Day 7  Nagano to Shibu Onsen        
Continue by train to Yudanaka and check into your ryokan, a traditional inn often with sliding screen doors and futon beds that is quintessentially Japanese. Change into your yukata robe and enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner before relaxing in the hot spring fed onsen bath.                

Days 8-9  Shibu Onsen to Kanazawa    
This morning set off to find the famous snow monkeys as they relax in the warmth of the hot baths in Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Continue by train to Kanazawa, a castle town famous for art, traditional gardens and the freshest sea food. Explore self guided before an evening dining with a private guide explaining the menus to you.                

Days 10-11  Kanazawa to Takayama
See more of the beautiful Alps as you bus through the stunning village of Shirakawa-go, best seen with a blanket of snow, en route to Takayama. Walk the streets of Takayama’s old town that have seemingly frozen in time and have a warming drink at one of the local sake breweries.

Day 12  Takayama to Kyoto        
Another Shinkansen awaits to whisk you to the former capital city and cultural capital of Kyoto.  

Days 13-14  Kyoto              
Your expert guide will help bring to life the rich history of Kyoto’s many temples and shrines on a day tour, including visits to the photogenic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its 10,000 vermilion red torii gates and Sanjusangendo, the longest wooden temple in the world which houses 1,001 life-sized golden Buddhist statues.                

Days 15-16  Transfer to Osaka and fly home