12-Day Japan Winter Tour with Snow Monkeys

Welcome to Japan! When you arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your private tour guide and driver at the arrival gate. Enjoy your transportation services to the hotel. You can have a break and be ready for your Japan winter tour tomorrow.

Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Tokyo

Today, your Tokyo tour begins with a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. You can stroll through the elegant courtyard and enjoy its tranquility. You would have a chance to witness cultural events and ceremonies held at the shrine.

Next, continue to the oldest Sensoji Temple, a must-see attraction in Japan. One of the most iconic highlights of Sensoji is its Kaminarimon Gate. Enter the gate and you will find the Nakamise-dori Street with various souvenir and food stalls.

Visit Akihabara, the paradise for anime fans filled with electronic products, comics, and garage kits. Explore the bustling Ginza and overlook the hustle and bustle of the city at the top of Tokyo Tower.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Tokyo

Today, you will embark on a day trip to visit Japan's most famous mountain, Mt. Fuji. You will start your Mt. Fuji tour with Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, where you can appreciate the exquisite design and culture of the kimono.

Take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway up to the mountaintop and enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. Lake Kawaguchi is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts, offering a postcard-like Mount Fuji with "upside-down Fuji" on the lake.

Your final stop is Oshino Hakkai with the famous eight clear ponds. You can visit old Japanese houses and local handicraft stalls. With clear weather, you can overlook Mt. Fuji from Oshino Hakkai.

After the Mt. Fuji day tour, you will return to Tokyo.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tokyo

After breakfast, you will transfer to Nagano by Hokuriku Shinkansen and then head to Jigokudani Monkey Park, the home to Japanese Macaques (also known as snow monkeys). You will get a close-up view of wild snow monkeys bathing in the open-air hot spring. After seeing snow monkeys, stay overnight at a nearby onsen ryokan and enjoy a relaxing onsen bath.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Nagano

After breakfast, you will transfer to Takayama from Nagano and visit Matsumoto along the way.

You will visit Matsumoto Castle, which has a distinct black and white appearance and is also known as the "Crow Castle". You can discover its complex defensive design and rich samurai history. From the top of the main castle, you can appreciate the sweeping views of the Japanese Alps and Matsumoto city.

After the tour, you will continue driving to Takayama and check in at the hotel.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Takayama

This morning, you will visit Miyagawa Morning Market, where you can savor local delicacies and enjoy the flavor of the Japanese morning market. Wander around and head to Nakabashi Bridge for a truly magical view.

Make your way to Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, where you can appreciate beautifully designed floats and learn about the Takayama Festival. Travel to the Kusakabe Folk Museum, home to the Kusakabe family. You can admire the traditional Edo period style house and the display of folk crafts. Stroll along the quaint Sanmachi Suji and discover various shops and stalls of sake and street food.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Takayama

In the morning, you will head to Shirakawa Village (Shirakawa-go), which features the gassho-zukuri farmhouses. From a distance, the roofs of these houses look like two hands clasped together. You can walk around the village and enjoy a panoramic view from the observation deck. With magical illumination events during specific dates from January to February, Shirakawa Village offers a fairy-tale world.

Then, continue your journey to Kanazawa by car (about 1.5 hours).

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Kanazawa

After breakfast, you will travel to Kenrokuen Garden for a captivating snowy kingdom. Visit the 21st Century Museum to appreciate its architecture and art exhibitions.

After visiting, you will be taken to Kanazawa Station and take the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Check in at your hotel after arriving.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Kyoto

In the morning, you will visit Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion). The upper two floors of the temple are decorated with gold foil. The Golden Pavilion is covered with white snow and reflected on the surface of Mirror Pond. Travel to Nijo Castle, which is famous for its splendid architecture and "nightingale floors".

After enjoying a lunch of delicious food at Nishiki Market, you will continue traveling to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and enjoy a snow-covered scenery panoramic view of Kyoto. Walk along the old streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Kyoto.

Explore Gion and wander along Hanamikoji Street, where you will have an opportunity to encounter real geishas. Find a tea house or a machiya house to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. You can enjoy the tea with wagashi (traditional Japanese dessert).

Meals: B
Accommodation: Kyoto

After breakfast, you will explore Fushimi Inari Shrine and visit the most iconic Torii gates tunnel. You can also travel along the hiking trails to Mount Inari.

Later, transfer to Nara and visit Nara Park, including Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todai-ji Temple. The cute deer are freely wandering in the park.

After the tour, you will head to Osaka and check in at the arranged accommodation for rest.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Osaka

Today, you explore Osaka on your own arrangement. You can discover Osaka's history and culture at Osaka Castle, soak up the retro atmosphere of Shin Sekai, and overlook Osaka at Tsutenkaku Tower. Spend fun time at Universal Studios Japan and experience bustling nightlife at the Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori areas.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Osaka

Your pleasant Japan tour with snow monkeys ends today. You will be transferred to the airport after breakfast. Fly home or enjoy your tour of the next destinations.

Meals: B
Accommodation: N/A