Japanese Winter Wonderland
Japanese Winter Wonderland
Japanese Winter Wonderland
13 Days Starting in United Kingdom and ending in Sapporo, Japan
Visiting: Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano, Tokyo, Hakodate, Sapporo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTWJP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Titan with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Japan's winter wonderland, exploring the vibrant cities of Kyoto, Nagano, Tokyo, and Hakodate. Witness the enchanting Jigokudani Monkey Park, the serene Onuma Quasi National Park, and the dramatic Hell Valley. Experience the magic of the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival and the world-renowned Sapporo Snow Festival. Travel in style with international flights, bullet train journeys, and coach transfers, including a VIP door-to-door travel service. Enjoy 10 nights in comfortable hotels and a special stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan. This tour promises a seamless blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and festive celebrations.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Osaka
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Osaka.
Day 2
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: Hotel
We touch down in Japan’s capital, Tokyo. We’ll be back to explore its skyscrapers and temples later on in our tour, but for now we take a connecting flight to Osaka and transfer to Kyoto and check into our hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Day 3
Location: Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Surrounded on three sides by snow-covered mountains, Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital. Hidden within its maze of winding old streets is a collection of some 1,500 religious temples and shrines, geisha scurrying to tea ceremonies and dinky bars serving steaming bowls of ramen.Our tour takes us to Nijo Castle and the Nishijin Textile Centre, where we’ll watch a short fashion show of Maikos (apprentice geishas) in traditional dress. We’ll also stroll over to the Nishiki Market; a long, narrow street lined by more than 100 shops and restaurants. Known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’, the stalls all specialise in food that are typical to Kyoto, like dried seafood, sushi, pickles and sweets.
Day 4
Location: Nagano
Accommodation Name: Traditional Japanese Ryokan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Japan holds a world record that impresses train spotters and speed addicts alike. Some of the world’s fastest trains whizz through the countryside at speeds of 198mph and today, you’ll experience this engineering marvel for yourself. Step aboard for our journey from Kyoto to Nagoya, from where we’ll connect to Nagano.On arrival, we’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour that takes in the Zenkoji Temple, one of the most important and popular temples in Japan. You’ll have some free time for lunch; Nakamise is one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, where you can find traditional snacks and souvenirs.Our final stop of the day is Yudanaka where we check into our hotel; a traditional Japanese Ryokan surrounded by spectacular - and often snow-covered - mountain scenery. Known as the world’s oldest hotels, some inns have been around since the 7th century when they were built for nomadic samurai traders. Think rice-straw tatami matting flooring, low tables and fusuma screens as doors. This promises to be a very special experience.
Day 5
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll appreciate the snow-smothered landscapes today as we take a walk to the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) live, completely unrestricted by fences. Keep your camera at the ready to snap away at families of monkeys warming up in hot springs.Late morning, we depart for the neon lights and skyscrapers of Tokyo.
Day 6
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arriving in Tokyo is undoubtedly a surreal experience. This is a city that is always on the move; it dazzles with shiny new things, whilst keeping one foot firmly rooted in its traditions and culture. We’ll spend the whole day today learning all about this fascinating city.We’ll take in the Tokyo National Museum and colourful Ameyoko Shopping Streets and enjoy a short walking tour of Yanaka; one of the few districts in Tokyo that still holds the city’s traditional rustic charm. We’ll also take in the view of the whole city from the top of the Skytree, a 634m-tall communications tower (and one of the world’s tallest structures).
Day 7
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for you to explore Tokyo, with many sights to choose from and innumerable shrines to find, including the exquisite Senso-ji Temple. There are also a number of excellent theatres, including the historic Kabuzi-za, where you may see a traditional, highly skilled Kabuki performance.For a different experience that will leave you in no doubt that you’re in Tokyo, head to the intersection in front of Shibuya Station, famously known for the scramble of hundreds of pedestrians simultaneously crossing the road in all directions. Or for a moment away from the city bustle, Ueno Park is the city’s largest green space.
Day 8
Location: Hakodate
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We take to the bullet train once again today - this time all the way up to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, travelling to Hakodate.Once we arrive and settle in at our hotel, we will spend some time at leisure until this evening, when we ascend Mount Hakodate by coach. The views from here are simply incredible - especially at night, when the city lights stretch for miles in front of you.
Day 9
Location: Hakodate
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have a busy morning ahead of us today and we’ll start it off with some early morning seafood at the renowned Hakodate morning market. Here, 300 stalls prepare and serve all manner of fresh fish dishes; giant squid flattened into pancakes, crab grilling over hot coals and dried scallops al to the sound of sing-song call of vendors.We ascend Goryokaku Tower for fabulous views across the city, and head to the Bay Area, where red brick warehouses stand as symbols of the shipping industry that thrived here as Japan opened up to international commerce.We’ll also visit Motomachi, an area that also flourished with the influx of trade and the influence of western culture is apparent in the old consulate buildings and pretty, foreign churches.
Day 10
Location: Sapporo
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day starts with a visit to Onuma Quasi National Park, a beautiful area that includes serene lakes marked by small islands and the majestic snow-smothered dormant volcano, Mount Komagatake. We also visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley), a small town surrounded by countless onsen (hot springs), before arriving in Sapporo.After checking into our hotel, we’ll head out to explore the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. This festival of flickering lights and glowing snow statues lights up the port town every winter; the canal is particularly charming, dotted with lanterns along its whole length.
Day 11
Location: Sapporo
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Sapporo Snow Festival is the most famous of the Japanese winter festivals. It started in 1950 with just six statues carved from snow by school students. Today it is an incredible display of around 250 imaginative snow and ice sculptures of giant proportions illuminated by candles and coloured bulbs. Wander the collection and watch some of the works in progress, enjoy a local tipple at the ice bar and perhaps even glide down the giant snow slide. A day you won’t soon forget.
Day 12
Location: Sapporo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport and your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Day 13
Location: Sapporo
Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
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International Flights
Prices are based on return flights with British Airways and Japan Airlines from London Heathrow via Tokyo. Supplements may apply from other airports.
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Meals
11 meals: 10 breakfasts (days 3-12) and 1 dinner (day 4).
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Excursions and Visits
10 excursions and visits including city tours of Kyoto, Nagano, Tokyo, and Hakodate.
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Bullet Train Journeys
Experience bullet train journeys as shown in the itinerary.
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Jigokudani Monkey Park
Visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park to see wild Japanese macaques.
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Onuma Quasi National Park and Hell Valley
Explore Onuma Quasi National Park and Hell Valley.
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Mount Hakodate Night Visit
Enjoy a night visit to Mount Hakodate for incredible views.
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Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
Experience the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival.
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Sapporo Snow Festival
Attend the Sapporo Snow Festival, featuring around 250 imaginative snow and ice sculptures.
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Portable Audio Headset System
Use a portable audio headset system on excursions.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, and additional meals are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not listed in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees, if applicable, are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with international flights, bullet train journeys, and coach transfers, including a VIP door-to-door travel service for a seamless experience.
Accommodation
Enjoy 10 nights in comfortable hotels and 1 night in flight, with a special stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes international flights, bullet train journeys, and coach transfers. Additionally, there is a VIP door-to-door travel service for a seamless experience.
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will enjoy 10 nights in comfortable hotels and 1 night in flight. There is also a special stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 11 meals: 10 breakfasts (days 3-12) and 1 dinner (day 4).
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include city tours of Kyoto, Nagano, Tokyo, and Hakodate, visits to Jigokudani Monkey Park, Onuma Quasi National Park, Hell Valley, Mount Hakodate, Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, and the Sapporo Snow Festival. You will also visit the Nishijin Textile Centre for a fashion show of Maikos and the Tokyo National Museum and Skytree.
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What activities are planned for the free day in Tokyo?
On the free day in Tokyo, you can explore many sights including the Senso-ji Temple, historic theatres like Kabuzi-za for a Kabuki performance, the famous Shibuya crossing, and Ueno Park, the city's largest green space.
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What can I expect during the visit to the Jigokudani Monkey Park?
At the Jigokudani Monkey Park, you will see wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) living freely without fences. You can capture photos of families of monkeys warming up in hot springs.
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What is special about the stay in the traditional Japanese Ryokan?
The stay in the traditional Japanese Ryokan offers a unique experience with rice-straw tatami matting flooring, low tables, and fusuma screens as doors. These inns are some of the world's oldest hotels, dating back to the 7th century.
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What can I expect at the Sapporo Snow Festival?
The Sapporo Snow Festival features around 250 imaginative snow and ice sculptures of giant proportions illuminated by candles and colored bulbs. You can wander through the collection, watch some of the works in progress, enjoy a local tipple at the ice bar, and perhaps even glide down the giant snow slide.
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Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Titan Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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