Sapporo Snow Festival & Japan Winter Highlights Adventure Tour

This 13-day trip brings together two Japanese islands to create one unforgettable experience that covers some of the major winter events this country has to offer. From the famous onsen hot springs throughout Japan that make the country so inviting in winter, to the free time to discover new and historical districts in Tokyo and Kyoto, to the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival in Hokkaido, this tour is the best answer for anyone looking for a different sort of adventure.

Highlights

Lay eyes on the glitz of Tokyo, hike past geysers in Jigokudani Park, go local at a traditional minshuku, Explore the secrets of the Ninja Temple, celebrate the season at the Sapporo Snow Festival

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Wellness Moment: Seninburo Hot Spring Visit, Hongū. CEO
led city tours of Tokyo and Kanazawa. Ninja Temple visit. Minshuku stay with traditional meals. Instant Ramen Museum visit (Osaka). CEO
led city tour of Kyoto, including entrance to Nijo Castle and Kinkakuji Golden Pavillion. Orientation walks in Osaka and Sapporo. Sapporo Snow Festival visit. Snow Light Path Festival visit (Otaru). Jigokudani Park visit. Traditional inn stay (Noboribetsu). Internal flight. All transport to/from included activities and between destinations.

Accommodation

Hotels (9 nts), farmhouse (1 nt), traditional inns (2 nts).

Meals Included

3 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Transport

Train, public bus, subway, plane, walking.

About our Transportation

Japan's reliable public transportation is the best option for both the environment and for experiencing Japan like a local! We will ride several forms of transportation throughout the country, from Shinkansen bullet trains, to subways, funiculars, local trains, and buses. Note that often times we will have to carry our luggage from one mode of transport to another, so please consider this whilst packing.

Group Leader

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as you are expected to carry your own luggage. Our trips in Japan use public transport and most transport has limited luggage storage space. You will also be walking with your luggage in busy public train stations to catch connecting trains, so it is highly recommended that you travel light and have easy to handle luggage and capable of walking up and down the stairs with your luggage without any assistance. A large bag will be an inconvenience to you and will slow you down! We recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10
15kg/22
30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. You will also need a day
pack/rucksack to carry daily essentials like water, cameras, passport, i
pods etc. Takuhaibin
Japan's takuhaibin service is a convenient and reliable way to transfer luggage from one location to another throughout the country. Pick
up/drop
off/delivery dates and times can be easily scheduled (usually overnight) and costs are moderate. Service can be arranged at most hotels and airports. Using takuhaibin to send your luggage between hotels, or from hotel to airport, is a great way to travel light and avoid hauling large bags on crowded trains or up and down stairs ' just be sure to pack an overnight bag with everything you'll need until you're reunited with your luggage the following day.