Winter Wonderland

Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you. When you add the unique opportunities that only Japan winters offer with the small crowds, the result is an unforgettable travel experience. In the best that Japanese winters have to offer, you’ll wander through the ice sculptures at the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival, feast on all-you-can-eat grilled lamb and beer at the Sapporo Beer Garden, slash through the ice flows in a ice-breaker boat in the infamous prison town of Abashiri, contemplate the nearly-extinct, Japanese Red-Crested cranes, revered in Japanese culture, visit with the “snow monkeys” while they rest in thermally-heated mineral water to stay warm, explore quaint Takayama, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go with its many snow-covered, thatched-roof gassho-zukuri (praying hand) homes, stroll one of the best gardens in Japan made even better covered with snow, enjoy a private “Maiko” dinner party, enjoy four gourmet Kaiseki-style dinners and grilled lamb dinner, and much, much more. Walking level descriptions: Light – 0 to 2 miles on level ground Medium – 2 to 4 miles on level ground or 0 to 2 miles on hilly ground Heavy – 4 to 6 miles on level ground or 2 to 4 miles on hilly ground After clearing customs and immigration (which can take up to an hour and a half due to increased tourism to Japan), you will be met at Tokyo’s Narita Airport by a Samurai Tours guide. The guide will then help you board the bus to the hotel. After checking in, the evening is free. No meals included. Travel: 1-1/2 Hours; Walking: Light Before leaving in the morning, you will need to prepare your luggage to be transferred to Abashiri. You will be traveling to Hokkaido with your overnight bag only. Prepare your overnight bag for 3 days and 2 nights. After breakfast, you will start the day with a Welcome/Orientation meeting. We will then be taking a bus to Haneda Airport, and then fly to Kushiro Airport. We will then be taking a bus to Kushito where we will spending the night. We will enjoy a dinner at a local seafood izakaya. Breakfast at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant. Travel: 5 Hours; Walking: Light After breakfast, we will travel to the Akan Crane Center. It was once thought the cranes were extinct. However, about 50 years ago, a few cranes were found, and extensive efforts were made to bring them back from the brink of extinction. While much work remains to be done, the crane population has stabilized and is even growing. In the afternoon, we will continue on to Kushiro. Breakfast at the hotel and dinner at the ryokan included. Travel: 2 Hours; Walking: Light Today is a free day to enjoy the winter activities at Lake Akan. Rent a snowmobile and ride around the frozen lake. Or rent a hut and do some ice fishing. Breakfast at the ryokan and dinner at the ryokan included. Travel: N/A;; Walking: TBDt We travel by bus and train with overnight bags only to the city of Abashiri on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. Breakfast at the ryokan and dinner at a local restaurant or at the ryokan included. Travel: 3 1/2 Hours;; Walking: Lightt In the morning, we will take the ice flow train which travels along the coast where you can see the annual ice flow. In the afternoon, we will board the ice flow cruise where you can get an up-close, on the water view of the ice flow. Breakfast at the hotel included. Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light After breakfast, we will travel by bus to the city of Sapporo. The bus ride will be about 6 hours. In the evening, we will enjoy a “Genghis Khan” (grilled lamb and vegetables} dinner. Breakfast at the accommodations, and dinner at a local restaurant included. Travel: 6 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light The entire day is free to explore the Sapporo Snow Festival. Odori Park, where the festival is held is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the hotel. Be sure to visit the festival during the day and again at night. The atmosphere is very different. Breakfast included at the accommodations. Travel: N/A; Walking: TBD Before leaving for the day you will prepare your luggage for transfer to Takayama. You will need to pack enough items for 2 days and 1 night. Today we travel to the city of Takayama by express trains. Takayama, in the middle of the Japan Alps, with its traditional inns, shops, and sake breweries, has managed to retain its traditional charm. After checking in, you can stroll around the Sanmachisuji District, an area of merchant homes dating back to the late 16th century. A kaiseki style dinner will be served at the ryokan. Retrieve your luggage from the ryokan upon arrival. Breakfast at the ryokan and Kaiseki style dinner are included. Travel:5 1/2Hours; Walking: Light After traveling by bus to the Jigoku-dani (Hell Valley), we will delight in the famous “snow monkeys” of Japan. The world famous Red-Faced “snow monkeys” are only found in Japan. During the winter, the monkeys enjoy using the baths to stay warm, just l