12-Day Hokkaido Winter Festivals Tour

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12 days 11 nights

Price On Request

Meet your tour guide at the exit gate and transfer to your hotel in Chitose.

Sapporo Prince Hotel or similar class

The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of Japan's most iconic winter events, held annually in Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. The festival typically takes place over seven days in early February and attracts millions of visitors from around the world. The centerpiece of the Sapporo Snow Festival is the stunning ice and snow sculptures displayed throughout the city. These elaborate sculptures range from towering structures depicting famous landmarks to intricate sculptures of characters from popular culture.

Breakfast

Sapporo Prince Hotel or similar class

Today, we travel to Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo. We will visit the Historic Village of Hokkaido, an open-air museum showcasing over 50 historic buildings from various regions of Hokkaido. Here, turn back time as you wander through streets lined with traditional homes, schools, and businesses. Next, we learn about Hokkaido's brewing heritage at the Sapporo Beer Museum. Discover the brewing process of Sapporo Beer, one of Japan's oldest and most famous breweries. Sample a variety of beers in the museum's tasting room, and enjoy a guided tour to learn more about the art of beer-making in Hokkaido. Afterward, we travel to Hokkaido Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine tucked away in the lush Maruyama Park. Here, you may pay your respects at the main shrine and admire the seasonal beauty of the surrounding landscape. Then, we journey to Mount Moiwa, where you'll ascend to the summit via a ropeway or cable car with grand views of Sapporo and its surrounding mountains.

Breakfast / Lunch

Sapporo Prince Hotel or similar class

After breakfast, we will visit the lively Nijo Market in Sapporo. At this seafood market, you may sample local specialties such as Hokkaido crab, sea urchin, and salmon roe. Next, venture to Otaru, a picture perfect port city known for its historic canal district and culinary delights. Indulge in a food focused adventure along Otaru Sushi Restaurant Street, where you'll find an abundance of sushi restaurants serving up the freshest seafood sourced from nearby waters. Here, you can find delectable nigiri, sashimi, and other sushi creations, accompanied by locally brewed sake for the perfect pairing. Next, you will take a leisurely stroll along Sakaimachi Street, lined with charming preserved merchant buildings dating back to the early 20th century. Explore boutique shops, glassware studios, and artisanal craft shops, and don't miss a visit to the Le Tao Cheesecake Factory to indulge in their famous cheesecakes and other sweet treats (cost not included). Continue your exploration with a visit to Otaru Canal, a scenic waterway lined with historic warehouses and stone bridges. Admire the romantic ambiance of the canal, especially enchanting during the winter months when it is illuminated by gas lamps and candles for the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. Conclude your day in the magical atmosphere of the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, where the city's streets and canals are adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and snow sculptures. Enjoy stunning displays, experience live music performances, and sample hot snacks and beverages.

Breakfast

Sapporo Prince Hotel or similar class

After breakfast, we will explore the art of sake brewing at Otokoyama Sake Brewery & Museum. At the brewery's facilities, we will learn about the sake-making process, and sample a variety of premium sake products. Next, we will visit Asahikawa Ramen Village, a foodie paradise featuring multiple ramen shops serving up delicious bowls of Hokkaido's famous noodle dish. Choose from a variety of regional styles and flavors, and savor the hearty broth, chewy noodles, and savory toppings that make Hokkaido ramen a must-try culinary experience. After satisfying your appetite, venture to Sounkyo—a picture perfect gorge surrounded by the Daisetsuzan Mountains—to experience the Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival. Here, we will see magnificent ice sculptures and illuminated ice falls that transform the gorge into a winter wonderland during the festival. Admire the intricate designs and shimmering lights as you stroll through the enchanting displays.

Breakfast / Dinner

Sounkyo Onsen Choyo Resort Hotel (Japanese Style Room) or similar

Today, we will explore the majestic Ginga and Ryusei Waterfalls in Sounkyo. Here, we find powerful cascading waterfalls tumbling down rugged cliffs as the Daisetsuzan Mountains can be seen in the background. Next, journey to Abashiri, a coastal city on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, famous for its icy landscapes and cultural heritage. Here we visit the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, where you'll learn about the formation and dynamics of drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. Explore interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and dioramas that showcase the unique ecosystem of the region and the importance of drift ice in shaping local culture and livelihoods. Afterward, you will embark on a thrilling Drift Ice Cruise aboard the Aurora, where you'll venture into the Sea of Okhotsk and catch sight of drift ice floating on the frigid waters. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as seals and sea birds as you cruise through the sea.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Hotel Abashirikoso (Japanese Style Room) or similar class

After breakfast, you will visit the Abashiri Prison Museum, a unique attraction that offers insight into Japan's jail system during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Explore the detailed reconstructed prison buildings, exhibits, and artifacts, and learn about the daily life of inmates and guards in this remote northern outpost. Next, venture into the pristine wilderness of Shiretoko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its rugged coastline, dense forests, and abundant wildlife. Start your adventure at the Shiretoko Nature Center, where you can learn about the region's unique ecosystem, geology, and conservation efforts through interactive exhibits and guided tours.Then, gear up for an exhilarating snowshoe trekking adventure through the snow-covered forests and mountains of Shiretoko. Follow experienced guides as they lead you through majestic landscapes, pointing out native wildlife, such as sika deer, red foxes, and Steller's sea eagles, along the way.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort or similar class

Today, you will start your tour at Lake Mashu, with its crystal-clear waters and ethereal mist that shroud this mysterious caldera lake. Next, venture to the volcanic peaks of Mt. Io, where you can witness firsthand the geothermal activity that shapes the region's rugged terrain. Explore hiking trails that wind through volcanic landscapes, surrounded by smoking vents and steam vents. You will continue your journey to Lake Kussharo, where you'll encounter the graceful whooper swans that gather on the lake's icy waters during the winter months. Watch in awe as these majestic birds glide across the surface of the lake, with their elegant white plumage contrasting against the snow- covered landscape. Next, we will visit the Ainu people at Lake Akan's Ainu Kotan, a traditional Ainu village where you can experience the ancient traditions and customs of Hokkaido's indigenous people. Witness traditional Ainu dance performances, learn about Ainu crafts and artifacts, and sample authentic Ainu cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

New Akan Hotel (Japanese Style Room) or similar class

Today, we travel to Lake Akan, where you'll participate in the traditional winter activity of ice smelt fishing. Bundle up and head out onto the frozen surface of Lake Akan, where you'll drill a hole through the ice and drop your line in hopes of catching these small, silvery fish. Enjoy the thrill of the catch and the camaraderie of fellow anglers as you spend time on the ice. Next, venture to Tsurui to visit the Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary, a haven for the majestic red- crowned cranes that inhabit the region. Witness the beauty of these iconic birds as they gather in the snowy fields and wetlands, performing their courtship dances against the backdrop of the winter landscape. Capture stunning photographs of the cranes in their natural habitat and learn about conservation efforts to protect these endangered species. Afterward, we journey to Obihiro for a culinary adventure at Tokachi No Nagaya and Kita No Yatai, two popular food markets offering an array of local Hokkaido delicacies. Sample freshly grilled meats, savory snacks, and sweet treats made from regional ingredients, and mingle with locals as you explore the exciting market stalls.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro or similar lcass

After breakfast, we visit Lake Shikaribetsu Ice Village, where you can enjoy soaking in soothing warm natural hot springs (onsen) amidst snowy surroundings. Next, partake in a hands-on ice glass-making experience, where skilled artisans will guide you through the process of crafting delicate glassware from clear ice harvested from Lake Shikaribetsu. Channel your inner artist as you carve designs into the ice, creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces to take home as souvenirs of your visit. Afterward, you will explore the ice sculptures and structures that adorn the village. Take a leisurely stroll through the labyrinth of icy pathways, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns and twinkling lights.

Breakfast / Dinner

Furano Prince Hotel or similar class

Today, we head to a local cheese factory in Furano, where you'll have the opportunity to make your own ice cream. Learn about the cheese-making process and select your favorite flavors and toppings to create a personalized treat. Enjoy your homemade ice cream treat. Next, head to Furano Winery to explore Hokkaido's wine scene. Take a guided tour of the winery to learn about the wine-making process and sample a selection of locally produced wines. From crisp whites to robust reds, you'll have the opportunity to taste the unique flavors of Furano's vineyards while enjoying views of the surrounding countryside. Afterward, we will experience the exhilarating thrill of dog sledding or snowmobiling through Furano's snowy landscapes. Feel the rush of the cold wind against your face as you glide across snow-covered fields and forests, led by a team of energetic sled dogs or piloting your own snowmobile.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose or similar class

After breakfast, free for leisure until transfer to New Chitose Airport for departure.

Breakfast