Active Northern Japan: Winter in Tokyo & Hokkaido

Active Northern Japan: Winter in Tokyo & Hokkaido

• Trip code: 437X022
• Dauer: 11
• Stil: Active

Winter in Japan is pure magic — crisp air, glowing cityscapes, and landscapes dusted in snow. Imagine the iconic red of Asakusa Temple peeking through a fresh white blanket, or Tokyo’s streets twinkling with festive lights. Now, trade the crowds for Hokkaido’s pristine wilderness, where untouched powder makes it feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Trek through national parks on snowshoes, dive into the rich traditions of the Ainu Indigenous community, and warm up with some of the best food you’ve ever tasted after a day of adventure. If Japan in winter isn’t on your bucket list yet, it absolutely should be.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (9nts), Ryokan stay (1nt)

Checklist

Cold Weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers
• Warm waterproof jacket

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout

Group Size Notes

Max 16, avg. 14

Highlights

Adventure through bright and bustling Tokyo during the winter, Snowshoe through pristine snow in Hokkaido's untouched landscapes, Sample Japan's world renowned food like local specialty ramen and the oldest beer in Japan in Sapporo

Introduction

Winter in Japan is pure magic — crisp air, glowing cityscapes, and landscapes dusted in snow. Imagine the iconic red of Asakusa Temple peeking through a fresh white blanket, or Tokyo’s streets twinkling with festive lights. Now, trade the crowds for Hokkaido’s pristine wilderness, where untouched powder makes it feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Trek through national parks on snowshoes, dive into the rich traditions of the Ainu Indigenous community, and warm up with some of the best food you’ve ever tasted after a day of adventure. If Japan in winter isn’t on your bucket list yet, it absolutely should be

Meal Budget

Plane USD350-455 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Tokyo
- Besuch in Akihabara (Gratis)
- Besuch in Harajuku (Gratis)
- Besuch im Ueno-Park (Gratis)

Sapporo
- Hokkaido Jingu Shrine
- Hill of the Buddha

Start / Finish

Tokyo nach Sapporo

Transport

Plane, private vehicle, local train, walking, snowshoes

What's Included

Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Ryokan Stay, Akan-ko
Dein Foodie-Moment: Ramen Dinner in Asahikawa, Asahikawa. Asakusa Sensō-ji Temple. Nakamise shopping street. Imperial Palace visit. Free time in Tokyo. Snowshoeing in Shiretoko Five Lakes.Primeval Forest & to Furepe Waterfall. Free time in Shiretoko & Sapporo. Sulphur Mountain Visit. Lake Kussharo Hot Spring Beach. Lake Mashu Observatory Deck visit. Traditional Ryokan stay and onsen hot spring. Local Ramen speciality dinner. Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway & Hike. Nijo Market Visit. Sapporo beer tasting. Transport to/from included activities. Internal airfare

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Meals Included

8 Frühstück, 1 Mittagessen, 5 Abendessen

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! Arrive at anytime. Then meet your group and CEO this evening for a welcome meeting

Day 2 Tokyo

Today you have the chance to see the biggest city in Japan on a tour with your CEO. See highlights of this amazing city like Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Asakusa neighbourhood, Nakamise shopping street and the historic Meiji Shrine. In the afternoon, spend your time in Tokyo how you'd like. Opt to visit cool neighborhoods like Akihabara or Harajuku. Or find some green space in the famous Ueno Park

Day 3 Tokyo/Shiretoko

There's no time to waste as you join your fellow travelers in the morning and head towards the airport to board your flight to Memanbetsu airport in Hokkaido. Upon arrival, head to your hotel outside Shiretoko National Park and enjoy dinner together with your CEO and travel mates

Day 4 Shiretoko

After a filling breakfast, depart the hotel en route to the Five Lakes area of Shiretoko National Park. This area is famous for its namesake five lakes that were formed years ago by the eruption of Mount Lo. In the winter, this park is completely blanketed in perfectly white snow and the lakes freeze over. Strap on some snowshoes and hike through the park and over the lakes. In the evening, enjoy a free afternoon to explore Shiretoko

Day 5 Shiretoko

Another morning snowshoe hike in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shiretoko Peninsula awaits. Embark on a guided four hour snowshoe trek through the Primeval Forest area of the park. Be sure to bring binoculars if you are a keen animal enthusiast, as there is ample opportunity to spot various species from the Steller's sea eagle to Japanese deer and maybe even a flying squirrel. The scenery is equally as dramatic as you witness the cliff edges hang over the turquoise water of the sea. In the afternoon, join a local guide for an incredible adventure across the ice. Walk safely over the drift ice that forms on top of the sea during the winter months and float in the water if you dare

Day 6 Shiretoko/Akan-ko

Depart Shiretoko this morning and head slightly inland towards Lake Akan. En route stop to visit active volcano Mt Lo, which sits inside the Kussharo caldera. Watch the sulfurous smoke and steam dramatically rise from the wintery craggy landmass. From there, continue on to the shore of Lake Kussharo, where you can take a moment to get your hands dirty digging into the sandy shore and actually hitting hot spring water. Dig your own personal Onsen! Yet another sign of the volcanic activity still present underground in this area. Make a final stop at the observatory deck to take in views of Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu before continuing on your overnight stay at a Ryokan. After a dinner with your fellow travelers, enjoy a cultural performance in tribute to the history of the local Ainu people of the region. Akan Yukar Lost Kamuy is a presentation of Ainu ancient ceremonial dance, contemporary dance and digital art

Day 7 Akan-ko/Asahikawa

Enjoy a leisurely start to the morning to spend the morning hours enjoying the Ryokan hot springs a second time. Or choose to join your CEO for a walk around Lake Akan. Then make your way towards Asahikawa. Don't fill up too much during the day, because dinner this evening is the famous Asahikawa ramen. This ramen is famed throughout Japan as one of the best in the country

Day 8 Asahikawa

It's time to rise and shine and strap on those hiking boots once again. This morning, head to the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway. Board the ten minute gondola ride up to the start of the walk. Spend a couple of hours exploring the area on foot, and hope for glimpses of the mountain ranges as the fog comes and goes

Day 9 Asahikawa/Sapporo

Sapporo, the capitol of Hokkaido, is home to some of the island's most interesting spots. With a day at leisure, choose to join your CEO to visit the Hill of the Buddha, a incredible and huge shrine. Or, choose to explore the Hokkaido Jingu shrine, a shinto shrine honoring 4 deities

Day 10 Sapporo

Spend today getting well acquainted with the city of Sapporo, home of the world famous beer. Begin your day with a visit to the Nijo Market. Walk through the stalls full of fresh seafood, most caught right of the coast of Hokkaido. You'll see crabs, fish and things you may have never seen before like fresh urchin and fish eggs. Afterwards, head to the home of the first Japanese made beer, Sapporo Beer Museum, and sample beer that can only be found at this location

Day 11 Sapporo

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

Day 2 Tokyo

Day 3 Tokyo/Shiretoko

Day 4 Shiretoko

Day 5 Shiretoko

Day 6 Shiretoko/Akan-ko

Day 7 Akan-ko/Asahikawa

Day 8 Asahikawa

It's important to note that in the winter, you can expect snow on the ground at Asahidake, so itinerary adjustments may be made. Cold weather clothing should be packed during this season.

Day 9 Asahikawa/Sapporo

Day 10 Sapporo

Day 11 Sapporo