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Experience the remarkable Hokkaido winter wonders travelling through Hakodate, Sapporo, Otaru, Sounkyo and Lake Akan.
A journey that celebrates Japan’s shimmering wintertime charms. From Tokyo you’ll travel by bullet train to Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, for picturesque landscapes and a mesmerising celebration of natural, cultural and artistic delights. Take the Mount Hakodate Ropeway for a stunning view of this city. Be awestruck by a multitude of snow and ice sculptures at Sapporo's world-renowned Snow Festival before trying a few local brews at Sapporo's beer museum. Step back in time along the charming streets of Otaru and sample sake at an atmospheric brewery. Explore the marvelous winter mountains in Sounkyo and soak in the outdoor onsen like a true local for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Marvel at the balletic dancing of endangered red-crowned cranes at snow-covered Lake Akan.
- Start
- Tokyo, Japan
- Finish
- Sapporo, Japan
- Destination
- Japan
- Style
- Peregrine
- Theme
- Limited Edition
- Code
- PCJH
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Japan is a year round destination and winter is one of the best times of the year to to experience it. The streets are lit up at night and blanketed in snow, the markets are bustling a piping hot bowl of ramen tastes especially good when it is below zero outside!
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This is a brief but full trip that gets the most out of the northern region of Hokkaido in a relatively short amount of time.
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Venture far afield to the remote Lake Akan and appreciate the beauty and fragility of the winter home of endangered cranes.
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Stroll along the snow covered canals of Otaru and try your hand at the local art - kitakarou glass blowing.
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The winter ice and snow festivals here are world famous for its huge and elaborate sculptures. Make sure you get your camera out and have your batteries charged as you will take far more photos than you expected!
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Warm up after your winter wanderings with visits to some of Japan's best-known breweries and whiskey distilleries.
Is this trip right for you?
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Most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering just exploring places on foot - the 10000-step goal a day may well be only half of what you'll do in Japan! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
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While heating inside buildings and trains is cosy, it gets very cold in Japan at this time of year in this region (well below zero), so it's important to be prepared with warm clothes and waterproof shoes suitable for walking on ice and snow.
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The festivals attended on this adventure are super popular with both foreign and domestic tourists so you can expect to be mingling with crowds as you enjoy the festivities together.
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The date for Sapporo Snow Festival may change later in the year depending on the weather and snowfall projections. We won't be able to change the itinerary or departure date if the festival date changes. It'll still be a very exciting time to travel in Hokkaido and see how locals embrace life in winter.
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This trip travels primarily on public transport, as it is so efficient and convenient in Japan. Fast trains are used to move between cities, as well as some private and public buses. It can also get muddy and slippery on the streets in the winter time. Be aware when packing for this trip that you will need to be able to carry your luggage on and off public transport, and to and from accommodations. So we strongly suggest packing lightly.
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Our accommodation in Sounkyo is a Japanese ryokan (traditional inn). Rooms are decorated in traditional Japanese style with en suite shower facilities. A shared onsen (Japanese traditional communal hot spring bath) is also available for guests.
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Please be aware the festivals mentioned usually take place in February, so you won't be able to experience the festivals on the December departure. But the winter and the experiences will still be incredible no matter which departure you choose.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Hotel Niwa Tokyo or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Accommodation
- Kokusai Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Hakodate - Goryokaku Citadel & Tower
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Kokusai Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Hakodate - Morning Market
- Hakodate - Mount Hakodate Ropeway
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
There's a chance to see the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) in the Hakodate botanical garden. While it's a popular attraction, we recommend against visiting this particular sight as the monkeys are confined to a rather small area.You will be pleased to discover that despite the wintry conditions Sapporo's underground pedestrian passageways and trains make getting around the city a breeze.
Accommodation
- Cross Hotel Sapporo or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sapporo - Clock Tower (Tokeidai)
- Sapporo - Odori Park
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Nord or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Otaru - Glassware workshop
- Otaru - Tanaka Sake Brewery
- Otaru - Walking tour
- Otaru - Music Box Museum
Meals Included
- Breakfast
If you haven’t already indulged then now is a perfect time to try the onsen facilities at our hotel. Reputed to have restorative properties for body and mind most onsens have separate male and female baths and it's customary for guests to shower before bathing sans clothes. A truly relaxing and rejuvenating treat.
Accommodation
- Mount View Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Mount View Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- New Akan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lake Akan - Tancho Crane Observation Centre
- Lake Akan - International Crane Centre
- Lake Akan - Ainu Kotan Village visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Cross Hotel Sapporo or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sapporo - Beer Museum
- Sapporo - Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
9 breakfasts, 4 dinnersTransport
Bullet Train, Local train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Subway, TaxiAccommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Sounkyo Ryokan Feature Stay (2 nights)Included Activities
- Hakodate - Goryokaku Citadel & Tower
- Hakodate - Morning Market
- Hakodate - Mount Hakodate Ropeway
- Sapporo - Clock Tower (Tokeidai)
- Sapporo - Odori Park
- Otaru - Glassware workshop
- Otaru - Tanaka Sake Brewery
- Otaru - Walking tour
- Otaru - Music Box Museum
- Lake Akan - Tancho Crane Observation Centre
- Lake Akan - International Crane Centre
- Lake Akan - Ainu Kotan Village visit
- Sapporo - Beer Museum
- Sapporo - Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hokkaido Winter Discovery trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
1. A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at many of our properties.
2. The snow festivals in Hokkaido normally take place in February: Snow Light Path Festival in Otaru, Sounkyo Ice Festival and Yuki Matsuri, or Snow Festival in Sapporo. Sometimes the dates for these festivals may change depending on the weather condition. If this happens, we won't be able to change our itinerary or departure date to match the festival time.
3. Due to the rapid increase in tourism in Japan and high demand for guides in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics it has been necessary to go outside our traditional tour leader sources. As a result our passionate, professional and trained tour leaders may be local Japanese or long term foreign residents in Japan.
4. We are currently unable to offer pre & post tour accommodation at our trip hotels in Japan. Should you be arriving early or departing later, please make your own arrangement at a hotel of your choice.
5. A Complimentary Arrival Transfer to our starting point hotel is included on this trip on a shared airport shuttle. Please ensure you provide your flight detail at time of booking or no later than 30 days prior to arrival.

Essential trip information
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