Winter guided tour to Japan

Snow Country
10 days Snow Monkeys, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kyoto

Highlights:

Yudanaka Onsen hot spring – Snow monkeys – Obuse sake brewery - traditional merchants houses of Takayama – Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage site - Kanazawa & Kenrokuen Garden - Kyoto

Yudanaka Onsen Snow Monkeys Kenrokuen

The Snow Country tour is ideal for those who want to combine time spent in Tokyo or Kyoto with a journey into the winter landscape of central Japan. The tour offers bathing in natural hot springs, and visits to the historic towns and villages of this mountainous region.
We will begin by travelling to a wonderful hot spring town in the mountains of Nagano, where you can soak in the indoor and outdoor baths. Yudanaka Onsen has a history going back 1,300 years and you will stay at an elegant traditional ryokan with its own hot spring baths. Sitting in a hot bath surrounded by snow is an experience not to be missed! After a soak, sit down to a dinner of delicious home-cooked food with a chance to try ‘atsu-kan’ (hot sake).
On the second day we visit the small town of Obuse, stopping at the museum dedicated to the artist Hokusai, famous for his ukiyo-e wooblock prints. Obuse is also famous for its saké brewery, and during our visit we will be able to try the different varieties and it may be possible to see the brewing taking place.
Afterwards we will visit the famous ‘snow monkeys’, who come to bathe in one of the outdoor hot spring pools. Japanese long-tail monkeys have been coming this hot pool for more than 40 years, ever since a sympathetic lodge owner started leaving food out for them in the winter.
Our next stop will be Takayama, a former feudal artist’s enclave, with many well-preserved traditional houses. The town is famous for its crafts; particularly lacquer ware, pottery, and furniture. There will be time to wander through the back streets, visit the restored Edo-period government buildings, and shop for souvenirs at the morning market.
We head next to the remote village of Ogimachi, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, where will stay for the night in one of the traditionally thatched gassho-zukkuri houses. These large wooden houses have steep thatched roofs, designed to withstand heavy snow, and the term gassho-zukkuri refers to the shape of praying hands formed by the roofs.
From Shirakawa-go, we travel by road to Kanazawa, an elegant city where we will spend two days, and visit Kenrokuen, a classical Japanese garden, one of Japan’s three most famous. Winter is a lovely time to see the garden, when snow will grace the trees and rocks, and you will avoid the tourists. Finally, our journey brings us to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, and we will have two nights to sample this traditional and sophisticated city. The tour ends here but you may like to stay on in Kyoto, or travel onwards to other destinations in Japan.
Along with the beautiful snowy landscapes and wonderful hot springs, we will enjoy freshly-made local cuisine at each stop, such as hida beef, miso bean paste, sweet dumplings and sansai cuisine made from delicately prepared mountain vegetables.

This tour meets in Tokyo at 2pm on day 1. We will be happy to book pre or post-tour accommodation in Tokyo or other cities for you.

Day 1 Meet in Tokyo and transfer to Yudanaka Onsen Hot Spring

Meet in Tokyo and transfer by train to Yudanaka Onsen hot spring in Nagano prefecture. Overnight at hot spring ryokan.

Day 2 Obuse and Yudanaka Hot Spring

Visit to the town of Obuse, with its sake brewery and the museum of the woodblock print artist Hokuasai. In the afternoon we will visit the 'Snow Monkeys' who soak in their very own hot spring bath.

Day 3Takayama

Travel by road to Takayama in the mountainous Hida region, and stay at a traditional ryokan.

Day 4 Takayama

A full day in Takayama to explore the town, visit the morning market, and the san-machi (old town) area to see traditonal merchants houses.

Day 5 Shirakawa-go

Travel by road to the Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage site. Stay in traditionally thatched gassho-zukkuri house.

Day 6 Kanazawa and Kenrokuen

By road to the city of Kanazawa, and visit the famous Kenrokuen garden, formerly the outer garden of Kanazawa castle. Overnight hotel.

Day 7 Kanazawa

A full day in Kanazawa; visit the Omicho market with its selection of seafood and regional foods, free time in the afternoon.

Day 8 Kyoto

By train to Kyoto, Japan's former capital. Visit the Gion geisha quarter before dinner.

Day 9 Kyoto

Full day in Kyoto, visit the Golden Pavilion and the Arashiyama district.

Day 10 Tour ends

Our tour ends today but you may like to stay longer in Kyoto or travel onwards in Japan.

We will be happy to book pre or post-tour accommodation for you throughout Japan.

When we receive your booking we send you a dossier, which contains a suggested gear and clothing list. If you do have queries at this initial stage do contact us and we will be pleased to offer advice.

Traditional Japanese inns (ryokan and minshuku)
Please note that single rooms are not available in all ryokan and minshuku.
Facilities vary by location, and many of the minshuku and ryokan do not have en suite bathrooms.

All breakfasts and 5 evening meals are included.

Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but we cannot make absolute guarantees! Changes to the itinerary will normally be to introduce an improvement. Weather conditions, road and transport conditions, and the health of travellers can all contribute to changes. The guide will ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy-going nature is an asset!

Download tour details (PDF 271kb)

Photo slideshow

Enquire about this tour

Book this tour