Hokkaido Winter Discovery
10 days
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Small Group Tour
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 scu...
Overview
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Highlights
- 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!
- 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.
- Venture far afield to the remote lake akan and appreciate the beauty and fragility of the winter home of endangered cranes.
- Stroll along the snow covered canals of otaru and try your hand at the local art - kitakarou glass blowing.
- 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!
- Warm up after your winter wanderings with visits to some of japan's best-known breweries and whiskey distilleries.
What's this trip about?
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.
Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityTokyo
End CitySapporo
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Day 1 Tokyo
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's dynamic capital where the ultra-modern meets the ancient. You will share a shuttle transfer to your hotel upon arrival. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6pm. You'll meet your leader and group at this meeting...
Day 2 Hakodate
After breakfast you will travel via Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hokkaido, Japan's most northerly island, and the historic port city of Hakodate (4.5 hours). The Western-style wooden buildings and brick churches of this picturesque city were built by the small internatio...
Day 3 Hakodate
This morning,we head out to Hakodate Morning (Asaichi) Market. Famous for the freshest seafood such as crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin and shellfish, it is also a great place to find fresh seasonal produce. If you are feeling hungry it is a great place to pick up a delicious brunch. If it's a clear day/night we also head up to the Mount Hakodate Ropeway for a dazzling view of the city.
Day 4 Sapporo
Your celebration of winter continues with today's journey to Sapporo. The largest city in Hokkaido, Sapporo is transformed every February during its weeklong Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival). Today wil be dedicated to exploring Sapporo. Specifically, Odori Park, the main sit...
Day 5 Otaru
Head to the small, picturesque harbour city of Otaru today. During Hokkaido’s rise in the late 19th and early 20th century, Otaru thrived as a port city and many Western-style buildings were built in its centre. Many of those buildings have been converted into restaurant...
Day 6 Sounkyo
A short train journey back to Sapporo will be followed by a train and bus trip to Sounkyo, a small town known for its hot springs at the base of Kurodake Mountain. Located in a narrow gorge flanked by 100-metre-high, forested cliffs, this region is also known as one of t...
Day 7 Sounkyo
A free day in a winter wonderland. Weather permitting venture out into the gorge that gives Sounkyo its name and runs 24 kilometers (15 miles) along the Ishikari River; you may wander on riverside paths where frozen waterfalls hang in mid-air. If the weather is clear you...
Day 8 Lake Akan
On the way to Lake Akan you will stop at a reserve largely credited with saving a national symbol from extinction. The Akan International Crane Centre is a museum, breeding centre and sanctuary devoted to the rare red-crowned crane (also called Japanese crane). Beside it...
Day 9 Sapporo
Travel back to Sapporo today. Visit Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, where you'll get a great view of the city beside a statue of William S. Clark, the first vice-principal for the Sapporo Agricultural School (presently Hokkaido University). From here it's off to the much ...
Day 10 Sapporo
There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the hotel at any time. Check out time is 10am. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
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Dates & Availability
Price From $5,450
Price per day$545
Last Updated: 3/18/2020
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.
We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.
Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.
At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.
We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.
Why we love this operator
Since their founding in 1977 by trekkers exploring Nepal, they’ve maintained a strong connection to local culture and the “traveler spirit”.
What they’re known for
Immersive experiences that prioritize value, authenticity and adventure over luxury touches for older travelers.
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Logistics
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights),Sounkyo Ryokan Feature Stay (2 nights),
Transportation & Flights
Bullet train,Local train,Public bus,Private vehicle,Subway,Taxi,
Transportation & flights
Bullet train,Local train,Public bus,Private vehicle,Subway,Taxi
Guides
All Peregrine Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Peregrine Adventures endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.
Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Peregrine Adventures we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Due to the rapid increase in tourism in Japan and in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics it has been necessary to go outside our traditional sources for employing tour leaders. As a result, our passionate, professional and trained tour leaders may either be Japanese or long term foreign residents in Japan.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
When travelling on a group trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.
Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking
JAPAN VISA
Most nationalities, including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, EU countries and United States, are able to get visitor visas on arrival. The length of the visa will vary depending on your nationality, but most will be for stays of 90 days or more - check with your local consulate for exact details.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip.
http://www.peregrineadventures.com/en/travel-alerts
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to our operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field JAPAN
Crime levels are low. It is generally safe to walk around at night and to travel on public transport, but you should maintain the same level of vigilance as you would at home and take sensible precautions. Reports of inappropriate touching or ‘chikan’ of female passengers on commuter trains are fairly common. The police advise that you shout at the perpetrator to attract attention and ask a fellow passenger to call the train staff. The Roppongi entertainment district of Tokyo is considered a higher risk area for crime.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point Cross Hotel Sapporo 23 Kitanijo-nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi 北海道札幌市中央区北二条西2−23 Sapporo Sapporo 060-0002 JAPAN Phone: +81 112720010
Trip ID
peregrine-PCJH
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