Japan Winter Adventure

Day 1
Welcome to Japan
Your winter adventure begins with an included transfer from Osaka to Kyoto, where the ancient capital’s charm awaits. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers later this evening for dinner at your hotel and an introduction to the days ahead.

Day 2
Explore Kyoto’s Temples and Shrines
Start your Japan tour through Kyoto’s scenic west as you wander the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and visit Tenryuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the shimmering golden reflection of Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, before your Be My Guest experience. During an authentic kaiseki lunch, you’ll meet your hosts, the Nakamura family, and learn about Japanese dining customs and etiquette in a traditional setting. Continue to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, where thousands of vibrant red torii gates lead into the wooded hills.

Day 3
Kanazawa and Sake Tasting
Board the iconic Thunderbird train bound for Kanazawa, where tradition and artistry thrive. On arrival, you'll Dive into Culture with a visit to a local sake brewery to discover the meticulous brewing process. Afterwards, savour a locally inspired lunch paired with expertly selected sakes. Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure, or join an Optional Experience featuring a traditional shabu shabu dinner with unlimited drinks.

Day 4
Gardens, Pottery and the Spirit of the Geisha
Step into the elegance of Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens, before visiting the Nomura Samurai House. Enjoy time to explore and find a local lunch spot of your choice. In the afternoon, Dive into Culture with a Local Specialist at the Ohi Gallery, where you’ll learn about Ohi pottery and even try matcha served in a handcrafted Ohi bowl. Later, explore the atmospheric Higashi Chaya District and visit Kaikaro, a 200-year-old chaya teahouse.

Day 5
Discover Tokyo’s Street Food Delights
Take the bullet train to Tokyo, then get ready to learn about traditional takoyaki before sitting down to a hearty ramen lunch. Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, dedicated to Japan’s Emperor Meiji, and see the Imperial Palace Plaza on a scenic drive. Settle in at your hotel with time at leisure this evening.

Day 6
Culture and Colour in Tokyo
This morning, explore Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji, and browse at the Nakamise Arcade, one of Tokyo’s oldest shopping streets, where local vendors sell traditional souvenirs and crafts on the approach to the temple. Gaze over the city from Tokyo Skytree, then enjoy lunch at your own pace. In the afternoon, uncover Japan’s rich history with a visit to the Tokyo National Museum.

Day 7
Onward to the Drift Ice of Hokkaido
Fly north to Memambetsu and stop by the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum to learn about the dramatic drift ice phenomenon. Later, take to the icy seas aboard the Aurora, an ice-breaking ship offering views of rare marine life and seasonal landscapes. Check in to your traditional onsen hotel, where you'll enjoy a local dinner and the soothing hot springs.

Day 8
Discover Indigenous Ainu Culture
Enjoy a relaxed morning before your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This afternoon, you’ll visit an Ainu village to learn about Japan’s Indigenous people. Try your hand at traditional wood carving, then return to the hotel for dinner. This evening, you’ll experience the soul of Ainu culture through dance and ceremony at the Ainu Kotan Theatre.

Day 9
Travel to Sapporo
Stop at the Akan International Crane Centre to see the red-crowned cranes, one of the rarest in the world and famous for their courtship dance. Continue to Sapporo, travelling by express train, and delve into Hokkaido’s brewing legacy at the Sapporo Beer Museum, where you can enjoy a guided tasting.

Day 10
From Sapporo to the Charm of Otaru
Walk through Sapporo’s central sights, including Odori Park and the iconic Clock Tower, before a photo stop at the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium. Then it's off to Otaru, a port town famed for its picturesque canal, glassworks and preserved warehouses. Return to Sapporo to celebrate your Japanese winter adventure in style. You’ll take in sweeping views as you travel by ropeway to Mt. Moiwa, where you’ll dine at The Jewels restaurant.

Day 11
Return to Tokyo
Fly to Tokyo and check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to unwind, you might stroll through the neon-lit streets of Shinjuku, visit a temple, or browse the boutiques and street food stalls in Harajuku.

Day 12
Farewell Japan
Say sayonara to your Japan trip companions as you take your included transfer to the airport after breakfast, full of wintertime memories and cultural discoveries.

Dining Summary
4 Dinner (D)
11 Breakfast (B)
2 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
Kyoto: Meet Nakamura Family for a kaiseki lunch at a traditional Japanese Restaurant near Kyoto and learn about local customs.
Dive into Culture
Kanazawa: Savour the flavours of Kanazawa with a sake tasting and lunch. Learn how rice, water and artistry combine to make sake, then lunch on regional dishes that reflect Ishikawa’s culinary heritage.
Kanazawa: Discover the 350-year legacy of Ohi pottery in Kanazawa, where a Local Specialist will share the story behind this ceramic tradition, still crafted by hand today. You'll sip matcha from an Ohi bowl as you join in an immersive ritual that connects art, history and hospitality.
Iconic Experience
Kyoto: Admire the beautiful golden pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple.  
Kyoto: You’ll walk beneath a seemingly endless path of red torii gates at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine. Dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, this sacred site invites you to follow in the footsteps of pilgrims through forested trails and striking shrines.
Kanazawa: Step back in time at the Nomura Samurai House, once home to a respected warrior family. Explore its gardens, traditional architecture and treasured artefacts. You’ll learn about samurai life and honour in feudal Japan with a rare glimpse into the elegance of Edo-period craftsmanship.
Tokyo: Experience a peaceful forest oasis in the heart of Tokyo at Meiji Shrine. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, this Shinto sanctuary invites your quiet reflection beneath towering torii gates and ancient trees, a serene contrast to the city’s busy pace.
Tokyo: Visit the Tokyo National Museum to browse collections of Japanese art and archaeological objects.
Tokyo: Explore Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji, in the historic Asakusa district. Wander through Nakamise Arcade, lined with traditional treats and crafts, before arriving at the main hall, a symbol of faith, resilience and local spirit.
Tokyo: Rise above the skyline at Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan. From its observation deck, you’ll take in panoramic views of the city, from Mount Fuji to Tokyo Bay. It’s a modern marvel and an unforgettable moment that will leave you awestruck.
: Sail across the frozen Sea of Okhotsk aboard an ice-breaking ship. When the temperature drops between late January and late March, your drift ice cruise will bring you face to face with floating ice fields and rare wildlife, like Steller’s sea eagle and spotted seals.
Lake Akan: You’ll be transported by an evening of Ainu storytelling through traditional dance, music and ritual at the Ainu Kotan Theatre. Through this performance, learn about Japan’s Indigenous heritage, preserved with passion and shared with pride.
Sapporo: Visit the birthplace of one of Japan’s most beloved brews at the Sapporo Beer Museum. You’ll explore the history of Hokkaido’s iconic beer brand, then enjoy a tasting that brings the story to life.
Otaru: Wander through Otaru, a port town known for its iconic canal and glass-blown artistry. Lined with old warehouses and gas lamps, the canal district is a great place to stroll through Japan’s Meiji-era past.
Sapporo: Celebrate your journey with a memorable dinner at The Jewels, perched atop Mt Moiwa. Ride the ropeway to the summit, then dine with panoramic views over Sapporo’s cityscape. This dinner is an unforgettable finale to your tour.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Lake Akan: Meet members of the Ainu community, the Indigenous people of Hokkaido, and learn about their deep connection to land and tradition. You'll visit an Ainu village and take part in a hands-on wood carving workshop, discovering the spiritual symbols and stories that live through their art. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
Explore Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo, Kushiro and Sapporo.
Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Kenrokuen gardens and Nomura Samurai House in Kanazawa, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree and National Museum in Tokyo, Beer Museum in Sapporo and Otaru Canal.
View Odori Park, Clock Tower and Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo.
See Imperial Palace Plaza in Tokyo
Cruise Drift Ice Cruise
Trafalgar Difference
Lake Akan: Soak up the serenity at New Akan, a lakeside onsen hotel nestled on the shore of mysterious Lake Akan. Unwind in the open-air sky garden spa, dine on Hokkaido flavours and experience the healing powers of a traditional onsen.