SMALL GROUP TOURS Winter Highlights

CLASSIC 14 Nights Tokyo > > Rausu > > > Kyoto > Yudanaka > Tokyo

Rausu Abashiri Take a cruise down the Sumida Tour Overview Tsurui River in Tokyo and sip tea in Sapporo Hamarikyu Gardens For those who want an active trip that

combines nature with fascinating ancient and

Spot red-crowned cranes with a modern Japanese culture, Winter Highlights

nature expert and professional is an excellent choice. Rare birdlife, onsen-

photographer bathing snow monkeys, towering snow and ice

sculptures, World Heritage sites from gardens

Take an icebreaker cruise on the to temples and a little Tokyo neon to spice

things up, all make this a fantastic and varied Okhotsk Sea and look for white- winter itinerary. tailed & Steller’s sea eagles

Hokkaido, ’s northernmost outpost, is Visit the Sapporo Snow Festival remote but breathtaking. Here, you’ll wander

and enjoy a tour of one of vast, windswept, snow-covered plains and wild

Sapporo’s breweries peninsulas, where smoking volcanoes provide

the backdrop, with a litany of rare birds to Yudanaka

Meet an apprentice geisha be spotted. in Kyoto Tokyo

In Tsurui you’ll receive an introduction to Mount Fuji

Hokkaido’s avian residents, accompanied by an

Visit the famous onsen-bathing expert birding guide, while in Rausu you’ll take

monkeys of Yudanaka an icebreaker cruise amongst the creaking floes Kyoto of the Okhotsk Sea. With a little luck, the floes

will have parted sufficiently to allow your cruise

to bring you within close range of magnificent A chance to spot the rare Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles Blackiston’s Fish Owl - a fantastic opportunity for keen wildlife

photographers.

Next, it’s on to coastal Abashiri, home to a

IJT CLASSIC TOURS former prison, where locals still give thanks to

the past inmates – many of whom contributed

Mid-range tours that cover Japan’s classic considerably to Hokkaido’s infrastructure

development. You’ll stop for three nights sights or interest-specific itineraries (e.g. in Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital and home hiking, cultural activities, specific regions) to the famous snow festival, during which

approximately 400 giant snow sculptures

Style Facts occupy the city’s spaces. Sapporo is famous This trip is ideal for those with a sense of for beer as well as snow, so in addition to • Three-star accommodation adventure, an affinity with nature, a keen enjoying the festival you’ll take a tour of interest in traditional culture and a desire • En suite rooms in all locations (except at one of the city’s breweries. to immerse themselves in all aspects of life some unique traditional accommodation) in Japan. Honshu, Japan’s largest island, offers a very

• Airport meet-and-greet and transfers different experience from Hokkaido. In Tokyo

• Breakfast every day plus some lunches you’ll take a cruise on the Sumida River and warm your hands around a bowl of green tea & dinners Day by day at Hamarikyu Gardens, whilst in Kyoto you

• Selected entrance fees include might be lucky enough to enjoy the enchanting

sight of the Golden Pavilion wreathed in snow. Many of our customers choose to arrive a • Solo travellers: a single room is available You will also have a private audience with a day or two early to get over jet-lag and get throughout on payment of a mandatory (trainee geisha), which is sure to be a the most out of the tour. Whatever the case, supplement maiko highlight of your trip. we will be happy to make arrangements to suit your needs

Finally, a little more nature, as you hike into Day 1 Tokyo (D) the Jigokudani Valley forest to observe the On arrival in Tokyo you will be met by your driver Japanese macaques as they stave off the at the airport and taken to the hotel in traditional cold in the mountain hot springs. Of course Asakusa, by shared shuttle. Your tour leader throughout the trip, there will be plenty of will be waiting to welcome you in the lobby to opportunity for you to soak in the incredibly relaxing hot spring baths that Japan is assist with check in and orientation. Asakusa’s renowned for. great temple and its maze-like side streets of

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www.InsideJapanTours.com • [email protected] UK: 0117 244 3380 US: 303 952 0379 AUS: 07 3186 8800 ABTA No.Y6295 fascinating shops are just a few minutes’ walk the island’s capital. The ride is a spectacular You can choose to accompany the group or make from your accommodation. This evening you will experience in itself, offering fantastic views of alternative plans if there is something else, you’d convene with your group for a trip briefing and a Hokkaido’s vast, windswept snowscape as you like to see today. fabulous included meal at one of the area’s great journey cross-country. restaurants. Day 12 Yudanaka (B, D) In Sapporo you’ll have a chance to slow your pace Today you’ll swap Japan’s ancient capital for Day 2 Tokyo (B) and relax, with three nights in a hotel located mountain scenery as you journey by limited Well rested, you’ll no doubt be ready for a tour conveniently next to Sapporo station. express train into the Japanese Alps to Yudanaka of Tokyo’s many exciting attractions today. You will Onsen. A quaint hot spring town that has retained probably begin the tour by meandering through Day 7 Sapporo (B, D) its historical atmosphere, with crooked alleys Asakusa’s low-rise market stalls and its temple, We have timed your trip to coincide with Sapporo’s and wooden buildings. Senso-ji, before going on to discover some of yuki matsuri, or snow festival, a truly spectacular Tokyo’s other distinct districts – perhaps the celebration during which the city host hundreds of Arriving mid-afternoon, you will have time to electronics shops of Akihabara, or the famous enormous ice and snow sculptures. We’ll have a explore the town and walk along the river. scramble crossing at Shibuya. A cruise on the chance to join in the festivities, see prize-winning Sumida River will be included today, along with sculptures, sample great snacks from the many In Yudanaka you’ll be spending two nights at a entrance to the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens, an food stalls, and view the festival from above, at traditional ryokan inn, where futon mattresses are oasis of calm. Sapporo Tower’s observation deck. laid out for you on tatami-mat floors. A Japanese- style meal will be included on both nights of your Day 3 Tsurui (B, D) This evening we will have a tour of the Asahi beer stay. Today you will hop aboard a private bus and museum, which will be followed by a feast of a head out of the city to Haneda Airport for your dinner at the Asahi Beer Garden. Day 13 Yudanaka (B, D) flight to Hokkaido. Hokkaido is the second-largest You’ll begin the day with an early start as you of Japan’s four main islands, and yet parts of it Day 8 Sapporo (B) walk on snowy paths through a cedar forest to remain unvisited by most international visitors. Today you have a full day to enjoy the winter Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you’ll find Japan’s Known for its rare wildlife, rugged sweeping plains, wonderland of Sapporo. We recommend visiting most famous simian residents. The macaque volcanic landscape, and amazing snow festivals, the Nijo Fish Market, dropping in at the Ainu monkeys here have learnt to keep themselves Hokkaido is a superb winter destination. Museum, which focuses on Hokkaido’s indigenous warm by bathing in the natural hot spring waters. people, or perhaps scaling the TV tower for great You will land in and transfer by private views of the city. Alternatively, a trip to quaint, The afternoon is at your leisure. If you’re stuck for bus to Tsurui, where you’ll be spending your first coastal by train is another viable option. any ideas on what to do, your tour leader will be night in Hokkaido. You’ll have the chance to take sure to help you out. You could make a trip to Kita- a pleasant hot spring bath and settle down in your If you’re a keen skier or snowboarder, you could Shigakogen, where you can take a cable car high wonderful accommodation, with its lovely, relaxing use this free day to hit the slopes of the Kiroro up the resort to try out fun winter activities such as lounge area. Ski Resort, just one hour away by bus. Your tour snowmobiling and snow tubing. For art buffs, we leader will be happy to help you organise a great suggest heading to Obuse to see some woodblock A delicious home-cooked dinner will be included value package including return bus, ski hire and a prints by Japan’s most famous master, Katsushika at the hotel this evening. lift pass. Hokusai, at the gallery dedicated to his work.

Day 4 Rausu (B, D) Day 9 Kyoto (B, D) When you return to your ryokan tonight, we Tsurui is famous as a breeding ground for the rare Today it’s time to leave Hokkaido behind and recommend that you follow the monkeys’ example red-crowned crane, and this morning you will have return to Honshu, Japan’s main island, by plane. and have a nice long soak in the inn’s onsen hot the services of an expert local guide in addition Flying from Sapporo to Kansai Airport, you’ll then spring baths. to your tour leader, as you take a bird-watching take the train to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart and tour of the area. Hopefully you’ll be lucky enough capital for over a millennium, from 794 until 1868. Day 14 Tokyo (B, D) to see the cranes perform their incredible mating Finally, it’s time for you to return from the dance – don’t forget to bring your camera. On arrival in the city you will drop your luggage mountains to Tokyo, for one last evening in the at the hotel and have time to freshen up, before city. Hopefully you should arrive in time for a little This afternoon you’ll transfer by private coach to heading out to one of the many great restaurants last-minute souvenir shopping. Head out tonight Rausu, via the beautiful Notsuke peninsular and in the area, for an included meal. for a farewell dinner with your tour leader and its visitors center. Tonight, you will be staying in a fellow group members. The perfect time to share ryokan – a wonderful Japanese style inn. Here you Day 10 Kyoto (B) your favourite moments of the trip. can make use of the hot springs baths and enjoy Kyoto’s illustrious history as the seat of Imperial the included dinner, before heading out for the rule has left it with a bounty of ancient temples, Day 15 Tour Ends (B) chance to spot the rare Blakiston’s Fish Owl. shrines, palaces and gardens. In fact, Kyoto’s A shared shuttle bus has been arranged to pick heritage was considered so significant that it was you up from the hotel to take you to the airport for Day 5 Abashiri (B, D) spared bombing raids during World War II. Many your flight home. Have a safe trip! This morning it’s time to board an icebreaker for of these historical treasures therefore remain intact a cruise on the Okhotsk Sea. From your boat to this day. Our tours aim to be as flexible as possible, you’ll be able to appreciate the wild scenery of so there is no set-in-stone itinerary for each the Shiretoko Peninsula and perhaps even get Your tour leader will take you on an extensive tour day. You will be provided on the ground with up close to a flock of Steller’s Sea Eagles as they of the city, introducing you to some of its famous Day-by-Day sheets and the tour leader will congregate on the ice floes. Later, you will once sites as well as some of its lesser-known outline what they are going to do each day in again climb aboard our private coach for the treasures. This afternoon you will have the privilege detail. If you would like to break away from the journey to Abashiri, where this afternoon you’ll of an exclusive audience with a maiko - or trainee group and do something different, they will be visit the Abashiri Prison Museum, an interesting set geisha. This is a rare opportunity to ask questions available to offer advice, and help you plan of buildings that were constructed during the Meiji and discover what life is like in this notoriously your day. era (1868-1912). secretive world.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious kaiseki meal at our Day 11 Kyoto (B) traditional accommodation. You will be free to continue exploring the countless sights of the city, or to make a day trip to one of Day 6 Sapporo (B) the fascinating destinations within easy reach by This morning you will take a train from Abashiri, rail. Your tour leader may be leading a tour of the through the Hokkaido winter heartland to Sapporo, former capital, Nara, just an hour’s train ride away.

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www.InsideJapanTours.com • [email protected] UK: 0117 244 3380 US: 303 952 0379 AUS: 07 3186 8800 ABTA No.Y6295 What’s included Sample Accommodation Cross Hotel, Sapporo In Sapporo you will stay at the Cross Hotel. This is a stylish business hotel in a great location just Please note that accommodation is subject to Your comprehensive InsideJapan Info-Pack 5mins walk from the station. The hotel has a change. Final details of the accommodation boutique feel to it and boasts great facilities such Full-time services of your InsideJapan will be included in your Info-Pack, which will as a bath house and lounge on the 18th Floor with tour leader be sent out approximately four weeks before views over the city. There is a good restaurants and departure. If you’d like to know more, please 14 nights’ accommodation the staff are friendly and helpful. speak to your travel consultant. Breakfast every day and nine evening meals  Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo, Kyoto This is a smart modern hotel with welcoming lobby All transport between destinations in Japan, Asakusa Via Inn, Tokyo including airport transfers and domestic flights with view of a pleasant Japanese-style garden The Asakusa Via Inn is located just a stone’s throw and an IC transport card with 2,500 yen credit within the hotel grounds. Rooms are fairly compact from Senso-ji, the oldest and most venerated but comfortable with modern amenities such Sumida river cruise and entrance to temple in Tokyo.  as flat-screen TV. Unusually for a western style Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo hotel, the Mitsui Garden also provides a traditional This is a fascinating, old-fashioned district of Tokyo Bird-watching guide in Tsurui Japanese bathhouse, perfect for a relaxing soak  packed with market stalls, interesting shops, after a long day of sightseeing in Kyoto. The hotel Entrance to the Blakiston’s fish owl reserve traditional inns and tiny restaurants selling has a great location in the centre of Kyoto. ‘Sanjo’ reasonably priced and delicious food. The rooms Icebreaker cruise on the Okhotsk Sea is the name of one of the main routes that runs  at the Asakusa Via Inn are modern, bright and fully west-east across the city, so you are well placed to Brewery tour in Sapporo en suite. The Ginza and Asakusa subway lines are explore the sights. just a short walk away, meaning that access to the Audience with a trainee geisha in Kyoto rest of Tokyo is easy, while the nearby Tobu line Ryokan View (Biyu no Yado), Yudanaka Entrance to the Jigokudani Monkey Park provides direct trains to Nikko National Park in the This friendly Japanese-style inn is located in the in Yudanaka north. Breakfast is a Western/Japanese buffet. heart of Yudanaka. The owners offer a free shuttle bus service to the Jigokudani hot springs and Luggage forwarding from Tsurui to Sapporo Woody Hotel and Restaurant Yumekobo, Tsurui monkey reserve, where you can see Japanese This cosy timber accommodation is on the fringes Luggage forwarding from Kyoto to Tokyo macaque monkeys enjoying the warm waters in of the Kushiro marshland. Located a 50-minute the harsh winter climate. Shared portable Wi-Fi access throughout trip ride from Kushiro Station, 30 minutes by car from the airport, and conveniently close to the crane The ryokan also has its own hot spring baths for sanctuaries of Tsurui, this is an ideal base for your you to enjoy and serves delicious home-cooked stay in this beautiful area. It backs onto peaceful Japanese food. NOT Included woodland full of birdsong, so you have immediate access to the snowy countryside. r International flights Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, Tokyo The Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza is a sleek, modern r Any local transport (subways, taxis, buses) The hotel features Canadian log buildings and hotel conveniently located in the buzzing Shinjuku unless covered by the included transport passes antique furnishings, has its own bathhouse as well district. Located on the south side of Shinjuku r Any entrances fees (including those for as a barbecue area. There are limited en suite Station, the Sunroute Plaza is ideally located to museums, temples & shrines) unless otherwise facilities on site and some guests will be required serve as a base for exploring Tokyo. Not only specified to share toilet, shower and hot spring facilities are there endless shopping, dining, drinking and (separated by gender). entertainment options within a few minutes’ walk r Baggage handling and luggage forwarding of your front door, but you are just two minutes’ unless otherwise specified - you will be The fireside lounge area is a great place to take expected to carry your own luggage walk from Shinjuku Station - the world’s busiest, things really easy. The chefs here pride themselves with links to all Tokyo’s districts and beyond. An on their fusion cooking – so mealtimes are sure to excellent buffet breakfast is served each morning. be a treat. Breakfast is a set Western-style menu. Dai-Ichi Hotel, Rausu Completely unrelated to the Dai-ichi (No.1) chain usually associated with 10-storey hotels, this accommodation is a small, independent,

three-storey ryokan (traditional inn). There are two fantastic, large, outdoor hot spring baths for men and women behind the hotel, and a small third bathing area up among rocks for mixed bathing. Regular baths can also be found indoors.

Staff here are very attentive to your needs and meals are hearty Hokkaido fare. Breakfast is a set Japanese menu.

Hokuten no Oka, Abashiri The Hokuten no Oka is a beautiful, high-grade ryokan-hotel. It sits on a peninsula jutting into , and although just minutes from Abashiri town centre, the hotel is surrounded by nature: forests and wetlands, home to plenty of wildlife.

Interiors feature warm, contemporary designs accented throughout with artwork, decorations and other hints of Okhotsk culture. Breakfast and dinner are included, and dinner (either Japanese or French food) is served in the hotel restaurant.

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www.InsideJapanTours.com • [email protected] UK: 0117 244 3380 US: 303 952 0379 AUS: 07 3186 8800 ABTA No.Y6295 Important Tour Information Your tour leader is not a guide so may not know every historical detail of every shrine, temple or palace, yet they are available pretty much all day Please bear in mind that Hokkaido every day and will even be happy to accompany temperatures in the heart of winter can tour members out at night on occasion! lower to -20°C (-4°F). You will be out in the countryside very early some mornings and will Please note that the tour leader reserves the right also be on the frozen sea in Rausu, so please to deny participation in an activity if s/he feels that ensure you have very warm winter clothing, it is in the safety or best interest of you and/or any winter boots and non-bright jackets for the other members of the group. Similarly, dangerous nature spotting sections of the trip. Ice grippers weather conditions may lead to cancellation of or simple rubber crampons are needed to walk such an activity. safely on the icy streets. Luggage Fitness We highly recommend that to make your stay Even when not using public transport, sightseeing more enjoyable you pack reasonably light. Large in Japan often involves walking between sights, suitcases will be an inconvenience to you as you climbing up steps in temples and being ‘on the will have to carry your bags for short distances at go’ for much of the day. To enjoy any of our Small times and some stations do not have escalators or Group Tours you should be of moderate fitness, elevators/lifts. able to walk and climb stairs without difficulty and able to maintain a pace that is comfortable for the For ease of transit, we will be forwarding your majority of the group. luggage on two occasions and you will be without your main bag for 2 nights in Hokkaido (1 night Dietary Requirements in Rausu and 1 night in Abashiri) and for 2 There are a number of meals included on all our consecutive nights in Yudanaka. tours. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements and we will try to You will need a small overnight bag (e.g. backpack) ensure that included meals meet these needs. for use when we forward our main bags to the next location. In addition, please note that dietary requirements (such as vegetarianism, gluten-free diets and even Transport on tour some allergies) are very uncommon in Japan so Please note that most transfers are by public meals for those with specific requirements may be transport making use of Japan’s first-rate transport simpler and less varied. network. This tour uses a mixture of domestic flights, trains, taxis, and boats, as well as private On this tour you’ll stay at a number of Japanese coaches for some transfers and sightseeing. style accommodation, you will be served a traditional dinner, as well as a Japanese breakfast International Flights in the morning. This tour starts and finishes in Tokyo for arrivals and departures at Tokyo Narita Airport or Tokyo En suite / shared facilities Haneda Airport. Please note that the included Culturally, communal bathing is common practice meet-and-greet and airport transfer to the first in Japan. Please note that in some traditional hotel is ONLY available from these two airports. accommodations fully private en suite facilities may not be available. We will do our best to secure Check-in rooms on tour with private toilet and sink however Upon arrival you will probably be tired after a long some accommodations are not able to offer international flight. Please note that rooms at the private facilities. Shared facilities (when included) Tokyo hotel are only available from 3pm. will always be separated by gender. Hotels in Japan operate strict check-in policies. If Policy on single rooms you have an early arrival you can either book an Single rooms are guaranteed at all night stops on extra night for any-time check-in, or the hotel will this tour through payment of a mandatory single be happy to securely store your luggage for you supplement. whilst you go for a drink or explore the local area. Double rooms The tour leader will be staying at the first hotel for Please note that in Japan, twin rooms are very two nights before the tour starts so they will be much the norm, and there are far fewer double available for advice if you choose to book pre tour rooms available. Please understand that on this nights. We recommend booking at least one extra tour we are not able to offer double rooms at any night to check in and relax before the tour begins. of the locations.

Your tour leader Our tours are led on the ground by a fluent English speaker, now a resident of Japan and able to speak Japanese. They are there to ensure that you get the most out of your trip and that the whole adventure goes smoothly. The tour leader travels with the group and stays at the same hotels and ryokan, so please feel free to ask for help or advice at any time.

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www.InsideJapanTours.com • [email protected] UK: 0117 244 3380 US: 303 952 0379 AUS: 07 3186 8800 ABTA No.Y6295