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SMALL GROUP TOURS Winter Highlights CLASSIC 14 Nights Tokyo > Tsurui > Rausu > Abashiri > Sapporo > 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, Japan’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 PAGE 1 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 Kushiro 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 Otaru 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.

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