Charms of Hokkaido
Hokkaido Winter Festivals Tour
9
Days
8
Nights
Tour Period
2025
Feb 2 - Feb 10
2026
Feb 3 - Feb 11
Included
Accommodations
5 nights Western style and 3 nights Japanese style accommodation
Meals
Breakfast everyday
5 lunches and 4 dinners
Others
Meet and greet upon arrival at Sapporo New Chitose Airport
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Private coach transfers between destinations in Japan
Comprehensive escorted with a professional English speaking tour guide
Gratuities
All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary
Not Included
Airfares
International Airfares
Meals
Meals that are not included in the itinerary.
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance
Others
Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
Witness Hokkaido's grandest winter wonders! Festivals, ice artistry, and cultural immersion!
Immerse yourself in winter wonder with Japan's renowned Sapporo Snow Festival tour. Witness the stunning artistry of ice sculptures at various Hokkaido Festivals, attracting millions worldwide. Stay in traditional ryokans, savor onsen baths and kaiseki dinners. Explore snowy landscapes, walk on frozen lakes, and be awed by lit-up ice castles. Learn about the Ainu people's heritage at Upopoy National Ainu Museum and stroll through Otaru's heritage district. Visit Otokoyama Sake Brewery, taste sake, and admire brewing tools.
Discover Hokkaido's red fox at Kitakitsune Farm. Enjoy an icebreaker cruise in the Sea of Okhotsk, view the Shiretoko Peninsula, and meet Siberian migratory swans at Lake Tofutsu. Try local Wakasagi smelt fishing at Lake Akan and buy Ainu crafts at Ainu Kotan. Finally, visit Akan International Crane Center and the Kushiro Marshlands, a Ramsar site, housing the tancho or Red-crowned crane.
Itinerary
This 9-day adventure immerses you in the enchanting winter wonderland of Hokkaido, Japan.
Sapporo New Chitose Airport
Welcome to Sapporo, Japan! You will be met at the arrival gate by our representative holding a name sign.
NOTE: The meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 11 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, we will provide full instructions in advance for you to transfer to your hotel on your own.
Shiraoi
Upopoy National Ainu Museum
In the morning we will go to Shiraoi, and the Upopoy National Ainu Museum, a newer museum facility that celebrates the cultural heritage of the native Ainu people, including exhibits on Ainu language, culture, history, crafts, music, and dance.
Lake Shikotsu
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Then, we venture out to Lake Shikotsu to walk among the incredible ice sculptures and multi-story snow buildings during the Lake Shikoku Ice Festival.
In the afternoon, we will depart for Sapporo by a private coach and enjoy a dinner. Finally, we check- in to our hotel for a relaxing evening in Sapporo.
Sapporo
Sapporo Snow Festival
This morning we will visit the Sapporo Snow Festival (the Odori Site), the biggest snow festival in Hokkaido, by train. The festival's famous large snow sculptures are crafted by citizens who compete against each other's work of arts. It is normal for these snow figures to measure more than 25 meters wide and 15 meters high. Most are exhibited in the Odori site.
Even so, many more snow sculptures of varied sizes and shapes are exhibited in events and concerts at other locations apart from the main stage in Odori's park. For those who want a view to remember, they can consider taking a view from the Sapporo TV Tower at the eastern end of Odori Park.
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy, along with lunch on your own. Our tour guide will be there to help you make arrangements or take you to places depending on the group's need.
Sapporo
Okurayama Ski Jump Observatory / Historic Village of Hokkaido
This morning we continue to enjoy a tour of Sapporo. Visit Okurayama Ski Jump Observatory for an incredible view of Sapporo. From there, we go into the Historic Village of Hokkaido where horse-drawn carriages and trolleys are still seen and used. The village offers insight into its history as well as an open-air museum through their buildings, which exemplify architectural evolution from the Meiji and Taisho eras into the modern age.
Otaru
Sakaimachi Street - Kitaichi Garasukan & Music Box Museum / Otaru Canal / Otaru Sushi District
From there, we travel into the romantic and nostalgic town of Otaru for a leisurely stroll through the port city's heritage district. As you walk up Sakaimichi Street, you can see Otaru's history in old Western-style fisheries, shops and houses. On the way, we'll explore Otaru's reputation for excellent glass craftsmanship at the Kitaichi Garasukan, where glassmakers transitioned from making simple glass fishing buoys to crafting fine glassware and artwork.
At one end of Sakaimichi Street we'll discover the Music Box Museum, a cozy museum and shop selling a large collection of charming music boxes. After, we will take a walk along the Otaru Canal, which had once fallen into disrepair at the introduction of modern docking facilities, and has since been converted into a charming vintage promenade. Finally, we will make our way to the Otaru Sushi District, where you will be free to find your own sushi dinner from among the shops selling various kinds of sushi.
Asahikawa
Asahikawa Winter Festival / Otokoyama Sake Brewery
Today, we will take a 2-hour ride by private coach from Sapporo to Asahikawa for the Asahikawa Winter Festival. The biggest snow castle is found in the winter festival, entertaining all who come to visit it. The building may be cold, but you would always warm up with a nice cup of sake. Next, we visit the Otokoyama Sake Brewery where historical sake brewery tools are displayed and the history of Otokoyama sake was born. Enjoy a sake tasting experience to add to your experience.
Sounkyo
Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival
Then, we will proceed to Sounkyo Gorge in Daisetsuzan National Park. Lets enjoy the views of the Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival's snow creations that take shape in forms of creatures, cultural sites, and pop culture characters. After your evening stroll around the ice festival, you will check-in to your hotel and relax in the hot spring baths.
Sounkyo
Ginga & Ryusei Waterfalls
After breakfast, we will explore the Sounkyo Gorge area, including Ginga and Ryusei waterfalls, a popular ice climbing spot. The Ginga, or "Galaxy" waterfall drapes over the rock like a white curtain, while the Ryusei "Shooting Star" waterfall rushes out from behind the rocks in the cliff face like a natural jetstream.
Kitami, Abashiri
Kitakitsune Farm
From there, we will drive to Kitami, a small town in the countryside. We will stop for a visit to the Kitakitsune Farm, which cares for the well being of one of Hokkaido's native treasures - the Ezo red fox. These adorable creatures, noted for their gorgeous, fluffy coats, are considered heavenly messengers in traditional Shinto mythology, with statues of foxes decorating the grounds of many shrines.
Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum
Next, we drive to the town of Abashiri for a tour of the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, which features interactive exhibits about the native environment around the Bay of Okhotsk, where you can see ryu-hyo, or drift ice. We will have a rare opportunity to observe the mysterious sea life known as clione "sea angels".
Abashiri
Ice Breaker Cruise
This morning, we will experience an Ice Breaker cruise among the floating drifts of ice. Once there, you will notice the different species that come to migrate or live in the area year- round.
Abashiri Prison Museum
We will also visit Abashiri Prison Museum. The original Abashiri Prison was constructed in the 1890s, it was set to hold over a thousand dangerous criminals, but soon was overcapacitated and created unliveable conditions for its inmates. Ishii Teruo's films, however, created a Yakuza image in the 1960's that was more interesting for the public.
Eventually, the prison's original buildings were moved and remodeled, then finished in 1985. It is now an open air museum, for the public.
Lake Tofutsu, Lake Akan
Whooper Swans Viewing / Wakasagi Smelt Fishing
In the afternoon we will take a tour of Lake Tofutsu and Lake Akan. Once at Lake Akan, we will experience a local practice and delicacy, Wakasagi smelt fishing.
Lake Akan
Ainu Kotan
After breakfast, visit Ainu Kotan, a street that specializes in hand-crafts, cultural items, and other souvenirs from the native Ainu culture. Then we will drive to Kushiro for a visit to Akan International Crane Center. Kushiro is the home of the rare and beautiful Tancho "red-crowned" crane. The crane is an animal closely tied to Japanese folklore, and you can see many of these delicate birds here year round, and view exhibits about the breeding and ecology of cranes.
Kushiro
Akan International Crane Center
Then we will explore the Kushiro Marshlands, a region protected by the Japanese as the roosting grounds of the red-crowned crane. The marsh turns a pale brown in the fall as the land prepares for the coming winter snow.
Kushiro Marsh Observatory / Washo Market
Stop by at the Kushiro Marsh Observatory to enjoy a panoramic view of the marshland, the city of Kushiro, and the mountains of Akan. The Washo Market in Kushiro, Hokkaido is a market specializing in selling fish produce to the public. It is located close to the Kushiro Station within walking distance of the market. It is considered one of the top three markets to go to in Hokkaido.
Breakfast / Lunch
Tour End
After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am.
Transfer to Kushiro Airport by Airport Limousine Bus.
NOTE 2: The departure airport transfer is ONLY available on the last day of the tour. If you plan to stay extra nights after the tour, we will provide full instructions in advance for you to transfer to the airport on your own.
NOTE 3: If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.
Accommodations
Throughout the tour, you’ll have the chance to stay in traditional ryokans, indulge in soothing onsen baths.
2-2-1 Hokuei, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido 066-8637, Japan
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Chitose or similar class
ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose, located in the center of Chitose, is a stylish 4-star hotel just 15 minutes by taxi from New Chitose Airport. It offers spacious rooms, including massage-equipped showers, and an 11th-floor Astral bar with city views. The hotel’s prime location allows easy access to Sapporo and other parts of Hokkaido. Enjoy exquisite Japanese cuisine at Haskap and Fujihana restaurants. Ideal for business or leisure travelers seeking comfort and convenience.
NOTE: The meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 11 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, we will provide full instructions in advance for you to transfer to your hotel on your own.
1-2-9 Nishi, Kita 3-jo, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidô, Japan, 060-0003
ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo or similar class
ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, situated in Sapporo—one of Japan’s biggest cities—has become a luxurious landmark. With 412 guest rooms, each adorned in natural color tones, the hotel offers a comfortable and exquisite environment. It features 18 banquet rooms, including unique sky banquet rooms, perfect for events. Five restaurants cater to diverse tastes, from Japanese cuisine to Teppanyaki. Conveniently situated near Sapporo Subway Station and JR Sapporo Station, it’s an accessible choice for both business and leisure travelers.
Chikko 11-3, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
Grand Park Otaru Hotel or similar class
Grand Park Otaru, nestled amid scenic mountain vistas and overlooking Ishikari Bay, is a luxurious escape. With sophisticated decor and modern amenities in its 296 spacious rooms, guests can immerse themselves in Otaru’s finest. Specialty dining experiences await, making it a gateway to Hokkaido’s charms.
Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa, Hokkaido, 078-1795, Japan
Sounkyo Choyotei Hotel or similar class
Sounkyo Choyotei, located in the highlands of Sounkyo Onsen, offers panoramic views of nature. This modern Japanese-style hotel features spacious rooms with Western beds and Japanese-style seating areas. Guests can enjoy 7th-floor hot-spring baths with mountain views, karaoke, and buffet dining. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Ropeway cable car and a 10-minute drive from Ryusei no Taki Waterfalls. A delightful retreat for those seeking relaxation amidst Hokkaido’s scenic beauty.
23-3 Yobito, Abashiri, Hokkaido, 099-2492, Japan
Abashiri Kanko Hotel or similar class
Abashiri Kanko Hotel, situated in Abashiri, Hokkaido, offers indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths with panoramic views of Lake Abashiri. Guests can choose between Japanese or Western-style rooms, all equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Abashiri Prison Museum and a 15-minute drive from the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples. Local gifts are available at the souvenir shop, and there’s a coin-launderette on-site.
2-8-8, Akankoonsen, Akancho, Kushiro, Hokkaido, 085-0467, Japan
New Akan Hotel or similar class
New Akan Hotel, situated on the shores of Lake Akan in Hokkaido, offers a serene retreat. Guests can enjoy the Sky Garden Spa, where the spa and the lake seem to merge. The hotel features Japanese, Western, and Suite rooms, each providing a unique experience. Relish buffet meals with fresh seasonal ingredients while gazing at Lake Akan. A delightful blend of nature and comfort awaits discerning travelers.
3-7 Nishiki-Cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido, 085-0016, Japan
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kushiro or similar class
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kushiro, located adjacent to Kushiro’s Fisherman’s Wharf, is the largest hotel in the area. With 179 spacious guest rooms, it offers spectacular harbor views. The classic exterior houses banquet halls for various events, including weddings and seminars. Don’t miss the first-class teppanyaki restaurant serving fresh seasonal seafood. Conveniently situated just a 10-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station, it’s an elegant choice for both business and leisure travelers.
Notes
Please review the notes below for important details about your trip. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact us. These notes are designed to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Price
All prices are per person, based on twin (double on request) or triple occupancy.
Deposit
We require a NON-Refundable US$500 deposit per person to hold the space at the time of booking and the final payment is due 2 months prior to departure.
Transport
Travel by private coach between destinations, hassle free baggage handling.
Arrival Departure Airports
For arrivals at New Chitose Airport (CTS), this tour starts in Sapporo and ends in Kushiro, with departures at Kushiro Airport (KUH).
Meal Requests
Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.
Meet and Greet
Please note that the meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 11 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, we will provide full instructions in advance for you to transfer to your hotel on your own.
Others
International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!
We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details.
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