Itinerary
- Day 1
Osaka to Kyoto
Your trip kicks off with an included transfer from Osaka to Kyoto. Once you arrive, you'll meet your Travel Director and the other travelers at your hotel for dinner and a rundown of what's coming up over the next few days.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at your hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto)
Included Activities
- Transfer from Osaka to Kyoto
- Day 2
Kyoto
Start exploring Kyoto's western side with the peaceful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple. You'll head to the Golden Pavilion next, then have a Be My Guest experience with the Nakamura family for an authentic kaiseki lunch where you'll learn about Japanese dining customs. The day wraps up at Fushimi Inari Shrine, where thousands of red torii gates line the wooded hillside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic kaiseki lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant with the Nakamura family)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto)
Included Activities
- Wander Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Visit Tenryuji Temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Admire Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
- Be My Guest Experience - Kaiseki lunch with Nakamura family and learning about Japanese dining customs and etiquette
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tenryuji Temple Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Fushimi Inari Shrine - Day 3
Kyoto to Kanazawa
Board the Thunderbird train heading to Kanazawa. Once there, you'll get a look at how sake gets brewed at a local brewery, followed by lunch with sake pairings. After checking into your hotel, you can relax or join the optional traditional shabu shabu dinner with unlimited drinks if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Locally inspired lunch paired with expertly selected sakes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kanazawa Tokyu)
Included Activities
- Board Thunderbird train to Kanazawa
- Visit local sake brewery and learn brewing process
- Lunch paired with sake tasting
Optional Activities
- Traditional shabu shabu dinner with unlimited drinks
- Day 4
Kanazawa
Begin at Kenrokuen, one of Japan's most celebrated gardens, then move on to the Nomura Samurai House. You'll have time to find your own lunch spot in the area. Later, a Local Specialist teaches you about Ohi pottery at the Ohi Gallery and you'll try matcha in a handcrafted Ohi bowl. Spend the evening exploring the atmospheric Higashi Chaya District and Kaikaro, a 200-year-old teahouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kanazawa Tokyu)
Included Activities
- Visit Kenrokuen garden
- Visit Nomura Samurai House
- Dive into Culture with Local Specialist at Ohi Gallery - learn about Ohi pottery and try matcha served in handcrafted Ohi bowl
- Explore Higashi Chaya District
- Visit Kaikaro teahouse
Landmarks Kenrokuen Garden Nomura Samurai House Ohi Gallery Higashi Chaya District Kaikaro - Day 5
Kanazawa to Tokyo
Take the bullet train down to Tokyo. You'll learn about traditional takoyaki before digging into a hearty ramen lunch. After that, visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, and see the Imperial Palace Plaza during a scenic drive. You'll have the rest of the evening free once you check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty ramen lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Otani Garden Tower)
Included Activities
- Learn about traditional takoyaki
- Lunch - hearty ramen
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Scenic drive past Imperial Palace Plaza
Landmarks Meiji Jingu Shrine Imperial Palace Plaza - Day 6
Tokyo
Head to Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and browse the Nakamise Arcade for traditional souvenirs and crafts. From there, take in views over the city from Tokyo Skytree. Grab lunch on your own schedule, then go through the Tokyo National Museum to explore Japan's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Otani Garden Tower)
Included Activities
- Explore Sensoji temple
- Browse Nakamise Arcade
- Visit Tokyo Skytree
- Visit Tokyo National Museum
Landmarks Sensoji Temple Nakamise Arcade Tokyo Skytree Tokyo National Museum - Day 7
Tokyo to Memambetsu
Fly north to Memambetsu and visit the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum to learn about drift ice. You'll then board the Aurora, an ice-breaking ship where you'll see rare marine life and seasonal landscapes. Later, check into your traditional onsen hotel for dinner and time soaking in the hot springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local dinner at traditional onsen hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Akan)
Included Activities
- Visit Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum
- Drift ice cruise aboard Aurora ice-breaking ship
- Experience traditional onsen
Landmarks Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum Aurora (Ice-breaking Ship) - Day 8
Lake Akan
Take a relaxed morning before your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience. This afternoon, go to an Ainu village to learn about Japan's Indigenous people and try traditional wood carving. You'll return for dinner, then watch dance and ceremony at the Ainu Kotan Theatre to experience Ainu culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Akan)
Included Activities
- Visit Ainu village
- Traditional wood carving workshop
- Ainu Kotan Theatre - Ainu dance and ceremony performance
Landmarks Ainu Village Ainu Kotan Theatre - Day 9
Lake Akan to Sapporo
Stop at the Akan International Crane Centre to see red-crowned cranes known for their courtship dance. Then take the express train to Sapporo and check out the Sapporo Beer Museum, where you'll get a guided tasting of Hokkaido's brewing legacy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sapporo Excel)
Included Activities
- Visit Akan International Crane Centre
- Travel by express train to Sapporo
- Visit Sapporo Beer Museum and enjoy guided tasting
Landmarks Akan International Crane Centre Sapporo Beer Museum - Day 10
Sapporo
Walk through Sapporo's central sights like Odori Park and the Clock Tower, with a photo stop at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium. Head to Otaru, a port town with a canal, glassworks, and preserved warehouses. Back in Sapporo, celebrate at The Jewels restaurant on Mt. Moiwa, which you'll reach by ropeway for sweeping city views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at The Jewels restaurant on Mt. Moiwa with panoramic views over Sapporo)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sapporo Excel)
Included Activities
- Walk through Odori Park
- Visit Clock Tower
- Photo stop at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
- Explore Otaru canal, glassworks and preserved warehouses
- Ropeway to Mt. Moiwa summit
- Dinner at The Jewels restaurant on Mt. Moiwa
Landmarks Odori Park Sapporo Clock Tower Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium Otaru Canal Mt. Moiwa The Jewels Restaurant - Day 11
Sapporo to Tokyo
Fly to Tokyo and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to do what you want. You could wander through neon-lit Shinjuku, visit a temple, or browse the boutiques and street food in Harajuku.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Otani Garden Tower)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Shinjuku
- Visit a temple
- Browse boutiques and street food stalls in Harajuku
Landmarks Shinjuku Harajuku - Day 12
Tokyo to Airport
After breakfast, take your included transfer to the airport and head home, taking with you memories and cultural discoveries from your winter trip through Japan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
