Japanuary 2023
The Japanuary tour offered by Trip2Japan combines cultural experiences, arts & crafts, museums, temples & shrines, and culinary delights, with the opportunity to ski at Japan's largest ski area Shiga Kogen.
If you just want to join the tour and not ski at all, this is ok as well.
The tours starts in Tokyo where you will visit arts and crafts museums and local cultural landmarks. Then it's a ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to a beautiful and traditional Onsen town of Yudanaka. Here you will spend the next 7 nights at a traditional Ryokan (Japanese inn / hotel) where you will be treated to Japanese culinary delights, numerous cultural performances, onsens (Japanese bathhouse), the famous snow monkeys and optional day-trips to historic streets, temples and castles. It is also from here that you will have the option to head up to Shiga Kogen each day (for up to 5 days of skiing/snowboarding).
Then it's back to Tokyo to experience the city life, an iconic temple, and the craziness of the Robot Bar in Shinjuku!
Highlights
- Ski/snowboard at Japan's largest ski resort
- Visit the famous snow monkey onsen
- After dinner Shodo Calligraphy workshop one evening
- Enjoy the fun night life in Tokyo
- Relax in traditional Japanese onsens (natural hot spring baths)
- Performances at Robot Cafe
- Incredible exhibits at Team Lab
- Taiko drumming and lion dance performance in Yudanaka
- Visit museums, temples, shrines and more
- Eat incredible meals that are beautiful and delicious while relaxing in your Yukata (cotton house kimono)
- Alternative day trips if you don't want to ski: Matsumoto Castle, the Hokusai Museum (artist that made the iconic "Wave" print)
- Shop at urban and rural stores and shops
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival Day in Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo. Haneda Airport is preferred although arrangements can be made for Narita Airport. Stay at Remm Hotel Plus, Ginza, in the heart of downtown Tokyo! Every room has a massage chair!
Day 2 - Team Lab
We'll visit the amazing TeamLab Tokyo, which is an art museum featuring digital technology! It's mind blowing! Then we'll see more ARTsome contemporary art at the Terrada Art Complex. Evening free for fun.
Day 3 - Tokyo - Chiyoda
See more contemporary art at the Modern Art Museum and their arts and crafts museum in the beautiful Chiyoda Park. Also view the Imperial Palace - gorgeous!
Day 4 - Travel to Yudanaka near Shiga Kogen
We'll travel by trains to the Shiga Kogen area in the Nagano Prefecture. We'll stay at the beautiful Biyunoyado Hotel in Yudanaka and enjoy incredible meals and onsen baths.
Day 5 - Ski Shiga Kogen
Ski the gorgeous Shiga Kogen area. There are a variety of places to ski. If you prefer, you can do a day trip around Yudanaka, and see the incredible Kannan Buddha statue, and more.
Day 6 - Ski Shiga Kogen
Dinner is an experience, not just a meal. Wear your Yukata (cotton kimono), and relax while you enjoy a kaiseki meal, a delicious, beautiful, multi course Japanese culinary experience. Pick live mushrooms and roast them. Gorgeous appetizers and dessert.
Day 7 - Ski Shiga Kogen
If you don't want to ski every day, you can take day trips to the area's rich offerings: Zenko-ji temple in Nagano, Hokusai Museum in Obuse, Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, and the adorable snow monkeys.
Day 8 - Ski Shiga Kogen
Visiting the snow monkey park is a must. They are adorable. They hang out at the park which is not fenced in and they stay because they feed them. They love the onsen, natural hot springs tub, and swim around. See baby monkeys riding around on their mother's back.
Day 9 - Ski Shiga Kogen
Ski at Shiga Kogen or visit the beautiful Zenko-ji temple in Nagano. The area is full of sightseeing opportunities: a gorgeous pagoda; shrines; shopping street with souvenirs; and great restaurants.
Day 10 - Tokyo - Akihabara
We'll return to Tokyo and stay at the Remm Hotel Akihabara, which has massage chairs in every room. This exciting main street area of Akihabara is within walking distance.
Day 11 - Tokyo - Asakusa
We'll tour the iconic Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, and enjoy the vibrant area full of shops, delicious fresh-baked melon pan buns, and much more. It's a beautiful area.
Day 12 - Tokyo Shinjuku
We'll spend a super fun day in Tokyo culminating in the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku. It's an amazing experience and way better than you can imagine.
Day 13 - Departure Day
Fly back to home from Tokyo. If you want to stay in Japan on your own, that's totally doable. After spending two weeks in Japan, you'll be familiar with navigating Japan.
Rates,Inclusions & Add-Ons
Rates
USD $3,900 per person
- base/invoice currency is in USD
- price is based on twin-share room
- private room upgrade subject to availability +$300
Inclusions
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12 nights accommodation (6 nights private room in Tokyo & 6 nights twin-share at Ryokan Biyunoyado with private room upgrade option)
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Daily breakfasts
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All group activities
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6 Kaiseki dinners at Ryokan Biyunoyado
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Entry fees to planned activities
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Hosting throughout tour
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Rail pass
Add-ons
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Private room upgrade at Ryokan Biyunoyado - US$300 per person
Not Included
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Flights to/from Tokyo
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Lift tickets (33,200 yen for 6-day pass - about $230)
