Abashiri (Japan) | Akan-Ko / Lake Akan (Japan) | Asahikawa (Hokkaido, Japan) | Sapporo (Japan) | Tokyo (Japan)
The following are Active Northern Japan: Winter In Tokyo & Hokkaido tour dates available from G Adventures. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
There is at least one departure that the vendor is advising is Not Available for the selected year. Click here if you would like such tours to be included below.
Welcome to Japan! Arrive at anytime. Then meet your group and CEO this evening for a welcome meeting.
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Today you have the chance to see the biggest city in Japan on a tour with your CEO. See highlights of this amazing city like Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Asakusa neighbourhood, Nakamise shopping street and the historic Meiji Shrine. In the afternoon, spend your time in Tokyo how you'd like. Opt to visit cool neighborhoods like Akihabara or Harajuku. Or find some green space in the famous Ueno Park.
Explore Senso-ji Temple, a colourful Buddhist temple and the oldest temple in the entire city. Leading up to the temple the street is lined with shops selling yummy food and great souvenirs.
Visit this shrine dedicated to the 123rd emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander the grounds along the wide walking paths.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Tokyo.
Arrive at any time and meet your group and CEO for a welcome meeting in the evening.
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
After a filling breakfast, depart the hotel en route to the Primeval Forest area of Shiretoko National Park. Strap on some snowshoes and hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shiretoko Peninsula awaits. Embark on a guided four hour snowshoe trek through the Primeval Forest area of the park. Be sure to bring binoculars if you are a keen animal enthusiast, as there is ample opportunity to spot various species from the Steller's sea eagle to Japanese deer and maybe even a flying squirrel. The scenery is equally as dramatic as you witness the cliff edges hang over the turquoise water of the sea. In the afternoon, join a local guide for an incredible adventure across the ice. Walk safely over the drift ice that forms on top of the sea during the winter months and float in the water if you dare. Head back to Abashiri in the evening for dinner.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Snowshoe through the Primeval Forest in Shiretoko, seemingly untouched by man, especially in when covered in now. Snowshoe through the forest and be on the look out for foxes and deer while admiring the incredible forest and cliff side views. You may even have the chance to see animal prints in the snow or the elusive flyng squirrel.
Gear up in a special dry suit and join a local guide to walk across the ever changing drift ice floating atop the sea. During the winter months, the ice in Shirtoko becomes nice and solid, allowing you to safely follow your guide through the beautiful winter wonderland. Float in the water if you wish and keep your eye out for the beautiful clione gastropods that travel with the seasonal drift ice.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Discover the unique history of Hokkaido's wild frontier with a visit to the notorious Abashiri Prison Museum. Marvel at the beautiful architecture and explore the world's oldest surviving five-winged wooden prison house. Inside, realistic life-sized displays bring the past to life, illustrating daily inmate routines, grueling frontier labor, and legendary prison breaks. The museum offers a profound look at how these convicts helped build Hokkaido's infrastructure under extreme winter conditions. You can even sample an authentic replica of a traditional prison meal at the onsite cafeteria if you wish. In the afternoon, take a fat bike tour along the beautiful Okhotsk Coastline, spanning from Siberia down to Hokkaido.
Visit the notorious Abashiri Prison Museum to learn of the Meiji-era penal history and Japan's wild frontier. Opt to try to prison-style lunch and learn about the unique history here in Hokkaido.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Abashiri.
Experience the beauty of Abashiri's Okhotsk coastline on a guided fat bike adventure. Ride along snowy coastal trails and enjoy panoramic views of the Sea of Okhotsk, with the chance to see drift ice during winter.
Depart Abashiri this morning and head inland towards Lake Akan. En route, stop at the shore of Lake Kussharo, where you can take a moment to get your hands dirty digging into the sandy shore and actually hitting hot spring water. Dig your own personal Onsen! A sign of the volcanic activity still present underground in this area. The next stop is a visit to the active volcano, Mt Lo, which sits inside the Kussharo caldera. Watch the sulfurous smoke and steam rise from the craggy landmass. Make a final stop at the observatory deck to take in views of Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu before continuing on your overnight stay at a Ryokan. After a dinner with your fellow travelers, enjoy a cultural performance in tribute to the history of the local Ainu people of the region. Akan Yukar Lost Kamuy is a presentation of Ainu ancient ceremonial dance, contemporary dance and digital art.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit the otherworldly sulphur mountain and breathe in the hot air. See the greenish yellow algae that grows around the fumaroles with a steady stream of steam released across the mountain. The head to Lake Kushharo. With a hot spring under the sand, dig a hole and relax in your hand-dug beachy hot spring.
Visit the impressive caldera lake within Akan Mashu National Park. Take in the views from the best spot to see whats considered the clearest lake in the world.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Experience traditional Japanese life with a night at a traditional Japanese Inn. Stay in tatami-matted rooms and enjoy a glimpse into Japanese culture and history.
Visit the Ainu Kotan Village. There are only two indigenous groups remaining in Japan and Akanko Ainu Kotan is one of the largest settlements still remaining in Hokkaido. During our visit, we'll see the village and experience their cultural performance in the evening.
Enjoy a leisurely start to the morning to spend the morning hours enjoying the Ryokan hot springs a second time. Or choose to join your CEO for a walk around Lake Akan. Then make your way towards Asahikawa. Leave room for dinner, because this evening we'll try the famous Asahikawa ramen. This ramen is famed throughout Japan as one of the best in the country.
Spend the morning soaking in the ryokan onsen or take a stroll around Lake Akan with your CEO
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Nearly every region of Japan has their own style of ramen, so a trip to Hokkaido wouldn't be complete without trying Asahikawa specialty ramen. With thin noodles and savory broth, this is a dish you won't want to miss.
It's time to rise and shine and strap on those hiking boots once again. This morning, head to the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway. Board the ten minute gondola ride up to the start of the walk. Spend a couple of hours exploring the area on foot, and hope for glimpses of the mountain ranges as the fog comes and goes.
It's important to note that in the winter, you can expect snow on the ground at Asahidake, so itinerary adjustments may be made. Cold weather clothing should be packed during this season.
Visit Daisetsuzan National Park and ride the gondola up to start your hike around Sugatami Pond Loop. This easy, loop hike will give you astounding views of volcanic rock and Mount Asahi-dake, the tallest mountain in Hokkaido reflecting off ponds. After the hike, take the gondola back down.
Sapporo, the capitol of Hokkaido, is home to some of the island's most interesting spots. With a day at leisure, choose to join your CEO to visit the Hill of the Buddha, a incredible and huge shrine. Or, choose to explore the Hokkaido Jingu shrine, a shinto shrine honoring 4 deities.
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Spend a free afternoon in Sapporo
Spend today getting well acquainted with the city of Sapporo, home of the world famous beer. Begin your day with a visit to the Nijo Market. Walk through the stalls full of fresh seafood, most caught right of the coast of Hokkaido. You'll see crabs, fish and things you may have never seen before like fresh urchin and fish eggs. Afterwards, head to the home of the first Japanese made beer, Sapporo Beer Museum, and sample beer that can only be found at this location.
Visit Nijo Market, a market over 100 years old. You'll see fresh local seafood like urchins and salmon eggs, and other local vendors.
Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum for a tour and tasting of the popular brew. Known as the first beer made in Japan, we'll have a chance to sample a beer that can only be found at the museum. Opt for a fun all-you-can-eat-and-drink meal in the Beer Hall.
Depart at any time.
Select a destination below to to view the hotel(s) included by G Adventures in their Active Northern Japan: Winter In Tokyo & Hokkaido tour:
2 Chome-11-15 Isago, Kawasaki Ward
Tokyo, Japan-210-0006
G Adventures is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Active Northern Japan: Winter In Tokyo & Hokkaido tour:
Max 16, avg. 14
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Local Living Moment: Ryokan Stay, Akan-koYour Foodie Moment: Ramen Dinner in Asahikawa, Asahikawa. Asakusa Senso-ji Temple. Nakamise shopping street. Imperial Palace visit. Free time in Tokyo. Snowshoeing in Shiretoko Five Lakes.Primeval Forest & to Furepe Waterfall. Free time in Shiretoko & Sapporo. Sulphur Mountain Visit. Lake Kussharo Hot Spring Beach. Lake Mashu Observatory Deck visit. Traditional Ryokan stay and onsen hot spring. Local Ramen speciality dinner. Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway & Hike. Nijo Market Visit. Sapporo beer tasting. Transport to/from included activities. Internal airfare.
Adventure through bright and bustling Tokyo during the winter, Snowshoe through pristine snow in Hokkaido's untouched landscapes, Sample Japan's world renowned food like local specialty ramen and the oldest beer in Japan in Sapporo.
G Adventures is offering the following optional activities at an additional cost, subject to availability:
Tokyo- Akihabara Visit (Free)- Harajuku Visit (Free)- Ueno Park Visit (Free)Sapporo- Hokkaido Jingu Shrine- Hill of the Buddha
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Hotels (9nts), Ryokan stay (1nt).
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout.
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details. In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
Plane, private vehicle, local train, walking, snowshoes.
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Cold Weather:o Long-sleeved shirts or sweatero Scarfo Warm gloveso Warm hato Warm layerso Warm waterproof jacketDocuments:o Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)o Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)o Passport (required) (With photocopies)o Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)o Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)Essentials:o Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)o Binoculars (optional)o Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)o Cash, credit and debit cardso Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)o Ear plugso First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)o Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)o Fleece top/sweatero Footwearo Hato Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)o Locks for bagso Long pants/jeanso Moneybelto Outlet adaptero Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)o Reusable water bottleo Shirts/t-shirtso Sleepwearo Small travel towelo Sunglasseso Swimwearo Watch and alarm clocko Waterproof backpack covero Windproof rain jacketHealth & Safety:o Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)o Hand sanitizero Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Standard: Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Tipping for service is not practiced in Japan. Leaving money at restaurants, in taxis etc will simply cause confusion.Tipping within the travel industry is standard to recognize the guide for a great experience. Our CEOs work hard to make your trip special. If you’re happy with their service, a tip of $5–$7 per day is a great way to say thanks, though the final amount is completely up to you.