Winter Ski in Hakuba

Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakuba
from
EUR 4.190,-

Available 15 days Depart December - April

Individual Tour
Personalised travel docs Maximum flexibility Fully customisable Personal consultant
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  • Adventure
  • Nature
  • Ski
  • Seasonal

Overview

A must-experience adventure for any snow lover.

With easy access from Tokyo but nestled deep inside the Japanese Alps, Hakuba Ski Resort is one of the country's premier ski destinations. Hakuba has some of the best skiing experiences in all of Asia, and it consists of 11 ski resorts with slopes for all ski levels and some of the longest slopes and finest powder snow in Japan.

Suggested itinerary

You'll take an overnight flight from Europe to Tokyo, rest up and get ready for the adventure that awaits!

After arriving at Tokyo, you'll head directly to Hakuba by bus. The journey takes about five hours, but there will be stops along the way at a few rest areas, so you can stretch your legs and buy some snacks. Upon arriving in Hakuba, we suggest you relax with a hot bath after the long trip. All our hotels have their hot springs.

Day 3

Hakuba is a ski haven. The most popular of the area's 11 resorts are Happo-one, Hakuba 47 and Hakuba Goryu, where most hotels are also located. These areas also have a large selection of restaurants and shops during the ski season.

Included in your travel package is a Hakuba Valley Pass, which provides unlimited access to all lift systems and slopes. There's a shuttle bus running between the 11 different ski resorts, so you can try them all out. The area has 149 slopes and 115 lifts (110 seats and five cabins).

Start your day by taking the shuttle bus to one of the other areas you haven't yet explored. There are many restaurants in connection with the lift stations at the top of the mountain, so you can enjoy lunch before taking a trip down the slopes. Hakuba is a very lively area, even in the evening, so head out into town to make the most of its vibrant nightlife.

Note that you have six full days in Hakuba, but as your ski pass only covers five days, we suggest you take time off from the slopes and explore the area today.

Choose between:

  • The snow monkeys in Jigokudani and the Zenkoji temple
  • Itogawa gourmet tour with sake tasting and fish market
  • Kimono and tea ceremony (only for women, minimum two registered)
Day 7

If you'd like a break from skiing, Hakuba is also conveniently located close to many fascinating attractions. Visit historic Matsumoto, home to Matsumoto Castle, one of four castles designated as "National Treasures of Japan".

Day 8

Cortina is the place for off-piste tours. Night skiing is also possible in Happo-one, and the illuminated slopes are usually open until 9:00 pm.

In the morning, travel by bus and shinkansen to Kyoto, where you'll experience the classic culture, history, traditions, and food.

Day 10

On your first day in Kyoto, visit the UNESCO-protected samurai castle Nijo, which once served as the residence and office of the Shogun during his visits to Kyoto in the old days. Be sure to spend some time in the Japanese garden outside with ponds, ornamental stones and manicured trees.

Walk to the Kamo River, walk down along the river to Sanjo Station, and then end your afternoon in the Teramachi shopping arcades or Kawaramachi street.

Enrich this day with our suggested add-ons:
Day 11

Today we suggest you consider joining our morning tour. However, if you want to travel solo, you could head to the western part of Kyoto to Arashiyama to see the Bamboo groves and the beautiful Hozu River.

The area around Arashiyama is a great place to rent a bicycle too. Before dinner, take a scroll in the narrow lanes of Pontocho, one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas. Crossing the bridge of Kamo River, take an evening walk in the Gion area, the famous geisha district and home to many machiya merchant wooden houses.

Enrich this day with our suggested add-ons:

Head by shinkansen to Tokyo, where you'll have three nights in the middle of a city known for its neon-drenched streets, shopping, culture and technology. We suggest you visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to enjoy free panoramic views of Tokyo from the observatory.

In the nearby area of Shinjuku, you have plenty of restaurants to choose from. But regardless of the area you stay in; you'll find plenty of excellent restaurants. Tokyo is one of the world's most exciting dining destinations, boasting Michelin starred establishments to cheap hole-in-the-wall joints.

Day 13

Start your day by taking the subway to Asakusa, one of the oldest historical areas of Tokyo. Make sure to visit the impressive Senso-ji temple, the oldest in Tokyo, for something unique; buy an Omamori (temple lucky charm) here!

From Senso-ji you can take the Sumida River cruise to Hamarikyu landscape garden. The garden was originally built as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo period (1603-1867).

From here, you can take the Yamanote Line and get off at Shibuya, and head to the Shibuya Sky top floor for some panoramic views of Tokyo (and, if you're lucky, Mt. Fuji).

Day 14

On your last full day in Japan, we suggest you visit the traditional Tsukiji or the new Toyosu fish market.

Also, check out the Imperial Palace, the trendy Ginza district, the futuristic neighbourhood of Odaiba or marvel at the anime culture of electric town Akihabara.

Enrich this day with our suggested add-ons:
Day 15

Today It's time to say goodbye to Japan and hop on your return flight to Europe. We hope that what you have seen, felt and tasted in Japan, something that truly enriches your life.

Accommodation

The following types of accommodation are recommended for this tour

Japan has quite a number of different types of accommodation, from Western hotels to traditional Japanese inns.

Please note, all our tours are tailor-made so we can arrange whatever accommodation required to meet your specific needs.

Western Style Hotel + 5 Photos
Western Style Hotel

Western-style hotels in Japan offer comfort and convenience with amenities like room service and fitness centres. Many are located in major cities and near popular destinations.

Resort + 5 Photos
Resort

Japanese resorts offer a blend of traditional culture and luxury with delicious local cuisine, and activities such as tea ceremonies. Perfect for a unique and luxurious experience.

Important information

Important information

  • Travel insurance is optional. Let us know if you’d like help adding it to your trip.
  • The itinerary shown is an example. We’ll tailor the tour to fit your interests and travel style.
  • Once you get in touch, we’ll finetune the details together to make sure the trip suits you perfectly.

What is included

  • International return flight tickets
  • Checked luggage
  • Airport transfers
  • 7 nights in western style accommodations
  • 7 nights in western style ski resort
  • Breakfast (selected locations)
  • Transport tickets between destinations
  • 5 days lift pass in Hakuba
  • 1 day trip to Nagano and the snow monkey park

What is not included

  • Local transport (buses, metro, taxis)
  • Local city tax which needs to be paid on the spot
  • Optional excursions and sightseeing tours
  • Travel insurance

Please note, this is just an example of a tailor-made tour. The services described as included and not included will differ based on your requirements. At Japanspecialist we are happy to accommodate all your requests when creating your personalised tour.

 

Arrange your consultation with an expert

Our experienced travel consultants are ready to customise this itinerary and arrange your dream holiday today. You can either schedule an online meeting with one of our consultants or fill out an enquiry form and we will get back to you with a personalised tailor-made offer.

Your tailor-made holiday in four simple steps

1
Book your online travel consultation
 
Schedule an online call or fill out an enquiry form
2
 
Finalise your requirements and preferences
3
 
Receive your custom itinerary and quote
4
 
Complete your booking and enjoy your trip

Experience Japan your way with our experts

The Japanspecialist travel consulting team

We are part of JTB, the largest travel company in Japan and one of the biggest in the world, with over 100 years of experience. We are passionate about this wonderful country, having spent decades designing adventurous itineraries for our clients.

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