Japan winter tour

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel, where a warm welcome and a personalized plan set the tone. Settle in and unwind, or take a gentle evening stroll to soak up neon-lit streets and local food stalls.

Our team will tailor the first night to your pace and interests and help you prepare for your Japan travel days ahead. If you would like an easy start, choose a guided sushi tasting or a cozy izakaya visit for an authentic introduction to your Japan trip.

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and set out on a Tokyo day tailored to your interests. Begin at Meiji Shrine, then stroll through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace for an easy walk and a glimpse of everyday city life.

For lunch, stop at Tsukiji Outer Market to sample winter favorites such as nabe hotpot. In the afternoon, visit Sensō-ji Temple, pass beneath the Kaminarimon Gate, and wander Nakamise dōri toward the golden Kannon statue. Pause to light incense and take in the atmosphere.

Start with breakfast in Tokyo, then take a bullet train to Nagano, an easy journey of about 1.5 hours, and the host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Check in to a traditional onsen inn near Jigokudani Monkey Park, one of the best places to visit in Japan in winter for its unforgettable wildlife and mountain atmosphere.

Spend the afternoon at your own pace, walking through snowy forest paths to watch the snow monkeys soak in steaming hot springs beneath pine trees.

Take a bullet train from Nagano to coastal Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan, a journey of about 1.5 hours. In winter, the city is known for snow-dusted scenery and exceptional seasonal seafood.

After settling into your ryokan, meet your local guide for a personalized walk through Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and the lively Ōmichō Market, with time to sample ocean-fresh bites and browse local crafts.

Take a scenic bus ride of about 2.5 hours from coastal Kanazawa to the mountain town of Takayama, with snow-capped views of the Japanese Alps along the way. After arrival, settle into your ryokan and choose a tailored afternoon.

Unwind with an onsen soak, stroll through Takayama’s beautifully preserved Old Town, or, if you want more action, head to a nearby resort for skiing or snowboarding.

Set off with your guide to Shirakawa-go, about an hour by bus from Takayama. Cross the pedestrian bridge over the Shō River and step into a winter landscape of gasshō zukuri farmhouses capped with silvery snow.

Take time for storybook photos, then learn from your local guide how these steep thatched roofs were built to endure heavy mountain winters.

Travel by train from Takayama to Kyoto as part of your Japan itinerary, using Japan’s smooth and efficient rail network. Take the limited express to Nagoya, then connect to the Shinkansen for Kyoto.

Arrive with time to settle in and choose how you want to spend the rest of the day. Explore nearby temples, enjoy kaiseki or casual street food, and select an evening plan curated to your interests.

Explore Kyoto’s cultural heart with a guide who brings each place to life. Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple and admire its gold leaf brilliance, then step into samurai era history at Nijō Castle. Continue to Kōdai-ji Temple for a refined tea ceremony and a calm, authentic pause in the day.

Afterward, take a short walk into Gion, where lantern-lit lanes and traditional wooden facades set the scene, and you may even catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko on their way to an evening appointment.

Design a day of tailored travel in Kyoto. Browse world-class museums, join a street food walk to taste seasonal specialties, or slow down with a private tea ceremony in historic Gion for an authentic cultural moment.

If you would like a simple day trip, take a short train ride to Nara to meet the resident deer and visit its ancient temples.

After a leisurely breakfast, board the Shinkansen from Kyoto for a swift, scenic return to Tokyo. Enjoy the smooth, high-speed ride, glimpses of mountains along the way, and comfortable service that keeps your tailor-made Japan trip effortless.

Arrive with time to shape your afternoon however you like, from exploring artful neighborhoods and joining a food tour to unwinding at your hotel spa or fitting in last-minute shopping.

Start with an antiquities museum for a quieter look at Japan’s past, then head to Shibuya Crossing to feel Tokyo’s rhythm up close and capture iconic photos. Later, stroll Harajuku for chic souvenirs, quirky boutiques, and street style.

Shape the rest of your final day as you like. Add a warming onsen soak, seek out scenic viewpoints, or linger over one last memorable meal.

Conclude your Japan trip with a smooth transfer to the airport and a final glimpse of snow-laced landscapes. Take with you warm onsen memories curated for you, from steaming baths shared with wild macaques to intimate cultural moments and local guided discoveries along the way.

With personalized support from start to finish, your departure stays seamless, and your goodbye feels like the start of lasting inspiration.