TOUR ITINERARY
FEB. 3 (WED) HONOLULU,
Depart from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport aboard your Japan Airlines flight to Japan. A meal and light snack will be served during the flight, along with complimentary beverages and in-flight entertainment, including movies.
FEB. 4 (THU) HANEDA, TOKYO,
HOTEL VILLA FONTAINE GRAND HANEDA AIRPORT
Arrive at Haneda International Airport and, after clearing entry formalities, we will walk to Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, which is directly connected to the International Terminal Building. This newly opened hotel offers a comfortable location near multiple restaurants and shops, as well as a 24-hour convenience store. You will be able to relax and enjoy a good night’s rest on your first night in Japan.
FEB. 5 (FRI) KITAYUZAWA ONSEN,
MIDORINOKAZE RESORT KITAYUZAWA (ONSEN) ♨
In the morning, we will catch a domestic flight to New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by Hokkaido’s beautiful winter landscapes, created by the interweaving of ice and snow. We will transfer by bus to a shoe store to purchase snowshoes and prepare for the winter season in Hokkaido. We will then visit Lake Shikotsu to see the amazing Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Ice Festival, featuring massive ice sculptures carved from the lake's clear waters. This festival is praised as one of Hokkaido’s most magical frozen winter landscapes. As you stroll through this icy world, you will feel the winter beauty created by the pure, transparent waters of Lake Shikotsu. Then, we will continue to Tomakomai, a port town known as one of the sea gateways of Hokkaido. We will also enjoy seasonal strawberry picking, where you can taste as many fresh and sweet Japanese strawberries as you like. Afterward, we will head to our onsen hot spring resort hotel, a hidden gem in Hokkaido’s beautiful countryside and a perfect retreat for nature lovers. You can enjoy a variety of onsen hot spring baths, including one of Japan’s largest open-air hot spring baths.
FEB. 6 (SAT) SAPPORO,
SAPPORO TOKYU REI HOTEL
We will head to Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital and largest city, to enjoy the world-famous 77th Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan’s most adorable and amazing winter events. You will be impressed by huge snow sculptures several stories high, hundreds of ice sculptures in various sizes, and charming snow statues throughout the festival area. The entire festival site at Odori Park transforms into a beautiful winter fairy-tale scene. Our hotel is conveniently located just a minute’s walk from downtown Susukino, where the Ice Sculpture Festival is held. After dinner, your tour guide will take you by subway back to Odori Park to enjoy the night view of the Sapporo Snow Festival. The giant snow sculptures are illuminated with fascinating lights, creating the feeling of being in an enchanted winter world. We will also see an exciting Projection Mapping Show that uses the latest technology to make the sculptures appear to move on their own.
FEB. 7 (SUN) ASAHIKAWA,
HOTEL ROUTE-INN GRAND ASAHIKAWA EKIMAE (ONSEN) ♨
We will visit the Sapporo TV Tower, a symbolic tower standing in the heart of Sapporo. From the observatory, located 296 feet above ground, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of snowy Sapporo and Odori Park, beautifully decorated with huge snow sculptures during the festival season. Then, we will head to Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second-largest city, known for its natural beauty and winter charm. On the way, we will enjoy shopping at Sunagawa Highway Oasis, which offers a large variety of delicious Hokkaido local specialties and souvenirs. We will also visit Takasago Sake Brewery, one of Hokkaido’s most respected sake breweries. This long-established brewery produces its famous sake using high-quality Hokkaido rice and fresh snow water from the Mt. Taisetsu area, an important ingredient for brewing excellent sake. You can taste fresh “Genuine Hokkaido Sake” and purchase your favorite bottles. We will stay for two nights at a hotel near Asahikawa Station and AEON Shopping Mall. After you arrive at the hotel, your tour guide will take you holo-holo around the hotel area. You can also enjoy a relaxing soak in the hotel’s onsen hot spring bath.
FEB. 8 (MON) ASAHIKAWA,
HOTEL ROUTE-INN GRAND ASAHIKAWA EKIMAE (ONSEN) ♨
We will head to Furano to enjoy a fun winter activity amid beautiful natural scenery blanketed in fresh white snow. You will have a chance to enjoy an exciting Snowmobile Ride, an unforgettable experience as you drive through a winter wonderland. The thrill of riding across the dazzling white snowfield will be an extraordinary and memorable adventure. Then, we will return to Asahikawa to visit the Asahikawa Winter Festival, Hokkaido’s second-largest winter festival, famous for its gigantic snow sculptures and impressive winter atmosphere. The towering snow sculpture often features a huge ice slide, which you may enjoy if you like. You can also stroll around the festival site and enjoy many local Hokkaido food stalls offering warm favorites such as grilled beef, chicken skewers, ramen, and more, perfect for warming both your body and soul. After returning to the hotel, enjoy free time to continue shopping at AEON Shopping Mall or relax with a soothing soak in the hotel’s onsen hot spring bath.
FEB. 9 (TUE) SOUNKYO,
SOUNKYO CHOYOTEI HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨
We will visit Asahiyama Zoo, one of Japan’s most popular zoos, known for its well-designed enclosures that allow visitors to observe animals up close in a natural and exciting way. During the winter season, we will enjoy the zoo’s famous Penguin Walk, where a group of king penguins waddles through the zoo for exercise. This charming winter-only event is an amazing and memorable experience. Later, we will proceed to Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan’s largest national park, known for its serene alpine landscapes, volcanic mountains, and virtually unspoiled wilderness. We will drive along Sounkyo Gorge, one of the park’s main highlights. This spectacular gorge features dramatic cliffs about 300 feet high and stretches for more than 15 miles, offering beautiful views of snow-covered trees and a grand white canyon landscape. Tonight, we will stay at an onsen resort hotel located along the river. After dinner, your tour guide will take you to the magical Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival, where you can explore a mysterious frozen world filled with ice sculptures illuminated in rainbow colors, projection mapping on the ice, winter fireworks, and a 42-foot-high ice sculpture forming an ice tunnel. After visiting the festival, warm your body in the onsen hot spring bath. You may also try one of Hokkaido’s largest open-air baths while listening to the gentle sound of the flowing stream. Please note that this is a mixed-gender bath, and bathing wear will be provided at the onsen.
FEB. 10 (WED) LAKE SAROMA,
LAKE SAROMA TSURUGA RESORT (ONSEN) ♨
We will head to the eastern side of Hokkaido, where you can enjoy the magnificent natural beauty of Japan’s severe winter season. We will visit Yama-no Aquarium, one of Japan’s largest freshwater aquariums, known for its impressive variety and number of salmon. Here, you can learn about salmon in Japan and see Japan’s largest freshwater fish, Ito, also known as the Japanese huchen, swimming gracefully in groups. Later, we will visit the Cha-Cha World Doll Museum, which is filled with more than 10,000 wooden toys, including puppets, nutcracker dolls, and mechanical toys from 40 countries. The incredible Shadowgraph Gallery is especially worth seeing, with masterfully crafted works of art created through light and shadow that transport you into a colorful fantasy world. Then, we will proceed to beautiful Lake Saroma, Hokkaido’s largest lake, surrounded by abundant nature. We will stay at a fantastic resort hotel perfectly situated among Hokkaido’s magnificent natural scenery. Depending on the temperature that year, you may be able to see the frozen lake from your room. Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner featuring local seafood, meat, and other regional specialties. You can also relax in the onsen hot spring bath and open-air bath while enjoying beautiful winter scenery and a fine view of the frozen lake.
FEB. 11 (THU) SHIRETOKO,
SHIRETOKO DAIICHI HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨
Winter is one of the best times to experience the beauty of Eastern Hokkaido. We will travel to Abashiri, one of the best places to see the famous Okhotsk Drift Ice, a special winter phenomenon that flows all the way from Russia for a limited time each season. We will ride the Icebreaker Boat to see the drift ice up close, depending on weather, temperature, tide, wind, and sea conditions. Due to changing climate conditions, the thickness and amount of drift ice have decreased over the years, making this a special winter experience to enjoy while it is still possible. We will also visit the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, where you can experience the beautiful world of drift ice through 3-D projection mapping, light, and sound. You will also have a chance to see and touch real drift ice inside the freezing experience room, kept at about 5°F, giving you a true feeling of Abashiri’s severe winter cold. Then, we will proceed to the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, the Shiretoko Peninsula, one of Japan’s most beautiful and unspoiled national park areas. The winter wonderland scenery of ice and white snow is breathtaking. We will stop at Oshinkoshin Waterfall, selected as one of Japan’s 100 most beautiful waterfalls. During winter, you may see the falls partly frozen and surrounded by stunning snowy scenery. The severe cold and natural winter conditions create powerful views that can only be seen during this season. In the evening, enjoy a big buffet dinner featuring local seafood, sushi, tempura, steak, and more. You will also have another wonderful chance to soak and warm your body in the onsen hot spring bath and open-air bath.
FEB. 12 (FRI) LAKE AKAN,
NEW AKAN HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨
This morning, we will visit Akan-Mashu National Park, a beautiful park known for its vast landscapes, Japan’s largest caldera, volcanoes, forests, and lakes. We will visit Lake Kussharo, a scenic lake known for its breathtaking winter beauty. During this season, large flocks of whooper swans migrate from Russia and gather along the lakeshore. The view of elegant swans, a frozen lake, and white mountains in the background creates a truly unforgettable winter scene. We will then visit mystical Lake Mashu, considered by many to be one of Japan’s most beautiful lakes because of its quiet and mysterious beauty. In winter, snow- and ice-covered trees line the lakeshore, creating a stunning contrast with the lake's deep blue surface, weather permitting. Later, we will head to our hotel located beside Lake Akan. In winter, the lake completely freezes over, and the Lake Akan Ice Festival is held on its surface. You may have a chance to enjoy optional winter activities such as ice fishing, banana boat rides, smelt fishing, snowmobiling, and more. After dinner, you can enjoy fireworks over the frozen lake, which may be seen from your room. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the onsen hot spring bath, including an infinity-edge open-air bath, where the hot spring water appears to blend beautifully with Lake Akan as you relax.
FEB. 13 (SAT) MAKUBETSU ONSEN,
TOKACHIMAKUBETSU ONSEN GRANDVRIO HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨
In the morning, we will visit the Kushiro City Tanchozuru Nature Park / International Crane Center area to see the beautiful Tancho Japanese Red-Crowned Cranes, officially designated as a special natural monument of Japan. This area is one of the few places where these graceful cranes can be seen, and you may watch them spread their large wings and dance elegantly in the winter scenery. Later, we will visit the world-renowned Washo Ichiba Market, a public fish market with more than 60 shops selling fresh local seafood, dried seafood items, and other regional specialties. You may also try the famous Katte Don Seafood Donburi, one of Kushiro’s must-try local experiences. First, purchase a bowl of rice, then walk through the market and choose your favorite seafood toppings from the different shops. It is an easy and fun way to enjoy Hokkaido’s excellent seafood at a reasonable price. We will then proceed to Obihiro. Along the way, we will stop at Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden to sample and purchase one of Obihiro’s most popular souvenirs, Sanporoku, a German-style Baumkuchen layered cake covered with chocolate. Then, we will continue to our hotel in Makubetsu Onsen, one of the few hot spring areas in the world known for its rare moor hot spring water. This mineral-rich hot spring is said to be good for beauty, neuralgia, muscle pain, and dermatitis. Take your time to relax and enjoy the famous onsen hot spring bath and open-air bath. A private onsen may also be available at your own expense. After dinner, we will visit the Sairinka Illumination Festival, inspired by the more than 1,000 white swans that fly to Tokachigawa Onsen every year. Enjoy a magical winter evening with a laser show, colorful illuminations, light displays, and the beautiful atmosphere of Tokachi’s snowy night.
FEB. 14 (SUN) SAPPORO,
SOLARIA NISHITETSU HOTEL SAPPORO
We will visit Lake Shikaribetsu, the highest-altitude lake in Hokkaido, known as the “Lake in the Sky.” We will visit the Lake Shikaribetsu Ice Village, which appears only during winter on the frozen lake. This otherworldly winter experience features several buildings made entirely of ice and snow, set in a magical frozen landscape. You may also try the Ice Bar, where you can order a drink at your own expense and enjoy it while sitting on ice chairs inside an ice-built building. It is truly a unique and unforgettable winter experience. Then, we will head back to Sapporo. We will stay for two nights at a hotel within easy walking distance of Sapporo Station, with convenient access to a department store and underground shopping mall. After hotel check-in, your tour guide will take you holo-holo around the hotel area. In the evening, we will head out to downtown Sapporo to enjoy an Izakaya Dinner. An izakaya is a Japanese-style pub where you can experience the local atmosphere and enjoy a variety of local foods. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable evening in Sapporo.
FEB. 15 (MON) SAPPORO,
SOLARIA NISHITETSU HOTEL SAPPORO
In the morning, we will visit Sapporo Central Wholesale Market, one of Hokkaido’s top three markets, offering a wide variety of local products such as fresh seafood, konbu seaweed, dried seafood, local specialties, processed foods, and more at wholesale prices. Later, we will visit Royce’s Cacao & Chocolate Town, newly opened in 2022. Royce’s is Hokkaido’s iconic chocolate company, well known around the world for its high-quality chocolates. This factory exhibition museum has become one of Hokkaido’s popular new attractions, where you can learn about chocolate making and purchase fresh Royce’s chocolate products at the factory shop. We will also enjoy lunch and shopping at AEON Shopping Mall, which features more than 130 shops, including a supermarket, UNIQLO, a 100-yen shop, and many other stores. After returning to the hotel, enjoy free time for additional shopping, packing, or relaxing at your own pace. Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.
FEB. 16 (TUE) SAPPORO / HONOLULU
At check-out time, our agent will come to tape and tie up your boxes, then assist with bringing the baggage downstairs for check-in. We will leave the hotel by bus and proceed to New Chitose Airport to catch our domestic flight to Haneda International Airport. Upon arrival at Haneda, we will transfer to our international flight to Honolulu. We will arrive in Honolulu on Tuesday, February 16, the same morning. After clearing U.S. Customs, please proceed home. Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.
Clients who wish to remain in Japan after the tour may request assistance with plane, train, and hotel reservations. Members may return to Honolulu individually, but must return no later than 90 days from the original departure date. Please note that weekend return flights may cost more per person. If you are planning to extend your stay, please contact our office for assistance. MAHALO!
*Price, Itinerary, and Meals are subject to change without notice.*
*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***
INCLUDES: Land transportation included in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing listed, tax, all transfer of passengers and baggage, and souvenir group picture.
DOES NOT INCLUDE: Individual expenses after tour termination as stated in the itinerary—the cost of obtaining all personal items, passport/visa, and or other necessary documents.
AIR: JAL's TFS (Fuel Surcharge) determines the final price for the group economy booking. For premium economy, business, and outer-island bookings, please contact our office for a price quote at your earliest convenience. Please refer to the Airline Questions segment of our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
✈️ Land Tour Payment & Cancellation Policy
💳 Land Tour Payment Policy
💰 Full Payment Due: 90 days before the tour start date
🧾 Deposit Policy
💵 Deposit Amount: $250.00 per person
🗓️ Due: Once the itinerary is posted on the Tohoku Travel website
📌 Terms:
❌ Non-refundable
🔄 Non-transferable
✅ Applied toward final payment
⚠️ Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
⏳ Time Before Tour
💸 Fee
90 to 30 days $1,500.00*
29 to 1 day $2,500.00*
* Deducted from total paid; remaining balance may be refunded.
🚫 NO REFUNDS once the tour starts
📎 Additional Notes
🏨 Hotel and ticket cancellations (🎟️ Miyako Odori, 🎢 Tokyo Disney Sea, 🚄 Shinkansen) may incur additional charges.
💱 If YEN has already been purchased, refunds may vary based on exchange rates at the time of return to USD.
📞 Contact Information
Tohoku Travel Services
📞 808-492-1122 | 📞 808-492-1123
📧 tohoku.travel.hi@gmail.com
Japan Tour Arranged & Guided By:
Yokohama Travel, Inc.
🏢 ITO BLDG. #502, 2-22-3 Tsuruya-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama 221-0835, Japan
📞 +81-45-311-1011 | 📠 +81-45-311-1013
