Japan Sapporo Snow Festival

11 days
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Small Group Tour
This exciting journey takes us to the far north of Japan where we make the most of the winter temperatures, taking an ice-breaker cruise in the Sea of Okhotsk before spending time admiring the incredible snow sculptures at the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. We also explore ultra-modern Tokyo and discover tranquil Zen gardens in ancient Kyoto. Sapporo Snow ...
$409 OFF
$6,359
From$5,950
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Discover Japan in the heart of winter and visit the Sapporo Snow Festival
    • Visit Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido
    • Enjoy the highlights of modern Tokyo and iconic Kyoto in low season without the crowds

What's this trip about?

    This exciting journey takes us to the far north of Japan where we make the most of the winter temperatures, taking an ice-breaker cruise in the Sea of Okhotsk before spending time admiring the incredible snow sculptures at the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. We also explore ultra-modern Tokyo and discover tranquil Zen gardens in ancient Kyoto. Sapporo Snow Festival - Discover huge snow sculptures and impressive ice carvings Kyoto - See the traditional side of Japan, stunning temples and immaculate Zen gardens Hokkaido - Visit Japan's northernmost island in the heart of winter

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityTokyo
End CityKyoto

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

Attractions

  • Fes
  • Kyoto
  • Nara
  • Tokyo

Activities

  • Educational/ Learning
  • Hiking
  • Trains & Rail

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour in Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, the ultra-modern capital of Japan. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. If some of the group are arriving...

Day 2 Explore Tokyo - city tour

It is said that over one quarter of Japanese live within a 50 km radius of the centre of Tokyo. The result is a bustling and exciting city, an economic powerhouse of Asia. Our first introduction to this unique culture is when we take a walking tour of the city highlig...

Day 3 Fly to Abashiri; discover the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples

This morning we leave the capital and after a transfer to Haneda Airport we take a flight to Abashiri, located on the Okhotsk Coast of the island of Hokkaido. The Ainu are a people indigenous to the lands of northern Japan, with a cultural background that differs from...

Day 4 Cruise on the Sea of Okhotsk; scenic train to Sapporo

Abashiri is Japan's northernmost major city located at 44 degrees north latitude. From mid-January to late March the waters here are covered in drift ice and we will be taking a short cruise through the Sea of Okhotsk to get to the main drift ice areas. With luck, a v...

Day 5 View snow sculptures at Sapporo's annual festival

We spend the full day exploring the annual Snow and Ice festival. The festival first began in 1950 but gained worldwide recognition in 1972 when Sapporo hosted the winter Olympic Games. We will see all of the main venues that have snow statues and ice sculptures inclu...

Day 6 Morning free in Sapporo. Afternoon visit to beautiful seaside town of Otaru

This morning we have some free time to further enjoy Sapporo and its surroundings. A great option is to take a bus to the Hill of the Buddha, a striking shrine which features a 13.5 metre high Buddha statue surrounded by an artificial hill covered with Lavender plants...

Day 7 Take the train to old trading port of Hakodate

Leaving Sapporo we take the train (4 hours) to Hakodate, located on the south-west corner of Hokkaido Island. Hakodate was one of the first ports to open to foreign trade in 1854 and as such has a distinct blend of Japanese and Western architecture. This afternoon we ...

Day 8 Full day by train across wintry Japan to Kyoto

Today is a day of travel as we make our way across Japan by train to Kyoto, the old Imperial capital. We will either depart at around 09.00 or 06.00 and the journey takes around 8 to 9 hours with a change of trains in Tokyo. It is a great opportunity to relax and take...

Day 9 City tour of Kyoto - temples, zen gardens and a tea ceremony

Kyoto is regarded as the place to see everything you expect to experience in Japan, with more than 2000 temples and shrines, many set in manicured landscaped gardens. But it is also a modern city. We spend a full day, making use of public transport, to explore the cit...

Day 10 Free day to explore Kyoto. Option to visit nearby Nara

Today is a free day to explore Kyoto at your leisure. You may wish to take a trip to nearby Nara, home to the Todaiji Temple, Big Buddha and the Kasuga Shrine. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to give you tips on where to visit and make the best of your time in this beautiful city.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 11 Tour ends in Kyoto

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kyoto. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Kyoto at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel, while you head out for ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,950
Price per day$541
Last Updated: 3/12/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
01 Feb 2026
11 Feb 2026
$5,950
$1,210
02 Feb 2026
12 Feb 2026
$5,950
$1,210
03 Feb 2026
13 Feb 2026
$5,950
$1,210

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

Japan Sapporo Snow Festival

I wish to highly commend out tour leader. She made out trip and experience a joy. Always on call to assist. A very caring and loving person who went above and beyond...

K

Kathleen

Feb 2025

Written on

Japan Sapporo Snow Festival

This is a winter wonderland kind of trip. The beginning and end days are filled with beautiful scenery and cultural wonders as you tour Japan’s two great cities. The...

T

Trusted Customer

Feb 2025

Written on

Japan Sapporo Snow Festival

Zilola our leader was always helpful and quickly gave us alternative and extra options when the weather meant that the itinerary had to be changed. Personally we co...

T

Trusted Customer

Feb 2025

Written on

Japan Sapporo Snow Festival

Very good trip exploring Hokkaido as part of Sapporo Snow festival. Guide Hendrik very personable and happy to assist where required, flex the itinerary and add in ...

Write a Review

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat, Flight, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat, Flight, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
British passport holder do not require visa to enter Japan for tourism purposes. All visa related issues for other nationalities should be confirmed with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. A clear copy, either as a scanned photocopy or photo, of your main passport photo page is required by our local agent to finalise the train tickets. Please ensure all the information is clearly visible with none of the edges missing. This is required no later than 6 weeks prior to travel, and Explore will request this from you approximately 8 weeks prior to departure. If passport copies are not received this will delay the purchase of the train tickets and may cause an increased customer charge. Although not required, by registering on the visit Japan Web website, travellers are able fill out the Disembarkation Form and Custom Declaration Form in advance. By filling out these forms online, two QR codes will be produced that can be shown during entry procedures into Japan. This may help you proceed through customs and control quicker. As this step is not required, travellers can instead fill out physical paper forms upon arrival as well. More information can be found here: \ul \ulnone
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory. We recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. The use or possession of Vicks inhalers and some other common prescription and over-the-counter medicines (e.g. for allergies and sinus problems or even certain mild painkillers, such as those containing certain levels of codeine) are banned under Japan's strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law. Customs officials may not be sympathetic if you claim ignorance about these medicines. If in any doubt about customs procedures for such items, you should check with the nearest Japanese Embassy before visiting Japan. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 10
  • Dinner : 5
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-JIF

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