Tailor made from £8,799 per person
10 days
Tokyo, Iwate Prefecture, Ginzan Onsen
Trip Itinerary
Please select any day below to view that destination
- Day 1 – Luxury Tokyo Tour
- Day 2 – Tokyo Culture Highlights
- Day 3 – Transfer to your Japan Ski Resort
- Day 4 – Hit the Slopes!
- Day 5 – Back Country Guided Tour
- Day 6 - Snowmobile Adventure
- Day 7 – Leisure, Ski & Snowboard
- Day 8 – Transfer to your Inn
- Day 9 – Traditional Ryokan & Japan Food Tour
- Day 10 – Departure from Tokyo
Ready to book your adventure?
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Discover the magic of Japan’s winter months, where world-class powder meets centuries of tradition.
Are you craving the thrill of the slopes, whether ski or snowboard? Are you drawn to the ancient Japanese culture and futuristic facades of Tokyo? If so, we have just the adventure for you.
Beginning with a journey through Tokyo’s vibrant contrasts, where centuries-old temples sit beside neon-lit towers, this 10-day luxury itinerary immerses you in the heartbeat of Japan. Pausing for moments of indulgence, you will journey from the buzzing capital to the pristine, powder-laden ski fields of the best ski resort in Japan.
After five unforgettable nights of world-class Japan skiing, you'll find yourself wandering the enchanting streets of a timeless mountain town. Each step brings you closer to the soul of Japanese tradition, from soul-soothing hot spring soaks to unforgettable culinary discoveries.
What's Included:
- Meals and drinks mentioned in full itinerary
- Accommodations as stated in the itinerary
- Private airport transfers
- Professional local staff with fair salaries
Trip Itinerary
Days 1-3: Tokyo
Day 1 – Luxury Tokyo Tour
Today is the beginning of a Japan tour like no other, kickstarting with a smooth-sailing arrival at the Tokyo airport.
As you whizz past sleek high-rises flashing high-definition billboards, you catch glimpses of Tokyo’s quieter pockets, where ancient temples and leafy green spaces offer a moment of calm. At the end of the line, your luxury hotel, an emblem of the city's stylish modern architecture, awaits.
Day 2 – Tokyo Culture Highlights
Rise with the sun today, as Tokyo's vibrant streets and hidden wonders are all yours on a classic tour. Your private guide transports you through the best of the city, including the Toyosu Fish Market and its boutique shopping district.
Your expert guide reveals the many layers of Tokyo, from time-honoured Shinto traditions to the electric energy of the Scramble Crossing. Along the elegant, tree-lined Omotesandō, you’ll explore the city’s culinary scene, whether tucked into a cosy yakitori alley or seated at a refined fine dining table.
OPTIONAL: TeamLab Planets or Borderless (Odaiba)
Reap the luxuries of tailor-made travel on this high-impact tour of TeamLab's digital art museums, with fascinating, interactive installments for all ages. Witness the beautiful Floating Flower Gardens and unveil the Japanese capital's technological feats.
Day 3 – Transfer to your Japan Ski Resort
Tuck into your final breakfast at your Tokyo hotel before your transfer to one of the best ski resorts in the world. If you'd like, make a detour to Senso-ji Temple and the legendary shopping street Nakamise Dōri.
Board the Shinkansen at Tokyo Station, selecting a beverage before reclining for the two-hour journey. You are met with the warmest of welcomes at the resort. Sip on an artisan cocktail in the sleekly designed lounge, an ideal vantage point for observing the powder white ski fields.
Days 3-8: Iwate Prefecture
Day 4 – Hit the Slopes!
Today, your ski or snowboard escapade truly begins. You will have plenty of opportunity to make the most of the iconic 'JaPOW', meaning 'Japanese powder', given its own nickname for good reason!
Whether you're beginner or advanced, skier or snowboarder, with family or friends, your resort extends a helping hand, making a flexible and friendly guide along your adventure.
Day 5 – Back Country Guided Tour
If you are feeling brave and have experience of snow sports, today's guided tour brings you to the best powder in the region. Skiing on non-compacted snow is a different experience to the slopes, a wilder journey fit for fanatics and those looking to challenge themselves.
If you're new to the sport, today offers more time on the slopes, leaving space for blissful moments in the resort's hot spring or its brand-new bakery.
Day 6 - Snowmobile Adventure
Today's snowy adventure takes on a different speed, as the resort's state-of-the-art snowmobiles are your new vessel of exploration. With the resort's experts by your side, unravel the region's extraordinary, powdery landscapes and lap up some of Japan's best wintry vistas.
Day 7 – Leisure, Ski & Snowboard
Begin your day with a nourishing breakfast, preparing for a final stretch in Japan's ski paradise. If you wish, the day is all yours to perfect your ski or snowboard skills on the crystal slopes.
For those looking for something different, we can arrange activities to fit your personal style. One thing's for sure though, you'll want to take a final plunge into one of the resort's curated menus. Succulent seafood, local sake, yakiniku, noodles, and more - an extravaganza for the tastebuds!
Days 8-10: Ginzan Onsen
Day 8 – Transfer to your Inn
This morning, a bittersweet goodbye leads you to the final stretch of your luxury Japan tour. Relax on a two-hour journey on the Shinkansen, with a classic hot spring experience waiting on the other side.
Ginzan Onsen is one of northeastern Tohoku’s oldest hot springs, lined with beautiful historic ryokans. Your inn, with a 1000-year legacy, brings first-class service to this timeless retreat. Lean back and unwind as you soak in the revitalising power of Japan’s volcanic landscape.
Day 9 – Traditional Ryokan & Japan Food Tour
Your traditional breakfast showcases ingredients like grilled fish, miso soup, and tsukemono. Setting you up for the day, you stride out into your peaceful yet captivating onsen town.
OPTION 1: Risshaku-ji Temple
A short train journey from Yamagata Station takes you to this phenomenal temple with a challenging ascent. 1,000 stone steps lead to exceptional cliff-top panoramas, while a hearty, soba noodle lunch is on offer to replenish your energy.
OPTION 2: Ginzan Onsen History
A more relaxed experience takes place in Ginzan Onsen, where its history museum displays the town's far-stretching timeline. Spend the rest of your morning sinking into the soul-soothing waters of Ginzan's best hot spring baths.
During your afternoon in Ginzan, try your hand at a folk crafts workshop before indulging in tea and sweets at the riverside. What better way to finish your final full day than with a goodbye dinner? Paired with aged sake, tuck into regional Yamagata dishes like gyūtan, spicy kaya, and pickled cherries.
Day 10 – Departure from Tokyo
A final breakfast and easy-going check-out from the inn kicks off your transfer back to Tokyo. It's time to wave goodbye to Japan - but it's not all bad - you're leaving with a camera and heart full of memories and meaningful moments.
Why Wayfairer
All Wayfairer tours have the objective of making a positive impact on the natural environment and local communities. The local guides we work with are paid fairly, the accommodation providers we work with must be committed to responsible initiatives and our tour activities have a strong emphasis on local culture.
This Japan skiing and culture tour encompasses activities that are focused on the natural world and cultural experience, including destinations often overlooked by tourists. Stay in an onsen town with over 1,000 years of heritage, taste recipes passed down generations, and learn ski from dedicated, local experts.
More Japan travel inspiration from Wayfairer customers and travel specialists
9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Places to Visit in Japan
All You Need to Know About Staying at a Ryokan in Japan
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