Travel Hokkaido With Ski in Winter

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Sapporo

  Welcome to Hokkaido, a wonderland of northern Japan! During the period from December to February, it is the coldest but the most beautiful time of the year when the vast land was covered in snow.

  Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be picked up by your private driver who can speak basic English. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to recover from your long journey.

  Note: Usually, the check-in time for Japanese hotels is after 14:00/15:00. If you need to check early, please tell your consultant in advance.

  • Sapporo

• Day 2: Sapporo City Highlights

  Today, you will explore Sapporo with your private English-speaking driving guide.

  Head to Sapporo Clock Tower first. It is one of the few Western-style buildings that Sapporo survived and is known as the symbol of the city. Continue to Odori Park, one of the popular attractions to relax. The last stop in the morning will be Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, one of the venues for the 1972 Winter Olympics.

  In the afternoon, you will walk around and shop at the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, and then visit the Shiroi Koibito Park. It is a theme park by Ishiya, a local chocolate company. Here you will have a chance to watch the cookies being made and try some sweets.

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  • Sapporo

• Day 3: Sapporo - Otaru - Sapporo

  This morning, your English-speaking driving guide will accompany you to explore Otaru. It is a small harbor city, about an hour's drive northwest of Sapporo. As the city is known for its glassworks, music boxes and sake distilleries, you cannot miss the KitaIchi Glass, Otaru Music Box Museum and Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura. Besides that, a short walk from the city's canal area to Sakaimachi Street and a visit to Sankaku Fish Market will make your impression of this city more vivid. After the tour, your tour guide will transfer you back to your hotel in Sapporo.

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  • Sapporo

• Day 4: Sapporo - Noboribetsu

  At around 9:00 am, your English-speaking driving guide will transfer you from Sapporo to Noboribetsu by private car (about 1.5 hours).

  Upon arrival, you will visit the Noboribetsu Hell Valley. If you are still energy, walk along the valley and take a stroll about 30 minutes deeper into the hills for River Oyunuma Natural Footbath. Here you can take a seat and enjoy a heavenly hot-water footbath.

  In the afternoon, you will visit Date Jidaimura Noboribetsu, a history theme park highlighting the Edo Period - the famous part of Japanese history. Walk around the park to appreciate its buildings, learn about its culture and try some traditional food. If you pay attention to the time, you may have a chance to watch traditional performances such as Ninja Experience.

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  • Noboribetsu

• Day 5: Noboribetsu - Lake Toya - Niseko

  After breakfast, take about 1 hour to drive to Lake Toya, a huge crater lake whose surface never freezes. Upon arrival, head to the Silo Observatory for a superb view of Lake Toya, and then enjoy a short sightseeing cruise on the Lake Toya. Nearby Toyako Volcano Science Museum will tell you how Lake Toya was formed. Continue your journey to Niseko by private car (about 1 hour) and stay at Niseko tonight.

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  • Niseko

• Day 6: Niseko, Free Day

  Niseko is the most famous ski resort in Japan and is known for its snow-covered light powder. Today is free for you to enjoy skiing. You can enjoy a variety of snow activities, such as skiing, snowboarding and sledding, etc.

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  • Niseko

• Day 7: Niseko - Sapporo, Departure

  After breakfast, head to the airport of Sapporo by yourself. There is a direct bus service between the New Chitose Airport and Niseko. If you want to take it, please make a reservation in advance. Finally, take your home-bound flight.

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