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10-Day Hokkaido Skiing and Culture

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Extraordinary Experiences

  • Tear up the slopes with five full days of skiing at the world-famous locations of Niseko and Furano, renowned for white-powder snow, stunning nature and rich Japanese culture
  • Visit a Hokkaido homestead and enjoy a cooking workshop with the owners of the farm, where you will learn about popular local dishes and discover new recipes
  • Discover the natural wonders of Furano, as you soak up the beauty of its Biei Pond, famous for its rich blue colour, and Shirahige Falls, a magnificent site to behold, on a private tour
  • Be immersed in Japanese culture as you spend a night in a traditional tatami room with futon beds and soak in the natural hot springs at the Jozenakei Onsen

Overview

During this ski trip, you will experience Hokkaido, rich with history and culture. Well known as a winter wonderland, Hokkaido is riddled with world-renowned ski resorts and volcanic hot springs. A skier's delight, this region has light powder snow falling from November to March, making it the perfect location to hit the slopes.

Beginning in Hokkaido’s capital city, Sapporo, you will explore the Nijo Market and its renowned selection of fresh fish, which Hokkaido is famous for, before venturing to the Sapporo Factory and the Sapporo Beer Museum, where you will discover why Hokkaido is the birthplace of beer in Japan.

A visit to the Nikka Whiskey Distillery in Yoichi, constructed in 1934, you will discover the craft of brewing and learn why Nikka whiskey is regarded as among the greatest single malt whiskies in the world. You will move on to the coastal town of Otaru, a tiny port city with well-maintained canals and unique herring homes, before closing off this day of sightseeing, relaxing inside the Jozankei onsen, with views of the snowy landscape, followed by a traditional Japanese course dinner.

Now it’s time to hit the slopes! You will enjoy three days of skiing at Niseko, which is synonymous with powder snow, and is considered the region with the greatest powder snow in the world. In between skiing, you will indulge in the local culture and you learn about local dishes and discover new recipes with a cooking workshop at a Hokkaido homestead!

Following your stay in Niseko, you will travel to Furano, exploring the famous Biei Blue Pond and the Shirahige Waterfall, which is unique among Japanese waterfalls in that it originates from an underground river, on the way.

To close off your ski trip, you will spend your final two full days hitting the Furano Ski Slope, a leading national ski slope that has held the World Cup more than ten times. Visitors from all over the world travel to Hokkaido to see the powder snow phenomena that happens every winter.

Whether you are an expert skier or you are new to the world of snow sports, Japan is a must-visit winter destination and this trip is the perfect combination of adventure and culture!

Accommodation listed or similar.
Skiing
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature
Food & Drink
Culture & Arts

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Sapporo

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Arrival in Sapporo

Welcome to Japan! Upon arriving at New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, a guide will greet you at the airport and you will take the rapid airport train to central Sapporo. After checking in to your hotel, you will have the rest of the day to relax or explore the area at your leisure.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo3.5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Sapporo Okadama Airport to Sapporo

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sapporo

Day 2

Explore Central Sapporo

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Explore Central Sapporo

After a leisurely start to your day, your English-speaking guide will meet you at your accommodation to head to Nijo Market, known for its fresh fish selection, to see what is on offer and have an early lunch. After finishing in the market, visit Sapporo Factory, a large complex with many different shops to visit housed within a historic glass and brick building. Next, head to the Sapporo Beer Museum, home to one of the most popular beer producers in Japan. You will finish the day with a steaming bowl of Sapporo-style ramen to warm you up!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo3.5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Nijo Market

    Sapporo Factory 1-jo Building

    Sapporo Beer Museum

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Ganso Ramen Yokocho (Original Ramen Alley)

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Metro from Sapporo to Sapporo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sapporo

Day 3

Canals, Fresh Fish and Whiskey

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Canals, Fresh Fish and Whiskey

Start off the day leaving Sapporo to go to Yoichi and visit the renowned Nikka Whiskey Distillery, built in 1934. Known the be one of the founders of Japanese-produced whiskey, Taketsuru Masataka studied for many years in Scotland and brought the traditional whiskey-making processes back to Japan to create an original Japanese product at this distillery in Yoichi. After finishing at the distillery, head east to Otaru, a lovely town by the sea. After Otaru, head south to Jozankei Onsen to spend the night at a hot spring resort before ending your day with a traditional Japanese meal.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

    Otaru

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sapporo to Otaru

    Private Driver from Otaru to Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sapporo

    Yoichi

    Otaru

Day 4

Travel to Niseko

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Travel to Niseko

Today, a private car will pick you up in the morning and take you to your hotel in Niseko. After checking in, head to the ski rental shop and get fitted for your equipment (if you have added equipment hire). Spend the rest of the day as free time and enjoy exploring and skiing in Niseko.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hilton Niseko Village4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Skiing in Niseko

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sapporo to Niseko

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sapporo

    Abuta District

Day 5

Skiing in Niseko

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Skiing in Niseko

Take to the slopes today for a day of exploring Niseko and enjoying the ski resorts.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hilton Niseko Village4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Skiing in Niseko

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Abuta District

Day 6

Skiing in Niseko and Japanese Cooking Class

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Skiing in Niseko and Japanese Cooking Class

Continue your skiing adventure today discovering Niseko and exploring the ski resorts. For lunch, head by private car to a Hokkaido homestead where you can learn local cooking techniques from the owners of the farm.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hilton Niseko Village4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Skiing in Niseko

    Cooking Class at a Hokkaido homestead

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Niseko to Niseko

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Abuta District

    Shintoku

Day 7

Head to Furano

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Head to Furano

Today, a guide and private car will pick you up in the morning as you leave Niseko and head to Furano. On the way, you will visit some beautiful natural spots, such as Biei Pond and Shirahige Falls.
The car will drop you off in Furano where you will check into your hotel and relax for the remainder of the day.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hitohana

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Blue Pond

    Shirahige Waterfall

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Niseko to Furano

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Abuta District

    Furano

    Biei

Day 8

Skiing in Furano

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Skiing in Furano

You will spend today at your leisure skiing in the Furano resort. Furano Ski Slope is a leading national ski slope that has held the World Cup more than ten times. Many skiers and snowboarders travel from within and outside of the nation due to the quality and splendour of the snow. There is also a school where you may take classes that are appropriate for your ability.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hitohana

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Skiing in Furano

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Furano

Day 9

Skiing in Furano

Hide details accordion
Skiing in Furano

You will spend today at your leisure skiing in the Furano resort. Furano Ski Slope is a leading national ski slope that has held the World Cup more than ten times. Many skiers and snowboarders travel from within and outside of the nation due to the quality and splendour of the snow. There is also a school where you may take classes that are appropriate for your ability.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hitohana

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Skiing in Furano

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Furano

Day 10

Return to Sapporo and Departure

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Return to Sapporo and Departure

Today is your final day in Hokkaido! You will return to Sapporo in the morning and catch your flight home.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Furano to Sapporo Okadama Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Furano

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 12 activities
  • 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 5 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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