Japan Alps Winter Mini Tour

You will travel on your own to Tokyo and check into the hotel in Tokyo. We will leave a message for you at the hotel informing you of the meeting time for the next day. No meals included.

Travel: TBD; Walking: TBD

Before leaving Tokyo you will need to prepare your luggage for transfer to Hirayu. We will be traveling to Hirayu with an overnight bag only. Please prepare your overnight bag for 2 days and 1 night. After breakfast you will start the day with a Welcome/Orientation meeting before we will travel to Matsumoto. From the moment you step off the train and hear the announcement “Matsumotooooo” you will recognize that you are some place special. After lunch we will tour the famous Matsumoto Castle. This beautiful castle is also known as Crow Castle because of its stark black walls. The castle was first built in 1504 and remodeled into its current form at the turn of the 17th century. From the top of the main tower you will have a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding mountains. After touring Matsumoto Castle we will travel to the town of Hirayu in Okuhida. Okuhida is famous for its hot springs, and especially so for its rotemburo (outdoor baths) with views of the surrounding Northern Japan Alps. Hirayu is the oldest and largest of Okuhida’s onsen towns, and is said to have been discovered in the 1560s by the feudal lord Takeda Shingen. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the onsens after checking into the ryokan. Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at a local restaurant and dinner at the ryokan are included.

Travel: 4 1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium

Today is a free day to explore Hirayu and the Okuhida region. You can take this day to go skiing, take a snowshoe tour, or venture up the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway. The Shin-Hotaka Ropeway is one of Japan’s most unique ropeways with one of the largest elevation gains in the country (over 1,000 meters). It climbs up the side of the Hotaka Mountain Range, which includes Oku-Hotakedake, Japan’s third highest peak. The ropeway’s most distinguishing feature is its double decker gondola cars, the first of their kind in Japan, which offer excellent views of the Okuhida Region. You will retrieve your main luggage from the ryokan in the afternoon. Breakfast and dinner at the ryokan are included.

Travel: TBD; Walking: TBD

Before leaving, you will need to prepare your main luggage for transfer to Kanazawa. We will be traveling to Takayama and Kanazawa with an overnight bag only. Please prepare your overnight bag for 3 days and 2 nights. After breakfast at the ryokan we will travel to the nearby town of Takayama. Takayama, in the middle of the Japan Alps, with its traditional inns, shops, and sake breweries, has managed to retain its traditional charm. After dropping off the overnight bags at the ryokan, we will enjoy a hot noodle lunch. After lunch, we will take a short bus ride to the Matsuri no Mori. This museum showcases the key aspects of the Takayama Festival, which takes place for two days each spring and autumn. The festival is known as one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals. Later in the afternoon, we will visit the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan. Here you will find 4 of the 11 actual floats used in the festival on display. The rest of the day is free. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant included.

Travel: 1 Hours; Walking: Medium

We will start the day in Takayama by strolling through the farmer’s markets as we sample the numerous options from vegetable stands and stalls selling herbs, pickles, and souvenirs. Next, we will tour the Takayama-jinya which has been the governing office of Takayama and the surrounding area since the early 17th century. The guide will take you to the Sanmachi-suji district consisting of merchant homes dating back to the 16th century. From here the rest of the day is free to roam and explore Takayama. Visit the many temples, shrines and museums, rummage through antique shops, or relax at one of the sake breweries. Breakfast at the ryokan included.

Travel: N/A; Walking: TBD

After breakfast we will take a public highway bus to the valley of Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is the home of many Gassho-zukuri (Praying Hand) style homes which have been moved here from the surrounding area. These homes were first used as long ago as the 18th century and are still being used today. They are built to withstand the tremendous amounts of snow this area of Japan receives. We will stop for a short time to explore some of these traditional farmhouses. Following an enjoyable lunch and some free time to explore in the afternoon, we will catch another public bus to the city of Kanazawa. Kanazawa, located on the northern coast of Japan, was once controlled by one of the wealthiest families in Japan, the Maeda Clan. They were admirers and sponsors of many traditional arts, and these arts flourished under their sponsorship. Many of these arts are still being practiced today in Kanazawa. We will retrieve our main luggage after checking in at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at a local restaurant are included.

Travel: 2 1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium

Before leaving, you will need to prepare your main luggage for transfer to Tokyo. We will be traveling to Yudanaka Onsen/Shibu Onsen and Tokyo with an overnight bag only. Please prepare your overnight bag for 2 days and 1 night. After breakfast we will tour the Kenrokuen Garden. This garden is considered to be one of the three best gardens in Japan, and was initially constructed in the 17th century. After enjoying the garden we will tour the Kanazawa Handicrafts Museum to learn how the local Kanazawa handicrafts are made. After lunch we will tour the Naga-machi Samurai District. This area of Kanazawa, located at the foot of Kanazawa Castle, was the residential district for the samurai serving the castle. The area preserves a historic atmosphere with its remaining samurai residences, earthen walls, private entrance gates, narrow lanes, and water canals. We will also visit the Nomura House where the Nomura family, a high-ranking retainer for the Maeda family, resided. After touring Kanazawa we will travel to Yudanaka Onsen/Shibu Onsen. Breakfast at the ryokan, lunch at a local restaurant and dinner at the ryokan included.

Travel: 2 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy

After breakfast, we will travel to the Snow Monkey Park. Here, at the Jigoku-dani (Hell Valley), we will delight in the world famous “snow monkeys” of Japan. The Red-Faced “snow monkeys” are only found in Japan, and enjoy using the thermally-heated mineral water baths all year long. After visiting the snow monkeys we will return to Tokyo by local train and Shinkansen. From here you will continue around Japan on your own. Breakfast at the ryokan included.

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Heavy