Winter Scenery: Mt. Zao Ropeway “Snow Monster”, Snow Hut Village, Odawara Flower Garden “Odawara Plum Blossom Festival”
Unique experiences: Tsugaru Railway “Stove Winter Train”, Miyagi Zao Fox Village, Shinkansen Ride Experience from Shin-Aomori to Sendai, Nitta (Textile Experience), Rice Cracker Making Experience, Lunch at Snow Hut “Kamakura", Scent Pouch Making Experience
Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences: Hirosaki Castle Park (FOR GRP 2 ONLY), Matsushima Bay Cruise, Michi no eki Furusato Mura, Suwada Open Factory, Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art, Shiraito Falls, Stroll Nakamachi Street and Nawate Shopping Street, Gotemba Premium Outlet
Hotel: Art Hotel Hirosaki City or similar / Western room
Meal: Meal on Board / L (GRP 2 ONLY) / D
GRP 1: Upon arrival at Aomori Airport, transfer directly to Hirosaki for hotel check-in and dinner [Buffet].
GRP 2: Upon arrival at Aomori Airport, coach transfer to lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Hirosaki Castle Park (弘前公園), renowned for its winter scenery and snow-covered grounds. Take a stroll around the park and capture the beauty of the season before heading to the hotel for check-in and dinner [Buffet].
Day 3 Hirosaki - Tsugaru – Zao Onsen 弘前 - 津軽- 蔵王温泉
Hotel: Gokan no Yu Tsuruya or similar / Japanese room
Meal: B / L / D
Note: Luggage delivery to Yonezawa, please prepare 1 night bag
After breakfast, board the Tsugaru Railway “Stove Winter Train” (津軽鉄道ストーブ列車), a delightful winter train experience that takes you through snowy landscapes, evoking the nostalgic charm of rural Japan during winter. Train attendants push food carts, selling sake and dried squid, the later of which is grilled on the coal powered stoves. Upon reaching Kanaki Station, warm up with a delicious lunch [Japanese Set] at a local restaurant. Next, transfer to Shin Aomori Station to board the Bullet Train Shinkansen bound for Sendai Station. Upon arrival, enjoy a scenic Matsushima Bay Cruise (松島湾遊覧船), where you will marvel at the winter beauty of the bay and its snow-dusted islands, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views. After the cruise, continue your journey to Zao Onsen, known for its mineral rich water which helps to relieve fatigue and beautify the skin for check-in and dinner [Buffet].
Day 4 Zao Onsen – Yonezawa - Yamagata 蔵王温泉 - 米沢 - 山形
Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata or similar / Western room
Meal: B / L / D
This morning, we will be heading to Mt Zao. With a height of 1841 meters, Mt. Zao is one of the most prominent mountains in the Tohoku Region. Take the Mt. Zao Ropeway (蔵王ロープウェイ) and admire the Snow Monster"Juhyo” which is only available in winter season. Created by the unique climate and trees of Zao Mountains, this beautiful work of nature is a must-see sight in Zao. Next, visit Miyagi Zao Fox Village (宮城蔵王キツネ村), where you can observe over 100 adorable foxes in a natural environment, creating a truly magical winter experience. Afterwards, we will transfer to Yonezawa and enjoy lunch [Yonezawa Beef Set] at a local restaurant before setting out for a Textile Dyeing Experience at Nitta (新田). Yonezawa is fondly known at the home for woven fabric and the birthplace of Japanese textiles. Founded in the late 18th century, the weaving shop has been operating for 5 generations. Get to experience traditional textile dyeing with the locally grown prefectural flower of Yamagata – Safflower. Finally, transfer to hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Kaiseki] at the hotel.
Hotel: Hotel Alpen Blick or similar / Western room
Meal: B / L / D
After breakfast, head to Niigata, famous for its rice production and delicious food culture. Here, you will enjoy a fun Rice Cracker Making Experience. Niigata is renowned as Japan’s number one rice cracker-producing region, and you’ll have the opportunity to grill and decorate your own rice crackers, creating a delicious souvenir to take home. Next, visit Michi no Eki Furusato Mura (道の駅新潟ふるさと村). The roadside station has shops selling Niigata specialities, restaurants, museums and a beautiful garden. Lunch [Soba Noodle Set] will be served here. After lunch, we will transfer to Suwada Open Factory (株式会社諏訪田製作所) in Sanjo, one of the world’s most renowned cutlery manufacturing hubs. At Suwada, you’ll learn about the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into making some of the finest Japanese cutlery, known for its functionality, material selection, and timeless beauty. Explore the production process and see firsthand how these prestigious products are made. Finally, transfer to Myoko Kogen for hotel check-in and dinner [Kaiseki].
Hotel: Karuizawa Prince Hotel West or similar / Western room
Meal: B / L / D
This morning, transfer to Iiyama and visit the Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art (高橋まゆみ人形館). This unique museum showcases the handmade dolls of Mayumi Takahashi, whose creations reflect the kindness and strength of the people from Iiyama. With over 100 dolls on display, each tells a story of the region's rich culture and heritage. Next, we will travel to the Kamakura Snow Hut Village (鎌倉雪小屋村), a spectacular winter attraction located in the Shinanodaira area, known for its heavy snowfall. This snow village consists of 15 to 20 snow huts, or kamakura, which are built each year from late January to February. The huts range in size from small cozy ones to large, impressive structures. You will have the rare opportunity to enjoy a special Hot Pot lunch in a Kamakura Snow Hut, an unforgettable dining experience surrounded by snow-covered huts in the winter wonderland. After lunch, transfer to Karuizawa and visit Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝), where water cascades down in delicate strands resembling threads of silk, creating a stunning contrast against the snowy landscape. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in and dinner [Buffet].
Day 7 Karuizawa – Matsumoto – Lake Yamanaka 軽井沢 - 松本 - 山中湖
Hotel: Royal Hotel Kawaguchiko or similar / Western room
Meal: B / L / D
After breakfast, transfer to Matsumoto and enjoy a leisurely stroll down Nakamachi Street (仲町通り)and Nawate Shopping Street(縄手通り), two charming streets lined with traditional merchant houses, boutiques and shops selling local goods. This is a wonderful opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of Matsumoto and perhaps purchase some unique souvenirs. After lunch [Miso Pork Set] at a local restaurant, continue your journey to Lake Yamanaka, one of the scenic lakes around Mount Fuji. Here, you will visit Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba (西湖いやしの里根場), a cultural village where you can experience traditional thatched-roof houses and view stunning landscapes of Mt. Fuji from the lake’s shore. While there, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a Scent Pouch Making Experience. The village is a peaceful place to explore and immerse yourself in the beauty of the surrounding area. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel for check-in and dinner [Western Course].
Day 8 Lake Yamanaka - Odawara – Tokyo 山中湖 - 小田原- 東京
Hotel: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba or similar / Western room
Meal: B / - / -
This morning, head for shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlet (御殿場プレミアム・アウトレット), one of Japan’s largest outlet malls, located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Here, you will have ample time to explore the numerous shops offering designer brands, unique items and discounts. It is also a perfect opportunity to grab lunch at one of the many dining options available, offering everything from local Japanese dishes to international favourites. Next, visit Odawara Flower Garden (小田原フラワーガーデン), where you can enjoy the vibrant winter blooms. If you are visiting during the season, you might catch the Odawara Plum Blossom Festival (小田原梅まつり), an annual event celebrating the early arrival of plum blossoms. it is a beautiful sight, as the plum trees begin to bloom in the cold months, offering a refreshing burst of color against the winter landscape. Afterwards, transfer to Tokyo for hotel check-in. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore Tokyo at your own pace, with dinner on your own. You can enjoy the bustling streets of Odaiba or head into central Tokyo for some evening entertainment or shopping.
Day 9 Tokyo – Singapore 東京 - 新加坡
Meal: B / - / -
JL711 NRT-SIN 1810-0050+1
After breakfast, free at your own leisure until departure.
Bid farewell to Japan this morning as we depart for Singapore. We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!
Day 10 Singapore 新加坡
Arrive Singapore
*All the photos are for illustration purposes only
*The itinerary is subject to change due to weather condition
*Meals indicated are for reference only and are subject to change
*Flight schedule is subject to change
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