Details
- See the Snow Monkeys of Nagano
- Cycle the hidden country side of Hida Takayama
- View Matsumoto Castle known as Crow Castle
- Taste fresh Miso at a Miso Factory
| Departure Date | Twin Share | Triple Share |
| Sun, Mon, Wed & Thurs | $3,935 | $3,645 |
※Seasonal surcharges may apply.
※Minimum of 2 people required for tour to operate.
Day 1 Haneda / Narita Airport Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, you will be met at the arrival exit point by your driver who will take you to your accommodation in a shared shuttle. Following check in at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to spend freely at leisure exploring Tokyo.
Hotel: Hotel New Ueno, or similar
Day 2 Tokyo Nagano
Following an early breakfast at your hotel, use your JR Hokuriku Arch Pass to transfer to Nagano by bullet train to begin a two-day tour. This tour starts at JR Nagano station, taking you to see the famous Snow Monkeys that bathe in the natural hot springs in Jigokudani Park. The tour continues with lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading to Zenko-ji Temple, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan. Your guide will take you through the temples complex, explaining its legends and myths, before leading you through a guided sake tasting experience. After indulging in some of Nagano’s sake, you will return to your hotel to spend the evening at your leisure.
Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Nagano, or similar
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 3 Nagano Matsumoto Takayama
Following breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transported to Matsumoto to see its iconic 400-year-old castle. You will be free to explore the castle until it is time for your tour of the Miso Factory. Learn the process of making Miso and the many products made from it. After your tour, enjoy lunch at the Factory. From Matsumoto, head towards the Edo like town of Takayama, and the mountain ranges of the Northern Alps. Upon arrival in Takayama, your two day tour concludes, and you can spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. Takayama is a town famed for being deeply rooted in its local culture and history, where daily life still revolves around its longstanding traditional shops such as the tofu seller, sake brewery, Japanese sweets shop, and many more. Additionally, with over a dozen museums and galleries to suit all interests, and several well-kept temples and parks, there are plenty of ways to spend a relaxing afternoon in this quaint city.
Hotel: Tokyu Stay Hida-Takayama Musubi no Yu, or similar
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 4 Takayama
Following breakfast at your hotel, head to the designated meeting place to be guided along a Food & Culture Walk through Takayama. This culinary tour will introduce you to the rich culture and history of Takayama. Along the way, meet some of the local food heroes found throughout the many authentic and traditional shops. This morning tour visits: Harada Sake Brewery, Miyakawa Morning Markets, Koji-ya and Coffeehouse. Following this tour, you will have two hours until an afternoon cycling tour led by a trained and experienced guide. This tour will take you away from the tourist spots, visiting natural havens and local markets. You will come away from this tour with a full stomach and fascinating stories to share with family and friends. The evening is yours to spend freely at leisure.
Hotel: Tokyu Stay Hida-Takayama Musubi no Yu, or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Takayama Shirakawago Toyama
Following breakfast at your hotel, head to the designated meeting spot to embark on the Gokayama Ainokura and Shirakawago Sightseeing Bus Tour. You will have the opportunity to stroll around the Ainokura Village in the World Heritage site Gokayama. Enjoy lunch at Shirakawago with its panoramic views. While in Shirakawago, see over 100 thatched roof houses surrounded by breathtaking scenery. At the conclusion of the tour, transfer from Shirakawago to Toyama via the Nohi Bus service. Upon arrival in Toyama, make your own way to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Terrace Toyama, or similar
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 6 Toyama
Today, your luggage will be forwarded ahead to your Day 7 Hotel in Osaka. Please leave your main luggage at the designated drop off point and prepare an overnight bag for your last night’s stay in Toyama. Following breakfast at the hotel, make your way to the designate meeting spot to join a half-day tour visiting Toyama Castle where you will be guided through the castle and a fifth generation Tea House by an English speaking Tea Ceremony Instructor. After being taken through the Tea House, continue with a short Tea Ceremony led by your Instructor. After the tour, head back to your hotel and spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Terrace Toyama, or similar
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 7 Toyama Fukui Osaka
Following breakfast at you hotel, make your way to the train station to travel from Toyama to Fukui Station and spend the day at leisure exploring Fukui before heading to Osaka. Upon arrival at Fukui Station, purchase a ticket for the Eihei-ji Liner Bus to Eihei-ji Temple, ‘The Temple of Eternal Peace’. One of the two head temples of Soto Zen, it is located deep in the mountains near the northwest coast of Japan. This temple was founded by Zen Master Dōgen in 1244. He was offered land and other help for this by Yoshishige Hatano, a samurai who was one of his most devoted lay followers. Dōgen thus founded Eihei-ji, where he devoted himself to training his followers in the perfection of Zen practice. Dōgen Zenji’s authentic Zen has been scrupulously observed and passed down by his successors. Today, more than 100 monks devote themselves to his practice of shikantaza (single-minded sitting). Head back to Fukui Station by the Eihei-ji Liner Bus and use your Hokuriku Arch Pass to head to Osaka. Upon arrival in Osaka, make your way to your hotel and enjoy an evening at your leisure.
Hotel: Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba, or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Osaka
Following breakfast at you hotel, spend the day at leisure until the afternoon when you will participate in the Nightlife Osaka Food Tour which will take you on an unforgettable eating excursion through the busy streets and the hidden, less frequented parts of Osaka, including the Dotonbori; one of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, and running parallel to the Dotonbori canal. It is a popular shopping and entertainment district and is also known as a food destination! Travel down narrow alleys and see some of the more unconventional restaurants and pubs. Your guide will lead you to a local dinner spot to enjoy yakitori (grilled skewers), sukiyaki (a delicious simmered beef hotpot), tempura and fresh local veggies and 1 drink. This spot is very local, you will not find tourists here! Finally finish off with a tasty local street food dessert! As you say farewell to your guide you can explore more on your own in this fascinating part of town.
Hotel: Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba, or similar
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Day 9 Osaka Kansai Airport
Following breakfast at your hotel, spend the day at leisure until it is time to make your own way to the airport via airport train for your departure from Japan. Sayonara!
Meals: Breakfast
- Hotels: Tokyo (1 night), Nagano (1 night), Takayama (2 nights), Toyama (2 nights), Osaka (2 nights)
- Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 1 Dinner
- Guide: English Speaking guide throughout, excluding free time at leisure
- Transportation: One-way Tokyo airport shuttle transfer; One-way Kansai airport train ticket; 7 Day Hokuriku Arch Rail Pass
※Costing may vary depending on the exchange rate, the final rate will be confirmed at time of booking confirmation.
※The above itinerary is subject to availability
※For full terms and conditions, please contact our travel specialists.
Day 2 & 3: 2 Day Snow Monkey Tour
※This tour includes an English-speaking guide on Day 1 but is self-guided on Day 2. On the second day you will be transported to/between all listed destinations by your driver/tour vehicle. They will assist you to arrange entry tickets at the castle and show you to the miso brewery for lunch, and then leave you to enjoy these experiences for yourself.
※Please wear suitable shoes for the walking trail into the Snow Monkey Park.
※During the winter it is common to see the Snow Monkeys enjoying the hot spring bath, however from spring up to autumn there will be times where the monkeys play or eat in the water, however please note that the monkeys are wild animals and there is no guarantee that there will be monkeys in the bath.
※There are a few days in the year that the monkeys might not come down to the park. In such case we will provide an alternative activity.
※Infants (0-5) are included free of charge. No seat is provided for them and they must sit on the lap of an accompanying adult.
Day 4: Satoyama Experience Food & Culture Walk
※The tour includes accompaniment by a trained and experienced guide (in English/Japanese) Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included as part of the tour.
※There is no charge for small children who are 5 years old or younger. If you have a small child, please let us know when you make a reservation.
※Please be sure to purchase appropriate travel insurance in advance.
Day 4: Standard 3.5h Hida Satoyama Cycling PM
※The tour includes accompaniment by a trained and experienced guide (in English/Japanese) + Mountain Bike + Helmet + Rain gear (Japanese size: S, M, L) + Tea break /+ Free water (Please bring your bottles). Hotel pickup and drop-off + Gloves are not included as part of the tour. If you require gloves, please bring your own.
※There is no charge for small children who are 5 years old or younger. If you have a small child, please let us know when you make a reservation.
※Please be sure to purchase appropriate travel insurance in advance.
Day 5: Shirakawa-go Tour
※Depending on operational circumstances, certain tour dates may be cancelled, or tour operation may cease entirely.
※Seats on the bus may not be designated.
※The lunch venue may be changed to a different venue located near Shirakawago or Suganuma.
※Please understand that there is no vegetarian option available. Soba (buckwheat) noodles are included in the lunch menu.
※No changes to the menu can be made. No refunds will be issued even if the lunch is not eaten.
※The tour uses a regular sightseeing bus that departs on schedule from each departure location.
※If a customer boards the wrong vehicle, no refunds or compensation for additional expenses will be provided.
※Always wear your seatbelt when the bus is moving & Please refrain from talking on the phone while on the bus.
※Please stick to the scheduled times, as all participants travel together on this tour.
※The amount of time spent at destinations may be shortened or altered depending on road conditions and other unavoidable circumstances.
※The outdoor museum is closed on Thursdays from December to March (preceding Wednesday if Thursday is a national holiday), and cannot be entered. To make up for this, participants will receive a souvenir. The type of souvenir may vary. Thank you for your understanding.
※Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with bus seats or meals. If bus seats are necessary, please make a booking. Children are classified as up to 12 years of age. Ages are determined based on how old the participant will be on the day of the tour.
Day 8: Nightlife Osaka Food Tour
※If the minimum number of participants is not met by 4 days prior to the tour date, the tour may be cancelled.
※There is a strict policy regarding tours starting on time. This is to protect the enjoyment of all our guests and restaurant partners. If you are not able to arrive at the meeting point by the departure time, the tour will start regardless and no refund will be provided.
※The tour operators are unable to accommodate meeting up in any of the food stops once you’ve missed the start of the tour.
※Dietary restrictions & allergies must be advised at the time of booking.