2026 Hokkaido Ice & Snow Winter Festivals

(highlighting six winter festivals in Hokkaido)

February 2 - 11, 2026  (10 Days & 8 Nights)

Haneda, Chitose, Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden, Ikeda Wine Castle, Tokachigawa, Hakucho Matsuri (Sairinka), Lake Akan Snow Activities, Akan International Crane Center, Abashiri, Aurora Ice Breaker Boat Cruise, Okhotsk Ice Floe Museum, Sounkyo Gorge , Asahikawa, Asahikawa Winter Festival, Heiwa-dori Kaimono-koen, Otaru, Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi, Sakaimachi Dori, Music Box Hands-on-Activity, Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium & Museum, Royce Cacao & Chocolate Town, Sapporo Yuki Matsuri, Susukino Ice Festival, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Shiroi Koibito Park, Chitose, Haneda

$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 7/15/2025)

Monday, February 2  (Day 01)
HONOLULU to HANEDA to CHITOSE
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the check-in lobby at the airport for check-in procedures for our flight to Haneda International Airport.  Lunch and a snack will be served on board the flight.  After completing entry and customs formalities at Haneda Airport, we will transfer to check-in for our domestic flight to Chitose in Hokkaido, the second largest and northernmost island of Japan.

Tuesday, February 3  (Day 02)
ARRIVE CHITOSE
We’ll arrive Chitose Airport in the evening, then walk over to our hotel located in the airport to check-in for the night.

Accommodations at CHITOSE AIR TERMINAL HOTEL or similar

Wednesday, February 4  Day 03)
CHITOSE * TOKACHIGAWA  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Tokachigawa, a region noted for its golden-brown onsen waters and breathtaking scenery of the Tokachi Plains.  The Tokachi River creates rare botanical-based moor hot springs known as ‘hot springs for beauty’ and also provides shelter to thousands of migratory graceful swans.  Enjoy a visit of the Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden, a factory renowned for its popular confectionary ‘Sanporoku’.  Subject to confirmation, watch the process from the observation line, and shop at the ‘Sweets Village Tokachi offering various confectionaries such as cookies and cakes.  Enjoy a visit of the Ikeda Wine Castle, constructed on a hill offering panoramic views of the Hidaka Mountains, surrounding lands and grapevines.  Subject to confirmation, enjoy a wine tour throughout the castle and enjoy some samples of a variety of wines and brandies in the tasting room.  We’ll continue on to check-in for the night at our onsen hotel in Tokachigawa, host to the Hakucho Festival, named after thousands of swans that visit the area.  In the evening, we’ll transfer by shuttle to visit the Hakucho Matsuri (Sairinka Festival), featuring a spectacular laser show featuring hundreds of colorful LED lights in conical shaped objects illuminating the snowy grounds - creating a majestic sight.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at TOKACHIGAWA DAIICHI HOTEL TOYOTEI or similar

Thursday, February 5  (Day 04)
TOKACHIGAWA * AKAN * ABASHIRI  (B)(D)
We’ll stop at the Akan international Crane Center, a breeding center and sanctuary dedicated to research and protection of these rare and beautiful red-crested Japanese cranes (tancho).  These cranes represent longevity and we may be able to view some of them as they roam about in the facility.  The museum features interesting exhibits about the history and ecology of these endangered species.  We’ll travel to Lake Akan, a beautiful crater lake in Akan National Park.  On the frozen surface of the lake, enjoy some select outdoor winter activities offered: snowmobile rides, smelt ice fishing, ice skating and an exciting banana-boat ride (at own expense).  We’ll continue on to spend the night in Abashiri, an important local port city located in the Okhotsk prefecture on the northern coast of Hokkaido.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at HOTEL ABASHIRI KOSO or similar

Friday, February 6  (Day 05)
ABASHIRI * SOUNKYO * ASAHIKAWA  (B)(D)
In the heart of winter, sea ice flows down from Siberia covering the Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido with pure-white drift ice. (weather permitting), enjoy an exciting experience as we board the Aurora Ice-Breaker Boat, smashing through drift ice by plowing through it. We may be able to see sea mammals such as seals and other marine creatures standing on the ice floes.  The Tentozan Observatory & Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum located on Mount Tento, offers stunning panoramic views of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko Peninsula.  This interesting science museum showcases the drift ice and exhibits unique marine life from the Sea of Okhotsk, iconic symbols of Abashiri.  We’ll continue on to Sounkyo, a hot spring resort located in a scenic narrow gorge flanked by high forested cliffs in the Daisetsuzan National Park.  Featured in the gorge are two beautiful waterfalls: Ryusei-no-taki (Shooting Star Falls) and Ginga-no-taki (Milky Way Falls) - both selected as two of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan.  At this time of the year, the waterfalls are frozen creating an awesome sight.  We’ll continue on to spend the night in Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second largest city.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at ART HOTEL ASAHIKAWA or similar

Saturday, February 7  (Day 06)
ASAHIKAWA * OTARU  B)(D)
Discover a fantasyland of snow and ice sculptures displayed on a beautiful white snowfield at the spectacular Asahikawa Winter Festival, Hokkaido’s second largest winter festival.  Located on the riverside Asahibashi Site, the main centerpiece of the festival features a magnificent massive snow sculpture created with a different theme every year.  This huge sculpture is primarily used as a stage for concerts, events and for the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival.  Enjoy a stroll through Asahikawa Heiwa-dori Kaimono –koen, a pedestrian-only street featuring shops, department stores and an international ice sculpture competition where teams from all over the world compete to create extraordinary ice carvings.  We’ll continue on to spend the night in historic Otaru, a charming and romantic port city best known for the iconic Otaru Canal, beautifully restored with old-fashioned gas lamps and preserved stone warehouses, providing a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere.  In the evening, we’ll visit the Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi (Snow Light Path Festival) in the Unga Kaijo area, one of the two main official festival areas located along the Otaru Canal.  The combination of the snowy town and glittering lanterns lined along the canal creates a very pleasant and scenic atmosphere.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at GRAND PARK OTARU or similar

Sunday, February 8  (Day 07)
OTARU * SAPPORO  (B)
Enjoy strolling through Sakaimachi Dori, the main shopping street of Otaru, featuring various shops and cafes.  Located at the southern end of the street is a Music Box Museum displaying a huge selection of elegant music boxes of all shapes and sizes. At the entrance of the museum stands an old-fashioned steam clock presented to Otaru by the city of Vancouver, British Columbia.  Enjoy a hands-on-activity to create your own music box to take home for your souvenir.  We’ll travel on to Sapporo to visit the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, a ski jumping venue located on the eastern slopes of Mt. Okura.  The stadium has hosted a number of winter sport events, including the 1972 Winter Olympics.  Currently it is used as a training facility for athletes at Nordic events.  Weather permitting, enjoy an exhilarating ride on the chairlift to the top of the observation deck to enjoy spectacular views of Sapporo city.  Experience the same view as the ski jumpers when they sit on the plank preparing to fly into the sky.  The Sapporo Olympic Museum located at the base of the ski jump features exhibits showcasing the history and spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and a hands-on area with simulators for jumping, bobsledding, skiing and more.  Hop on one of these simulators to experience an exciting feeling!  We’ll continue on to spend three exciting nights in Sapporo, capital city of Hokkaido, best known for its ramen, beer, and the annual winter snow festival.  Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Accommodations at SAPPORO GRAND HOTEL or similar

Monday, February 9  (Day 08)
SAPPORO  (B)
Enjoy a visit at the Royce Cacao & Chocolate Town, a recently opened facility designed to introduce the journey of the process of their chocolate through exhibits and photos.  The shop offers a wide selection of Royce chocolates, one of the most popular souvenirs of Hokkaido.  The main highlight during the winter season in Hokkaido is to visit the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri, the largest and most popular winter festival in Hokkaido.  Centered on Odori Park, hundreds of spectacular snow sculptures and statues of all sizes are exhibited here, including a large snow sculpture used primarily to host concerts and events.  Created by various artisans, each block displays its own individual creation, turning Odori Park into a fabulous winter dreamland.  In the evenings, the festival venue is beautifully illuminated with colored lights, providing a breathtaking sight.  We’ll travel to Susukino, a lively entertainment district of Sapporo - home to hundreds of bars, restaurants, and night clubs.  Susukino also hosts its own spectacular winter event - the Susukino Ice Festival.  Featured along the main street are hundreds of intricately hand-carved ice sculptures created by various artisans and business establishments.  Susukino is also noted for Ramen Yokocho, a narrow alley lined with many small ramen shops serving a wide variety of delicious Sapporo ramen.  Dinner will be on your own this evening. 

Accommodations at SAPPORO GRAND HOTEL or similar

Tuesday, February 10  (Day 09)
SAPPORO  (B)(D)
This morning, we’ll travel to picturesque Lake Shikotsu, Japan’s northernmost ice-free caldera lake, to enjoy the ice sculptures at the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, located in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park.  Enjoy strolling through this fantastic world of ice featuring various spectacular ice sculptures lined around the lake.  We’ll visit the Shiroi Koibito Park, a large theme park operated by Ishiya, a popular local cookie company in Sapporo.  The company’s flagship product is Shiroi Koibito cookies - two thin butter cookies with a layer of white chocolate in between - one of the most popular souvenirs to bring home from Hokkaido.  We may have an opportunity to observe the cookie production in the factory.  Subject to confirmation, we’ll enjoy a hands-on-activity to make your own cookie in the workshop.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at a local restaurant.

Accommodations at SAPPORO GRAND HOTEL or similar

Wednesday, February 11  (Day 10)
SAPPORO - CHITOSE to HANEDA to HONOLULU  (B)
The morning is free at your leisure until we transfer to the Chitose Airport to check-in for our flight to Haneda Airport.  On arrival, we’ll transfer by shuttle bus to the Haneda International Terminal for our flight home to Honolulu, arriving in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line.  A meal will be served on board the flight.

The tour price is based on double occupancy and a minimum group size of 20 passengers.  Fare adjustment may apply for groups of 20 or under.  The rate is based on tariffs and exchange rates effective 5/1/2025.  Tour fare is subject to change according to any airfare increase and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency.  In the event of revaluation, the land portion of the tour price may be adjusted prior to your final statement.  We reserve the right to revise content of the itinerary if necessary due to unforeseen issues, weather and safety concerns.

Land portion based on 145 Yen = $1.00 U.S.

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2026 General Conditions
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