The surprise package of travelling in Japan in winter 2025/2026!
Our 2025/2026 Winter Tours of Japan showcase the Japanese winter, unique winter festivals, food, culture and breathtakingly beautiful snow-covered landscape.
Travelling to Japan in winter is not just about skiing or snowboarding. Journey to the East Winter Tours offers the opportunity to experience what is uniquely Japanese in winter. You will experience the unforgettable Sapporo Snow Festival, witnessing drift ice in the Okhotsk, or seeing graceful red-crested cranes dancing in a field of snow.
At Christmas time, White Christmas in Japan is on the cards. We will show you the stunning winter light-ups and snow-covered castles. Naturally, these winter holidays in Japan also introduce you to Japanese winter customs. Especially towards New Year’s Day, you will see the festive mood all over the country.
Why not travel to Japan in the 2025/2026 winter season pre or post-ski trip, or on its own, and create a unique memory of winter.
Tour Type
Signature
Our Signature tours offer the most comprehensive cultural exposure.
Discovery
Our Discovery tours provide up-and-close encounters with traditional life and natural landscapes into the more remote regions of Japan.
Comfort
With a focus on comfort and ease, our Comfort tours deliver an authentic experience with a few extra creature comforts to make for a more relaxed and supported trip.
Seasons
More about japan
Winter Tours Features
Sapporo Snow Festival (February 2025)
The internationally popular Sapporo Snow Festival is featured in the 2026 Snow Spectacular Tour of Japan. The tour offers only two departures, and spaces are limited. Be quick and don’t miss out!
White Christmas in Japan
Ever thought of a white Xmas in Japan? We have a very special White Christmas Tour in Japan in December 2025. The tour covers the snowy Japan Alps region in Honshu as well as the northern island of Hokkaido. The tour is truly unique.
Why travel with us
At Journey to the East we are committed to providing authentic and most memorable experiences in Japan – for both Small Group Tours and custom-built Private Tours. Whether it is your first visit or you have been several times to Japan, you will always find something new and have special experiences with Journey to the East. Our travel style is chosen to immerse you in the culture and landscape of the country and expose you to a rich variety of unique experiences.
We do this by taking you beyond the tourist hotspots to explore the lesser-known parts of Japan. Our tours are designed to strike the right balance between the classic highlights and local secrets, the urban and the rural, the historic and the contemporary, and in doing so, reveal the true heart of Japan.
With Journey to the East, you will have fun and be safe on your deeply rewarding journey through this endlessly fascinating country!
We are specialists that just handle tours within one country, Japan. Whether you are from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand or beyond we meet you at the airport upon arrival into Japan and ensure a smooth and stress-free time in a foreign land.
Accommodation styles
Ryokans
Ryokans is a Japanese style accommodation, mostly consists of Japanese style rooms with tatami matt floor and futon bedding, and private ensuite. Some ryokans have a western style room with beds. A Japanese style room always has a low table and flat cushions to sit on, but the room may or may not have chairs. Most ryokans have an additional large public bath for guests and includes kaiseki style dinner. Breakfast can be Japanese style (rice, miso soup, fish etc.) or western style buffet.
Western Style Hotels
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Minshuku
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Shukubo (temple lodging)
The vast majority have Japanese style rooms and shared bathroom although there are limited number of temples with a western bedroom with ensuite. The stay at shukubo includes Buddhist vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Dinners are served early, around 5pm. They are run by monks, and facility and services are basic. Guests can attend morning service in the main hall.
Related articles
Valentine’s Day in Japan
Winter in Hokkaido and Sapporo snow festival
