2027 HOKKAIDO ICE & SNOW WINTER FESTIVALS

(featuring six winter festival sites in Hokkaido

February 3 – 13, 2027  (11 Days & 9 Nights)

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

$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
($100 deposit per person received by 9/15/2026)

Twin Rate: $5,975 per person Single Supplement: $1,125 (Includes group air arrangements on All Nippon Airways from Honolulu)

Land Only Rate: $4,575 per person (Individual arrangements to meet group are not included)

Wednesday, February 3  (Day 01)
HONOLULU to HANEDA to CHITOSE
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the ANA (All Nippon Airways) curbside lobby #7 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.

Thursday, February 4  (Day 02)
ARRIVE CHITOSE
On arrival at Chitose Airport in the evening, we’ll walk over to our hotel located in the airport terminal to check-in for the night.

Accommodations at CHITOSE AIR TERMINAL HOTEL or similar

Friday, February 5  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.  Subject to confirmation, enjoy a hands-on activity to decorate a cookie at the Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden, a large confectionary theme park in Tokachi, renowned for its signature confectionary ‘Sanporoku’.  Experience the charm of Tokachi wine at the Ikeda Wine Castle, constructed on a hill offering panoramic views of the Hidaka Mountains and Tokachi Plain.  Subject to confirmation, we’ll tour the castle and enjoy some samples of a variety of wines in the tasting room.  We’ll continue on to check-in for the night at our onsen hotel inTokachigawa, host to the Hakucho Festival, named after thousands of swans that visit the area.  In the evening after dinner, we’ll transfer by shuttle to visit the Hakucho Matsuri (Sairinka Festival), featuring a spectacular laser light show with 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

Saturday, February 6  (Day 04)
TOKACHIGAWA * AKAN * ABASHIRI  (B)(D)
We’ll continue on to visit the Akan International Crane Center, a specialized facility dedicated to the research and conservation of the majestic and rare 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 open-air observation area.  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 Mashu National Park to 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

Sunday, February 7  (Day 05)
ABASHIRI * SOUNKYO * ASAHIKAWA  (B)
In the heart of winter, sea ice flows down from Siberia covering the Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido with pure white drift ice.  Subject to weather conditions, experience the thrill as we board the Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship Aurora, crushing through thick drift ice on the Sea of Okhotsk.  We may also be able to spot some wildlife such as eagles, seals and other marine creatures on the ice floes.  The Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum located on Mount Tentozan, 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 a spectacular sight.  We’ll spend the night in Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second largest city.  Dinner will be on your own this evening.  Our hotel is conveniently located nearby the Aeon Mall Asahikawa, offering many dining and shopping opportunities. 

Accommodations at HOTEL ROUTE INN GRAND ASAHIKAWA EKIMAE or similar

Monday, February 8  (Day 06)
ASAHIKAWA * OTARU  B)(D)
Enjoy a visit of the Takasago Sake Brewery, renowned for its legendary sake using Hokkaido-grown rice and the pure underground water of the region.  Subject to confirmation, we may be able to sample some of their delicious products.  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, the main centerpiece of the festival features a magnificent massive snow sculpture created with a different theme every year, 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 and department stores including an international ice sculpture competition where teams from all over the world compete to create extraordinary ice carvings lined along the street.  We’ll continue on to spend two nights 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.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at GRAND PARK OTARU or simil

Tuesday, February 9  (Day 07)
OTARU  (B)(D)
Enjoy strolling through Sakaimachi Dori, the main shopping street of Otaru, featuring a variety of souvenir, confectionary  and glassware shops.  Located at one end of the street is a unique 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.  We’ll participate on a hands-on activity to create your very own music box to take home for your souvenir.  This evening, enjoy a visit of the Otaru Yuki Akari-no-Michi (Snow Light Path Festival) in Otaru, one of the two main official festival areas located along the Otaru Canal.  The combination of the snowy town, small illuminated snow statues and glittering lanterns lined along the canal creates a pleasant and scenic atmosphere.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at GRAND PARK OTARU or similar

Wednesday, February 10  (Day 08)
SAPPORO  (B)
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 – Susukino Ice World.  Featured along the main street are hundreds of intricately hand-carved ice sculptures created by various artisans and business establishments.  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, creating Odori Park into a fabulous winter dreamland.  In the evening, the festival venue is beautifully illuminated with colored lights, providing a breathtaking sight.  Dinner will be on your own this evening.  Our hotel is conveniently located with many dining and shopping opportunities.

Accommodations at SAPPORO GRAND HOTEL or similar

Thursday, February 11  (Day 09)
SAPPORO  (B)(D)
Weather permitting, enjoy an exhilarating ride on the ski lift to the top of the observation deck at 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 sports events including the 1972 Winter Olympics.  Currently, it is used as a training facility for athletes at Nordic events.  Experience the same view as the ski jumpers when they sit on the plank preparing to fly into the sky.  The Sapporo Olympic Museum features exhibits showcasing the history and spirit of the Olympic games including a fun hands-on area with simulators for ski jumping, bobsledding, skiing and more.  Hop on one of these simulators to experience an exciting feeling!  We’ll travel to picturesque Lake Shikotsu, Japan’s northernmost ice-free caldera lake to enjoy the ice sculptures at the 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 return to Sapporo city to enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant. 

Accommodations at SAPPORO GRAND HOTEL or similar

Friday, February 12  (Day 10)
SAPPORO  (B)
We’ll travel to Sunagawa city to enjoy a shopping adventure at the huge Sunagawa Highway Oasis, the first highway oasis in Hokkaido, featuring a Kitakaro Shop selling Kitakaro products, and an Oasis Plaza offering a wide variety of Hokkaido souvenirs and sweets.  We’ll continue on to visit the Royce Cacao & Chocolate Town, a facility designed to experience the interesting journey of cacao cultivation to the process of chocolate making through exhibits, displays, and photos.  The gift shop offers a wide selection of original Royce chocolates only available here at this facility.  Royce Chocolates are one of the most popular souvenirs to bring home from Hokkaido.  We’ll return to Sapporo city to spend our last night.  Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.

Accommodations at SAPPORO GRAND HOTEL or similar

Saturday, February 13  (Day 11)
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 7/1/2026.  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 155 Yen = $1.00 U.S.

Printable Itinerary
2027 General Conditions
Tour Registration Form