Example Itinerary

Nagano's Winter Wonderland

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $15,500
Interests
Skiing
Destinations
Japan

The exhilarating Nagano’s Winter Wonderland itinerary is perfect for culture vultures and winter sports fans alike, take in the dazzling sights and sounds of Tokyo, the amusing inhabitants of Jigokudani Monkey Park and the beauty of the traditional Japanese towns of Akihabara and Asakusa - famous for the Senso-ji temple, dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon - before traveling to the Nozawa Onsen for three days of skiing, cosy hospitality and winter frolics. With instructors on hand to guide newbies, this is an ideal trip for beginners, seasoned skiers and mixed groups.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

• Tokyo: The eclectic capital offers a mix of the historic, the cultural and the bizzare - take it all in with trips to Tsukiji Fish Market, Meiji Jingu Shrine and trendy Harajuku.

• Snow Sports: The Olympic slopes of Nozawa Onsen are ideal for a day of skiing, followed by a soak in natural hot spring baths.

• Monkey Business: Meet the cheeky Japanese macaques of Jigokudani Monkey Park - just like their human cousins, they love to warm up in the chilly months by bathing in hot spring pools.

• Matsumotojo: Discover the history of Crow Castle, one of Japan’s most picturesque and best-preserved original castles.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Tokyo

Arrive today in Japan’s thriving, exciting capital - Tokyo. Transfer to your luxury hotel get acquainted with your new surroundings as well as relax in preparation for the day ahead.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Spread across the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower in Tokyo’s financial district, this lofty hotel presents city superb views and is just steps from Tokyo Station and Ginza shopping district.

History: This newly built-hotel is the first ever ‘city’ hotel from the luxurious Aman Resorts, a group that has over two dozen resorts in their portfolio spread across four different continents.

Services: The wealth of services here all take advantage of the stunning views, whether you’re treating yourself to a massage in the spa, enjoying fine Mediterranean cuisine in the 33rd floor restaurant or doing laps in the infinity pool.

Read More
Aman Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, is located 38 floors above street level in a district of Tokyo called Nihonbashi, a business district often referred to as the “center of Japan”.

History: Of all Tokyo’s business districts, the 400-year-old Nihonbashi is the only one that still retains much of its old world charm.

Service: This is the only hotel in Tokyo to have been awarded Six-Star International Diamond status by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, recognizing the hotel’s reputation for excellence.

Read More
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

High-tech: in-room amenities.

Pool: Large 65-foot swimming pool and equally sizable hydrotherapy pool.

Views: Superb views of the Imperial Palace.

Location: Within walking distance to the shopping paradise of Ginza.

Read More
The Peninsula Tokyo Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Map

Tokyo

Enjoy a full day exploring Tokyo. Start the day with a peek at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, and then move onto Jogai Shijo with its mixture of shops and restaurants - designed to celebrate traditional and innovative Japanese dishes - where you can also experience a fire ceremony at the at the local Fukagawa Fudoson temple. Continue your exploration of Tokyo with a visit to the well-known and revered Meiji Jingu Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji; then head to modern, funky and trendy Harajuku, before the more traditional towns of Akihabara and Asakusa, and experience the contrasting nature of Japan’s dedication to the future and reverence of the past.

Tokyo
Tokyo

Day 3

Map

Nozawa Onsen

Depart Tokyo on the Shinkansen high-speed train towards the town’s ever popular Jigokudani Monkey Park. The park is inhabited by Japanese macaques who live in the forests of the Jigokudani valley, gathering around the hot springs to escape the winter cold and, famously, often spied covered in snow relaxing in the bubbling waters of a hot spring, in a way not unlike humans. Although the park is open all year round, the bathing monkeys are best seen from December to February, when the entire area is covered in a layer of gleaming white snow. Head onto Nozawa Onsen, check into your ryokan and, like the Japanese macaque, you too can take a dip in the onsite hot-spring bath.

Hotel Options
About

Located in the center of the world-famous and increasingly popular Nozawa Onsen village - considered by many to be the Japanese ski resort - Ryokan Sakaya is within easy reach of the slopes and just 15 minutes from the local travel hub, Togari Nozawa Onsen Station. Built 110 years ago, the hotel is made up of 29 rooms and features authentic Japanese design and accoutrements from the Taisho period, but also comes equipped with modern additions such as a free WiFi connection, flat-screen televisions and a choice of either Japanese or Western-style beds.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen

Day 4

Map

Nozawa Onsen

Nozawa Onsen is in Nagano Prefecture, approximately 186 miles northwest from central Tokyo. The ski area is not large, but is extremely pretty and as off-piste skiing is also allowed, the actual skiable area is far bigger than it may first appear. Remote Lands will arrange your ski passes during your stay in Nozawa Onsen (rentals not included) and today you will have a full-day with a ski instructor, who will help you familiarize yourselves with the slopes.

Day 5

Map

Nozawa Onsen

Enjoy your day skiing with your pre-arranged ski passes, valid during your stay in Nozawa Onsen (rentals not included). Depending on your dates of travel, there may be an evening Winter Illumination or Festival - these run from December to March.

Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen

Day 6

Map

Nozawa Onsen

Today is your last full day of skiing. As on previous days, Remote Lands will organize your ski passes (rentals not included), enabling you to get on slopes without delay. So, make sure to rise early and make the most of this opportunity to work on your form and perfect your technique.

Day 7

Map

Tokyo

Today, you will return to Tokyo, with a stop to visit Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure of Japan, and view the legendary fortifications - also known as the "Crow Castle" due to the black exterior walls and ominous presence. Matsumoto is about a 50 minute train ride from Nagano, enroute back to Tokyo and your final night.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Spread across the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower in Tokyo’s financial district, this lofty hotel presents city superb views and is just steps from Tokyo Station and Ginza shopping district.

History: This newly built-hotel is the first ever ‘city’ hotel from the luxurious Aman Resorts, a group that has over two dozen resorts in their portfolio spread across four different continents.

Services: The wealth of services here all take advantage of the stunning views, whether you’re treating yourself to a massage in the spa, enjoying fine Mediterranean cuisine in the 33rd floor restaurant or doing laps in the infinity pool.

Read More
Aman Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, is located 38 floors above street level in a district of Tokyo called Nihonbashi, a business district often referred to as the “center of Japan”.

History: Of all Tokyo’s business districts, the 400-year-old Nihonbashi is the only one that still retains much of its old world charm.

Service: This is the only hotel in Tokyo to have been awarded Six-Star International Diamond status by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, recognizing the hotel’s reputation for excellence.

Read More
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

High-tech: in-room amenities.

Pool: Large 65-foot swimming pool and equally sizable hydrotherapy pool.

Views: Superb views of the Imperial Palace.

Location: Within walking distance to the shopping paradise of Ginza.

Read More
The Peninsula Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Tokyo
Tokyo

Day 8

Map

Departure

Following a relaxing morning and check out, you’ll be transferred to Tokyo International Airport and for your onward journey.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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