HAPPY NEW YEAR TOUR
For Winter Lovers
Jan. 9 ~ 20 (10 nights, 12 days)
Let's improve our luck in Japan to have a lucky 2026.
There are many events to increase your luck in January, the first month of the new year. And there are plenty of winter-only pleasures, such as frost-covered trees, snow monkeys, and the snowy scenery of Shirakawa-go. The local winter festivals are not for tourists, but are held as local customs, giving you a glimpse into rural winter life. This tour is perfect for those who love Japanese winter too. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate large groups so this tour is limited to six people. Enjoy a luxurious trip limited to 6 people. |
Date | Place
and Hotel
♨=onsen |
Activity | B | L | D |
Jan. 9 (Fri.) |
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Depart Honolulu to Chubu International Airport. |
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10 (Sat.) |
CHUBU AIRPORT CENTRAIR HOTEL |
After arriving at Chubu International Airport, we go to the hotel that's connected to the airport terminal. There is a convenience store and some eating place nearby. |
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11 (Sun.) |
HIDA
FURUKAWA HOTEL KIKORI♨ ![]() ![]()
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From the hotel we visit Chiyobo-Inari, which has an annual visitors of 2 million, is believed to be beneficial for prosperous business and well-being of the family. Chiyobo Inari is a shrine but more interesting thing is a shopping street in front of the shrine. There are restaurants for local cuisine, Japanese sweets shops, pickled vegetable shops, etc. After lunch we visit Inuyama Castle, was initially constructed in 1537, and its donjon is one of Japan's oldest extant. It is one of only twelve original castles left in Japan. It is said to grant luck in career advancement and success. After sightseeing the castle, we visit Inuyama Castle Town. Many traditional old townhouses and mansions can be seen along the streets. Enjoy shopping. Then we go to the hotel. | × |
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12 (Mon.) |
HIDA
FURUKAWA HOTEL KIKORI♨ ![]() ![]()
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From the hotel we Shirakawa-go, famous for their traditional Gassho-Zukuri houses, it is a Unesco world heritage site and only during winter season you can see the snow-covered Shirakawa-go. And we go to Gokayama village (One of 31 Japan’s most beautiful places selected by CNN). It is also famous for the Gassho-zukuri houses on a small scale compared to Shirakawa-go but with less tourists you can enjoy the country-side sceneries leisurely. Lunch is local Hida region dish "Hida Beef with Hohba Miso Set Meal." After lunch we visit the Hida Furukawa Festival Hall. Some of the actual festival floats are stored and displayed in the hall. Other attractions include a karakuri puppet performance and a movie theater, which lets you experience the festival from a close distance. Then we go back to the same hotel. | × |
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13 (Tue.) |
NAGANO HOTEL MERCURE♨ ![]() ![]()
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From the hotel we visit the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama Sanmachi area called Little Kyoto. Also, only during this winter period, you can tour a sake brewery in Takayama that you cannot normally. Then we visit Miyagawa Morning Market, this market has been continuing about 200 years selling fresh vegetables, dry mushroom, chili, folk art crafts, etc. Next, we visit Daio Wasabi Farm, one of Japan’s largest farm located where flowing water from the Northern Alps. There is a wide variety of wasabi related products in the shop & you can try the wasabi soft cream. Lunch is Hon Wasabi Meshi. It's a simple lunch with wasabi on top of rice. Enjoy the taste of real wasabi. After lunch we go to the hotel. |
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14 (Wed.) |
TOKAMACHI HOTEL BELNATIO♨ ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the hotel we visit the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. We can see monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring while snow is piled up. The trail to the park is 1 mile in both directions. A short staircase at the trail entrance and a final steep staircase and sloped path at the end of the trail / entrance to the park itself, the trail is completely level and easy to walk. Then we go to the Michi no Eki Obuse. There are many sweets on sale made with chestnuts from Obuse, a famous chestnut producing area. Lunch is Kuri Gohan (chestnut rice). After lunch we go to Obuse Yasuichi festival. As one of the three major festivals in Nagano prefecture, the Obuse Yasuichi festival is a centuries-old traditional event held at the Kotai Shrine in the centre of Obuse. Explore the vibrant street markets selling everything from fortune Daruma Dolls and other fortune goods to local produce and delicious foods to try. Then we go to the hotel. | × |
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15 (Thu.) |
TOKAMACHI
HOTEL BELNATIO♨ ![]() ![]() |
From the hotel we go to see Kiyotsu Gorge, it is one of the Three Great Gorges of Japan. Gigantic stone cliffs straddle a river, forming a large, V-shaped gorge. The grand rock surface and strong current of the river in combination are both dynamic and beautiful. After lunch we go to a strange festival of Niigata, the Mukonage Festival. It is a small village event when a daughter (bride-to-be) is taken from another village showing retaliation to the groom that comes for New Year’s greetings they throw him from a cliff over 5 meters on to the snow below, it’s a traditional event. Then we go the hotel. |
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16 (Fri.) |
YAMAGATA
HOTEL YUSA♨ ![]()
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From the hotel we go to TSUBAMESANJO Regional Products Center. Our big sales floor features nearly 10,000 unique items including kitchen utensils, pots, and tools in addition to locally made metal works. Then we visit Sennensake Kikkawa, a salmon specialty store that has been around for 400 years. You can see lots of salmon hanging from the ceiling and you can buy a variety of salmon items. Lunch is a Salmon cuisine. After lunch we go to the hotel. If you want to go to Costco after arriving at the hotel, we will take you there. |
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17 (Sat.) |
YAMAGATA
HOTEL YUSA♨ ![]() ![]()
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After leaving the hotel we ride the Zao Ropeway to see snow covered trees called “Juhyo” (Snow Monsters). Zao in winter becomes a fantastic world of mystery and wonder, silently spreading across the landscape. Lunch is Yonezawa beef steak. Yonezawa Beef is an outstanding brand of beef that comes from Japanese black cows. Raised in a limited number of locations in the Okitama Region of Yamagata Prefecture, only beef meeting strict standards qualifies. We visit the Sasano Kannon Junanadou Festival. Yamabushi and worshippers perform the arduous practice of walking barefoot over a fire, known as "fire walking," and pray for the health and safety of their families. * Those who wish to participate in firewalking may purchase a ticket at 500 yen at the ticket booth. Children below the age of 9 are not allowed to participate. Then we go back to the same hotel. |
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18 (Sun.) |
ASHIKAGA
ROUTE INN ![]() ![]()
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From the hotel we go to Lake Inawashiro and see the swans that gather during the cold season. After lunch we go to Ouchijuku, nestled in a picturesque valley within Fukushima Prefecture, is a hidden gem eagerly awaiting discovery. This quaint village transports visitors back to the Edo period (1603-1868), offering a vivid glimpse into a bygone era with its retro ambiance. Then we go to the hotel. In the evening, we go to see Ashikaga Flower Park illumination light-up. Awarded with the golden prize of being the number one illumination display in all of Japan, Ashikaga Flower Park offers a truly spectacular and enjoyable evening walking under all the magical lights. |
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19 (Mon.) |
TOKYO
TOBU HOTEL LEVANT ![]() |
Leave the hotel and head to Tokyo. We will arrive at the hotel around noon. After arrive at the hotel then you can enjoy shopping at places like, Daiso, Yodobashi, Muji, Uniqlo, etc. near the hotel. If you would like to see Sumo after check-in, we will take you. Sumo ticket is a separate cost (chair seat about $ 70), please request at time of signing up for this tour. |
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20 (Tue.) |
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From the hotel we go to Tokyo Skytree. Enjoy the view from the observation deck. Then we go to Asakusa and take a rickshaw ride. Please enjoy a rickshaw ride of about 30 minutes. After lunch, board a boat to travel down the Sumida River to Odaiba and enjoy views of Tokyo Bay before heading to Haneda Airport. |
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HOTELS
ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO SAME OR BETTER CLASS
DUE TO THE WETHER SITUATION THE TOUR COURSE MAY CHANGE
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Hand-Made Tours
Direct calls to Evelyn: (808) 520-0018
E-mail:handmadetourshawaii@gmail.com