Learn to Ski, Winter in West Japan (10 days, 9 nights)　

Who is this for?
This tour is designed for travelers who want both culture and adventure. Explore Kyoto’s temples and historic streets. Learn to ski on gentle slopes with lessons included. Taste regional specialties like Hida beef and snow crab. Soak in hot springs after active days in the snow. Experience villages, castles, and traditions that make Japan unforgettable.

- This is a private tour. Only you and your group will participate. 
- This trip can be tailored according to your preferences. Please feel free to inquire about any specific requests ahead of time. 

Physical Activity:  Low
Length of Trip:  10 days, 9 nights 
Capacity:  2-8 people

Visualize yourself:
- Learning to ski on gentle slopes with supportive lessons
- Experiencing castle towns, thatched-roof villages, and snowy landscapes
- Relaxing in hot springs after days of adventure
- Wandering the historic streets and sites of 

KYOTO    |    3 nights
Day 1: Travel Day
Arrive in Osaka at the Kansai International Airport and meet your guide and driver. Then follows a smooth transfer to the hotel in Kyoto. Take this time to explore the city or rest up for the travels ahead. 

Day 2: Kyoto Before the Snow Adventure
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Start the day at Fushimi Inari Taisha, walking through the endless rows of vermilion gates that wind into the hillside. Continue to Kiyomizu Temple with its grand wooden stage overlooking the city. Later, wander through the atmospheric lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka lined with shops and teahouses, finishing the evening with free time to explore Kyoto in a way that suits personal interests. 

Day 3: Beginner Ski Day, Learning the Slopes
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Morning begins at Biwako Valley, a mountain resort above Lake Biwa with sweeping views. After getting fitted with rental gear, join a one-hour ski lesson designed for beginners. Lunch is enjoyed near the lifts, then spend two hours practicing new skills on the gentle slopes. Travelers can expect a supportive introduction to skiing with plenty of time to build confidence.

GIFU    |    ４ nights
Day 4: Culture and Castles in Gifu
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Travel north into deeper snow country and stop for a sake brewery tour to learn about Japan’s winter traditions. Continue on to Gifu, arriving in Gujo Hachiman. It is a small town known for its clear waterways, and traditional streets. Head up to Gujo Hachiman Castle overlooking the valley. On this day, travelers will get a mix of cultural discovery and historic sights while enjoying the snowy Japan scenery. 

Day 5: Building Skills on Different Slopes 
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Begin the day at a ski school with a one-hour lesson, with rental gear included. Pause for lunch at the resort before enjoying free time on the slopes until evening. Dinner is a hearty shabu shabu meal at a local eatery, followed by a soak in the hotel’s hot spring to unwind and warm up. On this day, travelers will get both skill-building on the snow and comfort off the slopes.

Day 6: Day and Night 
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Start with a two-hour ski lesson with rental gear included. In the afternoon, choose between visiting Shokawa no Sato, a village preserving traditional thatched-roof houses and local crafts, or resting at the hotel to prepare for the evening. The night continues with two hours of skiing under the lights, ending with dinner back at the hotel. Expect a balance of cultural discovery and the thrill of night skiing on this day.

Day 7: Snow Adventures Wrap-Up
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Begin with a two-hour ski lesson to refine skills, then enjoy three hours of free time on the slopes. The day wraps up with dinner at a local eatery and the hot springs. Guests can expect an energetic final day on the snow, making the most of lessons and open-slope time. 

KANAZAWA   |    1 night
Day 8: Edo-Period Towns and Local Flavors in Shirakawago and Takayama
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with a stroll through Takayama’s old town, a well-preserved Edo-period district known for its merchant houses and traditional streets. Enjoy lunch featuring Hida beef before heading to Shirakawago to explore the Gassho-zukuri Museum, showcasing the region’s steep-thatch houses built to withstand heavy snow. End the night in Kanazawa. Travelers can spend the day wandering historic streets, tasting local specialties, and stepping inside traditional thatched homes.
 
OSAKA   |    1 night
Day 9:  Back to the City
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Discover Kanazawa’s vibrant culture and history before heading to Osaka. Start at Omicho Market to experience local food and lively market energy. Omicho market is especially recommended to seafood lovers. Then explore the Nagamachi Samurai district with its preserved streets and samurai residences.  Have a snow crab lunch, a local specialty the region is famous for. Travel by Shinkansen to Osaka and enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city.  

Day 10: The Journey Ends 
Included meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a swift transfer to Kansai International Airport. Your next destination? Home sweet home. But remember, it's not sayonara yet, it's "See you soon!" The question is, where to from here?

OR EXTEND YOUR TRIP!
Add another trip of ours on top of this journey and we will be happy to send you off.