Escape the crowds and experience Japan from a unique and captivating perspective. Japan in winter from December through March is a traveller’s dream, with the contrast of traditional Japanese architecture against a snowy backdrop, combined with the vibrant colours of the winter festivals and local seasonal traditions, this season sets a stunning scene. Enjoy winter diversions such as snowshoeing in powdery landscapes with overnight stays in cosy in local ryokans with delicious seasonal meals in the evening, and the opportunity to rejuvenate the mind and soul with a soak in their onsens.
Walk Japan are the leaders in authentic exploration of Japan’s less-travelled rural walking trails, and unique city walking tours, and are the perfect way to experience this intriguing country. With invaluable experience and knowledge amassed by Walk Japan since 1992, travellers can choose from a selection of guided or self-guided walking tours for a life-changing journey into the society and culture of Japan.
We have a chosen our top 5 walking tours for this winter, including the ultimate school trip for students:
1. Snow Country: Winter Adventure (for students) – 6 Days, 5 Nights
Japan’s Snow Country, a fully guided tour designed for groups of 18 students, is aptly named as it experiences some of the heaviest snowfall to be found anywhere on earth. This guided tour begins and ends in Toyko, exploring the sacred high mountain plateaus of Togakushi and Nabekura. The abundance of snow can reach a depth of 10 metres (33ft), makes the region a beautiful and fascinating place in winter; a veritable winter wonderland. Snow shoeing is one of the modi operandi used to explore the pristine powder snow found here. Another is tobogganing. You will also build snow huts and walk in at night over a landscape made ethereal by the moonlight. Experience of the Japanese Shinto religion, its distinctive food, onsen hot spring culture, and wildlife. Other treats include karaoke singing and shopping in Tokyo, a megalopolis and the antithesis of the rural Snow Country.
Tour level: 2
Tours start from: AUD$2,469 per student
Timing: By application, December – February
For more information or to book: https://walkjapan.com/school-trips/snow-country-winter-adventure
2. Onsen Gastronomy: Snowy Aizu – 5 Days, 4 Nights
This fully guided tour will have you delving into beautiful scenic, snowy countryside as you follow in the footsteps of samurai along part of an old highway to one of Japan’s most picturesque villages, Ouchi-juku. Short walks are often on snowshoes, over deep snow; and supplemented by rides on some of the most delightful local railways found in Japan. En route, savour local food delicacies during the day and every night stay in modern Japanese inns, where you’ll luxuriate in onsen baths before a lovingly prepared evening feast. The tour is completed in Urabandai, a region of lakes with waters vibrantly tinted by minerals set against the backdrop of a towering volcano.
Tour level: 2 The Brandman Agency Susie Westwood / Emma Butler / Tobi Cornwell susie@brandmanagency.com / emma@brandmanagency.com / tobi@brandmanagency.com T. +61 (0)2 9299 6448
Tours start from: AUD$3,113 for a single person and includes 4 nights’ accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 evening meals, selected drinks with evening meals, snowshoe rental, luggage transfers, entrance fees, travel from tour start point to tour finish point.
Timing: Late December – early March
For more information or to book: https://walkjapan.com/tour/onsen-gastronomy-snowy-aizu
3. Tohoku Hot Spring Snow Tour – 8 Days, 7 Nights
Take a showshoe tour through the winter landscape of Tohoku in north Honshu, a region famous for its beautiful and rugged landscapes in the depths of winter. This fully-guided tour will have you exploring remote valleys, vast forests and rugged coasts. Visiting communities where the inhabitants have toiled heroically for generations to live in concert with their environment, you will be warmly welcomed into their communities, and gain insights into their lives; still based, in large part, on ages-old traditions. Be invigorated in the plentiful hot spring onsen along the way and walk in the poetic footsteps of literary legend, Matsuo Basho.
Tour level: 3
Tours start from: AUD$5,267 for a single person and includes tour leader, 7 nights’ accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunch, 7 evening meals, snowshoe rental, luggage transfers, entrance fees, travel from tour start to tour finish point.
Timing: 25 February– 3 March 2024
For more information or to book: https://walkjapan.com/tour/tohoku-hot-spring-snow-tour
4. Self-Guided Kiso Wayfarer – 5 days, 4 nights
This self-guided hiking tour through delightful Kiso Valley in Central Japan, following the central section of the Nakasendo Way through stunning rural and hilly Japanese countryside. This is a comfortable and enjoyable experience exploring one of the best-preserved parts of this historic highway. Threading through the richly The Brandman Agency Susie Westwood / Emma Butler / Tobi Cornwell susie@brandmanagency.com / emma@brandmanagency.com / tobi@brandmanagency.com T. +61 (0)2 9299 6448
forested, and picturesque Kiso Valley through the eleven post-towns within the valley include Magome, Tsumago and Narai, which are amongst the best preserved in all Japan lending a delightful ambience from an older age. Traditional wayside inns provide an atmospheric overnight accommodation, onsens, and traditional, home-made fare.
Tour level: 3
Tours start from: AUD$1,963 for a single person and includes transfer of main luggage between accommodation, 4 nights’ accommodation, 4 breakfasts, 4 evening meals and Wayfarer Route Booklet with 24-hour support.
Timing: 1– 5 December 2023, 25 – 29 January 2024, 7 – 11 February 2024, 8 – 12 February 2024
For more information or to book: https://walkjapan.com/tour/self-guided-kiso-wayfarer
5. Self-Guided Tokaido Wayfarer – 6 Days, 5 Nights
Tokaido Wayfarer begins in Tokyo and finishes in Kyoto. This self-guided leisurely walking tour will take you along the greatest of Japan’s ancient highways along the Pacific Ocean coast. Journey through the heartland of Japan, experiencing the very core of Japan’s history, culture and society to the present day. Following travellers of old, including the great emperors and powerful shoguns who shaped Japan; samurai warriors marching to battle; and the everyday folk who were given permission to leave their villages for perhaps only once in their lives.
Tour level: 3
Tours start from: AUD$1,812 for a single person and includes transfer of main luggage between accommodation, 5 nights’ accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 3 evening meals and Wayfarer Route Booklet with 24-hour support.
Timing: 20 – 25 November 2023
For more information or to book: https://walkjapan.com/tour/self-guided-tokaido-wayfarer