Winter Japan: Snow Monkeys, Castles & Timeless Villages

Day 1 — January 17, Sunday

Arrival in Tokyo

Arrival in Tokyo. Self-transfer to our hotel near the Imperial Palace.

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. If you arrive earlier, the hotel will be happy to store your luggage until your room is ready.

For those arriving before 5:00 PM, we’ll take a short evening walk through Tokyo and have an informal welcome dinner together — a relaxed first introduction to the city (and to each other).

If you arrive after 5:00 PM, you can check in independently. There are plenty of restaurants and food options around the hotel.

We will meet as a group before 9:00 PM to discuss the plan for the next day and go over important details.

Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 2 — January 18, Monday

Nagano & Snow Monkeys

Early in the morning, we take the world-famous Shinkansen bullet train to Nagano.

After arriving, we’ll drop our luggage at the hotel and continue by local bus or train toward the Snow Monkey Park.

From the bus stop, we’ll walk approximately 2.5 km (about 1.5 miles) one way through a scenic forest trail. The walk is easy but may be snowy.

We’ll have plenty of time to observe and photograph the famous Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs — watching their behavior, interactions, and the special bond between mothers and babies.

In the late afternoon, we’ll walk back to the bus stop and return to Nagano.

Overnight in Nagano.

Day 3 — January 19, Tuesday

We’ll start early with a visit to Zenkōji Temple, about a 20–25 minute walk from the hotel (taxi or public transport are always an option). Morning light here is quiet and atmospheric — a calm, beautiful start to the day.

After breakfast, we’ll check out and take the train to Matsumoto. Once we arrive and settle in, we’ll enjoy a relaxed walk through the historic streets — no rush, just exploring and photographing along the way.

In the evening, we’ll head to Matsumoto Castle for sunset. We’ll photograph the castle as the light fades, and about an hour after sunset, we’ll witness the full light and music show projected onto the castle walls and reflected in the surrounding lake — a completely different mood from daytime.

Overnight in Matsumoto.

Day 4 — January 20, Wednesday

We’ll start the morning early in Kanazawa, walking through its famous shopping streets before they wake up. Empty streets, wooden facades, soft winter light — completely different from the daytime atmosphere.

After breakfast, we’ll pick up our minivan and head toward the snowy mountains in the direction of Takayama. The drive itself is part of the experience — winter landscapes, rural scenery, and that quiet countryside feeling.

On the way, we’ll visit a traditional village nearby — preserved wooden houses, thatched roofs, and hopefully a proper layer of snow to make it look like a postcard.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Takayama’s old town, with its historic merchant houses, small restaurants, local shops, and sake breweries. It’s compact, walkable, and full of character.

In the evening, we’ll return to the traditional village for its illumination (as long as local authorities keep the schedule as usual). Snow, warm lights, and traditional architecture — a beautiful combination.

Overnight in Takayama.

Day 5 — January 21, Thursday

After breakfast, we’ll keep things flexible. If the weather didn’t cooperate the day before, we’ll use the morning for another visit to the traditional village in daylight — sometimes winter gives us a second chance.

Then we head to the most famous historic village in the region — Shirakawa-go. We’ll spend the day slowly wandering through its winding streets, surrounded by traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with their steep thatched roofs.

We’ll also make our way up to the observation deck for a panoramic, bird’s-eye view of the entire village — one of the most iconic winter scenes in Japan.

In the evening, we’ll stay in a traditional Japanese guesthouse (with beds, not futons), and end the day the proper way — relaxing in the onsen.

Overnight in Shirakawa-go area.

Day 6 — January 22, Friday

We’ll start the morning early in Shirakawa-go — before the tour buses arrive and before the village fills with visitors. This is the best time here. Quiet streets, smoke rising from chimneys, soft winter light on the thatched roofs. A completely different feeling compared to midday.

After breakfast, we’ll check out and continue deeper into the region to visit two more traditional mountain villages. Both are smaller and far less visited. Expect steep thatched farmhouses, narrow lanes, snow-covered rooftops, and a slower, more intimate atmosphere. These places feel less like an attraction and more like stepping into a living piece of history.

By late afternoon, we’ll make our way to Kanazawa.

In the evening, we’ll explore the historic samurai district, with its preserved earthen walls, narrow lanes, and wooden gates. Winter light and early dusk create a moody, cinematic atmosphere — perfect for photography.

Overnight in Kanazawa.

Day 7 — January 23, Saturday

We’ll begin the morning in Kanazawa’s historic geisha district. Don’t expect to see geishas or maiko walking around — that’s quite rare these days — but the atmosphere is still very much alive. Narrow streets, beautifully preserved wooden teahouses, latticed windows, stone paths, and a quiet elegance that hasn’t changed much in centuries. It’s a wonderful area to explore slowly, focusing on details, textures, and the rhythm of the old town.

Later in the day, we’ll visit Kanazawa Castle and the famous Kenroku-en Garden, considered one of Japan’s most beautiful landscape gardens. In winter, the snow-supported pine trees and reflective ponds create a completely different mood — clean, graphic, and peaceful.

After sunset, both the castle and the garden transform with evening illumination. The light adds drama and depth, turning familiar scenes into something almost theatrical.

Overnight in Kanazawa.

Day 8 — January 24, Sunday

After breakfast, it’s time to head back to Tokyo. We’ll take the Shinkansen to Tokyo Station, where our tour officially concludes.

We plan to arrive at the station before 2:00 PM.

From Tokyo Station, it’s easy to reach both airports:

• Haneda Airport — about 40 minutes
• Narita Airport — a little over 1 hour (depending on the train connection)

Please check your flight time accordingly and allow enough time for airport procedures.

And just like that — winter Japan becomes a memory (and hopefully a full memory card).