Cool Winter Japan

COOL WINTER JAPAN

Make this winter the COOLEST! Take a trip to Japan that takes you from the hip & cool city of Osaka, to the snowy playground of Sapporo, to the history-rich former capital of Kyoto.

Spend 8 nights total over three different cities in Japan: Osaka, Sapporo, and Kyoto. Check out the modern city of Osaka - the Sapporo Snow Festival on the northern island of Hokkaido - the old capital of Kyoto... Destination Japan's Cool Winter Japan 2009 is going to be exactly that: COOL.

Feb-6(fri)	Feb-7	Feb-8	Feb-9	Feb-10	Feb-11	Feb-12	Feb-13	Feb-14	Feb-15(sun)
Depart USA	Arrive in OSAKA	Osaka Sightseeing	Full Day Free	Fly to Sapporo	Snow Festival	Fly to Kyoto	Kyoto Sightseeing	Full Day Free	Return Or Extend Your Stay
			OP1		OP2	OP3		OP4

OSAKA (3 nights)

The first part of the trip will take you to the massive industrial city of Osaka. Located in western Japan and a stone's throw from the old capital of Kyoto, Osaka is really where the action is. The city has an enchanting liveliness that flows through the streets and alleyways, and is famous for the friendliness of the locals. A focal point for much of Japan's excellent food and entertainment, Osaka remains the country's largest city that can rival the monster of Tokyo.

(OP1) Okonomiyaki Lunch and Sightseeing
Check out massive department stores, break for okonomiyaki lunch, then visit areas of downtown Osaka like Namba, Midosuji, Dotonbori and more!

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Your hotel: Shin Hankyu Hotel

Osaka Sightseeing

Take some time to get acquianted with the sights and sounds of one of Japan's biggest cities: Osaka. Visit the must-see Osaka Castle for a tastle of old Japan, then glimpse into the future at the Panasonic Center's displays of the latest tech. Stop by the Shin-Umeda Sky Building for a view of the Osaka cityscape, then scope the Dotonbori area where the locals gather and hang out. With plenty of time to explore in each area you can discover areas on your own or stick with the group!

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SAPPORO (2 nights)

On the northern island of Hokkaido, known for hot springs, incredible food, drastic seasonal changes, and phenomenal skiing, is the city of Sapporo. It's from there that visitors to the island make their stay while they enjoy the area's offerings, and it's there that you'll stay on the tour. Likely due to Hokkaido's separation from Japan's main island, the city of Sapporo has a completely different feel to it that sets it apart from the industrial buzz of Osaka, the clockwork churn of the Tokyo megacity, and even the classic style of Kyoto. It's a humble yet lively city that we know you'll love.

(OP2) Hot Springs Excursion
Relax in one of the hot springs of the northern island of Hokkaido, then enjoy a buffet dinner of local and traditional foods.

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Your hotel: Sapporo Tokyu Inn

60th Annual Sapporo Snow Festival

The Annual Sapporo Snow Festival is an event held on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Massive sculptures are constructed out of snow and then viewed for a week by over 2 million people. The Snow Festival is one of Japan's largest winter events, and we're going there! Click on through for some pics of just how awesome these sculptures can turn out.

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KYOTO (3 nights)

Japan's old capital of Kyoto is the final stop on the tour, and is certainly one of the most stunning and fascinating cities you'll visit during your entire trip. Steeped in history that seemingly pours out from every corner, Kyoto will sweep you away to fuedal Japan making you wish you never had to leave. Kyoto is one of the few places in the country where you can so frequently see centuries-old temples and shrines juxtaposed against post-war/modern buildings.

	(OP3) Cycling Tour of Kyoto City Hop on a bike and tour the city with a guide that will take you to lesser-known sightseeing spots you wouldn't see otherwise! >> click for more info
	(OP4) Tea Ceremony and Nighttime Temple Viewing Watch an authentic traditional tea ceremony and witness true elegance. Then stroll through the garden of a temple lit up for night viewing. Dinner included! >> click for more info

Your hotel: Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa

Kyoto Sightseeing

On a full day of sightseeing through Kyoto, you'll see history unfold in front of your eyes as you visit some of the most iconic sites of Japan. Visit the gleaming Golden Pavilion, make your way through the grounds of the Heian Shrine and its garden, gaze over the city from the Kiyomizu Temple and see the 100s of torii gates lined up next to each other at the Fushimi-Inari Shrine. You'll get the full Kyoto experience with a whole day of guided sightseeing.

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Freedom! Plenty of Free Time to Explore

For those who are still skeptical of the mere idea of a "tour", there are two things especially great about Destination Japan trips:

1. You get ample free time to venture out on your own. Even outside of tour activities, you have plenty of time in the evenings to go check out different parts of the town or city, grab a bite to eat at that restaurant you saw earlier, and experience Japan your own way.

2. You are free to do whatever you want and go wherever you want. Don't want to be stuck with a tour group? Then go off on your own! Discover Japan for yourself. We'll miss you, but we know tour groups aren't for everyone.

Extending your stay!

Want to make your trip to Japan longer? Destination Japan can easily arrange your extended stay either in the same hotel as that of the tour, or anywhere else in Japan! Check the right-hand side of this page for details on per-night costs. Hotel rooms are based on availability so let us know ASAP! Want to just change your return date? That's fine too!

We're more than happy to arrange your extended stay. Get a JR Pass and explore all of Japan - Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and a million other places. We also offer a wide range of great cultural tours. All you need to do is ask!

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