Itinerary
The Best of Japan
With only two weeks - no longer - you can still experience the best of what Japan has to offer. Begin with Niseko, on Hokkaido Island, Japan's most international-renowned ski resort. Use it as a base form which to explore the region, taking in the deep powder and volcanic terrain of the northernmost island.
You then fly south to Honshu Island and head to the alpine valley of Hakuba. Here, the backcountry is epic and topography more varied, and you'll likely have just as much powder snow to enjoy.Once Japan's two best ski resorts have been ticked off, catch the bullet-train in to Tokyo and spend 48 hours in the world's most exciting city before flying directly home on British Airways or Japan Airlines.
Japan....done.
Day-by-day Itinerary
How much would this holiday cost?
Obviously, the price you pay depends on the standard of accommodation you choose, how many excursions and activities you would like to book, whether you wish to include ski hire and local backcountry guides...etc.
An indicative lead-in price for this two week itinerary would be from circa £3,850 per person, including moderate accommodation (during mid / low season), transfers, lift passes in both Niseko and the Hakuba Valley, bullet-train tickets, Japanese domestic flights and international economy class flights from the UK.
If you were to move the dates in to January (but still avoiding Christmas & New Year / Chinese New Year), then the cost could potentially rise by approximately a couple of hundred pounds per person. And, of course, if you wanting the finest, most luxurious accommodation then....well, the sky's the limit really, as both Niseko, Hakuba and Tokyo have it all!
Solo travellers should also be aware that costs increase, as you carry the burden of the accommodation cost alone.
We don't have to include international flights. However, by keeping it all within one package, your arrangements are protected by our ATOL licence which offers financial piece-of-mind for you.
Different Snow strive to offer the most competitive prices in all instances. However, we pride ourselves first and foremost on quality - we are an independent specialist tour operator and, therefore, are not beholden to any supplier. We make our decisions based only on who's best in each and every instance.
Suggestions & Variations
With no set departures or fixed dates this itinerary can be extended, or even curtailed, to suit your available dates or match your budget.
Our first suggestion, add two days and make it a 16-day itinerary (fly out Saturday, fly home a week the following Sunday, thus maximising your annual leave allowance) and simply put an extra day in both Niseko and Hakuba. This would create a total of 10 ski days, as opposed to as measly eight!
Not a city person and want to make it all about the skiing (or snowboarding)? Then simply have one night in Tokyo at the end and max out your time on the slopes.
Or, alternatively, if you'd like to see a little more of Japan itself then it would be easily possible to spend some time in Kyoto, Kanazawa or anywhere else in Japan. From the Hakuba Valley it easy to cross the Japanese Alps to Takayama, or simply pop across to spend time in Matsumoto and visit its famous castle.