Day 1: Saturday, February 16th

Shibu Onsen

This morning, Daniel will meet you at Nagano Station at the time of your arrival. We go from here to Zenkoji Temple, a beautiful zen buddhist temple located in the heart of the city and have lunch. We drive 45 minutes to Yamanouchi after lunch, stopping on the way for apple tasting in an area known for its fruit. You will have some time in the afternoon to walk around the 1300-year old hot spring village, before we have a kaiseki (banquet) style dinner in our traditional Japanese inn. A hot spring bath at the end of the day caps it all off.

*Note: Japanese style accommodation means sleeping on a comfortable futon mattress laid on top of a tatami mat floor. All the rooms will have showers but this inn has hot springs if you want to try soaking in them.

Hotel: Sakaeya Ryokan
Contact: +81 269-33-2531
Website: http://www.e-sakaeya.jp/
Facilities: Japanese-style Accommodation

 

Day 2: Sunday, February 17th

Snow Monkeys, Soba Making, Sake Tasting

This morning we drive 5 minutes to the world famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani. The walk is 30 minutes through a mostly flat, though sometimes slippery forest trail. We go from the snow monkeys to a traditional Japanese farmhouse, where we make our own soba noodles that we eat for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit a 200+ year old sake brewery where we learn about the sake making process and try different varieties. Their line of craft beers is also on the menu! We return to the ryokan for a rest before going out to a mom and pop restaurant for dinner.

Hotel: Sakaeya Ryokan
Contact: +81 269-33-2531
Website: http://www.e-sakaeya.jp/
Facilities: Japanese-style Accommodation

 

Day 3: Monday, February 18th

Snowshoeing, Mountain Onsen

This morning we drive 45 minutes to Lake Hokuryuko, a beautiful lake/shrine area near Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort. Here, we snowshoe around the lake and into the beautiful cedar lined avenue leading up to Kosuge Shrine. We eat lunch at Satowa Cafe, a farm to table farmers market serving up some of the local produce. The afternoon features a beautiful mountain hot spring onsen with picturesque vistas. If you would like, we can go for a final activity of making washi paper in the late afternoon, before going out to dinner in a local sushi restaurant.

Hotel: Sakaeya Ryokan
Contact: +81 269-33-2531
Website: http://www.e-sakaeya.jp/
Facilities: Japanese-style Accommodation

 

Day 4: Tuesday, February 19th

Departure

After breakfast, Daniel will help you get on the train for Hakone.