Never been to Japan in winter? Drift-ice sightseeing and an icebreaker ship experience is a must-try there! Here we present with pleasure our winter best-seller, and hope this well-planned, though customizable, journey meets your needs!
You can walk on an iceberg, enjoy the view comfortably from inside an icebreaker ship, or go out on deck and take in the views along with the Okhotsk Sea winds. Smile to the winter animals, explore a famous chocolate factory, and shop on the snowy streets like a local.
Keep warm discovering authentic winter experiences in northern Japan!
Journey Route

This is an ideal tour for first-time visitors and families. Sign up for your favorite part of the tour or simply treat the whole tour as inspiration, designing each element specially for you.
Highlights
Go outdoors and step into a white world made of frozen waterfalls and lakes and snow-covered houses.


Say hello to the cute animals of Asahiyama Zoo.

Board an icebreaker ship and explore the floating ice!


See Japan's famous version of Alcatraz (The Rock).


Compare the different frozen lakes of Hokkaido.

Observe the wildlife of Kushiro Wetland.


Visit Shiroi Koibito Park and sample its chocolate.


Stay the night at a hot-spring hotel near Lake Akan.


China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Sharon has been very helpful since the…
Sharon has been very helpful since the beginning coordinating our itinerary in order to accommodate everything we want to see, it been great working with her More
May,
Jul 2023
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When I first book I was scared of what…
When I first book I was scared of what to expect, but oh my God! What an amazing experience this has been, from Sharon to all the guides Shawn and Mr. Ho, such amazing people! Their work is excellent More
Saul Velez,
Jul 2023
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Albee was very helpful and responsive…
Albee was very helpful and responsive in helping me make plans for their 10 day Japanese tour. More
Bhavini Patel,
Jul 2023
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Alisa was a perfect tour consultant
Alisa responded to my numerous questions with efficiency and accuracy. She was constantly suggesting options to make the trip more enjoyable More
Matha Goram,
Jul 2023
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I highly Recommend Asia Highlights
For our first guide Jun, he was amazing. Very accommodating. Kept in good communication & kept us on time for our activities. Reached out to me the night before to confirm meet times and locations. Our driver for this time was also so kind & driver was always on time. For our second Guide , Ho. He went above and beyond. He stayed in great communication. Stayed later with us on one of the days because we were worried about riding the train back alone but wanted to visit at the shopping center a littler longer, so he stayed with us and made sure we got off on the right stop! During our time with him he took pictures of us and sent them to us! He was very knowledgeable about every place we visited. He was kind and patient with our large group. He made our trip easy & memorable. The driver we had for this timeframe was also kind & always on time! We felt a bond with both guides given to us! If you want an easy going, stress free trip book with “Asia Highlights”!!! More
Jessalynn Flores,
Jul 2023
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Working to put together a custom trip…
Working to put together a custom trip with Alissa has been a great experience More
Marc,
Jul 2023
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Wonderful Service from Sharon!
Sharon at Asia Highlights has been a HUGE help in planning our trip to Japan later this year. From her initial contact to finalization of the plan, she has been very responsive, professional, patient, and knowledgeable. She was able to quickly propose an amazing itinerary and helped us customize it for our interests. She also made many great recommendations and gave us tips for the trip. I wasn’t familiar with Asia Highlights before I reached out, but after Sharon’s wonderful service, I have full confidence in them. I can’t wait for the trip and I hope it’s as awesome as Sharon’s service!!! More
Ali Tahir,
Jul 2023
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Wonderful trip
We had a wonderful time in Japan with guides Moni and Kazuko and with Jan in Singapore. Will always remember this trip! More
Happy Customer,
Jun 2023
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Just got to say
Just got to say, Monica was great in every way! So sweet and helpful with planning, itineraries, answering questions… would love to meet her in person! Thank you Monica! More
Teri,
Jun 2023
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Monica is fantastic
Monica is fantastic. She understood our needs, was very responsive and planned a perfect vacation for us. Highly recommend. More
Philip Sheldon,
Jun 2023
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Me and my son are traveling to Japan
Me and my son are traveling to Japan. Albee is magnificent. Extremely efficient, helpful, trustworthy. I am very happy she is helping us with my son's dreaming trip. More
Ana Letícia Urbanin,
Jun 2023
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A great way to plan a dream vacation
Due to circumstances, we had to delay our trip to Japan so this review is only about the process of designing the trip. Albee was always available, responsive to our goals, and competent. Based on how involved he was with our family trip, we know we will be back next year and resuming the plan he built. Really impressed with the quality and extent of resources we found through Albee and KimKim. More
KC,
May 2023
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Yeliz - Asia Highlights
Yeliz was extremely helpful and patient during our Japan trip planning and answered all my various questions. Really looking forward to our upcoming trip to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka! More
Cyndie,
May 2023
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Sharon’s was very patient and helpful…
Sharon’s was very patient and helpful when navigating me through the trip planning process. She helped me plan a very exciting and extravagant trip. More
Jonny Abad,
May 2023
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Wonderful 10 day trip in Japan!!!
Well planned trip by Alisa . Everything was well scheduled, guides and drivers were excellent!! The cars were extremely comfortable and the hotel she chose for us was beautiful!! Enjoyed planning with her she was very professional and always offered other choices. More
Lianne Stone,
May 2023
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11 days trip to Japan
I am planning my trip to Japan in November with Sharon's help and she has provided amazing customer service.She is very responsive and put together very quickly an incredible plan for 11 days in Japan. She provided recommendations and made changes based on our interests and budget. She also provided information about visa restrictions and the best way to get tickets for transportation services. Thanks so much Sharon, looking forward to this trip! More
LE,
May 2023
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Japan trip
Hi Cathy! I just want to thank you for making our Japan trip so much fun & memorable! We loved everything that you had scheduled for us! All the guides and drivers were great & punctual! We love Japan so much that we’re planning to go back next year to different part of Japan! We’ll definitely contact Asia Highlights for our trip again! Serene More
Serene Storslett,
May 2023
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Quick, easy and detailed service
Alisa was our advisor from Asia highlights and she prepared for us a wonderful 28 day trip to Japan, taking into consideration our needs and desire not to be traveling everyday and to have a mixture of slow and busy days. We've not yet taken our trip, but very much looking forward to it Thank you Alisa for the quick response and wonderful itinerary More
Lynette Whittle,
Apr 2023
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Japan Tour
Sharon Huang did an excellent job in planningour 15 day Cherry Blossom Japan tour. Shewas available during our trip to answer our questions and readily agreed to the itinerary changes.Everything was arranged - accommodation,breakfast, guide, car, entrance fees and train tickets. The guides were knowledgeable, and managed the tour very efficiently. The drivers were punctual and very patient. We visited must see places in and near Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. We also got to experience Japanese Tea ceremony, Sushi making, Sake tasting, shopping etc.We highly recommend Asia Highlights for your travel needs. More
Madhu,
Apr 2023
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I organized a trip to Japan for my
I organized a trip to Japan for my parents who don’t speak English and Alisa was so amazing helping make an itinerary for them. They needed a Spanish guide and she coordinated everything so they wouldn’t have any trouble when they got there. She was so patient changing and adjusting the itinerary to their needs and wants, it’s been a total pleasure working with her and she always responds promptly to any question I have. I definitely recommend this company and if you can ask to work with Alisa. More
Luisa,
Apr 2023
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Itinerary in Detail
We arrange plenty of unique activities to help create memorable experiences along the way; such as enjoying the hot spring, discovering the local village & waterfall, and visiting the local chocolate factory. We also take time to board the ice-breaker ship and cruise on the frozen world, observe red-crowned crane, regarded by Japanese people as a symble of longlife.
Welcome to Sapporo — capital city of Hokkaido!
You will be met on arrival at New Chitose Airport and have a transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free for your own leisure.

Today, we would explore the frozen world of Furano:
- Walk in a cozy world of crafts — Ningle Terrace ('Forest Elf Terrace')
- Enjoy the winter beauty of Furano — Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls.

Have a day excursion in Asahikawa, have fun with the cute creatures, and dive into the local art.Today, we would explore the frozen world of Furano:
- Visit the Asahiyama Zoo, and meet the lovely animals, including penguins.
- Delve into the local art scene at Snow Crystal Museum.
- Sample the famous local flavor — Asahikawa ramen — at its famous Ramen Street.

- Pass Abashiri Prison Museum — an outdoor exhibition (enter if interested).
- Drive on Ten Ni Tsuzuku Michi ('Road to the Heaven').
- Take photos at Cape Notoro — the cape with the famous Notoromisaki Lighthouse, beside Utsukushi-Misaki Ranch in northwestern Abashiri city, close to Lake Notoro.
- Visit the northernmost church in Japan — Christ Brethren Shari Church.

Ready for the Ice World? Let go!
- Board an icebreaker ship in the morning.
- Try walking on drift ice on your own if the weather permits.
- Discover Shiretoko Nature Center on foot (1 hour) and Shiretoko Five Lakes.

This morning, make your way to southeast after breakfast.
- Start the day trip by visiting Lake Kussharo — a caldera lake in Akan National Park.
- Drive to Lake Akan — another beautiful crater lake by Mount Oakan.

Today you explore the natural sites of Kushiro and Obihiro.
- Enter Kushiro Wetland Park and see the rare and auspicious red-crowned cranes.
- Head to Tokachigawa Hot Spring for a natural moisturizing and smoothing bath.

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Visit Shiroi Koibito Park — the most famous local chocolate/cookie manufacturer.
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Discover downtown Sapporo — Sapporo Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower views ...

Hand-Picked Hotels
We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.
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![]() Family-friendly hotel in Asahikawa
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![]() Hotel with hot spring in Obihiro, Abashiri and Lake Akan
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Our Service Includes:
- Private transport and personal English-speaking tour guide
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
- Breakfasts at hotels
- Governmental taxes
Tour code: ah-jp-12
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day. Over 50% of our clients complete their bookings within 10 days of submitting their inquiry.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.