Japan Winter Tour With Onsens and Snow Monkeys

With your guide, start your Tokyo journey at Meiji Shrine. Winter brings a rare calm here. Listen closely as the sound of ritual claps carries through the forest, a moment of peace tucked right inside the city.

At lunchtime, stop by the lively Tsukiji Outer Market to warm yourself up with some popular Japanese winter food like nabe hotpot. Stroll along Ginza, Tokyo's upscale shopping district, beautifully decorated with winter illuminations that give the city a festive glow.

Continue to Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji, instantly recognized by its giant red lantern of Kaminarimon Gate. Here, walk down the lively Nakamise Dori leading up to the temple, admire the golden statue of the Buddhist deity Kannon, and light sticks of incense to say prayers.

Travel to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park after breakfast. Follow the scenic forest path to the hot spring area, and prepare your camera to snap a few shots of red-faced Japanese macaques soaking lazily in the warm waters.

Continue with a leisurely stop in the charming town of Obuse. Wander Edo-period streets, browse local boutiques, sample regional sake or wine, and indulge in Obuse's famous chestnut desserts (pay on site) as you prefer.

In the afternoon, visit Zenkoji Temple, with a history of over 1,400 years. If you wish, you may also enter the temple's Inner Sanctuary to experience the unique Okaidan Meguri, a walk through a pitch-dark passage beneath the temple that symbolizes the journey toward enlightenment.

Today, explore the hamlets of Gokayama and Shirakawago with your private driving guide.

Make the quiet village of Gokayama your first destination, where life moves at a slower, rural pace among rice fields and thatched-roof houses. Continue to the fairytale Shirakawa-go and head up to the Shiroyama Viewpoint to capture one of Japan's most iconic winter postcard scenes with hundreds of snow-covered gassho-style (hands in prayer) houses spread out below.

Next, explore Kyoto together with your guide. Begin with a short hike through the tunnel of vermilion torii gates to Fushimi Inari Taisha, and continue to feed your stomach at Nishiki Market, Kyoto's lively culinary heart.

Spend the afternoon at Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can step onto the "nightingale floors" once walked by the Tokugawa shoguns. Conclude the day in the atmospheric Gion with a kimono and tea ceremony experience (shared tour) to take a glimpse of the refined aesthetics and rituals of Japanese tea culture.

The final day of your winter trip is open for your own urban adventure in the second-largest city of Japan.

Beyond the iconic Osaka Castle Park, take the chance to explore the castle itself. Visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living according to your interests, or head to the Cup Noodles Museum to create your own custom-flavored cup ramen. Or, let a local guide lead you on a food walking tour to search for Osaka's most authentic food and local specialties.