Mountains and snow monkeys

Mountains and snow monkeys Tokyo – Matsumoto – Snow Monkeys – Kiso Valley – Takayama – Shirakawago – Kyoto

The Japanese Alps has become the doorstep and main attraction of the most important metropolis of the country Tokyo. This tour to the region allows you to enjoy the full five days at the plinth of this stunning mountain. You can enjoy the scenery and culture from Tokyo to Osaka.

All travelers can enjoy the beauty and serenity at shrines and temples in Tokyo and discover the mountains and snow monkeys bathing in hot springs to keep warm. Traditional Japanese villages and hidden valleys are also the major points of this tour. When you travel to Kyoto, you can explore up to 2000 temples along with 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites by riding on bikes. You can also experience Japan’s super-fast bullet train service.

As soon as you arrive at Tokyo International Airport, you will be received by our representative who will assist you to transfer either by train or shuttle bus to the preselected hotel for you. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Tokyo

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 2- Tokyo (B)

After breakfast, make yourself ready for a full day sightseeing by utilizing the super fast metro system of Tokyo. Your guide will take meet you at your hotel.

Begin the day by visiting Meiji Shrine in the early morning to avoid the crowds. The most famous shrine is dedicated to the late emperor Meiji for his supreme spirit and vigor. The shrine is surrounded by a park having some 120,000 trees with more than 365 species. The entire environment will make you forget that you are in one of the largest cities in the world.

Next to Meiji Shrine, visit the youth fashion Mecca, Harajuku. Whether you are a punk or a Goth or anything in between, you will get the dedicated shop in Harajuku for your essentials.
Adjacent to the Harajuku, you will get Omotesando which is commonly known as the Champs-Elysee of Tokyo. The broad avenue with tree lined shows the characteristic of fashion flagship designed by an internationally renowned architect. Feel free to sip a cup of coffee from the café shop and enjoy watching the beautiful people pass by.

Completing the visit at Omotesando, take a metro to Ginza. Ginza was inaugurated in the year of 1612 and has become Tokyo’s famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district. Today, a square meter of land is worth more than 10 million yen! This place has become the Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperors. However, this place is restricted for public; you can take a leisurely walk through the Palace East Gardens.

The last destination of the day is Asakura, a part of Shitamachi which is an old town of Tokyo. Enjoy beauty and serenity of Sensoji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. The streets around Sensoji belong to a number of traditional shops selling different kinds of souvenir and unique Japanese crafts. Trudge through the street to enrich your eyes with the view of wonderful crafts and souvenirs.

Overnight in Tokyo.

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 3- Tokyo – Matsumoto (B)
Today is a self-guided.

This is the time to leave the modern city life behind and explore towards the countryside and the central Japanese Alps in Nagano region. Then, visit the castle town of Matsumoto, the premiere castle of Japan. The castle is not surrounded by hills or mountain, rather this is built on plain. This castle is also called the crow castle because the black walls of it spread wings.

Located 3 hours from Tokyo, Matsumoto has flourished as the greatest castle town since 1550. Along with the historical and cultural heritage, Matsumoto is well known for its mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful picturesque. The ups and downs of the mountain region are nicely accessible by local bus transportation. The Alps in Japan rise to heights of 3,000 meters and so is well known as the “The Roof of Japan”.

Matsumoto is also reputed as the best bar town in Japan. So, peep into the bar and enjoy the bar of typical Japanese and pass time there to make you relaxed with wine and dine. Implacable service and ditto drinks are waiting for you.

Overnight in Matsumoto.

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 4- Matsumoto – Snow Monkeys – Matsumoto (B)

Today is a self-guided day.

Today is also a day of great excitement and a pleasant travel ahead of you.
Finish your breakfast as soon as possible and head towards Nagano by train or bus. Reach Jigokudani Park and watch the Snow Monkeys’ bath in the snow. The name Jigokudani means “hell’s valley” for the steam and bubbling boiling water coming out from the frozen ground. The Japanese Macaques like to have a bath in it and soak in.

The monkeys always love to live in large social groups, and it can be quite amusing to watch their interactions. Being accustomed to human guests, they do not go away for fear and they ignore their onlookers. However, they can be observed all the year round, they are found in a great number during the color months.
In the late afternoon, you can head to Matsumoto to enjoy another night in the gorgeous castle town.

Overnight in Matsumoto

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 5- Matsumoto – Kiso Valley (B,D)

Today is a self-guided day.
After taking the breakfast, you can move towards the stunning Kiso Valley region, about 1.5 hours from your hotel. The footsteps of samurais and lords are prevalent as you hike the old Nakasendo trails from Tsumago to Magome.

Trudge towards the countryside paths and trail through the passes leaving the houses, fields, and local residents alongside. The 8 km walk spends approximately three hours to complete the leisurely place enriching the intrinsic internal pleasure.

Tonight, you will stay for in Tsumago, the forty-second town of the sixty-nine post towns on Nakasendo. It is located in Nagios, Kiso district. As you are living in an old town of Japan, you can imagine to the earlier time and slip back to the dream of the past.

You will be staying tonight in a family run inn traditionally decorated with Tatami mat floor, futon beds among the enriched fragrance of Japanese gardens. The dinner will be an amazing kaiseki multi-course meal enjoyably served.

Overnight in Tsumago

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 6- Kiso Valley- Takayama (B,D)

Enjoy today self-guided day.

After a healthy Japanese breakfast, you will move on another train journey to Takayama (4.5 hrs).
For being in the lap of Hida mountain region of alpine, this land was inaccessible in the previous years. The beautifully preserved town was cut off from the mainland of Japan which has formed a unique culture to enjoy.

In the afternoon, you can enjoy visiting Takayama Festival or Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall, or roam about the wonderfully preserved old town. We also recommend you to slip into the best sake breweries and enjoy the home made drinks before heading back to your Ryokan for the luxurious dinner.
Overnight in Takayama

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 7- Takayama- Shirakawago- Takayama (B,D)

Today is a self-guided day.
Today, you can make a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Shirakawago. This is famous for the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouse among which is 250 years old. Gassho-Zukuri means as “Praying Hands”. The thatched roofs are designed to withstand the intense snowfalls of the region, and the thatched farmhouse resembles the hands of Buddhist monks closed together in prayer. You will enjoy a jaw yawning pleasure in this place.

In the afternoon, your sightseeing expedition can be continued to Takayama region. Delicious dishes will once again be served to Ryokan.

Overnight in Takayama

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 8- Takayama- Kyoto (B)

This is a self-guided day for you.

This is the time for the last steeping in the onsen before undertaking the 3 hours of journey towards Japan’s cultural capital and one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo.
You can step the first foot on the Limited Express Hida Wide View. This is one of the most remarkable trains for enjoying the scenic beauty of Japan winding its way through the beautiful mountains and stunning gorges.

Then, change your train to the world famous Shinkansen Bullet Train which can reach move you with the speed of 230 km/hour.
Including 17 UNESCO world heritage sites, Kyoto belongs to the home to an astonishing 2000 shrines and temples. Start ahead of exploring the city and enjoy innumerous.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 9- Kyoto (B,L)

Today, you will enjoy some of the sumptuous beauty that Kyoto has to offer. This expedition will go by bike. (Let us know if you prefer not to ride a bike so we can arrange an alternative)
This is a perfect city for cycling and biking for its less traffic and no hills. You will get the company of the guide from the Kyoto Station and pick you up on the bike for the day. Visit the Nishi-Hongaji Temple, the complex of which is largest one located near Kyoto station.

Before lunch, you will visit the ornamental Nijo Castle, which is the famous the Momoyama Arch
itecture. The castle has decorated sliding door with “chirping” nightingale floors. This is really worth watching.

After lunch, turn your bike to Kingakuji, the Golden Pavilion. This was built as the retirement villa of Shogun, and after his death, it became the most significant Buddhist Temple at his request. This is the most remarkable temple in Kyoto.
Then head towards the Ryoanji, the famous Zen meditation garden. The exploration of Arashiyama for its unique and exceptional bamboo forest and gradually move to Kyoto station.

Overnight in Kyoto

Mountains and snow monkeys: DAY 10- DEPART Kyoto (B)

Today is free until your included shuttle bus or airport train to the airport.

Mountains and snow monkeys – Our Services Include:
Hotel accommodation in twin room with daily breakfast.
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Meet and greet at the airport and return transfers to the airport.
PASMO Tokyo transport pass on Day 2 at a value of 1,500 JPY.
7-Day Japan Rail Pass for Ordinary Class (valid from Day 3).
Return train tickets to Yudanaka Station in Ordinary Class.
Return bus tickets from Takayama to Shirakawago.
English speaking local guide in Tokyo (Day 2) and Kyoto (Day 9).
All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary on Days 2 and 9.
All public transportation fees as mentioned in the itinerary on Days 2 and 9.
Information Pack.

Mountains and snow monkeys – Our Services Do Not Include:
International and domestic flights (quoted separately).
Some local transport (e.g. local city buses, etc.).
Meals other than mentioned above.
Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, laundry, telephone, and other expenditures of a personal nature).
Travel insurance (please see below).
Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.

Mountains and snow monkeys – Important Notes:
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance (covering emergency medical evacuation).
Rooms at hotels are available only from 15:00 on arrival day till 10:00 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
Please note that all the above services & tours have yet to be booked, they are proposed for your information only and we will not make any reservations before we receive your confirmation to do so.
If any of the listed accommodation is unavailable at the time of booking, we will organize a hotel of a similar standard.
If one or some proposed service(s) is (are) not available at the moment of booking, we will try to find other possibilities/options or other similar service(s) in order to avoid changes to the program.

Mountains and snow monkeys – Creating Unique Touring Experiences
All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a Japan tour to your individual specifications