Beyond Tokyo: Mt. Fuji & Snow Monkeys Winter Photography Tour

Day 1

Tokyo Narita Airport or Haneda Airport

Welcome to Tokyo! You will be met at the arrival gate by an AJT representative holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

NOTE 1: The meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 11 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, we will provide full instructions in advance for you to transfer to your hotel on your own.

NOTE 2: If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.

Day 2

Mt Fuji (Fuji Five Lakes)

After breakfast, take a special photography tour with your private guide around the Fuji Five Lakes area. Mount Fuji is revered among the Japanese as a place of idyllic beauty, and the spectacular region around the iconic mountain known as Fuji Five Lakes is one of the most picturesque. The Five Lakes of Fuji are Lake Saiko, Lake Motosuko, Lake Shojiko, Lake Yamanakako, and enchanting Lake Kawaguchiko, and this area includes captivating lakeside scenes of Mount Fuji towering over its reflection in clear water, scenes of old-fashioned towns with buildings preserved from the Edo period, enchanting forest scenes full of ancient trees, and other stunning views. After we enjoy taking pictures of this incredible region, we head to the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Fuji View Hotel or similar class

Day 3

Matsumoto (Matsumoto Castle), Obuse (Hokusai Museum)

In the morning, we travel from Mount Fuji to Matsumoto to see the impressive Matsumoto Castle. Also called "Black Crow Castle", this elegant flatland fortress is one of the twelve remaining original castles in Japan. The six- story central keep, with attendant towers and support structures feature pitch-black wainscotting that gives this feudal fortress its imposing aspect. We head from there to Obuse, an unassuming town that once housed the famous Edo period painter Hokusai. We visit the Hokusai Museum, which is dedicated to his most famous works, including his "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji", and "Great Wave off Kanagawa" which are painted in the "ukiyo-e" woodblock print style. Finally, we proceed to Yudanaka Onsen and a restful evening at the hotel.

Breakfast / Dinner

Ryokan Biyu no Yado or similar class

Day 4

Yudanaka (Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park), Bullet train to Tokyo

Today begins after breakfast with a trip to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Yudanaka. This location is famous as the home of the Japanese Macaque, also called "Snow Monkeys". While the popular imagination may view monkeys as dirty and disgusting, the macaques of Jigokudani are some of the cleanest creatures around and can be viewed taking a bath in the hot springs in this peaceful woodland area. As you observe groups of these elusive creatures up close in their natural habitat, you may see the snow monkeys feeding, grooming, playing with each other, or simply enjoying the hot water. After we enjoy taking pictures of snow monkeys, we will board a bullet train to Tokyo for one final relaxing evening in Japan.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Day 5

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends.
Checkout time is 11 am.
Transfer to Narita Airport or Haneda Airport by Airport Limousine Bus.  

Breakfast

NOTE 3: The departure airport transfer is ONLY available on the last day of the tour. If you plan to stay extra nights after the tour, we will provide full instructions in advance for you to transfer to the airport on your own.

NOTE 4: If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.