Adventure travel specialist Explorations Company is delighted to announce a once-in-a-lifetime adventure itinerary to Japan, in partnership with its sister company, luxury alpine travel guru, Leo Trippi. Available to book from January 2025 (although coinciding with Sakura season in late March for some storybook sights is recommended), experience the finest Japanese culture and world-class skiing over the course of a two-week adventure. From skiing on an active volcano, Mount Yotei, to indulging in the culinary delights of Niseko and exploring Otaru’s rich cultural heritage, this trip combines adventure with cultural immersion in some of the most beautiful corners of Japan.
Begin the first week of your journey in the mountains with Leo Trippi, where adrenaline junkies can enjoy world-class skiing and snowboarding in Kiroro on Hokkaido island. Blessed with the world’s best powder, Kiroro averages an impressive 21 metres of snow at its 1,180m peak (that’s more than seven times the average in much of the French alps) and is a haven for skiers craving untamed powder conditions. Activities include snow banana boating, snow shoeing, and a visit to Hanazono, famed for its open bowls and excellent tree skiing.
Those seeking the ultimate adrenaline fix will love Mount Yotei (1989m), with the longest vertical ski run in Hokkaido. Offering the ultimate backcountry challenge for skiers, a five to eight hour guided hike is the only way to reach the top since helicopters cannot access the summit. The reward, however, involves the surreal moment of skiing inside the crater of a stratovolcano before descending through some of the freshest powder on earth.
Off the slopes, experience the Japanese way of relaxation with a private onsen experience, as the warm mineral-rich waters soothe your muscles and rejuvenate your spirit. In Niseko, epicureans can enjoy the time-honoured Japanese tradition of omakase dining, tasting the region’s finest tempura, whilst learning about the country’s food and drink craftsmanship.
After a week of snowy adventures head to Tokyo with Explorations Company to immerse yourself in the magic of Japan’s buzzing megalopolis. Visit the famous old fish market, Tsukiji Outer Market, accompanied by an expert sushi master, or try your hand at a fun Taiko drumming lesson, learning the art of this majestic ceremonial instrument. From the fashion flagships of architectural nirvana Aoyama, the edgily rainbow-bright fashion tribes of trends-hub Harajuku, to the narrow lanes, old school kimono shops, and temples, Tokyo is a feast for the senses.
A visit to Japan would not be complete without taking the bullet train to Kanazawa, renowned for its exquisitely preserved samurai houses and ancient tea houses in the only living geisha quarter outside of Kyoto. Visit Kenroku-en – one of Japan’s greatest gardens, and learn about gold-leaf making craft, before sitting down to tea in an ancient tea house. Experience one of the finest traditional ryokans in the hot spring town of Kaga Onsen with a beautiful kaiseki dinner, and visit Kyoto, exploring this captivating city by bicycle and learning about its ancient crafts from sword-making and textiles to pottery and traditional umbrella making. Lastly, a morning highlight of this trip is surely the predawn visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine for a soul-nourishing, invigorating hike to the summit of Mount Inari and the pilgrimage circle around the shrines near the top.
This transformational journey is not just about skiing but offers the opportunity to learn about the beautiful Japanese culture and way of life. By embarking on this adventure, you will experience the charm of this nation’s history, cultural practices, and longevity secrets, not to mention world-class powder and snow sports. This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure not to be missed.
