TOKYO TO HOKKAIDO: JAPAN TRIP W/ JOSHUA
Where city lights meet wild nature.
June 11th – June 19th
🌞️ 9 Days, 8 Nights
📍7 Cities
$8,098
$7,948
2026 Dates Available
June 11th – June 19th
Early Bird Discount | 150USD OFF
$8,098
$7,948
Single Supplement Available on Request
Special plan is available for locals in Japan. Inquire to learn more!
Experience Japan’s Northern Magic
Immerse yourself in the rich flavours, nature, and culture of Japan — from sushi-making in Tokyo to relaxing in Hokkaido’s most iconic hot spring resorts. This trip blends luxury, culinary experiences, and off-the-beaten-path insights that only a local can provide.
1,200+ 5-Star Reviews!
See what our guests have to say about their time with us!
Every Destination We’ll Visit
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Tokyo! — Shinjuku Nights Begin
Your Japan adventure kicks off in the heart of Tokyo! After a smooth airport pickup, settle into your stylish Shinjuku hotel, just steps from neon streets and endless excitement. In the evening, gather with your host and fellow travelers for a delicious welcome dinner — the perfect chance to get to know each other before a short walk through Shinjuku’s electric nightlife. From lantern-lit alleys to the bright skyline, this first night sets the tone for an unforgettable journey.
What’s Included: Airport transfer, Welcome dinner, Host & English-speaking guide
Stay: Hotel Groove Shinjuku
Day 2: Hidden Tokyo + Sushi Masterclass
Dive into Tokyo’s vibrant local neighborhoods — the places most travelers never reach. Discover serene shrines tucked between busy streets, taste snacks from family-run shops, and snap colorful photos in true local hangouts. For lunch, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on sushi-making experience led by a master chef, learning techniques passed down through generations. End the day with dinner at a favorite local spot — good vibes and great food guaranteed.
What’s Included: Breakfast, Sushi-making workshop + Lunch, Dinner, Host & Guide
Stay: Hotel Groove Shinjuku
Day 3: Tea Ceremony, Wagashi Art & Home-Style Hospitality
Today is all about Japan’s traditional soul. Step into a peaceful tea room where you’ll learn the graceful movements of a true tea ceremony. Then craft your own wagashi — beautifully delicate sweets inspired by the seasons. For lunch, enjoy a lovingly prepared homemade meal in a local neighborhood, sharing stories, flavors, and culture together. A day full of creativity, heart, and connection.
What’s Included: Breakfast, Tea ceremony + Wagashi workshop (Lunch included), Dinner, Host & Guide
Stay: Hotel Groove Shinjuku
Day 4: Hello, Hokkaido! — Sapporo Delights
Fly north to Hokkaido, Japan’s wild and breathtaking frontier. After landing in Sapporo, take a leisurely walk through famous Odori Park and dive into the city’s beer-brewing heritage at the historic Sapporo Beer Museum. Enjoy hearty Hokkaido cuisine — fresh, bold, and unforgettable. Fresh air, new flavors, new adventure begins!
What’s Included: Domestic flight + Airport transfers, Entries, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Host & Guide
Stay: MGallery Sapporo
Day 5: Jozankei — Your Onsen Escape
Trade the city buzz for a forest-lined hot spring paradise. Surrounded by rivers and mountain scenery, Jozankei is the perfect place to slow down. Wander scenic trails, breathe crisp valley air, and soak in luxurious onsen waters at a top-class ryokan. Dinner tonight is a kaiseki feast — seasonal, artistic, and authentically Hokkaido.
What’s Included: Private car, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (ryokan), Host & Guide
Stay: Oku Jozankei Onsen Kasho Gyoen or similar
Day 6: Otaru Craft Culture & Niseko Views
Stroll through the romantic port town of Otaru — canal bridges, music box boutiques, and its famous glass-making tradition. Try your hand in a glass-blowing workshop and bring home your very own creation. Then, drive to Niseko, where Mt. Yotei — “Hokkaido’s Mt. Fuji” — rises dramatically over green fields. Relax in pure alpine comfort.
What’s Included: Private car, Glass-blowing experience, Meals, Host & Guide
Stay: The Vale Niseko
Day 7: Lake Toya — Japan’s Volcanic Lake Paradise
Morning in Niseko, then off to the shimmering beauty of Lake Toya. Swim, stroll lakeside trails, and enjoy wide-open nature all around you. This peaceful getaway offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation — a well-deserved breath of fresh mountain air.
What’s Included: Private car, Meals, Host & Guide
Stay: The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa
Day 8: Coastal Beauty & Onsen Bliss — Muroran
Drive along the dramatic sea cliffs of Muroran before setting sail on a night port cruise — vibrant harbor lights dancing on the water. Then unwind in Muroran, one of the unique places in Japan that holds something truly special for Josh.
What’s Included: Private car, Night port cruise, Meals, Host & Guide
Stay: Prince Hotel Muroran
Day 9: Hell Valley + Ainu Heritage
Walk through Jigokudani — the steaming, otherworldly landscape known as “Hell Valley.” Then learn about the culture and history of Hokkaido’s Indigenous Ainu people with a meaningful visit to Upopoi National Museum & Park. After a final breakfast together, your private transfer brings you to the airport. Until next time!
What’s Included: Private car, Entries, Breakfast, Host & Guide
Optional: Return flight to Tokyo
What's included?
DAILY INCLUSIONS:
Daily expert local guide (excluding departure day)
Day 1:
Airport transfer
Welcome dinner
Day 2:
Breakfast
Sushi-making workshop
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3:
Breakfast
Tea ceremony + Wagashi workshop (Lunch included)
Dinner
Day 4:
Domestic flight + Airport transfers
Entries
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5:
Private car
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner (ryokan)
Day 6:
Private car
Glass-blowing experience
Meals
Day 7:
Private car
Meals
Day 8:
Private car
Night port cruise
Meals
Day 9:
Private car,
Entries
Breakfast
ACCOMODATIONS:
Hotel Groove Shinjuku or similar (including breakfast)
MGallery Sapporo or similar (including breakfast and dinner)
Oku Jozankei Onsen Kasho Gyoen or similar (including breakfast)
The Vale Niseko or similar (including breakfast)
The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa or similar (including breakfast)
Prince Hotel Muroran or similar (including breakfast)
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS:
Furano & Biei — Lavender & flower fields
Hakodate — Night views & morning seafood market
Hidaka — Horse country & rugged coastline
What's not included
❌ Flight Ticket
❌ Travel Insurance
❌ Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Visa application and fees
Get to know your host, Joshua!
Joshua comes from a British/New Zealand/Australian family, that has lived in Japan for three generations, with grandparents who came as Protestant missionaries in the 1950s–60s.
He spent most of his childhood around Tokyo, with a short period in the United States, attended mainly Japanese schools, and spent most summers in Hokkaido.
Joshua works as a model, entertainer, and a digital creator posting bilingual comedy and interview content on YouTube (under the name Joshua in London), Instagram (under the name Joshua Japan) and other social media platforms.
His videos often focus on topics such as growing up in Japan while being seen as a foreigner, cultural misunderstandings, and expanding the idea of who can be considered “from Japan.”
Where You'll Stay
*While we cannot guarantee accommodation at the specific property listed, please rest assured that we partner with clean, comfortable, and reliable 3- to 4-star properties that we know and trust.
Hotel Groove Shinjuku or similar
Tokyo
Boasts panoramic views of the neon Kabukicho district and Shinjuku Gyoen from high above the city.
MGallery Sapporo or similar
Sapporo
Occupies a historic brewery site with interiors inspired by Hokkaido’s frontier heritage.
Oku Jozankei Onsen Kasho Gyoen or similar
Jozankei Onsen
Features private open-air onsen baths in every suite with tranquil views of the surrounding ancient forest.
The Vale Niseko
Niseko
A modern luxury ski-in/ski-out hotel offering spacious rooms, mountain views, and an elegant alpine atmosphere in the heart of Niseko.
The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa
Lake Toya
A grand resort perched high above Lake Toya, known for its breathtaking panoramic views, refined dining, and peaceful, secluded setting.
Prince Hotel Muroran
Muroran
A comfortable coastal hotel offering convenient access to Muroran, with relaxed accommodations and views reflecting Hokkaido’s industrial-meets-ocean character.
Starts at
Ends at
Hokkaido
Stops
Tokyo, Sapporo, Otaru, Jozankei, Niseko, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu
Meals
7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Transport
Mix of Private & Public Transpo
Days
9 Days
Group Size
6-12 Travellers
Age
Why Choose This Tour
Welcome and Farewell Dinners
Meet your fellow travellers and start making memories from day one — and celebrate your journey together at the end!
English-Speaking Guides
Be guided by local experts throughout your trip, with seamless transport and insightful commentary every step of the way.
Flexible Plans, Just for You
Customise your experience with flexible options tailored to your group’s preferences — for a trip to Japan that’s truly your own.
Please check this page for Flip Japan Guide Group Trip Terms and Conditions.
Japan Trip with Josh FAQs
I’m not a chef or an artist. Are the workshops difficult?
Not at all. Whether it’s the sushi masterclass in Tokyo, the wagashi (sweets) making, or the glass-blowing in Otaru, these experiences are designed for enjoyment and cultural connection, not technical mastery. You will be guided by local experts (“masters”) who help you every step of the way.
Is it a lot of travel time between locations?
We have optimised the route to minimise travel fatigue. Instead of a long train ride north, we include a domestic flight to get you straight to Sapporo on Day 4. Once in Hokkaido, we use a private car for door-to-door comfort. This removes the stress of navigating train stations with luggage and turns the transit between Niseko, Lake Toya, and Noboribetsu into a scenic, relaxing drive.
What is the pace of the tour?
The Tokyo leg (Days 1–3) is energetic, involving walking through Shinjuku neon streets and visiting local neighbourhoods. Once we fly to Hokkaido (Day 4), the pace shifts to “relaxation and scenic touring.” We switch to a private car for the northern leg, meaning less walking between transit points and more time relaxing in the vehicle while we wind through the mountains and coastlines of Niseko and Lake Toya.
What kind of clothes and shoes should I pack?
Because of the temperature difference, layers are your best friend. Pack light, breathable fabrics for Tokyo and a warmer layer (like a fleece or light jacket) for Hokkaido evenings.
Bring comfortable walking shoes for the day. You will also need to remove your shoes frequently at ryokans and tea ceremonies, so slip-on shoes are convenient.
Got another question? Find answers about booking, payments, and what to pack on the FAQ section on our main group trip page.
Do you need any help?
Please feel free to ask us anything!
You can also find our more about us here: @flipjapanguide