Traditions of Japan Ski & City Safari

Japan is a cultural wonderland, ripe for exploration. Not only will our Traditions of Japan Ski & City Safari lead you to world-class powder skiing, it also showcases ancient customs, art and architecture, revealing how deep-rooted traditions have combined with modern-day Japan.

To celebrate our 30th season offering incredible tailor-made ski holidays, we’re going back to our roots with £300 per booking off all 30 of our iconic multi-destination ski safaris when you book between 01 July and 31 August 2025. Discount not reflected in website prices, terms & conditions apply.

For five days, roam Niseko’s incredible terrain and sugar-soft powder, with enough variation to keep all levels of skiers and snowboarders entertained. Enjoy post-ski traditions like a soak in one of Niseko's natural spring onsen, and sleep in cosy, ryokan-inspired accommodation.

Over the following four days, you'll visit Japan's cultural capital of Kyoto and Kanazawa’s preserved geisha and samurai districts, shrouded in Edo-era charm and home to tranquil gardens and thousands of temples and shrines.

Finally, board the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo, where ancient streets are tucked beneath towering skyscrapers - a striking reminder of Japan’s harmony between past and present.

The skiing

Niseko enjoys, on average, 15 metres of the lightest, fluffiest snowfall each season. Overlooked by mighty Mt Yotei, the four resorts of the Niseko United Ski Area are world-famous for endless powder and incredible tree skiing that all levels can experience. Each area has something unique to offer, and we recommend reading our Niseko Resort Guide for details on the best runs.

You can also immerse yourself in the area’s vast, pristine wilderness beyond the resort, with backcountry skiing. A guide is always recommended, which we can organise for you.

The experience

Step back in time and wander the narrow streets of Kyoto and Kanazawa. Kyoto, Japan's once imperial capital, is the birthplace of Japanese arts, including tea ceremonies, kimono fabric weaving and kaiseki cuisine.

Kanazawa, known as “Little Kyoto”, is an enchanting city with well-preserved Edo-era architecture, a rich samurai history and artisan crafts. It attracts visitors for its gold leaf ice cream, teahouses and celebrated Kenroku-en garden. There's plenty to explore as you spend two nights in each location. You may even glimpse a geisha! From here, you can take a day trip to the nearby fairytale village of Shirakawa-go, famous for its triangular thatched roofs, which are lit up at night.

For a truly Japanese sleeping experience, you'll stay in an authentic ryokan while visiting Kyoto. These traditional B&Bs have rooms furnished with low wooden furniture, sliding shoji doors and tatami mat floors. Elegant, minimalist design, virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. Meanwhile, in Niseko and Kanazawa, accommodation ranges from simple apartments to spacious hotel suites.

Catapulting into Japan's futuristic capital, you'll travel to Tokyo in style and comfort on the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train). Tokyo is a remarkable fusion of old and new, where centuries-old temples and historic neighbourhoods coexist beside cutting-edge technology and modern architecture. Tokyo is your last stop before you travel home.