2-Day 1-Night Winter Tour — Ouchijuku, Ginzan Onsen, Mt. Zao, Swan Lake
✨ Highlights
Two days north from Tokyo Station into deep snow country: Ouchijuku, an Edo post town whose thatched roofs carry a metre of snow; Ginzan Onsen at dusk, when the gas lamps come on along the stream; a morning at Mt. Zao for skiing or the ropeway up to the juhyo "snow monsters"; and Swan Lake on the way home. ¥21,000 per person including the coach, one night in a 3-star hotel (two per room) with its onsen and breakfast, and a guide throughout.
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🎫 Options
🚌 Standard option
- Meeting / pick-up point: Depart from Tokyo Station
- Departs 08:00
- Refund & cancellation policy →
- Pay online when you book
From¥21,000/person
- Capacity
- 1+
- Itinerary
- 2 days · 9 stops
- 08:00
Depart from Tokyo Station
Meet at Tokyo Station and set off north for the winter run.
- 13:00
Ouchijuku — the thatched post town under snow · 60 min
An Edo-period post town in Fukushima whose thatched roofs carry a metre of snow all winter. The local dish is negi soba, eaten with a whole spring onion instead of chopsticks — you bite the onion as you go.
- 16:30
Ginzan Onsen at dusk · 90 min
Wooden inns from the Taisho era face each other across a stream. The gas lamps come on around dusk and the snow on the roofs takes the light — this is the hour the town is famous for. A shuttle takes you in; private cars cannot enter.
- 19:00
Hotel check-in — onsen included, dinner on your own
Check in and use the hotel onsen free of charge. Dinner is not included; there are places to eat around the hotel.
- 06:10
Breakfast at the hotel · 70 min
Breakfast is included on day two.
- 08:30
Mt. Zao — free time: ski, ropeway to the snow monsters, or onsen · 240 min
Four hours to spend as you like. Ski or play in the snow; ride the ropeway up to the juhyo, the frost-caked firs known as snow monsters; or soak at an onsen by the slopes. None of these are included — see the notice for the going rates.
- 15:00
Swan Lake · 60 min
Whooper swans winter here on water that stays open while the fields around it are under snow. Quiet stop, short walk.
- 16:00
Depart for Tokyo
Board the coach for the return leg.
- 20:00
Arrive at Tokyo Station
Drop-off at the same Marunouchi meeting point. Winter roads make this the least predictable part of the trip.
※ Actual timings vary with road conditions on the day.
🗺️ Route map
Tap a number to see that day
Day 1 — Tokyo Station (Marunouchi)
Meeting & drop-off point
Important notice
¥21,000 per person. INCLUDED: round-trip coach from Tokyo Station and all transport on the itinerary; the shut…
▾
Important notice
¥21,000 per person. INCLUDED: round-trip coach from Tokyo Station and all transport on the itinerary; the shut…
¥21,000 per person. INCLUDED: round-trip coach from Tokyo Station and all transport on the itinerary; the shuttle into Ginzan Onsen (private vehicles cannot enter the town); one night in a 3-star hotel, standard room for two, with free use of the hotel onsen; breakfast on day two; bottled water on the coach; a tour leader throughout; games and karaoke on the coach; travel insurance. SINGLE ROOM: +¥7,000. NOT INCLUDED: ski and clothing rental; meals, shopping and personal spending; Zao ropeway tickets; onsen admission and towels. GOING RATES for the optional extras: ropeway return to Jizo Sancho Station (地蔵山頂駅, 1,661 m) about ¥4,200; to Juhyo Kogen Station (樹氷高原駅, 1,331 m) about ¥2,200; onsen admission about ¥600; towel about ¥300. MINIMUM 26 PASSENGERS — the tour runs only if that number is reached. WEATHER AND SNOW: the itinerary may be changed, shortened or have stops dropped depending on weather, snow, road conditions and how the mountain facilities are operating that day. The juhyo need hard frost to form; in a mild or early-season week they may not have set, and the ropeway closes in high wind — neither is something we can guarantee. DRESSING FOR THE COLD — please read before you pack. This is not Tokyo cold. Daytime sits around −5°C, nights can reach −10°C, and on the Zao ropeway the wind makes it feel far colder than the forecast number. Four things decide whether you enjoy the day: (1) WATERPROOF GLOVES, not wool — wool soaks through in ten minutes and stays cold all day; (2) WATERPROOF SHOES WITH GRIP — the village lanes are cleared but turn to packed ice; (3) AN INSULATING LAYER under your coat (light down or fleece) — three thin layers beat one thick coat; (4) SPARE SOCKS in your bag. Wet feet ruin the day. Add a hat that covers your ears and a few stick-on heat pads (kairo, about ¥100 each at any konbini) and you are set.
📍 Meeting / pick-up point
Meet at Tokyo Station and set off north for the winter run.
Please look for the Japanese flag 🇯🇵 at this spot. It will make it much easier for us to find you and pick you up. Please arrive a little early so we can depart on time.
📍 View map →
⏰ Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before departure — the bus will not wait past the scheduled time.
- Tour guide
- Admission tickets to scheduled stops
- Transport during the tour
- Travel insurance per programme
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Personal expenses & souvenirs
- Optional tipping for the guide
How long does this tour last?+
The tour runs 2 days with 5 scheduled stops laid out hour by hour.
Where is the pickup?+
Pickup at Tokyo Station (Marunouchi). Once your booking is confirmed we'll email the GPS map plus detailed directions.
What's the minimum group size?+
Min 1 guest. If the minimum isn't reached we'll contact you before departure to suggest an alternate date or issue a full refund.
Which languages is the guide available in?+
This is an OlaChill-operated tour with a tour leader throughout. Guiding is mainly in English.
Can I cancel or reschedule?+
Cancellation and date-change terms are in the notice section above — please read them before booking. Seasonal and camping tours hold reservations in advance, so their terms are tighter than day tours.
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⚠️ Must-read4 items · tap to read▾
- •Tours are guided mainly in English.
- •In severe weather (typhoon, heavy snow…), a cancellation decision is made by 15:00 the day before departure and sent to your registered email/contact; weather cancellations are fully refunded.
- •Please be on time at the meeting point and every gathering point — the bus does not wait for latecomers; missed portions due to personal reasons are non-refundable.
- •The itinerary and time at each stop may be adjusted for traffic, weather or facility maintenance; in force-majeure cases a stop may be replaced with a comparable alternative.
📌 Other notes6 items · tap to read▾
- •One carry-on bag per guest on the bus; please store large luggage at your hotel or a locker near the meeting point.
- •Infants aged 0–2 without a seat join free; max one infant per adult; children must be accompanied by an adult.
- •Pregnant guests and those with medical conditions should consider carefully: long bus rides, and immediate medical care may not be available on some legs.
- •Lunch is not included unless the tour states otherwise — bring your own or eat at the stops.
- •Change/cancellation terms vary by tour — see the cancellation policy on each tour page before booking. If the tour itself is cancelled for weather/force majeure, you receive a full refund.
- •Snow-season roads can be slower than planned — return may be delayed; avoid tight plans right after the tour.