Kimono hire & tea ceremony (Kyoto)
Onsen pass & sake tasting (Nagano)
Ski extension (3 days in Hakuba – lift pass, equipment hire and accommodation)

Accommodation
• 10 nights in a thoughtful mix of styles – twin bunks in Tokyo, traditional tatami mats in Hakone, pod-style rooms in Kyoto and twin share in Osaka and Nagano
• Each property chosen for its location, comfort and connection to the local area
• Multi-share and twin options available; no single supplements offered

Meals
• 6 breakfasts – fresh starts at your accommodation each morning
• 1 lunch and 3 dinners – including a welcome dinner in Tokyo, family-style nabe in Hakone and a food tour in Osaka
• Menus feature local produce and flavours; strict dietary needs can be challenging so bring snacks if needed

✅ What’s Included
• 10 nights accommodation in twin/multi-share rooms
• All internal transport (bullet trains, subways, Romance Car)
• 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• 17 included activities (sushi class, Gion tour, kendo class, snow monkey park, etc.)
• Professional OLA group leader and local guides
• All listed entry fees and activities

🚫 What’s Not Included
• International flights and airport transfers
• Optional activities and extras (kimono hire, onsen pass, ski extension)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Personal expenses and tips

Japan’s winter (December to March) is cool and crisp with snow in the mountains and occasional light snowfall in cities.
• Winter (Dec–Mar) • Daytime 5–12 °C • Clearer skies and fewer crowds
• Practical note: Pack layers and waterproof shoes – snow and rain are possible, especially in Hakone and Nagano.

Documents & Essentials
• Passport, visa information and booking confirmation
• Travel insurance documents and any personal medication

Clothing (layered for winter conditions)
• Warm layers, waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes
• Modest clothing for temples (shoulders and knees covered)
• Hat, gloves and scarf for colder days

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser and basic first-aid items
• Reusable water bottle

Electronics
• Charged phone, adapter and portable power bank
• Camera for the winter scenery

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack for daily excursions
• Compact umbrella or rain cover

Japan in winter transforms the usual crowds into a quieter, more magical experience with snow dusting temples and mountains.

Senso-ji Temple at night in Tokyo feels especially atmospheric when the crowds have left and the lanterns glow against the winter sky.

Mount Fuji views from Hakone are often clearer in winter, giving you one of the best chances to see the iconic peak.

Fushimi-Inari Shrine is at its most peaceful early in the morning when the red torii gates are covered in a light dusting of snow.

The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto looks even more striking against a winter backdrop with snow on the surrounding gardens.

Snow monkeys in Nagano are a highlight of the winter season as they bathe in the natural hot springs.

Osaka’s Dotonbori comes alive at night with neon lights reflecting off the canal in the cooler air.

Local hospitality remains warm year-round – you’ll feel genuinely welcomed wherever you go on this route.

Bullet trains make travel effortless and comfortable, even in winter conditions.

Traditional onsen culture is especially inviting during the colder months.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Japan Winter Wonderland: 11–14 Day Snow Monkey & Onsen Tour

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 1,800 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average international travel to/from Tokyo)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 3,600 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 11 days (Tokyo round-trip) or 14 days (+ Hakuba ski) / 10 or 13 nights
• Max 22 guests
• Starts and ends Tokyo (NRT/HND)
• Japan Rail Pass + bullet trains, Romance Car, local transport
• 10–13 nights modern hotels, ryokan & guesthouses (twin-share, onsen where available)
• Meals: 6–9 breakfasts, 1–2 lunches, 3–4 dinners (kaiseki, nabe, izakaya)
• Highlights: Senso-ji & Shibuya, Mt Fuji views & Hakone cruise, Kyoto temples & Fushimi Inari, Osaka food tour, Jigokudani snow monkeys & onsen, (14-day) Hakuba skiing

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 11–14 days / 10–13 nights (using 14-day for higher-end)
• Key locations: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano, (14-day) Hakuba
• Travel style: Cultural winter rail adventure with temples, snow monkeys and onsen
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. International travel to/from Tokyo is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus radiative forcing for flights, well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for high-speed rail and ryokan operations.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or optional ski gear upgrades).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 950 kg CO₂e

• Average international travel to/from Tokyo (higher-end long-haul flights with radiative forcing): 800 kg
• Bullet trains, Romance Car & local transport: 150 kg – higher-end rail factor

Accommodation – 455 kg CO₂e

• 13 nights hotels/ryokan/onsen: 35 kg per night – higher-end for heating and laundry

Meals & Food – 210 kg CO₂e

• 14 days of included + own meals (sushi, kaiseki, street food): 15 kg per day – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 185 kg CO₂e

• Temple visits, snow-monkey park, onsen soaks, cultural classes, (14-day) skiing

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 1,800 kg CO₂e (rounded higher for full coverage)

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 1,800 kg = 3,600 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices; our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

How fit do I need to be?
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Some days involve up to 8–10 km of walking.

What is the group size?
Maximum 22 travellers, occasionally up to 24 for logistical reasons.

Is the accommodation private?
Twin or multi-share rooms are standard. No single supplements are offered.

Are meals suitable for dietary needs?
Most requirements can be noted in advance, but Japanese cuisine can make strict vegetarian or vegan diets challenging.

Do I need a Japan Rail Pass?
No – all transport is organised and included.

What happens on the last day?
The tour ends in Tokyo after breakfast on Day 11. Your guide can help with onward arrangements.

Is travel insurance required?
Yes – we strongly recommend it covers all activities and winter sports if you add the ski extension.

Can I add the ski extension?
Yes – the 3-day Hakuba ski add-on is available and can be booked in advance.