Winter Festivals and Snowy Calderas of Hokkaido

With George Nobechi

Dates: February 11 - 15, 2026

An add-on option to Winter in Central Hokkaido or The Wilderness of Eastern Hokkaido

OVERVIEW

This 4-night/4.5-day tour is a special offering focused on the acclaimed winter festivals and volcanic lakeside hot springs of Hokkaido. Come see the vibrant colors, fun moments, and beautiful scenery of Hokkaido in the winter, led by George Nobechi taking you to areas where he spent extended time with his family during his formative years.

Schedule

February 11 (Day 1): Meet at Chitose Airport or at Sapporo Station, attend the closing day and evening of the world famous Sapporo Snow Festival, have dinner, then travel to Otaru by train and check into our hotel at night. (2 nights)

February 12 (Day 2): Explore the Canal and Glass-Blowing Districts of Otaru, led by George taking you through his grandparents’ home town. Check out the Yukiakari Lantern festival and go out for a fun seafood dinner.

February 13 (Day 3): Board our private van and drive along the beautiful and rugged Shakotan Peninsula, then near Mt. Yotei (aka “Ezo Fuji”) for its Mt. Fuji-like cone-shaped figure, arriving at Lake Toya caldera and checking into our lakeside hot spring resort. (2 nights)

February 14 (Day 4): Drive along the Toya lakeshore ring road, and visit sites such at the Usuzan and Showa-Shinzan active volcanoes via ropeway, and the Volcano Museum.

February 15 (Day 5 - half day): After checking out of the hotel drive to the shores of Lake Shikotsu and visit the Shikotsu Ice Festival. The tour ends around 1pm, at New Chitose Airport. If you are continuing on The Wilderness of Eastern Hokkaido Tour with Michael Clark, the van connects directly with the group.

If you are joining this tour from Xuan-Hui Ng and Masumi Takahashi’s Winter in Central Hokkaido workshop, you can travel from Asahikawa/Furano to Sapporo by train and meet the group on February 11th in Sapporo.

Priority is given to participants of the workshops/tours.

Included

• 4 nights accommodations - western-style hotel in Otaru, lakeside hot spring resort in Lake Toya

• 4 dinners

• 4 breakfasts

• Train fare from Otaru to/from Sapporo

• Private van and driver from Chitose to Otaru, Otaru to Lake Toya, Lake Shikotsu and Chitose Airport

• Itinerary and Information Package when the trip is declared a go.

• Personal guidance by George Nobechi

Not included

• International or domestic airfare to/from Hokkaido

• Travel insurance

• Alcoholic beverages

• Lunches (cheapest meal of the day in Japan)

Class Size

Minimum 4, Maximum 7

Tuition

Per person double occupancy: If paid by bank wire: $2,995 / if paid by credit card add: $110

Single Supplement: $600

Payment schedule:

• $1,000 refundable deposit to register

• When the trip reaches minimum enrollment to proceed, 50% of the balance will become due and the cancellation policy will take effect..

• Remainder due December 15, 2026
  
  2025−2026 Cancellation Policy:

• Up to 120 days before the trip: 50% of the deposit (the deposit may be transferred to another workshop)

• 119~90 days prior to the trip: 100% of the deposit

• 89~60 days prior to the trip: 50% fee

• 59~0 days prior to the trip 100% fee

Please do not book international airfare until we have notified you that the trip is a go.

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