• Discover the unique culture and landscapes of the Snow Country, learn how they relate to the region’s extreme climate

• Delve into regional craft and food traditions including textiles, handmade paper, sake and fermented foods

• Celebrate the end of winter with the locals at fascinating village festivals

• Relax in traditional country houses in picturesque villages

• Enjoy winterscapes on a day of snowshoeing in the countryside

 

Japan’s ‘Snow Country’ is among the snowiest areas in the world. The people of the Snow Country have developed a distinct culture to overcome and ingeniously utilise the extreme conditions in their everyday lives. The region’s diverse and unique traditions, including its cuisine, crafts, and architecture, relate in one way or another to the snow that blankets the landscape for nearly half the year. The hardships brought about by heavy snow have also cultivated a deeply spiritual society. The numerous elaborate temples and village festivals reflect the Snow Country people’s gratitude and wish for survival in the harsh, yet nurturing environment. This tour will provide you with a deep insight to the culture and traditions of Niigata Prefecture in the heart of the Snow Country, including three little-known country festivals that celebrate the end of winter in unique ways. One day of snowshoeing in the neighbouring Nagano Prefecture will allow you to enjoy the stark beauty of the winter countryside with all your senses.

 

Day 1: Travel Tōkyō–Muikamachi, onsen indulgence; Day 2: Minami-Uonuma historic town walk (including a textile workshop visit); Day 3: Urasa Hadaka-Oshiai (‘Naked Jostling’) Festival; Day 4: Wood carving temple visit, thatch-roof village stay; Day 5: Traditional paper workshop visit, Snow Country fermented food and modern art experience; Day 6: Tōkamachi history and traditions walk (including museum and kimono showroom visits), historic Snow Country house stay; Days 7 and 8: Iiyama winterscape experience (including snowshoeing); Day 9: travel Iiyama–Nagaoka, ‘Fermentation Town’ walk; Day 10: Hill village festival 1; Day 11: Hill village festival 2; Day 12: travel Nagaoka–Tōkyō or to your onward destination.

 

Accommodation: 3 nights traditional country houses (private rentals; Japanese-style bedding); 2 nights upper-range ryokan (Japanese-style bedding; onsen bath); 2 nights minshuku (Japanese-style bedding); 2 nights modern self-contained cottages (Western-style bedding); 2 nights mid-range city hotel.

 

Major themes: VILLAGES, FESTIVALS, FOOD, CRAFTS, TEMPLES AND SHRINES, HISTORY, ART

 

Physical fitness requirement: MODERATE

 

Cultural tolerance requirement: MODERATE

 

Departure date: 1 March 2018

 

Bookings before: 21 December 2017

 

Cost: from AUD $5400­ per person

 

Maximum group size: 6 persons