Itineraries & Activities
Snow & Spa
A winter journey to the heart of Japan
A few short hours from Tokyo prefecture is one of Japan's best-kept winter secrets.
Home to some of the country's finest hot spring resorts, pristine snowfields and some of the darkest, clearest skies in the Kanto region — it rewards those who make the journey with experiences that are impossible to find anywhere closer to the city. We work exclusively with local partners who have called this region home for generations.
WINTER ACTIVITYWakasagi ice fishing & fresh tempura
Head out onto a frozen lake and fish for wakasagi — the small, delicate smelt that are a Gunma winter speciality. What you catch, you eat: your guide prepares the fish as tempura on the spot, served fresh and crisp against the cold air. It's one of those experiences that sounds simple and turns out to be completely unforgettable.
WHERE YOU'LL STAYYamakikan — 360 years of hospitality
Your base in Gunma is Yamakikan, a ryokan with over three and a half centuries of history. Tatami rooms, multi-course kaiseki dinners, and the particular stillness that only a very old building in a very quiet valley can offer. We have a close relationship with the team here — you'll feel it from the moment you arrive.
INTO THE LANDSCAPESnowshoe trekking through winter forests
Strap on snowshoes and head into the forests above the valley with a local guide. The silence of a snow-covered Japanese forest is something you have to experience to understand — broken only by your footsteps and the occasional sound of snow falling from the branches above. Routes are tailored to your group's pace and fitness.
EVENING RITUALCampfire, sake & the night sky
As the sun sets over the mountains, gather around an outdoor fire with warm sake and the kind of sky most people only see in photographs. Gunma's low light pollution makes winter nights here extraordinary — on a clear evening the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye. A perfect end to a day spent entirely outdoors.
FOR THE CURIOUS - FAMILIES AND SEASONED RIDERS ALIKEThe Yukiguni Lab: snow, science & craft
Led by nutritional scientist Wanping Aw, Ph.D. and snow scientist Nagai Takumi, Ph.D., the Yukiguni Lab is a collaboration with Nagai Inc. that explores Japan's Snow Country through science and craft — glaciology, fermentation, and high-performance snowcraft in the mountains of Niigata.
The Snow Discovery Series
Welcomes families, beginners, and curious explorers: learn snow physics on the slopes, study snow crystals with Nagai-san, visit the copper masters of Tsubame-Sanjo, and step inside a yukimuro snow-fridge to taste how sub-zero aging shapes Niigata's famous flavors.
The Craft of the Blade
Built for seasoned skiers and riders: backcountry sessions in Niigata's deep powder while an elite guide team studies your technique — then translate that data into a bespoke ski or snowboard, commissioned at the VOLTAGE MFG factory from locally harvested timber.
If you are looking for more unique snow experiences, check out our Snow & Adventures tour page
The onsen difference
Therapeutic bathing, guided by science
Touji — the art of spa cures
Touji is the Japanese practice of extended therapeutic hot spring bathing. Gunma is one of its spiritual homes — and we incorporate this tradition thoughtfully into every itinerary.
Dr. Wanping Aw
Our Managing Director holds a PhD in Biomedical Science and is a nutritional scientist at Keio University. Her expertise informs every onsen recommendation we make.
Ministry of Environment certified
The onsens we select are certified by Japan's Ministry of the Environment for their therapeutic properties — a standard most visitors never know to look for.
Team Shin-touji
Dr. Wanping is a member of Team Shin-touji, a group of specialists dedicated to the research and promotion of therapeutic hot spring bathing in Japan.
Personalised onsen guidance
Not all onsens are the same — water composition, temperature and bathing method all matter. We match you to the right experience for your health and wellbeing goals.
Private ryokan onsens
Yamakikan offers private onsen baths bookable exclusively for your group — no shared bathing unless you want it. Ideal for families and those with accessibility needs.
Exclusive experiences offered in Nagano
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