🇯🇵Japan Trip To The Future :Food, Culture, Snow & Wildlife

Welcome to Japan! We’ll arrive at the apartment, unpack our luggage after the flight, and get ready for a relaxed day to adjust to the country and get to know the whole group. In the evening, we’ll head out for a city walk, get to know each other better, and prepare for the start of an unforgettable journey.

Tokyo feels like the future mixed with an anime movie come to life 🤯 A mind-blowing mega-city that combines cutting-edge technology, ancient tradition, world-class food, and endless energy. Neon-packed streets like Shibuya, peaceful hidden temples, incredible food on every corner from perfect sushi to wild street food 🍣🍜 and neighborhoods that each feel like a completely different city. Tokyo is where everything happens: pace, color, culture, and nonstop surprises. A city you fall in love with from the very first moment ❤️🇯🇵 We’ll stay in a stylish apartment right in the heart of Tokyo, giving us the perfect base to experience the city like locals surrounded by buzzing streets, great food, and easy access to everything -We’ll stay here in an apartment in the heart of the city.

-Day 02- TOKYO We’ll start the day early to make the most of the city. 🥐 Relaxed breakfast - TeamLab Planets TOKYO DMM Lunch 🍱 Food market / local izakaya 🛒 Shopping in Shinjuku or Ginza Afternoon 🎮 Akihabara – gaming, anime, and pop culture Evening 🍢 Free evening – street food / izakaya 🌙 Night walk among the city lights and wrapping up the day

teamLab Planets Tokyo is a mind-blowing immersive art experience where you step inside the artwork itself. Light, water, sound, and massive digital worlds react to your movement, creating a magical, dreamlike journey that feels futuristic, emotional, and unforgettable.

Breakfast and departure from the big city. We’ll travel by bullet train for about two hours to a town called Iiyama, and from there we’ll take a bus that will take us up to the mountain where Nozawa Onsen is located. Nozawa Onsen is a beautiful traditional mountain village , Here we will have our 2-day ski pass and enjoy Japan’s famous powder snow. ❄️🏂,Even for those who have never skied before, this is a great opportunity, as the village is well known for being very beginner-friendly for skiing. 🎿 except of this absolutely don’t need to ski to enjoy it. It’s all about hot springs, culture, food, and slow travel. -We’ll stay here in a local home with a private onsen of the House Nuzawa have: ♨️ Hot Springs: -13 free public bathhouses (soto-yu) -The most famous one: Ōyu -Very authentic, local experience -Perfect for cold winter days 🚶‍♂️ Walking & Scenic Strolls -Walk through snowy streets and wooden houses -Short nature walks around the village -Quiet atmosphere with beautiful mountain views 🛖 Japanese Culture & Tradition -Small shrines and temples throughout the village -Strong “old Japan” feeling 🍜 Local Food & Cozy Restaurants -Oyaki – steamed dumplings filled with vegetables -Hot ramen and soba noodles -Small izakayas and bars with local sake 🍶 🚡 Ropeway (Even Without Skiing) -Take the ropeway to the top of the mountain -Amazing snowy views -Viewpoints, cafés, and photo spots 📸

Nagano is surrounded by mountains and nature, offering a calm, authentic side of Japan. It’s known for its fresh air, beautiful landscapes, and traditional atmosphere, with a perfect balance between city life and the outdoors. -We’ll stay in a luxurious 4-star hotel with breakfast included. From here, we’ll head out on scenic day trips to explore nearby villages, temples, snowy mountains, and hidden gems around the region making Nagano an ideal base for adventure and discovery.

-Nagano Day trip 01- Zenko-ji is one of the most important, oldest, and most spiritually significant Buddhist temples in Japan, and is considered the spiritual heart of the Nagano region 📜 A bit of history -Founded over 1,400 years ago, 7th century -The temple does not belong to a single Buddhist sect it is open and welcoming to everyone -It houses a very sacred, hidden Buddha statue believed to be the first Buddha statue ever brought to Japan 👉 The statue is never shown to the public. 🛕 What makes Zenko-ji special? -The Main Hall, Hondo a massive and impressive wooden structure -A deep spiritual atmosphere, even for non-religious visitors -A major pilgrimage site for Japanese people from all over the country 🌑 The unique experience – “The Dark Corridor” -Visitors can go beneath the temple into a completely dark corridor -You walk in total darkness, touching the wall while searching for the “Key of Enlightenment” -A symbolic experience representing faith, reflection, and new beginnings 🧘‍♂️ Very powerful and moving 🚶‍♂️ The street leading to the temple A traditional street filled with: -Local shops -Japanese sweets -Sake -Famous local soba noodle restaurants

-Nagano Day trip 02- The Snow Monkeys are actually Japanese macaques monkeys that live in cold regions of Japan and are famous for soaking in hot springs during snowy winters. The most famous place to see them is Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, located in Nagano Prefecture. ❄️ Why are they so special? They live in the coldest climate of any monkey species in the world During winter, when everything is frozen, they enter hot springs to keep warm This behavior is almost unique to Japan ♨️ Why do they use the hot springs? To stay warm in extreme cold To reduce stress and relax It’s also social behavior ,they sit together, almost like humans 😄 📸 We'll arrive at an open area where the monkeys are completely free we will get very close to them

-Nagano Day trip 03- Tsubame Onsen is a remote, natural hot spring in the mountains of Nagano, near the Nozawa Myoko area. It’s considered one of the most wild, authentic, and unique onsen experiences in Japan. 🌿 What makes Tsubame Onsen special? -Outdoor hot springs (rotenburo) surrounded by forests and mountains -Milky, sulfur-rich water (white–bluish color) -Open year-round in winter, soaking while surrounded by snow is incredible ❄️ -Quiet, remote atmosphere with very few tourists 💧 Water properties Rich in sulfur Known to help with: -Muscle relaxation -Blood circulation -Back and joint pain -Skin health The sulfur smell is noticeable and that’s part of the experience 😌 🧘‍♂️ The vibe Best for a deep, traditional Japanese experience rather than a spa

To get here, we’ll take the bullet train from Nagano —>about a 2-hour ride —> and then continue with another 2 hours on a regular train. 🚄 -We will stay here at the famous Henn-na Hotel, where the check-in is done by a dinosaur robot. 🦌⛩️ About Nara Nara is one of the most historic and important cities in Japan and was the first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century. It’s a city that beautifully combines massive temples, green nature, and free-roaming deer 🦌. 📜 A bit of history -Capital of Japan from 710–794 The place where: -Buddhism flourished -Japanese culture was shaped -Classical Japanese architecture developed -Many of its sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

🦌 Nara Park & the Deer -Hundreds of deer roam freely throughout the park -They are considered sacred messengers of the gods -We'll can buy special crackers to feed them ⚠️ They’re cute but sometimes cheeky 😄

-One of the most impressive temples in Japan -Home to a giant bronze Buddha statue -The building is among the largest wooden structures in the world 📜 A bit of history -Founded in the 8th century (year 752), when Nara was Japan’s capital -Built to unify the country spiritually and protect it from disasters -Served as the main center of state Buddhism in ancient Japan ⛩️ Kasuga Taisha -A beautiful Shinto shrine -Famous for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns -Set along a magical forest path

-OSAKA- We’ll get here by train from Nara, about a 1-hour journey. 🚆 -We’ll stay here in a comfortable traditional house. Osaka is Japan’s most lively, fun, and easygoing city. is Japan’s third-largest city and the vibrant heart of the Kansai region. It’s a city with strong character, warm and friendly people, incredible food, and a lifestyle that feels more relaxed and less formal than much of Japan. 🍜 Japan’s food capital -Osaka is famous nationwide for its food culture: -Street food on almost every corner -Iconic local dishes: -Takoyaki – octopus balls -Okonomiyaki – savory Japanese pancake -Kushikatsu – deep-fried skewers 🌃 A city that comes alive at night -Areas like Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi are full of: -Neon lights -Izakayas and bars -Music, laughter, and crowds until late -Nightlife is fun and down-to-earth rather than fancy 🛍️ Shopping & urban life -Huge shopping streets and arcades -Local markets alongside international brands -A strong street-fashion and youth culture scene The perfect way to end our Japan trip 🇯🇵✨

🗼Shinsekai Shinsekai is one of Osaka’s most unique neighborhoods, known for its retro, old-school atmosphere that feels like stepping back into early 20th-century Japan. It was developed in the early 1900s and inspired by Paris and New York, but today it has a very local, down-to-earth character. 🍢 Food & local culture -Famous for kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) -Casual, affordable restaurants and izakayas -Simple rule everyone knows: no double dipping in the sauce 🗼 Tsutenkaku Tower -The symbol of Shinsekai -Observation deck with city views -Home to Billiken, the local good-luck mascot

Dotonbori is Osaka’s most famous entertainment district and the heart of the city’s nightlife and street food scene. It’s known for its bright neon signs, lively crowds, and the iconic Glico running man sign. Along the canal, you’ll find endless food stalls and restaurants serving Osaka specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and ramen. 🌉 -Walk along the canal -Take photos with the famous Glico sign -Street food stops: -Takoyaki 🐙 -Ramen 🍜 -Japanese desserts -The most lively and energetic area at night Loud, colorful, and full of energy Dotonbori perfectly represents the fun, food-loving spirit of Osaka. 🍜🌃

🛒 Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s main shopping and lifestyle district, famous for its long covered arcade, Shinsaibashi-suji. The area is always busy and full of energy, with a mix of fashion stores, sneaker shops, cosmetics, cafés, and restaurants. It’s a perfect place to walk around, shop, and people-watch, and it connects directly to Dotonbori, making it easy to combine shopping during the day with food and nightlife in the evening. Modern, lively, and very urban Shinsaibashi shows the youthful side of Osaka.

Kuromon Ichiba Market is Osaka’s most famous food market, known as “Osaka’s Kitchen.” It’s a lively covered street filled with stalls selling fresh seafood, sushi, grilled skewers, takoyaki, fruits, and Japanese snacks. Perfect for a casual lunch, tasting local flavors, and experiencing Osaka’s strong food culture all while eating as you walk. 🍢🍣

This is where our unforgettable adventure comes to an end. We’ll come together for a farewell meal, laugh, share memories and stories from the journey, and celebrate everything we experienced until we meet again on the next incredible trip. Anyone flying back from Osaka is all set. Those with a return ticket from Tokyo will need to take the train back there, which takes about 2.5 hours.