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Home > Asia > Japan > Japan Ice Festival
Divider Japan Ice Festival -  11 days from £2020
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Flight By air from Heathrow
Japan Japan
Take our special departure on 4th February 2009 and begin your holiday in Japan early. You will fly to Sapporo for a three night stay, where you will visit the town’s stunning Yuki Matsuri, or Ice Festival, held every February. The annual Sapporo Ice Festival began in 1950 when six local high school students built statues in Odori Park. Since then the festival has grown in size and fame, becoming one of the largest winter events in Japan, best known for its ice sculpture competition. The contest attracts artists from all over the world, who compete to create the most elaborate sculptures, both large and small. It really is an incredible spectacle to see the hundreds of ice and snow creations up close.

Highlights Include

  • Ice Festival
  • Tokyo
  • The Bullet Train
  • Mount Fuji
  • Kyoto

What's Included

  • Scheduled flight to Sapporo via Tokyo / Retrun flight from Sapporo to Tokyo
  • Return flight to the Uk from Osaka (via Tokyo)
  • 3 nights' accommodation in Sapporo
  • Transfers between airport and hotel
  • Ride on the Bullet Train from Tokyo to Kyoto
  • All other transportation as detailed
  • All other accommodation as described
  • Services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and English speaking local representative 
  • Lunch on Day 7
  • All hotel baggage handling for one piece of luggage per person
  • All State and local taxes
  • All UK and overseas airport taxes and security charges

Excursions as follows:

  • Sightseeing tours of Tokyo and Kyoto
  • Visit to Nara
  • Half day sightseeing tour of Sapporo
  • Full day excursion to the Snow Festival

The Ice Festival

Each year Sapporo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland of crystal-like ice and sparkling white snow. About two million people each year travel to the town, where more than 300 beautiful ice sculptures and snow statues are displayed. These incredible works of art often feature famous events, buildings and people – anything from the Pyramids of Egypt and the Taj Mahal to the Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter. They are exhibited across the town, from Odori Park in the centre of Sapporo, to the grounds of the Satoland farm park and all along the main street in Susukino.

Many of the statues are lit up at night, providing an incredible spectacle for locals and visitors alike. You will also find the snow experience corner, where there are snow slides and mazes to keep you entertained, tasty regional delicacies to try, and snow stages where a variety of entertainments including musical performances take place.


Special Departures


Bullet Train
Japan
8 days from £1554'>
Gardens of Japan Special Departure
8 days from £2144'>

Accommodation

In Sapporo you will stay in a comfortable medium grade hotel and all rooms will feature private facilities. You will stay in the Crowne Plaza Metropolitan in Tokyo and the Righa Royal Hotel; the Aranvert or the Kokusai Hotel in Kyoto. All rooms feature private facilities and minibar. Hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar.

 

Itinerary

DAY 1
Depart on your scheduled flight to Sapporo via Tokyo.

DAY 2
Arrive Sapporo for 3 night stay

DAY 3
Included half day sightseeing tour where you will see sights such as the clock tower and Hitsujigaoka observation hill. Afternoon is free at leisure

DAY 4
A full day free at leisure to visit the Snow Festival.

DAY 5
Depart Sapporo-Chitose Airport. Arrive in Tokyo for 3 night stay

DAY 6
Tokyo is a showcase city with wide bridges, deluxe hotels, spectacular theatres and elegant shopping plazas, but modern influences have not over whelmed the old. Tea cer e mo nies, flower arrangements, festivals and old traditions are a constant reminder of the Japan of ‘Madame Butterfly’ and ‘The Mikado’. This morning we have included a city tour. You will see Asakusa Kaman Temple, the Imperial Palace and the Meiji Shrine.

DAY 7
Free in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can join a full day optional excursion to the splendid volcanic cone of Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan.

DAY 8
Morning transfer to Tokyo station. Here you will board the famous Bullet Train bound for Kyoto. The 325 mile journey takes 2½ hours and, weather permitting, you can enjoy views of magnificent Mount Fuji en route. Kyoto was the imperial capital for more than 1,000 years. It presents a near-perfect image of the old Japan – temples hovering over a silk scroll landscape, dreamy gardens and pavillions, multi-coloured kimonos and a refined culture and lifestyle. This afternoon we have included half-day sightseeing tour including a visit to Nijo castle and the Kinkakuji Temple. Kyoto is the home of the geisha, young girls who are trained in the traditional arts of Japan. Three nights’ accommodation has been arranged at your hotel.

DAY 9
Free for you to explore at leisure or join a full day optional excursion to Hiroshima where visits will be made to the Peace Memorial Park and the island of Miyajima where the world-famous Torii Gate, symbol of Japan, rises from the sea.
 
DAY 10
We have included a half day visit to Nara the City of Temples. This former capital of Japan is home to the Todiji Temple. After lunch the afternoon will be at leisure.
 
DAY 11
Morning transfer to Osaka Airport for your return flight via Tokyo to the UK. As you will be flying westwards your arrival is later the same day.

Dates, Prices & Departure

holiday ref: LJAPIF


Please select a departure point 
Departure Date PriceBook Holiday
04/02/2009 £2020 Book now (04/02/2009)
Deposit £150 per person
All prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin or double-bedded room with private facilities


Surcharges

The price of fuel has risen dramatically over the past months in line with oil prices. As a result many airlines and cruise lines have imposed additional fuel charges. In common with other businesses our prices now include an additional charge for all new bookings which has been introduced to cover these costs.

Supplements

  • Single rooms are not available on this special departure
  • Insurance

Travel Information

Flights are by scheduled services of Japan Airlines
Depart Heathrow at 1900 hrs / Return arrival 1435 hrs
All flight timings are approximate and may be subject to variation.

Essential Information - General

Booking Conditions | Insurance

We know that your holiday is very important to you. It is also extremely important to us since we want you to enjoy it and continue to entrust your holiday arrangements to us in years to come. We also care about our reputation and want to be sure that you understand both your and our obligations when you book a holiday with us. Please therefore spend a few minutes reading the following Booking Conditions together with the General Information, as they form the basis of your contract with us. Your contract is with Travelsphere a division of Travelsphere Ltd.

Select a heading from the dropdown: show all
Select a heading from the dropdown: show all

Essential Information - Booking Conditions

General Information | Insurance

We know that your holiday is very important to you. It is also extremely important to us since we want you to enjoy it and continue to entrust your holiday arrangements to us in years to come. We also care about our reputation and want to be sure that you understand both your and our obligations when you book a holiday with us. Please therefore spend a few minutes reading the following Booking Conditions together with the General Information, as they form the basis of your contract with us. Your contract is with Travelsphere a division of Travelsphere Ltd.

Select a heading from the dropdown: show all
Select a heading from the dropdown: show all

Essential Information - Insurance

Booking Conditions | General Information

We know that your holiday is very important to you. It is also extremely important to us since we want you to enjoy it and continue to entrust your holiday arrangements to us in years to come. We also care about our reputation and want to be sure that you understand both your and our obligations when you book a holiday with us. Please therefore spend a few minutes reading the following Booking Conditions together with the General Information, as they form the basis of your contract with us. Your contract is with Travelsphere a division of Travelsphere Ltd.

Select a heading from the dropdown: show all
Select a heading from the dropdown: show all

Travel Extras

We know that picking your dream destination is the biggest part of making your perfect holiday come true. But there are a number of other decisions that have to be made such as where to park at the airport and who to change your money with, to name but a few. So to really get every aspect of your holiday sorted we have set up a one stop travel shop and useful links section for you to organise all your travel needs, leaving you to concentrate on having a memorable and relaxing holiday with Travelsphere.



Holiday Extras Airport hotels, parking and more from www.holidayextras.co.uk/Travelsphere We have teamed up with Holiday Extras to help get your holiday off to a great start.
  • Airport and Port Parking
  • Airport and Port Hotels
 
Lounge Pass Airport Lounges from Lounge Pass Start your holiday off refreshed and relaxed by taking advantage of our VIP airport lounge offer, available at a number of airports, both here and abroad. From as little as £15 each, you’ll enjoy a peaceful and tranquil environment, where you can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, read the papers, check your email or simply relax and watch TV until your flight is called. For details, please visit www.travelsphere.co.uk/loungepass
 
Lands' End Casual Clothing from Lands’ End Lands' End offer an extensive range of high quality casual and tailored clothes for men and women. Choose from their selection of jackets, knitted tops, trousers, dresses, skirts and more.
To view their full range and buy online visit www.landsend.co.uk
 
 
Voyager Travel Door to Door Service with Voyager Travel If you would like the security of having a professional private hire service to pick you up from your home and drive you to and from the airport at a competitive rate, simply call Voyager Travel free on 0800 037 1533. You'll get a special price by quoting reference JYI. Your smartly dressed, experienced driver will assist you with your luggage. Then you can enjoy a relaxing start to your holiday as you sit back in comfort and are driven along in a stylish, non-smoking, air-conditioned car. If you wish you can also book an in-car portable DVD player for longer journeys. Your contract will be with Voyager Travel. We do not accept any responsibility for delays or missed departures etc, caused by Voyager Travel’s services. Your contract will be with Voyager Travel.
 
Hotel Hoppa Hotel Hoppa Linking London Heathrow & Hotels. Hoppa tickets are available. Ask our Holiday Advisors for details on 0870 240 2426.

 
National Express £15 coach offer Save up to 50% We have teamed up with National Express, to offer you a great way to join your holiday. For just £15 each, you can travel from any of the National Express 1200 pick up points around the country.

If you’d like to take advantage of this offer, please call our holiday advisors on 0870 240 2426 and we will add the cost to your booking. We recommend that you contact National Express directly, to find out if suitable services exist. You can do this by calling them on 08705 80 80 80, or by visiting their website www.nationalexpress.com

We are unable to accept any liability if things go wrong, and you miss your flight or ferry, or if National Express don’t offer a service that’s convenient for you.
 
Ramada Hotels Overnight hotels for holidays by coach at Dover & Folkestone We can also offer you overnight hotels in Dover & Folkestone. Typical of the hotels we use are the Ramada Dover Hotel in Dover and the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone. Prices start from £50 per room including a transfer to the terminal. To book or for further information please call on of our Holiday Advisors on 0870 240 2426.
 
Jessops Photography from Jessops Jessops is the UK's leading specialist photographic retailer. With great on-line savings on hundreds of products, including digital cameras, camcorders, lenses, batteries and much more, plus free delivery on mainland UK orders over £75, Jessops has all your photographic needs covered. Visit www.jessops.com see their full range of photographic equipment.
 
Port Parking Port Parking for holidays by coach at Dover & Folkestone If you want to park your car at Dover, when crossing the Channel by ferry, please call the Dover Harbour Board on 01304 241 427 to pre-book your space.

If you want to park your car at Folkestone, when crossing the Channel by Eurotunnel, please call Relyon Car parks on 01304 201 227 to pre-book your space.
 
Regional Flights Regional Connecting Flights You can fly from many regional airports to connect with your international flight on a selection of our Worldwide holidays. Look out for information on tour pages for holidays offering regional connecting flights, which operate with airlines such as British Airways and bmi.
 
Travel With Care Travel Accessories from Travel with Care Travel With Care offers a comprehensive range of travel accessories, with everything you need for your holiday. From First Aid, DVT Prevention and Healthcare to money belts, wallets, waterproofs, toiletries, alarm clocks, and much, much more, www.travelwithcare.com is the place for all those holiday essentials.
 
Travelsphere Travel Insurance from Travelsphere Book your insurance with Travelsphere - it's excellent value for money.
 


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