Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 3-Day Hachimantai Snow Customizable Tour
Drive the Hachimantai Aspite Line between tall spring snow walls, see Japan's first geothermal power plant and soak at Matsukawa Onsen.
Private · your group only◆3 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Hachimantai is a high volcanic plateau on the border of Iwate and Akita. Each spring, crews clear the Hachimantai Aspite Line mountain road, cutting through snow piled many metres high. Driving between these white walls is a rare spring sight in Japan. This 3-day trip shows you the snow corridor, a geothermal power plant and an old hot spring town.
On day 1 your driver-guide picks you up at your hotel in central Tokyo and drives north on the Tohoku Expressway, with rest stops. You reach Hachimantai in the evening.
On day 2 you drive up the Aspite Line. You stop to walk beside the snow walls and take photos. Near the top, you can walk to Kagami-numa pond. From late May to early June, as the snow melts, the pond can show the Dragon Eye, a ring of blue water around a white center. It lasts only a short time each year and depends on the weather. In the afternoon you visit the Matsukawa Geothermal Power Plant visitor area. This was Japan's first commercial geothermal power plant, and it uses the heat inside the volcano. Then you relax at Matsukawa Onsen, a quiet hot spring area in the forest with milky water.
On day 3 you drive back south to your Tokyo hotel, arriving in the evening.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 guests, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu. The trip runs from mid-April to June. If the Aspite Line is closed on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead drive to Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake, on the Akita side.
DAY 1 Pickup in Tokyo, drive to Hachimantai
DAY 2 Aspite Line snow corridor, Kagami-numa pond, Matsukawa Geothermal Power Plant, Matsukawa Onsen bath
DAY 3 Drive back to your Tokyo hotel
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Drive between spring snow walls on the Aspite Line
- Look for the Dragon Eye at Kagami-numa pond in late May to June
- Visit Japan's first commercial geothermal power plant
- Soak in the milky water of Matsukawa Onsen
- See the high plateau of Hachimantai on the Iwate-Akita border
Said plainly
Season: mid-April to June. The road opening date changes each year with the snow. The snow walls are tallest in late April and May The Dragon Eye appears only for a short time between late May and early June, and it is never guaranteed If the Aspite Line is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead drive to Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake, on the Akita side It is cold at the top, even in June. Bring a warm jacket and shoes with grip
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Drive between spring snow walls on the Aspite Line
Look for the Dragon Eye at Kagami-numa pond in late May to June
Visit Japan's first commercial geothermal power plant
Soak in the milky water of Matsukawa Onsen
See the high plateau of Hachimantai on the Iwate-Akita border
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Matsukawa Onsen bath entry
- Geothermal power plant visitor area entry
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Hachimantai)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional souvenir purchases
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥247,000
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