Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 5-Day Sapporo Snow Festival Customizable Tour
Five winter days by car ferry to the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February. Giant snow statues in Odori Park, ice art in Susukino and Otaru at night.
Private · your group only◆5 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
Each early February, Sapporo fills Odori Park with huge snow and ice statues, some as big as buildings. In Susukino, ice carvings line the streets. This tour takes you there by car ferry with your own van and guide.
This tour runs only on Snow Festival dates in early February.
On Day 1 we drive from Tokyo to Oarai port, about 2 hours, and board the evening ferry. The crossing takes about 18 hours, in a cabin berth.
On Day 2 we arrive in Tomakomai in the afternoon and drive to Sapporo, about 1 hour. In the evening we walk Odori Park, where the snow statues are lit at night.
On Day 3 we drive to Otaru, about 45 minutes. We walk the Otaru Canal and the old stone warehouse streets, and visit the music box hall and glass shops. Otaru's Snow Light Path festival with small candles in the snow is usually held in February. If it runs on your date, we stay for the evening lights. If not, we see the canal lit at dusk. We return to Sapporo.
On Day 4 we see the Susukino ice sculptures and the Odori statues by day, then drive to Tomakomai for the evening ferry.
On Day 5 we arrive in Oarai around midday and drive back to Tokyo.
Viewing the Snow Festival is free.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Sapporo Snow Festival or the ferry is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead move the trip to the next ferry date, or see Sapporo and Otaru in winter without the festival.
DAY 1 Drive Tokyo to Oarai port, board the evening car ferry, night on the ferry
DAY 2 Arrive Tomakomai, drive to Sapporo, Odori Park snow statues at night, stay in Sapporo
DAY 3 Otaru Canal, warehouse streets, evening lights, stay in Sapporo
DAY 4 Susukino ice sculptures and Odori by day, night on the return ferry
DAY 5 Arrive Oarai, drive back to your Tokyo hotel
If a ferry delay or cancellation changes the tour, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Giant snow statues in Odori Park, lit at night
- Ice carvings along the streets of Susukino
- Otaru Canal and old warehouses in the snow
- Candle lights in Otaru when the light path runs
- Overnight car ferry to Hokkaido and back
Said plainly
Private tour for 1 to 6 people in one van. Your driver-guide speaks English, Hindi and Urdu. Festival dates only: the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February. The car ferry between Oarai (Ibaraki) and Tomakomai (Hokkaido) takes about 18 hours each way. Your nights on the ferry are in cabin berths, included. Ferries can be delayed by rough sea. Winter seas can delay or cancel sailings. If a ferry delay or cancellation changes the tour, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. It is very cold, often below minus 5 C. Bring warm clothes and shoes with good grip. Our van has winter tyres. Book your Sapporo hotel early. If the Sapporo Snow Festival or the ferry is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead move the trip to the next ferry date, or see Sapporo and Otaru in winter without the festival.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Giant snow statues in Odori Park, lit at night
Ice carvings along the streets of Susukino
Otaru Canal and old warehouses in the snow
Candle lights in Otaru when the light path runs
Overnight car ferry to Hokkaido and back
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
- Car ferry Oarai to Tomakomai and back, with cabin berths for both nights on board
Yours — paid on the day
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Sapporo)
- Meals on the ferry
- Optional festival food stalls
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¥705,000
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