Inclusions
Reference: O34868- Valid Between 12 May 2026 - 27 May 2026
- Book by 31 January 2026
- 13 Nights
- Heathrow
- Room Only
What's Included
Niigata:
- Immerse yourself in Niigata’s deep-rooted rice traditions, from breathtaking rice terrace views to interactive workshops where you can make Sasadango and sushi.
- Take a guided walking tour through Niigata City’s coastal streets and learn about its fascinating history as a port town.
- Savour the region’s unique tastes with hands-on sushi-making led by local experts and enjoy a sake tasting that highlights local specialities.
Selected Upgrades
Offer Details
The journey begins with five nights in Tokyo, offering time to explore its vibrant neighbourhoods — from the tranquillity of Shiba Park and Tokyo Tower to bustling shopping and dining districts. Travellers then continue to Niigata, known for its scenic coastline, mountains, and rich agricultural heritage.
The highlight is a 3-day, full-board World of Rice tour. Visitors can explore rice terraces in Echigo Yuzawa, make Sasadango (a traditional mochi sweet), relax in a hot spring hotel, enjoy a guided walking tour in Niigata City, create sushi with local seafood and rice, and experience sake tasting in Japan’s leading sake region.
Next, the trip moves to Yuzawa, a hot-spring town amid alpine landscapes famed for its onsen culture, then to Kanazawa, where historic samurai streets, geisha districts, and the renowned Kenrokuen Garden showcase the city’s artistry and heritage. The journey concludes with two nights in Nagano, a gateway to Japan’s highlands, offering Zenko-ji Temple, scenic mountain trails, and the charm of a traditional provincial city.
Niigata: renowned for rice & sake culture!Deposit £1069pp
World of Rice Tour Includes:
- English-speaking guide
- Transportation during tour
- Entrance Fees during tour 4 meals (Day 1: lunch, snack and dinner, Day 2: breakfast and dinner)
- Experiences during the tour
- Accommodation (2 nights) at Hotel Naspa New Otani and Okura
- Begins at Echigo-Yuzawa Station, Niigata
Your Hotel
Celestine Hotel Tokyo
Description
Hotel The Celestine Tokyo Shiba offers a calm, refined retreat in Minato, with stylish modern rooms and easy access to nearby stations and Tokyo Tower. Guests enjoy thoughtful amenities, a cozy 14th-floor lounge, and convenient on-site dining for a comfortable stay.
Accomodations
Make yourself at home in one of the 243 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and minibars. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, and flat-screen televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and bidets. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Average Ratings
"If you are going to go in a standard room then go somewhere else you will get more for your money. Our room was a shoe box with a side of the bed against the wall which should be unacceptable for a 5..."
"This is a very nice hotel right in downtown Tokyo, modern and well maintained, and with great service. The bed was very comfortable and the bathroom was up to date and high tech. They have a very..."
"We changed our booking from an apa hotel to this hotel earlier in the week. Wow. I a, glad we did. This hotel is amazing. The service from reception staff is incredible. One member recommending us a..."
Your Tour
The World of Rice
Description
Immerse yourself in Niigata’s rich traditions on this unique journey celebrating Japan’s rice culture.
Wander through the breathtaking Tanada Rice Terraces, ever-changing with the seasons. Learn to craft sasadango, bamboo-wrapped mochi, then savor it over tea. Explore Niigata City’s historic streets before relaxing in a serene onsen hotel. Sharpen your skills with a sushi-making masterclass using premium Niigata rice and local seafood, then discover the art of sake with a guided tasting in one of Japan’s finest brewing regions. A perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and relaxation.
Additional Information
Availability: May - November
Starting Day: Monday - Saturday
Meal(s): 4 meals
Day 1: lunch, snack, and dinner
Day 2: breakfast and lunch
Day 3: breakfast
Inclusion(s):
Transportation during tour
Entrance Fee(s) during tour
Experience(s) during tour
2 nights hotel stay
*Shinkansen tickets for tour with start/end in Tokyo
Validity: until November 2026
Highlights
- Tanada Rice Terraces: Discover the scenic, seasonally-shifting rice terraces that define Niigata’s agricultural beauty and heritage.
- Sasadango Making Experience: Try your hand at crafting Niigata’s traditional bamboo-wrapped mochi using local rice flour, guided by a local expert.
- Cultural Culinary Moment: Steam, savor, and sip tea with your handmade Sasadango treat — a sweet reward after a hands-on cultural experience.
- Hot Spring Bliss: Unwind at a tranquil onsen hotel surrounded by nature – the perfect end to a day rich in flavor and tradition.
- Niigata City Walking Tour: Explore this historic port town on foot, from charming streets to coastal heritage.
- Sushi Masterclass: Prepare your own sushi using premium Niigata rice and fresh local seafood – a true sea-meets-land experience.
- Sake Tasting Experience: Discover the world of sake from one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions. Learn to taste, pair, and appreciate like a local.
Your Hotel
Hotel Futaba
Description
Hotel Futaba — a serene ryokan in the onsen town of Echigo-Yuzawa — blends traditional Japanese charm with comfortable modern conveniences, offering tatami-floored rooms and both indoor and open-air hot-spring baths set against scenic mountain views.
Accomodations
Make yourself at home in one of the 78 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and bidets. Conveniences include desks and separate sitting areas, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Average Ratings
"Seeing that it’s approaching the snow season soon, so here it comes a very belated review! Stayed here with my family at the start of the year, and we had a fabulous time here! The hotel is very..."
"Lovely hotel with beautiful onsens on 2 different floors. We stayed in this hotel for 3 nights. The service was impeccable and they will try to accommodate our requests to the best of their..."
"Overall a great stay — wonderful service, amazing baths, and delicious food. Would definitely recommend, especially for the price. A note for foreigners: you should wear your yukata to the baths and..."
Your Hotel
Hotel INTERGATE KANAZAWA
Description
Hotel INTERGATE KANAZAWA is a modern hotel in central Kanazawa — just a short walk from major sights like Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park and Omicho Market. It offers clean, comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, and guests enjoy a welcoming lounge with complimentary coffee, drinks and snacks — a relaxing base after sightseeing
Accomodations
- Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
- Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
- Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
- Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
- Be prepared: check the latest COVID-19 travel requirements and measures in place for this destination before you travel.
Other Details
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation. If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival.
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
- A city tax will be collected at the property. The city tax ranges from JPY 200-500 per person, per night based on the nightly room rate. Please note that further exemptions may apply.
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
- One child 5 years old or younger stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
- The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ). Additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
- This property advises that enhanced cleaning and guest safety measures are currently in place.
- Disinfectant is used to clean the property, and commonly-touched surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant between stays.
- Social distancing measures are in place; staff at the property wear personal protective equipment; periodic temperature checks are conducted on staff; temperature checks are available to guests; guests are provided with hand sanitizer; masks are required in public areas.
- Contactless check-in is available.
- Enhanced food service safety measures are in place.
- This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of Coronavirus Guidelines (Japan).
pets: Pets not allowed general: Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures Unicode Support false Temperature checks are available to guests Social distancing measures are in place Staff temperature checks are conducted regularly Property is cleaned with disinfectant Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer Property confirms they are implementing enhanced cleaning measures Staff wears personal protective equipment Property follows regional sanitization guidelines Coronavirus Guidelines (Japan) Food service has been amended for enhanced safety Essential workers only - NO Contactless check-in is available Masks are compulsory at the property No cribs (infant beds) available No rollaway/extra beds available Commonly-touched surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant
Your Hotel
Hotel JAL City Nagano
Description
Hotel JAL City Nagano — a modern, centrally-located hotel just a 7-minute walk from Nagano Station — provides clean, comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, fridge, electric kettle and private bathrooms for a convenient stay. From its top-floor “Sky Restaurant Hakuba” you get panoramic views of the Northern Alps over breakfast.
Accomodations
Make yourself at home in one of the 242 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Average Ratings
"One of the best hotel stays in Japan. We stayed for 3 nights & used this place as a base to explore the region. The rooms were bigger than the standard rooms for this budget. We got a good deal at..."
"Stayed for four nights in this JAL city hotel.... The stay was rather comfortable and no issues. But compared to JAL city hotel in other cities, this one is pretty ordinary, and the facility seems a..."
"- excellent location, near the station and in the heart of the city - fabulous breakfast, huge choice and local products; attention though, you must be accustomed to the traditional Japanese..."
Your flight is included!
Cathay PacificCathay Pacific
Heathrow
Haneda Arpt
Cathay PacificCathay Pacific
Haneda Arpt
Heathrow