Our most exclusive Japan trip yet - limited spots, 26/27 season
Konnichiwa!
We're just over three months from first tracks in Hokkaido, and this year we've built something we're genuinely excited to share.
Quick heads up before we get into it: accommodation across Japan is thinning out fast for peak season, particularly through Honshu. There's still good availability in pockets, especially Hokkaido, but the window for first-choice dates and properties is closing. If you haven't locked in your 26/27 trip yet, now's the time to get in touch so we can talk through what's still open.
For years we've watched clients treat Sapporo as a transit stop, a night before the transfer to Niseko or Furano. Fair enough, that's how most people see it. But our team has always known better. Sapporo is one of Japan's best-kept snow secrets: ocean-effect powder, virtually empty local resorts, and a real city with over four thousand restaurants to choose from, no issues finding a table or getting into a bar for drinks once you are done.
So we built a trip around it.
Introducing the Sapporo Powder & Whisky Expedition
This is 7 days and 6 nights based in luxury accommodation in the heart of Sapporo, with 5 days of private-guided freeride skiing across a different local resort each day, and a private tasting at the world-famous Nikka Yoichi Distillery worked into the itinerary.
Here's why we think it's the ultimate way to experience Hokkaido:
Uncrowded powder, every day. Your private guide takes you to whichever resort is firing that morning, across Teine, Kiroro, Kokusai and Asarigawa, all within about 30 to 45 minutes of the hotel.
Five-star comfort every night. No mountain lodges. You're back in central Sapporo for proper dining, a real bar, and a comfortable bed.
The Nikka Yoichi tasting. A private distillery experience most visitors never get near, built into Day 3 alongside a full day skiing Kiroro's powder bowls.
Zero logistics to manage. Private 4WD van and driver for all five ski days, all lift passes, airport transfers, and a welcome sushi omakase dinner on arrival night.
Genuinely private. Capped at 5 guests. Base pricing is for a private group of 4 sharing two twin rooms, from USD $3,555 per person (roughly AUD $5,000). Couples and smaller groups can be quoted separately.
Because it's entirely private, this itinerary is also just a starting point. Want to extend into central Hokkaido for Asahidake or Furano, add night skiing, or fit in a visit to a second distillery? We can build that in.
Availability is deliberately limited this season, once our guide and driver allocations are full, that's it for 26/27.
Enquire About the Sapporo Expedition
Quick Market Snapshot
Honshu favourites like Hakuba, Nozawa, Myoko and Shiga Kogen are booking up fast, particularly across the Australian school holiday window. Hokkaido and Iwate (Appi Kogen included) still have decent availability, especially outside the Christmas through January peak. If you're weighing up regions, that's the current lay of the land, happy to talk through specifics.
If you're struggling to find something in Hakuba for peak season, there's a new option worth knowing about. Commons 8 opens right on JR Hakuba Station on 1 February 2027 - its a smaller, more affordable property with self check-in rather than a full-service front desk. It's not the boutique experience most of our Hakuba clients are used to, but as availability tightens it's a useful option to have in the back pocket, and early bird pricing runs until 31 October. Ask us if you'd like details.
Opening Dates Are Starting to Land
Niseko United dropped its 26/27 dates last week, so we now have our first proper marker for how the season shapes up.
Niseko United (all four areas): opens 28 November 2026, with night skiing running from 12 December through to 22 March 2027. Annupuri and Grand Hirafu stay open until 5 May, Niseko Village closes 4 April and Hanazono 11 April.
Rusutsu: opens 28 November, through to 30 March 2027.
Furano: also opens 28 November, closing date still to come.
Hakuba: hasn't released its dates yet, we'll let you know the moment it does.
If you're mapping travel dates around opening weekend or the start of night skiing, now's a good time to start pinning down flights.
Stopping in Tokyo? Here's What's Worth Your Time This Winter
If your trip includes a few days in Tokyo either side of the snow, here are a few things worth considering for your stopover:
TeamLab Planets or Borderless for the immersive digital art experience everyone's Instagram feed has already sold you on.
Sumo is on in late January in Tokyo and is an absolute must if you are in Tokyo during this time. Alternatively, we would highly recommend a stable visit tour, where you get to see the Sumo train in real life.
Tsukiji Outer Market is an excellent destination if your flight gets in early or if you are into street food. It’s the perfect spot for an early sushi breakfast before the day gets going.
A cycle tour we love a cycle tour. It’s a great way to see a city like Tokyo, it involves some light activity, and you get to see this fascinating city from a totally different perspective. Some are better than others, so be sure to ask us if you are at all interested in a pedal-driven experience.
Head out to the Burbs to see the real Tokyo. Places like Shimokitazawa – or Shimo as the locals refer to it and Koenji are only 10-15 mins away from Shinjuku by local train but a world away from the Tokyo tourist trail. See how locals go about their business and get a real insight into what it’s like to live in Tokyo.
Three Months Out: Your Pre-Trip Checklist
If you're lucky enough to have already secured your snow accommodation for 26/27, this is roughly the point where the fun planning turns into the practical stuff. A few things worth ticking off now, while there's still plenty of time to sort them without any last-minute stress:
Passport validity. Check it's not expiring within six months of your return date, and that you've got at least one blank page.
Travel and ski insurance. Make sure your policy actually covers off-piste and backcountry activity if that's part of your trip; standard policies often exclude it.
Visit Japan Web. Worth setting up your immigration and customs details online ahead of arrival to speed through the airport.
Gear. Get skis and boards serviced now rather than in peak season when every workshop in town is backed up. If you're renting, let us know so we can arrange it ahead of arrival.
Confirm the details with us. If anything's changed with your group size, flights, or dates, now's the time to let us know so your itinerary stays accurate.
As always, we're here if you want to talk through dates or if the Sapporo trip sounds like exactly what you didn't know you needed this winter.
Wishing you Peace, Love & Powder Days! ❄️
