We pick you up at your hotel in Echigo-Yuzawa. This private tour of about 8 hours is only for the Tokamachi Snow Festival in February. The town is known as the place where Japan's modern snow festivals began, in 1950.

Around 10:45 we stop at Kiyotsu Gorge. You walk through a tunnel with artwork and viewpoints to the famous Light Cave, where the gorge reflects in a pool of water. Allow about one hour.

Around 12:15 we arrive in Tokamachi. Lunch is in town. Hegi soba, made with seaweed, is the local dish. Halal food is not guaranteed.

In the afternoon you walk the festival. Neighbourhoods build large snow sculptures and snow art across the town, and there are food stalls and local crafts. Tokamachi is also a kimono town, so you may see textile shops.

Around 16:30 we go to the main snow stage for the evening light-up, where a large snow stage is lit with colour. You stay for the lights and then we drive back, arriving at your hotel at about 18:00.

Your plan is customizable: you can skip the gorge, spend more time at the sculptures, visit the Kinare museum, or leave before dark. Because of snow and festival traffic, your guide may change the order on the day.

This is a private tour. Only your group.

If the Tokamachi Snow Festival is cancelled on your date, your driver-guide takes you to a similar place nearby instead. The tour price does not change. If you prefer, we can instead visit Kiyotsu Gorge and the snow villages of Matsunoyama.