Scenic Autumn in Hakuba

Day 00 (Sun, 08 Nov’26) 

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Haneda. 

Day 01 (Mon, 09 Nov’26)
Singapore – Haneda – Toyama
(-/-/-)
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama or similar 

(Car pick-up at Toyama Airport)

Arriving in Toyama this morning, pay a visit to Nosaku, a manufacturer of metal cast products such as tableware, Buddhist ritual objects and other decorative items. Using superior casting techniques, a large variety of quality tin, brass and bronze products can be found here. The stylish tableware, accessories and other decorative items will make beautiful and lasting souvenirs. 

An area known for its glassmaking since Japan’s industrial revolution, Toyama has since evolved into a creative centre for glass art. At its heart is the Toyama Glass Studio, an art space and creative workshop for glassmaking. See and learn how glassworks are made, admire the masterpieces, and perhaps try glassmaking for yourself.

Day 02 (Tue, 10 Nov’26)
Toyama – Ishikawa – Toyama
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama or similar

Head over to Ishikawa today and stop by the icon of Kanazawa, Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. Gorgeous in every season, this sprawling hill-top garden contains all the features of a traditional Japanese garden and is very pleasant to stroll around. 

For lunch, visit the “Kitchen of Kanazawa”, Omicho Market. The go-to market in Kanazawa for almost 300 years, 186 stalls selling fresh and cooked food fill the market with fresh seasonal seafood and produce. Sample the different foods on sale as you walk round the market or sit down at one of the eateries for a meal.  

Take a scenic drive along the Chirihama beach driveway later. The only beach in Japan which you can drive on, cruise along the sandy beach as you watch the waves lapping the shoreline right next to you.  

Then admire the scenic views at the Amaharashi Coast which borders one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Toyama Bay. On a clear day, you can see a stunning view of Onnaiwa, a lone rock with a tree on it, sitting in the blue bay against a stunning backdrop of the Tateyama mountain range. 

Day 03 (Wed, 11 Nov’26)
Toyama – Hakuba
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)

Hotel: HOTEL LA VIGNE HAKUBA by Onko Chishin or similaR

Head to Kurobe Gorge to see the spectacular views and autumn foliage today. One of Japan’s Special Scenic Spots and Special Scenic National Treasures, the gorge is especially beautiful when covered in autumn colours. Take the Torokko electric train, a sightseeing train that brings you along the valley, across bridges and through the picturesque scenery of the gorge.

Catch more spectacular views at Oide Park, a scenic riverside locale backed by the Northern Japan Alps. Capture the stunning view of the clear-flowing river, rustic suspension bridge, and snow-capped mountain range flanked by the flaming colours of autumn here. 

Day 04 (Thu, 12 Nov’26)
Hakuba
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: HOTEL LA VIGNE HAKUBA by Onko Chishin or similar

Take a gondola ride up to Hakuba Mountain Harbour for some of the area’s most breathtaking views. Perched on top of the Iwatake Mountain Resort, this observation point offers majestic panoramas of the Japan Alps and its three-tiered autumn scenery – snow-capped mountains, colourful autumn leaves, and green forest below.

Refresh your senses later at La Casta Natural Healing Garden, a facility opened by Japanese natural cosmetics brand La Casta. With the aim to bring healing and vitality through nature, soothe your senses in the Healing Garden, create your own botanical aroma blend at the factory, and stock up on their popular products made with spring water from the alps.

Day 05 (Fri, 13 Nov’26)
Hakuba – Matsunoyama Onsen
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Hinanoyado Chitose (Hot Spring) or similar

Nagano is the second largest producer of apples in Japan and no autumn trip here would be complete without doing some apple picking! Pick and eat sweet and crisp Shinshu apples right from the tree and bring some home with you too.

Take a walk around Obuse Town, an artistic town known for chestnuts and sake. Stroll down Obuse’s chestnut path, lined with traditional white-walled houses with tiled roofs and brick chimneys, taking in the romantic feel of the town. As the last residence of Japan’s premier ukiyo-e artist, Hokusai, his art can be seen at the Hokusai Museum and Takai Kozan Memorial Museum.

Day 06 (Sat, 14 Nov’26)
Matsunoyama Onsen
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Hinanoyado Chitose (Hot Spring) or similar

One of Japan’s 3 most beautiful gorges, Kiyotsu Gorge is a stunning V-shaped valley made up of columnar joint rock formations and a crystal-clear flowing river. A 750m long tunnel allows visitors to view the gorge from 4 observation points, framing the gorgeous autumn scenery in its openings.

A small village at the base of Mt Hakkai, Uonuma no Sato is a charming area where you can find sake breweries that produce Niigata’s famous Hakkaisan sake, cafes, restaurants and museums. Pick up some sake and local delicacies at the shops here and be sure to check out the snow storage building which uses snow collected in winter to preserve sake and other food items.

An unusual sight for a countryside area like Echigo Tsumari, over 100 art pieces can be found around the area, a result of the local Art Triennale. Serving as the centre of the event, the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art MonET is itself an architectural art piece encompassing many smaller artworks by local and international artists that is open to art appreciators year-round.

Bijinbayashi Forest, or “beauty forest”, was so named because of its beautiful, slender beech trees. The approximately 90-year-old towering trees create a gorgeous setting in any season and is the perfect spot to experience nature.

Day 07 (Sun, 15 Nov’26)
Matsunoyama Onsen – Shibata
(Breakfast/-/Dinner)
Hotel: Bettei Koshi no Sato (Hot Spring) or similar

Learn to appreciate the Koi, at Nishikigoi Village, a facility built for the enjoyment of these beautiful fish. You can learn about the different varieties and breeding methods of Koi and spend some time watching them weave colourful patterns as they swim freely in aquariums and garden ponds. 

Full of maple trees that turn to bright reds and yellows in autumn, Momiji Garden is a great place to savour the autumn colours. Formerly part of a prominent local family’s villa, many of the trees spread across the grounds of the garden are over 150 years old.

Stop by Eguchi Dango, a shop specialising in traditional glutinous rice dumplings. Located in a traditional folk house in the countryside, the century-old shop serves a variety of sweet and savoury dumplings, including the local Niigata specialty of bamboo-wrapped red bean and mugwort dumplings, Sasa Dango, and meals made from local ingredients.

Relax in the comfort of your spacious room overlooking the idyllic countryside at Bettei Koshi no Sato this evening. Dine on the freshest local seasonal ingredients from the sea, mountains, rivers, and plains of Niigata, elegantly prepared to treat all your senses, and soothe your body with a soak in your in-room silk ion open air bath, or in the emerald waters of Shiratama no Yu, a beauty hot spring with the highest mineral content in Japan.

Day 08 (Mon, 16 Nov’26)
Shibata – Niigata – Tokyo
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: The Tokyo Station Hotel or similar

(Car return at Niigata Station)

Take a shinkansen to Tokyo today where you will have the rest of the day free for shopping and exploration.

Day 09 (Tue, 17 Nov’26)
Tokyo – Haneda – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)

Flight back to Singapore