2009-08-05 10:41:14 - Once-a-year trips offer the chance to see stunning scenery and wildlife combined with captivating culture

The changing seasons are a delight in Japan but there is more to them than cherry blossom in spring. Nature lovers will relish the chance to hike deep in the Alps this autumn in search of Asiatic black bears, Macaque monkeys and Kamoushika mountain deer. And when the cold weather arrives so does the chance to watch the spectacle of

Japanese cranes dancing in snow blown in from the Arctic and huge Steller sea eagles – wintering in Japan – coming within an arm’s length of your icebreaker off the remote Shiretoko peninsula.

Specialist operator InsideJapan Tours offers two special group tours, each with just one departure a year, enabling travellers to enjoy these fascinating natural experiences along with a good helping of Japan’s rich culture and history.

Nature and Culture – Expert conservationist and tour leader, Oscar Huygens, leads a group of no more than eight people from the castle town of Matsumoto, located in the Alps within the main island of Honshu, to a comfortable mountain lodge. From here walks through the forests and across the peaks enable you to get up close with Japan’s rare Asiatic black bear, Macaque monkeys and Kamoushika mountain deer. Cultural highlights include visiting Matsumoto’s 400-year-old ‘Black Crow’ samurai castle and Kyoto’s beautiful temples.

Departing 4 Oct 2009 and 3 Oct 2010, it costs £2,750 pp. This includes 13 nights’ hotel, inn and lodge accommodation, some meals, all transport in Japan, Matsumoto Castle entrance and selected temple entrance in Kyoto, services of a tour leader and Info-Pack.

Winter Highlights - The snow covered wilderness in the northern island of Hokkaido is renowned for the perfect powder drifting in from Siberia and the arctic conditions provide stunning images of wildlife, particularly the red-crowned Japanese crane apparently dancing amongst the pristine snow. The Sea of Okhotsk freezes over in winter and an icebreaker trip from the small port of Rausu offers the chance to see the Steller sea eagles in these extreme conditions. Watch the Macaque monkeys bathing in hot springs and keeping warm during a stay in Yudanaka. Cultural highs include a full day’s events at the Sapporo Snow Festival and the shrines and temples of Kyoto.

Departing 2 Feb 2010 and 2 Feb 2011, it costs £2,500 pp. This includes 14 nights’ hotel and inn accommodation, some meals, all transport in Japan, Tokyo river boat cruise, Rausu icebreaker cruise, Kyoto guided walking tour, guiding in Tsurui, services on a tour leader and Info-Pack.

Both tours offer a mix of western style and traditional accommodation and provide a taste of Japan’s fine food. As well as including some of Japan’s must see sights, they take participants well off the beaten track giving them a traditional and cultural Japanese experience. These small tours, with limited spaces, are unique and are built around the stunning scenery and wildlife that Japan has to offer. Prices exclude flights which can be booked through Inside Japan Tours.

Call InsideJapan Tours on 0117 314 4620 (www.insidejapantours.com).

NOTE TO EDITORS: Launched in 2000, InsideJapan Tours is a small, dedicated team of specialists, all of whom have first-hand experience of living, working and travelling in Japan. The company offers a range of original, affordable packages for small groups and independent travellers. InsideJapan Tours has offices in the UK and Japan. It is a member of AITO, and is fully bonded via AITO Trust and ATOL.

PRESS: For more details, please contact James Mundy, PR Manager, tel. 0870 120 5600, email james@insidejapantours.com. Issued on behalf of InsideJapan Tours by Travel PR, tel. 020 8891 4440, email s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk or i.bradley@travelpr.co.uk.