Charms of Northern Japan: Cherry Blossom Tour

The must see sights of Tohoku & Hokkaido...plus cherry blossom in Spring.

In Japan, when you see cherry blossoms are in bloom, this means that the spring has arrived. It marks the beginning of another cycle of the four seasons and brings out special sentiments among the Japanese people. Northern Japan has a long winter compared to other parts of Japan; the symbol of the arrival of spring has a special significance to the people in Northern Japan. This tour will focus on the cherry blossoms as well as some of the world heritage sites, countryside, villages, and historic towns of Japan.

Itinerary

Day 1

Tokyo Narita Airport

Welcome to Tokyo! You will be met at the arrival gate by a representative holding a name sign.

🅗 Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Day 2

Omiya (The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum), Nikko (Kegon Waterfall / Toshogu Shrine)

Our first visit is Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. There are over 100 bonsai masterpieces at the museum. Afterwards, we'll travel overland to Nikko National Park in the mountains north of Tokyo. The Japanese have a saying: The shrines and temples of Nikko, together with their natural surroundings, have for centuries been closely associated with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns.

Visit Kegon Waterfall; the almost 100 meter (328ft) tall waterfall is the most famous of Nikko's many beautiful waterfalls. In fact, it is even ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful falls. Next is a visit to the lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine set in a grove of magnificent ancient Japanese cedars.

🍴Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

🅗 Hotel Floracion Nasu or similar class

Day 3

Matsushima (Matsushima Fish Market / Matsushima Cruise / Godaido / Zuiganji Temple)

In the morning, travel to Matsushima, a picturesque bay full of small islands covered in pine trees where we will explore ancient caves once frequented by meditating monks.

The first stop is the Matsushima Fish Market, with fresh seafood of the highest quality. Be sure to visit the restaurants to try the famous Miyagi Oysters, known for their creamy and slightly nutty flavor. Many of the restaurants even offer all-you-can-eat oysters!

Matsushima is also famous for being one of Japan's three most scenic views alongside Miyajima and Amanohashidate. We will enjoy the best way to view the islands by boarding one of the sightseeing boats. We will then visit Godaido and Zuiganji Temples, the most famous in the Tohoku region, built by Date Masamune and designated as a national treasure.

Tonight, we will stay in a Japanese-style room in Matsushima, where you can soak in the soothing waters of a spa bath and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

🍴Breakfast / Dinner

🅗 Hotel Matsushima Taikanso or similar class

Day 4

Hiraizumi (Chusonji Temple), Kitakami (Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival), Morioka (Wanko Soba)

This morning, we will head to Hiraizumi for a cultural interlude and to stroll around the magnificent Japanese Cedar Trees and photogenic buildings at Chusonji Temple.

Hiraizumi is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the site of Konjiki-do, or “Golden Hall”, within Chusonji Temple, which attempts to create the ideal world, as seen through the eyes of the particular brand of Buddhism that developed in this region.

Before heading to your hotel, you will stop in Morioka for dinner. Here, you will have the chance to try one of the city’s most famous eating experiences: Wanko Soba. This is not so much a dish as it is an eating challenge. Many locals get competitive and strive to eat over 100 bowls of soba in one sitting! But don’t worry, there’s no shame in sitting back and enjoying the flavor.

🍴Breakfast / Dinner

🅗 Hotel Metropolitan Morioka or similar class

Day 5

Bullet Train from Morioka to Hakodate through the Seikan Undersea Tunnel, Hakodate (Fort Goryokaku / Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse / Mt Hakodate Ropeway)

In the morning, we will travel across the Tsugaru Channel between the islands of Hokkaido and the main island Honshu by train via the undersea train tunnel, before arriving to Hakodate. It is a small city that has some of the most authentic and best- preserved historic buildings in Japan.

Upon arrival in Hakodate, visit the Goryokaku Pentagonal Fort, built in 1868 and the only structure of its kind in Japan. The surrounding moat and defensive grounds are now a city park and garden which are particularly well known for their beautiful cherry blossom trees.

You will then visit the group of warehouses which face Hakodate bay. Then take a tram and ropeway ride up to Mt Hakodate from where you can look down upon the twinkling lights that surround Hakodate Bay. The views from the mountain are spectacular and included among Japan's three best night views.

🍴Breakfast / Lunch

🅗 Hakodate Kokusai Hotel or similar class

Day 6

Hakodate (Morning Market), Shikabecho (Local Cuisine Experience with Hama no Kasan), Onuma Park, Lake Toya (Usuzan Ropeway)

We will be going to the Hakodate Morning Market in the early morning. It has over 450 shops and In Shikabecho, learn how to make traditional, local cuisine. We’ll then visit Onuma Quasi National Park. This picturesque park is filled with lakes dotted by islands with the majestic volcano, Mount Komagatake, overtaking the horizon.

Next to Lake Toya, travel up the Usuzan Ropeway to get excellent views of the mountain and the lake below. At the volcano’s summit, you can also get views of the ocean.

🍴Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

🅗 Noboribetsu Manseikaku or similar class

Day 7

Noboribetsu (Jigokudani), Shiraoi (Upopoy National Ainu Museum), Sapporo (Clock Tower / Odori Park / Susukino)

In the morning, we will visit the Jigokudani. The valley generates 10,000 tons of bubbling water everyday, and visitors can walk to the nearby Oyunuma Lake and watch the plumes of steam rise.

We will have the opportunity to learn about the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan.

We will visit the Upopoy National Ainu Museum, a newer museum facility that celebrates the cultural heritage of the native Ainu people, including exhibits on Ainu language, culture, history, crafts, music, and dance.

In the afternoon, we proceed to Sapporo city. The tour includes a visit to the Sapporo Clock Tower and Odori Park, where you can stroll along the promenade. The next stop is Susukino, Hokkaido's largest entertainment district.

In the evening is for you to enjoy your free time.

🍴Breakfast / Lunch

🅗 ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo or similar class

Day 8

Sapporo (Historical Village of Hokkaido / Sapporo Beer Museum), Otaru (Otaru Canal / Sakaimachi Street - Kitaichi Garasukan - Otaru Music Box Museum)

Our tour of Sapporo continues with a visit to the Historical Village of Hokkaido, you can view architecture from the Meiji and Taisho periods when Japan experienced rapid expansion.

From there we will visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, dedicated to all things beer. Sapporo is Japan's oldest brewery and exports its beer throughout the world. Then, we will travel to Otaru, renowned for its canals and glassblowing.

During the first half of the 20th century, the Otaru Canal was a vital part of the city's busy harbor. The canal allowed large vessels to be unloaded onto smaller ones, then transported to local warehouses, the canal remains an integral part of the city's history and culture.

As part of a citizen's movement in the 1980s, the canal was beautifully restored and former warehouses have been transformed into cafes, restaurants, museums, and shops. Next, we will visit glass workshops and Music Box Museum in Sakaimachi Street.

🍴Breakfast

🅗 ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Chitose or similar class

Day 9

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and New Chitose Airport can be reached by hotel shuttle bus.

Note: If you wish to stay extra nights in other city after the tour ends, please contact us to book domestic flight and hotel accommodations.

🍴Breakfast

Info

• All prices are per person, based on twin (double on request) or triple occupancy.

• International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!

• We can arrange international flights if needed, please ask for details.

Deposit

• We require a NON-Refundable US$500 deposit per person to hold the space at the time of booking and the final payment is due 2 months prior to departure.

Additional Information

Transport

• Travel by private coach between destinations, hassle free baggage handling.

Arrival Departure Airports

• For arrivals at Narita Airport (NRT), this tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Sapporo, with departures at New Chitose Airport (CTS).

• If you will be flying into Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT) on the first day, airport transfer is not included. We will provide with full instructions to get to the hotel in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$60.00 per person per way.

Meal Requests

• Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.

Meet and Greet

• The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving at Narita Airport after 11:00 AM on the first day. If you will be flying into Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT), we will provide with full instructions to get to the hotel in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$60.00 per person per way.

• Please note that the meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour after 11 AM. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, we will provide full instructions in advance for you to transfer to your hotel on your own.

Hotel

• If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.