TOUR ITINERARY

27 JUN (TUE) HONOLULU,

Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. A meal and Snack will be served aboard the flight. Free Movies and Drinks.

28 JUN (WED) CHITOSE,

AIR TERMINAL HOTEL

Arrive at Haneda Int’l Airport and after clearing government formalities, transfer to your connecting flight to Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. We will walk to our hotel that is connected to the airport terminal building. Hokkaido’s climate is a lot cooler than mainland Japan. July is one of the best times to visit this northernmost prefecture in Japan. 

29 JUN (THU) OTARU,

GRAND PARK OTARU

Salmon have been called “fish of the gods” in Hokkaido and had deep connection with the history and lifestyle of Hokkaido. We will visit Chitose Salmon Aquarium. You will see salmons and a variety of freshwater fishes in the northern ecosystem. You can peer inside the Chitose river in Japan’s first "underwater observation room." Later visit Japan’s biggest English style garden, the beautiful “Yuni Garden” featuring 15 themed colorful gardens which filled with a variety of flowers in season. Enjoy strolling around enormous garden with Rose, Linaria, and other seasonal flowers magnificently blooming (if timing is right). A Store will carry original jams, local souvenirs, herb teas, pickles, etc. Then head to Otaru, regarded as “One of the most picturesque cities in Japan” thanks to a romantic city atmosphere that is immersed in history. We will stay 2 nights at a five-star hotel connected to a big shopping complex, with a Supermarket, Home improvement store, 100-Yen shop, etc. After hotel check-in you will have free time to shop around. 

30 JUN (FRI) OTARU,

GRAND PARK OTARU

Otaru still creates an atmosphere of the good old days in a 19th century with many historical western style buildings, nostalgic warehouses, etc. Enjoy strolling around the Sakaimachi, an attractive street lined with old merchant shops from the 1800's. You can visit a long-established store of Otaru Glassware, famous trademark of Otaru with the brilliant and delicate glasses featuring traditional techniques. Here, you can buy popular Dripless Shoyu bottle and other original glass products with its own distinct features. Also visit Music box Museum carrying a large collection of beautiful and intricate music boxes that can be purchased. Later visit the Herring Mansion. The Herring fishing industry had a major role in the history of Otaru. This large mansion was built for wealthy fishermen. The power and wealth of fishermen during the height of the herring era is reflected in the historic residence. Then return to Otaru and stop at Otaru Canal, a symbolic spot creates the sense of nostalgia with well-preserved old warehouses lining canal. 

1 JUN (SAT) LAKE TOYA,

TOYAKO MANSEIKAKU HOTEL LAKESIDE TERRACE (ONSEN) ♨

Japanese whisky has become incredibly popular in recent years. Today we will visit Yoichi Distillery a main distillery of Nikka Whisky where you can purchase their famous whisky. It has been attracting many tourists because founder Masataka Taketsuru and his wife Rita served as the model for the NHK’s TV drama “Massan.” An annual festival in Yoichi “Hokkai Soran Festival” should be held on this day. This festival features a traditional folk song “Soran-bushi.”, Drum performance and delicious food stalls. (In case of cancellation of “Hokkai Soran Festival” and "Yoichi Distillery", we will go another sightseeing place.) Later have fun picking and tasting Japanese Cherry in season. These cherries are very different from the American Cherries. Later proceed to Kyogoku Waterpark located at the foot of spectacular Mt. Yotei which is called “Mt. Fuji in Hokkaido.” A beautiful river runs through the park with a spout that distributes cool water from Mt.Yotei. You can taste “1 of the top 100 purest spring waters in Japan.” We will stay at the resort hotel located in front of beautiful Lake Toya for 2 nights. After a big buffet dinner, enjoy a spectacular Lakeside firework show right from your room. Enjoy a relaxing soak at the Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath with beautiful lakeside view. 

2 JUL (SUN) LAKE TOYA / NOBORIBETSU,

TOYAKO MANSEIKAKU HOTEL LAKESIDE TERRACE (ONSEN) ♨

Go to recently opened National Ainu Museum and Park, the first National Museum in Hokkaido which immerse yourself in the culture of the indigenous Ainu people, the aborigines in Hokkaido. You will experience various aspects of Ainu culture and lifestyle at this open-air museum. We will see their traditional dance and singing that is listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Lake Toya was created millions of years ago by the still-active volcanos and now praised as “1 of 3 most impressive landscapes in Hokkaido.” We will ride Mt. Usu Rope Way to the center of the UNESCO Global Geopark. Mt. Usu has erupted 4 times within the past 100 years. You will be able to observe one of Japan’s most active volcanoes up close with swirls of white smoke. There is also another volcano “Showa Shinzan,” 1 of Japan’s youngest mountains and has been designated as a Special National Monument. We will visit the Volcano Science Museum with visual displays of the eruption complete with a special sound system with English narration. Tonight, we will enjoy Japanese Kaiseki dinner in the evening. After dinner, enjoy Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open Air bath. 

3 JUL (MON) JOZANKEI VALLEY,

JOZANKEI MANSEIKAKU HOTEL MILIONE (ONSEN) ♨

Visit Marine Park Nixe, Hokkaido’s biggest aquarium in combination with Danish theme park. Enjoy spectacular music and light show with 10,000 sardines swimming in sequence creating a colorful reflection of the sardines that resembles the Milky Way. Then go to Lake Shikotsu, one of the top three clearest and deepest lakes in Japan. We will ride a Sightseeing boat to see the beautiful contrast of the tranquil blue lake with the surrounding greenery and mountains. This glass bottom boat will let you observe the rough rocks and lake fishes at the bottom of the lake. Then proceed to Hokkaido’s largest Hot Spring town Jozankei Onsen, surrounded by lush greenery and magnificent canyons dotted with picturesque views. Perfect opportunity to relax in the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open Air "Roten buro" bath that contains a large variety of minerals that are considered beneficial for all types of skin conditions. 

4 JUL (TUE) ASHIBETSU,

ASHIBETSU STAR LIGHT HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨

Visit the site of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics large hill ski jumping Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium. You will be surprised how steep this Ski Jump Slope is. If you wish to you can try riding Ski lift to go up to observatory looking down Sapporo city. Later head to Iwamizawa to visit Hokkaido’s largest Rose Garden with 630 types of roses in bloom. This will be the perfect time to take a leisurely strolling around big Rose Garden on a clear day. Later enjoy beautiful scenery of the vast spacious green fields while driving on the highway to Sunagawa Highway Oasis, this shopping area is where you can buy most of Hokkaido’s major local specialties. Then head to Ashibetsu famous for high-quality Hot Springs listed as National Hot Spring Health Resorts which is the only one in Hokkaido. Soak and Refresh in the nation insurance Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air "Roten buro" bath. 

5 JUL (WED) SHIROGANE ONSEN,

HOTEL PARK HILLS (ONSEN) ♨

Visit the “Best Sake brewery in Hokkaido” Otokoyama Sake Brewery which has 350-year history and has won many gold medals in Japan and foreign liquor competition. You will learn about the brewing process of their Sake and you can taste their Fresh Sake and purchase it! Then go to Biei. It will be the best season to visit to see the pleasant and picturesque rural landscapes created by hills with various fields. One of its highlights is a view of Patchwork Hill with tremendous fields and hills covered with various colors of shrubbery. You will be amazed by the beautiful landscape that resembles patchwork. Later visit Shikisai Flower Garden, a panoramic flower garden where you can leap into the grand nature of Hokkaido. Enjoy amazing colors and fragrances of several dozen different flowers that carpet the hill. Our hotel is in secluded Shirogane Hot Spring Town. Upon arrival at the hotel, guide will take you to see a beautiful waterfall and cobalt blue river near the hotel. The flowing blue river and the starkly contrasting white of the rushing falls create a truly breath-taking sight. Good chance to soak in 100 % pure hot spring water at Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath. 

6 JUL (THU) TOKACHI,

SAHORO RESORT HOTEL

Head to world-renowned “Furano”, with its breathtaking Lavender flowers in bloom. Hokkaido’s seasonal highlight in July is “Lavender”! We will visit Farm Tomita 1 of Hokkaido’s best lavender viewing spots and 1 of Japan’s 36 most beautiful places selected by CNN. Enjoy a spectacular view of the magnificent “Purple Carpet” Lavender fields with Mt. Taisetsu and Tokachi mountain range as a backdrop. You can see the beautiful colors of nature at its highest. Later visit Furano Winery to enjoy tasting local Furano wine. This winery also has its own lavender field. Tonight’s accommodation is a nice resort hotel surrounded by nature here you can enjoy a big public bath and open-air bath (Sorry! Not Onsen Hot spring) and enjoy peaceful walk around the hotel in the morning. 

7 JUL (FRI) SAPPORO,

CENTURY ROYAL HOTEL

Today you will enjoy a special experience at Bear Mountain here you will get a chance for a up close look of the Brown bear, the largest land animal in Japan. Here you can safely see them up close from a caged bus in their natural habitat. At the central observation point, large glass windows will let you stare eyeball to eyeball with the bears. Later head to Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city. We will visit Sapporo TV Tower the symbol of the city. From 296 feet high observation deck take in the panoramic view of the city and surrounding Mountains while enjoying the beautiful seasonal view of Odori Park. We will stay 2 nights at this hotel that is located next to Sapporo station with a department store and underground shopping mall. After hotel check in, tour guides will take you ”Holo-Holo” to shopping area. 

8 JUL (SAT) SAPPORO,

CENTURY ROYAL HOTEL

Visit Shiroi Koibito Park, a confectionery theme park of Hokkaido’s most famous souvenir “Shiroi Koibito cookies.” See how these delicious cookies are made and enjoy shopping. Next, we will visit Sapporo Central Wholesale Market a popular spot for local people as well as tourists. You can buy Dried Seafood, Processed marine products, Local specialties, etc., at the wholesale price. Also stop at big Aeon Shopping Mall to enjoy shopping and lunch. Then visit Yurigahara Lily Park a great place to stroll and enjoy the fresh air and nature. Lilies will be the season with about 100 different types blooming throughout the park. Then go back to our hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, Free Time to finish Shopping, Packing, etc. (Lunch/Dinner will be at your own expense.) 

9 JUL (SUN) SAPPORO / HONOLULU,

At checkout time our agent will come to tape and tie-up our boxes and take down baggage to be checked in. We will leave the hotel by bus to Chitose Airport to catch our domestic flight to Haneda Int’l Airport. Upon arrival at Haneda, transfer to International Airline Flight to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, 9 JUL (Sunday). After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense.)

Clients remaining back will be assisted in obtaining plane, train, and hotel reservations. Members may return to Honolulu individually, but no later than 90 days from day of departure. Weekend returns will cost more per person. Please call our office if you are extending your stay. MAHALO!

*Meals are subject to change at anytime.

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

AIR: Estimated airfare and May be more or May be less at time of ticket purchased. Airline tickets are Non-refundable once purchased unless you request a refundable ticket is usually charged by the airlines. 

INCLUDES: Land Transportation included in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, meals, and all sightseeing listed, all transfer of passenger and baggage, souvenir picture and tour tax.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: AIRFARES, Individual expenses after termination of tour as stated in itinerary. Also, wine, liquor, mineral water, laundry and other items of personal nature, cost of obtaining passport and visa or other necessary documents.