TOUR ITINERARY

OCT. 21 (SAT) HONOLULU

Leave Daniel K. Inouye Int’l Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. FREE Movies and Drinks.

OCT. 22 (SUN) NARITA,

HOTEL MY STAYS PREMIA NARITA

Arrive at Narita Int’l Airport and after entry formalities, proceed by bus to the hotel close to Narita Airport. After hotel check in, it will be your free time, meeting your relatives, friends, shopping, or just rest.

OCT. 23 (MON) IWAKI,

ONAHAMA OCEAN HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨

Autumn in Japan is a big season for fruit lovers. You'll get a chance to pick Japanese persimmon with the taste represents autumn fruit in Japan. Enjoy the sweet & succulent Japanese persimmons in season. Then head to Mito, best known for high-quality "Natto" fermented soybeans. You will get a chance to taste fresh "Mito Natto" at lunch time. Later proceed to Hitachi Seaside Park to see the red autumn foliage of 32,000 Kochia balls and colorful cosmos flowers blanketing the entire hill of enormous park. This will depend on climate of the year. The scenery is really amazing and picturesque. Then head to the hotel located along the coastline in Onahama beach. Here you can enjoy beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean right from your room. Enjoy a relaxing soak at the Hot Spring bath & Open air Rotenburo bath with breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean side.

OCT. 24 (TUE) LAKE INAWASHIRO,

HOTEL LISTEL INAWASHIRO (ONSEN) ♨

Visit Aquamarine Fukushima Aquarium, to see their extensive collection of various fish species and aquatic animals that live in the area. You'll be kept amazed and entertained with captivating selection of rarely seen fishes such as Saury or “Sanma” & their large collection of Goldfish. Then visit the large shopping mall Iwaki La La Mew Market with an open fish market and shops carrying plenty of dried seafood, seaweed, local souvenir, handicrafts, etc. Enjoy the lively atmosphere while you shop. Afterward we will visit Iwaki Marine Tower, the observation deck stands at 197 feet. will offer a stunning view of the entire city of Iwaki and the Pacific Ocean. Then go to Lake Inawashiro in Bandai Asahi National Park. Also, known as "Tenkyo-ko" or the heavenly mirror lake because of the high level of clarity that reflects the sky like a mirror. Tonight's hotel is located on the hill that offers magnificent views of the lake. After hotel check-in, enjoy a relaxing soak at the Hot Spring bath and Open air bath.

OCT. 25 (WED) AKIU HOT SPRING,

AKIU RESORT HOTEL CRESCENT (ONSEN) ♨

This morning we'll head to Urabandai highland, offers an attractive scenery with the harmonious beauty of nature created by the abundant woodlands and lakes. The most fascinating place is the Goshiki (five-colored) ponds, comprised of five marshes, each pond having its own color of water, which mysteriously change emerald to cobalt blue and green with contrast between autumn leaves. And visit Lake Hibara a picturesque lake with clear blue water, jagged shorelines, & numerous islets. This area is particularly popular in Autumn. Later enjoy driving through the northern foothills of Mt. Adatara (5,577 ft), while enjoying panoramic views and breathtaking Autumn colors all depending on the climate of the year. Our hotel is in Akiu, 1 of the best 3 Onsen Hot spring towns in the Tohoku region. This will be good chance to enjoy a relaxing soak in the famous Akiu Hot Spring bath.

OCT. 26 (THU) HACHIMANTAI HIGHLANDS,

HACHIMANTAI MOUNTAIN HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨

In the morning we will stop at Ohagi Store to enjoy shopping for delicious local specialty for “Ohagi” a rice ball covered with Anko bean paste. Having been made popular through the media Ohagi have been known to be sold out very quickly. So, we should visit the store early! Then go to Genbikei gorge, designated as Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument. Rippling rock layers and river form an intricate landscape. If timing is right, colorful autumn leaves make the gorge a belt of brocade. Later visit Iwachu Casting Ironware factory which produces the traditional ironware called “Nanbu Tekki” with 120 years of expertise. This Japanese traditional handicraft is highly stylish as it combines the beautiful form with practical function. Then go to resort hotel surrounded by vast nature and great mountains. Enjoy a relaxing soak in Hot Spring bath & Open air Rotenburo bath while taking in the beautiful view of the natural scenery.

OCT. 27 (FRI) HIROSAKI,

ART HOTEL HIROSAKI CITY

Head to Lake Towada that is 1 of the most beautiful autumn color spots in all of Japan. This mysterious lake is shrouded by dense woodland with a beautiful scenic Autumn colored leaves. We’ll enjoy Lake Cruising to see its beautiful autumn splendor up close. This unforgettable sight with a vibrant scenery can only be enjoyed aboard the boat. Then enjoy lunch of Senbei-jiru hot pot. A shoyu flavored chicken soup hot pot with vegetables and locally produced flour crackers called Nanbu senbei. This meal represents the local cuisine of Aomori. In the afternoon drive along one of Japan's well-loved autumn color destinations, Oirase Stream. If timing is right, we can see brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange autumn leaves with over 20 waterfalls cascading along the stream. Then head to Jogakura bridge, Japan's longest arch bridge with a length of 1,180 feet. The bridge provides a wonderful view of the streams, famed as the best scenic site in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Then proceed to our hotel, located close to Hirosaki train station and supermarket. After hotel check in, tour guide will take you Holo Holo around the hotel.

OCT. 28 (SAT) AKITA,

HOTEL METROPOLITAN AKITA

Today we will visit Neputa Village with their exhibits of extravagant and colorful illuminated floats used for famous "Neputa Summer Festival" with folk art and craft shop where the manufacturing process can be seen. Enjoy a splendid live performance of Tsugaru Shamisen a stringed instrument originated in this area. You will be captivated by its distinctive rhythms reminiscent of a raging blizzard in the area. Aomori is the largest producer of apples in Japan here you will enjoy Apple Picking and tasting the sweet juicy Aomori apples in season! Today's lunch will be Kiritanpo nabe or a Chicken hotpot with the half-smashed rice stick. It's a famous local cuisine of Akita. Then we will visit Odaiko-no Yakata the Big Japanese Drum Museum, displaying the World’s biggest Drum and a collection of drums from all over the world totaling 147 different drums from 40 countries. Later proceed to the hotel in Akita city. We will stay 2 nights at hotel that is connecting to Akita train station and its shopping building where you can enjoy shopping for local goodies of Akita.

OCT. 29 (SUN) AKITA,

HOTEL METROPOLITAN AKITA

We'll visit Kanto Festival Museum that specialized in the famous Kanto Festival "1 of the 3 biggest summer festivals in Tohoku region". Here we will see skillful performance of balancing the Kanto bamboo pole decorated with a candle-lit lantern on their body, forehead, shoulder, back, etc. Then go to Oga Peninsula to visit Namahage Museum. Namahage is a traditional ritual of this area that is approved for Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018. As a blessing for the new year a group of young men dressed in fierce looking costume to scare lazy children into behaving. We'll see a movie & exhibitions to learn the folklore of the Namahage. It'll be an unforgettable experience to see real Namahage performance at an old traditional house.

OCT. 30 (MON) ONIKOBE,

HOTEL ONIKOUBE (ONSEN) ♨

Akita is often called the "Kingdom of delicious Sake" because of good local rice, crystal-clear spring water and the cold winter make Akita Sake delicious. We will get a chance to buy Akita Sake at Akita Furusato village. There is an exhibition hall introducing Akita’s local crafts and performing arts, etc. Here where you can purchase Akita's other delicious local specialties such as Inaniwa Udon noodle, Rice cracker, Pickles, etc. Then enjoy a drive along the Senshu line while viewing gently sloping mountains with magnificent Autumn colors. And visit Naruko Gorge to see the brilliant crimson foliage of Autumn scenery which is acclaimed as "the best autumn leaves place in Tohoku region". This huge, 328 feet. deep gorge boasts spectacular landscape of yellow and red leaves of maple and beech trees that consist of a beautiful contrast with the green pine trees. Later visit the famous Kokeshi Doll Museum. Kokeshi is a traditional Japanese wooden doll that is only made in the Tohoku district. The museum displays the finest examples of 5,000 Kokeshi dolls with many varieties. You can find your favorite Kokeshi doll as a souvenir at the gift shop that carries various types of dolls. Then head to Onikobe, a popular Hot Spring Resort in highland. This lovely mountain resort hotel will provide you a good chance to enjoy a relaxing soak in the Onsen Hot Spring bath with beautiful mountain scenery.

OCT. 31 (TUE) SENDAI,

HOTEL METROPOLITAN SENDAI

Today we will visit the 1 of Japan’s top-3 most scenic views that is designated as a National Special Scenic Beauty "Matsushima." The landscape of green pines growing on the off-white islands of various forms, appearing as they are floating in blue waters, that make you appreciate the beauty of Japan. We will ride a Sightseeing Cruise Boat to fully take-in the beautiful and picturesque Matsushima Bay. Later visit Zuiganji Temple, the most famous Zen temple in northern Japan with more than 1,100-year history. The national treasure main building features elaborate engravings, metal ornaments, and brilliant paintings on actual gold leaf. We will see Godaido Hall, historically important temple built in 807. Due to its prominent location jutting out into the bay, it has become the symbol of Matsushima. We will then head to Sendai largest city in Tohoku district to visit Aoba Castle Ruin, former typical Japanese hilltop Castle. This Castle was built by Date Masamune, the legendary Samurai warlord called “Dokuganryu (one-eyed dragon).” There is a massive statue of him riding a horse that looks down on Sendai city. Tonight's hotel is connected to Sendai Station with various shops carrying local goodies and souvenirs of Sendai. Tour guide will take you Holo Holo after hotel check in.

NOV. 1 (WED) YOKOHAMA,

YOKOHAMA BAY SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS

This morning we’ll walk to Sendai Station to catch the world-famous Shinkansen Bullet train to Utsunomiya. Enjoy a comfortable ride travelling at high speed up to 200 mph. After getting off the train, transfer by bus to enjoy Aeon Shopping Mall with time for shopping and to eat lunch. Then proceed to Japan’s 2nd largest city Yokohama. Our hotel’s location is very convenient that it connects to the underground shopping mall and within easy walking distance to department stores, 100Yen shop, Electronics store, etc. After hotel check in, tour guide will take you Holo Holo around the hotel. (Lunch/Dinner will be at your own expense)

NOV. 2 (THU) YOKOHAMA / HONOLULU

At checkout time our agents will come around and tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked-in down. In the afternoon, proceed to Narita Airport to catch flight in the evening to Honolulu, arriving the same morning, Nov.2 (THU) 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!

*Buffet meals are subject to change Set meals.

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

AIR: Estimated airfare and May be more or May be less at time of ticket purchased. $375.00 Cancellation Fee 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.

LAND TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY PER-PERSON:

70 DAYS - 46 DAYS --- $400.00*

45 DAYS - 31 DAYS --- $600.00*

30 DAYS - 16 DAYS --- $800.00*

15 DAYS - 01 DAY --- $1000.00*

*No refund once tour starts.

*May have extra cancellation charges for Miyako Odori show tickets, Tokyo Disney Sea tickets, Shinkansen ticket fee, etc. If Yen was already purchase to pay for this tour, Then the Yen exchange rate at time of refund will affect the refund since we have to convert the Yen back to U.S. dollars again.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: TOHOKU TRAVEL SERVICE, INC.

TOLL FREE PH: 1-888-966-3666

PH: 808-536-8618

EMAIL:contactus@tohokutravel.com

JAPAN TOUR ARRANGED & GUIDED BY: YOKOHAMA TRAVEL, INC.

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