TOUR ITINERARY

25. JAN (SAT) HONOLULU,

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

26. JAN (SUN) ASAKUSA,

ASAKUSA VIEW HOTEL

After clearing the entry formalities and arriving at Narita or Haneda Airport by bus, we go to Asakusa, one of Tokyo's historic neighborhoods with a long history of over 1,400 years. Our hotel is within easy walking distance to Supper Market and the type of shopping district called “Shitamachi” (remaining retro buildings and authentic local atmosphere). After the hotel checks in, your tour guide takes "Holo Holo." (Tokyo Sky Tree View Room is guaranteed!) 

27. JAN (MON) NASU HIGHLANDS,

HOTEL SUN VALLEY NASU (ONSEN)

Visit the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, which exhibits many precious Bonsai masterpieces that will delight you in the world of bonsai. Then go to Sano to try Sano Ramen, which consists of deep-flavored simple Shoyu soup and noodles pounded by Bamboo poles. Also, visit Wakayama Bamboo Farm, where bamboo has been cultivated with organic farming for approximately over 80 years. 100,000 bamboo densely filling 60-acre ground has been used as the location for various movies and commercials. A local guide will take us on a short tour through the forest to teach us about bamboo. Also, Wagashi (Japanese traditional confectionary) with Matcha green tea will be served to all the tour members. Then, stop at the shoe store to buy Winter Shoes before entering the snowy region. Later, you can head to the Highland Resort Hotel, which is located near the Nasu Mountains. Soak and relax in the 1st Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath on this trip. 

28. JAN (TUE) YAMAGATA,

HOTEL METROPOLITAN YAMAGATA

Head to Ouchi Juku, a former post town in the Edo period (1603-1868) designated as an essential national preservation district for a Group of historic buildings. The unpaved main street is lined by thick thatched roof buildings with various shops, all covered by snow. Later, visit Aizu Buke Yashiki Samurai Mansion to see the Aizu area’s rich cultural heritages of the high-class Samurai during the Edo period. See the large Samurai residence that has 38 rooms! Also, see the remaining old government office, traditional tea house, etc. We will stay two nights at a hotel next to Yamagata Train Station. Enjoy Kaiseki dinner and some “Osechi Ryori” (Japanese traditional New Year cuisine) Dishes. 

29. JAN (WED) YAMAGATA,

HOTEL METROPOLITAN YAMAGATA

Head to Zao Mountain range, which offers picturesque scenery throughout the year, and ride Rope to the mountaintop station (5,285 feet high). During the ride, you will see the beautiful fantasy world of “Juhyo (Snow Monster).” Numerous trees covered by snow and ice look like imaginary monsters. (Weather permitting). This phenomenon only occurs in a few places around the world. These otherworldly shapes loom on the vast landscape and are truly unique! Later, go to Tendo, the production center where 90% of Shogi (Japanese Chess) pieces are produced and designated as a National Traditional Art craft. Enjoy shopping for their collection of Shogi products with many different Kanji characters painted on them. We will also visit Dewazakura Sake Brewery, founded in 1892. Their smooth, fragrant, and delicious Sake has won a Gold Medal for 22 consecutive years in the U.S. National Sake Appraisal. 

30. JAN (THU) OUSHUKU,

HOTEL MORI NO KAZE OUSYUKU (ONSEN)

Visit Miyagikyo Nikka Whisky Distillery to learn and sample their products, which have been recognized and ranked among the world’s best single malt whiskies and have won numerous awards. Then, visit Izunuma Swan Sanctuary, where Swans, Geese, and other migratory birds flock every Winter. Yearly, 1,000 Swans and 70,000 Gooses stay here in Winter. You will get a chance to feed the birds if you wish to! Then, we proceeded to our hotel in Oshuku. Soak and Relax away the fatigue in the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open Air Bath. (Private Onsen available at your own expense) 

31. JAN (FRI) AOMORI,

ART HOTEL AOMORI

Visit Koiwai Dairy Farm, founded in 1891, to enjoy the “Back Yard Tour”. A local guide will explain the farm’s history and how the production area continues to rise to new challenges today. Then, go to Kazuno Roadside Station "Antler" to try making Akita’s traditional Kiritanpo (mashed rice stick) by toasting it on a style open hearth. At the next door, we will enjoy watching the Hanawa Bayashi Show with live music with musicians playing Taiko drums, Shamisen, and Flute on gorgeous lacquer-and-gold floats. This local festival is said to have originated since 1,000 ago. Then, head to Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan’s main island. We will visit the Kuroishi Kokeshi Museum, which exhibits about 4,000 pieces of Kokeshi dolls (traditional Japanese toys) and other wooden toys from all over Japan. We will stay two nights at a hotel in the city's center.

1. FEB (SAT) AOMORI,

ART HOTEL AOMORI

Head to Kanagi to visit the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum, the former home of the parents of Dazai Osamu, a novelist believed to be the best fiction author in modern-day Japan by the 20th century. You can enter this magnificent house built in 1907 to experience the vanishing traditional culture of northeastern Japan. Then, the ride on the Stove Train was operated only during the winter season. This nostalgic train remains in the style of the olden days with coal-fueled Daruma stoves. On the train, you can try grilling Dried Squid (At your own expense) while viewing the Tsugaru plains in snow. Later, visit the Tachinebuta Museum in Goshogawara, where the Tachinebuta festival is held every Summer. The extra large floats are carried around in a parade, and you can view an actual festival float with 72 ft height at the museum. Also, visit Tsuru no Mai Bridge, Japan’s longest triple arch wooden bridge built with traditional Japanese architectural technology that looks like a crane is flying in the background of Mt. Iwaki. In the evening, enjoy dinner while enjoying the energetic Tsugaru Shamisen Show!! 

2. FEB (SUN) ONUMA,

HAKODATE KOKUSAI HOTEL (ONSEN)

In the morning, go to Shin Aomori station to ride the Hokkaido Shinkansen bullet train to cross to Hakodate in southern Hokkaido via the Seikan Undersea Tunnel (33.5 miles long and second world longest railway tunnel). Upon arrival at Hakodate, visit the famous Hakodate Morning Market. About 250 stores sell Hokkaido delicacies such as dried seafood, sweets, snacks, processed seafood products, etc. Afterward, we will visit the Tropical Botanical Garden to see Monkeys enjoying a relaxing soak in the Onsen hot spring to fend off the cold winter. This can only be seen during this time of year. We will go to Fort Goryokaku. Japan’s first Western-style fortress with a massive 5-point star was completed around 160 years ago. This Special National Historic Site is now functioning as a peaceful park. We will take a bird’s eye view from a 351-foot-high Observatory Tower of a magnificent panoramic view of the massive outline of the 5-point star park along with the surrounding moat and cityscape of Hakodate. In the evening, catch Mt. Hakodate Ropeway to enjoy 1 of 3 best night views in Japan if you wish to!

3. FEB (MON) NOBORIBETSU,

PARK HOTEL MIYABITEI (ONSEN)

Proceed to Lake Onuma to experience snowmobile riding. Then, head to Noboribetsu, the best-known Onsen in Hokkaido. Visit “Hell Valley,” a crater of a volcano that erupted 10,000 years ago. Steam vigorously blows up from the crevasses of the exposed orange-tan rocks, showing the magnificent energy of the earth. Enjoy the best of Noboribetsu Onsen with five different sources of Onsen springs water straight from the source after check-in. 

4. FEB (TUE) SAPPORO,

SAPPORO TOKYU REI HOTEL

Ride on a ropeway to go to Bear Farm on a mountaintop if you wish to, buy bear food, and try to feed them. They may raise their hands, roll over, and even make adorable poses in the hopes of being fed. Go to Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park and its “'Takino Snow World' filled with winter activities. It is most famous for its tube sledding, boasting the longest sled slopes in Japan (660 ft). Get on a big tube and have fun sliding down the longest snow slide. It is great fun! Then go to Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city. The hotel is conveniently located just a minute’s walk from the Susukino district, where the Ice sculpture contest is being held. Your tour guide will help you to catch the subway to Odori Park to visit the world-famous 75th Sapporo Snow Festival. After dinner, you can go to the Festival site and enjoy the Projection Mapping show and the fantastic night view of the illuminated snow structures and ice statues. 

5. FEB (WED) OTARU,

GRAND PARK OTARU

We will visit the Sapporo TV Tower, which symbolizes the city. From a 296-high observation deck, take in the panoramic view of the city and surrounding Mountains while enjoying the beautiful seasonal view of Odori Park. Enjoy shopping at Sapporo Wholesale Market, where you can buy Hokkaido’s dried seafood, local specialties, processed foods, etc., at wholesale prices. After enjoying shopping and lunch at Aeon Shopping Mall, head to Otaru, which still creates an atmosphere of the good old days in the 19th century with many historical western-style buildings, nostalgic warehouses, etc. Enjoy strolling around the Sakaimachi, an attractive street with old merchant shops from the 1800s. You can visit a long-established store of Otaru Glassware, a famous trademark of Otaru, with brilliant and delicate glasses featuring traditional techniques. You can buy the famous Dripless Shoyu bottles and other original glass products here. Also, visit the Music Box Museum, which has an extensive collection of beautiful and intricate music boxes that can be purchased. We will stay at the five-star hotel connected to a big shopping complex with a Supermarket, Home improvement store, 100 yen shop, etc.  (Lunch/dinner will be at your own expense.)

6. FEB (THU) CHITOSE / HANEDA / HONOLULU

At checkout time, our agent will come to tape and tie up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked in. In the afternoon, proceed by bus to Chitose Airport to catch a domestic flight to Haneda Airport. Upon arrival at Haneda, transfer to an international flight to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning on 6th Feb (Thursday). After clearing U.S Customs, proceed home. (Lunch/dinner will be at your own expense.) 

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

*Itinerary and Meals are subject to change at any time.

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

AIR: Estimated airfare may be more or less at the time of ticket purchase. Once purchased, airline tickets are non-refundable unless you request a refundable ticket, which is usually charged by the airline. 

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

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

LAND TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY PER PERSON:

At tour sign-up, a non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $250.00 per person is required. This deposit will be applied to the full payment.

69 DAYS - 46 DAYS --- $800.00*

45 DAYS - 22 DAYS --- $1,000.00*

21 DAYS - 01 DAY ----- $1,500.00*

*No refund once the tour starts. *There may be extra cancellation charges along with the preordered event tickets for Miyako Odori show tickets, Tokyo Disney Sea tickets, Shinkansen ticket fees, etc. If the yen has already been purchased to pay for this tour, then the yen exchange rate at the 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 SERVICES

PH: 808-536-8618 or 808-538-7854

EMAIL: tohoku.travel.hi@tohokutravel.com 

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

ITO BLDG. #502; 2-22-3 TSURUYA-CHO KANAGAWA-KU, YOKOHAMA 221-0835, JAPAN

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