TOUR ITINERARY

APRIL 12 (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.

APRIL 13 (SUN) KOBE,

HOTEL CROWN PALAIS KOBE

Arrive at Kansai International Airport and, after clearing government formalities, take a bus to Kobe, one of the most pleasant cities in western Japan. We will stay two nights at a hotel conveniently located close to Kobe’s popular shopping and amusement area, where you can enjoy shopping and the beautiful sights and tastes of Kobe.

APRIL 14 (MON) KOBE,

HOTEL CROWN PALAIS KOBE

Head to Awaji Island, a fantastic resort with beautiful nature and historic culture. This island is called the “Island of Flowers” because of its comfortable climate and beautiful flowers blooming throughout the year. We will visit Awaji Hana Sajiki Flower Park for a panoramic view of a vast flower garden overlooking Akashi Strait. The season will be perfect for a magnificent view of Canola flowers with a blue ocean as a backdrop. These pretty flowers create a dreamlike world. Awaji Island has offered the Imperial Family and Imperial Court high-quality food since ancient times. Later, enjoy a Joruri Puppet Show, a particular example of traditional Japanese performing art registered as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It’s incredible to see the puppets looking so alive. The art of using puppets in storytelling is representative of Awaji Island, which dates back about 500 years. After returning to the hotel in Kobe, you can continue shopping or rest. 

APRIL 15 (TUE) LAKE BIWA,

GRAND MERCURE LAKE BIWA RESORT & SPA  (ONSEN) ♨

Head to Osaka to visit Expo'70 Commemorative Park, a former site of the World's Fair held in 1970, where you can see 230 feet high “Tower of Sun,” a symbolic structure of the Expo for the central theme, “progress of mankind.” After enjoying Omi Beef for lunch, visit Lake Biwa Museum, located by the biggest lake in Japan, covering 259 square miles. Have free time in their exhibition focusing on the history of Lake Biwa and the relationship between the lake and people. Also, they exhibit freshwater fishes inhibiting in the lake in its Aquarium. Then, proceed to Nagahama, a charming old castle town by the Lake Biwa. We will stay at a resort hotel standing by the lake. By stepping out of the hotel, you will see a stunning view of the vast lake, which almost resembles the ocean. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the Onsen Hot Spring Open Air Rock bath tonight. 

APRIL 16 (WED) KOMAGANE HEIGHTS,

KOMAGANE RESORT LINX (ONSEN) ♨

Head to Sekigahara, known for the “Battle of Sekigahara,” the greatest Samurai battle in Japanese history, bringing the long civil war period to an effective close. We will visit the newly opened 2020 Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum. Various exhibits will help you better understand this significant conflict battle that took place here in 1,600. I not only learned how this battle affected Samurai society but also traveled back in time and experienced what the atmosphere of the battlefield was like on the day it was fought through the exhibition with an English panel, experienced touching weapons, and enjoyed a movie show on Ground Vision Theater, etc. Later, see Hanamomo (Hana Peach Blossom). This is an unusual type of peach tree with three different shades of pink flowers blooming from one tree. If the timing is correct, the whole village will be pink. This beautiful scenery is called “Shangri-La in Japan.” Then, proceed to Komagane Heights at the foot of the magnificent Southern and Central Japan Alps. Tonight’s hotel is a secluded and lovely mountain resort surrounded by forest. You can enjoy a relaxing soak at the Onsen Hot Spring Bath and Open-air bath, where you can feel nature while soaking.

APRIL 17 (THU) NAGAOKA,

HOTEL NEW OTANI NAGAOKA

Go to Ina Baien Garden. If the timing is correct, we will see Hanamomo, Narcissus, and Forsythia blooming simultaneously. Then head to Nagaoka, the 2nd largest city in Niigata prefecture. We will visit the Nagaoka Fireworks Museum. Nagaoka is famous for one of Japan's three most spectacular and magnificent fireworks. It’s especially renowned for the set of fireworks called “Niagara Falls,” a 2133 ft dynamic fireworks display that vigorously flows down into the river, reminiscent of “Niagara Falls.” The hotel is close to Nagaoka station and the shopping mall with 100Yen shops, etc. Enjoy shopping after hotel check-in. 

APRIL 18 (FRI) SADO ISLAND,

HOTEL FAMILIO SADO AIKAWA (ONSEN) ♨

Head to Tsubame Sanjo, which is well-known as a metalworking powerhouse that has carried on for over 400 years. Thanks to the precision and skills of local craftsmen, it’s highly regarded as one of the World’s leading metalwork production areas. They manufacture various products, such as cutting tools, tableware, and other products based on metal-processing technologies. We will enjoy shopping at Tsubame Sanjo Cutlery Center in a massive store with many selections of products like Knives, Kitchen wares, Gardening scissors, Saws, etc. Then, head to Niigata port to board the Jetfoil to Sado Island, Japan's sixth largest island, filled with a lot of picturesque scenery, a fascinating history, unique culture, traditional arts, and entertainment. Upon arrival on the island, visit Tokino Mori Park to see the symbolic crested ibis of Sado Island, “Toki.” See the internationally protected bird "Toki" that was once extinct in Japan but now once again inhabits Sado Island. Later, visit Obata Sake Brewery. Enjoy the refined taste of the famous Sado Sake and watch a short English movie about their Sake. Then, go to Sado Gold Mine, now on the nomination list for UNESCO's World Heritage inscription. Once, Japan's largest gold mine was in operation for 388 years, starting in 1601. We will go inside the mine, which displays robots that recreate scenes from the old gold mining days. Those who have been here before can try the Doyuko Course with an actual hauling inspection tunnel, which was used until 1989. You will see the symbolic Doyuno Wareto, or split mountain, at the end of this route. We will stay at a pleasant beachside resort hotel, which offers a grand view of the East Sea from your room. Enjoy a night on Sado Island with a relaxing soak at the Onsen Hot Spring bath.

APRIL 19 (SAT) NIIGATA,

ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL NIIGATA

Visit "One of the Best scenic spots on Sado Island, "Senkaku Scenic Bay, with its steep rocky cliffs that stretch over 1 mile. It is praised as resembling the Northern European fjord. A series of 100-foot-high cliffs will overwhelm you. Learn how the Tokugawa government used to manage the gold taken out from the mine at the ex-commissioner’s office during the Edo period. Then, go to Ogi to enjoy riding the "Tarai-bune" traditional washtub boat. You will be able to experience one of Sado Island’s rich traditions, as tubs were used for catching abalones in very winding and narrow coves. Then, catch a Jetfoil to go to Niigata. We will stay two nights at a hotel which is located within walking distance of the shopping mall with 100Yen shops, supermarkets, UNIQLO, etc. After arrival at the hotel, Free time to enjoy shopping or just rest. 

APRIL 20 (SUN) NIIGATA,

ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL NIIGATA

In the morning, visit Niigata Furusato Village, which offers an overview of Niigata’s history and culture with many exhibits. It is also a good place to enjoy shopping for local specialties such as Traditional handicrafts, Sake, Dried seafood, healthy local foods, naturally fermented miso, etc. You can also visit its fantastic flower garden filled with 33 varieties of Fifty thousand tulips here. Later, enjoy Strawberry Picking in season. You can taste fresh and sweet Japanese strawberries as many as you like! Later, we will visit Senbei Kingdom to enjoy “Grilling your own Senbei (rice cracker).” You can also buy fresh Senbei at the factory store. You can also enjoy shopping for healthy local foods, naturally fermented miso, pickled vegetables, etc. Then, visit Ichishima Residence, which used to be owned by a wealthy landowner family. Its elegant mansion was constructed in the 1860s Meiji period. Take a stroll through a beautiful garden with trees surrounding the pond. 

APRIL 21 (MON) KINUGAWA ONSEN,

KINUGAWA HOTEL MIKAZUKI (ONSEN) ♨

Head to Aizu-Wakamatsu, a castle town known for its award-winning sake and Samurai tradition. Visit Mt. Iimori, where the unit of teenage Samurai, “Byakkotai,” took their own lives when they fought in the Boshin War, which was the last domestic battle in Japan’s history. In the afternoon, enjoy riding on the chartered Ozatoro Tembo Scenic Train. During the ride, you can view Aizu's nature and stunning scenery with beautiful gorges, rivers, bridges, etc., through the expansive windows of the observation deck carriage. Then, head to our hotel in Kinugawa Onsen, a famous hot spring resort town along the Kinugawa River. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the Onsen Hot Spring bath & Open-Air bath. 

APRIL 22 (TUE) MITO,

HOTEL TERRACE THE GARDEN MITO

Visit Ashikaga Flower Park to view its world-famous “Great Wisteria.” This over 160-year-old ancient wisteria tree is said to be the "Most beautiful wisteria in the world" and has been selected as one of the "Top 10 Dream Destinations in the World" by CNN. Enjoy the fairytale-like scenery in breathtaking “Wisteria Wonderland.” (The Blooming level depends on the climate of the year). Then go to Mito, which thrived as a castle town of the Mito-Tokugawa clan and is most famous for Mito Natto, which is said founded here 940 years ago. We will stay two nights at the hotel next to Mito station and the shopping building. You can enjoy shopping after hotel check-in. 

APRIL 23 (WED) MITO,

HOTEL TERRACE THE GARDEN MITO

Go to Hitachi Seaside Park, which is famous worldwide for its Sky-blue Nemophila Flower Garden. You will see 5.3 million small blue bell-shaped flowers blanketing the entire hill of the enormous park. This will depend on the climate of the year. This fantastic and picturesque scenery is praised as "Japan's most spectacular flower event in spring." After shopping for dried seafood at Nakaminato Osakana Market, enjoy lunch and do some more shopping at Aeon shopping Mall. Then back to our hotel.  (Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.) 

APRIL 24 (THU) MITO / 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 to Narita International Airport to catch a flight to Honolulu in the evening. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, APR. 24 (Thursday). After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch and 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 the day of departure. Weekend returns will cost more per person. Please call our office if you are extending your stay. MAHALO!

*Price, Itinerary, and Meals are subject to change without notice.*

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

INCLUDES: Land transportation is included in the itinerary, as are all hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing listed, all passenger and baggage transfers, and a souvenir group picture.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: Individual expenses after tour termination as stated in the itinerary—the cost of obtaining all personal items, passport/visa, and other necessary documents. 

AIR: JAL's TFS (Fuel Surcharge) determines the final price for the group economy booking. For premium economy, business, and outer-island bookings, please get in touch with our office for a price quote at your earliest convenience. For more information, please refer to the Airline Questions segment of our Frequently Asked Questions. 

LAND TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY PER PERSON:

DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. Once the tour itinerary is posted on the Tohoku Travel website, a $250.00 per person is required. This deposit will be applied to the full payment.

90 DAYS - 30 DAYS --- $1,500.00*

29 DAYS - 01 DAYS --- $2,500.00*

NO REFUND ONCE THE TOUR STARTS

*There may be Hotel 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 SERVICE LLC 

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

EMAIL: tohoku.travel.hi@gmnail.com

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

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