TOUR ITINERARY

3 JUNE (TUE) HONOLULU,

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

4 JUNE (WED) SAKAI, OSAKA,

HOTEL AGORA REGENCY OSAKA SAKAI

Arrive at Kansai International Airport and, after clearing government formalities, take a bus to Sakai, Osaka, a historical city located at the entrance of Osaka Bay. We will stay at an elegant urban hotel close to the train station. 

5 JUNE (THU) SHIRAHAMA,

COGANOI RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨

Sakai is where ancient mounded tombs built 1,600 years ago remain and have been attracting the world's attention since the inscription on the World Heritage List in 2019. Its most famous, Emperor Nintoku's Tomb, is one of the world’s three largest tombs, along with the pyramid in Egypt, the Qin Emperor tomb of China. We will visit Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center to acquire new knowledge with guidance panels and the ultra-high definition 8K movie of aerial images that bring you into the stunning scenery of the tumulus of Japanese kings. Then, head to the Danjiri Festival Museum. This festival is considered one of Japan's wildest and roughest festivals. We’ll watch a video with vigorous visual sound. It gives you the sensation of the Danjiri Festival, an ongoing tradition for 320 years. Today’s lunch is at Kuroshio Market, a Maguro (Tuna) Theme park where you can taste the famous Wakayama Maguro. After lunch, you can enjoy strolling its shopping street, which is reminiscent of 1950s Japan, where local marine products and local sake are sold. Then head to the Kii Peninsula, the largest peninsula in Japan and renowned for its stunningly beautiful natural creations and some of Japan's most potent spiritual spots. We will go to Yuasa, the Birthplace of Soy Sauce. Visit the Shoyu Factory to see the whole process of making local Shoyu and its history, which started in 1881. You can purchase their many varieties of products. Then go to Shirahama Onsen, one of Japan's three oldest hot spring resorts with 1,300 years of history. It is also famous as one of the most beautiful beach resorts in West Japan. Thus establishing a goodwill sister beach relationship with Waikiki Beach. We will stay two nights at the Onsen Resort Hotel facing the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath with a beautiful ocean view. 

6 JUN (FRI) SHIRAHAMA,

COGANOI RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨

Visit Adventure World, a mega theme park incorporating a safari, zoo, aquarium, and amusement park all in one. The main feature is Panda Land, where you will see lovely Pandas right before you!  This is one of only two places in Japan with Giant Pandas. Furthermore, you can experience extraordinary adventures on the Safari tour, where you will see a White tiger, Lion, Giraffe, Cheetah, Zebra, etc., walking freely from the Safari car. You can also enjoy a fabulous dolphin show and get close-up views of chimpanzees, hippopotamus, etc. Then, visit the Umeboshi (Pickled Plum) factory. This area is known for producing the Best Ume-boshi in Japan. Kishu Ume-boshi is the premium type of Ume and the most popular. It is an excellent chance to sample the different flavors and buy the famous Kishu Ume-boshi and Ume Sake as souvenirs. Also, visit Seafood Chips Factory, a well-known local specialty. You can sample many varieties of flavors and buy fresh chips for your pupus. 

7 JUN (SAT) KUSHIMOTO,

MERCURE WAKAYAMA KUSHIMOTO RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨

We will visit Shirahama’s impressive natural monuments, which are designated as National Sites of Scenic Beauty. First, go to its symbol, Engetsu Island, a rock isle whose unique feature is a full moon-shaped circle in its center, eroded by the sea. Then, visit Senjojiki Rock Plateau, a spacious horizontally multi-tiered rock that looks like a thousand Tatami mats. It provides a stunning landscape. And visit Sandanheki (three-tiered wall) cliff, with 200-foot 200-foot-high precipitous rock walls dropping away vertiginously into the sea. Spectacular clusters of unusual rock formations are indeed Mother Nature’s art. Go to Kushimoto Marine Park in the southernmost point of Honshu (Mainland of Japan). Its aquarium with an underwater observation tower will give you an excellent chance to have a close encounter with this rare and beautiful underwater world with colorful tropical fish, the world’s northernmost coral reef ecosystem, etc. We will stay two nights at the Onsen Resort Hotel in Kushimoto, the southernmost tip of Kii Peninsula. Enjoy the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open air Rock bath overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean and sunrise in the morning. 

8 JUN (SUN) KUSHIMOTO / NACHI,

MERCURE WAKAYAMA KUSHIMOTO RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨

Visit the World’s largest Whale Museum in Taiji. About 1,000 precious materials regarding the whales and whaling are displayed. A 50-foot life-size model of a Bowhead whale is suspended from the ceiling. You can also enjoy an Aquarium, Dolphin, and Pilot Whale show. Later, we will head to Kumano, an isolated sacred site that inspired a rich history of mountain and nature worship. For over 1,000 years, Japanese people have made the arduous pilgrimage to this holy area. These pilgrims used a network of routes running through the Kii Mountain Range (Kumano Kodo). Walking the ancient pilgrimage route is a fantastic way to experience the unique spiritual culture of the Kii peninsula's countryside. If you wish to, you can take the short trail that is part of Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes, which overflows with spiritual energy. You can feel in harmony with some of Japan's most awe-inspiring nature. Later, visit the World Heritage site Nachi Waterfall. Japan’s highest waterfall, with a 400-foot drop, is 1 of CNN’s “Japan's 36 most beautiful places.” The harmony created by a great waterfall and mystic primeval forests is impressive. It embodies the spiritual origins of Japan. 

9 JUN (MON) SHIMA,

GRAND MERCURE ISE-SHIMA RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨

Visit Hashikui Iwa Rocks. Many sizes of over 40 strange-shaped rocks rise in a row for about half a mile. It is such a strange spectacle of natural beauty as if the supports of a bridge. This magnificent natural landscape is designated as a National Natural Treasure. The steep, lush mountains of the Kii Peninsula are blessed with a rich cultural and natural heritage. An ancient Buddhist Pilgrimage Road, “Kumano Kodo,” is one of only two pilgrimages in the world registered as a World Heritage Site. We will visit Kumano Kodo Center. The history and culture of sacred places and pilgrimage routes are effectively introduced by video, presenting replicas and pictures. We will stay two nights at a resort hotel in Shima. Soak away the fatigue of the tour in the Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath. 

10 JUN (TUE) SHIMA,

GRAND MERCURE ISE-SHIMA RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨

Go to Japan’s most potent spiritual spot, “Ise Grand Shrine,” the largest and most sacred shrine in Japan. It is believed to have been established over 2,000 years ago. Thus, the imperial family has visited this shrine quite often. Walking along the path leading to the main building amid a dense forest of giant cedar trees, you will feel the sacredness Japanese worshippers have felt since olden times. Then, visit Okage Yokocho Shopping Alley in front of the shrine, which creates a nostalgic atmosphere of the Edo period. You can experience the flavor of old shops, traditional food delights, regional specialties, history, and customs while strolling around & shopping. Later, go to the world-famous Mikimoto Pearl Island, where the world's first cultivated pearl was successfully produced in 1893. We will see the Women's Divers show and visit the Pearl Museum, which provides detailed explanations about pearls and the cultivation of pearls. You can purchase various pearl jewelry at their pearl specialty store. Then visit Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks). Two sacred rocks representing husband and wife are connected by the holy "Shimenawa" rope, which acts as the division between the spiritual and earthly realms. Here is one of the ancient secrets and photogenic spots with a spiritual awakening view. 

11 JUN (WED) YOKKAICHI,

MIYAKO HOTEL YOKKAICHI

We'll visit Oyatsu (Snack)Town, a fun theme park of the famous “Baby Star Ramen Snack.” Here, you can make your very own Baby Star Ramen Snack in your favorite flavor and then eat them warm! You can also enjoy shopping for their products such as Furikaki, Crunchy Chocolate, limited edition snacks, etc. After enjoying shopping and lunch at Aeon Shopping Mall, visit the old post town of Seki-juku, designated as the National Historic District, where about 200 ancient settlement houses that flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868) remain. Walking through the beautiful old town, you may feel like traveling back to the Samurai era. We will stay two nights at the hotel connecting to a shopping center with Supermarket, Mister Donut, etc. Enjoy shopping after hotel check-in. 

12 JUN (THU) YOKKAICHI,

MIYAKO HOTEL YOKKAICHI

Head to Suzuka City Traditional Industries Museum, exhibiting representative works of Japan's Nationally Designated Traditional crafts in Suzuka, Suzuka ink painting, and Ise pattern paper. We will make a bookmarker with traditional stencil paper pattern chiseling. It has over 1,000 years of history. Do you know that Ninjas were indeed real? We will go to Iga, 1 of the two homelands of the legendary “Ninja.” You will discover many secrets of the Iga-ryu Ninja at the Ninja Museum. It offers a glimpse into the life of Ninja and their skills. We will enter a real Ninja house with fake hallways, revolving walls, trap doors, etc. Watch an interesting Ninja show featuring authentic skills and natural weapons. 

13 JUN (FRI) TOYOHASHI,

LOISIR HOTEL TOYOHASHI

Ise produces Kabuse tea, which has a beautiful green color and mellow taste. This Kabuse tea can be brewed with cold water. Yes!! You don’t need to prepare hot water to serve Japanese tea! You can purchase such an “easy to prepare” Japanese tea at Ise Tea Shop, operated by a cooperative association. Then go to Nabana-no sato Flower Park. Enjoy strolling around a vast flower garden with a variety of seasonal flowers. Rose, Iris, and hydrangea will be in seasonal bloom (depending on the year's climate). Then go to Mentai Park Tokoname, a theme park of Mentaiko (spicy-seasoned cod roe). You can learn about its history and how it is made. They sell freshly cooked snacks with Mentaiko, such as Musubi, bread, and ice cream. You can also buy tasty Mentaiko Chips, which are suitable as souvenirs. Costco Wholesale store is right next to the building. If you are a member of Costco, don't forget to bring a member card. Then, head to Toyohashi, the cultural and industrial center of the East Mikawa area, home to numerous manufacturing plants and factories. We will stay two nights at the Soaring Tower Hotel next to the Mega Don Quijote shopping center with a supermarket. Enjoy shopping after hotel check-in. 

14 JUN (SAT) TOYOHASHI,

LOISIR HOTEL TOYOHASHI

Visit Atsumi Peninsula, a part of Mikawa-wan Quasi-National Park with abundant nature and a warm climate. We will taste a piece of fresh “Musk Melon” called "King of Fruits" in the right season. Aichi’s Melon is a premium brand due to its sweet taste and aroma. Later enjoy shopping and lunch at Laguna Ten bosch. This prominent shopping place carries a variety of local specialties, including dried seafood, Tsukemono pickles, local snacks, Unagi (eel) Bento, etc. Later, they visited the Black Thunder factory shop, carrying Japan’s No.1 Chocolate Bar, which all Japanese people know and love. You can only buy one of Japan's most famous chocolate snacks with many varieties, including special editions, at the factory store. After returning to the hotel, Free time to continue shopping or packing. (Lunch & dinner will be at your own expense.) 

15 JUN (SUN) TOYOHASHI / HONOLULU,

At checkout time, our agent will tape and tie up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked in. We will go by bus to Chubu International Airport in the afternoon to catch our night flight to Honolulu. We will arrive in Honolulu the same morning, June 15 (Sun). After clearing U.S. Customs, we will proceed home. (Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.) 

Clients remaining back can get plane, train, and hotel reservations. Members may return to Honolulu individually by 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, which May be more or less at the time of ticket purchase. Airline tickets are non-refundable once purchased unless you request a refundable ticket, which is usually charged by the airline. 

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

DOES NOT INCLUDE AIRFARES and individual expenses after the tour is terminated, 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:

A non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $250.00 per person is required at tour sign-up. 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 SERVICE LLC 

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

EMAIL: tohoku.travel.hi@gmnail.com

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

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

PH: +81-45-311-1011  FAX: +81-45-311-1013