TOUR ITINERARY
SEP 17 (Wed) HONOLULU
Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. Free Movies and Drinks.
SEP. 18 (Thu) ASAKUSA,
ASAKUSA VIEW HOTEL
Arrive at Haneda Int'l Airport and after clearing government formalities, transfer by bus to hotel in Asakusa, one of Tokyo's historical neighborhoods which has a long history of over 1,400 years. Location of our hotel is within easy walking distance to Supper Market and type of Shopping district so called “Shitamachi” (remaining retro buildings and true local atmosphere). After hotel check in your tour guide take you Holo Holo around the hotel.
SEP. 19 (Fri) ASAKUSA,
ASAKUSA VIEW HOTEL
Visit the newly opened in 2020 Iwatsuki doll Museum. The museum exhibitions will show the culture of doll manufacturing in the area with 370-years history. This extensive collection features various dolls and toys from Japan and overseas. Then go to Gyoda to see the amazing World’s Largest Rice Paddy Art. This huge rice paddy art is created by carefully planting different varieties of rice. From ground level, the designs are invisible. However, from up inside the observatory you can see the entire image of the amazing artwork within the Rice Paddies. Proceed to Soka city, known as the most famous brand of Rice crackers in Japan. We will visit a Senbei (rice cracker) Factory, here you will enjoy Grilling your own Senbei and shopping.
SEP. 20 (Sat) CHICHIBU,
HOTEL ROUTE INN GRAND CHICHIBU (ONSEN)
Head to Kawagoe which is called “Koedo” (Little Edo). Pass warehouse street with old style architecture on both sides. Exploring the street will make you back in time of Edo period. We get chance to shop at small alley “Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley)” in next alley carrying snacks made of sweet potato, dried natto, etc. Also visit Kawagoe Matsuri Museum with display of huge float and short movie of Kawagoe Festival. Visit Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Hidaka Town. The entire park will be filled with massive cluster of "Manjushage" (Red Spider Lily). A beauty of burst scarlet color is one of the early Autumn scenery in Japan (blooming level depends on the climate of the year). Enjoy your first Onsen Hot Spring bath of the tour! Also Hotel is located next to Supper Market & 100 yen store. Enjoy holo-holo if you wish to.
SEP. 21 (Sun) MYOGI ONSEN,
MYOGI GREEN HOTEL&TERRACE (ONSEN)
Visit Nagatoro surrounded by the beauty of nature that is designated as National Place of Scenic Beauty. We’ll enjoy River boating. View the gorgeous valley that the strangely shaped rocks provide while cruising down powerful rapids and gentle currents. Iwadatami is the rocks look like successive layers of tatami mat overlapping each other. This Nagatoro's naturally made work of art is breathtakingly beautiful. Then go to Tomioka Silk Mill, registered as a World Heritage Site as Japan's oldest modern model silk reeling factory established in 1872. We'll look inside of well-preserved brick building which had been operating until 1987. This historic factory is a starting point of Japan’s modernization. We'll stay Resort hotel located on a hilltop overlooking Mt. Myogi that is known as one of Japan's three most stunning places of rugged beauty. You can see dramatic scenery created by craggy peaks and unusual rock formations while soaking in Onsen Hot spring bath & Open-Air bath.
SEP. 22 (Mon) KUSATSU,
KUSATSU ONSEN HOTEL VILLAGE (ONSEN)
Head to Karuizawa, thrived as Japan’s most popular upscale mountain resort area. We will visit Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street, at the main center of town. It has a pleasant atmosphere with respectable old stores, Souvenir shop, Bakery, etc., standing side by side. Later visit Shiraito Waterfall, a gorgeous waterfall of 10 feet high and 230 feet wide. The sight of water falling in sliver slender streaks appearing like hundreds of white threads is certainly magnificent. Then proceed to Onioshidashi Park that features stark landscape of volcanic lava formed by the big eruption of Mt. Asama in 1783. Take a closer look at the volcanic rocks of various bizarre shapes and impressive panoramic site created by mother nature. Then head to Kusatsu, “One of the Best Three Onsen Hot Springs in Japan”, boasting Japan's largest volume of flowing hot spring water that have said to cure every illness. Upon arrival those who wish to visit Yubatake (hot spring field) “the symbol-existence of Kusatsu” we will have to catch a hotel bus. Here we will see the famous Yumomi Show. Enjoy traditional Kusatsu folk song and dance while stirring the bathwater with large wooden paddles. Tonight you can enjoy relaxing soak at the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air bath of famous Kusatsu Onsen.
SEP. 23 (Tue) NAGANO,
HOTEL METROPOLITAN NAGANO
Enjoy driving along the Shiga-Kusatsu Scenic Road viewing the volcanic peaks while seeing magnificent panoramic mountain scenery. This route is richly immersed with nature at the highest point of 7,125 feet among the National Routes in Japan. One of the best examples of blessing of nature in Autumn in Japan is grapes. We will enjoy Grape picking in season. Later visit Mayumi Takahashi Doll Museum. Life in the Japanese countryside is authentically recreated with elaborate handmade dolls. These heartwarming dolls take you into a quaint rural world in Japan. Then head to Kurohime Heights. If timing is right, we will see Cosmos blooming around the huge ski ground. (Blooming level depends on climate of the year). Our hotel sits on a magnificent highland that overlooking the majestic and impressive mountain scenery. Then to our hotel located right next to Nagano station. After check-in enjoy holo-holo at station building.
SEP. 24 (Wed) HAKUBA,
SIERRA RESORT HAKUBA (ONSEN)
We will enjoy Apple Picking in season. Nagano is the 2nd largest producer of Apple in Japan and Nagano Apple is well-known for its fresh taste, sweetness, vibrant color and juiciness. Next, visit Zenkoji temple one of Nagano’s main attraction as Japan’s primary center of Buddhist faith for over 1,400 years. This National Treasure’s Main hall is nicely ornamented and praised as a "Masterpiece of Buddhist architecture". Nagano has a lot of specialties including delicious “Oyaki bun”, nutritiously balanced snack consist of a buckwheat bun stuffed with local vegetables or Anko bean paste. We will enjoy tasting this local traditional food that has been loved by Nagano people. Then head to Hakuba, situated in the heart of breathtaking beautiful Northern Japan Alps therefore considered Japan’s premier alpine resort destination. We will stay 2 nights at an excellent mountain resort hotel which has been ranked high in “Most popular hotels in Japan” by Trip Adviser. Enjoy the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air bath where you can be a part of nature in the Japan Alps.
SEP. 25 (Thu) HAKUBA,
SIERRA RESORT HAKUBA (ONSEN)
In the morning, ride a Gondola lift to Mt. Hakuba. Enjoy “8 minutes sky-walk” and get a breathtaking view from a great height. Then head to Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark site that is unique location has made it home to a wealth of fascinating geological features and minerals. We will visit Fossa Magna Museum. Rare minerals, such as jadeite and ohmilite, and fossils dug up from Fossa magna plates are on display. Those can tell you the story of how the Japanese Island was formed. Then head to sea of Japan coast to enjoy shopping and lunch at Marine Dream Nou. You will have free time for shopping at variety of stores carrying dried sea foods, Jade accessories, local Sake, etc. If you wish to you can buy boiled crab (Red Snow Crab) at Crab Market Street and try it at the facility right next!
SEP. 26 (Fri) LAKE SUWA,
RAKO HANANOI HOTEL (ONSEN)
Later visit Daisekkei Sake Brewery producing high quality Sake using pure water from the Japan Alps and locally grown rice. We'll see place where their Sake is made and enjoy tasting. Then head to Kamikochi, praised as "The Most Beautiful Valley in Japan" which is surrounded by towering peaks of 10,000 feet high mountains. Pass by one of Kamikochi's most scenic spots Taisho Pond to visit the “Kappa Bridge (a suspension bridge)” over the crystal-clear water. It is the best example of how mother nature blessed Japan. Also visit Ukiyoe Woodblock print Art Museum. Ukiyoe is widely recognized as iconic form of Japanese art which flourished from the 17th~19th century. They originated as the exciting urban popular culture in Edo (current Tokyo), promoting its beauty, fashions and heroes. Later head to our hotel located by the largest lake in Nagano, Lake Suwa. Enjoy delicious Kaiseki dinner & Soak and relax in Onsen Hot Spring bath & Open air bath observing Lake Suwa.
SEP. 27 (Sat) ODAWARA,
TENSEIEN ODAWARA STATION HOTEL(ONSEN)
Visit Matsuki Kanten in Chino city known for Kanten (Agar). Climate condition in this city is perfect for making Kanten. They will let us sample their products & will explain about their production. Then head to Yamanashi where Mt. Fuji is situated. After enjoy shopping & lunch at AEON Shopping Center, visit Oshino Hakkai small village in the Mt. Fuji Five Lake region. Cool & fresh spring water originated from Mt. Fuji fills 8 spring ponds. Not only enjoy beauty of its clarity but also you can drink this fresh spring water. Then visit Hana no Miyako Park to see seasonal flower such as Zinnia, Sulfur Cosmos, Soba Flower, etc. Enjoy colorful carpet with back ground of Mt, Fuji.(depending on weather condition). Then to the last hotel in our trip. Odawara city had developed as post town in Edo period. Our hotel is located right next to Odawara station & Minaka Odawara, a shopping complex lined with many varieties of souvenir store, food stand that have design of Edo period style. Soak and relax in Onsen Hot Spring bath.
SEP. 28 (Sun) ODAWARA,
TENSEIEN ODAWARA STATION HOTEL(ONSEN)
Enjoy driving Lake Ashi Sky Line offering stunning view overlooking Mt. Fuji (depending on weather condition) to one of most popular destination in Kanto region, Hakone. We will enjoy Lake Ashi cruise while enjoying beautiful picturesque mountain scenery from the lake. After having some time to enjoy shopping for local souvenir, go back to Odawara to visit Odawara Castle, originally built in 15th century. Current building is restored but has perfect appearance of original structure & you can enter donjon building. If you wish to, you can have a panoramic view of Sagami Bay by climbing up to top floor. Also Samurai Museum next to donjon building has collection of samurai sword & armor. (Lunch / dinner will be at your own expense.)
SEP. 29 (Mon) ODAWARA / HANEDA / HONOLULU
At checkout time our agent will come to tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked-in down. In the afternoon proceed by bus to Haneda Airport to catch Flight in the evening to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, 29 SEP (Monday) After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch / dinner will be at your own expense.)
*Price, Itinerary, and Meals are subject to change without notice.*
*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***
INCLUDES: Land Transportation included in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing listed, all transfer of passenger and baggage, and 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 don't hesitate to contact our office for a price quote whenever you can. 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 SERVICES
PH: 808-536-8618 or 808-538-7854
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