TOUR ITINERARY
Oct. 3 (Fri) HONOLULU,
Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. Free Movies and Drinks.
Oct. 4 (Sat) CHITOSE,
ANA CROWNE PLAZA CHITOSE
Arrive at Haneda Int’l Airport and after clearing government formalities, transfer to your connecting flight to Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. We will stay 2 nights at hotel which is right next to the Aeon Shopping center.
Oct. 5 (Sun) CHITOSE,
ANA CROWNE PLAZA CHITOSE
Visit Japan’s biggest English style garden, the beautiful “Yuni Garden” featuring 15 different themed colorful flower gardens which filled with a variety of Autumn flowers. It’s very interesting to see Kochia (Summer Cypress) turning its color to burning red, covering the ground like fire balls. It’s also interesting to visit gift shop carries original jams, herb teas, local pickles, etc, those are good for souvenir. Next visit Kyu Sakamoto Memorial Museum. His signature song "Sukiyaki" or "Ue O Muite Aruko" was #1 on the US charts in 1963. And still it’s the only Japanese-language song to go to #1 in the US. You can learn about his activities in the museum while listing his songs. Then to Yubari, developed into the quintessential Japanese mining town until 20th century. Visit Coal Mine Museum. You can explore the deep history of Japan’s coal mining with various panels, video and realistic dioramas. Its underground exhibition room have extensive displays of mining machines and mannequins of coal miners give you a realistic image of the work of coal mining back in its heydays. After going back to the hotel, you can enjoy shopping.
Oct. 6 (Mon) ASAHIKAWA,
HOTEL WBF GRANDE ASAHIKAWA (ONSEN)
Head to Furano. Its rural landscape and the beautiful scenery will make you leap into the grand nature of Hokkaido. We will visit the enchanting Farm Tomita to see beautiful gardens in autumn colors. Red and yellow flowers such as Marigold and Salvia will fill their fields with clear autumn skies in the background. Then enjoy driving through Hokkaido’s countryside Biei, surrounded by a pleasant hilly landscape that is praised as “the most beautiful village in Japan.” Enjoy a view of Patchwork Hill. A hillside covered with various colors of shrubbery looks like a huge patchwork quilt. This breathtaking view of the picturesque beautiful hills makes here "One of the most popular sightseeing spots in Hokkaido". And visit Shikisai Flower Garden, a panoramic flower garden bursting with the first colors of autumn. you can enjoy colorful stripes of flowers blanket the landscape which can only be seen at this time of year. Then head to Asahikawa, 2nd largest city in Hokkaido. Our hotel is located close to train station and Aeon Shopping Mall. After hotel arrival, you can enjoy shopping and relaxing soak at Onsen Hot Spring bath.
Oct. 7 (Tue) SOUNKYO GORGE,
SOUNKYO CHOYOTEI (ONSEN)
Visit Hokkaido’s most popular tourist attraction Asahiyama Zoo, a top-rated zoological garden because of its innovative and unique viewing facilities in observing the amazing abilities of animals in an environment of wilderness which is designed to be as close to their natural habit as possible. About 150 species of animals including Tiger, Chimpanzee, Polar bear, Lion, Penguin, etc., can be seen as they behave naturally. Then we will head to Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan’s largest National Park that known for serene alpine landscapes created by a series of 6,600 feet-high volcanic mountains of virtually unspoiled wilderness. We will ride a Ropeway to go up to 5th station of Mt. Kurodake (4,265 feet high). You will see spectacular view of great nature and glorious mountain sceneries with an easy and great way. Here’s well known for featuring the firstest stunning vibrant Autumn colors in Japan. Trees, bushes and alpine plants will display their beauty in red and yellow colors. Our hotel is in cozy Sounkyo Hot Spring town where amazing Miracle Illuminate Festival will be held. Enjoy unearthly beauty of Illuminated Autumn Leaves. And enjoy relaxing soak in Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open Air bath which you can see great nature of Hokkaido while soaking.
Oct. 8 (Wed) LAKE SAROMA,
LAKE SAROMA TSURUGA RESORT (ONSEN)
In the morning, enjoy driving along Sounkyo Gorge which is the main attraction of the National Park. This spectacular giant gorge consisting of 300 feet high cliffs that stretches over 15 miles. We will view the unusual rock formations along the gorge will be filled with Autumn Color which is expected during this time. Later we will head to Mikuni pass, the highest mountain pass in Hokkaido (3,737 feet high) where panoramic views of virgin forest can be enjoyed. If timing is right, we will be able to view a sea of brightly colored autumn leaves with sombre greens of Ezo spruce that accentuating the beauty of the Autumn scenery. Later visit the Fresh Water Aquarium that is a popular tourist attraction in West Hokkaido. It’s amazing to see the largest freshwater fish of Japan the "Ito" or the Japanese Huchen swimming in a large water tank. Then head to the third largest lake in Japan the picturesque Lake Saroma. We will stay at a nice resort hotel that faces the lake. Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner featuring local sea foods, etc., and a relaxing soak at the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air Rotenburo bath with a beautiful lake view.
Oct. 9 (Thu) SHIRETOKO,
SHIRETOKO DAIICHI HOTEL (ONSEN)
Visit Abashiri Prison Museum that you can learn about the sociopolitical history of Japan. It served as a working prison until 1984 and was Japan’s most notorious and most feared prison. You can learn and experience the daily life of the prisoners through several original buildings and structures of the old prison. Then go to the World Heritage-recognized region of Shiretoko Peninsula, the last pristine wilderness remaining in Japan. We’ll enjoy sightseeing the "Land of outstanding natural beauty" Shiretoko National Park, one of Japan’s most beautiful and unspoiled National Parks. First, visit the Oshin Koshin Waterfall, one of most picturesque spots of Shiretoko. This tall and magnificent waterfall is also called “Twin Beauties Waterfall” because the flow of water is split into two halfway down. You will get a glimpse of Mother Nature at work with Shiretoko. We will also visit Shiretoko 5 Lakes, small quiet picturesque lakes surrounded by wild forest. This place is great to experience a vast abundance of nature within Shiretoko. In autumn, lakes transform into a nature landscape art of shimmering Autumn colors. The crystal-clear surfaces of small lakes reflect the surrounding colorful trees and mountain range. We will stay at the hotel famous for big buffet dinner which ranked as “Best buffet in Hokkaido” with over 80 kinds of dishes including Crab, Local Seafood Sashimi, Scallop, Sushi, Tempura, etc. Enjoy a relaxing soak at Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air bath where you can enjoy a panoramic view. A Private Onsen is available at your own expense.
Oct. 10 (Fri) LAKE AKAN,
NEW AKAN HOTEL (ONSEN)
Enjoy driving while seeing stunning views along Shiretoko Pass. It’s expected to be right timing the pass will be graced with the vibrant colors of Autumn leaves. You will get a magnificent outlook of stunning Autumn foliage in every direction. You will also see Kunashiri Island (Russian held island) on a clear day. Then visit Salmon Science Museum that contains more than 20 kinds of salmon from all over the world. This is the right season that Salmon comes back from the ocean to the river to lay the eggs. You will see wild salmon swimming in an actual river. Then go to Lake Akan, surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery and famous for high-quality hot springs. Our hotel is located by the lake and easy to go to lake side. In the evening enjoy another Big Buffet Dinner and a relaxing soak on the top floor at the Onsen Hot Spring bath. They have "Infinity Edge Open-Air bath". You will look as if the hot spring bath water and Lake Akan become united while soaking in the bath.
Oct. 11 (Sat) KUSHIRO,
KUSHIRO PRINCE HOTEL
We will enjoy taking a Sightseeing boat Cruise on lake Akan where you can enjoy an endless view of beautiful nature. We will see untouched forest that illustrates unspoiled beauty with Autumn color (Expected to be right timing). Later visit Ainu village to see Ainu Dance and Ritual Show which is registered as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. You can also enjoy strolling around their village lined by souvenir shops specializing in Ainu handicrafts. Then proceed to Tancho Crane Nature Park to see symbolic bird of Japan “Tancho” or Japanese Red-headed Crane which is officially designated as a Living Japanese Monument. Tancho crane is the biggest and most majestic birds of Japan and its habitat is only around this area. Then head to Kushiro the port town boasting one of top three largest annual fish catch in Japan.
Oct. 12 (Sun) OBIHIRO,
HOTEL NIKKO NORTHLAND OBIHIRO
Go to a renowned Washo Ichiba Market, a public fish market where over 60 stores carrying local sea products, dried seafood items, etc. Enjoy shopping of Hokkaido’s seafood products and souvenirs at the “one of Hokkaido’s top three markets.” If you like you can try its famous “Katte don Seafood donburi” (your own expense). First, purchase a bowl of rice, then walk the rows of shops selecting your favorite seafood items as toppings. Good chance to taste freshly caught seafood from Kushiro port with easy way. Then head to Obihiro a core region for Hokkaido's food and ingredients such as soybean, potato and dairy farming in large scale as their main industry. We will visit Banba Horse Racetrack. Banba is a dynamic & exciting horserace which draft horses pull heavy sleds up sand ramps. It originated from horsepower contest in the pioneer days of Hokkaido. Hotel is located next to Obihiro station and shopping center is walking distance. Tour guide will take you holo-holo after hotel check in.
Oct. 13 (Mon) SAPPORO,
SOLARIA NISHITETSU HOTEL SAPPORO
We will visit Fukuhara villa, a private garden exclusively open only for a month a year during Autumn. 300 Japanese maple trees will color it in beautiful red. This scenic mountain villa has three ponds and five small waterfalls. You can enjoy the impressive gradation of the colorful maple trees and see the enchanting reflection of the colored leaves on the water surface. Then we will head to Tomamu, a modern, high class ski resort area at the foot of the Hidaka Mountains in central Hokkaido. We will make a lunch stop at Tomamu Resort which is the land mark of the area. You will feel a Hokkaido’s Autumn in vast field with sheep and cows are grazing. Then proceed to Sapporo, largest city in Hokkaido. We will stay 2 nights at hotel located easy walking distance to Sapporo station with a department store and underground shopping mall. Tour guide will take you ”Holo-Holo” after hotel check in.
Oct. 14 (Tue) SAPPORO,
SOLARIA NISHITETSU HOTEL SAPPORO
In the morning, go to Hoheikyo Dam filled with Autumn color (expected to be right timing). This area is famed sight for the beautiful autumn color. In season, the whole ravine becomes a canvas of colorful leaves. Then go to Aeon Shopping Mall for shopping and lunch. After going back to the hotel, it'll be your Free time to continue shopping, packing etc. (Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense.)
Oct. 15 (Wed) SAPPORO / HONOLULU
At checkout time our agent will come to tape and tie-up your boxes and take your baggage to be checked in down. We will leave the hotel by bus to Chitose Airport to catch domestic flight to Haneda Airport. Upon arrival at Haneda, transfer to international Flight to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, 15 OCT (Wednesday) 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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