202518 TA-486

TOHOKU TRAVEL'S OCTOBER "TRAIL OF SAMURAI" AUTUMN WEST JAPAN TOUR #18

Departure date: 6 October (Mon) 2025

Return date: 18 October (Sat) 2025

COST OF GROUND TOUR (12 DAYS): $7,948.00 (taxes not included) 

*Price is Based on ¥100 Yens to a U.S. Dollar rate*

Please call for current pricing. Thank you.

***ESTIMATED ECONOMY AIRFARE PRICE: $1,800.00***

Please book early if you request a Business Class or Premium Economy Seat. These seats sell out fast!

To confirm your participation, Please send a $250 per-person Non-refundable & Non-Transferable deposit by personal check, cashier check, money order, or cash to Tohoku Travel Services.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT, PLEASE ADD $1,481.00

THE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT CHARGE IS FOR HOTEL ROOMS ONLY.

BUS SEATING IS ASSIGNED TO ONE SEAT PER CUSTOMER.

IF EMPTY SEATS ARE AVAILABLE, ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.


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

  TOUR INCLUDES  

・All land tour transportation included in the itinerary ・All hotel accommodations 

Daily breakfast, 9 lunch & 10 dinner (total 30 meals) including, “Japanese Kaiseki Dinner” “Excellent Buffet” “Local cuisines of West Japan” etc. 

・Sightseeing listed ・All transfer of passenger and baggage ・Souvenir group picture 

TOUR ITINERARY


OCT. 6 (MON) HONOLULU

Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard Japan Airline. Departing Honolulu at 12:50 PM Free Movies and Drinks


OCT. 7 (TUE) HIMEJI,

HOTEL NIKKO HIMEJI

Arrive at Kansai Int'l airport (or Haneda to Itami, Osaka) and after clearing government formalities, go by bus to an old castle town Himeji, filled with many historical events and interesting sights. We will stay 2 nights at hotel that is located right in front of Himeji train station. After hotel check-in around 9:00 pm you can relax and get a good night rest.


OCT. 8 (WED) HIMEJI,

HOTEL NIKKO HIMEJI

Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) is the legendary Samurai fought over 60 battles and was never defeated in his lifetime. Samurai tour will start from this Japan’s greatest swordsman birthplace Musashi-no Sato Village. There are spots related to him such as a Statue, Musashi-jinja Shrine and his Birth Home. You will know the life of the greatest of all Samurai swordsmen started from such a quaint little village. Then proceed to Tatsuno former castle town which is famous throughout Japan for the best quality Somen noodles. We will visit Somen-no Sato to learn the history and production process of Somen. You will taste local specialty product that was eaten during the Samurai period. Later head back to Himeji and visit Japan’s best preserved feudal castle and designated as Japan’s 1st World Heritage site Himeji Castle which is called “White Heron Castle” with her elegant white appearance is widely considered “Most beautiful and spectacular castle in Japan.” You can step back 400 years and picture yourself in the World of the Samurai.


OCT. 9 (THU) FUKUYAMA,

FUKUYAMA NEW CASTLE HOTEL

Head to Okayama to visit Osafune Town an important and historically valuable Japanese sword production area. It has been Japan’s sword craft center for over 1,000 years and has been synonymous with master Samurai sword making. We will visit Japanese Sword Museum, with a collection of Samurai swords masterpieces that are aiming to honor those important historical and cultural legacies. You can purchase hand crafted kitchen knives, scissors, etc., at their gift shop. Another famous item in this area is Bizen-yaki pottery, Japan’s oldest pottery which inherits the tradition over 1,000 years. We will see displays of both old and new examples of Bizen-style pottery and purchase them at the shop. Okayama is also well known as the ‘Fruit Kingdom’ and its Grapes are particularly famous as so exquisite and graceful ones. We will enjoy Grape picking. You can taste high-quality Okayama grapes. Then go to Fukuyama, an old castle town since early 17th century where Miyamoto Musashi once stayed. We will stay 2 nights at the hotel which is located right across from train station and within easy walking distance to Fukuyama Castle, department store, etc. After hotel arrival, tour guides will take you “Holo-Holo” around the hotel.


OCT. 10 (FRI) FUKUYAMA,

FUKUYAMA NEW CASTLE HOTEL

Head to Saijo, a town with a tradition of Sake brewing that goes back more than 300 years and home of 1 of 3 great Sake producing areas in Japan. We will enjoy strolling along Saijo Sake Brewery Street where retains much of its original appearance of old Sake breweries lining the streets with white walls and red bricks for ages. You will be stepping back in time while feeling an old world charm which lingers in the air. We will visit Kamotsuru Sake Brewery, producing famous Sake that once former Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe served to former President Barack Obama. This will be a good chance to learn about Sake, enjoy shopping and Sake tasting. Later head to Sera Highland Farm which is getting popular to be able to get some great photos for Instagram. If timing is right, you will be greeted with staggering varieties of 7,500 Dahlia flowers and 12,000 Garden Chrysanthemum blooming in huge garden.


OCT. 11 (SAT) IMABARI,

IMABARI KOKUSAI HOTEL (ONSEN)

This morning we will enjoy a relaxing drive on the Shimanami Kaido  Highway with breathtaking island-to-island bridges to enjoy the luxurious multi-isle beauty of Seto Inland Sea National Park. We will land on Omishima Island which is called the “Gods Island.” Numerous historic figures and Samurais visit here to pray for their armor and their art of war. We will visit Oyamazumi Shrine was once “One of the most important shrines for the Samurai” and today it’s well-known as “Japan’s Most Extensive Samurai Treasury.” Visit its famous museum holds the incredible collections of Samurai body armor including the armor of Minamotono Yoshitsune, Minamotono Yoritomo’s sword, statuaries belonging to famous Samurais, etc. And visit Kurushima Strait to enjoy Uzushio Viewing Cruise of the whirling tide this narrow strait surrounded with small islands makes tidal currents strong and intricate to navigate. Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience of the whirlpools right up close on a large yacht type pleasure boat. Then proceed to Imabari, best known for production of world’s highest quality towels using only the premier raw materials. We will visit Imabari Towel Flagship Store. You can find the best products suited for your needs from over 100 different types of “high quality Imabari Towel” which is highly praised for Comfort, Reliability and First-rate Towel. Our hotel is a nice city hotel with Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath.


OCT. 12 (SUN) OITA,

HOTEL NIKKO OITA OASIS TOWER

Enjoy shopping at Hatada Tart Okashikan carrying Ehime prefecture’s local confectionaries including “Tart” which is the most popular specialty. (Tart is a roll cake with yuzu mixed Anko inside with Chestnut chip and is originated from Edo period). Then head to a charming castle town of Ozu where still remains a nostalgic atmosphere of Samurai era. We will enjoy strolling along Ohanahan Street offering the historical allure of old traditional Japan in a tranquil countryside setting. Town scape with historical architectures will take you back in time of Samurai. Then head to Cape Sada, the narrowest peninsula in Japan, 30 miles from East to West. We will catch a Ferry sailing through peaceful Bungo channel to Kyushu. After landing on Kyushu, head to our hotel in Oita city. After hotel check-in, you will get a chance to enjoy Holo-Holo at shopping street.


OCT. 13 (MON) KIKUNAN ONSEN,

KIKUNAN UBL HOTEL (ONSEN)

In the morning, we will enjoy driving scenic road, Yamanami highway offering sweeping view of Kuju mountain range. Visit Kuju Flower Park biggest flower park in West Japan. We will enjoy peaceful walk through spacious flower fields filled by Salvia, Marigold, Celosia, etc. Then head to Aso, home to an official UNESCO Global Geopark with the world’s largest Caldera “Mt. Aso.” We will visit Aso Shrine, ancient shrine in the caldera of Mt Aso. There is interesting Monzen Shopping Street right next of the shrine which lined with local gift shops. It is fun to grab snacks such as, Croquettes, Kushi Dango (skewered Dumpling), etc., while exploring. And visit Kusasenri, one of the iconic views of Kyushu. This gorgeous must-see Geosite view is a vast emerald green grassland plateau with peacefully grazing cows and horses on the top of the central peaks of Mt. Aso. Then head to our hotel in Kikunan Osnen in Kumamoto. Enjoy a relaxing soak at Onsen Hot Spring bath. In the evening, enjoy a Japanese Kaiseki Dinner with local ingredients.


OCT. 14 (TUE) KUMAMOTO,

HOTEL NIKKO KUMAMOTO

Kumamoto is known for its huge supply of clean, cold underground mineral water. We will visit Shirakawa Water Source where 60 tons of 57 degree F water gushes out every minute. The water here so clean that you can drink the water directly from the source or pour to your empty bottle without purifying. Then head to the impressive Takachiho Gorge, another 1 of Kyushu’s top spectacular sights in Autumn. The natural environment here is praised as “one of Japan’s most impressive natural landscapes.” You can see outstanding natural scenery with remarkably pristine river that flows through the sheer basalt rock walls. Then head to Kumamoto city, an old castle town with a rich cultural heritage. In 1640, at the age of 57, Miyamoto Musashi became the official retainer of Lord of Kumamoto and spent his last days in here. We will visit Musashizuka park where the gravesite of Musashi is located. Legend states that Musashi in his armor was buried here to look after his lord all the time. We will stay 2 nights at the hotel that is located close to department store and bustling shopping arcade. After hotel check-in, tour guide will take you to Holo-Holo around the hotel.


OCT. 15 (WED) KUMAMOTO,

HOTEL NIKKO KUMAMOTO

Miyamoto Musashi also showed extraordinary talent in ink painting and calligraphy. His art works, which radiate the power of his spirit in vivacious brush strokes, stand unique in the history of Japanese ink-wash monochromes. We will see his art works at Shimada Museum of Art. Not many items related to Musashi are extant. Most of those that are have been preserved in Kumamoto and a third of them are in this museum. Later head to Kumamoto Castle. It is said here was the site of Musashi’s last duel in his life. We will visit Museum and Sakura-no Baba Josaien, located near the castle. Enjoy a leisurely stroll Edo-themed complex and shopping for local products. For those who wish to, you can visit Reigando cave where Musashi wrote “Gorin no sho” also known as the book of The Five Rings. It has all his experience of fighting. He died one week after he finished writing. To get here we will need to walk about 15 minutes up slopes and slope and steps.


OCT. 16 (THU) KOKURA,

RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA

Visit newly opened in April 2024 Daniel Inouye Museum introducing the achievements of the late Daniel K Inouye. Yame is the place where his father and grandfather came from. This museum also features a VR theater that introduces Daniel and the local community. Yame is very famous for Japanese tea which is praised as one of the best Japanese tea brands. We will view vast tea fields spread across gentle hills and stop at Yame Tea Shop to enjoy shopping for authentic Yame Gyokuro Tea (Refined green tea) which is considered the highest-quality category of Japanese tea. Then proceed to Kita Kyushu, the second largest city in Kyushu. We will visit Kokura Castle once Miyamoto Musashi moved here in 1634 and stayed for longest period in his life. You can enter the castle building and learn its history through the movie with huge screen using the latest technology. We will stay 2 nights at hotel next to Kokura station and its shopping area. Upon arrival at hotel, tour guide will take you Holo-Holo to station area.


OCT. 17 (FRI) KOKURA,

RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA

Take a short boat cruise to land on Ganryujima Island, is world famous as the site of the most celebrated duel in the Samurai period, the fight between the two arch-rival swordsmen, Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro. There are statues of Musashi and Kojiro depicting their famous duel on the island. Later go to Karato fish Market for some fun shopping for Dried Seafood, Seaweed, etc. This will be perfect chance to eat fresh Sushi at the famous fish market (You can purchase at your own expense from 1 piece). Those who wish to, you can visit Akama Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Antoku, the 6-year-old child emperor who perished in the sea during Battle of Danno-Ura. Later we will visit Aeon Shopping Mall for lunch and some more shopping. And after going back to the hotel, enjoy some more shopping near the hotel. (Lunch / Dinner will be at your own expense.)


OCT. 18 (SAT) FUKUOKA / HONOLULU

At check-out time our agent will come around to tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage’s to be checked-in down. In the afternoon go to Fukuoka Airport to catch a domestic flight to Haneda airport. Then catch an International flight in the evening to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, OCT 18 (Saturday). 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

EMAIL:  tohoku.travel.hi@gmail.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

TOUR LUNCHEON:  

DATE: 

TIME: 11:00 am

LOCATION: STADIUM CAMELLIA RESTAURANT

ADDRESS: 4510 SALT LAKE BLVD HONOLULU, HAWAII 96818

PHONE NUMBER: 808-486-3311