TOUR ITINERARY
APRIL 11 (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 12 (SUN) KOBE,
KOBE MARRIOTT HOTEL
Arrive at Kansai International Airport and after clearing government formalities, by bus to Kobe, 2nd largest city in west Japan after Osaka. We will stay 2 nights at hotel that is conveniently located close to Kobe’s popular shopping and amusement area where you can enjoy shopping as well as the beautiful sights and tastes of Kobe.
APRIL 13 (MON) KOBE
KOBE MARRIOTT HOTEL
Head to Awaji Island, a wonderful resort island filled with beautiful nature and historic culture. This island is called “Island of flowers” because of a comfortable climate and beautiful flowers blooming all through 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 magnificent view of a brilliant yellow color Canola blossom with blue ocean as a backdrop. These pretty flowers create a dreamlike world. Awaji island has offered its high-quality foods to the Imperial Family and Imperial Court since ancient times. After enjoy Local food lunch, see a Joruri Puppet Show a very particular example of traditional Japanese performing art registered as the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It’s amazing 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 going back to the hotel in Kobe, you can enjoy shopping around hotel.
APRIL 14 (TUE) LAKE BIWA,
GRAND MERCURE LAKE BIWA RESORT & SPA (ONSEN)
Head to Osaka to visit Expo'70 Commemorative Park, a former site of World Exposition held in 1970 where you can see 230 feet high “Tower of Sun” a massive symbolic structure of Expo for main theme “progress of mankind”. After enjoying famous Omi Beef for lunch, visit Azuchi Castle Museum exhibiting recreated tower of Azuchi Castle built for Seville Expo '92 in Spain (the very original castle was built by the legendary warlord Oda Nobunaga). In its theater we’ll enjoy watching dynamic 4-K movie which will take you back to Sengoku Period (15~16th century). Then proceed to Nagahama, a charming old castle town by the Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan. We will stay at resort hotel standing by the lake. By taking a step out of the hotel, you will see a stunning view of the vast lake almost look like ocean. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing soak in the Onsen Hot Spring Open Air Rock bath.
APRIL 15 (WED) KOMAGANE HEIGHTS,
KOMAGANE RESORT LINX (ONSEN)
Oda Nobunaga is known as the first great unifier of Japan. Visit Kiyosu Castle where he once lived. From this castle he launched the Battle of Okehazama, first major strategic victory in the career which he achieved a decisive victory. You can enter castle building if you wish to and it will be nice to stroll a beautiful Zen-style Japanese garden with big stones. Also a local guide will explain detail of castle and its history. Any question will be welcomed! Later go to see Hanamomo (Hana Peach Blossom). This is unusual type of peach tree with 3 different shades of pink flowers blooming from one tree. If the timing is right the whole village will be filled with pink color. This beautiful scenery is called “Shangri-La in Japan.” Then proceed to Komagane Heights located at the foot of the magnificent Southern and Central Japan Alps. Tonight’s hotel is 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 16 (THU) TAKASAKI,
HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
In the morning, ride the Komagane Ropeway that will carry you 3,117 feet high into the sky. From an altitude of 8,570 feet, you will enjoy a superb panoramic view of the Southern and Northern Japan Alps and Mt. Fuji (Weather permitting). It will be about the time we can see Remaining snow covering all over around mountain top station area. We will stop at Nitta Jozo Miso Factory originally established in 1855 to learn about production of Shinshu Miso and try tasting Miso Soup and enjoy shopping for their products of Miso, Miso Senbei, etc. You can try Miso Ice Cream if you wish to. Then head to Takasaki, best-known for Daruma dolls, the good-luck charm now popular around Japan. Our hotel is connecting to Takasaki train station and its shopping building with 100Yen shop, etc. Enjoy shopping after hotel check in.
APRIL 17 (FRI) SADO ISLAND,
HOTEL FAMILIO SADO AIKAWA (ONSEN)
Catch a Shinkansen Bullet Train to Niigata. After arrival, transfer to bus to Niigata port to board the Jetfoil to Sado Island, largest island in Japan sea side, filled with picturesque scenery with an interesting history, unique culture, traditional arts and entertainments. This island has attracted world attention because of the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage status in 2024. Upon arrival on the island, visit Toki no Mori Park to see 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 fine taste of the famous Sado Sake and watch a short English movie about their Sake. Then go to Sado Gold Mine, had been in operation for 388 years starting from 1601 and became one of the World’s largest gold producers in the 17th century. We will go inside the mine with its display of robots recreating scenes from the old gold mining days. For those who have been here before, you can try Doyuko Course with actual hauling inspection tunnel which had been used until 1989. You will see the symbolic Doyuno Wareto or Split Mountain at the end of this route. Excavation work had “split” the mountain! 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 relaxing soak at the Onsen Hot Spring bath.
APRIL 18 (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 stretches over 1 mile. It praised as resembling the Northern European fjord. A series of 100 feet high cliffs will overwhelm you. Later visit ex-commissioner’s office where you can learn how Tokugawa government used to manage Sado and the island’s gold mines in 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 city. We will stay 2 nights at hotel which is located within walking distance to shopping mall with 100Yen shop, Supermarket, UNIQLO, etc. After arrival at hotel, Free time to enjoy shopping or just rest.
APRIL 19 (SUN) NIIGATA,
ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL NIIGATA
In the morning, visit Niigata Furusato Village that offers an overview of Niigata’s history and culture with many exhibits. It is also good place to enjoy shopping for Niigata’s local specialties such as Rice, Traditional handicraft, Sake, Dried seafood, healthy local foods, naturally fermented miso, etc. You will be able to visit its fantastic flower garden filled with colorful 33 different varieties of Fifty thousand tulips here also. Later head to Tsubame Sanjo 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 World’s leading metal work production areas. They manufacture a huge variety of products such as cutting tools, tableware and other products based on metal-processing technologies. We will enjoy shopping at Tsubame Sanjo Cutlery Center in huge store with many selections of the products like Knives, Kitchen utensils, Gardening scissors, Saws, etc. We will also visit Senbei Kingdom to enjoy “Grilling your own Senbei (rice cracker)” and purchase of fresh Senbei at the factory store. You can also enjoy shopping for healthy local foods, naturally fermented miso, pickled vegetables, etc.
APRIL 20 (MON) KINUGAWA ONSEN,
KINUGAWA HOTEL MIKAZUKI (ONSEN)
Head to Aizu-Wakamatsu a former castle town which is known for its award-winning Sake and its Samurai tradition. We will visit Mt. Iimori where unit of teen-age Samurai “Byakkotai” took their own lives in 1868 when they fought in Boshin war that was the last domestic battle in Japan’s history. Afternoon, enjoy riding on chartered Ozatoro Tembo Scenic Train. During the ride, you can view Aizu's nature and stunning scenery with beautiful gorge, rivers, bridge, etc., through the expansive windows of the observation deck carriage. Then head to Kinugawa, one of Japan’s most famous Onsen Resort areas which is located at the upper stream of the Kinugawa river with rich natural surroundings. We will stay at beautiful Onsen Resort hotel which has over 20 varieties of Onsen Hot Spring bath such as Golden and Silver bath, Silk bath, Jet bath, etc. Enjoy theme park of Onsen Hot Spring bath of famous Kinugawa Hot Spring.
APRIL 21 (TUE) MITO,
HOTEL TERRACE THE GARDEN MITO
Enjoy Strawberry Picking in season. You can taste fresh and sweet Japanese strawberries as many as you like! Later 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 selected as one of the "Top 10 Dream Destinations in the World" by CNN. Enjoy the fairytale-like scenery in breathtaking “Wisteria Wonderland.” (Blooming level depends on climate of the year). Then proceed to Mito, thrived as a castle town of Mito-Tokugawa clan and most famous for Mito Natto which is said the very best in all of Japan that founded in here 940 years ago. We will stay 2 nights at hotel that is located next to Mito train station and shopping building. You can enjoy shopping after hotel check-in.
APRIL 22 (WED) MITO,
HOTEL TERRACE THE GARDEN MITO
Go to Hitachi Seaside Park that 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 enormous park this will depend on climate of the year. This amazing and picturesque scenery is praised as "Japan's most spectacular flower event in spring" and "Have to see Once in a life time sight". After enjoy shopping for dried seafood at Nakaminato Osakana Market, enjoy lunch and some more shopping at Aeon shopping Mall. Then back to our hotel. (Lunch / Dinner will be at your own expense)
APRIL 23 (THU) HANEDA / 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 Haneda Airport to catch flight in the evening to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu same morning, April 23 (Thursday). After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch / Dinner will be at your own expense)
*** 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 Payment & Cancellation Policy
💳 Land Tour Payment Policy
💰 Full Payment Due: 90 days before the tour start date
💱 Exchange Rate Locks In: At 90 days before the tour
🧾 Deposit Policy
💵 Deposit Amount: $250.00 per person
🗓️ Due: Once the itinerary is posted on the Tohoku Travel website
📌 Terms:
❌ Non-refundable
🔄 Non-transferable
✅ Applied toward final payment
⚠️ Cancellation Fees (Per Person)
⏳ Time Before Tour
💸 Fee
90 to 30 days $1,500.00*
29 to 1 day $2,500.00*
* Deducted from total paid; remaining balance may be refunded.
🚫 NO REFUNDS once the tour starts
📎 Additional Notes
🏨 Hotel and ticket cancellations (🎟️ Miyako Odori, 🎢 Tokyo Disney Sea, 🚄 Shinkansen) may incur additional charges.
💱 If YEN has already been purchased, refunds may vary based on exchange rates at the time of return to USD.
📞 Contact Information
Tohoku Travel Services
📞 808-536-8618 | 📞 808-538-7854
📧 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
📞 +81-45-311-1011 | 📠 +81-45-311-1013