✈️ JAPAN CULTURAL & HISTORICAL TOUR
🗓️ May 30 – June 11
📍 Round-trip from Honolulu, Hawaii
✈️ Tohoku Travel Services – Your trusted travel companion from start to finish.
👨💼 Guided by Yokohama Travel, Inc.
📅 ITINERARY OVERVIEW
MAY 30 (SAT) – HONOLULU
Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard Japan Airlines flight. Free Movies and Drinks.
MAY 31 (SUN) – NARA
HOTEL NIKKO NARA
Arrive at Kansai International Airport and after clearing government formalities, by bus to Nara, ancient capital city of Japan. We will stay 2 nights at hotel that is conveniently located next to Nara train station where you can enjoy shopping.
JUNE 1 (MON) – NARA SIGHTSEEING
HOTEL NIKKO NARA
In the Morning, visit Nara Palace Site Historical Park located at site of ancient Japanese capital from the Nara period (710-784) called Heijo-kyo, registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site with its massive Suzakumon Gate which served as a majestic entry point of Nara Palace reconstructed in 1998. You can also learn more about the history and overview of the entire Heijo Palace in Heijokyo Izanai-Kan Guidance Center. Later visit the Goldfish Museum. Nara is the production center of beautiful goldfish. This museum is a very sophisticated space decorated in fascinating and vibrant collaboration with goldfish and art. Immerse yourself while watching the beloved shiny goldfishes swimming gracefully through the water. Those who wish to, visit World Heritage Todaiji Temple, originally constructed in 752. Its Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) is the world's largest wooden building holds the world’s largest bronze statue "Big Buddha" standing at 50 ft high or the equivalent of a five-story building. (walking distance one way to Todaiji Temple is 2,000 ft)
JUNE 2 (TUE) – UJI & NAGOYA
ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL GRAND COURT NAGOYA
Head to southern Kyoto, Uji well known for tea production. We visit Soen Koyuan Yantan to enjoy shopping and try tasting Uji tea. Instructor here also show us how to pour green tea in professional method. Then head to Nagoya. We will visit Tokugawa Art Museum which is praised as the top museum of Samurai art and culture. The museum preserves and exhibits extensive and unrivaled collection of Samurai artifacts that once belonging to Tokugawa family. Exhibit galleries recreating an atmosphere of the past for a look back in time as you adore the beauty of the golden age of Shoguns. You will see Samurai armor, swords, tea utensils, Noh masks, etc., those were painstakingly collected over many generations of Tokugawa family. Also you can visit Tokugawaen Garden right next to the museum, a delightful Japanese landscape garden with a large pond at its center. You can enjoy strolling in the major daimyo style garden in the Edo period. A clear stream flows from a waterfall through a ravine and continues to a pond representing the ocean, a sight that symbolically condenses Japan's natural landscape. We will stay 2 nights at hotel located close to Kanayama station and its shopping area where you can enjoy shopping before and after dinner.
JUNE 3 (WED) – SAMURAI BATTLEFIELDS,
ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL GRAND COURT NAGOYA
Head to Sekigahara known for the “Battle of Sekigahara” which was the greatest Samurai battle in Japanese history, bringing the long civil war period to an effective close. We will visit newly opened Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum. Various exhibits will help you get a deeper understanding of this major conflict battle which took place here in 1600. Not only learning how this battle affected Samurai society but also travel back in time and experience what the atmosphere of the battlefield was like on the day it was fought through exhibition with English panel, experience touching weapons and enjoying movie show on Ground Vision Theater, etc. Next, visit Kiso Three Rivers Waju Museum. Here, we learn about Waju (levees) that was constructed for defense from Toyotomi side and flood control purpose under the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Giant screen movie and projection mapping will make us understand how the flood had been suffering local people. Also there is recreated Daimyo (feudal load) residence of 1st Daimyo of this area (branch family of Owari Tokugawa) where we can learn about Daimyo’s life.
JUNE 4 (THU) – LAKE HAMANA & FLOWERS
GRAND MERCURE LAKE HAMANA RESORT & SPA (ONSEN)♨
Visit Okazaki Castle, known as the birthplace of most important Shogun in Japanese history "Tokugawa Ieyasu". Next to the castle, there is Mikawa Bushi and Ieyasu Museum which outlines the local history and local Samurais who praised as Proud, Stoic, Loyal and Strong warriors with display of weapons, war helmets and armor including replica of Ieyasu’s armor and battle items. Castle ground is a peaceful place to wander among the original stone walls and moats with 400 years history. Later visit Hamamatsu Flower Park filled by seasonal flowers all year around. It will about right in season when Iris and Hydrangea blooming. After enjoying stroll through the garden, you can enjoy shopping for local souvenir. 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.
JUNE (FRI) – IZU HATAKE ONSEN
DAISENYA HOTEL (ONSEN)♨
Visit Hamamatsu Festival Museum exhibiting festival floats actually used for Hamamatsu Festival held every May with 450 years history. We will enjoy short movie of the festival with English subtitle. They also have exhibition of “Shusse Daiko drums” being used for the festival originated from the episode that Ieyasu force took aback Takeda force by Taiko sound after got defeated by Takeda which allowed Tokugawa’s to escape. Then enjoy shopping and lunch at Yaizu Sakana Center carrying mainly fresh seafood products landed from Yaizu port. Afternoon we ride a Nihondaira Rope way to go up to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine which is the original burial place of the founder and the first Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu who has been gaining world attention because of an American historical drama television series “SHOGUN”. Its main character Yoshii Toranaga is modeled after Tokugawa Ieyasu. Then proceed to Onsen resort hotel where Mt. Fuji can be seen on clear day. Enjoy delicious Japanese Kaiseki dinner in the evening. Soak and relax in Hot Spring Bath and Open air Roten Buro bath, designated as a Hot Spring with Recuperative Properties by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.
JUNE 6 (SAT) – MT. FUJI / LAKE YAMANAKA
HOTEL MT. FUJI (ONSEN)♨
Head to Hakone, a relaxing tourist spot renowned for its natural beauty. Visit Hakone Sekisho (Old Check point) designated as a National historic property. Hakone used to be an important checkpoint to control traffic along the Tokaido road in Edo period. You can sense a feeling of the olden days in Edo period while walking through the restored buildings. Visit Okada Museum of Art, a fascinating museum displays approximately 450 artworks and ceramics including leading artists in Edo period Katsushika Hokusai, Kitagawa Utamaro, etc. Another overwhelming painting art here is “Fujin-Raijin”(the thunder god and the wind god) measured 40 ft x 100 ft by contemporary artist Kotaro Fuku. Then visit Oshino Hakkai small village in the Fuji Five Lake region. Cool and 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 head to Lake Yamanaka and our hotel located in highland look over the lake and Mt. Fuji. Soak and Relax in Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open air bath with view of Mt. Fuji.
JUNE 7 (SUN) – KAWAGOE (LITTLE EDO)
KAWAGOE TOBU HOTEL
In the morning, enjoy shopping at Michi no Eki (Road Station) carrying local products such as snacks of local Grape & Peach, Udon noodles, Shingen-mochi Ice Cream, etc. Also you can pour fresh siring water flowing out from Mt. Fuji containing vanadium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, etc. After enjoy shopping and lunch at Aeon Shopping Mall, head to Kawagoe, called “Koedo” (Little Edo) designated by Ieyasu to be as a pivotal role as a northern defense point for Edo. Pass the 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. Our hotel tonight is a part of shopping mall building and walking distance to Kawagoe train station. After hotel check-in enjoy Holo Holo near the hotel.
JUNE 8 (MON) – NIKKO & KINUGAWA
HOTEL NIKKO KINUGAWA MIKAZUKI (ONSEN)♨
Visit Ashio Copper Mine opened in 1610 under administration of Edo government. The excavation was closed in 1973 and currently open for visitors to learn how mining industry used to be. We will ride trolleys taking us down to the industrial legacy site through 2,300 ft long mining tunnel that flourished for more than 400 years. In addition, the copper extracted here was used for roofing at Nikko Toshogu Shrine and the Shogun's castle in the capital of Edo. Then go to “World Heritage Wonderland” Nikko at the entrance to Nikko National Park. We visit its main attraction “Toshogu Shrine” built 400 years ago as a magnificent mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This shrine has been praised as Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and Japan’s most photographed place. Countless wood carvings and large amounts of gold leaf were used to decorate the buildings in a way not seen elsewhere in Japan. You will see an elaborate and breathtakingly beautiful carvings that have been called “the Pride of Japan.” Then go to our hotel in Kinugawa Onsen a popular hot spring resort town along the Kinugawa River. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air bath.
JUNE 9 (TUE) – TOBU WORLD SQUARE & TOKYO
HOTEL METROPOLITAN, IKEBUKURO
Visit Tobu World Square, a unique theme park exhibits 1:25 scale models of the most famous “World Cultural Heritage Sites in the world” such as Pyramid, Great Wall of China, Himeji Castle, Statue of Liberty, etc. You can enjoy “Around the world trip by walk” at this park. Then we visit Ashikaga Flower Park, a paradise for flower lovers. You can enjoy pleasant walking through beautiful garden like fairytale with 1,500 bulbous blue and purple Hydrangeas and 200,000 Irises blooming. After lunch head to Ikebukuro, Tokyo, one of Tokyo's multiple city centers and a major commercial and entertainment district in west Tokyo. We will stay 2 nights at hotel that is within easy walking distance to the shopping district. Upon hotel arrival, tour guides will take you to shopping area near the hotel.
JUNE 10 (WED) – TOKYO CITY TOUR
HOTEL METROPOLITAN, IKEBUKURO
Visit Zojoji temple, the family temple of Tokugawa Shoguns. It’s originally built in 1393 and moved to its present location in 1598 by Ieyasu. This beautiful and peaceful temple’s massive main building with symbolic Tokyo Tower in the background makes for postcard like pictures. Then proceed to Toyosu, home of Tokyo's largest wholesale market. We will visit Tokyo’s new attraction opened in 2024 Senkyaku Banrai, a very unique shopping and entertainment facility designed with rich inspiration from the town scape of olden time Tokyo, Edo period. You will immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Edo while enjoying a wide variety of retail stores that make use of the fresh seafood and ingredient from the adjacent Toyosu Market. (Lunch / Dinner will be at your own expense.)
JUNE 11 (THU) – RETURN TO HONOLULU
At checkout time, our agents will come around to tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked-in down. In the afternoon, proceed to Haneda International Airport to catch flight in the evening to Honolulu, arriving the same morning, JUNE. 11 (Thursday) after clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch / Dinner will be at your own expense.)
✅ INCLUDED:
🚌 All land transportation
🏨 Hotels & luggage transfers
🍽️ Most meals
🎟️ Sightseeing admissions
📸 Souvenir group photo
❌ NOT INCLUDED:
Passport / Visa / Travel insurance
Meals noted as “at own expense”
Premium class upgrades (available upon request)
✈️ Land Tour Payment & Cancellation Policy
💳 Land Tour Payment Policy
💰 Full Payment Due: 90 days before the tour start date
🧾 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
📞 808-492-1122 | 📞 808-492-1123
📧 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
