TOUR ITINERARY
MAR. 27 (SAT) HONOLULU
Depart from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on your flight to Japan. A meal and light snack will be served aboard the flight, along with complimentary beverages and in-flight entertainment, including movies.
MAR. 28 (SUN) ASAKUSA,
ASAKUSA VIEW HOTEL
Arrive at Haneda International Airport and, after clearing government formalities, transfer by bus to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most beloved sightseeing areas. Known for its historic charm, traditional atmosphere, and lively old downtown streets, Asakusa offers a wonderful first glimpse into the beauty and culture of Japan. We will stay for two nights at a hotel conveniently located in the heart of Asakusa, with amazing shopping, dining, and sightseeing right at your doorstep. After hotel check-in, your tour guides will take you holo-holo around the hotel area so you can become familiar with the neighborhood. You may enjoy exploring nearby shops, local restaurants, supermarkets, and the popular Don Quijote discount store, even in the evening.
MAR. 29 (MON) ASAKUSA,
ASAKUSA VIEW HOTEL
The Golden Route of Japan is one of the most popular and ideal routes for first-time travelers. This journey offers a wonderful introduction to Japan through a beautiful balance of modern cityscapes, historical landmarks, natural scenery, and cultural experiences. Each city has its own unique character, allowing you to discover the many different sides of amazing Japan. We will begin in Tokyo, where you can experience the exciting energy and vibrant atmosphere. In the morning, we will enjoy a scenic Sumida River Cruise, offering views of Tokyo from the water. Along the way, we will see the Japanese capital’s famous landmark, Tokyo Skytree, standing proudly at 2,080 feet, rising above the Tokyo skyline. If the timing is right, we may also be able to enjoy the lovely sight of sakura cherry blossoms along the riverside. Afterward, we will visit Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most popular sightseeing areas, known for its historic charm and old downtown atmosphere. We will visit Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple, originally built in the 7th century. You will also have time to walk through and shop along Nakamise Shopping Street, a lively street lined with traditional souvenir shops and food stalls. The area begins at the famous Kaminarimon Gate, known for its large red lantern and beloved as one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks. Later, we will head to the Imperial Palace, located on the former site of Edo Castle. We will visit the Outer Garden to see Nijubashi Bridge, one of Tokyo’s most famous bridges and a symbolic entrance to the Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Imperial Family. After returning to the hotel, enjoy free time to shop and explore the surrounding area at your leisure.
MAR. 30 (TUE) LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO,
HOTEL REGINA KAWAGUCHIKO (ONSEN) ♨
We will head to Lake Kawaguchi, one of the most popular areas near Mt. Fuji and a destination that has attracted worldwide attention for its beautiful scenery and welcoming atmosphere. If the weather is clear, we may be blessed with amazing close-up views of Mt. Fuji. For lunch, we will enjoy delicious Beef Katsu, a flavorful Japanese-style beef cutlet with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy inside. This hearty meal is sure to be a memorable dining experience during our visit to the Mt. Fuji area. Afterward, we will visit Lake Sai, one of the Fuji Five Lakes, located at the northern base of Mt. Fuji. We will then explore Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, a beautifully restored traditional village with thatched-roof houses and a nostalgic old-Japan atmosphere. While strolling through the village, you may enjoy stunning views of Mt. Fuji framed between the traditional farmhouses, weather permitting. We will also visit the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, where you can learn about the outstanding universal value of Mt. Fuji, including its natural ecosystem, cultural history, and spiritual importance as the “Symbol of Japan.” You can also shop for Mt. Fuji-related merchandise at the gift shop. Our hotel is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, with picture windows in the rooms facing the mountain. This evening, you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the onsen hot spring bath and savor a traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner.
MAR. 31 (WED) NAGOYA,
ANA CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL GRAND COURT NAGOYA
Today, we will head to the historic castle town of Okazaki, known as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the famous “Shogun” and one of the three Great Unifiers of 16th-century Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu loved the local specialty Hatcho Miso, a rich and flavorful miso with more than 600 years of history. We will visit a traditional miso factory to see how this local miso is made and sample delicious miso soup. You will also have the opportunity to purchase Hatcho Miso, which is used in many famous miso-based dishes of the Nagoya area. Later, we will continue to Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city, known for its historical landmarks, delicious local cuisine, and traditional culture. We will visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, located at the birthplace of Toyota, Japan’s largest company. Here, you can learn how Toyota developed from its early beginnings as a loom-making company into one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, with thousands of impressive displays, original equipment, and dynamic demonstrations. We will stay at a soaring tower hotel conveniently located near the train station, shopping mall, and supermarket, giving you a wonderful opportunity to enjoy shopping even after dinner.
APR. 1 (THU) KYOTO,
HOTEL & SPA KYOTO EMINENCE (ONSEN) ♨
We will visit Nagoya’s number one landmark, Nagoya Castle, including its beautifully restored Honmaru Palace, originally built for the Tokugawa Shoguns in 1615. Although it was lost during World War II, the palace was carefully restored using traditional methods to recreate its original beauty. Once praised as one of the most elegant and gorgeous castle palaces ever built, Honmaru Palace allows you to walk through rooms filled with ornate decorations, beautiful painted screens, and the atmosphere of a powerful feudal lord’s residence. If the timing is right, we may also enjoy lovely sakura cherry blossoms along the castle moat. Then, we will head to Nabana no Sato Flower Park, where you can stroll through a large flower garden filled with beautiful seasonal blooms, including tulips, cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and more, depending on the timing. We will also enjoy seasonal Strawberry Picking, where you can taste fresh and sweet Japanese strawberries. Afterward, we will continue to Kyoto, known for its timeless beauty and often praised as one of the most beautiful cities in Japan. We will stay for two nights at a hotel with an onsen facility. Takashimaya Department Store is located right next to the hotel, giving you a wonderful chance to enjoy shopping and relax in the onsen hot spring bath after hotel check-in.
APR. 2 (FRI) KYOTO,
HOTEL & SPA KYOTO EMINENCE (ONSEN) ♨
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour in Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan for over 1,100 years. Kyoto is renowned for its rich history, beautiful temples and shrines, traditional culture, and elegant atmosphere. Throughout the city, you will experience a distinctive blend of old and new Japan, where timeless traditions and modern life coexist. First, we will visit one of Kyoto’s most famous symbols, Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This breathtaking temple is beautifully situated beside a reflecting pond, creating one of Kyoto’s most iconic and unforgettable views. Later, we will enjoy lunch and shopping at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, which offers beautifully crafted Kyoto specialty goods, traditional items, and unique souvenirs. Then, we will enjoy the elegant Miyako Odori Dance Show, also known as the Cherry Blossom Dance. This special annual spring performance features the refined traditional song and dance skills of Maiko, apprentice geisha, and Geiko, Kyoto geisha, in a timeless and graceful setting. Enjoy the beauty of spectacular dances, music, colorful kimonos, and the unforgettable artistry of Kyoto’s traditional entertainment.
APR. 3 (SAT) OKAYAMA,
KURASHIKI IVY SQUARE
We will head to Osaka to visit the popular attraction NIFREL, a unique and interactive aqua-zoo that combines elements of an aquarium, zoo, and art museum. Divided into eight themed zones, NIFREL showcases fascinating creatures and immersive displays that allow you to discover the wonder and beauty of nature in a creative new way. Enjoy a memorable experience as you observe animals up close, see their unique characteristics, and take in an atmosphere unlike a typical aquarium or zoo. Then, we will continue to Miki, a historic blade-making area with a tradition dating back over 1,500 years. At the Miki Cutlery Center, you will have the chance to shop for Miki’s durable and incredibly sharp knives, scissors, nail clippers, and quality hardware. Later, we will visit Korakuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Created about 330 years ago during the Edo Period, this beautiful landscape garden features a large pond, flowing streams, spacious lawns, and peaceful seasonal scenery. Afterward, we will proceed to Kurashiki, often called the “Venice of Japan” for its beautifully preserved historic townscape and picturesque canals. Tonight’s hotel is located in a charming complex of ivy-covered brick buildings and within walking distance of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, where you can enjoy a nostalgic townscape of 400-year-old Japanese-style storehouses, white walls, willow-lined canals, and the graceful atmosphere of old Japan.
APR. 4 (SUN) HIROSHIMA,
HOTEL GRANVIA HIROSHIMA
Today, we will travel to Saijo, known as one of Japan’s top three great sake-producing areas. We will visit Kamotsuru Sake Brewery, a historic brewery with more than 150 years of tradition. Kamotsuru is known for producing high-quality sake, including a famous sake once served by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to former U.S. President Barack Obama. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about traditional Japanese sake, enjoy tasting, and shop for a variety of sake products. Then, we will proceed to Hiroshima, a major city in western Japan. We will visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and see the World Cultural Heritage site, the Atomic Bomb Dome. You can walk through the peaceful riverside park, which features many meaningful memorials, including the Peace Bell, cenotaphs, and the Flame of Peace. We will also visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, an important museum that shares the history and lasting message of the first atomic bombing. We will stay for two nights at a hotel directly connected to Hiroshima Station and its shopping building. After hotel check-in, your tour guides will take you holo-holo around the station area.
APR. 5 (MON) HIROSHIMA,
HOTEL GRANVIA HIROSHIMA
We will visit one of Japan’s most beloved sightseeing destinations, Miyajima Island, and the beautiful, sacred Itsukushima Shrine, where you can experience one of Japan’s most iconic and spiritual views. Miyajima is celebrated as one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views, and Itsukushima Shrine is also recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Originally built over 1,400 years ago, the shrine is famous for its brilliantly colored pavilions and the world-renowned “floating shrine,” which appears to drift on the sea during high tide. You will also have fun strolling and shopping along Omotesando Shopping Street, lined with shops selling traditional Miyajima souvenirs and local delicacies such as grilled oysters and freshly baked momiji manju. Later, we will head to Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture to see the famous Kintai Bridge, originally built in 1673. This beautiful wooden arched bridge has long been praised as one of Japan's three most beautiful bridges. As you walk across this iconic structure, you can admire the craftsmanship of what is considered the world’s largest wooden bridge. If the timing is right, you may also enjoy the lovely sight of approximately 3,000 sakura cherry blossoms blooming along the riverbanks, depending on the climate that year.
APR. 6 (TUE) KOKURA,
RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA
This morning, we will travel to Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island, aboard the world-famous Shinkansen Bullet Train. Enjoy the exciting experience of riding Japan’s high-speed bullet train, reaching speeds of up to 198 mph. Upon arrival at Kokura Station, we will transfer by bus to Shimonoseki via the Kanmon Straits, which separate Japan’s main island of Honshu from Kyushu. This historic area is known for important events, including the battle that led to the fall of the Heike clan in 1185 and the famous duel between Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro in 1612. We will visit the Karato Fish Market, where you can enjoy shopping for dried seafood, seaweed, and processed seafood products. Please note that the market is quieter on weekdays than on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Afterward, we will enjoy lunch at Kamon Wharf, a popular waterfront dining area offering a variety of fresh seafood options. Later, we will head to the nostalgic Mojiko Retro Area, a charming waterfront district known for its beautifully preserved late 19th-century Western-style buildings. We will visit the Mojiko Retro Observation Room, which stands 338 feet high and offers magnificent views of the Mojiko Retro district, the Kanmon Bridge over the Kanmon Strait, and the Shimonoseki area. We will stay for two nights at a hotel located next to Kokura Station and its shopping area. After hotel check-in, your tour guides will take you holo-holo around the station area.
APR. 7 (WED) KOKURA,
RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA
Kyushu is rich in historical sites connected to important events and cultural exchange with Korea, China, and beyond through ancient sea routes and the Silk Road. We will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Munakata Taisha Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest and most sacred shrines, featured in Japanese mythology. The original shrine is located on a remote sacred island along the ancient sea route to Korea, where people have prayed for safe travel since the 4th century. Although the island remains off-limits to the public, you can discover fascinating glimpses of Japan’s past through the sacred religious sites that have been preserved and passed down for centuries. We will also visit the shrine’s impressive Treasure Hall, which displays many National Treasure artifacts excavated from the sacred island, including weapons, jewelry, bronze mirrors, and glassworks dating from the 4th to 9th centuries. These treasures are believed to be connected to ancient overseas trade and to reflect the area's spiritual history and its role as a cultural gateway at the end of the Silk Road. Later, we will enjoy shopping at the headquarters of Mochikichi Rice Crackers, one of Japan’s leading rice cracker manufacturers, where you can purchase their popular gourmet rice crackers at the factory store. We will also enjoy more shopping and lunch at AEON Shopping Mall before returning to the hotel. Afterward, you will have additional time to shop, relax, and pack at the hotel. (Lunch and Dinner will be at your own expense.)
APR. 8 (THU) FUKUOKA / HONOLULU
At check-out time, our agent will come to tape and tie up the boxes, then assist with bringing the baggage downstairs for check-in. We will proceed by bus to Fukuoka Airport to catch our domestic flight to Haneda International Airport. From Haneda, we will connect to our international evening flight to Honolulu. We will arrive in Honolulu the same morning, Thursday, April 8. After clearing U.S. Customs, please proceed home. (Lunch and Dinner will be at your own expense)
*Price, Itinerary, and Meals are subject to change without notice.*
*** 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
🧾 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