202708
TOHOKU TRAVEL'S WORLD FAMOUS WISTERIA NIIGATA & SADO ISLAND FLOWER VIEWING "OHANAMI" TOUR #8
Departure date: April 13 (Tue) 2027
Return date: April 25 (Sun) 2027
💰 Tour Cost (Land Only) $5,850.00 (Taxes included)
🏨 Single Supplement Add $820.00 (Taxes included)
6 Business Class: $4,000.00 (Taxes, Fuel Surcharges included)
6 Premium Economy: $2,500.00 (Taxes, Fuel Surcharges included)
18 Economy: $1,350.00 (Taxes, Fuel Surcharges included)
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” “Fresh seafood from Japan sea” “Local cuisines of various districts in Niigata area” etc.
・Sightseeing listed ・All transfer of passenger and baggage ・Souvenir group picture
TOUR ITINERARY
APRIL 13 (TUE) HONOLULU,
Depart from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport aboard your flight to Japan. A meal and light snack will be served during the flight, along with complimentary beverages and in-flight entertainment, including free movies.
APRIL 14 (WED) SAKAI, OSAKA,
HOTEL AGORA REGENCY OSAKA SAKAI
Arrive at Kansai International Airport and, after clearing government formalities, we will travel by bus to Sakai, Osaka, a historic city located at the entrance of Osaka Bay. We will stay at an elegant urban hotel conveniently located close to the train station.
APRIL 15 (THU) LAKE BIWA,
GRAND MERCURE LAKE BIWA RESORT & SPA (ONSEN) ♨
For customers who would like to join this tour, spring in Japan is one of the best seasons to enjoy beautifully blooming flowers. It is not only the season for Sakura (Cherry Blossoms); Japan has a wide variety of spring flowers that showcase the season's true beauty. First, we will see the photogenic baby-blue Nemophila Flowers at Osaka Maishima Seaside Park, where the Nemophila Festival will be held, and feature about one million flowers. This amazing spring flower is renowned for its breathtaking blue carpet of blossoms. The lovely, vivid blue flowers cover the hillsides as far as you can see, blending beautifully with the blue sky and blue waters of Osaka Bay. On a clear day, you may be able to enjoy the famous “three blues” of flowers, sky, and sea all at once. Then, we will head to Shiga Prefecture, which has a sister-state relationship with the State of Michigan thanks to Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. We will visit Biwako Otsukan, a historical building built in 1934 as the prestigious Lake Biwa Hotel. It was once known as the “State Guesthouse of the Lake Country” and hosted many notable guests, including the Emperor, Helen Keller, John Wayne, and others. This beautiful building features a distinctive harmony between a traditional Japanese-style exterior and a Western-style interior, perfectly matching the scenery of Lake Biwa. We will enjoy lunch in the former prestigious hotel’s main dining room. Afterward, we will visit the World Kite Museum, featuring Japan’s largest kite, equivalent in size to about 100 tatami mats, along with unique and colorful kites from various regions in Japan and around the world. It is amazing to watch the dynamic movie of the giant kite flying on a large screen, and you can also purchase colorful miniature kites at the gift shop. Then, we will head to Nagahama, a charming old castle town beside serene Lake Biwa. We will stay at a resort hotel standing by the lake. As soon as you step outside the hotel, you will see a stunning view of the vast lake, which almost looks like the ocean. The hotel is also located near a park with Nagahama Castle, making it a nice place to walk around, relax, unwind, and take photos in the morning. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing soak in the onsen, an open-air rock bath.
APRIL 16 (FRI) KOMAGANE HEIGHTS,
KOMAGANE RESORT LINX(ONSEN) ♨
We will head to Kakamigahara, one of Japan’s leading cities for the aerospace-related industry. We will visit the Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum, Japan’s largest air and space museum, which exhibits 35 real aircraft, aircraft-related materials, and displays related to the development of space technology. This will be an awesome experience, like taking a journey through Japan’s aviation history. You can take a closer look at rockets, research aircraft, helicopters, human-powered aircraft, fighter jets, transport planes, a replica of the first aircraft to fly in Japan, and more. After enjoying shopping and lunch at AEON Shopping Mall, we will head to Hanamomo Village, known as one of Japan’s greatest peach blossom paradises. We will see Hanamomo, or Hana Peach Blossoms, an unusual type of peach tree with three different shades of pink flowers blooming from one tree. If the timing is right, around 5,000 flowering peach trees will bloom across the mountainside, covering the whole village in soft shades of red, white, and pink. This beautiful scenery is often called “Shangri-La in Japan.” Then, we will head to Komagane Heights, located at the foot of the magnificent Southern and Central Japan Alps. We will stay at a secluded and lovely mountain resort hotel surrounded by forest. Soak and relax in the onsen hot spring bath and open-air bath, where you can feel the beauty of nature while bathing.
APRIL 17 (SAT) MADARAO HEIGHTS,
TANGRAM MADARAO TOKYU RESORT (ONSEN) ♨
In the morning, we will visit the tranquil Kozenji Temple, with a history of more than 1,200 years, and it is considered one of the most sacred sites in Southern Nagano. You can explore the beautiful temple grounds, designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty, while enjoying the harmonious scenery of nature and architecture. The path to the temple is lined with moss and giant Japanese cedar trees and continues through the forest toward the three-storied pagoda. This ancient temple is also known as one of the grandest cherry blossom spots for Shidare-zakura Weeping Cherry Blossoms. If the timing is right, about 70 weeping cherry trees will beautifully color the temple grounds, with the snowy Central Japan Alps in the background. Afterward, we will head to Obuse, a lovely small town known for its charming streets lined with well-preserved historic buildings and its peaceful, traditional atmosphere. We will visit the Hokusai Museum, dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai, a renowned artist of Japan’s exquisite ukiyo-e woodblock prints. You can enjoy the beauty of Japanese art through his celebrated masterpieces, which influenced internationally famous artists such as Vincent van Gogh. Obuse is also called “Chestnut Town” because of its delicious locally grown chestnuts. The town is home to many chestnut confectionery shops, where you can enjoy local chestnut sweets and foods while leisurely absorbing the quaint atmosphere. You will also have a good chance to purchase a variety of chestnut products, such as chestnut yokan, sweet chestnut paste, and more. We will also visit Floral Garden Obuse, featuring a wonderful variety of flowers planted throughout the landscape garden, ponds, and large flowerbeds. This beautiful scenery symbolizes Obuse as a flower town. Then we will head to the Madarao Highlands, stretching along the base of Mt. Madarao at an elevation of about 3,300 feet. We will stay at a popular highland resort hotel surrounded by beautiful nature. You can refresh yourself while overlooking the photogenic panoramic view of the vast ski grounds. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the onsen hot spring bath and open-air bath.
APRIL 18 (SUN) NIIGATA,
HOTEL OKURA NIIGATA
We will head to Niigata, Japan’s premier prefecture for rice and sake, boasting around 90 sake breweries and world-famous rice varieties such as Koshihikari. Nagaoka is the second-largest city in Niigata Prefecture and is often called a “Town of Sake.” We will visit Asahi Shuzo Brewery, known for its renowned premium sake brand Kubota. This sake is famous for its clean, crisp, and dry Tanrei Karakuchi style, made with high-quality local rice, pure water, and traditional brewing techniques. You can enjoy sake tasting and shopping, including award-winning sake. Later, we will head to Tsubame-Sanjo, a well-known metalworking powerhouse with a history of more than 400 years. Thanks to the precision and skill of local craftsmen, the area is highly regarded as one of the world’s leading metalwork production regions. Tsubame-Sanjo manufactures a wide variety of products, including cutting tools, tableware, kitchenware, and other items using advanced metal-processing techniques. We will enjoy shopping at the Tsubame-Sanjo Cutlery Center, a large store offering a wide selection of knives, kitchenware, gardening scissors, saws, and more. Niigata, known as the Rice Capital of Japan, is also famous for many high-quality rice products. We will visit Senbei Kingdom to enjoy a fun hands-on experience grilling your own senbei rice cracker. You can also purchase fresh, crispy senbei at the factory store for souvenirs. Our hotel is located along the Shinano River, Japan’s longest river. After hotel check-in, your tour guides will take you holo-holo to a commercial district near the hotel. Crossing the Bandai Bridge, a symbol of Niigata City with its beautiful series of sturdy stone arches, evokes a sense of majestic feeling and allows you to experience the atmosphere of Niigata.
APRIL 19 (MON) SADO ISLAND,
HOTEL AZUMA (ONSEN) ♨
Sado Island has gained worldwide attention after the Sado Gold Mines were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024. We will board the Jetfoil to this beautiful island, filled with picturesque scenery, fascinating history, unique culture, and traditional arts and entertainment. Upon arrival, we will visit Ogi to enjoy riding the Tarai-bune, a traditional washtub boat. You will be able to experience one of Sado Island’s rich traditions, as these tubs were once used for catching abalone in winding and narrow coves. Later, we will enjoy strolling through the historic town of Shukunegi, which developed as a Kitamaebune merchant ship port of call during the 17th century, when the Sado Gold Mine was thriving. The rows of houses in Shukunegi, built using a combination of shipbuilders’ skills and techniques, are designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Then, we will visit the sacred Meoto Rocks, also known as the “Husband and Wife Rocks.” These two huge rocks stand side by side like a couple and are said to bring good luck to families. You can also purchase famous local salt and dried persimmons, known as Hoshi-gaki, here. We will stay at a high-class resort hotel located within a national park. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Japanese kaiseki dinner featuring fresh seafood from the island, followed by a relaxing soak in the onsen hot spring bath and open-air onsen hot spring bath with a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan. Private onsen baths may also be available at your own expense.
APRIL 20 (TUE) NIIGATA,
HOTEL OKURA NIIGATA
Sado Island was once called the “Island of Gold” because it was home to one of Japan’s most productive gold mines. In the 17th century, it became one of the world's largest gold producers. We will visit the World Heritage Site Sado Gold Mine, an actual mining site that produced large amounts of gold and silver for nearly 400 years until mining stopped in 1989. First, we will visit the Sado Gold Mine Welcome Center, Kirariumu Sado, where you can learn about the mine's historical significance and attractions of the mine through videos, scroll paintings, and other visual displays. Then, we will visit the actual heritage sites of Sado Gold Mine, where you can walk through former mining tunnels and glimpse Japan’s golden era. You will observe traditional mining and production methods inside a fully underground hand-dug mine. We will also see the symbolic Doyu-no-Wareto, also known as the “Split Mountain,” an impressive remnant of past mining activity. Later, we will visit the former commissioner’s office, Sado Bugyosho, where you can learn how the Tokugawa Shogunate managed Sado Island and its gold mines during the Edo period. Then, we will visit Obata Sake Brewery, which has been producing delicious sake using local rice and spring water for more than 130 years. Enjoy the fine taste of famous Sado sake and watch a short English movie about its sake-making tradition. We will also visit Toki-no-Mori Park to see the symbolic crested ibis of Sado Island, known as Toki. This internationally protected bird was once extinct in Japan, but now inhabits Sado Island once again. Then, we will catch the Jetfoil back to Niigata City.
APRIL 21 (WED) YUZAWA ONSEN,
NASPA NEW OTANI (ONSEN) ♨
In the morning, we will enjoy seasonal strawberry picking, where you can taste as many fresh and sweet Japanese strawberries as you like. Then we will visit Niigata Furusato Village, a theme park-style facility featuring many Niigata-themed attractions. You can learn about Niigata's history and culture while shopping for local specialties such as traditional handicrafts, local snacks, sake, dried seafood, and more. Next, we will visit Nishikigoi-no-Sato. Nishikigoi, or ornamental Japanese carp, are often called “Living Jewels” and “Swimming Works of Art” because of their striking beauty. Their exquisite colors and patterns have captivated people around the world, and rare Nishikigoi have become valuable status symbols, sometimes selling for extremely high prices. You can marvel at these elegant fish, with around 200 specimens from 15 different varieties on display. Tonight, we will stay at an onsen resort hotel surrounded by the spectacular natural scenery of Yuzawa Town. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the onsen hot spring bath and open-air hot spring bath.
APRIL 22 (THU) TAKASAKI,
HOTEL METROPOLITAN TAKASAKI
We will view the spectacular scenery at Misato Shibazakura Park, where you can enjoy a stunning, dense carpet of colorful Shibazakura Moss Phlox in vibrant shades of pink, white, and purple. This is a wonderful place for photography, as the amazing blooms blanket the ground, creating breathtaking fields with intricate patterns and swirls. Then, we will enjoy a Daruma Doll Painting Experience. Takasaki Daruma is especially famous as a lucky Daruma, and this traditional craft has recently gained attention through a special collaboration with MLB, including a Shohei Ohtani-inspired Daruma. You can hand-paint your own daruma doll to bring good luck to your home. Afterward, we will visit Hanadaka Observation Flower Hill, where the Canola Flower Festival will be held. Canola blossoms are known for their brilliant yellow color, and if the timing is right, a breathtaking sea of around 300,000 yellow flowers will blanket the rolling hills with a beautiful mountain range in the background. You will also be able to enjoy the sweet fragrance of the flowers, creating an unforgettable spring moment in Japan. Our hotel is connected to Takasaki Station and its shopping building, which includes a 100-yen shop and other convenience stores. After checking into the hotel, enjoy shopping at your leisure.
APRIL 23 (FRI) YOKOHAMA,
YOKOHAMA BAY SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS
We will visit Ashikaga Flower Park to view its world-famous Great Wisteria. This ancient wisteria tree, over 160 years old, is said to be one of the most beautiful wisteria trees in the world and is admired for its breathtaking size, graceful shape, and dreamlike seasonal beauty. The massive Japanese wisteria trellises, as large as 600 tatami mats, create breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Enjoy the fairytale-like atmosphere of this magical Wisteria Wonderland. Please note that the blooming level depends on the climate that year. Then, we will proceed to Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city. We will stay for two nights at a very convenient hotel connected to an underground shopping mall and within easy walking distance of department stores, a 100-yen shop, an electronics store, and many other shops. After hotel check-in, your tour guide will take you holo-holo around the hotel area.
APRIL 24 (SAT) YOKOHAMA,
YOKOHAMA BAY SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS
Today will be a full free day to enjoy shopping, packing, meeting with friends, or relaxing at your own pace. For those who wish to visit the Yokohama Wholesale Market, your tour guide will take you there by public bus. You can enjoy shopping for traditional Japanese food items, such as umeboshi, tsukemono pickles, and other local specialties at wholesale prices. Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.
APRIL 25 (SUN) HANEDA / HONOLULU
At check-out time, our agent will come around to tape and tie up your boxes, then assist with bringing the baggage downstairs for check-in. In the afternoon, we will proceed to Haneda Airport to catch our evening flight to Honolulu. We will arrive in Honolulu on Sunday, April 25, the same morning. 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, all hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing, all passenger and baggage transfers, and a souvenir group picture are included in the itinerary.
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 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
TOUR LUNCHEON:
DATE:
TIME: 11:00 am
LOCATION: STADIUM CAMELLIA RESTAURANT
ADDRESS: 4510 SALT LAKE BLVD HONOLULU, HAWAII 96818
PHONE NUMBER: 808-486-3311